AAD 2026: Two Days of Aviation, Action and a Little Runway Drama
By Garth Calitz
Photos by Esias Riekert, Trevor Cohen and Rayno Snyman
For two days, AFB Waterkloof once again became the centre of the South African aviation universe as Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 opened its gates to the public for the biennial airshow.
After three days focused on the defence industry, aerospace technology, business and government delegations, Saturday and Sunday belonged to the enthusiasts. While the aircraft and military hardware were undoubtedly the stars of the show, the weekend also provided a reminder that running a major airshow is a complex aviation operation in its own right. From the first parachutists dropping from the sky to the final roar of the Gripen and Hawk, AAD 2026 delivered plenty for aviation enthusiasts to photograph, discuss and inevitably debate.
Saturday morning started with the now-familiar parade of all the emergency vehicles down the runway; at this point, everyone silently wished it was the last time these impressive vehicles would be seen for the rest of the day.
Smoke was thrown out by the ground crews to indicate the wind direction to the already airborne C-130 Hercules for a mass parachute drop and the Cessna 208 Caravan, which would drop the free-fallers flying a host of flags, including a massive South African flag, accompanied by the South African National Anthem. Providing a fitting opening to the upcoming spectacle.
Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe, Chief of the South African Airforce adressed the ever-growing crowd. In his welcoming speech, he highlighted the need for public-government partnerships to grow innovation and aerospace and military capability in South Africa and on the continent.
The JAS 39 Gripen was, as expected, one of the major attractions, with Lt Col Kgosimang Eddie "Cypher" Seeco demonstrating the agility of an aircraft that remains the SAAF's frontline fighter. His display raised the excitement levels as it concluded with the deployment of flares while performing an upper Charlie.
The sole international air force participating in this year's AAD was Zimbabwe, which brought a K-8 Karakorum, a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft co-designed and produced by China's Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. Unfortunately, the K-8 suffered a burst tyre during landing, leaving the aircraft on the runway and closing Waterkloof's only operating runway for about 45 minutes.
The highly experienced airshow commentary "guru" Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds filled the gap with a load of information, proving once again there is no substitute for experience. Brian was fighting through a nasty bout of flu, but that didn't slow him down at all. He was joined by Lieutenant Colonel Joyce Shoroma, a SAAF fighter controler and and David le Roux, organiser of the Pretoria Airshow, who were quick to pick up any slack if it were to happen.
For the display director, air traffic controllers, pilots and ground crews, this minor incident meant rapidly reworking a carefully choreographed programme. The schedule had to be re-sequenced, with displays moved around the obstruction until the K-8 could be dealt with and the runway returned to service. The only negative result was a Saturday programme that differed slightly from the published schedule.
The K-8 was barely cleared off the runway, and the Marksman Aerobatic team were rolling for their display. The team, led by Mark "Bugs" Hensmen, was established in 2020 have since become one of the most sought-after displays on the South African airshow circuit. Mark is joined by Eugene du Preez and Gary Glason, both experienced competition aerobatics pilots.
Andre van Zyl then took to the rather windy Waterkloof sky in his Magni Gyro M-22 Voyager. Andre's show would never be complete without some kind of race; this time he took on a vintage Porsche, and it seemed like he was well beaten, granted the race ended with him flying into the wind, which acted like a massive break. He then completed his solo display that still stuns pilots and non-pilots alike. In an attempt to restore some dignity, Andre raced his son Charl in his wife's Maserati, and the wind once again seemed to win.
Juba Joubert in an Aérospatiale Gazelle Helicopter then joined Andre for a bit of mismatched rotor-wing formation flying; the differences between a gyro and a conventional helicopter are massive, but these two make it look pretty simple. In another attempt to restore his pride, Andre jumped into his Mercedes CL63 AMG and raced against Juba in the Gazelle, and he managed to win at least one of the three races.
In a rather embarrassing display of what the lack of budget does to the SAAF, one single Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 was beautifully flown by Maj Kabelo "Rocky" Maleka. The display was wonderful, but the fact that there was only one of the once proud Silver Falcons' five-ship formation was very sad. Hopefully we will once again see the Silver Falcons at full complement.
Lift Airlines, the youngest member of the South African domestic club and the public face of Global Airways, arrived accompanied by four SAAF Hawks, two on each wingtip. Captain Des Warden, Director of Flight Operations, was in the left seat with Brad Bennetts, Chief Training Captain, to his left and keeping an eye on the safety aspects was Captain Warren Penny, Lift's Chief Pilot. They flew an exceptionally well-polished display, never leaving the sight of the large crowd, which is not easy with an aircraft that size. If the name Warden seems familiar to you, it's because Des is the son of the late Glen Warden, who wowed crowds at airshows for years in the Black Widow and a host of airliners. The Hawk pilots had a ball; it's not every day they get the opportunity to formate on something as large as an Airbus A320. Just for interest's sake, there were over 52000 hours of flight experience on that flight deck.
Once the lift crew had done their missed approach and headed back to OR Tambo so the aircraft could get back to earning its keep, treating passengers to the only premium low-cost experience in the country, three of the Hawks returned for a great display. Lieutenant Colonel Mohau "Doberman" Vundla led the formation, with Major Lee-Roy "Shinobi" Goosen and Major Jean-Pierre "Nitro" Booysen tight on his wingtips did a series of high-speed passes. The fourth Hawk was flown by Major Corné “Stilbo” van Deventer, who hung around out of sight only to buzz the crowd while the others were preparing for landing.
The show slowed down considerably as Eugene du Preez took to the air in a solo North American T-6 Harvard. This may not have been the most exciting display, but it definitely caused a flood of nostalgia in the people who had anything to do with the SAAF during these amazing machines' 55-year tenure as ab initio trainers, from 1940 to 1995. The Harvard Club of South Africa managed to secure a handful of them when they were decommissioned.
If the Lift Airlines display wasn't enough to satisfy the airliner junkies, the Cobra Aviation Group gave them yet another fix this time with a Boeing 737-300. Hennie Delport started the display with a 200-foot flypast straight down the runway. Hennie was joined by Captain Chad Markham in the right seat for a very entertaining series of low flypasts. Cobra Aviation is a privately held private aircraft charter and aviation services company based at O.R. Tambo International Airport; they operate two Boeing 737-300s and a large range of VIP and Executive Jets.
The excitement level was slowed down to a graceful yet impressive pace with the arrival of four magnificently maintained de Havilland Canada Chipmunks from the Springs-based Classic Aircraft Collection. Leading the formation was Steve Brown, owner of the Classic Aircraft Collection; joining him was Chris Joubert, Duncan Ritchie and in the box was Grant Timms. The Chipmunk eventually replaced the de Havilland Tiger Moth as the ab initio trainer for the Commonwealth air forces.
The undisputed crowd favourite at AAD has always been, and always will be, the Mini War performed by all three land- and air-based sections of the SANDF; sadly, there is no sea anywhere near Waterkloof, so the Navy were left out. The SAAF were immediately noticeable, with various assets taking to the air. A JAS-39 Gripen flew a reconnaissance pass and deployed flares to counter any missiles that might have been launched at it. The Gripen and any unmanned systems would forward the information to the battle commander loitering above in an Agusta A-109.
Pathfinders were subsequently deployed from a Cessna 208 Caravan as SA Army vehicles moved into the area. One of the pathfinders was a tandem jumper who carried a doctor from the SANDF Medical Services.
During a simulation of rescuing a downed pilot, an A-109 landed amidst the battle, supported closely by two Rooivalk Attack helicopters. Following this, two Oryx helicopters deployed troops using both long lining and rappelling techniques. A solitary BK-117 then joined the operation to airlift the injured pilot out of the combat zone. Throughout the mission, the SA Special Forces provided suppressive fire to ensure the safety of the rescuers on the ground. The soldiers were subsequently extracted by an Oryx helicopter.
The SAAF C-130 Hercules was once again called in to extract the special forces' Gheko vehicles while the larger vehicles made their retreat after a successful mission. Watching a C-130 tactical landing and takeoff is a thing of beauty. A Gripen joined by two Hawks, then passed overhead before landing, bringing the Mini War to a close.
Not to be outdone by the military, the South African Police Service made their entrance, supported by Tracker SA's leading vehicle recovery service. The scene was something that sadly takes place very often in our country: a vehicle hijacking. The police task force was inserted by three Airbus H125 Squirrel helicopters. Once the hijackers were quickly subdued and the hostage released, all the members were extracted and performed a farewell flypast accompanied by the SAPS and Netcare ground forces in their vehicles.
The crews from both Tracker and the SAPS then cleared the runway and taxiways of any brass and other FOD left behind by the shootout. The importance of this can by no means be understated, as a spent cartridge can cause major damage to an aircraft if ingested by an engine.
The SA Military Police were then called on to recover a kidnapped SANDF General. The extraction was performed quickly and efficiently by the military police task team and the suspects were bundled into an MP van.
Juba Joubert then entered the box in the Aérospatiale Gazelle this time to race a Porsche 911 GT3 RS; the power of the Porsche was evident from the pull-away, while the Gazelle was slightly hamstrung by having to perform torque turns. The Porsche could turn much quicker on the ground, but on the straights it caught up quickly.
Sticking with the Rotar craft, Henly Air displayed two of their many Bell 222 helicopters. One was in the colours of HEMS Rocket and the other sporting Checkers Sixty60 livery. While the Rocket team prepared for a hoisting exercise, the Henly Air Chairman, Andre Coetzee, showed off the agility of the Bell 222 to the wonderful theme song of "Air Wolf". The Rocket team then simulated a long-line rescue; precision displayed by Pilot Nico Frylink and Boeta Dippenaar was very impressive.
In yet another series of emergency scenarios, ER24 were called in to treat and transport a patient with a gunshot wound after a hijacking. The next was a cash-in-transit robbery simulation; the armoured car was blown open with explosives, which activated the recovery team. A Hlasela Tactical Lama helicopter was initiated for recovery, assisted by a canine unit and ER24on the ground. Bringing the scenarios to a close was a simulated rescue by a Bell UH-1 Iroquois, affectionately known as the "Huey". This Germany SAR-liveried helicopter was flown by Jan Bothma.
15 Squadron's Charlie Flight brought the helicopter sensory overload to an end with Major Corrie Oberholzer in a Kawasaki BK 117. The agility of the remarkable helicopter never ceases to amaze the crowds; its manoeuvrability seems effortless in the right hands. Oberholzer and his flight engineer, Sgt C van Dalen, have performed critical high-risk missions, including the January 2026 medical evacuation of an injured sailor from a bulk carrier off the coast of Gqeberha, as well as humanitarian flood-relief operations delivering food parcels to isolated regions like the Baviaanskloof during the recent flooding.
The Light Sport Aviation sector made its first appearance at the show in the form of a five-ship formation of the very popular IPC Savannah; the unofficial home of the Savannah is Kroon Airfield, north of Pretoria, where many of these aircraft hail from.
Things once again got noisy with a spectacular solo display by Lieutenant Colonel Lee-Roy “Shinobi” Goosen in the BAE Systems Hawk Mk.120. The SAAF operates a fleet of 24 Hawks assigned to 85 Combat Flying School based at Air Force Base Makhado in Louis Trichardt; they are used as lead-in fighter trainers and for light attack roles if needed.
The Puma Flying Lions kicked off a series of private displays; the three-ship formation was led by Ellis Levin; he was joined by team owner Arnie Meneghelli and Nigel Hopkins. They were followed by an Aerospatiale Duo consisting of a Gazelle and a Lama. Sling Aircraft, South Africa's greatest aviation success story, has put together a display team to showcase their beautiful aircraft. The team is led by Grant Timms in a Sling HW; he is joined by Riaan Denner (Sling test pilot) in the sexy Sling 2 tail dragger and Jason Adriaan in the Sling TSI.
The remainder of the show was the domain of the SAAF, starting with a magnificent solo display of the Rooivak Attack Helicopter flown by Major Corne Stadler and his gunner, Major Slabbert, culminating in a shower of flares. They were immediately followed by a three-ship formation of Hawks feeding the jet addiction that the Pretoria crowd love so much. After a solo display by "Shinobi", it was time for the Gripens to strut their stuff, sporting the wonderful afterburner plumes and flares just to cap it all. Anyone would be forgiven if they thought this was the end, but the SAAF still had some tricks up their sleeves. The C-130 Hurc overflew the crowd and released a full complement of flares; what a beautiful scene in the fading highveld light. But wait, there was more - a formation of four Hawks and three Gripens flew towards the crowd; the Gripens pitched up and released flares while pyrotechnics were released on the ground, creating a grand finale for the record books.
The Sunday show was very much the same as Saturday except for the Airliners that did not make it on Sunday; visitors were however, somehow compesated by the arival and subsiquent departure of a Botswana Air Force C130H. This aircraft is one of the two that were donated to Botswana by the USA.
Compliments must go to all involved; delivering an airshow of this calibre is outstanding. Seeing the participation by the SAAF will go a long way to restoring the public's trust in this 106-year-old institution that has inspired many young people to follow their dreams and hopefully will go on to do so for another 100 years. Special thanks to Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe for his tireless work in restoring the SAAF to a place of Honour.
After this rather long-winded account of an amazing airshow, I hope anyone that couldnt make it this year will make it a priority to visit AAD 2028 when we get to do it all over again.
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