CC POCOCK MAKES HISTORY IN THE USA

In strong contrast to the South African Civil Aviation Authority's obstructionism, aviation history was made when veteran South African airshow performer Milne “CC” Pocock received FAA-approval for the first-ever laser show from an aircraft.

- Guy Leitch

CC POCOCK WAS DRIVEN OUT of South Africa by overzealous and overreaching CAA inspectors who even called the Hawks in to shut down his bush flying school at Barberton. This school taught life saving skills to pilots - so much so that SA Flyer attended it twice, first with our C182 and then with our PA32-301T Saratoga.

Using his highly modified Cessna 170X, CC combined four aircraft-mounted lasers with synchronized wing-mounted pyrotechnics and lighting effects, creating an unprecedented aerial display at the USA Burning Man 2024 in the Nevada desert.

“This wasn’t just another light show in the desert,” explains Pocock, who brings over 25 years of aviation experience specialising in advanced flight instruction and bush pilot training through his company, Bush Air. “Meeting FAA requirements for an aerial laser performance required months of meticulous safety planning, technical documentation, and innovative solutions to demonstrate compliance with existing aviation regulations.”