Crop sprayers

Crop sprayers

As mentioned Bethlehem is the home base for Orsmond air. In the morning Ret Orsmond, the owner of Orsmond Air arrived and did a stunning low level pass before landing.

Later in the day Martin Du Plooy peformed his show. The first was without water bombing (keeping it for the afternoon?)  although his grande finale at the close of the  show included this. His handling of such a huge aircraft is superb, especially if one considers the load carried in the hopper tank as well. And he now has smoke fitted to his aircraft.

Disappointment

Upon our arrival we saw an SAPS Squirrel helicopter parked. This raised our anticipation for another thrilling cops and robbers demonstration. Sadly this was not to be as shortly afterwards they departed never to return. Pity as I do believe that the SAPS displays are appreciated by the crowds.

Other than the little RAF2000 Gyrocopter there were no helicopter displays on the programme. It should have been easy to incorporate as there were two helicopters performing pleasure flights for the airshow attendees that could have been used. Whilst the pilots might not have been aerobatic display rated surely a flyby could have been performed.

Gyrocopter

Departures

The Levins departing

In what was possibly a first saw the three flying Levins depart for home base in formation.  Surely it is just a matter of time before Sally joins her father and brother as a family display team? In general these smaller regional airshows are a pleasure to attend and have a far more homely atmosphere about them. We, as the media, have a far more relaxing time and even have time to watch an airshow for a change.