On a cold winter's morning, just north of the red and white radio mast, aviators came together for the ninth annual Kroon Airfield breakfast fly-in. Kroon airfield sports an 800-meter grass runway (29/11) laying parallel to the N4 Platinum highway, seven secure hangars have been erected as well as a very cozy club house where the breakfast was held. Kroon is very popular in the Pretoria Microlighting fraternity and houses the very successful Rosslyn Micro Flyers, it is also home to seven Savannah LSA’s and recently has had a TAF Sling join the family.
The first aircraft arrived just after 7H00, an Aquila Trike, shortly thereafter the radio came alive with chatter from pilots flying to Kroon from all over Gauteng and the surrounding provinces. Three Microlight pilots braved the cold and flew all the way from Potties Flying Club, in Potgietersrus, to support Kroon. There is a very strong relationship between Kroon and Potties and they always try to support one another.
The EAA Chapter 322 made up the bulk of the visiting fixed wing aircraft and they included Gregory Clegg in his unique Jodel D11 and the ever-present Karl Jensen in his Cessna 170. It was a pleasant surprise to see a “V”-Tail Bonanza joining the party, an aircraft not often seen at such short unpaved runways the rest of the fixed wing visitors’ numbers were made up of Vans RV’s of various types.
Kroon neighbor Brits Airfield was also very active with many visiting microlights including Roel Janssen flying one of their newest editions, a BMW powered weight shift trike with a centrifugal clutch.
In total the members at Kroon sold one hundred and twenty-five breakfasts hopefully swelling the coffers of this very active flying club, they get together at least once a month for a club braai and host many aviation safety talk evenings, on Saturdays the club gets really busy with many of the members flying around the area.
Special thanks must go to Dawie du Toit and his team for once again putting on a fly-in to be proud of at one of the friendliest airfields around.
