Stellenbosch Flying Club Celebrate 35th Anniversary

The foundation of the Stellenbosch Flying Club was laid 1971, when a group of pilots got together to promote private/recreational flying in the Stellenbosch / Somerset West area.

In 1974, Alan Stuart and Artur Albertyn succeeded in obtaining a lease for Louw Se Bos from Stellenbosch Municipality; a pine tree plantation situated alongside the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. By mid winter they started clearing part of the forest and levelling the area for a runway. A grass runway was cleared 18/36.

Alan Stuart assumed the role of CFI, while Artur Albertyn became the first chairman of Stellenbosch Vliegklub.

In 1974, The University of Stellenbosch started an aviation division on campus under the umbrella of their Sports Faculty; called Die Universiteit van Stellenbosch Vliegklub, chaired by Martin Louw until 1977.

The lecture room and base of the US flying club was located in the Civil Engineering building at the University, and flying was done at D.F. Malan Airport (now Cape Town International Airport)using a C152 (ZS-UCT) owned by the University of Cape Town.

In 1976 the University decided to move their flying club to Fisantekraal (an old SAAF airfield North of Durbanville) where they flew three Cherokee 140’s. The instructors of USV were Fay Bool (the SFC training centre was named after Fay) and Martin Winter. The club also made use of a Cessna C177 Cardinal, ZS-FXT, which was used as the basis for the club logo.

In 1978, die Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub moved to the airfield at Louw Se Bos; Stellenbosch Flying Club, but remained a separate entity. The two clubs used the same airfield and facilities but operated independently, still having two different logos.

Stellenbosch Flying club used a white and red Grumman ZS- IXM and a C172, ZS-CZD, while Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub used a Cessna 152, ZS-JYU. The chairman of Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub was Prof. Rudi Du Preez (1978 – 1980).

Members of the two clubs formed the Stellenbosch Vliegveld Maatskappy to manage the operation, maintenance, fuel and hangarage at the airfield.

Up to 1983 both clubs shared prefab clubhouse of Stellenbosch Flying Club. In July the same year, Universiteit van Stellenbosch Vliegklub started construction of the log cabin club house structure after obtaining a subsidy from Stellenbosch University to pay for half the costs, the remainder of contributions came from members,the deck and dining area was only added in 1991. The log cabin kit was erected by club members who volunteered their time.

By 1984 the clubs merged as Universiteit / Stellenbosch Flying Club, and it was agreed that the US logo would be maintained, as it already had the U.S. displayed on it.

The log cabin clubhouse of US was used as the social centre on the field at the time, while the prefab clubhouse of SFC was utilised by the skydiving club. The club members were like family, having a special camaraderie amongst themselves and continuous efforts where made to improve facilities and promote aviation in the region.

On Saturday 13 September 2008 Stellenbosch Flying Club celebrated its 35th Birthday with a fun day at the airfield and has now grown to one of the biggest Flying Clubs in South Africa.

Numerous pilots who where trained at Stellenbosch Flying Club over the span of 35 years are senior airline pilots or commercial pilots who are still making a valuable contribution to aviation across the globe today.

The day's celebrations included a spot landing competition, a toilet roll cutting competition, veterans where invited to share in the day and a classic car collection added to the flair of the days activities.

The days celebrations was ended off with a traditional South African braai and a dance.