Tag Archives: Aero Club South Africa

Aero Club Air Week Middelburg 2023

by Dian Townsend

The Aero Club Of South Africa once again hosted their Air Week at Middelburg Airfield from the 3rd to the 5th of March 2023. Although not quite the same size (or if we are really honest, quite far from the same size actually), Air Week presents an Oshkosh in South Africa feel.

The event delivered a great variety of action over the weekend. The fly-in, starting on the Friday already, carried on right through the rest of the weekend. Some aerobatics displays from the likes of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team and Goodyear Eagles were flown to perfection as per usual, a glider launch demo made for some really interesting viewing, and a final hot air balloon flight after dinner on the Saturday night showcased the lesser seen part of flight.

For attendees who opted to spend the weekend, camping options were available with breakfast in the mornings and a delicious braai each night. Night festivities on the Saturday included a quiz hosted by David from PilotInsure, that tested the very limits of years of accumulated aviation knowledge.

All in all the event was very well attended, with pilots coming and going throughout the whole weekend, and in a post COVID-19 world, events like these are a great example of how beautifully our aviation community has once again risen from the ashes and is now again flourishing.

With the benchmark now well and truly set, we look forward to seeing what the rest of the year’s aviation events have in store!

Please browse through our gallery!

Aero Club Celebrates a Centenary of Recreational Flight

By Rob Jonkers

There is a sense of achievement on reaching a Century, on all manner of occasions it calls for a celebration, subject for congratulations on the significance and justifiable pride, the past century of the existence of the Aero Club of South Africa has been integral in seeing the growth in Recreational Aviation, the collective of the various disciplines
that make up flying for fun, that have allowed the freedom of development in the achievement of products, ideas, adventures, competitions that are existential of this magical world that is recreational flight.

This journey has been long, sometimes tedious and difficult but the persistence and passion of our members across the century has made it possible for the Aero Club to be the success it is today. One of the many great benefits and joys of living since the 20th Century is that we have had the immeasurable privilege to be able to fly, as since the dawn of mankind we have aspired to the ease and freedom of flight that only birds could enjoy, and from those early 20th Century years mankind learned to fly!

On the 10 th October 2020, after many months after postponement since C-19 made us all go into hiding, the Aero Club’s official Centenary Balloon Launch took place at Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris in the Magalies Valley. The weather outlook also looked great, and the launch event was a go sent out by the organisers just after 5 am. The wind started picking up somewhat, and first off the ground were the three commercial balloons that occurred at 6am, thereafter the Aero Club Balloon which was rebuilt in Aero Club Centenary colours (carrying the registration ZS- HOI as the ex Capital Radio balloon) was unfurled and prepared for a tethered inflation and launch.

Chairman of BAFSA Richard Bovell who was also this Centenary event organiser was the first pilot supported by student pilot Sema Mathebula, got the balloon off the ground in somewhat gusty conditions, the wind at that stage would not have been favourable to actually fly. Hanke Fourie took over from Richard for a second tethered stint, giving a good photographic opportunity for the guests in attendance.

After the balloon landed and was furled up again, the guests were treated to a scrumptious breakfast, as only one can experience as an early morning African sunrise breakfast in the bush. As MC for the event Richard Bovell gave a short speech on a brief history of sport ballooning in South Africa, thanked the guests for their attendance, and handed over the very first Aero Club Centenary Yearbook which is hot off the presses to the Doyen of Ballooning in South Africa Terry Adams, who since his arrival in SA in 1976 established the mainstay of balloon manufacturing
and pilot training in SA.

Thereafter Rob Jonkers as the Chair of the Aero Club thanked BAFSA and their team of hosting this one of a kind event, and the only event marking the Aero Club’s Centenary that will take place in 2020. A ceremonial Centenary cake cutting was then carried out by the Aero Club’s Executive Committee, Rob Jonkers (Chairman), Marthinus Potgieter (Vice-Chairman), John Gaillard (Hon Treasurer) and Hanke Fourie (Exco Member).

Although the year 2020 will go down in history as a great disrupter and has essentially rained on our Centenary parade, we will be looking at recovering much of the planned events in 2021 as time and resources will allow to bring justice to our 100 year heritage, especially poignant is to hold a 100 aircraft of all types flypast ( 101 also looks like a good number…) and an all Recreational Aviation Airweek as was initially planned for this year at Middelburg.

The Centenary coffee table book, which is now available for sale (details on the Aero Club website), is a compendium of each of our flying disciplines, historic and contemporary with numerous personalities with some
remarkable stories in recreational flying as a celebration for this signature Centenary Year.

SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – 22 Feb 2020

SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – Brakpan 22 February 2020 – by Rob Jonkers

After learning the theoretical side of Navigation plotting at the training camp held at Aerosud on the 18th of January, it was time to put into practice what was learned with a practical flight. The SAPFA national coach Jonty Esser put together a short route in the Brakpan Heidelberg area with 4 turnpoints to be flown by participating teams.

The weather however did not play ball at all, restricting participants to arrive by air, however many decided to drive in, to at least do some ground school. At the end there were 9 teams that participated. On hand from the SAPFA Protea members were Jonty Esser, Frank Eckard, Sandi Goddard and Rob Jonkers imparting their knowledge to the teams.

The theme of the morning was to gain knowledge on practical flying, how to accurately bingo each turn point in time, how to approach the start, this always being the most difficult part of any rally, firstly to find it, and then to get there at the start time. Then the dynamics of keeping on time on each leg, approaching the next turn point and identifying the photo being correct or incorrect. First up was Frank Eckard who explained all the required strategies of flying, explaining that you have to be in the right frame of mind to take part in this sport, extreme focus and concentration will get one to the winning post.

Frank Eckard – Strategies of Flying a Rally

Thereafter Jonty provided an outline to the planned flight route for the day – which could not be flown, but an explanation of how to set up the aircraft to fly the route, to get to the nominated 1000 ft altitude, set the flaps and power setting, then to adjust timing by changing the aircraft’s attitude to speed up or slow down, rather than utilize power changes as power changes disturb the fundamental speed set up.

Jonty Esser – How to set up your aircraft in flight

After Jonty, Rob showed a short video of a practical flight demonstrating what photos look like on the ground and the visual angles and distances to be able to recognize them, and from what altitude these would be best visible.

A practical out of the cockpit view of en-route photo recognition

After a short break, it was decided to carry out a real plotting exercise of the Rand Rally Challenge against the clock with a 30 minute deadline, essentially 2 minutes per plotting point. It gave everybody an incentive to attempt to beat the clock. With new teams this proved daunting, thus more focus was provided on techniques of using the tools and developing the skills to use them.

Clarissa & Kerry busy with their plot

Clarissa & Kerry busy with their plot

Milan, Caroline & Andy busy with their plots

Karyn & Leon happy they have aced their plot in the allotted time

The Track shown of Route 2 – an anti-clockwise route

2018 vs 2019 Airshow Seasons with a Look into 2020

The 2019 Airshow season has come to end and has been quiet year, yet it was busier than 2018.

In 2019 we lost Rand Airshow and has still not been added to the 2020 Airshow calendar. The Longest Current Running Airshow is Newcastle and it will celebrate its 10th Airshow in 2020. Newcastle took 2nd Place at African Pilot Airshow of the year award. Johan, lead organizer of the Newcastle Airshow said that they are aiming at the number one spot for the 2020 season.

Something new was the Sports Aerobatic Club Airshow at Klerksdorp this year. We truly enjoyed that airshow. This was an Airshow arranged by the Airshow and Aerobatic pilots themselves. The 2020 SAC Airshow will be in Bloemfontein.

Stellenbosch hosted a top-class Airshow this year and for that reason they took the African Pilot Airshow of the Year Award. Stellenbosch team will be back with a two-day Airshow in 2020. Mozambique and Swaziland (Eswatini) also hosted very successful airshows in 2019 and both will be back 2020.

The SAAF Museum – Swartkop Airshow was delayed this year due to the Presidential Ingurgitation. When South African Airforce finally decided on a new date for the 2019 Airshow, the SAAF Museum team had about one calendar month to arrange an Airshow with the size of what is expected by the public was a huge task! The team delivered an almost perfect show. Well-done.
The SAAF Museum – Swartkop Airshow 2020 will form part of the SAAF 100 celebrations and 2021 Swartkop Air Force Base will be celebrating 100 Years. The SAAF one hundred celebrations will be themed Embracing our Collective Heritage and 100 years of Air Power, through 25 years of Democracy

The Main SAAF100 – Public Calibrations Airshow will run in conjunction with Africa Aerospace and Defense 2020 that is to be hosted at Waterkloof Air Force Base in September 2020.

The Aeroclub of South Africa will also be celebrating 100 Years in 2020 with their main event is to run with the Aero Club Airweek and Airshow 1st Week in May 2020. South Africa will also be hosting the World Air Rally championships in Stellenbosch during 2020.

The 2020 Edition of the President trophy Air Race will be hosted at Ermelo in May and as part of SAAF and Aero Club centenary celebrations we will see a Silver Queen Air Rally to be hosted at Swartkop AFB.

Click here to view our online 2020 Calendar

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Airshows 2018 vs 2019

2019 Had 12 Airshows compared to 7 in 2018. 2019 Airshows had 355 total flying aircraft vs the 213 in 2018. Yes, 2019 had more Airshows so let’s have a look at the average number of aircraft per Airshow 2019 had 31 and 2018 had 30 average aircraft (Number of aircraft divided by number of Airshows)

The Top performer in airshow attendance was Team Xtreme Airshows, with attending 10 Airshows and total of 36 Aircraft vs 2018 Top Performers. Flying Lions, Attended 7 and 20 Aircraft appearances!

The Airshow with the most Aircraft for 2019 and 2018 was Swartkop with 53 for 2019 vs 54 2018.

3 Airshows up its number of Aircraft from 2018 to 2019 with Botswana Wesbank international Airshow showing the biggest growth.

Number of Aircraft per Airshow where the Airshow was hosted in both 2018 and 2019

Airshow

2018 2019 Growth
Matsieng 24 37 13
Newcastle 26 32 6
Bethlehem 18 24 6
Swartkop 54 53 -1
Lowveld 42 33 -9

2 Squadron Gripen

SAAF Gripen remained the same with 6 Gripen’s flying in 2018 and 2019. C130BZ, another favorite among the public saw no displays during 2019.

Helicopters and Airliners was also in the decline for 2019. The Airlink Embraer E190 was a welcome newcomer to Airshows and flew at Lowveld, Newcastle and Ladysmith. The 2018 Season Lowveld Airshow was the only Airshow lucky enough get the Embraer E190.

Menno Parsons and his P51D Mustang also made a welcome return to the Airshows with 0 Airshows in 2018 and 7 in 2019. The Reason for 0 in 2018 is the Mustang engine was sent for a scheduled overhaul.

The Best Airshow of the year awards 2018 vs 2019

Position 2018 2019
1st Lowveld Airshow Stellenbosch Airshow
2nd Rand Airshow Newcastle Airshow
3rd Ermelo Air Show Middelburg Airshow

Brian Emmenis and his Capital Sounds team was the broadcaster at all airshows in 2018 and 2019. At Some Airshows he had specialist co-commentators that was provided by the Airshow organizers.
The Sound was as always clear throughout the Flight lines. Brian and his Crew kept the crowds on their feet and well informed on all Pilots, Aircraft, Team, Airshows, Sponsors, Key Aviation Media, all the Safety and behind the seen personnel. We are looking forward to a festive and busy year 2020 in the compony of the wonderful team.

** Notes**

  • AAD2018 is not counted as it’s not an Airshow but a Trade show.
  • If an Aircraft or Team flew more than one displays a day it is still counted as one, counted per airshow and not displays
  • Some Pilots and Teams displayed at other events that classified as an Airshow, these are also excluded

Below are the 2018 and 2019 Airshow Attendance lists

2018 Airshows

2019 Airshows

2020 Interim Airshow Calendar

Date

Event
JAN
18th – 19th SAC Gauteng Regionals – Vereeniging
FEB
MAR
7th – 8th North West Regionals – Klerksdorp
21 & 22 FASHKOSH 2020 Stellenbosch 2-day air show
APR
4th Wings and Wheels Festival, Uitenhage
25th Garden Route Air Show – GEORGE AIRPORT
MAY
1,2,3 Middelburg – Aeroclub Aero week
9th Swartkop Airshow
16th Lowveld Air show
23rd – 25th PTAR – Ermelo
23rd – 24th SAC KZN Regionals – Ladysmith
30th Wesbank Botswana Air show
JUN
5th & 6th Newcastle Air show
13th Maputo Air, Sea and Land Air show
16th – 20th SAC National Championships – Tempe
20th SAC Aerobatic Air Show
JUL
22nd – 1st SAC Advanced World Championships
AUG
22nd Bethlehem Air Show
SEP
19th – 20th AAD Waterkloof – SAAF100
OCT
3rd – 4th SAC Western Cape Regionals
24th – 25th SAC Judges Trophy
NOV
9th – 21st SAPFA World Rally Championships
DEC
5th – 6th SAC Ace of Base

What to expect for the Aero Club Airweek 2019

Some of the provisional entries on the list for the Aero Club Airweek 2019 that is scheduled for this week that ends with a Stunning High Energy Middelburg Airshow 2019 that will future Fireworks and Dragster Cars racing against Aircraft and Choppers.
Proudly hosted by Middelburg Aero Club
Don’t Forget that is a build-up to Airweek 2020 when the Aero Club of South Africa will be celebrating 100 Years

SAPFA Rally Training Camp

SAPFA Rally Training Camp – Aerosud Premises 19 January 2019 – by Rob Jonkers

SAPFA held a very successful training event on Rally Navigation on Saturday 19th January as the first SAPFA event of the year. Initially planned for a maximum of 30 participants, and at Grand Central, the eventual total participation was 50, and fitting everybody into the Aerosud training hall proved a challenge.

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Alan Evan Hanes – GM of the Aero Club with a short Aero Club Intro

It is great to see the sport being supported so enthusiastically, and the willingness to learn these basic skills of map reading and planning. The GM of the Aero Club Alan Evan Hanes opened the day with a brief overview of the Aero Club and its functions, that the Aero Club has as its mission to protect all forms of Recreational Aviation, and supports Sections of the Aero Club such as SAPFA to be able hold successful events within the procedures governing recreational aviation in SA.

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The Participants – 50 in total

With that Mary de Klerk took charge and laid out the objectives of the day, by initially going through the theory of plotting, and then to practice on an actual plot. With this year of 2019 having a full calendar of events, and the Nationals coming up in April in Stellenbosch, and with SAPFA having won the bid to host the World Rally Flying Championships in 2020 (which is also the Centenary year of the Aero Club), this training event would serve as an excellent platform to entice new members to the sport and to start training for the Internationals and obtain Protea Colours.

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Mary first started off with having everybody introduce themselves, and what they each had as objectives for training, some were there as newbies interested in taking part in the sport, some having takien part previously indicated they needed some formal and expert training, and some others indicated they just wanted to delve more in depth than what a ppl course would give on the art of paper based navigation.

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The Rally Plotting Class of 2019

From there Mary outlined the theory on plotting procedures and described the tools of the trade. Then it was off to plotting an example course which had to be done from basic plotting principles of co-ordinates, bearings (which could be in either true or magnetic) and distances (either in nm of km). Each turning point then had to be found and identified and linked into legs, some of which could be arcs or follow map features.

The goal in getting to National level standard is to be able to plot in the aircraft with a papers time of around 30-40 minutes prior take-off, which means speed is of the essence in doing the plot, so that the navigator can assist with finding and identifying the ground photos.

The morning’s training ended off at around 11 am, and after a short break, everybody got their first route in an envelope, got the laminated transparent tool, which they had to cut out, and proceeded to plot each of the turn points making up the route. It was decided to proceed right through lunch, and most had finished their plot by after 2pm. The course was ended off with an in cockpit video of one of Rob & Martin’s 2012 rally flights to show how the leg photo features match up with the real world outside to give the perspective of what one sees outside the cockpit from the flying height and distance.

Everybody left with some knowledge gained on plotting and techniques of planning & flying a rally, and it is hoped that many will come to the Rand Challenge on the 26th January and Nationals in April.

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Daniel Ralefeta and his team of Rise Above Aviators getting ready to plot

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Feverously map reading and plotting

The Track shown of Route 2 – an anti-clockwise route

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Martin Meyer assisting Dave Thomas

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Mark and Rene Clulow figuring the plot

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Newbies to the sport, Time Scharf, Conrad van Coller and Daniel Ralefeta

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Mary de Klerk assisting Melika Mohapi with Franz Smit & Ashley Loynes at left

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Kim Pratley and his son Andrew Pratley working their plot

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Protea pilot Adrian Pilling and newly minted ppl pilot son Adam learning from the expert

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Arthur Piercy working his plot

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Michael Stofberg & Bryony Martin from 104 squadron

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Virtual Aviators Johan van Wyk and Freek Stegman

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Shaun Barron with Cally Eckard helping in the background

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Rob Jonkers explaining some flying techniques

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.


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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 is situated in the Natal Midlands, just off the R617 Rd in the town of Howick,the town is more commonly known for Howick falls and for the Midmar Mile held at Midmar dam during the year.HMFC is an RC club flying everything from electric to gas,gliders,helicopters and aircraft. A radio controlled aircraft is a small flying machine that is controlled remotely by an operator on the ground using a hand-held transmitter .

On the weekend of the 4th & 5th of November saw the Large scale Aerobatics Championships held at the field, with some great weather and an awesome atmosphere between spectators, pilots and the organizers. Rc aerobatic aircraft ranging from 30cc to the bigger 150cc models were put through their aerobatic paces. There were category’s the pilots fall under that being the Freestyle up to the Advanced category’s the pilots flew.

It was fantastic to watch and be part of CMC Hobbies which are based nearby in the town of Hilton, who offer a great spread of Rc hobbies to the South African public. To the private generous individuals and LSA South Africa who were present, the clubs chairman Clive and his team of organizers on a safe a successful event.

 

Aviation Central looks forward to visiting the club again soon ,hopefully with more members, who can also taste the world of Rc flying in Natal. Thanks to all who were not mentioned we gladly appreciated your hard work being placed in this sport. To all the participants well done on your achievements. If you need any info on this Club or future events, please contact Clive on 0735007177 or clive@cmchobbies.co.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

View photos from the Gauteng Large Scale Aerobatic Champs


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