Tag Archives: SAAF Museum Airshow
Grand Central Fun Rally 2019
Grand Central Fun Rally – 14 Sep 2019 by Rob Jonkers
This year’s SAPFA Fun navigation rally had its challenges in getting off the ground, the date initially set for the 7th September, where two other events entered the fray, that being the Children’s Flight and the SAAF Museum Airshow, and then the weather conspired to also be against us with fould weather on both the Friday and the Saturday.
In any event the date was moved by a week to the 14th September which coincided with the RV day and the Tedderfield Sling Fly-in, it seems everybody was getting into the spring feeling to hold events…. This Fun rally event is run in conjunction with Superior Pilot Services (SPS) who provide the facilities and sponsor a great breakfast at the Harvard, and an opportunity to allow their students to get to grips with rally flying.
The teams busy plotting the course from the task sheets
For a number of years now Rob Jonkers planned and plotted the course for this event, catering for Open class and a Fun class, where the fun class introduces newbies to the sport. Entrants were planned to be around ten crews, with four from SPS and six from other airfields, and with the Protea teams still in Portugal having just completed the ANR World Championships were not available to take part. Eventually on the day only four teams could take part, thus it was a small field, with two in fun class and two in the Open class.
Most competitors arrived by 8.00 on Saturday morning to first enjoy the Harvard breakfast, thereafter briefing and plotting. The weather forecast looked promising with clear skies with 10+ kts wind later in the morning, which proved to become somewhat blustery closer to midday.
The route was planned to go out north, into familiar territory for the competitors as most of the legs were in their GF backyard. The start and finish points were just north of the N14 in the narrow Special Rules corridor between the Waterkloof & Lanseria airspace, and from there the route went out over the Hartebeespoort dam, across the Magalies ridge and into the scenic Crocodile river valley, then east across to Soshanguve and back across the ridge to the finish.
Matthew French & Mike Blackburn plotting their course
From the GPS logger plot results, it could be seen the teams were struggling to slow down enough on the eastern & southern legs with many zig-zags being evident to counter the stronger wind at altitude.
The Apron of Grand Central with competitor aircraft
There was one photo per leg that needed to be recognized, some of them were at least spotted by the crews, including a bonus photo which was one of those irresistible features (Stadium) that had to be found somewhere along the route, and which many crews did find in Attridgeville on the last leg.
Approaching the Crocodile Valley – Landscape still wintery
After all the scores were tallied, first in Fun class was Matthew French with navigator Michael Blackburn in their very fast Mooney, second was father and son Jan and Max Coetzee in a C182. In this class the navigation accuracy allows 15 seconds at each gate before penalties are applied, one penalty per second.
In Open class in first place was Nick Christodoulou with navigator Andre Kluyts in a C172, and for this event a Route Planner class…. Rob Jonkers with his trusty navigator Martin Meyer in a C182, and being the route planner was expected to return with a perfect zero, but could not find the all the photos…., memory not that good it seems. In this class the navigation accuracy allows 2 seconds at each gate before penalties are applied, three penalties per second.
The navigation tracks – all seems fine until the eastern & southern legs
This event was for sure enjoyed by all, getting an understanding of flying with more precision, especially in the slower flight regime, and having to deal with wind variation. Many thanks extended to SPS for making all the arrangements with Grand Central Management, and for the fantastic breakfast and for Franz Smit and Ashley Loynes for joining at the start and providing the teams with much needed water refreshments.
Advertising on Aviation Central
Aviation Central
477 Servaas street
Pretoria West
0183
Aviation Central takes great pride in extending an opportunity to you to advertise with us on our online platforms …
About Aviation Central:
Aviation is an online-based Aviation Media house specialising in Aviation Events.
Our 1st Priority is Air shows & Aerobatic competitions, followed by Air Races, Fly-in’s, Plane-spotting and other aviation-related competitions.
We specialise in keeping our South African aviation-loving public updated on all these events as well as special aviation events, fly pasts and special visiting aircraft. Examples of these are the Presidential inauguration, the recent visit of the Russian bombers and the arrival of SAA’s 1st Airbus A350-900.
We cover these events for the entire Southern African region (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe).
Our team currently comprises of 6 members. In addition, we are currently mentoring a Grade 10 pupil in aviation media and photography. All our team members dedicate their time and energy at their own cost and personal time. We all have fulltime “day jobs” outside of the Aviation industry.
Aviation Central was initially founded in 2009 and has grown into a major role player in the online and social media space of Aviation in Southern Africa. We are official media partners to Africa Aerospace and Defence.
We have been running the official Facebook page for the Swartkop (SAAF Museum) Air Show since 2015 and were also media partner to AERO South Africa 2018. We have a Facebook following of over 33 000 and, at the current rate of growth, we expect to have over 40 000 followers before Africa Aero Space and Defence 2020.
Dec 2020 Facebook Stats
We also have about 10 guys and gals that often share photos and stories with us. We have grown to a point where we need to expand our attendance at more Air shows and other Aviation Events to keep our followers informed and updated. Our main focus point currently are the air shows and keeping our public informed about them before, during and post air show. Our larger following is the typical aviation and air show lover. The chap that dreams of flying, doing his Pilot’s licence or just going on a scenic flight. Planning his next holiday, not only around the accommodation and activities, but also on what Aircraft and Airline he can get a seat on. The chap that will always look up when an Aircraft flies overhead.
Our main expenditure currently is spent on our travelling costs to attend events, costs to cover camera equipment, website hosting as well as data costs for live video recording.
We are also in desperate need of a good entry level video camera suitable for aviation photography.
Who should advertise with us and why?
Considering the details above, any professional aviation business will most certainly benefit by placing an advertisement with us. Those that will benefit the most are, Flight schools, Cabin Crew Training and Technical Training organisations. Scenic Flight companies and Commercial Airlines will also most certainly benefit by advertising with us. Accommodation providers located in the vicinity of Aviation Events will also benefit by advertising their accommodation with us.
For R600 per Month you will receive:
2 x posts on our Facebook wall/page for the month.
1 x advert on our Website for the month running for the full month.
1 x Advert in our Monthly Newsletter (New and still low visibility).
Our Facebook cover image is also up for rental:
Subject to availability, preference will be given to major Aviation events.
R500.00 per week for a cover image. This includes an advert that will be placed on our website
(Priority will be given to aviation events).
This is the perfect spot for Air Shows, Aviation Open and Career days and Scenic flights. Image properties for the cover photo needs to be 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall.
Below is an example of the cover image:
Terms and Conditions:
- All images and text used for adverts are to be supplied by yourself.
- Text needs to be in such a format so we can just “copy and paste” it where required.
- Cover images for Aviation events are given higher priority, this is however, available to everyone.
- Cover image Prime spot can only be booked a maximum of 6 weeks in advance (1 – 6 weeks per booking).
- Payments are to be made before adverts are to be placed.
- The 2 x Facebook posts will be pre-scheduled on dates selected by yourself.
- We are tax registered and an invoice will be provided to you.
- Book and pay for 1 full calendar year and only pay for 10 months, this excludes Cover image rental (you save R1200).
- There are 6 and 12 month contracts are available.
Photo image sizes to be used for advertisements…
Website
667 pixels Width and 1250 pixels in Height (This is our preferred option).
And / Or
828 pixels Width and 315 pixels in Height.
940 x 788 pixels + Text.
The content text needs to written in such a format that we can just “Copy and Paste” it into the post on our Facebook wall.
This information needs to be sent to us once every 2 weeks as your advert will be posted twice per month.
The posts can be scheduled for a specific date and time – i.e. future-dated.
Sponsoring Team Aviation Central to attend an Aviation Event:
Also available are Sponsorship opportunities to help Aviation Central team to attend events.
If you can help us to attend an event, we will place free adverts for you for the month prior to the sponsored event as well as during the month of the event.
We will mention and/or tag you in all posts on Facebook and on our website on the build-up to the event.
We can also offer “magnet” style branding to our vehicles we use to travel to and from the events.
Branding need to be supplied by the sponsor.
Your company branded clothing in the form of caps and T-shirts can also be used by the team on a sponsored trip to attend an Aviation Event.
Banking Details for online Payments:
EVENTS AVIATION NEWS (PTY) LTD
Bank FNB
Account Number 62792754519
FNB Universal Branch Code 250655
Tax Number 9328355228
Kind Regards
Lettie van Emmenis
Aviation Central
+27 81 479 5426
Flippie van Emmenis
Aviation Central (Team lead)
+27 81 270 4430
Aviation Events Calendar Orders
2019 Aviation Events Calendar
With
And
We have launched our 1st ever physical Aviation Events calendar for the year 2019. This being the 1st ever printed calendar for us, but definitely not the last. The cost per Calendar is R100 (ZAR) and courier cost R50 if within South Africa. Maximum of 5 calendars can be sent via one shipment (R50). On the Bottom of this page you will see a preview of all the pages on the calendar. The Calendar consists of 13 photos taken during the 2017 & 2018 season with the Stunning Mustang Sally owned by the Amazing gentleman by the name of Menno Parsons. Menno is truly a guy with many talents, successful businessman and has a heart of gold! Click here to view our online calendar!
How to order your Calendar(s)
Courier
Courier will be done with PEP stores PAXI serves and you will have to collect from your nearest PEP store. We selected the PEP PAXI option as to keep cost down. PEP PAXI was the cheapest option to get your calendar to you. Please make sure you have enter full address information (To locate your nearest PEP store). If possible get the PAXI code form your nearest PEP or online, this will assist us, but is not a requirement. To read more on PAXI or to get your PAXI code online goto https://www.paxi.co.za
*PAXI code – the code of your local PEP stores where your calender will be sent to.
Choose how many calendars do you need, Maximum of 5 per order, however more than one order can be placed. Do an EFT payment to the Bank account below and then complete the order form below and attaching your Payment proof. The Costing table below can be used as an guide. 1st Shipment will be done 5th January 2019 and then every Saturday with new orders that came in the week.
Collection
We will be having collection points in Pretoria North, Centurion, Durban, Rand Airport and Swartkop AFB (2nd Feb only) . If you opt for this you will not need to pay courier cost. Please take note of the rules on this option. Shipments will be made to these points on 11th Jan, 19th Jan and 2nd Feb 2019. If you place an order the shipment will be send to the collection point on the next shipment date after your order has been received (11th Jan, 19th Jan and 2nd Feb) After it has arrived at the collection point, we will contact you with the details on collection once they are ready for collection.
Choose how many calendars do you need, Maximum of 5 per order, however more than one order can be placed. Do an EFT payment to the Bank account below and then complete the order form below and attaching your Payment. The Costing table below can be used as a guide.
If we have stock left, We will be at Swartkop AFB 02 Feb 2019 for cash sales
Limited stock available, this order form will be closed once we are sold-out
| Cost Per Calendar | Number of calendars | Courier cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| R100.00 | 1 | R50.00 | R150.00 |
| R100.00 | 2 | R50.00 | R250.00 |
| R100.00 | 3 | R50.00 | R350.00 |
| R100.00 | 4 | R50.00 | R450.00 |
| R100.00 | 5 | R50.00 | R550.00 |
| R100.00 | 1 | Collect | R100.00 |
| R100.00 | 2 | Collect | R200.00 |
| R100.00 | 3 | Collect | R300.00 |
| R100.00 | 4 | Collect | R400.00 |
| R100.00 | 5 | Collect | R500.00 |
For Bulk orders or any other questions please use WhatsApp number 081 392 1823 (text only) to get in contact with us.
Order form continues below Advert
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Team Aviation Central proudly use Canon Cameras
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**Now the T&C’s**
- Calendar was printed with dates known as at 22 November 2018
- We cannot be responsible for any incorrect dates
- We cannot be responsible for any date changes
- Events can be Added, Removed or be Moved at any time
- 1st Shipment will be done 11th January 2019 and then every Saturday with new orders that came in the week.
- Courier option, 7-9 business days after shipment date.
- Courier option, We will WhatsApp you the information once your Calendar is ready to collect form your Nearest PEP store
- Collection option, We will WhatsApp you contact details on the collection point.
- For inquiries send a WhatsApp ONLY to 081 392 1823 or email admin[at]aviationcentral.co.za
- Be sure to check out our online calendar for updates during 2019
Banking information to use for the EFT payment
Bank FNB
EVENTS AVIATION NEWS (PTY) LTD
Account Number 62792754519
FNB Universal Branch Code 250655
Order form
Complete only once EFT payment has been made
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