Saturday Air Show Day

As often happens during the month of September in Gauteng the day broke, not bright and sunny but grey and overcast. This did not deter the enthusiasts who were queuing up at the entrance gates from very early to ensure that they could establish themselves in the prime viewing locations for the day. The crowd line in a change from the past was extended past the control tower and it is fortunate that this was done as the estimated crowd of 28 000 visitors through the gate required lots of space. These visitors came from far and wide and I saw many non Gauteng visitors who had travelled from the coastal cities and elsewhere to attend what was racking up to be the air show of the year.

Bosbok eye in the sky

The organisation of the event was exemplary with access to the airfield, traffic control (helped by an eye in the sky aircraft flown by Maj-Gen (SAAF retired) Des Baker, in the SAAF Museum’s very own Bosbok) and excellent security ensured a most successful event. There were many food and drink stalls located throughout the crowd area and toilet and refuse facilities were well placed. Pity that the average South African does not know how to keep the area clean although I have seen worse.

 The extremely enthusiastic and appreciate crowd (obviously buoyed by the Springbok’s win over New Zealand in the morning) were one of the best I have seen at any air show - I have never seen a Mexican wave of over 1 km long. In his interview with Brian Emmenis of Capitol Sounds in the afternoon, the CAF,  Lt-Gen. Gagiano announced that it has been decided to do a SAAF show at Swartkop every second year (the non-AAD year that is). I am sure all Gauteng air show enthusiasts welcome this excellent news.

For the record

 The day’s events commenced with a drop of a group of parachutists (one of which carried a scroll of the opening speech) whilst a cavalcade of all emergency vehicles and policing personal involved in ensuring that the day’s events were safe and secure.

 Hovering above and behind the cavalcade were a A109 & Oryx from 17 Sqd - based at AFB Swartkop and a Netcare 911 Emergency services Eurocopter EC120 helicopter. In keeping with SAAF air show traditions the huge Pathfinder fire tenders displayed their fire fighting powers by spraying a salute of huge jets of water and spray to the crowd. Fortunately this was the only time we were to see these beasts in action but it is reassuring that these dedicated men and women put in their time to be on standby in the event of an emergency.

 Shortly thereafter, the first of the two Boeing 737-300s from SAA Cargo arrived to take up its position on the apron in preparation for their display in the afternoon. When the second arrived, there was a serious buzz of anticipation amongst the crowd, as they now knew they were in for a treat of an air show.