Tag Archives: AgustaA109LUH
SAAF Museum Airshow 2023 to be a returnable hit
The South African Air Force Museum Airshow at Mobile Deployment Wing (MDW) Swartkop previously Air Force Base Swartkop is shaping up to be an airshow spectacular!
This will be a welcome return of the SAAF Museum Airshow after the covid-19 pandemic and no airshows taking place at MDW for three years.
The build-up to the show will see the now-familiar Gautrain vs Alouette race on the morning of 3rd May. As well as the start of airshow validations with a lot more aircraft activity over the city of Tshwane skies.
The youth development program will also take place the day before the show for a handful of high school learners wishing to choose a career in aviation.
A number of airshow favorites from the South African Air Force fighter line, the Gripen from 2 Squadron and the Hawk Mk120 from 85 Combat Flying School from AFB Makhado will be put through their paces on the 6th of May 2023. Central Flying School will also provide a Pilatus PC7 MKII display
The SAAF Museum will put most of its flying exhibits into the show including the Cessna C185, Kudu, Bosbok, Harvard, Alouettes, and Puma Helicopter.
Rotary assets we will see Airforce Station Gqeberha based BK-117 from 15 Squadron “Charlie” flight.
16 Squadron mighty Rooivalk will also be flown showing South Africa’s locally built combat support helicopter. We will also see an Agusta A109LUH and Oryx helicopters!
Civilian participants will include the Puma Flying Lions Harvard’s, Goodyear Pitts Specials, and Classic Flying Collections de Havilland Chipmunks, Tiger Moths and Auster as well as many others!
Members of the public are to be aware aircraft can be pulled off the program due to operational needs, serviceability, and weather dependent.
A variety of beverages will be on sale on the day from many of the kiosks as well as memorabilia from different squadrons, restoration projects, and others!
Tickets are on sale at Computicket nationwide, tickets will also be available at the gate on the 6th of May. Gates open at 7 am and the show starts at 9 am
Tickets are available on the link below!
https://tickets.computicket.com/event/saaf_museum_air_show/7212629/7212658/129083
Where to find the Airshow Venue / Airport
Also, Read Do’s and Don’ts attending an Airshow
Also, Read Airshow photography, the Canon way
SAAF Prestige Parade 2023
The South African Airforce Prestige Day Parade once again took place at Air Force Base Swartkop in the City Of Tshwane, celebrating 103 years of airpower in South Africa.
Most years prestige parades have seen some awful weather including alot of rain downpours and low cloud, resulting in no flying for any aircraft and parades been cut short.This year we were welcomed with clear skies and scorching hot temperatures as we neared midday.
The South African Airforce is the second oldest air force in the world after the Royal Airforce after been formed of the 20th February 1920. Making the SAAF 103 years old this year!
Air Force Base Swartkop is South Africa’s oldest air force base and operational and houses the South African Air Force Museum and 17 Squadron just to mention the flying squadrons.
The evening before ,Heartfelt Arena near 1 Military Hospital, hosted the SAAFs Prestige evening. The venue was also the perfect place to capture some amazing sunset shots of various flypast including the Museum Helicopter Formation, Silver Falcons and Hawk Mk120 Formations. A number of awards were handed out to various bases and squadrons for their outstanding contribution to the Airforce.
The parade began with the national and South African Airforce flag flown by two Agusta A109LUHs while the chief of the South African Airforce Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo took the general salute with canon fire in the background below bays hill.
Colonel Donovan Chetty, the Officer Commanding of Air Force Base Overberg, in the Western Cape,was announced the trophy of Best Performing Air Force Base!
With the theme Free the “Eagle as the air forces motto now stands. Invited Guests and media at the parade got to witness marching columns, Airforce band, a flypast, a fast jet air display and a VIP protection display to conclude the days activities by 500 security squadron.
The mass flypast began with a number of rotary wing assets from various squadrons around South Africa as well as the SAAF Museum.
The helicopter formation was led by a 15 Squadron “Charlie Flight” BK-117, with two Oryx,two Agusta A109LUHs,two Alouette IIs and two Alouette IIIs helicopters.
The Museum fixed wing formation were overhead next with a Cessna C185,Bosbok and two Harvards.
The next formation of the mass flypast were The Pilatus PC7MKII formation from Central Flying School, AFB Langebaanweg with both Silver Falcon members and Central Flying School pilots.
The final flypast with the form of three Hawk Mk120s lead in fighter trainers from 85 Combat Flying School, based at AFB Makhado.The invited guests were also treated to a solo display by the Hawk Mk120 flown by Major Rehan “Kaine” Venter.
After the parade the Chief of Airforce Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo invited the media to a media briefing in the WAAF officers mess near the museum hangar exhibits area of Swartkop. A topic that has been on the cards for a while now was the acquiring additional Lockheed C-130s, said “in our road going forward, the medium lift capability is right in the centre of our attention.”
“Also, there is a lot of talk around the strategic lift capability. This is not a surprise as to why this capability is being mentioned. The reality we face is South Africa is not in a strategic position. Our location cannot be changed. We need to have very strong legs to connect ourselves to the rest of the continent and the world.”
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ICAD Heidelberg Airshow 2022
The International Civil Aviation Day was celebrated with an airshow at Heidelberg Airfield just to the south of Johannesburg on the 3rd December 2022.
The airshow was supported by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Department of Transport, Airshow South Africa, South African Police Airwing, South African Airforce and Civilian Airshow Participants.
Capital sounds provided sound equipment and utilized Keith Fryer as commentator during the duration of the displays as the show started at 1pm and around 4pm the show came to a close with a Highveld afternoon thunderstorm.
There were over 500 learners from the surrounding Sedibeng communities, alongside the Deputy Minister of Transport Hon Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Gauteng Premier Honourable Panyaza Lesufi, Director of Civil Ms Poppy Khoza as well as other key aviation dignitaries that were present at the show.
Before some of the dignitaries commenced with their speeches. The South African Police Airwing Airbus Helicopters H125 “Squirrel” dropped a handful of Police task force skydivers.
The airshow started with a Bell UH-1 Huey in its striking colour scheme known as the “Tiger Huey” flown by Menno Parsons. Menno also flew South Africa’s only flying P51D “Mustang Sally”.
The Puma Flying Lions were next flying a three ship Harvard display led by Scully Levine. Scully also led the Hired Gun Pitts Specials flying their three ship Pitts S2Bs and a single S2C.
Dennis Spence, Gareth Gill and Jason Beamish flew the high energy aerobatic display sequence with the Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials S2Bs. This was Gareth Gills first airshow display as a new member to the team!
The Police Squirrel once again dropped skydivers during two more slots on the day. They also provided a small task force demonstration during their display.
Jeandre van der Schaar flew his RC Extra 300 aerobatic display. The young man is definitely following his fathers footsteps as his father Ivan van der Schaar now flies Boeings in the middle east.
Andre van Zyl flew his Magni Gyrocopter display. One of the best Gyrocopter displays one can see in the world.
Dave Mandel brought his Plettenberg bay based Aero L39 ZU-JET to Heidelberg. Unfortunately he didn’t get to fly in the show due to the weather at the end of the program. We did see him give a pass or two before overnighting at Rand Airport on Saturday before departing back to his home base on Sunday.
The South African Airforce was present with a number of static displays including a Fire truck asset, a 44 Squadron Casa 212 and a Agusta A109LUH from AFB Bloemspruit.
Once again Rikus Erasmus as the display director and Francois Hanekom as safety director made the show a safe and successful ending of ICAD 2022.
Thank you to Louise Hofmeyr for handling the media accreditation. This was the final South African Air Show for 2022.What a great airshow season it was!
William Reaches his dreams in the SAAF
Second Lieutenant William Bradley Naidoo of the South African Air Force. Is one of sixteen of the SAAF’s Latest Qualified Military Aviator’s of Pilot Wings Course 128.
After going for the SAAFs Pilot/Navigator Selection in 2009. He found himself unsuccessful due to his weight. He was disappointed but nevertheless he always wanted to serve his country as a solider.
He joined as a Technician (Aircraft Mechanic). Did his apprenticeship at 68 Air School and then transferred to Airforce Base Durban ( 15 Squadron ). Qualified as an Aircraft mechanic on the Oryx Helicopter and then immediately moved over to the Agusta A109LUH.
Most recently he became an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) on the Agusta A109 William then headed for the Flight engineer selections. While he was successful there, the dream of being an Airforce pilot never left his thoughts.
Mid-way through the Flight engineer course he made Pilot Selections. There was many frustrations along the way, stop starts,covid -19, etc, but this was that highest level of serving his country that he always dreamed of, “He was never going to let go” and become a military aviator!
The highlights on Pilots Wings Course 128 would definitely be going solo on the Pilatus PC-7 MKll. “My first IF (instrument) landing at Airforce Base Overberg and the Navigation Sortie to Uptington.”
It’s the cross county landings that show you, how much you have grown and what you have become.”
This is his 13th year serving the Republic of South Africa as a Soldier and the first time as an Air Force pilot for my country. He feels really proud to wear this specific wings over my heart, and he is very grateful to The Lord Jesus Christ for this moment and to his family, fiancé and friends who guided him in prayer every step of the way.
“A huge thanks also to a few Hero’s in my journey. My Flight Commander Major L.P Malokane, Major P Moodley, Major M Maal,Major C.R Mnise and Major A.K Maleka”.
” I’m thankful to Major D.L Jacobs,for the over and above instruction, time, sacrifice and effort in getting me to the point of receiving my Air Force wings”.
“Truly I am immensely grateful and appreciate everyone for the love, support and prayers to help me achieve my dream.”
SAAF & SAPS Airwing in KZN Flood Relief Efforts
15 Squadron “Charlie Flight” based at Airforce Station Port Elizabeth are assisting in the flood relief efforts in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The PE based helicopters as well as an A109 and Oryx made their way to Durban Virginia Airport during the week as KwaZulu-Natal province has seen some serious rain resulting in flooding.
The Durban Airforce Station of 15 Squadron, which is located in the Southern side of Durban at the old Durban airport, was heavily impacted by the floods, leaving them displaced and unable to effectively assist in the relief operations. Thus “Charlie Flight” from Port Elizabeth was tasked with assisting in the relief operations.
The two Bk117’s and Oryx helicopters, are joined by an Agusta A109LUH from 19 Squadron AFB Hoedspruit. They are assisting two SAPS Eurocopter AS350 now the Airbus H125 Écureuil (Squirrel) helicopters, SAPS Pilatus Porter aircraft, SAPS Search and Rescue ground units and eThekwini Metro Search and Rescue ground units, in various relief operations around the flood damaged areas.
Search and Rescue ground units had K-9 units as well that flew in some of the rotary assets.
The ground units all deployed from Virginia as well after a briefing with the aircrews.
Using Durban’s Virginia airport, which is ideally situated for the efforts, as the base of operations, they have already been flying on many missions and will continue to do so over the coming days. This is also the reason Virginia Airport must stay and not be demolished for a housing development when it is the main hub in the middle of search and rescue operational area. The airport was opened in 1959 and was home to the annual Durban Airshow .
South African Airforce SAAF has always come to the rescue in times of natural disasters and provide a welcome sight to the people needing help.
SANDF at the Rand Easter Show 2022
After a two year absence it was the return of the Rand Easter show at Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec.
One of the big attractions of course would be the South African National Defence Force which has been taking part in the demonstrations or static exhibit since 2011.
This year unfortunately there was no capability demonstration as previously reported on. We found our self’s in the static exhibits and just thanking that we can attend these outdoor shows once again.
We found ourselfs at 16 Squadrons exhibit with a Rooivalk Attack helicopter and found our good friend and former Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team leader Lt Col Omphile “Biggy” Matloane. Biggy as he is known is now part of the big guns at 16 Squadron flying the Denel Rooivalk.
Was good to see a 15 Squadron Agusta A109 also in the static park. We hope next year we will see the return of a capability demo as it was a crowd favorite. Until next year!
Outgoing SANDF General Solly Shoke Parade
The 28th May 2021,saw the outgoing chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Solly Zacharia Shoke during a retreat parade at Thaba Tshwane, known to many as the military town of Pretoria.
Just to mention just some of his curriculum vitae In 1998, Shoke commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho. He was the Director Personnel Acquisition from January 1999 to October 2000, when he was promoted to the rank of major general as the Chief Director Human Resources Support. He was promoted to Chief of the Army in 2004, and became Chief of the South African National Defence Force in May 2011.Solly Shoke was the longest serving Chief of the SANDF to date.
President Cyril Ramaphosa attened the parade during the hand over the command of the SANDF to Lieutenant-General Rhudzani Maphwanya as new chief of the South African National Defence Force.
A flag fly-past started proceedings by two Oryx Helicopters carrying both the South African National Flag and SANDF flag, a single 44 Squadron Casa 212 dropped skydivers from 44 Parachute Regiment. Different marching columns made their way onto the sports.
First of the Mass Fly pasts included a helicopter fly-past consisting of a Agusta A109LUH from 19 Squadron, four Oryx Helicopters and a 15 Squadron ‘Charlie’ Flight BK117.
Next was the Pelican Formation made up of a 35 Squadron C47TP Dakota and a 44 Squadron Casa 212.Followed then by the pointer formation of four Cessna 208As Caravans from 41 Squadron. It was then the return of 28 Squadron with two C130BZs.Major Sivu Tangana led a 9-ship formation of Pilatus PC7MKIIs from the Central Flying School, AFB Langebaanweg.
The final formation was the combat formation led by Colonel “Boerboel” Mashaba with two Gripens from 2 Squadron and three Hawks from 85 Combat Flying School. It was then time for Major Mohau “Dobaman” Vundla’s first Gripen solo display in Gauteng skies as he comes in as 2 Squadrons new Gripen display pilot!
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