Most attendees of CC Pocock’s annual fly-in at his airfield near Barberton in Mpumalanga hold this event in an almost mystical awe. This is due to many reasons, the least of which is the culminating pyrotechnic display that CC is renowned for.

This year saw the IPMSSA media team pay their first visit to the Bush Pilots fly in. Arriving in the late Friday evening at the airfield we immediately felt at home. Of course meeting up with other attendees helped. There were large bonfires in drums on the concrete ramp to take the chill off the late winter evening (milder than Gauteng but a chill non-the-less) A slide show was in progress inside the clubhouse and this was enjoyed by all who crammed inside and also on the veranda peering through the windows. After a couple of hours of pleasant chatting with old friends we left for the night.

Day’s events

Recent devastating fires and other issues caused some of the scheduled displays being cancelled. But the early arrivers at the airfield were treated to a fast and low flypast by a firefighting aircraft on its way to its deployed base for the day. Pity, I was looking forward to more displays from these pilots and aircraft in what is becoming a major air asset in South Africa, especially during our tinder dry winter months in the forest plantations. Evidence of the recent fires was very clear to see, both from the smoke haze in the air as well as vast tracts of burnt forest and veld throughout the Mmpumalanga region.

Being a fly-in there is none of the formal aerial displays airshows are known for. But that does not put a damper on festivities. The attending pilots have fun with many different compitions being contested. This ranges from “flour bombing” to a cross country rally and spot landings. This after all is all about flying and camaraderie amongst likeminded people.

The more formal side of the fly-in saw the various light aircraft vendors in attendance displaying their aircraft to the crowd. The Robinson R-22 helicopter display by Danie Terblanche was as spectacular as at the Hoedspruit airshow. His handling of the helicopter was just outstanding. Of course the in your face proximity of the display made it even more stunning.