DESPITE STORMY weather which kept many pilots on the ground, the annual Sun ‘n Fun event hosted by EAA Chapter 322 at Klerksdorp, turned out to be hugely successful with 85 aircraft attending the event.
More aircraft flew in for the second day for the Sport Aerobatic Club’s Aerobatic Extravaganza.
In true EAA tradition, a Young Eagles event was held. Young people from Klerksdorp high schools submitted essays on “Why I want to fly” and 25 youngsters were selected, but only 14 had signed indemnities for a flight by the volunteer EAA pilots. All the Young Eagles were given a tour of the aircraft on display, with details and features explained by pilots.
After the flights, the Young Eagles were all given certificates signed by the EAA patron, Captain Sully Sullenberger, of Hudson River ditching fame.
A 10-man team of technically competent approved persons judged all the entered aircraft for excellence in the various categories. This feature of EAA conventions ensures that technicalities that might be overlooked by the owner/builder/AMO are brought to the attention of the owner. Essential documentation and equipment are also checked and points awarded for compliance.
During all the activities, EAA members were able to fly each other’s aircraft or go for a ride in them with the owner. A new feature, which will probably become a regular event at further EAA and other aviation events, is where the owner of a particular aircraft is interviewed on the “Showcase Stand” on the particular features of the aircraft and its history. This activity proved very popular and even included a demonstration on skydiving, by renowned skydiver Maritjie DuPlessis who also demonstrated some skillful jumps with Pierre Laubscher from RAASA.
As has become the norm at EAA, there were various forums held on such subjects as aircraft welding, riveting, fabric covering and composite construction.
The Piper Tube n Rag club was formally awarded EAA Chapter number 1500 by the EAA National Chairman, Neville Bohm, at prize giving ceremony. EAA South Africa is in the process of being readmitted into the EAA USA organization after a 20-year void where this facility was allowed to dissolve.
In conjunction with Sun N Fun, a fun Rally was held which was organised by the South African Power Flying Association’s Mary de Klerk and Frank Eckard. Fourteen aircraft took part and although the start was delayed to avoid some storm cells, the first few competitors still had to cut short on a few legs to avoid tangling the weather. Unfortunately for the early starters, the second half of the field all managed to get through, so no legs were scratched.
The final results were:
1st Position : Rob Kennedy (Pilot) Wikus Kritzinger (Navigator) in ZU FHD
2nd Position : Johnnie Smith (Pilot) Christiaan Le Grange (Navigator) ZS AXX
3rd Position : Derick Lategan (Pilot) Francois van Eeden (Navigator) ZS CBO
