IPMS South Africa - Tzaneen Air Show 2007

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Tzaneen Air Show 2007

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The show draw to a close with the remaining routines performed in honour of Mark Beckley. Moyra Beckley asked Larry Beamish to display ZU-RUN, an L-39 in a beautiful colour scheme in honour of her husband. Larry timed it very well with the failing light of the setting sun lighting up the aircraft in very unique silhouettes. After Mark’s debut at Kroonstad earlier this year as part of a mentorship programme endorsed by the Aeroclub of South Africa to train as jet display pilot, he progressed to be able to perform a solo routine and subsequently performed his first routine in this capacity at East London on 09 June 2007.

ZU-RUN Larry Beamish

Tzaneen would have seen his second solo routine in the L-39. He had more than 2000 hrs and displayed at over 60 air shows and more than 40 other events around Southern Africa. He became known for his powerful routine in the Boeing Stearman of which the tail slide was the most popular with the crowd. Yet he remained “down to earth” despite being referred to as “South Africa’s Biggles” due to his characteristic flying helmet used when flying the Stearman. He set up various businesses in South Africa, mainly in advertising photo media. His latest venture was the SkyRaiders conference and events facility at Rand Airport. During the L-39 display by Larry Beamish there was no broadcast only the whisper of the jet engine as ZU-RUN performed a slow routine in honour of her owner. Only towards the end of the show was the otherwise peaceful quietness broken by the radial engines of the Harvards which were performing their start-up routines for the very last display of the day.

Missing man performed for Mark Beckley

The Harvards of the Academy Brushware, Castrol Flying Lions performed their flat routine while trailing smoke against a rapidly setting sunset. During their show the music which was normally heard as part of the Stearman routine was played. The team ended their display with a missing man routine in honour of Mark Beckley. This was a very moving display with many having great difficulty to hide the tears. He is survived by his wife Moyra and two sons, Ross & Ryan.

Despite being the 10th annual consecutive air show for the Tzaneen airfield, the show of 2007 proved a very difficult and trying show to present. However as probably the most professional run air show on the South African calendar it was their sheer professionalism which made the show a great success while at the same time honour a much respected fellow aviator.

Top photo: C. Hugo & A. Dyason. Photo Manipulation: A. Dyason

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