Debut of the Cheetah Duo display

We have often wondered why the SAAF did not place a Cheetah C & D as part of a simultaneous routine at an airshow? Well Jannie Scot and Lance Wellington proved this could be done and in fact turned out to be a brilliant routine to view. With the use of two Cheetah Cs no 365 and 354 they performed a twin take-off followed by various individual routines as a closely integrated display. At no time was the area in front of the crowd not occupied by one of the Cheetahs as a well orchestrated exercise in precision timing. The highlight was the syncro opposite flypast which is likely to serve the memory of all visitors for a fair number of years. This entire routine was simply brilliant and it is hoped it will be repeated in the near future although the end of the trail for the Cheetah is rapidly approaching. Jannie Scot first came to public attention for his “Mach critical” fly past in 845 during the Port Elizabeth airshow of 2005. As no stranger to aerial routines and one of the SAAF chief test pilots for Hawk, he orchestrated the twin Cheetah display with inputs from Lance Wellington. After their brilliant routine both pilots received a standing ovation while walking back along the entire length of the crowd line.    

800

Mirage IIICZ 800

The lady of fighter display aircraft in South Africa, the Mirage IIICZ no 800, as the sole surviving Mirage C (CZ) type in an airworthy condition in the world also attended the airshow at TFDC. Remarkably still fitted with the original SNECMA 09B3 engine this aircraft enjoys a loyal following at every display. Piloted by Glen Warden as a true gentleman he nevertheless respects the effort of his dedicated ground crew and subsequently acknowledges their efforts after each and every display. This core team stands under the leadership of WO2 Loftus Engelbreght.

Loftus Engelbreght