By Andre Venter and Neil Bowden
Kitty Hawk Aerodrome situated just outside Pretoria must be one the most welcoming airfields anywhere in South Africa, sporting a wonderful restaurant and a convenient fuel bay that has an ample supply of both Avgas and Jet A-1. The field is ideally situated for Fly-ins as it is only a short hop from fields all over Gauteng and relatively central in the province of Gold.
Saturday's Fly-in saw the start of a new initiative by EAA Chapter 322, a regular informal breakfast fly-in to different venues around Gauteng. These are scheduled to happen 2 weeks after the Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the auditorium. Beautiful blue skies and light winds ensured that there was no excuse for EAA members not to attend, approximately 35 aircraft flew in for the occasion. Added to this were a number of members who hangar at Kitty Hawk as well as members who drove or biked in.
Kitty Hawk’s well-run restaurant had an early start and by shortly after 07h30 a delicious buffet breakfast was available for all the visitors. Sitting outside on the patio is every aviation enthusiast's dream, good food, camaraderie and an unobstructed view of the runway, with many aeroplanes, gyrocopters and helicopters coming and going. The airspace remained busy despite the high-density altitudes Gauteng was experiencing!
Amongst the aircraft flying in were a Thunderbird, Bathawks, RV’s, 2 ex SAAF Bosbok, classic Cessna and Piper aircraft and a bunch of Slings. A number of gyrocopters also attended, as well as Trike microlight. Helicopters included an Allouette and an R44. The first aircraft to land was an Aermacchi Bosbok flown by Kous Venter he made the short flight from Brits.
The unwavering Nigel Musgrave was at his home Airfield for a change and was doing what he always does, making sure the event runs safely and smoothly. Due to the unprecedented high temperatures most of the pilots left early. Special thanks must also go to the AFB Waerkloof ATCs for happily accommodating all the traffic through the Pinedene Route, 124.10 was rather busy.
A great event and we look forward to the next one at Tedderfield Airpark in combination with an EAA Young Eagles day. Many thanks to all who attended as well as the folk at Kitty Hawk – we will be back!
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