Tag Archives: Grand Central
COVID Aviation Trips – Grand Central
By now most of us have been absolutely deprived of aviation. Unfortunately all airshows for 2020 have been either postponed or cancelled. This leaves us with almost no aviation action, or does it?
In the coming weeks, we will be looking at different smaller aviation spots that can help scratch that aviation itch that has been annoying us all during this lockdown.
The first spot we’ll be visiting is Grand Central Airport. Sporting a Harvard Café with a lovely view of the apron, this makes for a good spot to get your dose of Vitamin A(viation).
The Harvard Café offers a wide selection of drinks and food ranging from cool drinks to beer and burgers to sushi.
The children’s play area at the Harvard Café makes this a great place to bring the whole family.
Grand Central Airport is a smaller regional airport with no commercial airlines operating out of the airport. This does not mean that there isn’t much to see though.
Many pilots based at the airport take to the skies here over the weekends. Here there is no shortage of Cessna’s, Robinson Heli’s and even the occasional King Air and Aero Commander 500B as seen below.
As the name suggests, Grand Central is very centrally located, making it not a very long drive from most locations in Gauteng.
Photos taken at Grand Central recently:
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 child with a Dream to fly, but on a deeper level it’s about anyone with a dream.
Aviation is traditionally about defying great odds and overcoming the laws of nature, the politics of man, the limitations of economy, and technological development…..for so long aviation was an exclusive privilege to supreme military, selected individuals or the super wealthy…
We wanted to bring home aviation to the children, to promote the idea that anyone can be what ever they dream of being… That you can literally ‘take that paper plane to your destiny’…. one day if even one of these kids goes for their dream, then this day may have played a role in that.”
Felix Gosher
The 2018 Children’s flight once again took part at the Grand Central Airport in Midrand.This year the event took place over a period of two days,to fly as many as 1000 children.The man at the head of the initiative was Felix Gosher who together with Flint and Tinder and together with other sponsors came together organising the event.The idea was born when Felix was involved in the making of a music video for the song by Michael Ferguson “Paper Plane” which is essentially about a child with a Dream to fly, but on a deeper level it’s about anyone with a dream.
Aircraft types that flew on the Friday, consisted of a Antonov 2 ‘Little Annie,Cessna C182s,C172s,Beechcraft Bonanzas,DC3,Cessna Caravan, TMGs,Seneca’s,Helicopters including a Alouette II and III,Bell 206 Jet rangers, a Gazelle, Robinson R44s and the list went on. The kids had a real treat flying in one of the different types of aircraft.They also got to witness a paradrop from ‘Little Annie’ from 7500 feet.A Airshow was also put on stage for them from our familiar airshow circuit pilots.Nigel Hopkins flew his Extra 330,together with Barrie Eeles .
Gazelle
Bell 407
Charles Fuller Alouette II
Alouette Pilots Charles Fuller & Rob Osner
Alouette II
The RV team was also on display with their tight formation aerobatics on both Friday and Saturday. The Aero L29 ZU-AUX was displayed by Lt Col Glen ‘Gringo’ Warden. Patrick Davidson flew his RedBull Sponsored Sbach and Juba Jourbert flew a remarkable Alouette II Display and many more!
Aero L29
Patrick Davidson
Skydiver
Activities for the children included a flight in a aircraft, a filling lunch, cupcakes,face painting and other forms of entertainment. They then received Flight Certificate signed by their pilots and a gift from some of the many sponsors of the event. To see the faces on the kids before and after their flight was truly a sight to behold, a lump in the throat was really on the move who witnessed the event all for the kids. We look forward to next year and hope some of the kids reach for their dream.
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 2 squadrons Jas39C Gripens landed at the field at around 16H00 and I’m sure some of the aviation fans will know Grand Central runway is only 1,624 meters and sitting at 5,327ft. The aircraft had no difficulty getting in and out of heart of Midrand aerodrome piloted by officer commanding of 2 Squadron Gripen pilot Lt. Col Mashaba aka ‘Boerboell’ . The aircraft was specially flown into Grand Central for a private evening event at the airport.Other aircraft on static display was a 19 Squadron Agusta A109LUH from AFB Hoedspruit, from the civilian static display which saw NACs Beautiful Bell 430 and aeronautic solutions Bk117.
This was the first time a Gripen has landed at this particular airport,it was a historical occasion even though there was not many spectators to view the aircraft. 2 squadron will be seen at AFB Zwartkop in Pretoria for Airforce day and on the week of Armed forces day in Kimberley. All events, Except for Kimberly are unfortunately invited guests only. Click here to read more on the upcoming Armed Forces Day in Kimberly
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About Grand Central Airport
Grand Central Airport (IATA: GCJ, ICAO: FAGC) is a small privately owned airfield which is open to public air traffic. It is located in Midrand, halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa. Prior permission to land at Grand Central is not required for light aircraft pilots, a radio call is sufficient.
The airfield was started in the 1930s by a group of motor racing enthusiasts who were also interested in flying. Their old race track, although no longer in use, can be seen from the air on the north west side of the airfield.
Grand Central is a fully equipped airfield and is open 24 hours a day. The complex incorporates a modern terminal building (although it lacks Customs facilities). It is also the base of numerous flying schools for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. There are 2 or 3 fixed-base operators on the airfield which provides maintenance and repair facilities for light aircraft. This is a small airfield that is restricted to light aircraft only.
Source: wikipedia
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SAAB Gripen
SAAB Gripen
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SAAB Gripen
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