AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 2024
African Pilot|April 2024
Once again, the annual Aero Club of South Africa’s AeCSA) Airweek 2024 was hosted by the Middelburg Aero Club from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March. AeCSA’s annual Airweek was staged earlier this year in anticipation of fine weather, which turned out to be the case throughout the weekend. Without doubt Airweek is the most important General Aviation event on the South African calendar because this event brings all the sections of the AeCSA together on one airfield over a two-day period, whilst the Experimental Aircraft Association EAA) South Africa hosts its national convention at the same time.
Athol Franz
AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 2024

I drove to Middleburg airfield on Thursday afternoon and on arrival the most welcome sight was that the Middleburg Aero Club had fully prepared the facilities such as grass cutting, taxiways, ATC control tower, litter bins, refreshments by the Middleburg Round Table, several caterers including delicious coffee and other refreshments. However, apart from Neil Bowden, Rob his son-in-law and young Jessie we were the only people to camp over on Thursday night. Early on Friday morning the first microlights started arriving, followed by many light aircraft of all shapes and sizes.

By sunset on Friday evening the airfield was already almost filled to capacity whilst the exhibition and camping area was filled with tents and exhibitors. An extensive array of accessories, engines, avionics, and aircraft manufacturers had made their way to Middelburg airfield. A feature Airweek is that visitors camp next to their own aircraft or make use of pre-booked tent accommodation. Ablutions are modern, clean and just a short walk away. I was told that altogether 155 aircraft flew to Middleburg on Friday and Saturday. Together with around 17 exhibitors this was a sight to behold with plenty of colour and something for everyone. The exhibition planning from the AeCSA was exceptional and from my perspective, it was wonderful to meet so many of African Pilot’s valuable advertisers. It was amazing to see the Cirrus show stand with the Cirrus Vision Jet and a very new Cirrus SR22.

On Friday evening David Le Roux from PilotInsure ran an aviation-themed Bingo quiz whilst the gathered visitors braaied their meat on several fires provided. Apart from the braai packs the club had laid on superb catering inside Irene and Richardt Lovett’s amazing hangar. This was an outstanding networking evening and I am certain that many ‘tall stories’ were told around the braai fires.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2024-Ausgabe von African Pilot.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2024-Ausgabe von African Pilot.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS AFRICAN PILOTAlle anzeigen
An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
African Pilot

An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration

Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Jabiru South Africa
African Pilot

Jabiru South Africa

Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
African Pilot

EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024

The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Bat Hawk Aircraft
African Pilot

Bat Hawk Aircraft

Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
African Pilot

FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR

The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
African Pilot

Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy

Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
African Pilot

Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police

The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
African Pilot

Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!

On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
African Pilot

Single-pilot operations and lemon juice

Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
African Pilot

ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks

JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024