Parys Airweek 2017- Aero Club Official Report The objective of the Aero Club to organise and host such an Airweek was to raise awareness of recreational aviation in South Africa and an opportunity for all the sections of the Aero Club to network and mingle with each other. Aero Club Organisers Richard Becker, Sandra Strydom & Chandre Steenkamp were already busy with setting up the field on Thursday to get the barriers, sound system and exhibitors areas marked out.  Saturday morning proved to start out as a clear day with pristine flying conditions, albeit a bit windy initially which, enticed many flyers to take to the skies towards Parys early on.  Once the ATNS team were in place, accompanied by safety office Nigel Musgrave and ground controller Paul Sabatier, they all did a sterling job to ensure a safe and memorable event.  From the turnout over the 3 days, this weekend was an incredible indication that sport and recreational aviation in South Africa is alive and well. The organisers were caught off guard with such a very high turnout, so had to make additional plans for additional catering, but this was a good problem to have to solve.  The format was loosely based on precision landings with two circuits, one being a powered approach with any selection of flap and the second approach had to be a glide approach with a power cut abeam the line at circuit altitude. There were twelve competitors, which was a good turnout for such an event, ranging from microlights to the fast Saratoga. Flights were organised in groups of three aircraft to keep spacing in the circuit. The competition was won by a previous world landing champion Ron Stirk in his C150, followed by Marcel Griffioen in a Pipistrel Sinus (both were tied on 22 points but Ron's glide won the day). Alan Evan-Haines was third in a Super Cub and Rob Jonkers fourth in a C182 (both also tied with 150 points, but Alan's glide won his day). Frank Eckard, current world landing champion was in fifth place.  Ron Stirk - Winner of the Spot Landing Competition - Photo Garth Calitz  Just the day before, a seminar on aerobatic judging was held to train a new crop of judges, who then judged these mock display sequences, their scores being evaluated by the experts.  SAPFA Chairperson Jonty Esser taking off for his Aerobatic sequence in his YAK - Photo Garth Calitz  Watching these little machines dance around can make one easily seasick, the speed they achieve is easily 60 kms/hr on the straights with high G manoeuvres around the corners. Needless to say this became a popular place on the airfield to hang out and watch.   The Epic Aviation paragliders take to the air in the late afternoon…… Balloon nightglow under the rising full moon - Epic! As evening approached, the wind virtually disappeared, and it was the turn of the Epic Aviation paragliders to take to the air to show how their powered paragliders could manoeuvre around the airfield, the weather being so calm they flew as much as the ambient light would allow. At the same time, also taking the advantage of calm air the Sport Balloonists got their burners roaring for a nightglow spectacle showing off their bright coloured balloons.  Tony Frost shared the outcome of the recent Aero Club strategy session held describing Vision 2032 as a 15 year forward looking view on Recreational Flying in South Africa, given that the Aero Club's Centenary is coming up in 2020, and a good time to be thinking about the future for our diverse aviation heritage.   Daniel Ralefeta with the youth development group. Next door to the skydiving clubhouse is the hangar and training area and this was set-up for the Transformation & Development activities happening throughout the day, also hosted by Dan Ralefeta who is the current Aero Club T&D chairperson. School children from the local community were treated to a number of activities, building delta darts under the tuition of SAMAA members, attending a talk of inspiration by Tumi Katisi who is under training to become an airline pilot. A replica Boeing 737 simulator cockpit was also on hand, where owners Pieter Kriel and Adrienne Visser first gave the children an introduction to the basics of flying controls and how they affect the aircraft's movement in the air. Thereafter they were offered to try their hand at taking off, flying a circuit and landing a simulated Cessna 172, which gave them the ultimate experience short of the real thing to control an aircraft.   School Children proudly displaying their completed Delta Darts Photo - Athol Franz…….Tumi Katisi giving an overview of what it takes to become an Airline Pilot   The Simulator team of Pieter Kriel and Adrienne Visser Photo - Athol Franz……….The youth being exposed to the Boeing 737 Simulator  The exhibitors were The Airplane factory, Air Adventure Tours, Safomar, Aviation Direct, Century Avionics, PJ Aviation, Comav, Epic Aviation, Fly by Wire Aviation Art, Slush Puppy, Mobi Café.  Sunday morning early risers. Sunday morning saw some early risers taking advantage of the pristine weather to take flight on some scenic areas around Parys, before the rest surfaced for breakfast to pack up and return to home base. For sure, everyone will be looking forward to next year!  Some of participants and organisers at the BAFSA exhibition, Hanke Fourie, Daniel Ralefeta, Karl Jensen and Richard Becker  Neil Bowden's appropriately registered Sling ZU-OSH |
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