Rocket attempt at 5000ft

Brian Gruar demonstrated the P166 Albatross to show case maritime surveillance and marine life conservation. Also seen for the first time at an air show is the Skywood Aviation SW-18 Super Cub replica known as the Teddy. This company is based at the Krugersdorp airfield.  The local rocket fraternity made an attempt at breaking 5000ft from ground launch. With the capsule recovered after the descend it indicated 4800ft – very close indeed. In order to promote the weekend, the organisers handed out more than 10 000 flyers of A4 size. Most were handed out at the various schools. The learners had to fold the paper as a paper aeroplane without tearing or any alteration to the paper. With the distance measured of the flight this was forwarded to the organisers with some of the longest distances eligible for prizes on the day. The show draw to a close with a cavalcade of all the emergency response vehicles.

Slick 360 - Johnny Smith

On Sunday most aircraft departed for home after a few tight flypasts. Johnny Smith from Frankfort performed an aerobatic routine in his Slick 360 for his airshow debut. He was recently signed out as an aerobatic display pilot by  Glenn Dell.

Canon Moments: 2007 - 20th Anniversary Canon EOS:

Prior to the EOS system introduced by Canon in the mid 1980s, SLR cameras used a system of mechanical links & levers between the camera body and lens. With EOS (Electro Optical System)  Canon introduced a set of electronic contacts to facilitate the control of the electronically controlled miniature motors in the lens to accomplish auto focus and the setting of the aperture. The first EOS camera launched in 1987 was the EOS 650 which also introduced the EF (Electro Focus) lens mount with an internal dimension of 54mm as the largest lens mount at the time.

Canon moment

   EOS created a revolution in photography and established Canon as the market leader to this day. The system was subsequently copied by each and every camera manufacturer worldwide. And it seems Canon is the preferred choice for aviation photographers in SA. In a show of hands all the attending media at Kroonstad were using Canon EOS equipment. The EOS system is still in use today and during 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of this revolutionary system.

All photos: A. Dyason, C. Hugo, F.Hugo & P. van Schalkwyk.

Top photo: A. Dyason, P. van Schalkwyk. Photo manipulation: A. Dyason.

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