Last Formation Flight and short history of the Alouette III

Article by Capt Y. ter Wolbeek - Corporate Communication Officer at AFB Bloemspruit
Info on history supplied by Maj Jaco Steynberg - 87 Helicopter Flying School

On 4 May 2006 the Alouette III's at AFB Bloemspruit participated in a final formation flight. This was an event of great historic value and in many ways also a sad farewell. Veteran pilots and flight engineers in the Bloemfontein area who had a history with this helicopter were present on this day and came to bid the Alouette helicopter farewell.

The last training sortie on the Alouette III for the Rotary Wing Conversion Course - Phase 1 took to the Nthaba Nchu Mountains. At approximately 13:30 the Alouette formation flew overhead AFB Bloemspruit and the group was led by Lt Col Louter van Wyk. Members present at the Base viewed this historic occasion and one could see the odd individual standing with eyes filled with tears.
After the flying procedures and shutdown, champagne flowed in abundance and the Chopper song was sang, led by Col Charlie Marais. Participants and guests alike admired this agile little helicopter and stories from days gone by were told and remembered, if then only by those who flew and worked on this remarkable aircraft also fondly known as the "Draadkar" (Wire Car).

The privileged and famous last five members on the Rotary Wing Conversion Course - Phase 1 were: 2 Lt's J.M. Slabbert, B.R. McLeod, 2Lt's C. van Zyl, J. Stander and H.V. Thomas.

Veteran guests and friends

WO1 (Ret) Johan Jansen van Rensburg, a former flight engineer and with Alouette from 1978, has worked at AFB Bloemspruit since 1967 until his retirement. He started instructing on the Alouette from 1996. He was the first Warrant Officer to become a one star Warrant Officer at 87 HFS. He has great memories of the Alouette in the "Bos Oorlog" (Bush War) and search-and-rescue missions in the Lesotho and Drakensberg mountains. "Other highlights can be seen at my house on a special DVD, but unfortunately this is not available for publication", he laughed.

WO1 (Ret) J.P. Rautenbach (Oom Bakkes) was a flight engineer at 87 HFS from 1963-1998. He retired at the young age of 58 years.

Col (Ret) Charlie Marais is a former OC of 87 HFS have 1800 on the Alouettes. He was 21 years old in 1976 when he did his first "Bostoer". He currently manages his own flying school (Westland Aviator) at Tempe.

Short history of the Alouette

87 Helicopter Flying School was established in February 1968 at AFB Ysterplaat and was then known as the Helicopter Conversion Unit. Its aim was to train helicopter pilots and flight engineers for the SA Air Force. During 1973 the name changed to 87 Advanced Flying School. The unit was equipped with Alouette II and III helicopters.

In 1987 the unit moved to AFB Bloemspruit and in 1982 the name changed to 87 Helicopter Flying School. The Alouette II's retired and the unit was only equipped with Alouette III's.

87 Helicopter Flying School's primary role was qualifying helicopter pilots and flight engineers for the SA Air Force, but it fulfilled secondary roles of search and rescue and supporting internal stability in South Africa.

The Alouette III has also left its mark in Africa and the Free State, satisfying its operational role. Notable incidents include the Merriespruit Mine disaster, the floods in the Free State and Northern Cape in 1989 and various other mountain rescues.

The Alouette III has been limited to only a training role at 87 HFS for about the last year. Today marks the end of an era with completion of the Rotary Wing Conversion Course 1/2006 - Phase I. The end of this course notes the end of utilising the Alouette III in teaching SA Air Force pilots in the basics of helicopter flying.

The SA Air Force is in the process of establishing alternative methods of satisfying the Phase I training environment. Phase II training is done on the Oryx helicopter.

The AgustaWestland A109 LUH will replace the Alouette III in the SAAF to satisfy the operational roles to be fulfilled by a light utility helicopter (LUH).

The first operational conversion course on the A109 is currently being presented at 87 HFS.The Alouette III wil be remembered for its durability in the challenging African environment.All helicopter pilots and flight engineers who received their initial helicopter flying training on the Alouette III will have fond memories thereof. It is said that if you can hover the Alouette you can hover any other helicopter.

The last Rotary Wing Conversion Course - Phase 1, was privileged to be part of training on a unique and legendary aircraft that will be remembered for many years.

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