April 2015 African Pilot 77Gliding. Air Play Aviation is the only LSA and TMG school with aerobatics on its operations’
specifi cation. Phew! Then it was time to get airborne. Earlier Gary and Kevin had ferried two
Motorfalke motor gliders from Springs airfi eld where Air Play Aviation is located.
As the day progressed more people arrived including three young ladies from the SA Air Express
cadet programme and they were absolutely blown away by the gliders and TMG’s abilities as
they were exposed to their fi rst taste of powerless fl ight in the thermals over the hills near Brits
airfi eld. Director Mncube enjoyed his introduction fl ight so much that that he made the decision
to start fl ying himself. Many of the young people who arrived were treated to fl ights and for
some of them it was the fi rst time they had ever fl own. The expressions on their faces when they
landed can never be forgotten. It serves as a reminder as to why we all love aviation.
After the morning’s fl ying everyone enjoyed a real bushveld braai and some amazing company.
Brits Flying Club once again proving why its club members are known for their wonderful hospitality,
catering for the needs of all the people and supplying fuel for all the visiting aircraft. The audit
on the Kranskop Glider programme was completed and I have it on good authority that it was
very favourable so hopefully the sport aviation fraternity can look forward to a long and fruitful
partnership with the department of Sport and Recreation.
Special thanks must go to Daniel Ralefeta and his team, the Brits Flying Club, Dominic from
Magalies Flying Club for the use of his Samba as a tug for the gliders, Gary and Kevin for
allowing me to tag along for the ferries to and from Springs and last, but not least Mike for all the
hours spent fl ying me around as a photoship to capture the action.