AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 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

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.