What a blast - The Krugersdorp Breakfast Fly-Inn Oct 2020

By Willie Bodenstein



No flying, no Fly-ins, no airshows, no socials with friends at airfields and then, after what seemed like an age, we were eventually downgraded to level one and all of a sudden, we got some of our freedoms back and the events that we had in the past had taken for granted suddenly became something special. It became a sort of a reunion, a place to meet friends again, to socialize again, to share stories again and to fly again.


08 was the runway in use for most of the day.


Jack Taylor Airfield from the Apron looking towards the entrance

The accolades for Bela Bela, the Sling Breakfast Fly-inn and Sliver Creek had barely stopped when Krugersdorp and Chapter 322 hosted a pancake Fly-in to Jack Taylor Airfield on Saturday 31 October and again, social media was abuzz with compliments.


One of the Puma Energy Flying Lions Harvards landing, note the windsock
.








Coffee, pancakes and socializing.


Karel Zaayman of the Aviation Shop had his table set up onside the clubhouse selling aviation related memorabilia.

The wind at Jack Taylor was pumping as it usually does. However, it fortunately stayed on the nose and did not cause any real problems. By 0800, when I arrived at the area in front of Dale de Klerk's Alpi Aviation, the Fly-in was humming with activity and the refreshments and the food stalls did good business.








Arrivals


One of Helivate's Helicopters…. There is no truth in the rumour that Ricardo de Bonis has given up flying to take up cycling.




Parked at the grass apron


The recently completed Bearhawk LSA build by Conrad Underhay.

Unfortunately, I never have enough time to really socialise as I want to as there is always work to be done. I was then off the grass apron to get some photos of the arrivals and the parked aircraft as well as to chat with friends.


William and Jeremy Woods at their Bearhawk Patrol.


The Pilot'sInsure team of Bryce Maier, Natasha van Heerden and David le Roux


The CAA's Piet Fourie and Mothiba Kanyane were on duty.


Karl Jensen and Piet Fourie in discussion.


Peter Lastrucci's Nieuport replica.

Then together with John Ilsley, the editor of the Aeroclubs's Centenary yearbook and Bruce Perkins we were off to the Lastrucci's hangar to feast our eyes on their absolutely stunning WWI Nieuport replica that is now complete and is just awaiting its final papers from the CAA. The 476 lavishly illustrated yearbook can now be ordered from the Aero Club. I had a copy with me and everyone who saw it was highly impressed. To pre-order a copy go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPs1vbZM4-Qcn5LZrK3dkWaoYj7PBtLXmaNM3TP9tUm4vsSA/viewform


ZU-RDC, the camera ship for the day.


The apron before the arrival of the Harvards.


The arrival of the Flying Lions.




During their display.


Sean, Arnie and Ellis on the way to the clubhouse.

Jean Piere Duponsel, who had offered to take me up in his Gyro, shared space in the hanger and we were soon airborne. We had just completed one circuit when we heard the Puma Energy Flying Lions Harvard's announced that they will be at the field in five minutes for their formation display so we landed and watched them doing a flat show, definitely the highlight of the day.


Paul Lastrucci and Duncan McKeller.


Peter Lea, Megan du Plooy and dad Paul. Peter and Paul flew all the way from Barberton in Mpumalanga.


The apron after the arrival of the Harvards.






Some of the departures.


Taking off again, we completed our sortie and I then had some time to chat while taking photos of some of the departures before leaving for home to start working on my photos and report.


Peter Lea and Paul du Plooy leaving for Barberton


Nico Brandt's Avid flyer that now belongs to About@Stall's Carel Theron
.


Jeremy and William departing for Silver Creek Gorge.


Karl Jensen's WhatsApp posting sums it all up nicely: "It really was a terrific day at FAKR despite the strong wind. Thanks to the Krugersdorp Flying Club and especially all the EAA members who took part. To end the with the Flying Lions doing a flat display was just so beautiful and was the cherry on the cake.

Next weekend, the 7 November, aviators and enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. Helivate, the helicopter training school, will host its annual helicopter Olympics at Jack Taylor next Saturday while the SA National Spot Landings Competition will take place at Brakpan Airfield and Panorama, near Alberton, will host a breakfast fly-in.

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