This was the 5th Annual Fly-MU Masonic charity fundraising event hosted at Brakpan Airfield.
Funds are raised for charities, among which are the Abram Kriel Kinderhuis. A group of girls were at the event and were presented with goodie bags, warm jackets and various other gifts that had been donated.
It was a typical late winter day, starting cold, but warming quickly as the sun warmed things up. Winds were light and the air clear apart from early morning smog, which burned off quite quickly.
The stall-holders were there bright and early to set up, and a welcome cappuccino made a good start to the day. It was understood from those present at last year's event, that there were many more stalls this year, so the event and it's fund-raising impact is growing.
Stall holders setting up for the day.
A few paramotors flew early on, followed by various departures and arrivals of local aircraft through the day.
Paramotors and other local airfield air traffic.
Santie White held a safety briefing with the marshals to ensure the visiting public did not move onto the active apron and taxiways. The key areas were to ensure the public did not venture onto the apron or active taxiways and marshals were to escort people across the taxiway to the helicopter flip area.
Santie White conducting the safety briefing.
HamNet Gauteng South were in attendance for marshalling duties with some of the local flying club folks. Helicopter flip participants were escorted across the taxiway and back to ensure their safety.
HamNet setting up their base station.
Leon ZS6LMG introduces his service search and rescue K9 to the children.
A raffle was run with draws at various times of the day with prizes ranging from donated items to products from the various stalls and helicopter rides.
Henley Air sponsored the helicopter flips. The uptake of helicopter flips started slow, and they waited for a reasonable number of pax, so there was no need to shut down between loads. Soon there was quite a long queue of people waiting for their turn to fly. The children all had delighted expressions of excitement with much gesticulation when they returned!
Henley Air's pilot, Hannes Botha, and his support team were very busy and had to refuel from the drums on their bakkie after around an hour's continuous flying.
Henley Air hot loading pax and some departures and arrivals.
Back at the event centre, live entertainment in the marquee, jumping castles, pedal go-carts and trading at the stalls continued through the day.
Event centre.
Classic cars and custom motor-tricycles arrived a little later and VW and Suzuki dealers had vehicles on display.
Some classic and custom vehicles on display.
Suzuki vehicle park.
The girls from Abram Kriel Kinderhuis faces could not be photographed, but a group photograph before their complementary helicopter rides sponsored by Henley Air was taken.
Santie White and some of the other organisers with the goodie-bags for the girls.
Sean Nienaber, Ilona Verwey and the team from Abram Kriel with the girls and some of the girls boarding the helicopter for their flip.
Some people started to go home, car displays were closed and some of the stalls started packing up, but there was still a festive atmosphere and many visitor's cars still in the parking areas.
The marshals controlling access to cross the taxiway to the helicopter flip area having some fun!
The organisers, generous donors and stall-holders have contributed, once again, to the worthy cause of supporting those in need and it is hoped that this event will continue to grow and help fulfil these desperate needs in society. Well done to all involved!!!
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