Durban residents and aviation enthusiasts from all over South Africa and the world are thrilled at the news of the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics returning to the air in June 2023. The 2014 and 2016 editions were held on the Durban beach-front and Greyville Racecourse respectively proved to be a great success, this year the event will be held at the historic Virginia Airport.
Sky Grand Prix is basically a timed version of Aresti aerobatics, which in a normal competition would be flown at the pilot's chosen pace. Unlike, a standard aerobatics competition the Sky GP format is massively entertaining for the spectators as all the action takes place in an 800m x 800m area and is pretty low. The Pylons are used as markers for each individual run of figures.
As in the past, the Sky GP has attracted a number of top local and international pilots and has received approval from both the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) and FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA) placing the format squarely on the world stage.
Pilots:
Nigel Hopkins
Boeing instructor and professional aerobatic pilot
Resides – Pretoria
Age – 50
6 x SA Unlimited Champ
World Air-masters Champion 2011, 2nd World Aerobatic Championship
Sky Grand Prix 2014 & 2016
Patrick Davidson
Business director and professional aerobatic pilot
Resides – Port Elizabeth
Age – 40
1x Sky Grand Prix Champ
7x SA Unlimited Champ
8th in AWAC Hungary 2012
Sky Grand Prix 2014 & 2016
Red Bull Air Race Veteran
Elton Bondi
Qualified business scientist and business director in IT, professional aerobatic pilot
Resides - Johannesburg
Age - 52
3x SA Advanced Champ
30+ Years of Flying
Sky Grand Prix 2014
Eugene Du Preez
Businessman and professional aerobatic pilot
Resides - Johannesburg
Age - 50
Advanced World Aerobatic Competitor
SA Advanced Champ 2019
Aude Lemordant
Pilot for Air France and a professional aerobatic pilot
Resides - France
Age - 40
2015 World Champion
2013 World & French Champion
2012 French Champion & World Champion Runner Up
Sky Grand Prix 2016 Competitor
Barrie Eeles
Business owner and professional aerobatic pilot
Resides - Johannesburg
Age - 56 Years Old
1x SA Advanced Aerobatic Champion
Competed at 6x world championships - best place 26th
30+ Years of Flying
Sky Grand Prix 2014 & 2016 Competitor
Mark Hensman
Professional aerobatic pilot
Resides - Cape Town
Age - 57
2x SA Champion
Competed 5x at World Champs, best placing 2nd in 2007 & 2010
5th at 2010 China International Air Sports Fiesta
4th in World Air Masters, China 2011
Sky Grand Prix 2014 & 2016
Aarron Deliu
Professional aerobatic pilot
Resides – Australia
Age – 38
World aerobatic championship 2022 – 7th
Australian Unlimited Aerobatic Champ (current)
Australian Unlimited Freestyle Champ (current)
Australian Advanced Aerobatic Champ (2018)
Red Bull Air Race Veteran
Ticket Prices:
Bronze Wing A & B Unreserved Grass – R250 pp (Ages 13+); R100 pp (Ages 2-12 years); R100 pp (Pensioners)
Silver Wing A & B Unreserved Grass – R295 pp (Ages 13+); R100 pp (Ages 2-12 years); R100 pp (Pensioners)
Silver Wing A & B Picnic Sites – R3,000
Gold/VIP – R400 per person (All Ages)
Children under 2 enter free of charge
Please note: Pensioners will be required to present proof of ID at the gate for entry with pensioner ticket.
Tickets availble at
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