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A wet and cold PTAR 2022
A wet and cold PTAR 2022 at New Tempe Bloemfontein – By Rob Jonkers
This year’s Presidents Trophy Air Race was held at New Tempe Bloemfontein, and traditionally held on the last weekend of May, but with the advent of the Botswana Air Show also taking place on the same weekend it was decided to move it a week earlier, which if we all had the perfect hindsight, with that event not happening, we could have held it on its traditional date, and subsequently avoiding this last few days of most unseasonal weather that befell the race weekend.
This year for sure has had many of the planned aviation events disrupted by wet, cold, windy weather systems, the most bandied about term of “cut-off low” being used to describe the weather situation. This weekend no less had a very large cold front coupled with an intense low-pressure system over the centre of the country affect the plans to race.
I arrived on Wednesday in excellent weather conditions and started setting up for the race, mostly the race control room and preparing for test flights, some of the early competitors also started to arrive at the field. Thursday saw all the aircraft arrive, some of the Cape based teams first had to wait for the front to pass before setting off, arriving just before dark. Most of the day was taken up by flight tests and registration and watching what the weather would be doing for the next day as the front was approaching.
During the first extensive Thursday afternoon briefing which also included the SA weather services team being on hand to give us the best outlook it appeared that there may be an early morning flyable gap, thus the day was planned with an early 7h30 start. As Friday dawned, it looked promising, cloud base was at a reasonable 1000 ft, and we proceeding briefing and sent the turnpoint marshals to their locations, this being particularly important to get weather condition updates from them at the furthest corners of the route.
As the morning progressed with a planned 10 am first take-off, the news from the turnpoints were not good, and then light rain started, it was then decided to scrub Day 1 with a debrief at 11 am to plan for the next day. The prediction for Saturday would be that the weather would improve from midday onwards. Everybody dispersed for some rest for the rest of the day.
Saturday dawned with flyable conditions, and in fact the window opened up from 11 onwards, thus at briefing the first take-off was planned for 11. The turnpoint marshals were sent out, who from the previous day’s rain had challenges of negotiating almost impassable roads to get to their intersections, fortunately they all sent in confirmation of being in position prior the first take-off.
This year’s field attracted 37 entries, which is very low by PTAR standards, which would normally have 60+ competitors, this year for sure the cost impact would have been affecting most would be competitors, given the fuel price virtually double that of last year at the same time. Three competitors had to withdraw mostly due to not being able to get to the event on time, thus we had 34 starters.
With the airfield being water logged, we decided not to move the aircraft from where they were parked, and carried out scrutineering in-situ and changed the papers time with a few additional minutes for the crews to collect their maps and route envelopes, which worked out well. The ground marshals were also very efficient in getting the start order taxying out at their allocated time. With the race under way, and having a cross over route, we could all watch how the order of the aircraft would be coming back over the field which was at around one third race distance.
Although the traditional race finish would be at 1PM, and given the weather window having a later than normal start, the finish was planned at 13h45, and as the time got closer to finish, the weather was threatening to deteriorate, with sudden cold and dark clouds forming just east of the field, which fortunately stayed away. The line finishers were close between Race 2 Bosbok, Race 14 Piper Commanche, Race 45 Harvard. With spacing between aircraft at the start being required to keep a safe distance, the finish order became Race 45 Harvard ZS-WSE, Race 9 RV-7 ZU-VZJ, Race 14 Piper Commanche ZS-NXG, who were the handicap winners.
Prize-giving was held at the Windmill Casino, which had laid out an excellent banquet hall for all the teams, club members and officials to enjoy. The evening started with a short debrief of the race, some of the best and “interesting” tracks being shown. Race 19 had a “long” day having lost their way at turnpoint 1 continuing northwest for 20 nm, before realising their error, they had the presence of mind to return to that first turnpoint, and continue from there to fly a good race further, only picking up one penalty, but of course adding almost 40 minutes to their time.
After the main meal, David le Roux the Race Master started the proceedings for the rest of the evening, first up Franz Smit who introduced and thanked all the sponsors supporting the race, Pilot Insure, Holborn Assets, Aircraft Finance Corporation, DJA Aviation, Century Avionics, and all the local Bloemfontein sponsors, Leon Bouttell was up next as the SAPFA Chairman, and at this point announced that Rob Jonkers would be standing down as Race Director, the baton being handed over to Iaan Myburgh.
Rob took to the stage thanking all for their support since 2018 when the Race was handed to him, at the same time an evolution of the format having been developed to today’s standard of a 10 turnpoint race limited to 300 nm, with an accuracy component added as well. There is still much discussion about this race format and its merits compared to the traditional 4 corner race, and this will be for the next Race team to work together with the racers for their input. Just as Formula 1 evolves with technology improvements, so must the PTAR evolve to take into consideration changes in technologies utilised, such as GPS based heading reference devices, different engine types that have variable power settings, these all affect the handicap speeds and course accuracy.
Rob went on to thank all those involved in the race organisation, particularly the Bloemfontein Flying Club under the key organiser Andre Grobler and experienced PTAR event coordinator, who had provided the ground marshals, turn-point marshals, and all the catering at the airfield. Nigel Musgrave as the Safety Officer with the ATNS team of Ricardo Afonso, SA Weather Services, ARCC, Bloemfontein Emergency Services team of Braam van Zyl, the CAA Special Air Events team, the local Municipality & SAPS.
After this the long awaited Prize Giving was held, with 24 trophy categories being handed out, up until the top 3 places, with third place going to Race 9 RV-7 ZU-VZJ with crew of Johan van Zyl & Eric Addison, second place going to Race 45 Harvard ZS-WSE with a crew of John Sayers & Dion Raath, and the PTAR trophy going to Race 14 Piper Commanche ZS-NXG crewed by Stefan Lombard and Martiens Marais.
After this the PTAR flag was handed over from BFC Chair Deon Loots to Jock Nel the Chairman of the Middelburg Aero Club as the 2023 PTAR event location. Thanks go to everybody who makes this event a success, especially the volunteers who take time out to assist, also the media who are key to promoting the PTAR.
Click on the photos below (By Rob Jonkers)
All Systems go for AAD 2022
It is all systems go for the return of the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) in September 2022. With 22 years since its inception, AAD has been instrumental in unlocking the growth of the local, regional and even the international aerospace and defence industries.

This being the 11th edition, AAD2022 will once again be held at its home base, Air Force Base Waterkloof 21 to 25 September 2022 in the City of Tshwane. The event will follow its tradition format of three trade days followed by two public air show days. The South African President, Hon Cyril Ramaphosa recently (on 5 April 2022) announced the lifting of the national state of disaster which – according to AAD organisers, cements their readiness to deliver another sterling event.


“As organisers we are taking every step to ensure the safety of guests, exhibitors, trade visitors and participants,” said Sandile Ndlovu, Executive Committee Chairman AAD 2022.
“The lifting of the state of the national disaster eases our preparation and planning, and it will allow us to move swiftly in finalising our official programme of events, delegations and other planned activities for AAD 2022. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure will be communicated once the Government regulations are in place, in the next 30 days. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon”, concluded Ndlovu.

AAD – a gateway into the African market – is the largest Defence and Aerospace exhibition on the African continent and has been an important platform for international players to showcase innovation and capability.
Standard rates for bookings are still open and will end on 30 April 2022, when new tariffs will apply.
SPACE AND EXHIBITION ENQUIRIES
For more queries please contact:
Acting Exhibition Director
Michelle Nxumalo
expodir@aadexpo.co.za
Sales and Administration
Busisiwe Nhlanhla
sales@aadexpo.co.za
Sponsorships and Branding
Nakedi Phasha
marketingcomms@aadexpo.co.za
Finance and Administration Manager
Portia Ngobeni
finance@aadexpo.co.za
Sixteen candles for SA’s only Mushshak
The PAC MFI-17 Mushshak is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft used by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force. An improved version of the Saab Safari, the MFI-17 is manufactured in Kamra, Pakistan by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
Hilton Wolff the owner of the only Mushshak in South Africa,came into SA as a demonstration model for the South African Airforce (SAAF) who then were in the market for a basic trainer.

In 2016 aviation enthusiasts got to see the Super Mushshak being put through its paces at Africa Aerospace and Defence at AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria from the Pakistan Airforce.This Maybe another time for the SAAF to purchase this type of trainer. But it didn’t fold out.

Initially twelve were ordered but then things went wrong and the order was eventually cancelled and the demonstration aircraft , that was delivered, stayed in South Africa for good.
The aircraft was then sold to a couple of owners where she landed up in Cape Town at a flight school and eventually in the hands of Hilton where the aircraft was based still at Wonderboom Airport and now as we speak Brakpan in the East Rand of Johannesburg.
One of Hilton’s biggest concerns about owning this former military trainer was parts availability, a concern that was quickly resolved when he contacted the factory in Pakistan and they assured him that anything he needed they were willing to supply.

The aircraft is built under licence from SAAB who originally released the military version as the SAAB MFI-17 Supporter. Hilton also made contact with SAAB and they too assured him parts would not be a challenge.
On Thursday 7th March 2022 we were invited to join the celebration of both Hiltons and the Mushshak birthday at Brakpan Airfield. We were treated to a couple of flypasts of the aircraft flown by veteran airshow display pilot Scully Levin.


The 6th of April is esteemed Hilton Wolff ‘s Birthday and the 7th of April is the Mushshak’s Birthday.
This making the Mushshak 16 years old.
SAAF BK117s on their way to Durban
In the last couple of days Durban Kwa Zulu Natal has been hit with enormous amounts of rain bringing damage throughout the province. Unfortunately there has been a number of lives lost as well as still people missing.
15 Squadron “Charlie Flight” based at Airforce Station Port Elizabeth are on route to Durban to be tasked to help in any way the unit can in a flood relief manner. At this point of time two Bk117s are on route with a third to join later.

SAAF Chopper crews
Crew so far from 15 Sqn C Flight is Maj Corrie Oberholzer, Maj Jarred Oliver, Sgt Carel van Dalen and Sgt Nengo Mahlakwana
A109 with Major Simphiwe Moloi and WO2 Jason Buglass
Oryx with Lt Col Charles Tarentaal cmdr, Capt Robo Muthwa and WO2 Allister Prince.
Additional crew to arrive: Maj Aobakwe Gaelejwe, Flight Sergeant Coert Steynberg, Sergeant Lungelo Mcanyana
Ground crew on deployment is Flight Sergeant Larry Williams, Flight Sergeant Brian Reynolds, Sergeant Thanduxolo Madyo, Corporal Sara Ramlingam



