TFDC Airshow - 2003
Date: 15 November 2003
Selected extract from African Pilot Newsletter No 2-4 (with thanks to African Pilot)
Where else in the world can one enjoy the thunderous spectacle of an incredible variety of combat jets as well as the sound of four Rolls-Royce Griffins on the only airworthy Shackleton left in the world? Apart from several SAAF Cheetah displays, and the "breaking of the sound barrier" at 25 000 feet with a thunderous crack, not once but thrice, the Silver Falcons provided several polished team and solo displays in their Pilatus PC-7s.The Cheetah / Oryx race to climb to 5 000 feet above the airfield provided an interesting angle to the airshow. Brian Emmenis counted down the time and simultaneously the mighty hovering Oryx helicopter and the Cheetah C with engine fully spooled up set off - the Cheetah won this race by a narrow margin. The Spanish Casa 212, flown by Capt. Michelle van Wyk dispatched the parachutists from various teams, most of who delighted the crowds by landing in front of them. The graceful Hercules C-130 of 28 Squadron performed a series of fly-bys and completed its display with a "stealth approach." Brian Emmenis and his Capital Sounds crew, complete with sound equipment and vehicles, were flown to Ysterplaat the previous weekend - 7th November. They were transported to TFDC on Friday 14th November in time to set up for the airshow and back to Welkom on Sunday 16th November in the same Hercules.
The British jets of Thunder City included the only airworthy examples of the BAE Buccaneer, with three flying in formation initially and a solo display by Mike Beachy Head. Two English Electric Lightnings in formation and a brilliant Hunter display by Dave Stock. Mike also "broke the sound barrier" high above the airfield when he took his single seat Lightning through the sonic boom shock wave. Ron Wheeldon also put his Swiss Hunter through its paces, whilst Ralf Garlic appeared to enjoy himself flying his Strikemaster. The Thunder City complex at Cape Town International airport is home to these magnificent ex-British combat jets and is worth a visit next time you are in Cape Town. African Pilot was fortunate to interview Brian Carroll (71 years) who has 2 950 hours on English Electric Lightnings and flew Mike Beachy Head's two seat Lightning to TFDC with Dave Stock after having last flown the Lightning in 1982. Asked about his flight he responded: "It was like riding a bicycle, one never forgets."
South African Airways flew a brand new Airbus A340-600 into TFDC with only 25 hours on the airframe. Pilot crewmembers included Johnny Woods (SAA's chief pilot), Scully Levine (head of safety standards) and Les Wahl (Airbus fleet captain). The combined experience of these three senior SAA captains amounts to 52 000 hours! After a quiet fly-by the Airbus landed and parked for several hours allowing the TFDC fire and rescue services the opportunity to explore the gigantic aircraft. SAA has nominated TFDC as a viable alternative to Cape Town International Airport in the event of an emergency taking place at the mother city airport. Once the Airbus took off again, the crew provided an incredible display of the agile bird before entering an upwards spiral above the airfield and set off to Cape Town. What impressed the many spectators about this display was the relative quietness of the four mighty engines of the Airbus. Several civilian aircraft displays were most welcome. Amongst these were Stu Davidson's Hawker Sea Fury - possibly the fastest piston engined aircraft ever built. Patrick Hanley provided a short field take off demonstration of the versatile Australian Air Van. Pierre Gouws demonstrated the Technam, Michael Frieboese danced in the air to graceful sounds of the pan flute and the Cheetah microlight was demonstrated.
