By Abri Krigler

The Rand Airshow was set to be extraordinary this year, and as usual, it lived up to expectations. From the moment the gates opened, an electric atmosphere was palpable, with long lines of people enduring the icy cold. Spectators eagerly filled Rand Airport's distinctive 270° crowd line, anxiously awaiting the show's commencement, as Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds, known as "The Voice of Airshows," heightened the excitement.

The event began with a parade of Harley Davidson motorcycles, immediately followed by the largest gathering of Mustangs I have ever witnessed.

At precisely 10:00, General Brian Stableford ascended into the sky in John Illsley's classic 2-cylinder, 40hp Aeronca C3, which holds the title of the oldest aircraft currently flying in South Africa.

The Aeronca had just touched down when the recognizable noise of a Russian radial engine echoed along the runway. Little Annie, one of only three operational Antonov 2s in South Africa, took off carrying a group of skydivers. They must have been freezing during their descent since the ground temperature was only 4°, and Johannesburg Radar had cleared them to jump from 9,500 feet.

As soon as the last skydiver safely landed, Rand Airport was filled with the impressive sound of fourteen Pratt and Whitney Radial engines. Ten Harvards were accompanied by Springbok Classic Air’s DC3 and Beech 18. Following a mass take-off, the formation led by Pierre Gouws executed a spectacular flypast that surely gave goosebumps to any aviation enthusiast.

The four Puma Energy Flying Lions aircraft stayed in the air while the rest of the formation landed and began their display. Scully Levin, Arnie Meneghelli, Eliis Levin, and Sean Thackwray continue to impress the spectators with these stunning post-war machines.

Menno Parsons made a much-anticipated comeback to airshows with his immaculate P51 Mustang, "Mustang Sally". "Mustang Sally" is scheduled for extensive maintenance and will likely be out of sight for some time. Menno reserved the last few hours before maintenance specifically for the Rand Airshow.

Henley Air delighted all rotorwing fans with an impressive showcase featuring four Bell 222 helicopters and one Airbus Helicopters Dolphin. The powerful sound of the massive rotors was not only audible but also resonated deeply within one's stomach.

Barrie Eeles and Elton Bondi utilized Rand's 90° display line to its fullest in a unique two-ship formation. Barrie, flying his brand new Extra 330sc, and Elton, in his Extra 300, performed a beautifully synchronized display at right angles to each other. The audience enjoyed a "hot mike," and judging by the excitement in their voices, they were truly having a great time.

From high-intensity aerobatics to the elegant calm of the De Havilland Dragon Rapide and Chipmunk, Flippie Vermeulen piloted the Dragon Rapide from Queenstown specifically for the Rand Airshow. He was accompanied by Jason Beamish.

Due to the excellent coordination by "Air Boss" Francios 'Hosepipe' Hanekom, the program was consistently engaging.

Matthew Zalewski showcased the latest Titanium Auto Gyro Explorer, the only one of its kind on the African Continent. After witnessing his capabilities with this versatile machine, fixed-wing pilots developed a newfound respect for these aircraft.

Next up were the familiar favorites, the Goodyear Eagles. Glen Waerden, Nigel Hopkins, and Johan von Solms had the expanding crowd holding their breath as they executed close-quarters aerobatic maneuvers.

Little Annie soared through the skies once more as Mark Hill, accompanied by his son Jon-Mark, tested her with a series of steep turns and wing-overs.

Pierre Gouws and Larry Beamish captivated all jet enthusiasts with their precisely executed display in the Aero Vodochody L39 Albatros duo. Larry, currently a corporate pilot, recently achieved 20,000 flight hours, while Pierre, a captain at SAA, is close to matching Larry in terms of flight hours.

Nigel Hopkins, the reigning national unlimited aerobatic Champion and a contender for the World Championship title, filled the afternoon sky with smoke trails as he maneuvered his Porsche and Cirrus sponsored Extra 330SC. Nigel is set to compete in the World Championship in Malelane next month.

Glen Warden, a former fighter pilot for the South African Airforce and currently a senior captain at Comair, flew the Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin. This jet was once part of the Sasol Tiger aerobatic team and was purchased by Denis Spence after being out of use for several years.

Next up was the Torre Pitts Special team, with Scully, Arnie, Ellis, and Sean once again demonstrating why they are considered one of the top formation aerobatic teams in the nation.

Once more, the sound of Radials echoed through the sky as Flippie Vermeulen in the Beech 18 teamed up with Pierre Gouws in what is likely the most stunning Harvard in the nation.

Neville Ferreira, the current SAC Chairman, showcased his skills in the Slick 540, executing a series of impressive gyroscopic maneuvers. He will also participate in the upcoming world championships.

Nigel Hopkins was resolved not to be overshadowed by a helicopter, demonstrating that he could also hover in his highly powerful Extra 330sc. Menno Parsons joined him in his Bell 407 to ensure he was indeed hovering.

Mark Hensman and Pierre Gouws, along with the father-son team of Larry and Jason Beamish, perform an exhilarating display in two RV 7s. Mark and Jason fly an MX2 and Extra 300, respectively, as they split into two pairs, keeping the sky lively.

As the shadows lengthened and the temperature began to drop, the excitement intensified with Team Extreme. This trio flies together so frequently that they appear to be perfectly in sync. Nigel, Mark, and Jason are all part of a Chinese aerobatic team.

Gary Whitecross showcased an impressive performance of silent marvel in his Pilatus B4 glider. Derek Hopkins towed Gary into the Germiston sky using a Lombada touring motor glider. Despite having flown everything from fast jets to helicopters, Gary still has a passion for gliding.

After being inactive for many years, Ellis Levin and Arnie Meneghelli decided to bring the two Extra 300s back into action, and they delivered a brilliant display.

Larry Beamish concluded the show in an Embraer EMB 120, an aircraft operated by Swift Flight, based at Lanseria.

Kudos to everyone involved in organizing a well-executed and entertaining Airshow. Looking forward to seeing you in 2018 for another Grand Rand Airshow.

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