Aero Club Awards 2019

The Aeroclub of South Africa awards evening which normally has their evening event which is usually held at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria, this year’s awards afternoon and venue was held in Springbok Classic Air’s Hanger at Rand Airport. The Mc of this year’s awards evening was Jonty Esser!

Paul Lastrucci speech stated

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take the opportunity at the outset of making a special welcome to all our invited guests and to every single person here today

Special mention to Ms Poppy Khoza, Simon Segwabe, Neil de Lang, Mary Stephens Subash Devkaran and their partners from the SA CAA and to Bruce Harrison Chairperson of RAFOC  Jonty Esser our MC and Guest speaker Rob Pascoe many thanks for availing your time to be here today.

Today we celebrate the achievements of our Aero Club members who have contributed for many years and also to those that have represented our country in a numerous recreational aviation disciplines this year, we will share these special times with friends and fellow members as they receive well deserved accolades and awards for their achievements.

Every year and this one is no exception we see a number of South African aviation enthusiasts achieve so much, well beyond our international standing, and through their efforts it’s confirmed that the South African recreational aviation fraternity continues to be held in high regard worldwide.

On as slightly sombre note our Aero Club membership numbers have declined this year 2018 19  from 3479 to 3115 members currently, largely due to the tough economic conditions, a turbulent regulatory environment and a few other challenges that we find ourselves in that plays a large part in lessening the recreational participation within the sections.  We have also declined by over 1000 members from 2014 to date, so we knew that 2019 will be a challenging year for the Aero Club.  Given this we could not be paralysed by the boiled frog syndrome,  so we attempted to interpret these conditions by taking a strategic view and as to how we will increase membership. To support thus we developed a high road budget and a low road budget in order to be proactive as to how we would go forward in 2019, this to ensure that we remain solvent and are able to provide the work we do to the recreational aviator.

The low road budget meant that we would have to continue the business however with reduced expenses and without the services of the general manager and increase sponsorships.  It was concluded through various meetings held, to use a model where the Exco, office staff and designated council chairpersons, aero club members and others with the requisite skills in the various advocacy and technical areas are coopted to tackle the tasks that the General Manager would have ordinarily done during his tenure.  This would then replace the General Managers role.  This also paved the way after numerous permutations of the business we reduced subscription costs to attract more members

In March of this year given the subscription income and the landscape before us , it was obvious that we would have to embark on the low road budget which reluctantly was done.  It was a difficult task and the decision to proceed with the model was adopted.  A huge debt of gratitude to section council chairpersons that have availed their time and resources to attend meetings and seminars where the necessary representation is paramount to ensure we continue to strive within the recreational aviation environment ensuring freedom of flight where at all possible.   It has been challenging, however through expert guidance of the representative team we are progressing forward.

Our aim continues to focus to make aviation appealing to the recreational aviator and the youth, in order for them to share and progress in the wonderful passion of all types of aviation sport offered by the various sections of the Aero Club in South Africa.

Our Aero Club Air week which now is an annual event had its origins specifically to showcase the differed type of recreational disciplines to aviation enthusiasts and encourage the youth alike as a platform to nurture and grow the passion where 2019 was no different and the team at Middelburg under the leadership of Richard Lovett have made this a prestigious event a great success on our aviation calendar.

We are also fortunate to have in our midst many professional and retired professional career and military aviators that continue to share their mentorship and guidance to anyone who is interested in aviation in South Africa.   They avail themselves freely to provide leadership, guidance at the various information exchanges throughout the year and would like to thank all involved that contribute to the Safety Campaign.

SAMAA is a pinnacle special interest group that in many ways has created the entry point for a lifelong passion in aviation for many in South Africa and they continue to do this very well.  This I have always believed is largely where the passion for aviation is born.

EAA SA led by Sean Cronin continues to host and represent many enthusiastic events on the calendar throughout the year.  A number of completed amateur built projects took to the skies, we saw a beautiful Radial Rocket aircraft take to the sky as well as a superbly crafted RV built by long-time EAA member Derek Hopkins and his son Nigel fly for the first time this year. Chapter 322 celebrates its 50th year in South Africa this year and huge thanks to the EAA team under the leadership to Ret Capt. Karl Jensen and Sean Cronin for his untiring effort and promotion of the EAA in SA.

The Misasa and SAGPA team contribute immensely to the various interactions held during the year and through Chairperson John Boucher and particularly Rowena Kraidy, Yolande Combrinck and Eric Torr that have been at the pinnacle in providing input and direction at the AP Panel and ARO workshops that was established this year to take this ever important aspect of recreational aviation and its continuance forward.   Many thanks also to Mary Stephens and the team from the SA CAA that have facilitated the AP panel and also been instrumental in its guidance and formation.

Worldwide within the aviation industry it is expected to have a safe and regulated environment in all aspects of flying and recreational aviation is no different.   There is sometimes a tendency to over regulate however with continued engaging with the regulator in a constructive and mutually beneficial manner, we find workable  solutions that is pursuant to avoid any over-regulation of the amateur sports aviation, and also assist to work toward  international compliance that is required.

Regulations are dynamic so it’s good that that existing regulations are revisited from time to time, in a manner that continues to ensure optimal safety for aviators and the public at large as well as ensure acceptable governance required by the regulator.

Recently further alignment and review of the sections to Part 149 ARO which is the regulatory framework within the civil aviation regulations is in process within ARO’s where strong representation is in place at these forums now with the regulator to streamline and improve going forward.

Being an aviator,  one of the pre requisites is being a safe aviator, and recurrent honing of skills can be done at events that take place at least once a month within SAPFA.  The fun navigational rallies are the precursor to providing fun and competition flying to our recreational aviators to become accurate navigational flyers.  Rob Jonkers, and Jonty Esser and the SAPFA team have raised the bar considerably with fun rallies and have untiringly provided a professional platform that attracts many aviators to this sporting, skill honing events.   We have world champions in our midst that impart these skills to new pilots or pilots that want to get involved.  Next year SAPFA hosts the international rally competition at Stellenbosch as part of the Aero Club centenary celebrations.  A round of applause ladies and gentlemen is in order.

We continue to bring the joy and passion of flying, and being involved in the recreational aviation industry at large to a vibrant youth in South Africa.  This through the efforts of the Aero Club Transformation and development programmes, which has changed slightly with the formation of Rise Above Aviators.  This is championed by Daniel Ralefeta, himself a highly energetic enthusiastic and capable aviator along with a team; they ensure representation and participation throughout the year, by promoting recreational aviation amongst the youth that ordinarily would not have had easy access to aviation.  We are seeing fruits of their efforts of not only mentoring and creating future aviators; however we have seen participation competing in the SAPFA fun rallies and soon we will see participation on the world stage competing in various disciplines, bringing home the trophy and accolades that will be showcased at events like this.

It all starts with dedication, direction and passion that are continually kindled in the recreational sphere providing consistent and safe participation within the path chosen to reach their pinnacle.   Aero Club provides funding through projects to promote provide the platform to bring recreational aviation to the youth with a long term view of establishing the future aviators in South Africa.

All our sections are well established and professional, and portray a strong room full of experience and knowledge that resides within their specific disciplines and they make it available to existing and attract new members.

To the sections and members of SAHPA, SAPFA, SAMAA, SAC and SSSA that represented South Africa this year thank you for your dedication and commitment to your sport by your enthusiasm and professionalism you make us very proud.

Equally special thanks to John Gaillard and Bob Skinner for representing the Aeroclub at the FAI.    We also need to acknowledge the contribution of the industry players like the Airplane Factory, the various ATO’s and the commercial AP’s  and CAASA who provide valuable input into recreational aviation.

The effort and support we get from the Aero Club council team whom I am privileged to act as the Chairperson and through our  Vice Chairman Rob Jonkers, who is a superman when it comes to steadfast and discipline planning and to Hanke Fourie for his strict and fair role as our treasurer.  But their efforts are in no way discounting the tremendous input and support and frank disagreeance where necessary when we interact with each section head and representatives on the Aero Club Council .  – Sean Cronin,  Rikus Erasmus, Rob Jonkers, Richard Bovell, Simon Smith, John Boucher, Rowena Kraidy, Mark Bellingan, Walter Doubell, Yolande Combrink, Pete Wallender, Marthinus Potgieter, Bob Skinner, Sean de Klerk, Daniel Ralefeta, Kevin Storie, John Gaillard and our dedicated office staff Sandra Strydom  and new appointee this year Chane Smit for their assistance.  With exception of our office staff almost all are volunteers that also have demanding careers and family lives.  Sincere thanks for your contributions and concise efforts to promote and keep recreational aviation in this country.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our colleagues at the SA CAA in particular Neil De Lange, Mary Stephens, Subash Devkaran and their teams for all their support over the year at Aero Club.  Despite the many challenges that arise we are sure that with energetic interactions the SACAA they will meet and exceed the industry leading excellence in service delivery.

We launched a document assistance process at the Aero Clubs offices to assist members with submission and follow up of documentation delivered for processing at SA CAA.  There are challenges however has worked exceptionally well and we will continue to promote.

As has been widely publicised, in 2020 we celebrate our centenary, and want to make it a memorable year in every possible manner for all in South African aviation.

We are rapidly approaching the festivities for  2020,planning is well under way, there is still a vast amount of work to be done in preparations for the celebration, and will be the year in which formal actions will be in place to execute the current plan. Marie Reddy our Aviation Super Woman that keeps us all on our toes has put in tremendous effort here and in many other areas to ensure success many thanks Marie.

The team have completed a prospectus of activities, outputs and events, and have started to circulate this within the Recreational Aviation community, and should have much of this done by year end, this prospectus outlines the overall plan for 2020.

Highlights will be  the Governor General’s Cup Air Race in the format held initially in 1937, which became the President’s Trophy Air Race as a feature air race on the 2020 calendar, plans are in place  in cooperation with the SAAF hold the Silver Queen Air Rally from Swartkop as a theme rally. The Aero Club will be holding the annual Air week at Middelburg as the signature centenary event for the year that encompasses all our sections and extend the period of activities with the ambition to achieve a Oshkosh type of event which is a fly-in, airshow, forums, fly markets, camping to bring together our recreational fraternity and also promote youth development, and this year’s Air week held at Middelburg was a precursor to 2020 where we were on a smaller scale able to achieve many of these features.

The team has started the outline of a Centenary Yearbook supported by SA Airlink, content has mostly been sourced during 2018, and the writing process will begin in January 2019. As you can see, this project is a mammoth task and has a year to go, and anybody willing to step up to the plate to contribute would be well appreciated.

So as can be seen we have progressed steadily in the planning and framework of showcasing this prestigious milestone. We urge all sections to start finalising the planning for the section events that will compliment a full program during the celebrations.  The plans and wish list we have cannot be achieved by the small competent team we have alone, so I am appealing to all sections to get involved and support us.

In closing this afternoon a special thank you once again to each and every one here today for making Aero Club the special club it is.
Thank You and Enjoy the rest of the proceedings.

Paul Lastrucci

The South African Olympics Committee – SASCOC

The South African Olympics Committee – SASCOC – only acknowledges participating competitors and their team managers by awarding them Springbok colours. Yet many sports require the support of others for competitions to actually take place. Aero Club acknowledges these whose dedication, commitment and sacrifice is equal to that of the competitors, and as necessary; by awarding their efforts with Special Acknowledgement Certificates.
South African Modelling Aircraft Association (SAMAA)
Senior Protea Colours awarded to Alan Smith, Bernard Vos, Craig Goodrum, Brett Lewis and Junior Protea Colours awarded to Aldo Vos, Oliver Booysen, James Steel and Theo Wolthers for participating in the FAI F3K World Championships for Model Gliders held at Jakabszallas, Hungary from the 12th to the 20th of July 2019.

Senior Protea Colours awarded to André Stockwell, Clinton Cater-Brown, Grant Brook, Neil Twomey and Junior Protea Colours to Joshua Twomey for participating in the FAI F3A World Championships for Aerobatic Model Aircraft held at Calcinatello, Italy from the 3rd to the 10th of August 2019.

Senior Protea Colours awarded to Bernard Vos and Jan Sime for participating in the FAI F5J World Championship for Model Gliders held at Trnava, Slovakia from the 11th to the 17th of August 2019.

South African Power flying Association (SAPFA)

Senior Protea Colours awarded to Jonty Esser, Jonathan Esser,  Anthony Russell, Pamela Russell, Mary de Klerk, Matthys van der Merwe, Hans Schwebel, Ronald Stirk, Christiaan Du Plessis and Sandra Goddard for participating in the World Air Navigation Race Championships held at Santa Cruz Beach, Portugal from the 5th to the 14th of September 2019.

Ursula Schwebel and Barbara Frieboese to present them with Special Acknowledgement certificates for being the International Judges at the World Air Navigation Race Championships

Speed Rally Championship
Shortest Route – Best Navigation Championship winners – David Ross and James Braid

Fastest closest to handicap – Championship winners – Jonty Esser and Jonathan Esser

Aero Club Colours is presented to Leon Boutell and Martin Meyer for being the Winners of the Speed Rally- Pilot Insure 2019 Championships.

Aero Club Colours will be presented to the winners of the Presidents Trophy Air Race 2019.
Kobus van der Merwe and Sarel van der Merwe

Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa – SAC

Johnnie Smith and Quintin Hawthorne served as a 1st Class Judge at the World Intermediate Contest, and the SAC would like to commend them for their contribution to the sport.

International Judges are subjected to scrutiny at World Championships, their performance is analysed in detail, as part of the sophisticated scoring system. To be ranked No 1 at the end of this process, in effect proves that the judges concerned performed better than all the other judges at the contest, this ranking is used for selection purposes at subsequent contests.

Parachute Association of South Africa – PASA

Eugene (Pottie) Potgieter started skydiving in March 2003 and holds numerous instructional ratings. He was elected to the Johannesburg Skydiving Club Committee in 2004 and has served as Chairman since 2007. He has organised many events locally including the 5th FAI Canopy Piloting World Cup in 2009 and PASA National Skydiving Championships in 2013 as well as the 2019 Makgadikgadi Epic in Botswana. He has done a 151-person large formation skydive and holds SA records in Formation Skydiving and Wingsuit Flying. PASA recognises his contribution to growing the sport by awarding him this Special Recognition Certificate.

Microlight and Lightsport Association of South Africa –  MISASA

Brett Hickman has been a MISASA Committee member since 2008. He has served in various roles but primarily as the MISASA Treasurer. He is the convener and organiser of the very popular “MISASA Africa Cup” that is hosted at Numbi Hotel, Hazeyview, Mpumalanga.

It is during this event that Brett acted unselfishly and with absolutely no consideration for self when he went to extract two members out of a stricken aircraft after a landing accident.

MISASA would like to thank him for this effort by awarding him this Special Recognition Certificate.

John Boucher chairman of MISASA, for his personal dedication, professionalism, leadership and significant contributions that have materially advanced recreational aviation interests and communications within the South African Aviation industry, the past two years.

South African Powerflying Association – SAPFA

Franz Smit has shown huge commitment, enthusiasm and contribution towards the growth of the fastest growing General Aviation Sport in South Africa – The SAPFA Speed Rally. From the first event, he has been instrumental in getting participants excited to take part in the new format, helped with supporting the officials in their various tasks, and overall promotion of this now prestigious event on the Recreational Aviation calendar.

Dirk de Vos has been part of the SAPFA Presidents Trophy Air Race handicapping & scoring team for 30 years, and with the advent of the Speed Rally has developed a specialised automated scoring system allowing results to be made available within a very short time frame for this single day event. This Special Recognition also celebrates Dirk for his 30th year of SAPFA support.

Experimental Aircraft Association – EAA

Paul Lastrucci invests enormous effort, time and legal skills in his dedication to heading the Aero Club of SA. His ability in steering the organisation through the challenging advocacy & governance regime is invaluable to all members and disciplines of the Aero Club. Paul’s dedication and involvement are always exceptional despite his intense professional and family commitments.

Nigel Musgrave has involved himself intensely in the task of being Safety Officer for all EAA flying events as well as regular Safety Officer at many airshows and SAPFA flying events throughout South Africa. Nigel is a dedicated Safety Officer of the highest calibre. Although Nigel has at times being the assistant to a Chief Safety Officer, testament to his dedication is that the accident rate this past year has been ZERO and the incident rate insignificant. All of Nigel’s work has been on a voluntary basis and most often at his personal cost. Most often Nigel has carried out the required pre-event surveys and submitted all CAA required paperwork timeously. Nigel has also made his personal radio equipment available to the ATNS personnel when ATNS have not been able to provide their own equipment.

Records Broken

Mark Playford Holliday

Mark did a 1000 km out and return from Orient to Postmasburg. He achieved an average speed of 139kph. He was awarded a continental record, the previous record being a speed of 122kph. The glider he did it in was a 15m ASW-27, with no motor at all.

Youth Development Certificate

The Youth development Certificate is awarded to 2 worthy recipients this year, one being a commercial pilot and currently training with Loutzavia towards her flight instructors rating and the other is an avid Aviator with a SACAA Pilots License. He has accomplished himself as an active young man in the general aviation scene and transformation and development projects.

Boitumelo Tumi Katisi and Goitseona Diale.

Boitumelo Tumi Katisi Is also one of the founders and Chairperson for an NPO called Aviation Development in Africa which focuses on aviation awareness in less remote areas and townships and rural areas.
Tumi hosted the first biggest aviation career day in Soweto this year with her organization Aviation Development in Africa for her Birthday in April as a form of giving back to her community. Where over 1500 kids from townships around Johannesburg and Pretoria attended, they were young professions across all streams in the aviation sector who presented to the kids and also had a flight simulator for the kids to fly and different aviation companies present and many sponsors.

Goitseona Diale is an avid Aviator with a SACAA Pilots Licence. He has accomplished himself as an active young man in the general aviation scene and transformation and development projects. IF you can’t pronounce this name call him “Mr G”

Goitseona has valuable experience in Flight Operations in Part 121 and Part 135 operations. His is currently running and assisting a local charter Swift Flite in their day to day Flight Operations as a Flight Operations Officer.

He has dreams to become one of the first Sportsman rated aerobatic pilots of colour and to become a vital role play in the growth of aviation sports in South Africa through collaboration and development. Goitseona is proud to be a board member of Rise Above Aviators, an association deeply rooted in aviation awareness and development. Goitseona is one of the biggest supporters of The Airplane Factory and is now in collaboration for future exciting projects.

The Don Tilley Trophy is presented to Cobus Toerien for his significant Contribution to Safety in Aviation.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the flying fraternity by upholding and promoting the highest level of aviation safety in South Africa.

His commitment to making aviation safer and his unwavering dedication to building relationships with industry stakeholders has been acknowledged by the aviation community in South Africa.

RIKUS ERASMUS – CHAIRMAN OF Airshow South Africa

The leading Airshow in “rural area initiative”. One of longest running privately organised Airshow on South African Airshow circuit. The unique concept of free entry to public. Well balanced program with participation form SAAF, Civilian participants, airliners, and much excitement amongst the crowd with fun filled entertainment. Stalls promoting aviation and a highly motivated team effort makes this show a contender for the Airshow of year award 2019.

Large contribution of all sections in Aeroclub sections were rewarded with a last closure day presenting an Airshow hosted by the Middelburg flying Club. The Middelburg club is renowned for their outstanding service. The precision in the cratering and hosting area is a trade mark to be noted. With the combined effort of Aero Club sections to end the remarkable air week  has become an annual milestone. Previously awarded the Airshow award Middelburg is once again in the top three.

High impact air show in a very compact and challenging air show box. Wide spectrum program covering form the vintage to the latest in airline and SAAF participation. The first South African Airshow to have gates sold out one day prior to the show day. The meticulous program flow and sterile ramp layout contributes to the success of this remarkable show in a 2 nm Airshow box. Extensive outreach to accommodate the youth development program of surrounding schools carries a strong aviation to the nation message. Museum contribution from the SAAF development programme exposed the industry to the activities and history of the “behind the scenes” action. The dedication of the organising team to host an Airshow without initial sponsorship places this show in the top three.

And in 1st place Stellenbosch Flying Club
And in 2nd place Newcastle Airshow
In 3rd place Middelburg Air Week 

James Gilliland Trophy

The disabled Aviation Association of South Africa would like to nominate Mike Lomberg for the James Gilliland – Most meritorious feat over the past year.
Call Simon Smith to the stage to collect the award on behalf of Mike Lomberg’s Family

The award would celebrate the life of Mike Lomberg a pilot and paraplegic from Cape Town, who in November 2018 embarked on a humanitarian mission to fly around the world with Handiflight, a Swiss based disability flying organization.  The mission was to engage with communities in the countries they visited creating disability awareness and inspiring the disabled. By all accounts the mission was a fantastic success, where not only were communities transformed, but Mike himself was deeply humbled by the enthusiasm and motivation of the people he met. Mike died in a crash on December 30, 2018 leading the Handiflight team into landing in Thailand.

The SA Eagle trophy is presented to Mauritz Du Plessis and Sandi Goddard for the Most meritorious achievement at an international event

Mauritz du Plessis and Sandi Goddard achieved a Bronze Medal in the Landing Section at the recent World Air Navigation Race Championships held in Santa Cruz Beach, Portugal.

PGS Trophy

The Airplane Factory has achieved a major milestone in passing 500 Sling aircraft sales. The ongoing success of The Airplane Factory is testament to the vision and energy of James Pitman and Mike Blyth in the production of great aircraft that are ideally suited to the recreational aviation community. Further, the employment and skills development of individuals who come from disadvantaged backgrounds is an example to all South African citizens. The Airplane Factory is a noteworthy centre of excellence in our country.

Silver Wings

Silver Wings are presented to an Aero Club member for an exceptional project to further the goals of the Aero Club of South Africa.

Rob Jonkers is presented with Silver Wings
Rob Jonkers has been instrumental in the design of the new Speed Rally format, that has been the fastest growing General Aviation Sport in South Africa. He has developed the route and map format for participants to use in each event, and acted as the Competition Director from inception, developing the format to continuously improve safety and experience. He has been instrumental in revitalising the Presidents Trophy Air Race based on the knowledge and experience gained in the Speed Rally format. He has also been a guiding light in the upgrading of piloting and navigation skills through his involvement and encouragement for pilots to participate in numerous and regular Fun Navigation Rallies which he so tirelessly designs and runs.

Jonty Esser is presented with Silver Wings
Jonty is the father of the Speed Rally format, it was his brain child to put together the idea of an event that would excite the GA fraternity to take part, that was not as technical as a rally, but to tap into a real two person crew participation in flying and navigating skills utilising basic paper map based navigation. He has through, his passion and energy, incited participation from far and wide, where it is now the fastest growing recreational event on the SAPFA calendar.

Yolande Combrinck is presented with Silver Wings

Yolande is the South African Gyro Planes Association Chair, and had become well versed in the Civil Aviation Regulations CATS & CARS, and active in the development of Manuals of Procedures for their ARO, which also was passed on to other ARO’s as a benchmark. With this background she became deeply involved and instrumental in the proposed changes to the Regulations governing Approved Persons under Part 66 and took the Part 66 subpart 4 regulation under her wing to write up a more practical solution for the governance of Approved Persons together with the regulator. She has spoken with authority in all engagements between the regulator and the industry to ensure workable solutions and is held in high regard by all in the interpretation of the interwoven regulatory framework. She is also playing a leading role in establishing a framework of rules written up for the commercial licence for Gyro Planes which is under consideration at the SACAA.

Gold Wings are presented to Alan Stewart.

Alan Stewart obtained his Microlight Pilot licence in 2005. Like all good students, he immediately got involved with all the schools & clubs’ activities. The big difference, Alan never stopped for a day ever since.  He is truly the epitome of what the Aero Club Gold Wings stand for. Fly-in’s, fly-out’s, fly a way’s, regulatory updates, newsletters, technical assistance, competitions, preaching safe aviation, pilots and builders support, weather updates, introduction flights, student pilots guidance, as well as being an active member on various forums, just to mention a few. But most importantly, even though Alan has moved on to higher licences and faster aeroplanes, he has never lost touch with grass roots aviation and you will forever find him sharing his knowledge. He is a regular visitor to Oshkosh and other international air events and aviation museums. He then goes to great lengths to share his experiences and joys, in order to make us all feel part of it, without being there. Alan and his wife Cathy have recently taken over an ailing flying school for the main purpose of encouraging new pilots into aviation. Your dedication, sacrifice and immense contribution are truly appreciated.

Gold Wings are presented to John Illsley.

John Illsley formed the Pretoria Boys High School Aviation Society more than 25 years ago. John has ensured that the many young men have been given hands on meaningful experiences in many facets of aviation from military commercial, historic and recreational aspects. This has involved and invoked the long-term interest and involvement in aviation to many appropriate young men who have subsequently pursued careers in these varied fields serving the interests of Aero Club and the ethos it espouses.

Gold Wings are presented to Craig Couzens.

Having been involved in flying for 30 plus years and having made WCM’s his full time career since 1994, he has a vast amount of experience, and intimate knowledge in this field.  Craig has 25 years of experience instructing students to learn to fly microlights as well as teaching students to become instructors themselves.  Furthermore, prior to becoming owner of Solo Wings, he was involved with the previous owners of the business and used this opportunity to expand his flying knowledge with manufacturing and technical aspects of the planes.

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Mike Pascoe

Mike took his first flight in a glider on 25th May 1969 at the age of 22. In this moment a lifelong dedication and passion for soaring was born. After completing his studies he started his ab-initio training and went solo on 5th June 1971 at age 24. He later completed his instructors rating in September 1982. In 1988 he became the Assistant CFI of the Cape Gliding Club and was promoted a year later, serving as the club CFI until 1996. In 1998 Mike continued his service to the gliding community by serving as the Soaring Society National CFI for fifteen years from 1998 to 2013. During this time Mike trained countless instructors and students across South Africa, setting the bar higher to establish impeccable safety and competency levels within the soaring community. To this day Mike remains an active and humble instructor, at age 73.

Throughout his nearly five decades of service to aviation and the gliding community Mike has logged over 4300 glider flights and 3100 gliding hours, of which 1200 hours were instructional flights. Mike also authored and published a book on the history of Cape Gliding Club and a gliding training manual. As an Approved Person for 25 years, he has undertaken countless airworthiness inspections of gliders and is a key part of maintaining the Cape Gliding Club fleet. Mike was the recipient of the Airmanship Award from the SSSA in 1995 and the Aero Club Gold Wings Award, for 10 years continuous contribution to sports-aviation in SA, in 2013. He has been an honorary member of the Cape Gliding Club from 1996 and of the SSSA from 2015. The effort and energy which Mike puts into gliding development, training and safety, is enormous. He is an example to others and remains an invaluable source of knowledge and guidance, which is always shared with a dry sense of humour. He is deeply respected and sincerely appreciated by the entire soaring community.

Hans Schwebel obtained his PPL in 1972 at the Brits Flying Club. He has accumulated 3850 flying hours and has participated in both national and international events and competitions since 1990.

He has been a member of the Brits Flying Club since 1972. He served several times as chairman, vice- chairman and treasure and is still on the committee today.

He has been a member of the Aero Club since 1988 and served as a Board member for more than 10 Years. He has been a member of SAPFA since 1990. Since 1992 he served on the committee until now and has also served as chairman between 1997 to 1999.

He has been the South African delegate to the FAI/GAC since 1999. From 2000 he served as a member of the Rally Flying Sub-committee.
He presented the successful bids on behalf of SAPFA for the 2003 WRFC /Rustenburg, 2007 GAC meeting /Cape Town and the 2011 WPFC / Brits and recently the 2020 WRFC / Stellenbosch and 2020 GAC Meeting / Stellenbosch bids.
He has served as Vice-President and Secretary of the FAI/GAC from 2010 until now.

Has represented SA since 1994 at 24 different World Flying Championships in rally and precision flying, as well as at the first ANR in Spain and the second ANR in Portugal.

Hans Schwebel is qualified as FAI/GAC International Judge and Jury and served as Jury President at the FAI/GAC World Precision Flying Championship in Austria in 2017 and Chief Judge at the FAI/GAC World Precision Flying Championship in Spain in 2019.

For his service to Sport Aviation, he is awarded the Paul Tissandier diploma by the FAI.

Lilienthal Gliding Medal
Richard Bradley is awarded with the Lilienthal Gliding Medal, Richard could not attend the ceremony therefore we would like to call his wife Brenda who will collect his award on his behalf

At the International Gliding Commission (IGC) Plenary Meeting in Istanbul, 8th and 9th March 2019, Richard Bradley was awarded the Lilienthal Gliding Medal for his contribution to the IGC.

It is unclear exactly when Dick Bradley became the International Gliding Commission (IGC) representative for South Africa as IGC archives are from 1996 only. Then Dick was Vice President & continued as 1st IGC Vice President until 1999. In 1996 he was appointed Treasurer and remains so until today. In 2000 he was Chairman of the IGC Strategical & Business Plan working group which was to bring IGC into the new era. Dick was involved with a number of objectives and planned actions to incorporate the wider responsibilities, as the body responsible for the stewardship of the sport of gliding, as stated in the FAI statutes. In 2001 he was World Gliding Championship director of the very successful event held in Maflkeng, South Africa. In 2004, it was recommended that he be re-elected as a Vice President which he declined due to his high workload. In 2004 Dick noted the objectives stated of the 2000 plan were still correct, but that IGC was still not visible to many soaring pilots. Four Action Items were presented:

Establish and legitimise the Business Development Group (BOG) and start generating additional income streams.
The IGC website was the major communication medium and should be developed, popularised and commercialised.
Develop policy positions on glider pilot’s licenses, medicals, and airspace for FAI to promote at ICAO. ICAO had recently created a licensing Panel, which included GPLs under its terms of reference.

The IGC Strategy 2004 was unanimously approved by Delegates and Mr Bradley was confirmed as the Chairman of the BOG in 2005.
From 2006 to 2016, he was the Steward Manager, Championship Manager and the BID specialist.

The SSSA executive committee as well as the IGC Bureau believe he is very deserving of the Lilienthal Gliding Medal.