Monthly Archives: May 2019
New date set for SAAF Museum Airshow 2019
The South African Airforce Museum Airshow is set to take place at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria on Saturday 7th September 2019.The Officer commanding of AFB Swartkop confirmed with Aviation Central the official date has been set for the 7th September and NOT the 31 August 2019.
We look forward to working with the SAAF and the Museum as we get ready for another successful airshow that will once again take place over Pretoria skies.
Keep an eye out on our social media pages for more information on the upcoming Airshow.
Also read
Excitement building for the SAAF Museum Airshow
Mercedes Day-Brakpan Airfield
A different type of fraternity, The Mercedes Benz club of South Africa, get together every year with the last event taking place at Brakpan Airfield. The same venue under the Brakpan Aero Club Members including organiser Hilton Wolff and many other role players put together a day which many visitors of the day wont forget for years to come.
The history of Mercedes-Benz in South Africa by far outstretches the history of the marque’s club here. Although the enthusiasm, interest and involvement of “fans” of the marque throughout its history, this cannot be denied and underplayed, it was not until the late 1970’s that this was harnessed and organised into the beginnings of the Mercedes-Benz Club.
The purpose of the day, was to give members of the club, a taste of flight in small aircraft, and not just any aircraft but some unique and modern flying machines. With vintage era up to the modern Mercedes vehicles parked in the vicinity of the club house, both aircraft and car enthusiasts were in their element.
Grant Timms flew in a Rand Airport based Harvard ‘7526’ which belongs to John Wright, the aircraft was a major draw card as its not to often to see a Harvard at Brakpan Airfield. It made a excellent photo opportunity as some Mercedes Benz photo bombed the aircraft.
Very well known helicopter pilots at Brakpan airfield Rob Osner and Charles Fuller flew both an Alouette II and III. Nothing like flying in ex air force helicopters and flying over the once rich mining areas of the east rand of Johannesburg.
Other aircraft that gave flips, namely the Cessna Grand Caravan flown by Frederick Kotzee, Dornier Do 27 flown by Rodney Benn,An2 ‘Little Annie’ flown by Jon-Marc Hill. A Piaggio Albatross,Cessna 210 and many more!
At non airshow type events its always crucial to have safety as your main priority, Both Colonel Keith Fryer and Colonel Keith Andrews from the South African Airforce kept all flights as well as the ramp safe and running smoothly during the course of the day.
The Brakpan Aero Club welcomed guests with muffins and coffee and provided boerewors rolls and Hamburgers for the rest. Local flight schools and Mercedes Benz dealership also provided excellent offerings of their latest deals on both pilots licences and car purchase deals.
Well done Hilton Wolff and the Mercedes Benz Club Members as well as all the pilots and ground crew who made the event possible and safe. We look forward to the 2020 edition of the event.
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SAAF Museum Flying Day 2019-05-04
Pretoria residents once again got woken up to the sounds of some of the South African Airforce Museum aircraft as they took to the skies above Air Force Base Swartkop ,Valhala Pretoria this past Saturday.
These flying days take place every first Saturday of the month to get pilots current on aircraft and test fly some aircraft, and the same time giving the public an opportunity to visit the SAAF Museum.
The flying day as always starts with a parachute jump with members of the Golden Eagles Parachute display team and other military parachute members. They did two jumps during the course of the day. Their jump ships were both a C4M Kudu and Aerospatiale Puma.
The rest of the fixed wing aircraft took the skies, with the Museum Harvard’s, followed by the one of two airworthy Bosboks and Cessna 185s.The Puma flown by General John Church, displayed the helicopters hoisting capabilities.
Warm referments were made available at the Windsock Café as well as from the Friends of the Museum Boerewors stand. The Spitfire restoration fund committee were guarded by the former 2 Squadron Cheetah C ‘Spotty’ in one of the exhibit Hangers.
We look forward to the next flying day, with a date to be confirmed soon as well as the Airshows new date. Till then keep them up where they belong.
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Rasesa ready for takeoff- WesBank Botswana International Airshow
The WesBank Botswana International Airshow is almost ready for takeoff to give the people of Botswana and other international visitors a day of spectacular aerobatic sequences from both old and new aircraft.
Matsieng Airfield (ICAO: FBMA) is a new Airfield which has been around since 2011. The airfield is located near Rasesa, 44 kilometres north of Gaborone Botswana.
The highlight for some is definitely the fly-in experience where pilots fly-in for the weekend and camp under the wing of their aircraft or even camp in the set up tent area where ablution blocks are available as well as log fires, that are made available for braai packs and other needed necessities during the weekend.
Aircraft that will be making a welcome back appearance will be the only airworthy P51 Mustang in Southern Africa, owned and flown by Master Power Technologies Menno Parsons. He will also have his Bell 407.Other helicopters that will be displayed will be the NAC Bell 430 flown by Alister Brown. Team Extreme will be making their full team debut made up of Nigel Hopkins in his Extra 330,Jason Beamish in his brand new Extra 330,Mark Hensman in his MX2 and finally Mark Sampson in his Sbach. Other favourites will be the L29 and L39 Jet trainers, AN2 ‘Little Annie’ Harvard’s ,Pitts Special teams and many other aircraft. Program to be posted soon!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Entrance gates: Gate 1 (on site map)https://www.botswana-airshow.com/index.php/info/maps
Gates open: Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00
Air Show ends: 17:00
Entrance fees: P120 per adult; P60 per child (6-17 years); Under 6 years – free if accompanied by paying adults.
Tickets available at the following PUMA outlets
· PILANE
· PHAKALANE
· BBS
· RAILPARK
· TLOKWENG
· FAIRGROUNDS
· PULA SPAR
· GRAND PALM
· KGALE VIEW
· TLOKWENG EXPLOSION
· FRANCISTOWN
· MAHALAPYE
· PALAPYE
· MOLEPOLOLE
· KANYE
· Also available from PHARMA LULU @ Westgate Mall
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- No food or beverages will be allowed through the gates.
- Empty cooler bags will be allowed through the gates.
- No picnic or recreation of any sort will be allowed in the parking area.
- No buses exceeding 8 people seated.
- No admission will be granted without a valid entry ticket or permit.
- The public shall enter and use the parking area as well as the premises at their own risk and the organisers and the owners of the premises cannot accept liability for any loss or injury to any person or property.
- Any form of misbehaviour or criminal activity will be handed over to the members of the Botswana Police Service.
- The public may not enter any fenced off zone allocated to aeroplanes and other vehicles. Trespassers will be escorted off the premises immediately without refund of any kind.
- Members of the public are strictly not allowed to access the Hospitality tent area.
Us at Aviation Central cant wait to share a fantastic day with the people of Botswana in the next couple of weeks, we sure are super excited. Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for more updates to follow!
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