RC Airshow Stellenbosch Airfield 13 April 2013

What an incredibly beautiful autumn day for an R/C airshow which was hosted at Stellenbosch airfield in the Boland today.

Young and old attended to come and see how these radio flyers  put their scale models through their paces.

Unique SAAF Atlas Oryx spotted in Cape Peninsula skies today.

At last something unique to write about spotted in our Cape skies today. 

A vary rare SAAF Oryx helicopter was operating over Helderberg today. 

Oryx 1208 is one of a kind operated by 17 Squadron, and one of a number of  SAAF aircraft to be deployed in a COMINT/EW role for the Air Force. Other similar platforms include a mission modified C47TP Dakota of 35 Squadron operated from Cape Town.

Oryx no 1208 of 17 Squadron, is based at AFB Waterkloof. This COMINT/EW airborne platform is able to pinpoint, intercept and interrupt communication during air, land and sea battles and flies with similar sensors which were once used on 60 Squadron's EW Boeing 707s. 

Read more about the history and retirement of the SAAF's Boeing 707-328C fleet here.

Open sources such as Janes Defence reveal that this Oryx deploys warflying in a frequency spectrum ranging from 20-1000Mhz, with extension to the 1.45Mhz band, and can be deployed against voice and data links, such as those used on the SAAF Super Lynx (22 Squadron) and the Gripen C and D fighters.

 Indeed a rare and unique visitor of the Air Force to Cape skies. 

Warflying has evolved today and missions can be flown by small remotely controlled drones which are as hard to spot as they are to shoot down.

FASHKOSH Fly-in 2011 Stellenbosch Flying Club

The annual FASHKOSH Fly-in was held at Stellenbosch Flying club today (Saturday 7 May 2011).

The fly-in held at the Stellenbosch airfield, drew a fair crowd of enthusiasts who came to share the day with display pilots and fellow aviation enthusiasts.

The weather played along nicely, although a strong South Easterly wind meant flying displays for the day ended at around 4pm.

The flying program included the following aerial displays: Pitts Special, a glider display, Chipmunk trainer, aerial displays by two local Tigermoth bi-planes, a Gyrocopter display, a Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros aerobatic display, a Glasair II, Rutan Long-EZ, a Cessna 180, Vans RV7 and a Christen A1 Husky aerial display.

Two rare T6 Harvards flew in to form part of the static display and both Airlink and SA Express respectively flew by to say hallo to the crowd below.

Air Traffic services was provided by ATNS while the local Stellenbosch fire brigade provided fire services, and Emergency Medical Operations (EMO) offered first aid medical emergency services for the day.

Virtual aviation was represented by VATSIM and the Shackleton Sim.

Other highlights included a Mustang and Harley Davidson procession and numerous vintage sports cars where also on display.

Photos from the today's fly-in:

Bosbok 953 returns to the Western Cape skies - 10 July 2010

AM-3CM Bosbok number 953 (SA civilian register ZU-ADI) took to the sky again on Saturday afternoon after being officially unveiled at Stellenbosch Flying Club in the Cape Winelands.





Bosbok 953 was stripped down and meticulously repainted by her owners. She is sporting her original olive drab and dark earth colours, and all the correct stencilling has been applied including the SAAF 5 pointed castle emblem on the rear fuselage which was typical of the era in which she saw service.

During the aircraft's service with 42 Squadron (SAAF) the Bosbok was based at Potchefstroom, and was used in various roles in the operational area; including FAC, Reconnaissance, Telstar, Liaison and Casevac.

On Saturday the partnership of owners unanimously decided to name her "Lulu" in honour of Louise who kept the project rolling. After being unveiled she completed her first official flight after the refurbishment.



The flight was uneventful, and needless to say she made her owners very proud.



The bubbly flowed and an informal braai (barbeque) was enjoyed by all after the formalities and speeches.

Stellenbosch airfield is home to Bosbok 953 and an Auster AOP which dates back to the Korean War era.

Both of these aircraft where used in similar capacity while in service with the SAAF and both are flown and maintained today in their original authentic SAAF colour schemes.

Despite the cold wintry weather, Bosbok 953 is warming the hearts of this group of aviators as they get to fly her again after months of absence from the Cape skies.

AM-3CM Bosbok Stats:

Powerplant: 1 x 340 hp Piaggio-Lycoming GSO-480-B1B6
Speed: 260 kph, 161mph
Range: 990km, 615 miles
Seats: 1+1 or 1 + 2
Length: 8.73m, 28ft 8in
Span: 11.73m, 6ft 6in
Empty Weight: 1 080kg, 2,380lb
Max T/O Weight: 1 700kg, 3,750lb
Period of Service in the SAAF: 1973 - 1992

Armament: A centreline reconnaissance camera pod could be fitted to the fuselage below the cockpit; a Schermuly flare chute could be fitted in the rear of the cockpit of the aircraft which could be used for dispensing leaflets (PsyOps/Information warfare)or flares. 68mm marker/smoke rockets could be carried on rocket pods under the wing hard points.

AFB Overberg Fly In 13-15 November 2009

AFB Overberg (TFDC) held a successful fly in and air show this past weekend.

The TFDC air show has become a bi-annual tradition in the Overberg and draws spectators from far afield. No less than 140 civilian aircraft flew in to form part of the fly-in at Overberg this year.

Thunder City and the Air Force provided a dusk jet fighter air display for media and the pilots who flew in on Friday afternoon.

The overcast weather and a few scattered showers during the show did not keep aviation enthusiasts and pilots from flocking to the air show.

On Saturday morning the air show kicked off with the SAAF Parachute Team jumping from an Oryx helicopter above the field.

Other highlights on the Saturday flight program included a spectacular display by the South African Air Force's Hawk 120 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT); Gripen D multi role fighter aircraft; and the Silver Falcons flying Pilatus Astra aircraft.

Tragically Dave Stock, a well known South African display pilot and test pilot lost his life when the English Electric Lighting T5 (Registration ZU-BEX) he was flying during the lunch time display sequence; crashed in full sight of the spectators a few kilometres to the East of the airfield.

His aircraft experienced hydraulic failure after which he flew out toward the east to a safe holding area.

The aircraft eventually suffered a loss of control on its final approach path to runway 28. Air Force emergency services where put on readiness to provide support for an emergency landing.

Dave managed to get the under carriage of the crippled aircraft down for landing, but at 12:18 local time the Lightning T5 aircraft suddenly lost attitude and nose dived into the ground exploding in a black cloud of smoke.

There was no chute visible. The 46 year old pilot from Hermanus perished in the crash. The Air Force scrambled an Agusta helicopter to the crash site within 13 seconds of impact. Air Force fire and emergency services followed.

The T5 Lighting is a supersonic twin turbojet; two-seater side-by-side training version of the Lighting interceptor aircraft which was designed during the cold war era. The aircraft was operated by Thunder City in Cape Town.

Photos taken during his final pass of the display line, show that Dave's aircraft had a fire on board towards the re-heat section of the lower Rolls Royce Avon 302 turbojet engine. CAA will be conducting an investigation of the accident.

Dave Stock, piloting the same English Electric Lightning T5 aircraft (ZU-BEX) broke the South African time to climb to 6000m record on 26 November 2005, and the time to climb to 9000m on 3 December 2005.

The Silver Falcons display team flew a missing man formation in honour of Dave later on Saturday afternoon.

A few hours after the fatal accident the Air Force commenced with the display program which included a simulated 1V1 between Aerosud's Mirage F1 and the SAAB Gripen fighter.

Static displays included a Cheetha D, AMS Pilatus PC12 air ambulance, helicopters from Rotorway such as the A600 Talon, two Harvards and the South African designed and built Airplane Factory D6 Sling (ZU-TAF) which fitted with extra fuel tanks, undertook round-the-World flight in July and August 2009, appearing at AirVenture, Oshkosh.

Spectators where also given access to view the visiting civilian aircraft which included aircraft from numerous flying schools and flying clubs in the Western Cape.

Some rare visitors included restored SA 313/SA 318 Alouette II helicopters, a civilian registered C185 in SAAF camouflage colours.

I wish to express my condolences to the Stock family, Dave's fellow pilots and his friends; and a big thank you to Lt Col Marius Van Den Heever (acting Officer Commanding TFDC) for TFDC's hospitality during the air show.

TFDC Fly in and Air Show 14 November 2009

Air Show 14 November 2009.

Entrance Fee: R50 per adult - children under 12 free.

AFB Overberg (TFDC) on the coast near Bredasdorp will be the hosting of one of only two air shows that will be presented by the SA Air Force in South Africa in 2009.

The AFB Overberg air show will be combined with a Fly-in. Numerous light aircraft are also expected to fly in to TFDC for the show.

AFB Overberg will be promoting its own part of the SA Air Force's aviation awareness program, Siyandiza, amongst the previously disadvantage youth of the region. Learners from the nearby area will be transported to the event to participate in this weekend.

The 2007 Air Show / Fly-in at AFB Overberg was rated as the best air show in South Africa by Aeroclub SA.

This year AFB Overberg hope to attract an even larger crowd that previous years.

SA Air Force aircraft such as the Gripen, Hawk, Agusta 109, Oryx, Astras (Air Force Display Team - Silver Falcons), Lynx and Rooivalk form part of what promises to be a spectacular air display program. Its also hoped that jet aircraft from Thunder City will once again participate in the program.

Apart from an air capability demonstration by SA Air Force aircraft, a “fly off” between a previous generation jet fighter and the SAAF's new Gripen fighter, is planned. This promises to be a spectacular demonstration of air superiority by the SAAF.

Various other civilian air show participants are also expected.

This aims to be not purely a military event, and the air show committee will rely heavily on civilian participation to make the event a resounding success once again.

Civilian pilots planing to fly in need to register beforehand, a R200 registration fee applies.

For more details about this event visit www.flyin.org.za

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) anchored in Cape Town South Africa

The USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71)- in port. 4 October 2008. CVN 71, a US Navy super aircraft carrier anchored in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa at approximately 07:30AM local time this morning.

She lies anchored at approx S33 52 11 E018 26 58 between Robben Island and Milnerton beach.

The USS Monterey (CG61) missile cruiser will be open to the public on Sunday and Monday, from 10am to 3pm.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71)is not open to the public.

More photos of USS Theodore Roosevelt's(CVN 71) arrival can be viewed at www.skycam.co.za