2021 CHILDREN’S FLIGHT

2021

CHILDREN’S

FLIGHTGarth Calitz

The 2021 edition of the Children’s Flight was hosted by the Magalies Flying Club which made their Orient airfield available to become a ‘Field of Dreams’.

SINCE ITS LAUNCH five years ago the Children’s Flight has grown as more and more people are inspired to offer their time and resources.

The Children’s Flight has, with the infectious enthusiasm of founder Felix Gosher, generated spin-offs such as an ‘Elders Flight’ and a Children's NAV flight to Margate.

On the Friday morning it was an early start for all involved in making it possible for around 80 children to experience flight. The hugely experienced Francois Hanekom, the Safety Director, gathered all the pilots for the safety briefing to ensure that all the flying was done in the safest manner possible.

Airshow commentator Brian Emmenis made the journey from his home base in Welkom. His commentary always adds magic to any aviation event and creates the ‘Airshow Feel’ that everyone is missing due to Covid restrictions.

The first aircraft to get airborne was the huge Antonov AN2 belonging to Michelle and Heystek Pretorius. It carried a team of skydivers, of which Ralph Ridge flew the 82 kg South African flag, accompanied by the national anthem.

As the skydivers landed, the children were treated to a five-ship Vans RV flypast. The excitement amongst the children was building as they cheered the aircraft along.

Then it was time to fly. The first batch of children were ushered to the medical stand for a quick check-up and then to the aircraft for an experience of a lifetime. Initially, some of the younger ones looked a bit nervous but after the reassurance of the very professional pilots, they

HELICOPTERS TOPPED OFF THE FLYING EXPERIENCE

Children's Flight organiser Felix Gosher with two excited children - pic Trevor Cohen.

Ralph Ridge skydived in with a huge flag. Pic Garth Calitz.

Felix Gosher greets General Buthelezi. Pic Trevor Cohen.

boarded the aircraft. The absolute joy on their young faces is what makes these pilots come back year after year to share their love of flying.

The children were then entertained by the Puma Energy Flying Lions who performed a flawless display of formation aerobatics in their Harvards. When all the children had had their first taste of fixed-wing flight, the excitement was far from over. After lunch a fleet of privately owned helicopters, ranging from ex-military Alouettes to luxurious Bell 407s topped off the flying experience.

Airline pilot Grant Timms with young passenges - pic Trevor Cohen.

What it was all about - Raptors pilot Ryan Beeton gives a child a ride in his RV.

The children also had the priviledge of a helicopter flight - pic Garth Calitz.

The Puma Flying Lions gave a spectacular display. Pic Trevor Cohen.

The CAA's Gawie Bestbier gave a speech - pic Garth Calitz.

Brian Emmenis provided the high standard airshow commentary. Pic Garth Calitz.

With the flying complete, every child was given a set of Children’s Flight 2021 wings. Deputy Chief of the South African Airforce, Major General Innocent Buthelezi, who had arrived in a SAAF Agusta A109, did the honours, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by all. The pilots and crew also received wings, and the day was concluded with a speech by Gawie Bestbier from the Civil Aviation Authority. The key to the success of this remarkable outreach is Felix Gosher’s energies and the unstinting support of the many sponsors – who are too numerous to mention here. j

Sling Aircraft brought in their new High Wing. Pic Garth Calitz.

EAA SUN ‘N FUN 2021 By Garth Calitz and Rob Jonkers

One of the highlights on the general aviation year is the EAA’s Sun ‘n Fun fly-in. This year it was hosted by the always welcoming Brits Flying Club on the weekend of 5 to 7 November.

MIDRAND BASED EAA Chapter 322 started planning this year’s event early in the year. The Sun ‘n Fun weekend kicks off on the Friday when visitors begin to arrive. However, most of the 110 visiting aircraft arrived on the Saturday which kept the air traffic controllers busy but, as always, they did a great job.

Given the flyins closeness to Remembrance Day on 11 November, a poignant moment was arranged by Rodney Benn and Derek Hopkins who dropped 2000 paper poppies from Rodney's Donier Do-27. EAA Stalwart Marie Reddy had painstakingly made the poppies to release in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

Activities planned for Saturday included aircraft judging and the very popular Adventure Rally. Aircraft are judged in different categories and the proud owners awarded a certificate and prizes which are donated by the sponsors.

James Bain’s Alouette II was adjudged the Best Warbird, while the Best Rotor Wing Prize went to Anton von Willich for his immaculate Aerospatiale Gazelle.

Best Vintage aircraft honours went to Keaton Perkins for the beautifully restored American Champion Decathlon. Mike Davis and Tony van der Heuwel walked off with the prize for the Best Homebuilt – the Osprey GP4 which was the same aircraft Chalkie Stobbart shattered the Henshaw Challenge record in 2009. The Best Kit Built aircraft went to Derek Hopkins for “Mo” his RV8.

The Puma Energy Flying Lions did their sponsor proud with their signature displays before heading back to Rand Airport. The Flying Lions have been to almost every flying event since the

THE FLYING LIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE

Brits Airfield was busy with the more than 100 arrivals. In the foreground is an Aveko vl-3 sprint.

lock-down was lifted and are always appreciated by everyone.

The Adventure Rally has become a draw-card at the annual Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in. This year ten teams entered as the high temperatures experienced in at Brits may have deterred some of the hopefuls from entering. The mercury reached well into the high 30° on Saturday and pushed the density altitude up to very close to

The ATC Team of Megan Evans, Benji Phukubje and Eugene Hlungwani.

Rodney Benn in his Dornier Do27 about to drop paper poppys.

7000’, yet the elevation at Brits is only 3740’.

The Adventure Rally is about teams enjoying the more relaxed and fun kind of flying, mostly involving observation of ground features and learning about the area being flown over. The format was in the form of a pre-defined route map that was available prior to the event for everybody to either plan their route with traditional map plotting tools or to program their GPS’s – if they were more at home following the magenta line.

Navigation accuracy was a criterion in the

Brian Appleton arrives in his Citabria.

It was a baking hot weekend.

DROPPED 2000 PAPER POPPIES FROM RODNEY'S DONIER

scoring, where a 1 nm wide virtual corridor was established, which the teams had to make sure that they did not stray beyond as time penalties would be applied for the period outside the corridor. This year the format was made a little easier, and somewhat shorter at just under 60 nm, with all turn point photos shown as correct, and 4 photos provided along the last leg – which was a “follow the river” leg where the location

Ellis Levin of the Flying Lions in a classic low pass.

Derek Hopkins in his RV8 which won best kit built aircraft.

Neil Bowden in his Sling 2.

of these photos had to be marked on the map.

A booklet was also provided with details of each turning point with a number of questions to be answered, some answers had to be found on the map, the remainder of the answers had to be found by looking out the window.

On returning, the competitors had to carry out a spot landing where landing line judge Dave Lister and Kevin Marsden were on hand to adjudicate. First place in landing went to Fanie Scholtz in his Sling ZU-FZF, second place to Sean Cronin in his Bathawk ZU-IGI and in third place Neil Bowden in his Sling ZU-OSH.

The Sling floating trophy was handed over to Pierre Dippenaar, this being the sixth event where this floating trophy has been awarded. j

Helicopters were also part of the fun in the sun.