This year, the Elder's Flight event was moved to a warmer time of the year as July is just too cold and dark early in the morning, especially for the older folk.
The weather on the day turned out ideal for the event, with a light variable wind from the South most of the day. In the middle of the day, it was very warm, so people were repeatedly reminded to drink enough water and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Felix Gosher is the "Energiser Bunny" behind the Children's and Elder's Flight events, which have been running for 11 years now.
He rallies volunteers, sponsors, donors, aircraft owners and pilots to present an unforgettable first-time flying experience to Children and Elders from underprivileged communities, who have not flown before and would have little prospect of flying.
The event slogan for both Children's and Elder's Flight is "Fly, Feed, Love, Inspire!", and that is exactly what each event does.
There is a huge amount of negotiation, lobbying, organisation and administration that has to take place, sometimes long in advance of the event.
The layout of the "green" safe zone where elders and others could move around freely and safely was set up of Friday 2026-10-02, with speed-fencing, the main tent and Capital Sounds event system, with loudspeakers providing coverage, so everyone would be kept informed of important, useful and interesting information throughout the day.
The "green zone", with the tent and big screen, before static display aircraft were moved in.
Final setting of tables in the tent can only be done on the day, and Felix made calls for those able to help speed the process.
The Harvard Club of SA Harvard #2028 arrives from Swartkop with Eugene du Preez at the controls.
Just after 7, the Elders started arriving, and were very keen to have their photographs taken to remember this special privilege that had been extended to them.
Happy old folks anticipating their special day.
Felix was rushing around ensuring everything was going according to plan.
The tent was soon buzzing with excited conversations about what may be expected in the first flight of an older person's life.
The event was opened by Daryl Hardy with the Lord's Prayer and the Antonov II, with Hystek and Michelle Pretorius "driving", was climbing out for the opening parachute drop, including the National Flag, carried by Graham Field.
Daryl opens in prayer.
As Graham touched down, the National Anthem was sung, with all who were able standing and with hats off.
Parachutists make a grand entrance to open Elders Flight 2026.
The Chief of the SA Air Force Lt Gen Moatshe supported the event with his family, joined by a former Chief, Lt Gen (ret) Msimang.
SAAF Chiefs with family and Brian Emmenis of Capital Sounds.
There was the customary parade of emergency response vehicles, including Pieter van der Sandt on his Royal Enfield motorcycle in WW II RAF desert uniform.
Emergency vehicle cavalcade with vintage motorcycle.
There was an initial circuit with VVIP's and some Elders by Captain Chris Lee and First Officer John Dyer in their Cessna Citation business jet.
Captain Grant Raubenheimer and his wife, Claire had their RV-10 ready too, while three Bell helicopters with Captains Chris Sinclair, Etienne Eksteen and Buzz Bezuidenhout also stood ready for VVIP's and Elders for the initial circuit flight.
VVIP's included the Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Moatshe and a previous Chief Lt Gen (ret) Msimang and Mr Neil de Lange, Senior Manager at SA Civil Aviation Authority.
Gen Moatshe about to board the Citation.
Jeppe Pipe Band members have an informal group photograph.
There was then an Air Show phase of the event, where the elders were treated to breathtaking displays by some of the South African airshow circuit display pilots.
First up was the two-ship Puma Energy Flying Lions Harvard team of Arnie Meneghelli and Nigel Hopkins.
Some Flying Lions display items.
Andre van Zyl displayed the Magni-Gyro, which is very impressive with it's smoke system defining the manoeuvres more clearly.
Andre demonstrates the agility of the Magni-Gyro.
Eugene du Preez expertly displayed the Harvard Club of SA #7028.
Eugene shows the capability of the Harvard, used to train pilots in WWII and afterwards,
Jan Bothma showed a simulated search and rescue with his Bell 205 Helicopter.
Photo 26.jpg Jan brings the Huey in to extract the person in need.
An alternating aerobatic display was flown by Tristan Eeles and Nigel Hopkins in their Extra 330SC aircraft, with Barrie Eeles (Trinstan's proud Dad) and Cliff Lotter proving enlightening commentary on what was done in the air.
The Extra 330SC's in action with Tristan and Nigel.
There were a number of aircraft in the green zone on static display and many group photographs and selfies were taken with these aircraft. There were two Alouette III's, a Hunter, a Vampire and Menno Parson's mustang P51D - “Mustang Sally”.
Static exhibits.
The Sausage Saloon staff took a breather after the initial rush of hungry elders to take some selfies, while…
The Master Power silent generator and distribution board powered the tent area.
Many of the sponsors and contributors had gazebos.
Photo 33.jpg & Photo 34.jpg & Photo 35.jpg & Photo 36.jpg & Photo 37.jpg & Photo 38.jpg Some of the sponsor gazebos and Darren O'Neil, who produced the superb artwork for the event.
Skeerport Verspreiders, also a sponsor, filling Tristan's Extra with AvGas.
Cllr Tlangi Mogale, MMC for Roads and Transport for the City of Tshwane was also present.
The flight exposure phase commenced and passengers waited in front of a chute, where there allocation to flight manifests were verified before they were escorted to the aircraft in suitable groups for each flight.
Felix escorts a group of elders along the chute to their experience flight aircraft.
As the elders moved down the chute, they were entertained by the Marimba band, that had some people dancing.
Marimaba band in action.
Once each group had their flight, they returned back down the chute, had their wings pinned on and received their Elders Flight 2026 cap.
Some Elders waited in the shade of the tent and were very thankful for this opportunity and excited at the prospect of their first flight ever, while others joined the queue for allocation to a flight.
Once they had flown, the elders returned back down the chute, to have their wings pinned on and collect their Elders Flight 2026 cap.
Initially the pace of giving the elders their exposure flights was a little slow, but the Hueys of Jan Bothma and Menno Parsons, along with the bigger fixed-wing aircraft like the Cessna Caravans, helped catch up on the schedule quite quickly.
The helicopters loaded passengers on the taxiway beyond the normal helipads, with the large majority being escorted to the aircraft on the main apron. Where elders needed help, especially over the unpaved uneven ground, they were transported to and from aircraft by the CFMOTO vehicle.
The helicopters did “hot” pax un/loading for efficiency on the taxiway.
A huge Elders Flight 2026 cake had been baked and was cut during the early afternoon.
The cake being cut and served, and the Fire Crew came to collect theirs at the Capital Sounds broadcast area.
After all the Elders present had their experience flights, it was the turn of the military veterans to be honoured.
Military Veterans were escorted along the red carpet with the Jeppe pipe band playing in their honour.
They then had flights in various aircraft including the Alouette III, Tiger Moth and Antonov II. When they returned from their flights, their wings were pinned on by members of the Jeppe pipe band.
Felix and his team of volunteers, sponsors and supporters have again pulled-off a safe and successful Elders Flight 2026! Well done!!! We are sure that these Elders and Military Veterans felt appreciated through this special experience.
