Margate hosts world class air show

SOUTH Coasters and Visitors alike woke to the growl of eager en­gines from above, as aircraft funneled into Margate air­port last Friday morning.
After months of prepara­tion by Wozani Africa Events and its media partner, the South Coast Herald, the show was hailed as one of the best air shows in South Africa by African Pilot Weekly editor, Athol Franz.

The action kicked off last Friday night with an opening act by belly dancers from the Desert Star School of belly dancing.

Then, a great comedy show by Vodacom personal­ity, Michael de Pinna, kept the crowds rolling with laughter at his unique dance routines and jokes. Not only did he manage to get everybody dancing to 'The Time Warp', but also proved that it's quite possible for a man to melt a woman's heart while wearing a diamond studded cat suit.

It might have been raining outside, but the atmosphere inside the tent was electric.

The next morning, early birds got themselves good seats amongst the mud pools, while Wozani Afiica staffers scrambled to organize copious amounts of sawdust, to create paths for the 7 500 strong crowd.

Although the world fa­mous Scully Levin and his two display teams, The Flying Lions and the Gabriel Pitts, failed to attend, the rest of the lineup featured some amazing aircraft. The first display was by Team 66 of the Silver Falcons, whose glori­ous PC-7 MkII Astras filled the skies with a breathtaking aerobatic sequence.

There were also two Czech L-39 jets, the Oryx and Augusta of the SAAF, and the historical Dakota DC3 which provided a stunning display, both in the air and on the ground.

Brad Bennetts and Ian Billing of the Mazda Zoom­-Zoom Team also wowed the crowd with their display, while the Golden Eagles parachute team undertook three breathtaking jumps.

Stalls selling food, toys and aviation-related goodies were in abundance and the 'loos' were always spotless.

At lunch time, a brain­storm by airshow broadcaster, Brian Emminis, saw the apron opened, giving the viewing public a chance' to take a closer look at the featured aircraft and meet the pilots.

The show was well attended by holidaymakers, who would otherwise have spent the day on the beach, tanning.

During the show, two cou­ples won the a coastal scenic flip in a Cessna 206. Ronald and Louise Oelofse, of Union Motors and security guard, Victor Shusha and his friend Simo Nxumalo, won the lucky draws and enjoyed their flights last Sunday morning.