By Garth Calitz

The vibrant Brits Flying Club organized an Open Day on Saturday, July 29th. The event was anchored by two main activities. Firstly, the Kranskop Gliding Club, located at BFC, conducted another successful Transformation and Development day under the leadership of Daniel Ralafeta, chairman of the Aero Club’s Transformation and Development team. Secondly, it marked the inaugural day for the Brits Model Aero Club (BMAC), which was recently approved and registered with SAMAA, the Aero Club’s model aircraft affiliate.

The event lasted the entire day, beginning with the Brits microlighters participating in competition flying. With new management in place, the club served coffee and breakfasts to the arriving guests.

A flurry of activities took place as gliders and tugs were prepared at the holding point for runway 20, while model-flyers began unpacking and setting up their cherished models in front of the clubhouse. A bus carrying high school students and other visitors arrived, and Daniel briefed them on what to expect for the day.

Safety briefings were conducted, emphasizing the significance of airmanship and personal responsibility, led by Arjan Schaap, the chief marshal of the day. Arjan spent the entire day at the runway intersection, with a radio in hand, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly. Designated areas maintained safe separation between modelers, gliders, and powered aircraft.

Flying visitors also arrived throughout the morning, highlighted by the entertaining arrival of the RV-team from the Coves, led by one-arm-bandit Jason Beamish.

Following this, Neville Ferreira visited to inspect the surroundings for the Judges Trophy Aerobatics Contest, scheduled to be held at Brits on August 5, 2017. The agility and power of the Slick 540 continue to be spectacular to witness.

Gary Whitecross provided the visitors with unique aerobatic performances in his engine-less aircraft, the Pilatus B4.

Meanwhile, members of the Kranskop Gliding Club were giving school children and visitors introductory flights. The Blanik and the club's reliable K7s, including ZU-GUR, which had been reassembled just days earlier after a major refurbishment, served as the perfect means to introduce aviation to the public. This activity continued throughout the day, concluding around 17h00, with tug pilots Chris, Rainer, and Derek logging hours to launch the steady stream of gliders into the air over the Brits airfield. The term "RV-smile" seemed fitting for the glider passengers as they exited the cockpit after their flights.

BMAC members were readily available to explain and showcase their aircraft to the visitors. There were stunning demonstrations featuring scale piston aircraft, electric models, and two turbine-driven aircraft, including a 6-meter wingspan model of a DG glider with a top speed of 329 km/h.

Model aircraft are no longer small devices powered by unreliable Baby-B engines. Louw van Zijl's VZ Rookie Jet generates 8kg of thrust, and Hennie's 1/3 scale Edge 540 features a robust 170cc two-stroke twin engine. This sport has evolved into a highly advanced technological field.

Model tugs towing model gliders, skydiving ships carrying parachutists aloft, and precision spot landings executed by these model parachutists, all radio-controlled by their operators. Meanwhile, a Hangar 9 Beast biplane owned by Roger Collins provided a backdrop for the para-drops with its elegant aerobatics.

With the club restaurant catering to the hungry and thirsty and a braai offering boerewors rolls, visitors departed the club with big smiles and plenty of inspiration for young learners, the future of aviation.

As is now almost expected by visitors, Brits Flying Club made sure everyone had a fantastic day at the club.

South African flying clubs have mostly adopted a survival mindset, but the vision of Brits Flying Club to create an airpark environment for all types of aviation definitely secures a promising future for this already thriving club.

Please browse our gallery of this event