The 9th of September 2025 was one of those Saturday mornings when aviators were spoiled for choice, with three fly-ins on the calendar: Thabazimbi's annual Fly and Carnival in Limpopo, Tedderfield Air Park's monthly gathering, and Brakpan's annual fly-in, both in Gauteng all on the menu.
It was a typical misty early Gauteng winter morning when I left Johannesburg for the far East Rand and one of South Africa's oldest airfields, Brakpan. Unfortunately, only around twenty visiting aircraft flew in, with perhaps another fifteen people arriving by car.
However, Brakpan did not disappoint. My first stop was at my good friend Gordon Dyne's absolutely stunning man cave, where Gordon and his wife Susan were already entertaining friends.
Captain Karl Jensen standing next to an effigy of himself when he was in the prime of his life flying 707 and 747's and other heavy metal. Down to its name plate it welcomes visitors to Gordon's man cave
Next, I checked in on the progress being made with the restoration of Apie and Frederick Kotze's Douglas Skyraider. Now in its seventh year of meticulous rebuilding, hampered by parts sourcing challenges and other delays, the Skyraider remains the only one of its kind in South Africa.
On my way back to the clubhouse I walked past the apron to capture some images of the visiting aircraft.
Then it was time for what most of us do when we fly in for breakfast: socialising with friends. On Saturday, the clubhouse was definitely the place to be. The breakfast was superb, and the company, as always, priceless.
Established in 1928, Brakpan Airfield still forms an important part of Ekurhuleni's transport infrastructure. The airfield is owned and maintained by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, with the Brakpan Aero Club as the licence holder.
With about 200 members, it is one of the largest flying clubs in South Africa. Around 80 aircraft are permanently based there, most owned and operated by local businesses and industries. The field is maintainded the comitee and by club members and has ample space for future expansion, including more hangars and aviation services.
Brakpan boasts a long tar runway, enabling operations by larger, faster, and even jet-propelled aircraft. The runway is also equipped with solar powered lighting, allowing night operations.
The airfield primarily serves Brakpan, Benoni, and Boksburg, but also supports operations for Springs, Nigel, Delmas, and Heidelberg. It is a busy facility, averaging about 40 take-offs and 40 landings per day, with capacity for much more. Three flight schools operate there, collectively training around 120 new pilots annually.
Interestingly, the swimming pool at the clubhouse was the first gunite pool built in the area and was donated by Penguin Pools. Club member Ferdi Chuvier, responsible for maintaining it at the time, decided there had to be an easier way to keep it clean. He went on to design, test, and develop the now-famous Creepy Crawly pool cleaner, right there in the club's pool.
Many thanks to everyone at Brakpan for a truly memorable morning.
Gordon Dyne's Brakpan Based Mirage F1 Squadron Newest Addition 291
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