Wings and Wheels Bethlehem Airshow 2026
By Andre Venter
02.06.2026
Google Banner Ad
I arrived early at Bethlehem Airport on Saturday morning for the Wings and Wheels Bethlehem Airshow. The airfield was closed in by mist, which only started clearing around 8:30 a.m. The gates opened to the public at 9:00 a.m., with the show scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
A lesson had clearly been learned from last year's show and the fire in the car park. It was great to see a dedicated parking area for vehicles, with the grass cut short and security personnel on duty. Vendors were allocated a designated area at the entrance to the venue, while separate sections were set aside for special displays and food stalls.
   
A special area was also reserved for vintage cars and vehicles used in the displays, including drift cars and motorcycles.
I met up with Brian and the Capital Sounds team, who were making their final adjustments to equipment that had been set up the previous day. Capital Sounds had 14 staff members on duty for the event. Team members were checking the four stations allocated to them, testing 58 speakers, and preparing for the sound check before the show began. The Air Boss for the day was Cliff Lotter and a special guest with the Capital Sounds team was Arnold Geerdts of SuperSport fame.
The morning programme got underway with a parachute and flag display. A few scheduled performances were unfortunately cancelled, including the L-29 and Bosbok displays, with other acts filling the gaps.
Next up was André van Zyl in his Magni gyrocopter. His display always leaves the crowd in awe of what the aircraft is capable of doing. He later joined the Gazelle helicopter, while Juba Joubert performed a solo display.
The Marksmen delivered an outstanding display. Unfortunately, the morning sun over the airfield made photography difficult, as photographers were shooting directly into the sun.
Benny de Jager, owner of the Gazelle helicopter, had the opportunity to showcase his aircraft before Juba Joubert took over and flew the Gazelle as though he owned it himself. He kept the crowd thoroughly entertained until the next act took to the skies.
The Tiger Moths were next, with Ryan Briggs and Duncan Ritchie at the controls. They put the aircraft through their paces and demonstrated them to their fullest potential.
Henley Air's Bell 222, painted in the colours of the television programme 60 Minutes and flown by André Coetzee, delivered an impressive display. Following the performance, both the Bell 222 and a Bell 206 were used to provide spectators with scenic flights over the Bethlehem area.
Johnnie Smith, flying his Extra 330SC, presented a solo aerobatic display. It was great to see another pilot stepping forward to showcase his skills and talent.
A crop-spraying aircraft, the Ayres S-2R Thrush, flown by 29-year-old Wilhelm Rosenstrauch, delivered a flawless display. He demonstrated the skills required in his daily crop-spraying operations. Watching him fly was like seeing a talented professional take pride in his work and deliver an exceptional performance.
One of the crowd favourites was the car-versus-plane race. A 2018 Audi RS3 lined up against Johnnie Smith's Extra 330SC. Smith pushed the aircraft to its limits in an effort to gain the lead, and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the contest, showing their appreciation throughout. The drift car display was spectacular and held the audience's attention from start to finish.
An Alouette III helicopter, flown by Juba Joubert, later went head-to-head with a highly modified Toyota Land Cruiser. It appeared to be a close race until spectators realised the organisers had pulled a fast one by using two vehicles.
As the afternoon drew to a close, I decided it was time to leave the parking area before the rest of the crowd began heading home.
Overall, it was another awesome Bethlehem Airshow, offering something for everyone and providing a full day of entertainment for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
Google Banner Ad
|
                |
