On the military side 

Twin ship display - Bk117s from 15 Sqdn

As the fighter line of the SAAF is currently in a transition phase due to the retirement of the Cheetah during 2008, the helicopter fraternity is currently the main representative of the SAAF. During the year we have seen the helicopter branch in larger numbers at airshows. However not on the scale as seen at this year’s Virginia weekend. Although a very active Sqdn in the local community, being Durban based with a fully fledged flight stationed at Port Elizabeth one hardly notices 15 Sqdn. At this year’s show it was impossible not to notice the Sqdn as they attended with two Bk117s, two A109s and two Oryx helicopters. Best of all the Sqdn used both examples of the same type for twin displays throughout the two days. Lt Col Sharpe with Flt Sgt Matthews and Maj Shrives with Flt Sgt Bottom where the crews of the twin ship Bk117 helicopter show. In terms of the operational role of the Bk117 it has no equal in the SAAF and the crews of this distinguished type have great respect for the type’s capability. Despite reports at the 2007 show, their operational service life in the SAAF has been extended. The Sqdn received A109s as the latest type of the SAAF helicopter force in recent months and two examples were used in a beautiful twin ship display. The Sqdn is obviously proud of the little Italian acquisition and no 4018 displayed a very large 15 Sqn badge on both front crew doors. This size of the badge is far larger than even the examples as used in the days of the Super Frelon. On the whole Sqdn badges are finally appearing on the SAAF A109s. For helicopter fanatics the Oryx is still the most impressive of all the SAAF utility types.	Twin A109 display - 15 Sqdn
	Rooivalk - 16 Sqdn
	Oryx - 15 Sqdn

  Not to be outdone the Oryx flight of 15 Sqdn performed an impressive twin ship display and was very well received by the crowd. All the helicopters from 15 Sqdn took part with a lone 16 Sqdn Rooivalk in a seven ship helicopter formation display. To see all seven appearing from behind the natural “fence” of thick bush which screens the airfield from the ocean winds is an awe inspiring sight. Rooivalk at Virginia airfield is a rare bird and 16 Sqdn attended with one example. Flown by renowned Rooivalk display pilot Maj Steve Lodge with Hugo Visser as his WSO, the display was his usual highly polished routine. It was however a bit unusual to see Rooivalk against an ocean backdrop but the crowd enjoyed every moment of it. 16 Sqdn is a tight family and it was interesting to see all members of the Sqdn assisting with the first line Rooivalk maintenance on the Sunday morning. But this is the way Rooivalk was designed to be able to maintain the helicopter away from base without special tools.  

From the civilian side some colourful helicopters added to the colours of the House of Paint. A Bell 407 in yellow livery with floatation gear fitted was flown by Koos Myburg. But the most impressive civilian helicopter on the day was the S-92 as an all white brute of helicopter design. Flown by Slade Thomas it has been a fair number of years since very large helicopters appeared at Virginia airfield. The last examples were the Super Frelons from 15 Sqdn and the Sikorsky helicopters from Court Helicopters.

S92 - from Starlight Aviation

  Both helicopters were from Starlight Aviation based at Virginia airfield. In addition Danie Terblanche performed a R22 display with the use of a locally based R22. The final dash colour was added by a R44 ZS-BRW although all black it featured a large “House of Colour” logo in a variety of colours.

The Police Services Air Wing attended with two helicopters a Bo105 and an AS350. As part of their show which included members of the Special Task Force, a staged hi-jack attempt was foiled. To demonstrate the various capabilities of the Special Task Force the Bo 105 took members to height for a parachute drop in an advent the area of operations are unsuitable for helicopter use.

SAPS Air Wing with members of the Special Task Force