Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004
Date: 21 September 2004
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004 was held at AFB Waterkloof, with 21 - 23 September being trade days and Friday 24 (a public holiday) and Saturday 25 being the public flying days.
Compared to previous AAD shows, the hard core aircraft enthusiast would be a little disappointed as the number of aircraft in the static park were fewer than in previous years, with very little international participation. Even the SAAF seemed to display fewer aircraft. Despite this, there was still some welcome international participation and the seven hangars provided plenty of displays and trade stands. The trip to Waterkloof was still well worth while.
International visitors included two Gripens, a C-5A Galaxy, a KC-135R, a HH-60G Pave Hawk and a F-16A from the US Air National Guard, two C-160D Transalls from the German airforce and a C-130J from the Italian airforce. Apparently, a Zimbabwean CASA 212 also sneaked in while bringing visitors. While the US contribution was very welcome, many were disappointed that they did not fly, including the Pave Hawk crew who were only told two days before arriving that they would not be in the flying display. The F-16 was an airframe that was retired in 1993 and had it's wings modified to make it easier to transport the aircraft to the various shows. Another international participant at the show, albeit only in the flying display, included Indian airforce Mirage 2000s that overflew the airbase (they were in the country to participate in exercises with the SAAF). BAE Systems displayed the Hawk Mk120 prototype that has been in the country for some time.
Numerous civil companies made good use of the opportunity to display at AAD, with AgustaWestland displaying their new AB139 helicopter, together with other examples of AgustaWestland types. Naturelink displayed their Stage 3 noise compliant Boeing 737 which is leased from Safair. Although the engines have not yet been hush-kitted, the wings have been modified, including the addition of 'winglets'.
The only incident as far as I'm aware of was on Thursday afternoon, when a Cheetah C indicated that the undercarriage warning light was lit and performed a low-level flypast of the control tower in order for them to inspect the undercarriage. The emergency services were activated and the aircraft landed without using it's braking parachute. After turning off the runway, the Cheetah proceeded to taxy to the apron, followed by a fire engine, but shut down just before turning off the taxyway to the apron with smoke coming from the undercarriage. Unconfirmed speculation was that the smoke was caused by overheating brakes during the 'chuteless landing.
Unfortunately, I could not attend the open days on the Friday and Saturday, but I believe the airshow was cancelled early on Saturday afternoon as a result of the high wind speeds (<40 knots) and the tremendous amount of dust being blown about.
Despite a smaller number of aircraft participants than previous years, the show was well run and I enjoyed it tremendously. Once again, Brian Emmenis was the commentor, but luckily I did not have to listen to him. I have, however, received reports that he continued to speak during every flypast, even when such classics as the DC-4 was flying overhead ...
