The 2024 edition of the Maputo Airshow was an exhilarating experience, a dazzling display of aviation prowess and showmanship. If you are from Mozambique or the neighbouring countries, this is an event you cannot afford to miss. Hosted by the Aero Clube de Moçambique and run by show organizer Gavin Neil, this year’s airshow marked its return since the last shows in 2023 and 2019, captivating aviation enthusiasts with its breathtaking performances.

A Journey in the Iconic Huey

With a gracious invite for Aviation Central’s Flippe van Emmenis and fellow photographer Jaco Kotze, to travel with Menno Parson’s Master Power Technologies team for the weekend, our adventure began on Friday, June 14, 2024. We departed from Rand Airport at midday aboard Menno Parsons’ Tiger Huey UH-1D. The Huey’s powerful Lycoming engine had more than enough power to carry us at an average ground speed of 110 knots. We were 11 passengers, with 2 crew members, led by the legendary pilot Buzz Bezuidenhout, whose stories and vast experience made the journey both safe and captivating.

The flight from Rand to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI) took approximately 2.5 hours. The excitement of flying low through mountains and valleys made the time fly by. As we handled customs formalities at KMI, Menno Parsons, flying his P-51D Mustang, performed a thrilling low-level flypast. We joined other airshow pilots and crews at KMI, sharing camaraderie and anticipation for the upcoming show.

After a quick meal and passports stamped, we departed for Maputo, Mozambique. The 45-minute flight over the lower Kruger National Park treated us to sightings of wildebeests and giraffes. We arrived at Aeroporto Internacional de Maputo just before sunset, greeted by the sight of majestic MiG-21s on the ground. Mozambique customs made special arrangement by meeting us at Aero Clube de Moçambique this saving is time by not passing through the terminal building. We had two taxis as shuttles from the airport to the Southern Sun Maputo, where we spent the two nights. To be honest, that traffic was frightening. At the hotel, the MPA team handled our check-in as we went to attend the pilots and safety briefing. We had dinner, went for a beer with a short social, and went for a good night’s rest.

The Airshow Experience

Saturday, June 15, 2024, dawned bright and early. After a hearty breakfast, we made our way to Maputo Bay, the airshow venue. The setup resembled a vibrant festival, with a well-arranged show box and media stand providing a panoramic view over Maputo Bay.

The airshow drew a crowd of over 25,000, who were full of enthusiasm, performing the Mexican wave and cheering the spectacular performances. The line-up featured a diverse array of aircraft and pilots:

Each display was executed with precision and flair.

The formations, including the Cub Formation, BizJet Challenger with the Good Year Eagle’s in Formation, Mustang and Navion Formation, Gyrocopter Formation, The Flying Lions, Chipmunks, Marksmen Aerobatic Team, Cub Formation and the Grand Mass Formation, were visually stunning, and showcased impressive teamwork and coordination.

The Puma Flying Lions delivered two remarkable performances, one in the morning and one at sunset, with breathtakingly low-level flying over water.

Menno Parsons thrilled the crowd with high-energy passes in his P-51D Mustang and later joined formations with Navions and Jason Beamish’s Extra 330. The Aero L29 “Austrian Eagle,” flown by Grant Timms, opened the show with a dynamic wake-up display and continued with an extended, high-G performance in the afternoon that must have been exhausting.
The BizJet Canadair CL-600-2A12 Challenger 601, flown down from Lanseria International Airport, was a standout with its sleek design and powerful performance. 3 Ship Gyrocopter Formation was led by Andre Van Zyl. After two Gyrocopters broke away Andre continued and delivered his solo display.

Chipmunks Classic, flown by Grant Timms, and Rodney Chin was well executed and loved by everyone from the ground. RV-10 Elephant Bets and a Sling did a few solo passes showing off its beauty and gracefulness. The Show had 3 Chopper displays, The Tiger Huey and two Gazelle choppers The Two Gazelle’s were displayed by Juba Joubert, one in the Morning and one in the Afternoon. Huey was displayed by a two-man team, consisting of Buzz and Menno. The Navion’s gave us a Formation and Solo displays, flown to perfection by Reyno Coetzer and Steve George. Skydiving was performed by local skydivers and was a crowd favourite and performed soft and safe landing behind the crowds. Master Power Extra 330 flown with high energy and precision was piloted by Jason Beamish. Good Year Pitts did a two-ship display and was flown by Jason Beamish and Gareth Gill.

A Grand Finale

The Marksmen Aerobatic Team, led by Mark Hensman, captivated the audience with two displays, including a spectacular pyrotechnics show at night that had pyrotechnics on the aircraft wings and from the ground.

The event was expertly managed by Colonel Keith Fryer, known for his work at major shows like the SAAF Museum Airshow. Commentary by Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds and Edson Vilanculos kept the audience engaged, while young Cloey Spolander made her commentary debut during the Flying Lions display. The Music was well chosen and timed for each display, well done Team Capital sounds. Brian Emmenis is an asset to any Airshow worldwide.

The crowd’s enthusiasm remained high throughout the day, turning the event into a festive celebration. Even as we departed after 9 p.m., the majority of attendees continued to enjoy the festivities, dancing and celebrating the exhilarating day. 

Conclusion

The 2024 Maputo Airshow was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication of Gavin Neil, the Aero Clube de Moçambique, and all the sponsors and participants. This airshow not only showcased incredible aerial performances but also fostered a vibrant community spirit among aviation enthusiasts. We look forward to returning in 2025 for another unforgettable experience. Special thanks to Menno Parsons and Master Power Technologies for their support and hospitality.

A Personal Note

On Sunday morning, we were treated to a visit to one of the impressive Master Power Technologies data center nearing completion. This visit provided valuable insights into the innovative work being done by Menno and his team. Thank you, Menno, for your unwavering support of Aviation Central, the aviation community, and our future generations.

See you all at the next Maputo Airshow in 2025!

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