On arrival at New Tempe (FATP), on Friday 23 May, I found Machiel Du Plessis and Ingmar Bezuidenhout hard at work getting their aircraft out of the hangar and ready for a day of practice.
Next to join us was Wian Du Plessis. Machiel and Wian would be sharing their, new to them, Extra 200. Wian flew in from Theunissen in their, as they call it, Plaas Bakkie the lovely and hard working Glastar. Quentin Taylor in his beautiful Extra 300L N30PZ was next to arrive.
The rest of the day was marked by the arrival of the rest of the competitors and judges. The contestants were made up of Barrie and Tristan Eeles, Warren Eva, Roger Deare, Quentin Taylor, Ingmar Bezuidenhout, Machiel and Wian du Plessis and Mitchell Wright. Judges were Quintin Hawthorne, Mike Stark, Johnnie Smith, Nadine Brooker, Maritza Boswel and Greg Clegg. Assisting the judges were Charlotte Stark and Tertia Smith.
Lots of practice flights were done by all contestants. Of note was the return of Wian du Plessis who did his first aerobatic flight in the Extra 200 on the Friday morning. Wian had withdrawn from competition aerobatics for a while but has made a very welcome return to the sport.
Tristan Eeles flew in with their RV 8 and being accompanied by his wife Amber Jade Eeles while Barrie Eeles flew in with their very capable and competitive, Reclam sponsored, Extra 330 SC ZS-XBE.
Friday evening all the people involved in the competition were treated to a fantastic braai that Machiel arranged and were hosted by the Airborne Café at New Tempe Airport.
Saturday morning kicked off with breakfast and official briefing which was, once again, hosted by the Airborne Café.
Aircraft used in the competition were:
Extra 330 SC ZS-XBE in the unlimited class Barrie and Tristan Eeles
Yak 55 ZU-DYD in Advanced class Warren Eva
Extra 300L N30PZ Intermediate class Quentin Taylor
Extra 300L ZS-OLR Intermediate class Roger Deare
Zlin 50L ZS-WWJ Intermediate class Ingmar Bezuidenhout
Extra 200 ZS ZS-EDB Sportsman class Machiel and Wian du Plessis
Yak 52 ZU-AMC Sportsman class Mitchell Wright
After breakfast and the briefing, it was time for the judges to take their places and to get the competition under way. First contestant in the box was Wian du Plessis in his Extra 200.
During the morning session all the known programs were flown and the judges retired to Machiel's hanger to review some video footage after which it was time for lunch which was once a gain arranged by Machiel and hosted by the Airborne Café. Delicious burgers and chicken wraps were enjoyed by all.
After lunch it was once again time for the judges to take their places and to get the unknown programs under way. Leading out the pack for the afternoon session was once again the Extra 200 but this time it was flown by Machiel.
With the contest now complete and only one video to review it was time to wind down and to go in to relax mode. During the morning, I asked Johnnie Smith if he would be prepared to take my grandson Leo for his very first flight to which he agreed and now was the time for Leo to get airborne. Johnnie also offered two more seats in his beautiful RV 10, which my daughter, Samantha, and her partner Dominic gladly accepted. The aircraft was pushed out and everybody got strapped in. Glad to report that a new aviation nut was created in that aircraft.
At the end of the day we were treated to impromptu displays by Warren and Ingmar performing a formation display in the Yak 55 and Zlin 50L after which Tristan wowed everybody with a high energy solo display in his Reclam branded Extra 330 SC.
The contest was concluded with a function at a local restaurant where the results were revealed and medals handed out. Unfortunately, Quentin Taylor and Wian du Plessis had to leave earlier in the day and were absent from the prizegiving.
The contest results were:
Unlimited:
Position Name Aircraft Registration Score
1 Barrie Eeles Extra 330SC ZS-XBE 78.170%
2 Tristan Eeles Extra 330SC ZS-XBE 72.337%
Advanced:
Position Name Aircraft Registration Score
1 Warren Eva Yak 55 ZU-DYD 72.324%
Intermediate:
Position Name Aircraft Registration Score
1 Ingmar Bezuidenhout Zlin 50L ZS-WWJ 76.063%
2 Quentin Taylor Extra 300L N30PZ 71.249%
3 Roger Deare Extra 300 ZS-OLR 60.055%
Sportsman:
Position Name Aircraft Registration Score
1 Mitchell Wright Yak 52 ZU-AMC 82.185%
2 Wian du Plessis Extra 200 ZS-EDB 77.540%
3 Machiel du Plessis Extra 200 ZS-EBD 75.649%
Once again a very safe and well organised event. Thank you to Machiel and Wian for all the arrangements and organisation. It takes a lot of time and effort to ensure that everything is in place to host such an event. Well done and we salute you.
To the judges that travelled from far and wide we appreciate your efforts immensely. Especially Mike and Charlotte Stark for driving all the way from Balito and Quintin Hawthorne and Nadine Brooker traveling from Hartbeespoort. Johnnie flying from Hoedspruit and Maritza and Greg flyin from Fly Inn Estate. Thank you all. Last but not least thank you Natalie Stark for getting all the scores out on time.
Special notes:
Mitch time to work on Erin… Graduation next…
Tristan we look forward to welcome the next Eeles aviator in to this world. Congratulations to you and Amber Jade.
Machiel you are truly working on expanding the aviation community. Congratulations on the imminent arrival of the next Du Plessis aviator. Congratulations to you and Jeneane.
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