THIS YEAR THE EAA combined their annual convention with the Aeroclub Airweek, which meant that I was privy to the organizing. Rob Jonkers, chairman of the Aeroclub, and his efficient team, had the unenviable task of coordinating and managing this process.
In order to literally get this event off the ground, Rob had been crossing t’s and dotting i’s with the likes of the CAA, the local police and the fire department, as well as the critical role-players in Middelburg and at FAMB.
Back at EAA headquarters, chairman Neil Bowden, was instrumental in sourcing promotional materials, sound systems, printers, gazebos and other paraphernalia needed for the event.
On Friday afternoon, Nigel Musgrave’s familiar voice guided ZU-MJB safely onto runway 32. Marshals on quad bikes were on hand to show us where to park, and we got straight to the task of locating the tent provided by Camp Tent Hire, which was to be our home for the weekend.
As the sun slid below the horizon, it bathed 50 aircraft of various shapes and sizes, plus a handful of cars and trailers, in a soft orange glow. Smoke wafted through the campsite, reminding everyone that it was time to braai.
As with most gatherings where passions are shared, friends were catching up over ice-cold beers, regaling one another with flying exploits.
The following morning, I was awakened by the angry buzzing of wasps.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 2024 de SA Flyer Magazine.
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SACRIFICE
John continues his anecdotes about the sacrifices he has had to make in the course of his helicopter bush flying career.
KENYA - SAA PARTNERSHIP DELAY
KENYA AIRWAYS AND South African Airways announced the establishment of a highly anticipated Pan-African Airline Group three years ago.
TO PARIS FOR LUNCH
One morning I arrived back at Lanseria from a two day charter to a dreary Northern Cape iron mine. Entering the terminal, I removed my wings and epaulets, thrust them into my flight bag, and headed for the restaurant.
ASCA'S MPUMI MPOFU: READY FOR TAKE-OFF
Ms Mpumi Mpofu has occupied the hot seat as Chief Executive of ACSA, the Airports Company of South Africa for a tumultuous past four years.
HYDROGEN POWERED PLANE TESTED
WORLD’S LARGEST liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft, using a 1 MW fuel cell engine, has been tested.
CAMEROON - BLAMES BOEING
BOEING JUST CANNOT STAY out of trouble. It has become the whipping boy for endless absurd claims.
IRIS GOES TO SOMALIA
Having spent the last couple of years flying to a rota, I was thoroughly enjoying the freedom and randomness of flying charters at Sunbird Aviation.
TELEPORTATION
One of the best clients for whom I ever flew was BP, the British oil giant. I was with them in Algeria for about seven years, from the very start of their large gas projects, right in the heart of the Sahara Desert, near the small towns of In Amenas and In Salah.
FEBRUARY 2023
February has shown steady growth in the number of aircraft registered. Four fixed wing and one helicopter were added while the non-type certified (NTCA) register grew by seven.
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 16 FUEL SYSTEMS WHY SO COMPLICATED?
You know those aggranoying people who say, “Oh I wouldn't fly in one of those little things - you can't just pull over and fix it if something goes wrong\"? What makes this particularly irritating is that the bastards are right.
