Tag Archives: Team Xtreme
Botswana Airshow Rocks-Wesbank Botswana Airshow 2019
The African themed Oshkosh type fly-inn and airshow at Matsieng Airfield situated a few kilometeres outisde of the nations capital Gabarone. What makes a show so special here is getting the opportunity to camp bush style at an airfield and for some next to you aircraft.
Wesbank, once again a major sponsor for this years show at Matsieng with the help of the De Wet family, the show would not be possible.
We were flown from Wonderboom National Airport with ‘Little Annie’ the famous Antonov two owned by the Hill Family under the leadership of ‘Just Love Mission.As we cleared customs at Pilanesberg International Airport we made way to Matsieng Airfield, where we joined up in formation by a second An2 in old South African Airways Colours flown by Jon-Marc Hill and a Yak 18T, which made fantastic photo opportunities for the media onboard.
Friday Afternoon we got to see some validations before a late afternoon thunder storm made its way through the area, some of us scattred for the Town Lodge in Gabarone where we were fortunate enough to be
accommodated for the rest of the weekend thanks to the oragnisers. Saturday morning we made our way to the airfield for early arrivals as a perfect blue sky day was installed for the only airshow in Botswana this year.
The show started with a formation of microlights,a display that is not seen to often at shows in Southern Africa, showing off a dead stick landing was part of the show. ‘Little Annie’ An2 flown by Mark Hill and Col Keith Fryer
dropped skydivers including Ralph Ridge was the massive and biggest Botswana Flag. Jon- Marc Hill and His dad Mark flew a solo AN2 display and just to love ‘Little Annie’ even more she dropped marshmallows for the crowd. The vintage formation took to the skies, with this show being the first-time at a Southern African Airshow two Antonov 2s flew in formation with Randolph sponsored Boeing Stearman flown by Comair 737 Captain Ivan van der Schaar and Middleburg based YAK18T flown by Riaan Prinsloo. The crowd also got both a solo display by the Boeing Stearman and Yak18T. Capital Sounds Brian Emmenis and his hard working team rigged the longest sound system for the first time at the show, always a treat to hear the voice of Brian at Airshows as he brings the vibe to each show he attends.
Conrad Botha started the days aerobatic sequences in his RV7, followed by the Raptor RVs led by Nigel Hopkins who also led Team Extreme flying his Extra 330, joining him was Jason Beamish in his new Extra 330, Mark ‘Buggs’ Hensman in his MX2 and Mark ‘Sammy ‘Sampson in his Sbach in new colours. The Goodyear Eagles flew the high energy aerobatic display led by Glen Warden, he also flew the only jet display for the day in the Rand Airport based L29 ZU-AUX.The ex Soviet jet trainer brought much joy to the jet fans at the show. The Puma Flying Lions Harvard’s flew their sequence with their second final show of the day ending with a great wall of fire. Gary Whitecross flew his Pilatus B4 Glider, one of the best glider display one can see at an airshow in Africa.
Andrew Blackwood-Murray flew his Nashua Extra 300 solo display, A gyrocopter display was also flown and a entertaining show to watch as the magni gyrocopter flown by Andre van Zyl was put through its paces. Menno Parsons brought both hisP51 Mustang, Pilatus PC12 and Tiger Huey.All aircraft are such a treat to see fly, the Huey also dropped a car in show center, “remember don’t park your car where it shouldn’t be at an airshow”.the air boss will move it!
Helicopter displays included Alister Brown flying the Netstar Bell 407, a Bell 505 made its Southern African Airshow Debut. Juba Jourbert flew a fantastic display in the Aerospatiale Gazelle 341. Two Krugersdorp based North American Navions flew close formation in a flat show with smoke added to their display. Danie Terblanche flew the crazy pilot display in the Aviant Husky which had some of the crowd worried with the state of his crazy flying, Which is all part of the act. Dennis Spence led the decathlon display with basic aerobatic sequences. True North Aviation Turbo Thrush
demonstrated fire fighting capabilities as well as crop spraying capabilities. We wont forget some of the great RC flying that was also shown in-between displays.
With another safe show hosted at the Matsieng flying club under the AirBoss of Chris Briers and safety direct Colonel Francois ‘Hose’ Hanekom. All 43 acts gave the crowds a day to be remebered.We would like to thanks all the oragisers Wesbank,De Wet Drilling,Matsieng Flying Club, Mark Mansfield our media liaison officer and the Town Lodge.
Till next year Matsieng, Well done to all.
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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.
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.
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.
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Click to Enlarge Photos (By Ricky Fouche)
