Tag Archives: Gold Reef City
Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick
Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick
From the 1st Phone call we got from Devashini Govender to d-day on the 17th March 2018 was a busy time from for all. The Team building an assembling the Maverick pushed to get the job done in time and still insuring maximum safety for all aboard the Maverick. They exceeded expectations and did an excellent job. Devashini and her team planning the launch event with help from M Cubed Media’s Mark Mansfield on the Aviation side was a huge success and not even some bad weather could put a stop to the what they have put together for the launch, well done to all!
Also see The High Flying Maverick
To read all the Tech’s specs on the Flying Maverick or to book your seat go to https://goo.gl/4xvdiC
Launch day:
Several media houses, Aviation and Non-Aviation, Radio stations and TV crews attended the launch.
Welcomed by our Captain and Airhostess we felt comfortable and at ease ready for take-off.
Before boarding we surprised by a guest appearance of The Cows Aerobatic Team.
They were limited to a flat show due to a low cloud base, yet they gave an excellent display and we were reminded as to why they are the top display team in South Africa.
After The Cows, it was the turn of the Maverick Test pilots to do their part. Aviation Central had Rickus Briers an Airline Pilot himself and with some aerobatic flights behind him on the test flight crew.
“Had a fantastic experience on the launch of The High Flying Maverick. As a Pilot myself I would in courage the public and all adrenaline junkies to head to Gold Reef City for an awesome thrill ride in order to have glimpse of what it would be like to pull some G’s in Aerobatic Aircraft. After three rounds on the Maverick I could honestly say that I would go back for more. A big thank you to all that made it a special day. “ – Rickus Briers
Aviation Centrals Test Flight crew
Captain: Rickus Briers, Co-Pilot Jessica van der Merwe and Crew members, Jacky van der Merwe and Lettie van Emmenis
Test Flight Video
Later the day, after the Drive from Rand Airport to Gold Reef City Theme park, we were joined by Ellis Levin, soloist with The Cows Aerobatic Team. Ellis and his son then took on The High Flying Maverick with Ellis in the captain’s seat and his Son as co-pilot.
Ellis Levin and his son
About Ellis
Ellis started his aerobatic career at the tender age of 17 in a Pitts Special. Coached by his father Scully, he has some 15000 flying hours to his name and has flown for SAA for the past 14 years. He currently flies the Airbus A340 on international routes and has continued the Levin family legacy of skill, precision and professionalism. Ellis is a member of The Cows Aerobatic Team and the Puma Energy Harvard’s Aerobatic Team.
African Pilot’s Athol and Christine taking “The High Flying Maverick” for a test flight at Gold Reef City
To read all the Tech’s specs on the Flying Maverick or to book your seat go to https://goo.gl/4xvdiC
The High Flying Maverick
- The High Flying Maverick
GET READY FOR TAKE-OFF – CLIMB ON BOARD OUR NEWEST THRILL RIDE
#GRCmaverick
Johannesburg, February 2018: Excitement is, quite literally, in the air at SA’s top-rated theme park* as Gold Reef City’s first-of-its-kind aeronautical ride – The High Flying Maverick – opens.
Combining thrilling motion and spectacular visual effects, The High Flying Maverick takes riders on an amazing journey which replicates the experiences and sensations of an acrobatic aeroplane flight, with banks, loops, dives and weightlessness that will test even the most experienced thrill seekers.
The New High Flying Maverick Thrill Ride Experience
As soon as the throttle is opened the plane wastes no time climbing to altitude. While ascending, passengers immediately start to pull a hard right, chasing the craft seen in front. Behind them is another aeroplane bearing down on their ‘six’ (otherwise known as your tail) and tailing the plane hard. This only means one thing, the pilot must take evasive manoeuvres. The aircraft swings into a series of awesome barrel rolls, pushing everyone on-board to the extreme, with G-forces anywhere between +4g to -1,8g. Numerous outlandish moves are seamlessly executed in a sequence that would put pilots of the famous Red Arrow Aerobatic Team to shame.
TECHNICAL DATA SPECIFICS Lenght dimension 23,1 m (75’ 9’’) Width dimension 23,1 m (75’ 9’’) Height dimension 12,3 m (40’ 3’’) Number of seats 24 adults
TECHNICAL DATA SPECIFICS Number of arms 6 Theoretical hourly capacity 480 pph Minimum passenger height 120 cm (48’’) Drive power 109 kW Version Park model
If you’re brave enough to take a seat in the cockpit, get down to Gold Reef City from Wednesday 7 March and experience the sheer thrill of The High Flying Maverick for yourself.
The High Flying Maverick is exclusive to Thrill Rider ticket holders – R210 per person for full access to all rides and attractions in the park, and all riders must be 1.3m or taller. For more information and ticket bookings, please visit www.goldreefcity.co.za
