HAVING ATTENDED both Middleburg and Airspan EAA fly-ins, and enjoyed the fellowship of our EAA community, I have put together a list of venues in southern KZN to share these gems with flyers who may not know of these fields.
All of the fields are a short hop from each other and could easily be visited on a whistlestop tour, or more leisurely with overnight stops planned to take in local attractions and the great accommodation available.
This list is not the definitive information, merely a guide to what is available. Naturally, planning and verifying the information is the pilot’s responsibility as things can, and do change. Easy Plan, Sky demon, OzRunway’s pilot notes and other resources can be helpful, but a call to the owner/operator of the field will always be the most reliable source for the condition of a particular airfield.
1 - AeroFarm Harrismith; 18/36 5580’
While not a KZN field, this is a great en-route stop for fuel and a leg stretch, and a bolt hole if the weather has pushed up to the escarpment and everything beyond is socked-in. The airfield is directly opposite the N3 from the Harrismith municipal runway which is no longer usable as it has been a victim to urban creep. AeroFarm is owned and operated by the Pollocks. A call to Gareth will ensure that someone is available for fuel and to open the clubhouse for the loo and a coffee. Gareth Pollock; 082 497 0773
2 - Ladysmith FALY; 11/29 3548’
Asphalt runway 2.5 NM SW of Ladysmith town, another option for en-route/weather stop. The Ladysmith Motel is on the airfield, and Avgas available on arrangement. Larry Van Der Merwe; 083 788 2704
3 - El Mirrador FALQ; 06/24 4200’
Esta historia es de la edición December 2024 de SA Flyer Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2024 de SA Flyer Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
EXERCISE VUK'UHLOME 2024
The South African Army's Exercise Vuk'uhlome 2024 Distinguished Visitors (DV) Day took place on 21 November at its Lohatlha Combat Training Centre. Although an Army exercise, the event combines SAAF squadrons for ground support.
LANSERIA AIRPORT implements E-Gates
As air travel continues to grow, pressure mounts on the check-in process, resulting in frustration and often leading to missed flights.
LIVING THE DREAM - Part 1: Life in the Trailer Park
A harsh, piercing sound jolts me out of a restful, deep sleep. My alarm clock. Where am I? The ceiling is not familiar, the bed is hard, and the room smells. Well, I know I'm not home. My mind is racing to identify my location on this planet. Oh yes, I'm at work. Houma, Louisiana.
OKAVANGO ECHOES
One Okavango evening, at the luxury Khwai River lodge, a young well-bred English pilot of good character and eloquent public-school accent and I had too much to drink.
RODGER FOSTER STEPS OUT THE COCKPIT
At the end of November 2024 Airlink announced a change of leadership following the decision by current CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, to step down at the end of March 2025. Rodger Foster founded the airline almost 33 years ago.
MARK TIERNEY'S CAFE PROPOSAL
One of the many challenges faced by African airlines is access to cost effective finance.
ENGINE FIRE!
Iris McCallum's continues her stories about her early years with Air Kenya, and we get to revisit one of her more dramatic moments.
GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
I'm sure you are familiar with the 'Leave Bug'. It's a little worm which lives in calendars. It hatches in cycles of two. Just before you are due to go on leave it grabs the last five days of duty and makes each one last for 48 hours.
AVIATION'S GOT THE CAREERS - BUT ARE YOU READY?
Now that Covid is receding into being a bad dream and the aviation industry is bouncing back strongly, the aviation press, blogs and websites are abuzz with predictions that we're facing a massive skills shortage. The only way to address this is by dramatically ramping up training to ensure an ongoing flow of new professionals into the industry
FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS
In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.