STELLENBOSCH AIRSHOW 2024

The Stellenbosch Airfield, home for the Stellenbosch Flying Club SFC) is widely regarded as one of the finest airfields in South Africa. Located amongst the vineyards of the region's wine lands and having the Hottentots Hollands mountains as a backdrop verifies this view. With this picturesque environment the SFC airshow is also considered as one of the must attend’ airshows. With a strong support from the SFC membership who display their varied and seldom seen outside the region, personal aircraft adds to the variety of aircraft adds to this statement.

- Charlie Hugo

The SFC airshow, unlike most others is a two-day event with a late afternoon / early evening airshow on the Friday. Whilst it is difficult for most enthusiasts to attend both days there are advantages to this.

The Friday had two aircraft display that were not part of the Saturday lineup, whilst the Saturday had an expanded selection.

Friday show

Although the day was hot and generally sunny there was a haze over the mountains which fortunately mostly cleared before the airshow started at 16h00. The weather forecast was for rain overnight and this was in evidence as heavy clouds covered the mountain tops and rain and lightning was seen in the distance. The late afternoon sun at this airfield really casts a most favourable light on the displays.

Display ranged from the sedate Antonov An-2 lumbering through the skies to the high-energy Nashua flown by Andrew Blackwood-Murray. Patrick Davidson in his Gamebird and the Marksman formation team led by Mark Hensman. Local club members displayed a Cessna 210, Cessna 180, Atlas Bosbok and Piper Aerostar.

Alewyn Burger’s crazy pilot stunt display in a Piper Cub had my heart in my mouth on several occasions, although I knew full well that the pilot was capable and using the terrain to his advantage. His situational awareness and command and understanding of his aircraft’s capabilities is phenomenal.