Yearly Archives: 2018

Launch of Ultimate Heli-port Midrand

Ultimate HELI, a well respected operator that flies fixed wing aircraft and helicopters out of Grand Central Airport. Grand Central Airport which is just up the road from the heli- port, located near the Alan dale off ramp in Midrand.

Bell 206 (Photo by Vincent Nagel)
Agusta A109 Grand ZS-BAX (Photo by Vincent Nagel)

Sunday the 9th December 2018 saw the official opening of the heli port with conjunction with National Airways Corporation (NAC).The gloomy Sunday morning saw invited guests and media being shown around the world class facility.


Agusta A109 Grand ZS-BAX (Photo by Vincent Nagel)

A number of helicopters visited the facility during the course of the day, while others have now taken up as residents at the heli port. Some of the helicopters that one could see was a number of Robinson R44s,Bell206 Jet Ranger, a Airbus H125, an Agusta A109,A119,Bell 430 and a Huey belonging to airshow performer Menno Parsons.

Photo by Camry De Lorme
Bell 430 (Photo by Camry De Lorme)
Bell 206 ZS-RVP (Photo by Vincent Nagel)
Airbus Helicopters H125 ZS-OCA (Photo by Camry De Lorme)
Bell 206 Jet Ranger (Photo by Vincent Nagel)
Bell 206 & Bell Huey(Photo by Camry De Lorme)

The heliport will have space for about 30 choppers and, since Ultimate HELI currently has 12 of its own, that leaves plenty of room for those that are corporately or privately owned. Roseveare knows that at least six or seven property owners within Waterfall own a helicopter, so they can now negotiate convenient storage space with the company.

Robinson R44s (Photo by Vincent Nagel)

Please  click on Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going!


ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield

ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield

#ICADSA2018 International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) was held on Saturday, 08 December 2018 at the Nelspruit Airfield in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, under the theme: ‘Working together to ensure no country is left behind’.

The Minister of Transport, Dr. Blade Nzimande, addressed the people at ICAD. The ICAD official commemoration was preceded by a career expo attended by 1600 learners from neighbouring schools around Nelspruit, especially previously disadvantaged communities.

ICAD 2018

The ICAD and Career Expo was organised by the Department of Transport in partnership with the Mpumalanga provincial Government and key stakeholders in aviation, academia and the youth, organised under the banner of the Joint Aviation Awareness Programme (JAAP).
ICAD is an annual event initiated by the United Nations (UN) and is aimed at raising awareness regarding the importance of civil aviation and the role the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) plays in international air transport. ICAO is a United Nations specialised agency, responsible for administering and standardising the world’s civil aviation activities.
The Flying Lions and The Cows Aerobatic Team were sadly forced to turn around on route to ICAD due to bad weather. The Kishugu team put a lot of help and effort into ICAD 2018 and despite the huge impact the weather had on ICAD, the Kishugu team managed to pull off a spectacular show. The show was shortened and had no repeat performances. Short but Amazing.
The team managing the show was Rikus Erasmus, Johan Heine and Werner Terblanche and what a great job they did!

Commentary was done by Capital Sounds and the voice of Thamsanqa Elvis Manene was enjoyed by the crowd!
The CAA of South Africa and Partners put a lot of effort into ICAD 2018 and it was a huge success and one to be remembered. The CAA utilized a lot of facilities and made use of large marquee tents to brief the learners who were bussed in and were received in a very organized manner.
Every learner received a complimentary backpack and gift pack, thereafter they were taken to a large marquee hosting about 1000 learners where they were treated to good food and soft drinks. Two hangers with career expo info of high standard were available for the learners to explore different careers within the aviation industry.
Capital sounds covered the entire spectator area and about 300m of crowd line. Elvis Manene host broadcaster excelled in his task informing the learners in aircraft and manoeuvres and provided them with well researched information.

ICAD 2018_2

Friday also saw lots of busses bringing learners to the career expo and seeing the validation flights for Aircraft getting ready for Saturdays ICAD Airshow.
Saturday saw a large public crowd who came to see the ICAD 2018 Airshow. The Minister and deputy Minister of Transport and many more dignitaries also attended ICAD 2018.

At 11:30 bad weather and extreme lighting made the director of safety delay the show until it was safe to continue. The minister and his entourage then sat down to enjoy a meal in a marquee that was set out stunningly beautifully.
As lunch was completed the Airshow continued. The pilots and Elves had the crowd cheering!
The Aircraft participating included; a three ship Goodyear Eagles, RV7 flown by Pierre Gouws, The high energy Team Xtreme with Nigel Hopkins, Mark Hensman and Mark Sampson who kept the crowd thrilled. Ivan van der Schaar in the Boeing Stearman demonstrated some majestic and classic aerobatics, while the Jet action was provided by Glen warden in the L29 giving his best display ever!
“Little Annie”, an Antonov AN-2 was up with the 4 skydivers followed up closely with an SAPS
Pilatus PC-6 and 3 Task Force skydivers. One of the Skydivers was carrying a huge South African Flag and with Capital Sounds playing the national anthem, the scholars joined in singing along to the National anthem, which gave all a memorable goose bump and hair-raising moment.
Disaster management team with the professional guidance Jacques Benadie proved why they are one of the finest DM teams in Southern Africa.
CEO Johan Du Plessis was specially kitted out in a quad and the VOC was well equipped and ready for anything that can go wrong. Roanda and Sean England providing the ATC, which was brilliantly handled with exceptional aircraft handling. Just after 4pm a huge storm was expected and the organizers had everything cleared and removed before the storm arrived.

Photos below  Advertisement


Please  click on Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going!



Click to Enlarge Photos (By Ricky Fouche)


Please  click on Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going!



http://www.facebook.com/AviationSA

Best of 2018

Best of 2018

Best of 2018 submitted by Aviation Central’s followers!

Best of 2018

This page is dedicated to our Followers giving you the opportunity to submit your top two photos of the 2018 season.
This is not a competition but giving you the opportunity to show your love and passion for Aviation!

Click here to send us your photo(s)

Your photos will be shared below this advert

Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

Dian Townsend

My first photo was taken at this year’s SAAF Museum Airshow held in May. The wind was scares and the smoke hung nicely in the air. Patrick Davidson did not disappoint with his display. I used my Canon Powershot sx530hs camera on shutter priority for this shot.  (Read more on Patrick Davidson)

Rooivalk with Flares


Gavin Petersen

C-130 sunset at AAD 2018, iPhone 6

C-130 sunset at AAD 2018

Gripen sunset at AAD 2018, iPhone 6

 


 Des Hewitt

Armed Forced day 2018 Du Brug Bloemfontein

Armed Forced day 2018 Du Brug Bloemfontein
Armed Forced day 2018 Du Brug Bloemfontein

Click to enlarge

Photo upload 2018

Upload your top photos from 2018 and we will share them for you for everyone to see!

Best of 2018

Before uploading your photos please have a look at the T&C’s

  1. Only two photos per person
  2. Max file size per photo is 1mb
  3. All photos must contain a short text describing where the photo was taken and what aircraft & pilot name (where its known)
  4. Photo must be uploaded with permission to share on our Website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.
  5. We cannot be held responsible for anyone downloading the photo from any of our online platforms.
  6. You can add a watermark to your photo before uploading, but it is not a requirement.
  7. You requested to share the page with your friends when your photo is online
  8. This is not Competition, but an opportunity to showcase your top tow photos of 2018
  9. Once uploaded we will receive your submission, review and then share

Upload form below this advert

Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

 





    End


    Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards

    Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards

    Aero_Club_100_LogoThe past weekend the Aero Club of South Africa hosted their annual Awards dinner in a stunning Black-tie event hosted at the Wanderers Club, this where the Aero Club awards all that excelled in the Year or over a prolonged period. To the Airshow loving public this is where they announce the top 3 airshows of the year!

    Awards Dinner 2018

    The Top 3 airshows for 2018 are:

    In 3rd Place FAW Ermelo Air Show

    Ermelo Airshow

    Photo Credit: Mark Mansfield – M³ Media

    Ermelo Aeronautical Society was the first airshow of the 2018 season. The officials went out of their way to accommodate those professional photographers. The overall logistical management of fuel and smoke oil, air traffic control, spectators, vendors, sponsors, the large beer garden tent and of course the participating pilots was outstanding. The pre-show documentation was high quality. This was an excellent day of exciting entertainment as the display pilots excelled to keep the crowds on their feet and cheering with delight. As an outlying town on the air show circuit the Ermelo team went beyond the normal call of duty to earn this airshow a place among three best in South Africa.

    2nd place Rand Airshow

    Rand Airshow 2018

    Photo Credit: Garth Carlitz – Flightline Weekly

    The annual Rand Airport Airshow is known to be one of the bigger shows on the circuit. Not only in footprint but also in the offering to the public. The complexity of the layout in terms of airspace and other logistics is a challenge to any organiser. The Rand team have managed to capture this winning formula to near perfection. Crowd numbers is proof of this concept. A line-up of participants can’t wait to be part of this event to entertain the crowds. A wide variety of stalls compliment the crowd area with plenty of opportunity to view static display and other aviation related stalls. Despite the economic constrains in South Africa, the Rand Air Show management continue their support and commitment to host a show of such magnitude and maintain the world class standards in the flying displays. The Rand show has become a “landmark” on the SA calendar.  The show style and presentation of the airshow programme are aligned with world class standards.

    We at Aviation Central is proud to be part of this as we ran the official Facebook page for The Rand Airshow 2018 and we will be running the Facebook page again in 2019 for the Rand Airshow

    1st place Lowveld Airshow

    The Kishugu Lowveld airshow started with early morning action in the sky from early morning with the launch of several hot air balloons to well after sunset with the night formation flight of the Puma Energy Flying Lions, followed by incredible fireworks display and a rock band on the airside. A very first in South Africa.

    With a good mix of military aircraft, including the Gripen, two Airlink Embraer E195 displays, Working on Fire Huey helicopters and water bombers, the brand new to South Africa magnificent Blackhawk helicopter as well as a fantastic line-up of individual display aircraft and aerobatics teams this was an airshow to remember. The general layout of operational matters and the professional handling of the pre-show planning, post-show debrief to ensure continuity and identify areas of improvement is a huge contributing factor to ensure a place amongst the top three air show in South Africa.


    Most Enthusiastic Flying Club

    2nd Place for the Most Enthusiastic Flying Club award is presented to

     Brakpan Aero Club

    One of the older flying clubs, founded in 1928, it has been continuously active especially with training since Sluggy started instructing in 1963. They now own the airfield and have upgraded the facilities to make it a destination of choice for the $100 breakfast. The overall enthusiasm is demonstrated in hosting the Safety First Aviator presentations and continuing to find reasons to celebrate aviation such as a Womens Day or a Bi-plane day, or even a Cessna Day.

    1st Place for the most enthusiastic Flying Club award is presented to

    Ermelo Aeronautical Society

    Their general enthusiasm is demonstrated throughout the year in their activities, from a willingness to host the PTAR, to organising distinguished guest speakers, to being an early participant in African Pilots Flying Club articles. They boast about 60 members, and 35 aircraft. But it is there enthusiasm and support for Aero Club activities that we celebrate tonight.


    Don Tilley Trophy

    The Don Tilley Trophy is presented to Nigel Musgrave for his significant Contribution to Safety in Aviation
    Nigel has been an ASSA Accredited Safety Officer for more than 10 years. He was the Chief Safety Officer at the President’s Trophy Air Race since 2016, the Designated Safety Officer for EAA Chapter 322 and of EAA of South Africa for at least 4 years. Nigel has acted as Safety Officer for numerous air shows, fly-ins, air races, rally and other Aeroclub member organisation flying events at many centres all around South Africa. He works tirelessly at all these events. Nigel also assists the flying clubs, AeCSA member organisations in the tedious process for all pre-event and post event documentation required. Without doubt, Nigel’s dedication has been a major factor in enhancing flight safety. Most often, Nigel Musgrave’s oversight costs him financially on most occasions when he carries out Safety Officer duties.


    Dennis Jankelow Trophy

    The Dennis Jankelow Trophy is presented to Sean Russell for exceptional airmanship. It is not often that we award someone who steals an aircraft.

    Our candidate DID actually steal a motorglider at the age of 12, and sent himself solo in the process. He invited a friend to join him in running away from home in Cape Town, to see his mum in Johannesburg. He was most successful in this venture arriving safely at Robertson to refuel, where his conscience and the practical aspects of the adventure finally overtook him. He elected to return the plane and took off back for Cape Town which would have too been successful other than an unseen three wire fence in the forced landing ground following a genuine engine failure (it was not caused by fuel starvation). Buy him a beer and you can hear the full story that was much publicised in 1988. He went on to fly fixed and rotary wings rather successfully and is a recreational aviation enthusiast still after some near 8,500 hours. Sean Russell is currently the chief test pilot for The Airplane Factory, producers of the magnificent Sling series of aircraft. When not flying for TAF you can find him tugging gliders for fun on his days off. But that is not why we celebrate Sean Russell tonight. In April of this year Sean noticed that a fellow aviator was attempting to land at Tedderfield without his nose landing gear extended. He quickly ran to a radio and advised the pilot to go around and the nature of the problem.  Whilst the pilot flying around nearby, Sean quickly grabbed a plane to assist – he did not steal it this time. Despite advising the pilot to pull G and a close visual inspection by Sean they were unsuccessful in getting the nose gear to deploy. Then the pilots radio began failing, the pilot could only agree to commands via clicking. Sean assessed the situation and took action against pilot overload, failing communications, lack of emergency services all compounded by diminishing fuel and daylight. He directed the pilot to fly in formation with him to Rand Airport where there were full emergency services. He then advised Rand of the problem, declared an emergency on behalf of the pilot and escorted him in formation all the way to finals. We can celebrate that the landing was without injury. Sean then flew overhead to ensure all was well and flew back to Tedderfield.  He considers this willingness to help a fellow aviator in distress just a normal thing, totally unworthy of any attention. And that in itself, shows just what we are celebrating tonight. A display of exceptional and exemplary airmanship, care for a fellow aviator in need and expert assistance without reward.  Sean is a very worthy recipient of this award, so long as he does not steal any more planes!


    James Gilliland Trophy

    The James Gilliland Trophy is presented to Patrick Davidson for the most meritorious feat over the past year.
    In 2018, Patrick Davidson became the first pilot from South Africa to fly in the Challenger Class in the Red Bull Air Race. Although a newcomer to the Red Bull Air Race, he achieved a 2nd place on the Podium in Kazan in Russia, and a third place on the podium in Indianapolis in the United States.
    Patrick says “I feel that becoming a part of the Red Bull Air Race is one of the highest accolades that an aerobatic pilot could dream of. This is a different kind of flying and I would like to learn as much as I can, but having the personality that I have, I also want to achieve as best I can! It is an awesome privilege and an honour for me to fly the South African flag in this sport.”  Read more on this great man here 


    SA Eagle Trophy

    The SA Eagle trophy is presented to Aldo Vos for the Most meritorious achievement at in international event
    Aldo (age 15) participated for the first time at the FAI F3J World Championship for Model Gliders, only 18 months after he started flying competitively. Through his dedication, skill, and competitive drive, he improved his skills through the many training sessions, by the experienced seniors of the team. By evaluating himself against the seasoned senior pilots due to a lack of junior competition, he inadvertently pushed himself to a very high standard. After 14 rounds at the world championships, he made the fly-offs. Under lots of pressure he stayed calm and consistently flew well through the 6 rounds of finals and achieved a FAI Silver Medal. This performance is well worth a most meritorious achievement award, and we wish him all the best for his flying future.


    PGS Trophy

    The PGS Trophy is presented to Bat Hawk South Africa for its significant contribution to Manufacture or Design in South African Aviation.
    The Bat Hawk is a proudly South African “Light Sport Aircraft” designed and built by Micro Aviation in Nelspruit. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready to fly aircraft and complies with the ASTM2245 Build Standard rules and regulations as well as South African Civil Aviation Type Approval. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration open cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single Rotax engine in tractor configuration. It is a conventional 3-axis light sport aircraft with unrivalled STOL capabilities and out-of-cockpit visibility. The Bat Hawk proudly plays a major role in the attempt to combat Rhino and Elephant Poaching in Africa.


    Silver Wings

    Silver Wings

    Silver Wings are presented to an Aero Club member for an exceptional project to further the goals of the Aero Club of South Africa.

    Richardt was instrumental in making Aero Club’s Airweek 2018 a success, by personally making use of his facilities, aircraft and financial support. He ensured that wherever a problem was raised, he stepped in to find a pragmatic solution that prevented Aero Club from having to absorb significant costs. He went further by personally making a donation to the Transformation and Development teams expenses. And there is more, he provided rides in his jet at cost to himself to ensure that Aero Club was not out of pocket. His enthusiasm and support for all Aero Club members is truly noteworthy.

    Kevin Storie for an exceptional project to further the goals of the Aero Club of South Africa.
    This award is given to Kevin not for a single project but for his continual passionate behind-the-scenes support of Aero Club in various projects. Such support has not always been popular, but it has been conducted with a clear focused goal to create a stronger and better Aero Club across all its sections, for all its members. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that the recreational aviator remains able to pursue their freedom without undue costs and regulatory impediments. Whilst it is true that Kevin started many of these projects whilst being an employee of the Aero Club, he has continued his efforts and support well beyond his tenure with passionate determination.

    Marie Reddy for an exceptional project to further the goals of the Aero Club of South Africa.
    In every organisation you get someone who sits quietly and often their exceptional deeds possibly go unnoticed. They are often the first to help in a crisis and get the job done. Silver Wings are awarded for exceptional service for a particular project for the benefit of Aero Club members, but in this instance it would be hard to identify one, but we can name a few – FAI Conference bid proposal for 2020 (which we withdrew from due to finally establishing that the costs exceed the potential benefits), overall 2020 Centenary Planning , the 2017 Awards dinner and tonight’s function. Marie Reddy is a constant supporter of Aero Club efforts often at huge personal cost who over-delivers and is a pleasure to deal with, making her a real asset to our club.


    Gold Wings

    Gold Wings

    Nigel Musgrave for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    Nigel Musgrave has been an AeCSA Member for 13 years and has been a major contributor to flight safety during this time as an ASSA Accredited Safety Officer. Nigel used to fly his own microlight aircraft but no longer pursues this activity.
    He is a gentleman and an asset to the Aero Club of South Africa

    Rowena Kraidy for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    Don’t let her size fool you because “dynamite definitely comes in small packages”! Skydiver, Balloonist, Microlighter, PPL’er, Instructor,
    Administrator, Mother and wife, golfer … Rowena’s recreational aviation involvement began in 1985 when she started running the Grahamstown Parachute Club.
    In 1988 her aviation career and interest in aviation began when she won a complete skydiving rig on a raffle at the Swakopmund Christmas Boogie.
    The Grahamstown Parachuting Club became Eastern Province Skydivers in 1989 which she ran together with her husband, Deon, for 13 years boasting
    with an impeccable safety record. During this time, she got her PPL and accumulated over 1000 skydives and dedicated her time to teaching skydiving.

    For a period of 10 years, she acted as a skydiving judge of her life to judging skydiving at both national and international skydiving competitions in
    Switzerland, France, Turkey, Australia and the USA. She established Leading Edge Flight School in 1995. She is passionate about teaching.
    Training started initially on weight shift microlights and then progressed to conventionally controlled microlights and light sport Aeroplanes.
    In 2002 she relocated the school to Hoedspruit and found that she was a little closer to the action in Gauteng and started getting more involved.
    Rowena was first elected to the MISASA Committee in 2008 as the Technical representative, a portfolio she has held and managed till today.
    She has diligently served on the Aero Club Approved Person Technical Committee for the past 10 years. She was very involved with the startup
    of RAASA in 2008 as a consultant assisting to draft many of the regulations and documents. She has personally sacrificed valuable time away
    from home to be involved with the RAASA run Project 24 as the Secretariat and has served as a member of the board of Aero Club of South Africa
    since 2013. She currently holds an A-grade instructor’s rating.
    A deserved award for Rowena and thank her for her dedication, sacrifice and her immense contribution to MISASA

    Gold Wings are presented to Nico Willemse for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    Nico started his microlight flying career in 2000 under the instruction of Piet Junius on a Windlass Weightshift Controlled Microlight. He would
    later purchase this aircraft. Johnty Esser did his final flight test. Most of Nico’s flying was done in the Potgietersrus area. Sadly the flight school
    closed at Potties. Nico later did his PPL in Pietersburg but personally found the joys of microlights far outweighed fixed wing aircraft. He obtained
    his instructors rating in Gauteng. He assisted several flight schools in the Johannesburg area as an instructor and in doing so accumulated many
    logged hours but also valuable experience. He started his own school in 2013 and was the first RAASA Part 62 approved school. The school’s
    He has trained several instructors, has a thriving school and trained students from as far as Namibia and Botswana. Limpopo Flight School
    is a fully fledged ATO offering ground school, radio courses, online examination centre and flight training is done on a variety of trikes. There are
    10 WCM’s to choose from. He currently has 18 students and a full waiting list for prospective aviators.Nico has accumulated over 6000 trike hours,
    is a respected aviator and family man and a valuable member of the MISASA Committee. We thank him for his contribution.

    Gold Wings are presented to Charlie Marais for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    For his contribution to develop and facilitate the officials training courses for special air events in the Air show environment, now also been extended to other disciplines. He has been involved for the past 10 years in the ASSA discipline and also served as ASSA chairman previously. His knowledge and unconditional eagerness to help is an asset we need to acknowledge with the highest order in the Aero Club ”

    Gold Wings are presented to Barrie Eeles for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    Barrie started flying at the age of 17, and did his first solo at 11hours, achieved his PPL in 1986, and started flying Aerobatics in April 2005.
    Barrie has been a very active member of the SAC committee since 2008, serving as Chairman for 2 of those years. In addition to all the normal duties of the SAC committee, Barrie has very successfully organised special training camps, and has coached numerous pilots in aerobatics. Barrie is very passionate about the sport of Aerobatics and is always willing to find new ways to encourage new pilots into the sport. He has often taken on the role of contest director, and organiser at our local aerobatic contests.
    Barrie is a very focussed competitor, and as such he has won several National championship titles in the various categories as he has grown in the sport. He was Sportsman National Champion in 2007, Advanced National Champion in 2012, and represented SA at the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
    In 2010 he was part of the very successful South African Advanced Aerobatic Team who won the silver medal for South Africa. Barrie has been awarded full national colours for Aerobatics no less than four times. He currently flies in the Unlimited Class and has also represented SA at this level in 2017.

    Barrie Eeles is an integral part of the SAC committee and we value his support and commitment to the SAC.

    Gold Wings are presented to Elton Bondi for 10 years continuous contribution to Sport Aviation in South Africa.
    Elton Bondi learnt to fly in Zimbabwe, when he was 17yrs old, and worked as a flying instructor in that country teaching 10 pilots to fly before he was himself 20yrs old. He has been flying competition and display aerobatics for over 10 years.
    Elton has been a very active member of the SAC committee since 2008, serving as Chairman for 2 of those years. Charismatic as ever, Elton often quietly sorts things out behind the scenes. He has often assisted in organising our local contests, as well as being contest director a number of times. He played a pivotal role in the success of the 2017 World Aerobatics Championship, when it was hosted in South Africa, often spending numerous hours ensuring everything was in place.
    Elton has won three national titles including the Advanced National aerobatic championship twice. He has senior Protea colours for representing South Africa twice in international Advanced aerobatic competitions.
    Elton believes that aviation has the power to inspire people to be the best that they can. Flying requires self-discipline, tenacity, passion and most of all a huge dose of humility, all excellent traits which we believe Elton has.


    Lewis Lang trophy

    Lewis Lang Trophy is awarded to Russell Achterberg for Pilot of the Year.
    Russell Achterburg – Won the paragliding world cup in Aksaray, Turkey 8-15 September 2018. Started paragliding in 2004 and has been part of the SA Paragliding team since 2011. For this gold medal performance, he is awarded our Pilot of the Year.


    Life Time Achievement Award

    The Life Time achievement award is presented to an Aero Club member who has been unfailing in his support for the last 30 years.

    He has been a member of the SAC since the late 1970s
    He used to be a competing pilot in the 1970s
    He has captained several International SA teams during the 1980s
    He has been SAC chief judge for over 2 decades
    He has been world chief judge for over a decade
    He has been a very active Director on the CIVA executive for over a decade
    He pioneered the first World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in SA 20years ago.
    He conceived and pioneered first World Intermediate Aerobatic Championships again in South Africa 5 years ago.
    He was the catalyst for South Africa hosting the 2017 Unlimited World Championships, where he was the Contest Director.
    He is often invited to be Chief Judge at the national contest of different countries (European, Australian, Brazilian)
    And despite all this international acclaim the guys still find time to coach Sportsmen level pilots from time to time.
    Basically, the man is a legend in Aerobatics and he is John Gaillard!
    John Louis Gaillard has been involved with aerobatics since the 1970s.
    He initially competed in a Stampe Biplane, and was sufficiently fortunate (and skilful) to have survived a catastrophic engine failure after take-off at the old Baragwaneth aerodrome.
    Not deterred by this experience, John has continued to play a very active and leading role in aerobatics to this day.
    By the 1980s John had captained the South Africa team at a number of world championships. He also became very proficient at judging local contests, and was soon invited to judge at international events.
    A particularly testing moment occurred internationally when John called a zero score for an incorrectly flown figure by a very popular leading pilot, none of the other judges saw the error and hence all scored the pilot highly, this made John even more unpopular. Even under significant pressure John refusing to back down on what he saw to be true. A subsequent review of the video recording proved John to be correct. From this moment onwards Johns reputation as a fair and precise judge grew enormously and he was soon appointed as the World Chief Judge, a title he holds to this day. There is hardly an international aerobatic contest that John is not invited to oversee as the chief judge.
    John is so well recognised across the world, that he is often invited to be the Chief Judge at the National Championships of other nationals and to train their judges. John has judged aerobatics in North America, South America, throughout West, Central and Eastern Europe, China, Australia and of course in South Africa.
    In addition to judging John is also the South African representative on CIVA, the FAI body responsible for overseeing aerobatics internationally.
    John has personally pioneered two world firsts in aerobatics which have gone on to become fixed and very popular events in the international aerobatics calendar. Prior to 1995, international aerobatic competition only occurred at the Unlimited level. John pioneered and successfully organised the very first international contest at the Advanced level which was hosted in Cape Town in 1995. The Advanced class have been competing internationally ever since.
    And in 2013 John again pioneered the first international contest at the Intermediate level which was again organised by John and successfully hosted in Mossel Bay. To top this all John was the initiator and Contest Director at the successful 2017 Unlimited Aerobatics Contest held last year in Malelane.
    Johns pioneering spirit is showing no signs of slowing down and he is part of a team looking to introduce a new more affordable class of aerobatics involving light sport aircraft and even electrically powered aircraft.
    Despite his achievements and recognition internationally, John still enjoys and is very active judging at a small local regional contests. He even finds time to coach junior up and coming pilots from time to time. John has been the Chairman of the Sport Aerobatic Club several times and remains a member of the Executive Committee.
    John has also played an important role in promoting safety in aerobatics in both the competition and airshow arenas. To this end he has authored a number of policy documents which govern the safety of airshow operations as well as the qualification of airshow pilots.
    John has participated in Sport Aerobatics from all perspectives, as a competing pilot, as a judge, as an organiser and as an official. He is probably one of the most recognised and long standing names in aerobatics worldwide, and there can be no doubt that a large part of the success and stature that South Africa has achieved in world aerobatics can be accredited directly to John Gaillard.
    John continues to receive the highest respect and recognition from his counterparts internationally. Not scared of confrontation, John is respected for his research, foresight and wisdom in addressing areas that others steer clear of and welcome his input. His international standing was recently highlighted at a recent FAI conference where his absence was noted with genuine concern and a display of respect by many.


    National Colours and Special Acknowledgements

    The South Africa Olympics Committee – SASCOC – only acknowledges participating competitors and their team managers by awarding them Springbok colours. Yet many sports require the support of others for competitions to actually take place. Aero Club acknowledges these whose dedication, commitment and sacrifice is equal to that of the competitors, and as necessary; by awarding their efforts with Special Acknowledgement Certificates.
    Balloon and Airship Federation of South Africa (BAFSA)

    Danie Minnaar and David Mac Gregor are awarded with Senior Protea Colours for participating in the 23rd FAI Hot Air Balloon Championships held at Austria from the 19th to the 25th of August 2018 and special Acknowledgement to the Crew who was Heinrich Hoffman, Jos Minnaar, Burger Minnaar.

    Parachute Association of South Africa (PASA)

    1. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Christopher Teague for participating in the 7th FAI World Championships of Canopy Piloting held at Wroclaw, Poland from the 2nd to the 7th of July 2018.
    2. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Johannes Liebenberg for participating in the 2nd FAI World Wingsuit Flying Championship held at Prostejov, Czech Republic from the 26th to the 31st of August 2018.
    3. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Bailey Edmunds, Bernard Janse van Rensburg, Carmen Edmunds, Ian van den Berge and Yolande van den Berge for participating in the 23rd FAI World Formation Skydiving Championship held at Goldcoast, Australia from the 6th to the 13th of October 2018.
    4. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Bailey Edmunds, Claire King, Diederik Venter, Nicolaas Hickley for participating in the 3rd FAI World Cup of Indoor Skydiving held at Zallaq, Bahrain from the 25th to the 28th of October 2018.
    5. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Matteo Pagani, Christopher Teague and Warren Hitchcock for participating in the 9th FAI World Cup of Canopy piloting 2017 held at Dubai, UAE from the 25th of November to the 2nd of December 2017.

    Sport Aerobatic Club (SAC)

    1. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Eugene du Preez and Leigh Le Gonidec for participating in the Advanced World Aerobatic Championships held at Ploiesti, Romania from the 15th to the 28th of August 2018 and Special Acknowledgement to Quintin Hawthorne, Johnnie Smith, Lazlo Liskay and John Gaillard for Judging the Championships.

    South African Modelling Aircraft Association (SAMAA)

    1. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Evert Scholtz and Keith Renecle for participating in the FAI F2 World Championships for Control Line Model Aircraft held at Landres, France from the 14th to the 19th of July 2018.
    2. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Alan Smith, Craig Goodrum, Michelle Goodrum for participating in the FAI F3J World Championship for Model Gliders held at Ploiesti, Romania from the 22nd to the 28th of July 2018 and Junior Protea Colours to Aldo Vos for his participation in the F3J World Championships for Model Gliders.
    3. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Alan Ball, Devon Barnett, Luke Bakke and Ruivan Branco for participating in the FAI F4U World Drone Racing Championships held at Shenzhen, China from the 1st to the 4th of November 2018. Junior Protea Colours to Jadon Churchman for his participation in the FAI F4U World Drone Racing Championships
    4. Senior Protea Colours awarded to André Stockwell, Clinton Carter-Brown, Grant Brook and Roston Dugmore for participating in the F3A World Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft held at Villa Gesell, Argentina from the 5th to the 11th of November 2017.

    South African Power flying Association (SAPFA)

    1. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Caroline Eckard, Frank Eckard, Jonathan Esser, Martin Meyer, Mary de Klerk, Matthys van der Merwe, Rob Jonkers, Ronald Stirk and Sandra Goddard for participating in the 21st FAI World Rally Flying Championships held at Dubnica, Slovakia from the 5th to the 11th of August 2018, and Special Acknowledgement to Hans Schwebel for being the 1st International Judge, Ursula Schwebel, Jozef Jacobs and Barbara Frieboese who was the International Judges and Leon Bouttell who was the Judge Observer at this event.

    Soaring Society of South Africa (SSSA)

    1. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Attie Jonker, Dawid Pretorius, Uys Jonker, Nico Le Roux and Stephan van den Berg for participating in the Club, Standard and 15meter classes of the 35th FAI World Gliding Championships held at Ostrow, Poland from the 1st to the 7th of July 2018.
    2. Senior Protea Colours awarded to Abraham Kotze, Carol Clifford, Laurens Goudriaan, Oscar Goudriaan and Uys Jonker for participating in the Open, 18meters and 20 meters, 2-seater classes of the 35th FAI World Gliding Championships held at Hosin, Czech Republic from the 28th of July to the 12th of August 2018.

    South African Hang and Paragliding Association (SAHPA)

    1. Special Acknowledgement Certificates awarded to Andre Rainsford-Alberts, Andrew Smith, Jon Pio, Khobi-Jane Bowden, Russell Achterberg, Stephan Kruger, Theunis de Bruin for participating in the Paragliding World Cup Tour held at Aksaray, Turkey from the 8th to the 15th of September 2018.
    FAI Continental record is presented to Bailey Edmunds,Carmen Edmunds, Ian van den Berge, Yolandi van den Berge and Bernard Janse van Rensburg for setting the new African record for parachuting in formation 4 Way and highest average for ten rounds with a performance of 14,4 points
    FAI Continental record is presented with two Certificates to Hendri Liebenberg for setting the African Record for the greatest distance of 3.898 km and greatest speed 260.3 km/h

    Special Recognition

    1. Alard Hufner for winning the Icarus Trophy 2018.
    The Icarus race is a 1000-mile, unsupported, cross country paramotor adventure race. This is you and your flying machine against the wilderness in the ultimate test of pilot skill and endurance, this is the world’s toughest air race which took place in Southern Africa in July 2018 and started on the 25th of July with 27 paramotorists taking to the skies just north of Johannesburg and took them across Botswana to finish near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Alard completed the journey over a period of three days, 27 pilots from the UK, Europe, North and South America, South Africa and the Middle East made it to the finish line. Alard also won the shorter weekend-long-X-series event in April this year.
    2. Christopher Teague for the splendid achievement on setting the African Canopy Piloting Record of 2.404 seconds over a 70meter carved speed at Wroclaw Poland on the 4th of July 2018. The previous record was 2,434 seconds also set by Christopher Teague on the 5th of April in 2015.
    3. Naomi Kotzee for being invited to be part of the Vertical Elite Team to participate in the Vertical Formation World Parachute Record 2018 attempt held at Skydive Chicago, Ottawa, IL, USA from the 13th to the 18th of August 2018.
    4. Bailey Edmunds, Nico Hickley, Claire King and Dirk Venter for achieving the great distinction and honour of representing South Africa in the sport of parachuting Indoor Formation Skydiving.
    5. Middelburg Aero Club Team for successfully hosting the Aero Club Airweek 2018. The team accepted the challenge of hosting the Aero Club Airweek 2018 with enthusiasm and met every problem with a solution. This was a true team effort and it would be unfair to single out any person, however under the guidance of
    Richardt Lovett, an excellent air meeting was achieved. The event was marred by imperfect weather but that should not discount the extraordinary efforts the team went to, in hosting the event.
    6. Theunis De Bruin out of 278 pilots for winning the Nordic Open 2018, with a total score of 2507 in his Ozone Enzo 3 Glider the competition was held at Macedonia from the 26th of August to the 1st of September 2018.


    End


     

    Visit to the SAAF Museum 03 November 2018

    Visit to the SAAF museum 03 November 2018

    Since 1973 the SA Air Force Museum has been the custodian of South Africa’s military aviation heritage. Our legacy, dating back to 1920, is one worth preserving and we aim to showcase this legacy to the public through our world-class displays.

    The South African Air Force Museum aims to collect, preserve, restore and exhibit aircraft and articles relevant to the air force and South African military aviation. All our exhibits are designed in a way which is inclusive, factually accurate and conveys context in a way which does not express judgment. A dedicated team of permanent force, citizen force and civilian members works tirelessly to achieve these objectives and to oversee the day-to-day running of the museum as well as its continuous improvement.

    The SAAF Museum is free for all members of the public but donations are appreciated, with all donations going towards the running of the museum.

    The AFB Swartkop branch of the SAAF Museum is the largest branch of the museum and serves as the SAAF Museum’s headquarters. It is also the only branch of the SAAF Museum to boast a fleet of airworthy aircraft. A flying day is held on the first Saturday of each month, with members of the public welcome to attend.

    Aircraft on display

    • Aerospatiale Alouette III
    • Aerospatiale Puma
    • Aerospatiale Super Frelon
    • Atlas Cheetah E
    • Atlas Cheetah C
    • Atlas Impala Mk.I
    • Atlas Impala Mk.II
    • Atlas XH-1 Alpha
    • Avro Shackleton
    • Blackburn Buccaneer
    • Boeing 707
    • Canadair CL-13
    • Douglas DC-4
    • Dassault Mirage III BZ
    • Dassault Mirage III CZ
    • Dassault Mirage III RZ
    • English Electric Canberra T Mk.4
    • Fieseler Storch
    • Lockheed Ventura
    • Mikoyan MiG-21 (South Africa returned jet to Angola in 2017)
    • Mirage F1 AZ
    • North American Harvard
    • North American Mustang
    • Patchen Explorer
    • Paterson Biplane
    • Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II
    • Westland Wasp

    To Reead more about the MIG 21’s return to Angola click here https://goo.gl/dEz5JM

    **Click to enlarge photos below**

    Hi Res photos, slow to load

    Sources:
    http://www.saafmuseum.com/swartkop-branch.html#swartkop
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Air_Force_Museum

    Eagle Air’s State-of-the-art Flight Simulator

    Eagle Air’s new State-of-the-art Flight Simulator

    SACAA approved Simulator was launched by Eagle Air Academy based at Wonderboom National Airport South Africa.
    The Simulator was acquired at a Cost of few million and has four Aircraft modules build in:

    1. Piper Warrior
    2. Piper Arrow
    3. Piper Seneca
    4. Cessna 425 Turbines

    Video courtesy of Fly Media team and Eagle air

    5 benefits of flight simulator:

    • Flight simulator allows students to exercise and master specific flight conditions without leaving the ground at all
    • Training that takes place in a simulator is predictable without the interruption of unforeseen delays such a poor weather or mechanical difficulties.
    • When comparing costs, plane simulator training can be more affordable than live flight time, saving costs for fuel, wear and tear and aircraft rental.
    • Student safety is secured during flight simulations allowing flight instructor learners to train under emergency conditions as well as bad weather and technical and mechanical failure.
    • Flight simulators allow students in training the opportunity to practice until perfect, mastering technique and decision making and various stress factors during flight.

    The Simulator arrived at the Eagle air facilities at Wonderboom National Airport on 4th October 2018 followed by assembly, Testing and SACAA testing and certification.  The official opening of the new flight simulator was on 25th October 2018 and Percy Rudman that the Rates will soon be announced. South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) certificated the FNTP 2 Flight Device with RNAV and MCC.

     

    Bennie du Plessis, a well-known figure in the South African general aviation industry and a keen aviator checking out Eagle Air’s new Simulator.

    Eagle Air

    Eagle Air also recently add a new Aircraft, a Piper Cherokee registration ZS-KIM to its fleet, This surprising many with the addition of the Simulator shortly after. Read more on How to become a Pilot in South Africa

     

    Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive

    View all Our previous Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive

    Aviation Central Archive

    2023202220212020201920182017

    2023 (44)2022 (53)2021 (34)2020 (157)2019 (121)2018 (103)
    • December 10th Launch of Ultimate Heli-port Midrand
      Ultimate HELI, a well respected operator that flies fixed wing aircraft and helicopters out of Grand Central Airport. Grand Central Airport which is...
    • December 10th ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield
      ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield #ICADSA2018 International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) was held on Saturday, 08 December 2018 at the Nelspruit...
    • November 30th Best of 2018
      Best of 2018 Best of 2018 submitted by Aviation Central’s followers! This page is dedicated to our Followers giving you the opportunity to...
    • November 30th Photo upload 2018
      Upload your top photos from 2018 and we will share them for you for everyone to see! Before uploading your photos please have a look at the...
    • November 19th Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards
      Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards The past weekend the Aero Club of South Africa hosted their annual Awards dinner in a stunning Black-tie event...
    • November 4th Visit to the SAAF Museum 03 November 2018
      Visit to the SAAF museum 03 November 2018 Since 1973 the SA Air Force Museum has been the custodian of South Africa’s military aviation...
    • October 28th Eagle Air’s State-of-the-art Flight Simulator
      Eagle Air’s new State-of-the-art Flight Simulator SACAA approved Simulator was launched by Eagle Air Academy based at Wonderboom National Airport...
    • October 24th Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive
      View all Our previous Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive...
    • October 23rd Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018
      Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018 Friday 19th October 6 aircraft, five From Eagle’s Creek and one from Rand airport flew to Lindbergh lodge for the...
    • October 15th Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates
      Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates The purpose of the Armed Forces Day is to commemorate the sinking of the SS MENDI, where on 21 February 1917,...
    • October 10th AAD2018 closes off in a spectacular fashion
      AAD2018 closes off in a spectacular fashion The 10th edition of Africa’s premier exhibition of air, land and sea technologies, held 19th-23rd...
    • October 7th Secunda Spring Festival 2018
      Secunda Spring Festival 2018 By Charmaine Oliver The weekend of 5 – 6 October was the end of the annual Secunda Spring Festival. It was...
    • September 26th Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018
      Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018 The 10th edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence trade and airshow has come and gone, what was...
    • September 21st Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow programme
      Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow programme Click on day below to open! Or  ...
    • September 20th AAD2018 Day 2
      AAD2018 Day 2 Thursday day two of AAD2018,saw a bigger influx of trade visitors then day one of the event,the media were kept busy with a number of...
    • September 19th AAD2018 Day 1
      AAD2018 Day 1 The Africa Aerospace and Defence day one of the trade day finally arrived, visitors from across the world have made their way to...
    • September 19th Air Power Capability Demonstration 2018
      Air Power Capability demonstration  2018  One of the more exciting events the SAAF invites media and VIP guests to is the Air Power Capability...
    • September 19th Official Opening of AAD 2018
      Official Opening of AAD 2018 The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade...
    • September 17th Unlocking Africa’s Aerospace and Defence Potential at AAD2018
      Unlocking Africa’s Aerospace and Defence Potential at AAD2018 The annual Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade and Airshow is finally on our...
    • September 17th AAD2018 Programme 22 Sept 2018
      AAD2018 Programme Please note the Program can change at any time! AAD Airshow Programme 22 Sept 2018        ...
    • September 17th AAD2018 Programme 23 Sept 2018
      AAD2018 Programme Please note the Program can change at any time! AAD Airshow Programme 23 Sept...
    • September 16th AAD2018 Aircraft Arrivals Update
      With the build up to AAD2018,the excitement is building with aircraft arrivals. Each day until Tuesday 2018-09-18 we will update on each aircraft...
    • September 15th Falcon 1 gets his Gold Wings
      Falcon 1 gets his Gold Wings Omphile Mutloane who is currently the leader of the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team.The team is the official aerobatic...
    • September 15th Kitty Hawk RV Fly-In 2018
      The now annual Kitty Hawk RV Fly-in was again a huge turnout from both RV aircraft owners and other general aviation aircraft who made the outing to...
    • September 15th Children’s Flight 2018
      Children’s Flight 2018 “The Children’s Flight’s origins lie in a music video called ‘Paper Plane’, which is essentially about a...
    • September 13th ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days
      ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018 Almost 30 Hoërskool Nelspruit (NHS) aviation enthusiasts visited the Kishugu®...
    • September 13th Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO
      Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018 The Kishugu Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) bids farewell to the South...
    • September 12th 2018 Eswatini Airshow 
      2018 Eswatini Air show Aviation Central’s Jarryd was not Media for the Weekend, that was done By Flippie. Jarryd was part of the Little Annie...
    • September 6th AAD 2018 Aircraft List
      AAD 2018 Aircraft List For all those airshow Fan’s out there, we are compiling an unofficial list of aircraft to attend AAD2018.  Please not that...
    • September 5th AERO SA set to change aviation exhibitions in South Africa
      AERO SA set to change aviation exhibitions in South Africa Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa 4-6 July 2019. As a...
    • September 3rd SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-09
        The South African Air Force Museum houses exhibits and restores material related to the history of the South African Air Force. The museum is...
    • August 28th SAAF 75 Airshow Program
      SAAF 75 Airshow Program As part of the celebrations to commemorate the SAAF’s 75th year of existence, a military airshow and aerospace expo were...
    • August 28th Bethlehem Free State Airshow 2018
      Central South Africa in the town of Bethlehem took to the Dihlabeng skies on August 25th,with their annual airshow.This show is always known as one...
    • August 27th Free Flight school listing
      Attention All Flight schools or Aviation Academies We at Aviation Central are running a campaign to help making young and old wanting to enter the...
    • August 27th Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018
      Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018 Sunday the 19th August we were kindly invited to join up with SANPARKS officials to embark on...
    • August 25th World class technology at AAD2018
      World class technology returns next month when Africa’s Aerospace and Defence (ADD2018) takes place at the Air Force Base Waterkloof from September...
    • August 23rd Grand Rand Airshow 2018
      Grand Rand Airshow 2018 By Koos Smit Sunday the morning of the 19th August 2018,The Grand Rand Airshow was ready to entertain the crowds of a pure...
    • August 14th Large Presence of US Air force Aircraft at AAD2018
      The United States Airforce have confirmed a number of aircraft that will be attending the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) at Airforce Base...
    • August 6th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04
      SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04 The August winds brought the first flying day of the month of August,we were delighted to be invited to go fly in...
    • August 5th The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer
      The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer(English: Dolphin, NATO reporting name: Maya) is a military jet trainer developed and manufactured by...
    • August 1st Airforce Base Waterkloof 80th Anniversary Celebration
      The 1st August 2018,the South African Airforce celebrated Airforce Base Waterkloof’s 80th Birthday Celebration. The base is home to a number of...
    • July 27th The Flying Lions, Arnie’s Love story
      The flying Lions, Arnie’s Love story The dream of one day owning a Harvard, (or Texan as it is more commonly known in its country of origin)...
    • July 16th Nylstroom Taildraggers Fly-in 2018
      Modimolle, formerly Nylstroom, is a town located near the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is a...
    • July 9th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-07-07
      The first weekend of July, The SAAF museum hosted their annual monthly flying day at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria. Probably one of the colder...
    • July 4th Border Aviation Open Day 2018
      Border Aviation Open Day 2018 By Bradley Rutters My name is Bradley Rutters and I am a aviation photographer in the Eastern Cape. This past weekend...
    • July 3rd Race for Rhinos 2018
      Race for Rhinos 2018 The 2018 edition of Race for Rhinos finally arrived for all the eager competitors taking to the skies of Sua Pan in Botswana...
    • June 17th Cessna Fly-In Brakapn Airfield
      The Brakpan Aeroclubs Social event in June saw the Cessna Fly-in at Brakpan Airfield on the 16th June 2018.As we are definitely in Winter,a cold...
    • June 11th AAD 2018 Media Launch
      With the upcoming Africa Aerospace and Defense show around the corner, excitement is definitely building as we were invited to the 100 day media...
    • June 4th Air Total Newcastle Airshow 2018
      The 8th annual Newcastle Airshow, the only show in Kwazulu-Natal took place on the 2 June 2018 at the Newcastle Airport on the outskirts of the town...
    • June 3rd Kroon Fly in 2018
      Kroon Fly in 2018 8th Annual Fly-in was held at Kroon Airfield this weekend, 02 June and turnout was very good and the Breakfast was just amazing We...
    • June 1st International Day Of Peacekeepers 29 May 2018
      The “International Day Of Peacekeepers“, May 29, is “a day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to...
    • May 28th Wesbank Botswana International Airshow 2018
      The 2018 Botswana International Airshow held at the Matsieng Airfield a few kilometers outside of Gaborone. We arrived the Friday afternoon an...
    • May 23rd Aero Weather
      Aero Event Weather by Aero Weather  This page is dedicated to informing you about the weather forecast for a coming weekend, Weather information...
    • May 15th Kishugu Lowveld Airshow 2018
      Kishugu Lowveld Airshow 2018 Friday, Midday our journey to Nelspruit in the Lowveld started by road from Gauteng, the Team for the Weekend was,...
    • May 7th SAAF Museum Airshow 2018
      SAAF Museum Airshow 2018 The long awaited annual SAAF Museum Airshow was held on the 5th May 2018,on some what perfect airshow weather.The show was...
    • May 4th SAAF Museum Airshow Program
      SAAF Museum Airshow Program The Program is divided into two, Morning and Afternoon. The Program can change at any time due to Aircraft and / or Pilot...
    • April 29th Destruction is our business, 85 Combat Flying School
      Destruction is our business, 85 Combat Flying School 85 Combat Flying School located at AFB Makhado (Airforce Base Makhado) in the Northern part of...
    • April 29th Aerobatics Unlimited-The Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials
      Aerobatics Unlimited-The Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials The Goodyear Eagles Aerobatics Team has been in the forefront of bringing aerobatics...
    • April 28th Aircraft Marshalling
      Aircraft Marshaller A person trained to direct by visual or other means the movement of aircraft on the ground, into and out of landing, parking or...
    • April 27th Team Xtreme Airshows
      Team Xtreme Airshows With their high energy aerobatic manvureves, Team Xtreme is surly a display to watch  at airshows, Led by SAA Captain Nigel...
    • April 22nd 2018 Airshow Aircraft, Pilots and Teams
      2018 Airshow Aircraft, Pilot and Teams Every year we see Airshows across Southern Africa. Some teams we see at every show and others we don’t see...
    • April 19th The Noisy Bushbuck,The AM.3C Bosbok
      The Noisy Bushbuck, The AM.3C Bosbok The AM.3 used the wing design of the Aermacchi AL-60 utility aircraft, strengthened to incorporate two...
    • April 16th Mercedes-Benz Club Day at Brakpan Airfield
      Mercedes-Benz Club Day at Brakpan Airfield The first car that ever-set wheel on South-African soil was a Benz Velo. Although the “horseless...
    • April 11th Indian Airforce Museum ,Palam
      Hidden away on the far side of Delhi’s International Airport is a significant collection of historic aircraft,The Indian Air force Museum is an...
    • April 9th Ermelo Airshow 2018
      The great Ermelo Airshow has finally returned to the Airshow circuit once again, after an absence since 2011. The show made a welcome return on the...
    • April 5th From Soloist to Lead-Omphile Mutloane
      Omphile Mutloane who is currently the number 5 in the Silver Falcons Aerobatic  Team, known as the soloist in the team with the call sign...
    • April 4th WesBank Botswana International Air Show (Matsieng)
      WesBank Botswana International Air Show (Matsieng) This is defiantly an must attend airshow, Fly-in, Drive in or Just pop in for the day, Just be...
    • April 3rd Rand Easter Show 2018
      Rand Easter Show 2018 The South African National Defense Force Wrapped up their Capability Demonstration on the Easter Weekend of the 2018 Rand Show...
    • April 1st EAA 2018 FLY AWAY & CONVENTION
      EAA Convention & AGM 2018 at FAVY 27 April – 29 April 2018 Vryheid Airfield, KwaZulu Natal The EAA of SA is pleased to be hosted by Vryheid...
    • April 1st Updates – Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2018)
      17 August...
    • March 30th Rand Easter Show SANDF Capability Demo Day 1 2018-03-30 Gallery
      Rand Easter show 2018 – Day One The Rand Easter Show was officially opened today,Below are some pictures from today’s Capability...
    • March 29th Rand Easter Show Validation Capibilty Demo 2018-03-29 Gallery
      Today was the final day for validations for the SANDF Capability  demo, below are some pictures from today! Show starts on Friday 30 May 2018. Come...
    • March 28th Rand Easter Show 2018 Media Briefing
      Rand Easter Show 2018 Media Briefing Once again we were invited by the Rand Show organization team to the 2018 Rand Easter Show Media Briefing, the...
    • March 26th The FAW Ermelo Airshow 2018 – What to expect
      The FAW Ermelo Airshow 2018 The 1st airshow for 2018. This is the 1st Airshow for 2018 and it’s all happening on 07 April at Ermelo Airport. We...
    • March 20th Airshow photography, the Canon way
      Airshow photography, the Canon way. Written by Abri Kriegler – aviation photographer and Canon nut. Airshow photography in South Africa is alive...
    • March 18th Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick
      Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick From the 1st Phone call we got from Devashini Govender to d-day on the 17th March 2018 was a busy time from...
    • March 14th Wings Over Howick 2018
      Wings Over Howick 2018 On the weekend of the 9th of March Wings Over Howick ( RC Event ) was held at the Howick Glider Club and with a...
    • March 13th The High Flying Maverick
      The High Flying Maverick GET READY FOR TAKE-OFF – CLIMB ON BOARD OUR NEWEST THRILL RIDE #GRCmaverick Johannesburg, February 2018: Excitement is,...
    • March 13th Aviation Day 2018 – Springs Airport
      Aviation Day – Springs Airport Hosted by – MACH 1 AVIATION ACADEMY By: Andre Venter An amazing venue which was held in the Classic...
    • March 7th The South African Guild of Aviation
      Where Artists Soar Where Artists Soar The South African Guild of Aviation, Military and Maritime Artists Text: Juanita Benade Photographs: SA GAMMA...
    • March 4th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-03-03
      SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-03-03 Once again the SAAF Museum hosted their monthly flying day at Airforce Base Zwartkop in Pretoria,with the theme...
    • March 1st Gates Learjet 35 RC Model
      Gates Learjet 35 RC Model The Learjet is an iconic plane that made history as the era of Private business jets started in the early 70’s. Aviatix...
    • February 23rd SANDF De Brug Weapons Capability Demonstration Feb 2018
      With the build up to the Armed forces day parade being held in Kimberley, the following day Wednesday the 21 February, much of the public have been...
    • February 20th Win a Tailor Made Fire Resistant Flight Suit
      And our Airwear Flight Suit winner is Tokkie Botes from Skeerpoort…. Congratulation Tokkie form Team Aviation Central.    If anyone requires...
    • February 20th The Aero Club Air Week
      Do you love Aviation, like we at Aviation Central do? If there is only a small bit of Yes in your thought now, then The Aero Club Air Week...
    • February 15th Armed Forces Day Kimberley 2018 Fan Park Launch.
        The 21st of February each year, Armed forces day is observed to celebrate the lives of the native labour contingent who died when the...
    • February 11th Rand Fun Rally 10 February 2018
      During the recent break in between the rains Gauteng has been having during the last couple of days, The South African Power Flying Association...
    • February 11th Poll – Sliver Falcons Formation 2018
      Silver Falcons Formation Swartkop 2018 To view the event on our Airshow calendar click here   To view the Facebook event page click here   To...
    • February 4th Updates to the SAAF Museum Airshow 2018
      Updates to the SAAF Museum Airshow 2018 This page is dedicated to the SAAF Museum airshow 2018 & Keeping you updated in what to expect and...
    • February 4th SAAF Museum Flight Training Day Feb 2018
      SAAF Museum Flight Training Day, Feb 2018 Plz Browse Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going! 03 January 2018 saw the 1st SAAF Museum Flight...
    • February 2nd South African Airforce Prestige Day Parade 2018
      Air Force Base Zwartkop in Pretoria hosted this years Prestige day parade  with the celebration of the South African Air force (SAAF) turning 98...
    • January 27th 2018 Armed Forces Day
      Armed Forces Day 2018 The 2018 Armed Forces Day (AFD) will take place in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province over the period of 15 and 21 February. Plz...
    • January 27th Gripen lands at Grand Central Midrand
      Grand Central airport which is the home to many flight schools and private aviation companies. Today the airport got a very big surprise when one of...
    • January 26th TREVOR PETER VILJOEN ( VIPER )
      I was Born in Durban on the 20th of December  1975 I went to Glenwood Junior Primary and then Parkview Senior Primary and then Westridge High. I am...
    • January 26th SAC Gauteng Regional Aerobatic Competition-Vereeniging
      Vereeniging  airfield situated to the south of Johannesburg, welcomed back 15 competitors to the field as the beginning of the years festivities of...
    • January 19th Puppy (Black-Hawk) update 2018
      The Puppy (Black-Hawk) update March 2018 From the owners mouth of this beautiful bird, Mark Jackson “We have flown the Hawk and she’s...
    • January 14th The life and times of Ivan van der Schaar
      The life and times of Ivan van der Schaar Ivan started by washing aircraft and today he is an Airline Pilot and has his very own aircraft training...
    • January 14th Our 2018 Sponsors
      “Our 2018 Sponsors” Big thank you to all! Please check out our sponsors below and support them as they support us to keep on bringing you...
    • January 9th How to become a Pilot in South Africa
      How to become a Pilot in South Africa How to become a Pilot in South Africa – Do you want to fly Airplanes? Ask yourself; what do you want...
    • January 9th Patrick Davidson
      Patrick Davidson, 35 Year old Port Elizabeth Aerobatic pilot Patrick Davidson, Port Elizabeth aerobatic pilot Patrick Davidson felt pretty special...
    • January 8th Johannesburg and Cape Town Route becoming more popular by the day!
      Johannesburg and Cape Town Route becoming more popular by the day! South African air corridor between Johannesburg and Cape town is becoming more and...
    • January 7th Do’s and Don’ts attending an Airshow
       Do’s and Don’ts Attending an Airshow This is just a small article on attending airshows in South Africa, the normal do’s and don’ts. Please...
    • January 2nd Best of 2017
      Best of 2017 In early December 2017 we requested you, our followers to send us your best photos of 2017, we did receive some pretty good photos....
    2017 (31)
    • December 31st Advertising Opportunities on Aviation Central
      Advertising Opportunities on Aviation Central Good day We are excited to announce Advertising Opportunities on Aviation Central on our website...
    • December 19th Antonov An-124 at OR Tambo international Airport
      Antonov An-124 at OR Tambo international Airport10 Jan 2019 Antonov An-124 belonging to Volga Dnepr Airlines landed at OR Tambo international airport...
    • December 18th Jarryd Sinovich ( Hawk Eye )
      Jarryd Sinovich ( Hawk Eye ) Jarryd Sinovich ( Hawk Eye ), I was born in Johannesburg on the 20th July 1995.I attended Bedfordview Primary School...
    • December 15th Lettie van Emmenis ( Administration )
        Name: Lettie van Emmenis Age: 48 Full Time Job: Office Manager Town: Pretoria Camera: Oops How Did Your Passion For Aviation Start: The...
    • December 14th Flippie Van Emmenis ( Boss Man
      Flippie Van Emmenis ( Boss Man ) Flippie Van Emmenis ( Boss Man ), Born in Pretoria 1970, Grownup on the KZN coast, Durban, Richardsbay and...
    • December 11th Langebaanweg Airshow 2017
      Langebaanweg Airshow 2017 See it, Hear it and feel it was the theme of the 2017 Langebaanweg Airshow, When talk started of the beginning of the...
    • December 8th Best of 2017 photo album
      Best of 2017 photo album Due to requests from those on holiday, the deadline has been extended to 31st Dec 2017, MIDNIGHT **Final** As we are nearing...
    • December 8th Langebaanweg, Skies are getting busy!
      Langebaanweg, Skies are getting busy! Update: Midday Friday Capital Sounds setting up , Silver Falcons flew for the Wings Parade, Flying Lions...
    • December 7th THE AVIATION ALPHABET
      THE AVIATION ALPHABET (The Phonetic Alphabet) Plz Browse Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going! In the world of aviation, pilots and air...
    • December 6th Black Hawk “The Puppy” update Dec 2017
      Black Hawk “The Puppy” update Dec 2017 Progress update on the 1st BlackHawk helicopter (ex US Army) in South Africa To read our 1st article on...
    • December 5th Langebaanweg Airshow Program 09 Dec 2017
      Langebaanweg Airshow Program 09 Dec 2017 The most anticipated Airshow for the year 2017! For the past 50 years, the South African Air Force Silver...
    • December 4th The Pride of the nation, The Silver Falcons
      The Pride of the nation,  The Silver Falcons The Silver Falcons are the South African Air force official display team. The team of five Pilatus...
    • December 3rd SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-12-02
      SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-12-02 The South African Air Force Memorial is located at Swartkop. It contains a roll of honour of SAAF personnel who...
    • November 29th Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie
      Just Love Mission by Jarryd Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie The Antonov An-2 ,Russian nickname: “Annushka” or...
    • November 28th Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect!
      Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect! Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect! With just over a week to go till what is to be the most awaited airshow...
    • November 26th Swartkop Warbirds fly-in
      Swartkop Warbirds fly-in 25 and 26 November saw the Military Radio Control club annual Warbirds fly-in at Swartkop Air Force base. Warbirds was to be...
    • November 24th The Show must go on!
      The Show must go on! By Flippie van Emmenis 3rd June 2017, It’s the Newcastle Airshow KZN 2017 and Ivan Van Der Schaar gets into his Boeing...
    • November 20th Gripen to break sound barrier at Langebaan Airshow
      Langebaan Airshow -By Jarryd Sinovich    **Please register on our site to leave your comments! Gripen to go supersonic at Langebaan Airshow 2017...
    • November 14th Large Scale Aerobatic Champs Howick 4th & 5th November 2017
        Large Scale Aerobatic Champs Howick 4th & 5th November 2017 Large Scale Aerobatic this weekend was at the Howick Model Flying Club which...
    • November 13th Advertising opportunity for Aviation Events
      Advertising opportunity for Aviation Events We are excited to announce that we will be making out Facebook cover image space available for organisers...
    • November 12th Radial Breakfast Fly inn 2017-11-11
      Radial Breakfast Fly inn 2017-11-11 Brakpan airfield situated in the south east rand is home to the Brakpan aero club which was established in...
    • November 12th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-11-04
      SAAF Museum Flying Day November 2017 by Jarryd Sinovich Air force Base Swartkops is one of the oldest air force bases in the world and is home to the...
    • November 12th Airshow of the Year 2017
      Aviation Central’s Flippie Van Emmenis and Lettie van Emmenis got invited to attend the 2017 The Aero Club of South Africa Gala awards dinner held...
    • November 12th Black Hawk arrived in South Africa
      History was made for Africa when the first ever Black Hawk arrived in South Africa, Mbombela last week, making it only the second one in history to...
    • November 12th Polokwane Airshow 2017
      Polokwane International Airport, formerly known as Pietersburg International Airport is located 5km north of the city of Polokwane in the Limpopo...
    • November 12th Orient Fly-In 2017
      Gliding is a recreational activity and competitive air sport, in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes using naturally...
    • November 12th South African Airforce Aviation Awareness Day Eldorado Park
      On the 1st of September 2017 the South African Air force ‘SAAF’ hosted an aviation awareness day in Eldorado Park in Johannesburg West just near...
    • November 12th Bethlehem Airshow 2017
      Bethlehem Air Show to airshow regulars and display pilots is always known as the coldest airshow in South Africa.We arrived at Bethlehem Airport with...
    • November 12th 2017 World Aerobatic Championships
      Malelane, Mpumalanga, South Africa 9 – 17 September 2017 ________________________________________________________________ The Sport Aerobatic Club...
    • November 12th Rand Airshow 2017
      Aviation Central team members Flippie Van Emmenis, Trevor Viljoen and Jarryd Sinovich visited the Rand Air Show 2017 the past weekend – Review...
    • November 12th 2017 FAI WORLD AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
      WAC 2017 The skies above the picturesque town of Malelane in Mpumalanga will be filled with the sounds of aerobatic aircraft when the world’s best...
     

    Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018

    Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018

    Lindberg lodge Runway

    Friday 19th October 6 aircraft, five From Eagle’s Creek and one from Rand airport flew to Lindbergh lodge for the Flyin weekend 19 to 21 October.  Aircraft that flew in ZU-FRX – SLING 2, ZU-LSA – Sportcruiser, ZA-IJL- Beech K35 V-tail Bonanza, ZU-FWB – Vans RV-10, ZS-KWN – Mooney M20J 20, ZS-KWN – Piper PA-28RT-201T

    Diana Lindbergh, 3rd generation owner, decided to host the Flyin in Memory of her Dad that used to fly from to lodge all over, mainly to Lanseria where he had his little VW Beetle parked to do business in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

    Lindberg lodge

    The 5 pilots and family that flew in the Friday spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool, then off to the Lapa for sunset drinks. Afterward we were treated to a fantastic dinner in a real old-fashioned English dining room, after some good chats, laughter and fun we all headed out to our rooms just before 11pm.

    Lindberg lodge Flyin Lindberg lodge Flyin

    Lindberg lodge Flyin

    Saturday morning, we were joined by the last arrival and we had a lekker breakfast. This was followed by a short 2.8km walk into the bush and some drinks after the long walk followed by Lunch. Once again, all relaxed at the pool while we went for a game drive and surprisingly we got lost. After about two hours we got back to the lodge. Spend a short time with the others at the pool. About an hour before sunset we walked off to the Lapa again for sunset drinks, bonfire and a lekker braai. Tbone, Wors, Pap & sauce and salads followed by malva pudding.

    Lindberg lodge Flyin

    Sunday was up early, Lekker breakfast and the aircraft departed and landed safely at Eagle’s Creek and Rand airport.  We stated a while longer and went for another game drive with Doolie Lindberg.
    We left Lindberg lodge at about 14:40 and drove back home.

    Lindberg lodge Flyin

    Lindberg Lodge Flyin

    The Lodge was inactive for some time and now Doolie decided to go full out and get Getaway weekends going. Doolie is committed into smoothing out the Runway and sort out a few other minor issues. I must say Lindbergh lodge is a fantastic venue and hope to see more small aviation related events.   The next Aviation event is a Skydive event in January 2019. Aviation Central will attend the event.

     

    Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates

    Armed Forces Day 2019

    Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates

    The purpose of the Armed Forces Day is to commemorate the sinking of the SS MENDI, where on 21 February 1917,

    Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

    614 South African men, of which 607 were from the South African Native Labour Corps and 33 crew members perished in the icy waters of the English Channel. The event also commemorates those patriots who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. The Armed Forces Day celebration is therefore the largest celebratory event on the SANDF calendar. The event affords the public an opportunity to engage with and have a first-hand experience with the men and women in uniform and their military equipment. The Armed Forces Day 2019 will be celebrated in Cape Town from 16-21 February 2019.

    Military parade and handing over of medals to our serving soldiers at Table View Beach at 10:30 for 11:00 to be followed by a military capability demonstration.

    Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

    Attend these spectacular events in support of Armed Forces Day:

    16 -17 Feb SA NAVY SHIPS AND SUBMARINE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THE V&A WATERFRONT: SUBMARINE: 10:00 — 14:00 SHIPS: 09:00 — 15:00

    Band performance: 16 – 17 Feb at 16:00 and sea cadets marching through Waterfront.

    STATIC DISPLAY OF MILITARY VEHICLES & LIFE ARENA DEMONSTRATIONS: 16 -19 Feb, at the Mandela Park Sports Stadium (Khayelitsha). Daily live military demonstrations, exhibtions & sport village.

    CSANDF/CISM FUN RUN 5km and 10km: 16 Feb, 08:00 for 08:30 at the Sea Point Promenade. SPORTS CLINICS: 18 – 19 Feb, for primary schools, Grades 6 and 7 at the Pama Road, Khayelitsha Stadium. INTER-FAITH SERVICE: 18 – 19 Feb, 10:30 – 12:00 at the Cape Town City Hall.

    NIGHT SHOOT, Rehearsal: 18 Feb, 19:30 at Muizenberg (Sunrise Beach). Public welcome to attend. NIGHT SHOOT: 19 Feb, 19:30 at Muizenberg (Sunrise Beach). MILITARY PARADE AND CAPABILITY DEMONSTRATION: 21 Feb, 10:30 for 11:00 to be followed by military capability demonstration at Table View Beach.

    ALL WELCOME AND FREE ENTRY Low flying aircraft & excessive noise will be experienced from time to time.

    Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

    1. Click here to read all about AFD 2018 and AFD Capability Demo 2018

    Please click on Advertisement below to help keep us going!

    Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial