The Academy Brushware Flying Lions team attended with 3 of their Harvards and performed for the crowd. Eugene Trotsky, now the majority shareholder of ZU-TEE, an L-39 flew in with Pierre Gouws who then displayed this jet trainer in his own inimitable way. As the crowd is very close to the aircraft it was interesting to see Pierre preparing for his display with refuelling and prepping the smoke system before takeoff.

Honours

Missing Man Formation

The Bultfontein Flying Club tragically lost one of their members late last year in a gliding accident.  Pieter Janse van Rensburg was also a member of the Capitol Sounds team. A plaque in his memory was unveiled next to the flying tower and the Academy Brushware team flew a missing man formation over the solemn members of the BFC who had lined up on the airfield to honour their departed companion. Not many dry eyes amongst them and the gesture were greatly appreciated by his widow and young son.

 Free State hospitality

Scully Levin was offered “groen meilies” to take home by one of the organisers. After ensuring that they would not be too much weight the Academy team were astounded when they were given an entire sheep as a token of appreciation by Bultfontein Flying Club for their support over the years since the inception of the event. No it was not a live one. I wonder what that did to the weight and balances? Brain Emmenis of Capitol Sounds also received a sheep. Methinks there was much “braaing” going on after wards. 

Agricultural and Motor vehicles 

The Bultfontein Fly-In, like many other rural fly-ins is not only about aviation. Being in the rural farming area of the Free State it has a strong agricultural interest. Many farming implement distributors had their wares on display. Other interests are catered for and a number of motor cycles and vintage cars were on display.

Although not as many aircraft attended the 2008 Fly-In as the previous year a great day was enjoyed by all. The event was sponsored by Welkom Square shopping centre.

 All photos: C. Hugo & F. Hugo. Opening photo: C. Hugo. Photo manipulation: A. Dyason.

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