“Ready to Thrill the Crowds”

 The second longest running civilian airshow in the world to Farnborough, in the UK, celebrated its 53rd anniversary in 2009 and took place on 11 July and 12 July 2009. The City of Durban as the new title sponsor of the Durban Airshow has ensured that the world’s second longest running civilian air show will be another roaring success.

What would an airshow be without the one and only Capital Sounds with Brian Emmines and his team? Having experienced a show without their presence it is most defiantly not the same. The team sets up days before the event and spends the evening after a full days show packing up for their long journey home. As quoted by Brian, “… each year we have to transport close on two tonnes of broadcast equipment from central South Africa to Durban”. 

Before 07h00 a queue had already formed outside the entry gates, pilots alike were prepared for a weekend to amaze the attending crowds. Stalls of hot beverages, with breakfast aroma in the air, were ready to serve the public as the crowds arrived.

VIP arrival

The show started at 09h30 with the arrival of VIPs by AS-350 helicopter. The show opened with a parade, a tribute to the City’s emergency, safety and security services assisted by major emergency role players. There was a mass Yak take off before 10h00 and to hear all those engines growl past one after the other, just takes one into another world of camera snap and roll.