Tag Archives: Polokwane
When NASA sent A U2 Spy plane to South Africa!
Pietersburg now known as Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, An advance team from the American space agency NASA and the first of seven research planes arrived at the Pietersburg International Airport in preparation for the SAFARI 2000 science initiative to monitor the earth’s environment and atmosphere.
Airport corporate relations the then manager Howard Khosa said the Washington University Convair 580 transport plane that arrived, is expected to be joined by two more hi-tech research planes on that week the aircraft took part in the survey and the famous cold war U2 spy plane,was also part of the survey fleet of aircraft.
The NASA U2 Spy planes also made a series of low level passes at the then DEXSA International Airshow at Waterkloof in that very same year of 2000.
Safari 2000 used the U2, officially the ER2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft, as its main tool to monitor the relationships between antopogenic (the influence of topography on atmospheric conditions), physical and biological processes that create the land and atmospheric systems of the sub-continent.
The study is intended to set international scientific standards for measuring atmospheric pollution, global warming and ecological processes and will include the ecology of the Kruger National Park and cloud physics off the Namibian coast.
The NASA programme is was Pietersburg’s first big commercial project since the airport was commercialised in a 50-year, R5-billion concession to a Malaysian consortium.
There was also a C-141B Starlifter as additional support aircraft. But it and the KC-135R returned to the States the following day.
Armed Forces Day Polokwane 2020 Parade
After a quick 20 minute flight form Airforce Base Waterkloof in Pretoria in one of South African Airways Airbus A340-300 aircraft , I’m sure the local plane spotters don’t see a Airbus A340 land at Polokwane Gateway International Airport everyday, I think that was a treat for them to see us land both on the 18th February and 21 February.
After arriving we arrived near the podium for the parade and flypasts with formations of different aircraft from the South African Airforce, the flag flypasts was up first with an Agusta A109LUH, 22 Squadron Lynx and a Oryx helicopter.
The chopper formation was then next to open the mass flypasts columns, that formation consisted of four Agusta A109s, 3 Oryx Helicopters from various squadrons from around South Africa, a single Lynx Maritime helicopter and a Rooivalk keeping a safe look on the formations six o clock position!
Next was the transport formation made up of a 44 Squadron Casa 212, two aircraft form 41 Squadron that being a Cessna 208A Caravan and a KingAir 200.Jumbo formation was up next with a 28 Squadron C130BZ leading the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team from the Central Flying School from Airforce Base Langabaanweg along the Western Cape West coast led by Major Sivu Tangana.
The much awaited fighter formations were followed by the lead in Fighter trainer of the South African Airforce of 85 Combat Flying School with five Hawk MK120s. The flying cheetahs better known as 2 Squadron was then followed by five JAS39s Gripens.
After the flypasts moved off Major Geoffrey “Spartan” Cooper provided a solo display with a JAS39C Gripen, tearing up the Polokwane skies with the epic roar of the sound of freedom as our Commander in chief witnessed one of the best Gripen displays one can see on the South African Airshow circuit.
The formation of four Hawk Mk120s then ended the flying proceedings of the day with a formation break overhead the podium.The parade continued with mechnised coloums, and all other forms of arms on parade!
All images without watermarks are courtesy of the SANDF. We would like to thanks General Fabian Msimang for waiting with us media and invited guests on Friday 21 February until our other SAA aircraft arrived after a snag on the A340 that we flew to Polokwane in broke down. Your company was highly appreciated Sir!
Armed Forces Day 2020 Capability Demonstration |Night Shoot- Roodewal Bombing Range
The most anticipated event of the Armed Forces Week taking place in Polokwane had to be the capability demonstration at the Roodewal Bombing Range a few kilometres outside the Limpopo capital Polokwane.
Guests were flown up to Polokwane by a charted aircraft,where they were then bused to the bombing range,to witness some of the different assets the South African National Defence Forces Firepower!
The display of arms started with various vehicles showing their fire power, that being the Ratel 90,Olifant MK2 battle tanks are just to name a few.Pathfinders were then dropped into the battle zone as that was the beginning of the mechanised attack from different mechanised armored vehicles, air assets and other ground forces.
The South African Airforce are big favourites at Roodewal as this is the home to 2 Squadron and 85 Combat Flying School as their weapons training grounds. An Oryx Helicopter simulated a fire fighting task, with a Bambi bucket equipped underneath the helicopter.
The fighters assets provided a recce run, with a single gripen and hawk. A 2v1 combat routine was then shown by two friendly JAS39C Gripens and a enemy Hawk Mk120.
Trooping was tasked to a pair of Oryx helicopters with fast ropping, followed by two Agusta A109 helicopters providing a mock hoisting operation from a downed pilot scenario.
From the transport line including 44 Squadron with a single Casa 212 simulated a tactical cargo supply drop. A 41 Squadron Cessna 208A Caravan was the eye in the sky providing top cover footage to both the spectators and playing a vital role during the entire period of the demonstration with aerial visuals to the coordinators of the simulated battle zone.
The invited guests were treated to see 2 different 16 Squadron Rooivalks in camo and in white, the proudly south African made helicopter provided both cannon and rocket fire gun runs during the demo.
Bombing runs were then up next ,with Hawks and Gripens and then followed by a 30mm Aden cannon strike from four Hawks on Charlie Coke known to the pilots as the famous weapons strike zone!
The night shoot was made up of all arms of ground forces fire power at Roodewal,as well as a cannon and rocket strike from a Rooivalk Helicopter. A single gripen flew directly over the crowd with full afterburner as it reached for the Limpopo night skies filled with dropping flares,a oryx helicopter following next with a flare drop to close off this years Armed Forces Day Capability demonstration.
A very big well done to all members of the South African National Defence Force that made the event possible and abling the media to attend these exciting demo’s!
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.
Look into Armed Forces Day 2020
As Armed Forces Day 2020 approaches us, we can look forward to another action packed week of events being hosted in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province as this will be the first Armed Forces day to be hosted in the province.
The South African National Defence force will once again wow the crowds with both a capability demonstration at Roodewal Bombing range, fan park activities and much more!
The main event of the Armed Forces Day celebrations will be held at Thabo Mbeki Street in Polokwane, All Arms-of-Service of the SANDF will take salute from the Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces. As part of the day`s programme, there will be a national and SANDF flags fly-past, various landward, air and sea elements on display during the parade.
Armed Forces Day is hosted by the SANDF annually on a rotation basis-at one of the nine provinces in the Republic of South Africa on the 21 February to honour South African soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty, serving their country and as well as the current men and women in uniform who continue to put their lives in danger-in pursuit of stability that would ensure that our country and the entire African continent is at peace with herself.
More information will be available after the Media Briefing on 29 January. as Aviation Central will attend the AFD2020
ICAD Polokwane Airshow 2019
International Civil Aviation Day was celebrated with an airshow and aviation career expedition at Polokwane’s Gateway International Airport on the 7th December 2019.
Both Friday and Saturday saw talks from both aviation community members from the civil aviation authority, South African Airforce, Flight schools and much more.
Capital sounds provided commentary from both Brian Emmenis and Elvis Manene on the afternoons aircraft lineup. Rikus Erasmus, Lieutenant Colonel Francois “Hosepipe” Hanekom were in charge of being airshow safety directors, while Cliff Lotter was ramp director.
The show opened with Major Rehan “Kaine” Venter displaying the 85 Combat Flying School Hawk Mk120 ‘vlaggie’ Flag hawk 271,as he has become the squadrons new display pilot for next years airshow season.
The Magni Gyro Copter was up next with Andre van Zyl showing off the aircrafts great abilities . Another helicopter was displayed by the South African Police Airwings H125 Squirrel, with members of the task force reacting a tasking scene.
Little Annie An2 flown by Jon Marc Hill dropped Skydivers from adventure skydive and gave a flat display, showing the tight handling capabilities of the world’s biggest bi plane.
Unfortunately due to the bad wet weather on the weekend alot of aircraft couldnt get to Polokwane.Well done for the great effort the CAA and other stakeholders put into the event!
Paramount Group Static Display
2019 Airshow Aircraft and Teams
Every year we see Airshows across Southern Africa. Some teams we see at every show and others we don’t see that often. Aircraft we get L29 & 39’s to Gripen and Cheetah, From Harvard’s and Pitts Specials to Little Annie. The Military aircraft is always a winner at any airshow.
Every 2nd Year with AAD, we all hold thumbs and our breath in hope for some international aircraft, however due to South Africa being on the most southern tip of Africa the cost to bring aircraft to SA is very costly and not always feasible. We are hoping for something spectacular in 2019, however our, Aviation Central’s hope is on 2020.
2020 is a big year for Aviation in South Africa. The Aero Club of South Africa and South African Air force will be turning 100 years old. At this stage only the Aero club indicated interest in Centenary celebrations and planning is already in progress. We will Keep you updated on any Centenary celebration planning!
2021 Swartkop AFB will be 100 years old. Lets hope 2021 we will see a BIG Swartkop / SAAF Museum airshow.
The list below contains Aircraft and Teams listed per Airshow for 2019. We will be running a list for every year from as from 2018!
Popular Display teams, Puma Energy Flying Lions, The Cows Aerobatic team, GoodYear Eagles Aerobatic team, The Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team and the High Energy Team Xtreme are some of the popular display teams on our Airshow circuit
Southern Africa also has some Farther’s and Son’s flying in Airshows, Larry and Jason Beamish, Mark and Jon-Marc, Scully and Ellis Levin, Derick and Nigel Hopkins.
Also see our Airshows and other Aviation Events Calendar
If you feel we missed any Airshow, Team, Pilot or Aircraft, please let us know, Flippie@aviationcentral.co.za or Jarryd@aviationcentral.co.za
Important Notice:
We will only add Aircraft as we get conformation to the buildup of an show, this the listing my not be complete when its added prior to show date! Where Aircraft is added prior to an Event, does not guarantee that all aircraft is added nor that all Added aircraft will be flying!
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This is a list of all Airshows in Southern Africa for the Year 2019, Middelburg, Stellenbosch, Lowveld, Matsieng, Newcastle, Mozambique, Klerksdorp, Bethlehem, Swartkop, Swaziland, Ladysmith, ICAD 2019
Teams & Aircraft
