KZN's Chapter 1502 of the EAA's Fly In 2 February 2025
By Willie Bodenstein
02.02.2025
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The EAA consists of a number of individual “Chapters”. Each Chapter is made up of members from the same geographical area. Chapters organise activities for their members such as fly-ins, talks, visits to building and restoration projects and also offer support for members doing their own aircraft building or restoration.
The EAA's Vision is to promote the building, restoration and flying of non-type certificated aircraft for all South Africans through the provision of scientific information and educational programmes, infrastructural development and participation in the development of relevant legislation.
Based at Baynesfield in the heartland of KwaZulu Natal is Chapter 1502 one of the oldest chapters in SA and also one of only three that are currently active. The Chapter 1502 promotes aviation in all forms through education and recreation in KZN.
Baynesfield Estate Museums on which the Chapter's airfield is located is just 50 minutes from Durban and 20 minutes from Pietermaritzburg on the R56. The extensive and well-maintained museum complex is situated on a beautiful 5-hectare garden and comprises several historic buildings that house a wide range of vintage equipment and artifacts. Visitors can explore wood crafting, blacksmith, and communication equipment, tractors, machinery, and a comprehensive sewing machine collection, among other exhibits.
The Estate was established by Joseph Baynes who bought land in the Umlaas Valley over many years. When Joseph died in 1925, he left his entire 23,000-acre estate in trust with a number of clauses that are maintained by an administration board. This board is the one the EAA negotiated with for use of the land on which the airfield now occupies. The chapter moved to the airfield in November 2019.
Brian Spurr, our KZN correspondent, in 2020 did an excellent report on the museum and the Chapter 1502 of the EAA's fly in held on 16 December 2020. This report can be read at www.pilotspost.com/PsPpyarn2292
The airfield is only a stone throw away from the museum is now well established. The airfield is about 75 kilometres from central Durban and its grass runway (09/27) is 845 metres long and has a good surface. It does slopes substantially from the clubhouse end.
On Sunday morning at 06.00 I arrived at Rand and met with Rodger Bozzoli with who I and Kerrie Mathyson, who arrived soon afterwards, were to fly in Rodgers Piper Turbo Arrow III. Our plan was to take off at 07.15 and to land at Baynesfield an hour and hour 45 minutes later. We gained some and landed just after 07.05 and were the first visitors by air. The weather, although cloudy with some rain forecasted actually was quite pleasant with clouds only building as we reached our destination.
The club members that were present were quite surprised when they heard that we had flown all the way from Gauteng and Rand Airport.
Left to right Jas van Wyk, Kevin Abbot, Brian Hawkesworth, Jan Jeffries, Kerry Matthyeson ({Visitor), Kevin Cox, Brenda Cox, Donovan Barton Hobbs, Mark Warren, Dr Tony Wanenburg, Roger Bozzoli (Visitor) and Steve Mcurrah
It was the first visit for the three of us to Baynesfield and we were instantly made welcome and were soon sipping a cup of coffee while nibling on a delicious bacon and egg breakfast roll.
Two more aircraft arrived, one with the Bateleur's General Manager Steve Mcurrah. The Bateleurs, founded in 1998 is a South African Non-Profit Company (NPC), with over 200 volunteer pilots and their aircraft, all of who has a passion for the conservation of nature and to fly with passion and a purpose.
Founded in 1998, The Bateleurs is a South African nonprofit company (NPC), with over 200 volunteer pilots and aircraft.
