The Coves Fly-Inn estate which is situated on the western shore of Hartbeespoort Dam west of Pretoria. The Coves is home to many airshow pilots on the South African Airshow circuit. We see now why they have chosen the Coves to be their home!

What turned out to be a miserable weekend as the weather gods predicted rainy and cold conditions, turned out to be a fantastic day with lots of sunshine a scattered clouds throughout the day.

Some of the Visiting Aircraft

Arrival at the Coves on Saturday the 6th April 2019,gate guards at the entrance of the estate were very friendly and directed us to a parking spot alongside the airfields runway.

JP Fourie from National Airways Corporation (NAC) was the event boss for this years Coves Fly-inn or better known as the Coves Flying Carnival. The event was for pilots flying in for the day, residents and invited guests were treated to a great day of aviation. With vintage and modern aircraft taking to the skies above the Coves.

With the event being so big this year, Capital Sounds were present to give us some of their knowledge from all the aircraft that flew in for the day, Thanks to Brian Emmenis and Leon Du Plesiss for their commentary throughout the day.

What Fly-inn in South Africa gets the South African Airforce Silver Falcons and 2 Squadron Gripen display pilot to be present at a event. Yes the Coves, Major Omphile Matloane brought some of his crew and as well as Major Geoffrey ‘Spartan’ Cooper to the event to watch some of the displays and interact with the crowds.

Flying displays consisted of RC Flying displays ,The Puma Flying Lions led by Captain Scully Levin, flew out from Rand Airport for their Harvard display. The Goodyear Eagles flew a three ship Pitts Display led by Glen Warden who earlier in the day brought the SAAF Museum De Havilland Vampire T55 for a couple of low level flypasts. Jason Beamish flew his brand new extra 330 and later joined up with Nigel Hopkins in his Extra 330 for a dual sunset display. Other flypasts for the day included a mass RV Formation as well as the Coves flypasts with many resident aircraft flying past the crowd line during the day.

Well done to JP Fourie and all other members involved in making the day a huge success. We look forward to a even bigger and better fly-in next year.

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