Oryx battlefield support

Oryx fireworks

An Oryx helicopter from TFDC demonstrated battlefield support with troop repelling from the Oryx. The deployment was extracted with the hot extraction method and this requires nerves of steel let alone a great deal of trust. During the afternoon the wind picked up considerably due to the ever darkening skies towards the East. Despite the wind, the Oryx moved a large ship container as part of a cargo sling demonstration. Nevertheless the crew demonstrated great skill with their effort highly respected by the crowd. Oryx first performed flare dispensing at a TFDC airshow a few years ago and this year was no exception as it remains a wonderful spectacle of bright aerial “fireworks”.

Rooivalk weapons demo

Chippie Cross - Rooivalk 670

A Rooivalk no 670 currently on strength with TFDC and fitted with various types of instrumentation was used by Chippie Cross to fire two rockets on a ground target in the weapons range. For the cannon demonstration pyrotechnics were used in the interest of safety and to prevent possible FOD by other aircraft. By using no 670 the public received an insight into weapons delivery test qualification flying.

A109

As South Africa’s latest light utility helicopter, the Augusta Westland A109 LUH SAAF quickly established itself as an able performer at airshows. As part of the powerful routine no 4006 came to the hover at height and in front of the crowd. Seemingly unannounced the A109 demonstrated its anti infra red missile capability with the firing of a large number of flares. This was the first time a SAAF A109 demonstrated this capability at an airshow and was very well received. Now all that remains is the Rooivalk.

First public display - A109 fireworks

Powerful display - Bk117

 Transport aircraft

The CASA performed a simulated air drop in support of the ground troops. While a lone TurboDak attended from Ysterplaat, Cape Town. No 409 subsequently made its C130 airshow debut with a fast paced fly past from right to left while in a shallow bank. Piloted by Dave Owen from 28 Sqdn the display was simply world class and included a demonstration of the assault landing. The flight crew wore Stetsons in 28 Sqdn livery and these are certainly appropriate as they are regarded as “senior” in transport and this is not only in South Africa as recent joint operations with other Air Forces demonstrated.