THE 22ND WORLD RALLY FLYING CHAMPIONSHIPS

At last we had arrived at the competition week, after months of planning after Sunday 13 November dawned everything was in place to have the event start. After the morning briefings were concluded, preparation for the opening ceremony were carried out with podiums, sound and everybody in their national dress. Karl Jensen was the master of ceremonies for the opening ceremony, which started promptly at 15h00 with a parade of nations, each country with their national flag and country signboard walked past the clubhouse to gather around the podium and as they walked past their countries National Anthem was played.

- ROB JONKERS

Once this was concluded, the spectators watched the two Absolute Aviation Extras undertake a display as Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish flew the aircraft from the Coves, they were able to give a stunning display against a backdrop of a passing storm cell, giving the photographers an excellent opportunity to get some amazing pictures.

Nigel and Jason were thanked for being able to give the opening ceremony the appropriate opening for such a prestigious event. It was also planned that the Puma Flying Lions would do an opening display, but the threatening weather all around us prevented them from getting through from Rand Airport.

It was fortunate that while the opening ceremony was underway at that time since the rain halted for the time. After the display the formality of the opening continued, first with the chairman of the Brits Flying Club Lohan Otto giving a speech, then onto Rob Jonkers the competition director thanking to all the people involved in preparing for the start of the event. Thereafter Hans Schwebel as the President of the General Aviation Commission (GAC) of the FAI declared the event open by raising the FAI flag. Cocktail snacks and drink was then enjoyed by all and as expected the rain descended on the airfield again.