IN SOUTH Africa last month, the North- West Provincial Government once again showed its full and unconditional support for matters aeronautic by bringing aviation to the people at the 2009 North-West International air show held in Potchefstroom.

Previously this event was hosted by the Mafikeng International Airport, but as part of the North-West Provincial Government’s policy of bringing aviation to the people, the air show was moved to Potchefstroom and, as expected, proved to be highly successful.

The thousands of people who attended saw the likes of The Harvard Flying Lions, Goodyear Eagles, Skycoach’s DC-4, the microlight snake formation and the only Impala jet still flying in South Africa, to name but a few. Support from the South African Air force was in the form of the BAe Hawk and the legendary Silver Falcons in their PC-7s.

The South African Police Services showed off its Pilatus Porter in an impressive flying display and wowed the crowd with its impressive short field take-off and landing capabilities. Show stoppers of the day were arguably the North-West eagles flown by Larry Beamish and Nigel Hopkins in their Extra 300 aircraft with international aviation superstar, Zoltan Veres, flying in his imported MX2 aircraft. Zoltan had the large crowds in awe with his low level flying and precise aerobatic manoeuvres, showing why he is regarded as one of the top ten aerobatic pilots in the world.

Becoming the norm at air shows in South Africa is the mind-blowing displays by South African Airways (SAA). This time SAA displayed one of its A340-300 aircraft in formation with the Silver Falcons. This was a most impressive display and a very proud moment for aviation legend, Scully Levin, who gave the commentary while the A340 was performing its display, as his son, Ellis Levin, was part of the crew displaying the A340.

A show of this magnitude cannot just happen, and a very dedicated team led by Rickie Rennie once again pulled out all the stops to bring aviation to the people, with the support of the North-West Provincial Government. As a prelude, more than 150 young children were given flips the previous day in the Skycoach DC-4 Skymaster, thus giving most of the children their first taste of air travel.

In the run-up to the North West Province International Airshow held at Pothefstroom Airfield last month, 150 children from local schools were given flips in a Skycoach DC-4 Skymaster. Some of the children are seen above with MEC Mahlakeng Mahlakeng and the Mayor of Tlokwe, Maphetla Maphetla. The flips were sponsored by Denel Aviation, Tlokwe Municipality and North-West Province.

The SAPS Pilatus Porter touches down.

Two Yak-52s take off in formation.

The SAAF’s Hawk painted in the SA flag colours.

Back to Home Page..>>>