Pilot's Post - A windy EAA Sun 'n Fun at New Tempe 2023

Event report and pics Willie Bodenstein. Uhambo report and pics Captain Karl Jensen

29th September to the 1st October

After a quick pose in front of the newly upgraded Bloenfontein Flying Club, Uhambo was off to see the airplanes on the parking apron.

For a number of years Sun 'n Fun was held at Brits airfield in the North West Province which made it quite a distance from most other fields in the other provinces except those in Gauteng. To make it possible for other members and others to fly in to the event it was decided to move it Tempe in Bloemfontein that is almost in the center of the country.

Despite that and the fact that the good people of Tempe made their extensive facilities available and assisted with the organising the support from the other provinces were not what was expected.

Seventy people had registered however, only approximately 35 visited the majority were from Gauteng and the Free State. There were a few members that travelled vast distances from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Barberton and Gariep.

A full program for the Saturday that was to include a Fun Rally & Spot Landing competition and aircraft Judging were the two main activities were planned but had to be cancelled because of the wind that at times were 20 gusting to 40 Knotts. This same wind was also partly to blame for the low number of visitors and by Saturday afternoon when the tower closed there were less than fifteen aircraft were left on the apron.

However, the presence of the wind forced the visitors inside to the Tempe's very smart clubhouse where many tall tales were told as old friends met and new friends were made.

One very special visitor was the Aeroclub's mascot Uhambo, the lion cub. He was in the care of Captain Karl Jensen who accompanied him and who took the following stunning pics of him and all the wonderful people he met and the lovely aircraft he visited.

Uhambo met the EAA Chapter 322 Johannesburg Secretary Ronell Myburg......And encountered the Sun n Fun Safety Officer Nigel Musgrave in his watch tower.

His first stop was to view the suitability of his transport back to Gauteng - his handler for the day Karl Jensen's Cessna 170B......The next he viewed was an RV 4 built by Niel Terreblanche from Kroonstad.

Goitse Diale an Aero Club Board Member steadies Uhambo while he checks out Hans De Beer's immaculate RV8 from Wonderboom......Indeed it is an RV 8 - it says so here.

Here chatting with Hans De Beer who from Wonderboom had built and flies the beautiful RV8 which he saw on the apron......And admiring the only Bristel flying in South Africa from Cape Town - Nice!

Uhamba was not to sure about this predator encroaching on his domain from Henly on Klip in Gauteng......This Lancair by Dieter Bock from Krugersdorp caught his attention.

Christo Erasmus allowed Uhambo to inspect his Restored Vintage award winner Ercoupe from Aviators Paradise near Hartbeespoort Dam.......The new Orion Cub from Orion Aircraft at Krugersdorp attracted much attention form other besides Uhambo.

He met Neil Bowden EAA Chapter 322 Johannesburg and organiser of the Bucket List for any aviator Air Adventure Tours to Oshkosh and he prompylu book for 2024......He also viewed this beautifully restored former R44 helicopter owned by Hennie Roets from Kroonstad.

It would've been sad if he had not met the EAA of SA President Paul Lastrucci (red cap) here chatting with Neil Bowden......Here Uhambo is admiring the the aircraft intrument themed occasional tables in the Flying Club.

Uhambo on his way to Gauteng in with Neil Fenton and handler Karl Jensen in Karl's Cessna 170B.....He kept checking that the pilot is paying attention to his task to get him home safely.

Fair weather ahead for a magic carpet-like ride - all will be OK.

EAA
Events 2023
EAA South Africa

Copyright � 2024 Pilot's Post PTY Ltd
The information, views and opinions by the authors contributing to Pilot�s Post are not necessarily those of the editor or other writers at Pilot�s Post.