Category Archives: General News and Airshow Reviews
Prestige Day Parade Address By Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang
| Gracious AIR FORCE 2020 Greetings to you Fellow South Africans and our international guests. About 59 years ago, an infant was wrapped in documents and blankets as the Apartheid security forces stormed his mother’s home looking for sensitive information on the African National Congress. They were unable to find the well-hidden documents and the baby was spared being orphaned. The infant and family were smuggled out of the country to follow his exiled father. He grew up dislocated from his homeland, growing up thinking that his country was a myth that only existed in the lived experiences of his elders. The boy was schooled in foreign countries with their welcoming arms, and different languages. Fast forward……. The boy grew into a young man who was trained with many other young men and women in the fight for an equal democratic society, grounded in revolutionary love for their people. The man would eventually return to his home land with the ghosts of many comrades sown into his skin. He had to put aside past differences in the new nation and work towards a common future goal as enshrined in the newly birthed Constitution whose Preamble states: “We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, UNITED in our diversity.” Today, at the tail end of the 25 year celebrations of our Young Democracy and also the 25 year Celebration of the formation of the new South African National Defence Force and its various Arms of Services, that young man, now bald and before you, has the honour of addressing all those who could attend. But I would be remiss if I didn’t first pay tribute to all our brave women and men in uniform who are in other lands and on the home front, serving our People and safeguarding our national interests. And taking a moment of silence for those fallen heroes of democracy who no longer stand with us – we remember you. We are the writers of our future, shaped by our consciousness, our history and our experiences as individuals and as part of various communities. As we today grapple with our complex PRESENT which is informed by our difficult and painful PAST, we are duty bound to create conditions to build a strong foundation for a better and promising FUTURE we the people of South Africa all yearn for. I stand here before you as the 21st Air Chief in the pre and post 1994 history of the South Air African Force; and the 5th Air Chief of the South African Air Force in the new dispensation – this is your Air Force, the Peoples Air Force. It is therefore my singular honour and privilege today to welcome you all to this year’s celebration of the South African Prestige Parade under the theme “Embracing Our Collective Heritage” celebrate nation-building, social cohesion, freedom, peace and unity with you. My prayer today is, as we acknowledge the history of our Air Force and as we celebrate 25 years of a democratic SAAF, may we rise to the occasion to help the nation dissolve the barriers of race, religion and political divide. May we embrace our differences with understanding and compassion. Our museums on all the bases have captured the time line of the history of the SAAF to date, with a deep sense of neutrality and in totality, indeed there is always room for improvement. In the spirit of collective heritage and social cohesion, I invite you all to participate in the country’s nation-building efforts where we observe days of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and in context. As we make the history of the SAAF pre 1994, we must be mindful of the glaring human rights violations that occurred. Formation of the Union of South Africa’s Air Force In 1917 sent by Prime Minister General Louis Botha to London to attend the Imperial Conference, General Jan Smuts presented a report to the British Parliament which became known as the “Smuts Report” stated, inter alia; “Air Service on the contrary, can be used as an independent means of war operations far from and independently of, both Army and Navy.” General Jan Smuts soon summoned Sir Pierre van Ryneveld to London and was told: “I want you to go back out to South Africa and start an air force”. Subsequently, South Africa received an Imperial Gift that comprised of 113 aircraft and included steel frames for 20 hangars and everything else required to start and operate an air force. The consignment was sent here to where we currently stand, an airfield that was named Swartkop, the oldest active military airfield in the world today. Some of the Imperial Gift Hangars are still in daily use as you can see. REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 1994 TO 2020 AND INTO THE FUTURE A CORE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE Is to both secure the State and to protect its citizens. We thus accord the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Services and other Security Services the duty to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State and to ensure that the Authority of the State is duly maintained and exercised. Section 227(1)(a) of the Interim Constitution (1993) thus pronounces that one of the functions of the Defence Force is: “For service in the defence of the Republic, for the protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity”. However, as we enter the epoch of the 3rd and 4th Industrial Revolutions, we begin to sense that such developments, and the changing nature of the world affairs, will pose immense challenges for the State and its citizenry. It is my view that our traditional view of sovereignty and security is challenged due to the digital explosion of the 3rd and 4th Industrial Revolutions; this through increasing globalisation, integrated and inter-reliant economies and our inter-dependence on each other within the global world. Globally, most Air Forces have always been at the cusp of technological development, and the 4th Industrial Revolution will place even more prominence on the role that our Air Force must play in the development and maintenance of South Africa’s industrial and technology base as well as the inter-connectedness of systems. The evolving role of the Armed Forces must be informed by our understanding of sovereignty, the value-exchange between the State and the citizenry and the changing nature of conflict. CONSIDERING THE FUTURE With the birthing of democracy, the South African Air Force began a new era in 1994. Transformation over the past two and a half decades has brought about a change in composition, structure, and hardware with a new vision since 2013 of “An Air Force that Inspires Confidence”. The security landscape within which we find ourselves since the new dispensation, is rapidly developing in a manner challenging to our traditional views of sovereignty and security. The legacy capabilities, platforms, doctrine and tactics of the Defence Force which we inherited in 1994, was a Defence Force fundamentally and rigidly orientated towards and postured on conventional warfare, with frameworks rooted in Cold War thinking and the legacy thinking of the Second World War. We must now ask ourselves if these remain appropriate for the conflicts that we may face in the future, bearing in mind that the emerging security dimensions will continue to challenge the readiness and preparedness of our security structures? We must increasingly focus our energies on the future trajectory and nature of such conflict, including both the means and methods of both the “old” and “new” wars. We are thus forced to question if our dogged obsession and unwavering focus on conventional military capabilities, platforms, doctrine and tactics indeed have future relevance? A BALANCE OF HARD & SOFT POWER National Security must have at its crux the traditional responsibility for the protection and continuance of the sovereignty of the State, its political and economic independence and the protection of its institutions, values and freedoms. However, the architecture on which any future National Security Policy is built must be broad enough to encompass the consolidation of democratic liberalism; the pursuit of political and social justice; economic development; environmental sustainability; and the combatting of crime, violence and instability. We must therefore examine carefully the Mandate of the Armed Forces to ensure that the Armed Forces are, and remain, pertinent and relevant to all these dimensions. DELIVERING HUMAN SECURITY TO A DEVELOPMENTAL STATE We must reflect on the fundamental contribution that Defence makes to the Sovereignty of the Republic of South Africa and the maintenance of the Authority of the State. As elucidated in the South African Defence Review 2015, we find ourselves within a broadened and expanded security paradigm which has a particular emphasis on the well-being of the citizenry. The legitimacy of the State in the eyes of the citizenry will thus be the sustaining factor that ensures the survival and continuance of the State. The State will furthermore have the obligation to facilitate, if not create, the environment and the necessary conditions for the fulfilment of human security and economic prosperity. Policy should express both how the execution of mandated defence functions and other specific initiatives can, in certain circumstances, contribute to the perceived legitimacy of the State and the human development and security of the citizenry. Given the above deliberations, I posit that paramount to the relevance and readiness of the military to contribute to both the Defence of the State and the Protection of its People must be at the forefront of future military planning. THE FUTURE THAT OUR YOUTH DESIRES This younger generation indeed ascribe legitimacy to the State based on its ability to deliver Human Security to its citizens. This human security paradigm, whilst not discounting our traditional views on sovereignty, is driven by the perceived value that the State delivers to its citizens through a broad Social Compact with them. Some of the dimensions of this social compact and the desires of the youth include: • Political and legal legitimacy. • Basic and inalienable rights and freedoms. • Food and water security. • Relevant & accessible education systems. • Modern & Accessible health systems. • Appropriate basic services. • Environmental stability. • Infrastructure and economic development. • Social cohesion, amongst many others. · inalienable cultural rights. · Freedom from gender-based violations DECLINING PEER-ON-PEER CONFLICT The three decades since the demise of the Cold War has seen a military focus on operations of a much broader nature. Internationally we have become preoccupied with counter-terror operations, counter-insurgency operations and stabilisation operations. Domestically, this has led to evolving capabilities focused on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). We are therefore compelled to first ask ourselves the same question: Has our recent military operational commitments detracted from our core military functions, and if so, what are the consequences thereof for the future of the South African Air Force? This also begs a second question, namely: What is the probability and possibility of Peer-on-Peer Conflict for the South African Air Force. If so, what integrated capabilities do we require? If not, where should our primary focus lie? We consequently have to enhance our understanding of the evolving nature of conflict on the African Continent. Currently, we observe an almost complete lack of State-on-State Conflict on the African continent, with little or no linear State-on-State contestation. Conversely, we observe growing Intra-State Conflict, often without the presence of a State-Actor (Statutory Force). More often than not we observe the involvement of both irregular and proxy forces as parties to the conflict. African conflicts of the future are therefore increasingly less likely to involve Peer-on-Peer conventional military conflict. This will in all likelihood be overtaken by an increased focus on both irregular warfare and hybrid warfare, as was recently observed in Libya. Future conflicts will be trans-national in nature, often involving the use of proxy forces, frequently involving the use of IED’s and often leading to a significant loss of innocent civilian life. FUNDAMENTALISM AND TERROR The threat of terrorism, ethnic nationalism and fundamentalism (TENF) is increasing exponentially. In many instances, TENF and state-backed jingoism appear to be a push-back against the realities of a globalised world and its impacts on both people and societies, and often with both international and domestic nationalist manifestations. The threat of terrorism is often troublesome to measure and define; it is consequently difficult to assess the security implications thereof. Notwithstanding that defining terrorism is very problematic, largely due to the distinct ideological bases thereof, the one seminal characteristic is the formidable and gruesome nature of their tactics. As our Armed Forces modernise and become more technologically advanced, careful attention must be given to having a balanced and broad enough suite of capabilities that can address the challenge of TENF. Developing a common understanding of the extent of the threat is the first step in coordinating a national and integrated regional counter-terrorism response. DIGITAL AND CYBERSECURITY Our daily interface with the “borderless” digital world gives rise to a range of threats and concerns which were not previously part of our security paradigm. Persistent digital security and cyber threats now continue to dominate the international security agenda, as they increasingly more sophisticated and intrusive. Such rapidly evolving assaults in the digital domain threaten the very sovereignty of the State and seek to manipulate and destabilise critical information infrastructure, social and mainstream media and the economic and financial machinery that underpin the State. We are all acutely aware of the significant amounts of personal information freely available on social networking sites. Defence is not immune thereto. We are all extremely concerned about the vulnerability of military command and control infrastructure to cyber-attacks and the risk of electro-magnetic disruption to other ancillary military systems. The threats in this environment are rapidly evolving and changing, posing significant challenges for both the cyber-defence and cyber-offence capabilities of the Armed Forces. In as much as the requisite hardware and software required for these tasks is important, the most important, and often the least resourced is the human dimension thereto. MIGRATION, NATIONAL BORDERS AND THE MARITIME SPACE Our borders are the physical manifestation of our national sovereignty. Yet we experience unprecedented illegal cross-border migration, human trafficking, the smuggling of small arms and light weapons, trafficking in stolen goods and property and the illegal harvesting and transfer of natural resources. Similarly, we are also challenged by maritime crime in our Exclusive Economic Zones, piracy on the High-Seas, the illegal exploitation of maritime resources and the uncontrolled movement of people and goods at sea. The international response thereto has seen Multi-National Joint Task Forces being formed and deployed to high-risk areas. One of the difficulties such task forces face is reliable shared-maritime domain awareness. ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY We actively need to address the effects of climate change and increase the sustainability of our environment. Some of the challenges facing developing countries include: • Regional Famine, as is now predicted by the UN World Food Programme in Southern Africa during 2020. • Increased access to safe and affordable drinking water. • Increased access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene. • Increased access to affordable, reliable, modern and sustainable energy services. • Transforming high carbon-emitting sectors towards a low carbon economy, especially energy, transport, agriculture and waste management. • Implementing waste management programmes that increase waste recycling and decrease the incidents of landfill. • The intensive rehabilitation and restoration of ecological infrastructure across all dimensions (water, soil, air and biodiversity). • Developing strategic pathways for integrated spatial development and human settlements. The above challenges are as relevant to the Armed Forces as they are to the rest of society. We are proud of our members that we provided a critical role in the flooding disaster relief in Mozambique, KZN, Mamelodi and many other places. However, the burden on the Armed Forces stretches even further, as we know that our soldiers will increasingly be called upon to conduct search and rescue, disaster relief and humanitarian operations both domestically and in neighbouring countries in response to climate change and the attendant risks to environmental sustainability. This places more pressure on the SAAF requiring an increase in personnel and funding, to ensure we are ready to Inspire Confidence and fly to action where and when required. However, we cannot give proper consideration to the challenges facing us in the future, without making an assessment of the Means at our disposal to position ourselves for the future. Defence can only perform to the extent that it is resourced and funded. The Department of Defence has been forced to continuously adjust its plans downwards. This is myopic and short term thinking. This is dangerous. The Defence force is the Nations’ Insurance Policy. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE FUTURE CONFLICTS: Perhaps it is now appropriate to commence with a robust discussion on what capabilities, platforms, doctrine and tactics would be most appropriate for future conflicts? It is crucial that South Africa develops a fit for purpose Defence Force that is agile enough to both physically and intellectually move seamlessly between its traditional mandated tasks and functions (however rare or occasional the requirement) and the demanding new environments of cybersecurity and cyber-resilience, proxy forces, hybrid warfare, transnational crime, climate change, as well as peace support operations to mention but a few. Crucial to the success of the Defence Force in these complex arenas will be the quality, education and professionalism of its human capital. Fundamental to achieving these goals and objectives will be the full employability of the force, its flexibility in terms of structure and equipment as well as its ability to function effectively within the demands of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the complexity of future conflict. Key to unlocking the above will be leadership at all levels, from the tactical to the strategic within the Defence Force to the policy decisions which will be vital to and ultimately shape the space for the above to occur. Professional Military Education and Leadership The professionalism of the Armed Forces, and specifically at the level of the individual soldier, is absolutely an essential ingredient in the relationship between the State and its citizenry. One cannot begin to emphasise how important education, training and development will be to the successful and sustained continuance of the Armed Forces of the future. Investment in the best, most appropriate, skilled and professional soldiers, is the most strategic endeavor that the Armed Forces can embark upon. The continued operation and future sustainability of the hardest working air assets of the SAAF being the Oryx, Rooivalk and C130, rely on an efficient and effective Original Equipment Manufacturer and Technical Design Authority of the Rotary Wing assets. The challenges faced by our local industry, has posed a threat to the sustainability of these assets, thus we call for alignment and cooperation amongst key stakeholders. To, the planning team for this year’s occasion led by Brigadier Gen Crouse and supported by Brig Gen Khoase and the Base OC Col Trish Schoeman, thank you very much for your excellent support. I thank all those members who worked tirelessly behind the scene to make this a splendid and enjoyable day – true to Air Force Standards of excellence. Credit goes to the Prestige Awards function, we celebrated excellence. The prestige awards recognise exceptional performance among the Units, Bases and Directorates in the South African Air Force. And the Prestige Unit 2019 cycle AFB ……………., congratulations and well done! Keep up the outstanding performances. A special thank you to the members of the media present here today. We need your support in informing South Africans about the role of the military. Compatriots, the SAAF will always be at your service! This is your Air Force and we re-dedicate ourselves to serve the Nation and renew our pledge to do our sovereign duty. I thank all the members on parade led by the Parade Commander Lt Col Matthye. I also thank the South African Air Force Band led by Lt Col Pinnar for adding a touch of elegance and sparkle to this auspicious occasion. To the members on parade, I as a proud and patriotic South African soldier, wish to conclude with a quotation from Tata Mandela of the 20th of april 1964 …. Long before he became our first Commander in Chief of our democratic South Africa – lest we forget; ”during my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”A baby, wrapped up in documents and blankets, whose parents and forbearers could only dream about what equality looked like, a boy who could only dream about what home smelled like, who can now dream 100 years to the future. I have a dream of an air force that is configured and resourced to push the envelope to “space” operations. I have a dream of an air force that continues to adhere to its key principles of speed, agility and precision with high tech beyond nanotechnology of today I have a dream of an air force that will be one that is able to have a multi domain command and control capability that not only operates in the current domains of outer space and cyberspace, but one that will be agile enough to adapt and change as technology develops. I have a dream of an air force that will employ more remote controlled platforms and autonomous platforms Fellow South Africans, fellow SAAF members – in uniform and retired. Let us take hands and together seek the lessons that inevitably lie in such situations. Collectively as patriotic South Africans, let us turn our country that is so full of potential, into a dream country that is respected and cherished by all those who live in it. We are all responsible for the good, the bad and the ugly. Protect this country like you protect your homes, nurture it and appreciate it. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Your Air Force – The Peoples Air Force which is here to serve and defend you unconditionally. Nurture it and keep it relevant Let us Love, Respect and Protect our beloved country. |
South African Airforce Prestige Day 2020
The South African Airforce Prestige Day was held at Airforce Base Swartkop, the second oldest operational Airforce Base in the world to date, in Pretoria on Friday 31 January 2020.
The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. This years theme of celebrating the South African Airforce, is “embracing our collective heritage”.
The parade was opened by a paradrop from two 44 Squadron Casa 212s with a number of skydivers from the Golden Eagles Parachute display team and the Pretoria Military Skydiving Members, including the big South African flag.
Part of General Fabian Msimang’s speech he mentioned:
“Formation of the Union of South Africa’s Air Force
In 1917 sent by Prime Minister General Louis Botha to London to attend the Imperial Conference, General Jan Smuts presented a report to the British Parliament which became known as the ‘Smuts Report’ stated, inter alia;”
“Air Service on the contrary, can be used as an independent means of war operations far from and independently of, both Army and Navy.”
General Jan Smuts soon summoned Sir Pierre van Ryneveld to London and was told:
“I want you to go back out to South Africa and start an air force”.
Subsequently, South Africa received an Imperial Gift that comprised of 113 aircraft and included steel frames for 20 hangars and everything else required to start and operate an air force. The consignment was sent here to where we currently stand, an airfield that was named Swartkop, the oldest active military airfield in the world today. Some of the Imperial Gift Hangars are still in daily use as you can see.
Prestige Day 2020 Mass Flypasts
During the parade we got to wintness some spectacular flypasts from both ex and current South African Airforce aircraft, a mass helicopter formation led by a 16 squadron Rooivalk attack helicopter. Other types of helicopters included Oryx, Lynx, Agusta A109s from various chopper squadron across South Africa. The SAAF Museum also were a part of the formation with a Puma, two Alouette IIs and Alouette IIIs.
The next formation included two museum aircraft assests, a Kudu and Cessna C185, followed by a formation of Harvards.The Transport formation was up next led by a 35 Squadron C47TP Dakota, with three 41 Squadron Cessna 208A Caravans and two 44 Squadron Casa 212s making up the formation.
The sound of freedom was then up next with the roar of the Hawk and Gripen formation as they buzzed overhead the parade made up of 85 Combat School and 2 Squadron assets. The Final flypast was led by a 21 Squadron Boeing 737BBJ, A Dassault Falcon 50 and the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team.
The prestige unit of the year for the South African Airforce from 2019 was presented to AFB Ysterplaat as part of the Prestige Unit award.
The parade concluded with Fledglings releasing doves and balloons while the SAAF announcer read out, “We will keep whirling and twirling from the sky. White doves fly into our hearts, embracing our Air Force heritage. Carrying messages of goodwill. We will sing forever young and free. We will be an Air Force that inspires confidence.”
SAAF Museum Flying Day 1 February 2020
The First flight training day for the year 2020 at Airforce Base Swartkop was different this year, it was the South African Airforce’s birthday, which was founded on the 1 February 1920.
With the Prestige Day parade held the day before at Airforce Base Swartkop, many of the aircraft that took part in the mass flypast were present and gave the visiting public a glance at both static and departing aircraft returing to their home bases across South Africa.
The Usual museum aircraft such as the many Museum Harvards, Patchen Explorer, Cessna C185, Kudu and Alouette II, III as well as the Puma continued with currency flights in between display slots.
Friends of the SAAF Museum sold Boere Wors Rolls, Refreshments and held guided tours of the airforce heritage displays located on the base premises.The windsock Café was also open for cool and hot refrements throughout the day.
The days proceedings started with a short display by a 35 Squadron C47TP Martime Dakota from AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town. Major Paul “Raccoon” Kempthorn flew one of the best Rooivalk displays that we have witnessed in a long time.
The Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team 84 led by new team lead Major Sivu Tangana showed off the tight formation aerobatics of four Pilatus PC7MKIIs.
Two Cessna C208A Caravans from 41 Squadron, who operates out of neighbouring Airforce Base Waterkloof, gave a short formation display. Major Rehan “Kaine” Venter flew his second airshow display as he is now the new Hawk display pilot for 85 Combat Flying School.
Major Geoffrey “Spartan” Cooper flew a great display in the JAS39C Gripen before heading back to Airforce Base Makhado in the Limpopo Province.
The Museum Helicopter assets including the Alouettes II and IIIs closed the flying day with their helicopter display, with a big chance of seeing them do it again on 9th May 2020 at The SAAF Museum Airshow.
Well done to the Museum staff and AFB Swartkop on providing a different flying day as a gift to the public on the South African Airforce Birthday!
Please Browse through our Gallery Below!
Armed Forces Day 2020 Media Launch Polokwane
The Peter Mokaba stadium played the role of the venue hosting the 2020 edition of Armed Forces Day media launch, with this year being the first time that the Limpopo Province will be hosting Armed Forces Day Celebrations.
As per last year Armed Forces Day was hosted in Cape Town in the Western Cape and the South African Navy was in charge of hosting the event in their home waters.
This year the South African Army will host the event in conjunction with Polokwane as the chosen city.The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.
The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to honour men and women in the hub of the profession of arms, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who lost their valuable lives in the line of duty both internally and externally as well as the current serving members.
Planned events dates:
Fan Park/Walk/FunRun/Sport Clinics 14-19 February 2020
Inter Faith Service – 16 February 2020
Gala evening – 16 February 2020
Capability Demonstration Roodewal Bombing Range-Public Day:17 February 2020 Media Day&Invited Guests:18 February 2020
Legacy Project (MOD) – 17 February 2020
C SANDF Function /Golf Day-20 February 2020
Parade/VVIP/VIP Fuctions/Wreath Laying/Troop Feast/Music Event-21 February 2020
During tthe media launch we got to see some of the South African National Defence Force assets including an Agusta A109 on static display, with a gecko Vehicle, A Ratel 90 armored and a 2 Squadron JAS39D Gripen Flypast overhead the Peter Mokaba Stadium as a match between two soccer teams the SANDF VS Baroka FC.
New Leader for Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team
Major Sivu Tangana has taken over Major Omphile Mutloane who has transferred back to flying helicopters at 87 Helicopter Flying School. Sivu joined the falcons as a ground liaison officer in 2016 and has since flown most of the teams position slots and now being falcon team lead for 2020.
Born in Grahams Town 26 July 1984 and matriculated in 2003, joined the South African Airforce in 2004, recieved his wings in July 2007. Sivu joined the chopper line and started his helicopter flying training at Starlite Aviation. He later qualified as an Oryx Helicopter Co-Pilot in April 2008. Spent 2008-2010 as a Oryx Co-Pilot at 22 Squadron Airforce Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town.
Qualified as a Agusta A109 Commander in December 2010, where he spent three years at 19 Squadron. He then transferred to Central Flying School and qualified as an instructor in October 2015.
Aircraft types flown, Pilatus PC7MKII, Robbinson R22, Oryx and Agusta A109LUH..
The main purpose of the Silver Falcons team, the official aerobatic team of the SAAF, is to enhance the image of the Air Force by displaying their capability to do precision formation aerobatics and as such, to instill the passion for aviation in the youth and future Air Force members.
We look forward to announcing the new team this week, and also to see the team flying over Pretoria skies ahead of Prestige Day on Friday 31 January 2020.
The 16th Rand Airport Challenge 2020
By Cally Eckard
With the World Rally Flying Championships in sight, a record 8 teams took part in the Class 1, or “Open” category of the sport at the Rand Airport Challenge. In previous years most participants preferred to stick to the simplest and easiest Class 3, or “Fun Rally”, but this year pilots and navigators were encouraged to enter the most advanced group.
They all certainly found their skills were challenged on this first rally of the year. Mary de Klerk and Rob Jonkers presented a Navigation workshop the previous week, so everyone was keen to exercise their new-found knowledge in this rally.
Route Planner Cally Eckard gave the teams the task of flying two back-to-back arcs, which are curved tracks between two turn-points, and a follow-the-feature, where they had to fly along a road. All navigators plotted the arc perfectly, and the pilots flew them accurately, and really enjoyed the challenge.
Sadly, drizzle and low cloud kept some of the entrants grounded at their home airfields, but for local pilots the skies cleared early enough for them to fly through just in time for the briefing by Competition Director Frank Eckard, so there was no delay in the start time for the rally. The sky continued to clear during the course of the morning, but strong winds challenged the pilots on some of the legs, making it difficult for them to maintain their allocated speeds.
Use of Google photos which were taken in mid-winter were also difficult to match up to the current terrain after soaking summer rains which have coloured the landscape a lush green.
The route took them west from Rand Airport, over Soweto, with the Start Point the train station at Nasrec, then the two arc between Carletonville and Fochville, skirting north of Vanderbijlpark, before turning northwards for the return journey over Ennerdale to a tricky Finish Point which was the “Stirrup Club”.
Although none of the results were of National Standard, there are many rallies and training opportunites between now and the World Champs, and we hope to put together five “A” team and five “B” team partnerships to give SA the best chance of a good team result.
The Rand Airport Trophy, donated by Rand Airport, was won by seasoned rallyers Jonty Esser (pilot) and Mary de Klerk (navigator).
The full results are:
Class 3 (The Fun Rally section):
| Pilot | Navigator | Aircraft | Points | |
| 1 | Michael Crause | Edzart Verseput | Sling 4 | 1161 |
Class 2 (The Intermediate Section):
| Pilot | Navigator | Aircraft | Points | |
| 1 | Thys van der Merwe | Kerry Matthysen | C172 | 392 |
Class 1 (The Unlimited or Open Section):
| Pilot | Navigator | Aircraft | Points | |
| 1 | Jonty Esser | Mary de Klerk | C150 C | 798 |
| 2 | Antony Russell | Pam Russell | C172 | 1060 |
| 3 | Andre Kluyts | Don Lucas | C 172 | 1709 |
| 4 | Leon Bouttell | Karyn Purchase | Harmony | 1850 |
| 5 | Quentin Taylor | Derick Bird | Super Decathlon | 1914 |
| 6 | Shane Britz | Karen Stroud | Jabiru | 2121 |
| 7 | Hendrik Loots | Jandre Loots | Sling LSA | 2366 |
| 8 | Milan Daniz | Caroline Koll | TC07 Sling 4 | No result |
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this sport, and are all very motivated to take part in the next rally events:
- 7 March – Brakpan Rally (Classes 1, 2 and 3)
- 3 – 5 April – Rally Nationals in Stellenbosch (Class 1 only)
- 5 April – Stellenbosch Rally (Classes 1, 2 and 3)
- 8 August – Rally Training Camp in Brits (Class 1)
- 22 August – Krugersdorp Rally (Classes 1, 2 and 3)
- 3 October – Witbank Rally (Classes 1, 2 and 3)
Look out also for our very exciting Speed Rallies.
Please see our website Sapfa.org.co.za for our events calendar
A Look back at past and present SAAF Centenary Logo’s!
With the South African Airforce celebrating 100 years of Airpower through 25 years of Democracy, we look back at the previous centenary logos from the past and present.
The official South African Airforce emblem is a golden African Fish Eagle with a laurel wreath in its claws. The motto on the wreath reads “Per Aspera Ad Astra”, meaning “Through Adversity to the Stars”. The roundel, which replaces the five-pointed castle with Eagle.
The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing support during the border War in Namibia.
The SAAF will be celebrating with three special occasions this year:
Prestige Day AFB Swartkop -31 January 2020
SAAF Museum Airshow AFB Swartkop-9 May 2020
Africa Aerospace & Defense Airshow AFB Waterkloof-16-20 September 2020
Public Welcome at Prestige Day 2020
Breaking News-Public welcome at Prestige Day Parade 31 January 2020
Some exciting news for the public of South Africa to join at this year’s Prestige Day Airforce Day at AFB Swartkop in Pretoria on 31 January 2020.This special occasion will be celebrating 100 years of South African Airforce Airpower through 25 years of Democracy!
A wide variety of current and ex South African Airforce aircraft will be flying during the day. Please take note this is not an Airshow and their will not be any vendors available also during the course of the day. Members of the public are welcome to bring their own food but no alcohol will be allowed on the base.
Gates open at 7H45am and Close at 9H30am for the duration of the prestige day proceedings. The public will need to enter from the northern gate at Airforce Base Swartkop and parking will be available at the northern gate until such time parking gets full, the puplic will have to park outside the base.Also take note Bays Hill will be closed on the day.There will be no movement during the parade!
We look forward to this event. More information will follow days leading to Prestige day!
Note not an Airshow, but flypasts!
Gauteng Regional Aerobatic Competition 2020-01-18
Saturday January 18th saw one of the first flying events in South Africa for 2020 as the Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa held their first Aerobatic competition at Vereeniging Airfield in the south of Johannesburg.
Arriving in the morning we got to see some of the participants arriving from various airfields around the Gauteng region, with some aircraft not being able to get through to the competition due to the weekends predicted rain forecast.
Competition aerobatics is an air sport in which judges rate the skill of pilots performing aerobatic flying. The flying takes place in a invisible box in the sky, where as said above, judges rate the skill on a point system!
Some of the participants included father and son team Barrie Eeles and Tristan Eeles who flew his Extra 200,locally based Giles 202 flown by Pierre du Plooy was a rare sight as its the only type of its make in South Africa. Gregory Clegg flew a Pitts S2E while Glen Warden joined in his Slick 360, both aircraft are hangered at Kitty Hawk Aerodrome in Pretoria East.
By 1pm the weather gods finally through buckets of rain down and the flying was suspended for the day, as some aircraft could be badly beaten while flying hi-G Aerobatics during the afternoon showers.
Results for the days flying!
Some rare treats seeing flying on the day
We look forward to another Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa event soon!
SAPFA Rally Training Camp
SAPFA Rally Training Camp – Aerosud Premises 18 January 2020 –
by Rob Jonkers – Photos by Flippie van Emmenis
SAPFA held a very successful training event on Rally Navigation on Saturday 18th January as the first SAPFA event of the year. Building on the successful event held last year at the same time, we decided to hold another one, particularly that this year is the year where SAPFA hosts the World Rally Flying Championships in November in Stellenbosch. There were 30 participants for the day, including many of the current SAPFA Protea team members who were assisting the trainees and our media friends. The Aerosud canteen was again the venue of choice lending itself well to this size of training camp.
It is great to see the sport being supported so enthusiastically, and the willingness to learn these basic skills of map reading and planning. The Chairman of SAPFA opened the camp with a brief outline of the plans of SAPFA in terms of events for the year, that the Aero Club also holds its Centenary year resulting in a packed calendar for the year, and from that look at developing and exposing particularly the youth to recreational aviation.
The Participants – 30 in total
With that Mary de Klerk took charge and laid out the objectives of the day, by initially going through the theory of plotting, and then to practice on an actual plot. With this year of 2020 having a full event calendar, and the Nationals coming up in April in Stellenbosch, this training event would serve as an excellent platform to entice new members to the sport and to start training for the Internationals and obtain Protea Colours.
Mary first started off with having everybody introduce themselves, and what they each had as objectives for training, some were there as newbies interested in taking part in the sport, some having taken part previously indicated they needed some formal and expert training, and some others indicated they just wanted to delve more in depth than what a ppl course would give on the art of paper based navigation.
From there Mary outlined the theory on plotting procedures and described the tools of the trade. Then it was off to plotting an example course which had to be done from basic plotting principles of co-ordinates, bearings (which could be in either true or magnetic) and distances (either in nm of km). Each turning point then had to be found and identified and linked into legs, some of which could be arcs or follow map features.
The goal in getting to National level standard is to be able to plot in the aircraft with a papers time of around 30-40 minutes prior take-off, which means speed is of the essence in doing the plot, so that the navigator can assist with finding and identifying the ground photos.
The morning’s training ended off at around 10h30 am, and after a short break, everybody got organized on plotting the example route provided which was the 2019 Rand Airport Challenge, got the laminated transparent tool, which they had to cut out, and proceeded to plot each of the turn points making up the route up until Turn Point 4, and after lunch at around 12, continued to finish the plot to the Finish Point.
After the plot was done, Mary opened up Google Earth, and “flew” the route along the plot lines to show where the photos were, and what they would look like against the photo sheets that are provided. This then effectively ended the day’s training at around 2 PM.
Everybody left with some knowledge gained on plotting and techniques of planning & flying a rally, and it is hoped that many will come to the Rand Challenge on the 25th January and Nationals in April.
The Rally Plotting Class of 2019 – with Teacher Mary de Klerk
