No good story ever started on a salad. Nor does this one, but after a days flying at Morningstar Airfield, Dr Mike Brown, Captain Etienne Bekker and I, all agreed that it was time to gauge whether there was a need for an EAA Chapter in Cape Town.
There was previously an EAA Chapter that did well but fell slowly degraded into nothing. Anecdotally there were reports of many homebuilt aircraft under construction over and beyond the swarm of production-built NTCA Explorers, Safaris, RVs and Slings.
The idea of revitalising the chapter was quickly and enthusiastically supported by Don Bekker, Prof Frans Grootepas (an original founder of the Chapter) and stalwart John Illsley with enthusiastic newcomer Jaco Stander who built his own Sling 4 and liked it so much he is building a second! The EAA members in Gauteng were also unbelievably supportive, especially Niel Bowden.
So in the very best South African efficiency tradition; we had a meeting to talk about having another meeting. Copious amounts of very refreshing liquids (mostly made from old grapes) and biltong were kindly donated by Mike Brown. We discussed the various issues we might face other than running out of wine.
The prospective member area is geographically diverse and is spread from Saldahna (c140km away), Stellenbosch (c50km), Winelands (c45km) and Morningstar (c30km). We did not want to be exclusively based at an airfield for fear of alienating other airfield members. The problem is that Stellenbosh and Morningstar already have excellent flying clubs that are not only exceptionally well run and supported; but also host all sorts of fun events regularly. We did not want to compete against that which works well (Gauteng Gangsters take note: everything works here in Cape Town except the weather). Of all the branches of traditional EAA (Aerobatics, Air Racing, Navigation rallies, Vintage Aircraft, Warbirds) are all well catered for except the true homebuilder, which just happens to be where we do want to focus.
Night driving in the Cape has its unique hazards so meetings had to be in the day which meant Saturday mornings.
The venue will change until we find a suitable home and we do have a long-term plan in the cupboard. Our offering is all about amateur builders, Approved Persons and their particular interests.
So we began to meet on Saturday mornings.
The first meeting was held on the last Saturday in January hosted by Stick-n-Throttle at their new simulator facility in Parklands at the corner of the aptly named Armstrong Dr and Cosmonaut St. This meeting was better attended than anticipated although Erna Bekker's ample catering probably still has leftovers to spare. The general enthusiasm was there and in sufficient number to suggest we continue with our revitalisation quest.
The next meeting was at Stellenbosch Flying Club where Robin Coss gave a riveting presentation on his business. This too was well attended.
The March meeting was held at Diemerskraal near Wellington (yes this is in the true middle of nowhere) where Craig Hunter opened his hangar and shared with us the build progress of the latest KFA Safari and Explorer aircraft. We had some members fly their aircraft in, including a snazzy Sonex by Mike Davies and Jaco Stander brought an beautiful Sling 4. We had others from nearly all the local airfields present, especially some lovely newcomers who had travelled all the way from Saldanha and the welcome presence of the Right Honourable Stellenbosch stalwart Capt Derek Lord and his lovely wife.
The next meeting is planned at Winelands airport where we will hear all about the exciting developments and airspace revisions.
We are very proud to report that we have enough membership to formally register as an official chapter which is being generously handled by Etienne and Don. Now … about that salad.
