2009 SA National Landing Championships
BRITS – FABS – 3 & 4 JULY 2009
By Mary de Klerk
The South African Landing Championships were held last weekend at Brits Airfield out in the North West Province. This is a very popular venue with local Gautengers for many reasons. It is unmanned, the approach is clean and flat, there is plenty of parking space, fuel is on hand, but most importantly the club house always sports a friendly face with a hearty “bord kos” and hot coffee.
This year saw a record entry of 32 participants. The entries comprised five Microlights, seven Virtual Aviators, nine Sportman’s Class and eleven Open Class pilots.
The event was directed by the well known and respected aviation stalwart, Deon van den Berg. He was ably supported by Chris Booysen, the current chairman of SAPFA, as Chief Jury, and Jacques Jacobs, the infamous International Judge in the position of Chief Landing Judge. Antony Russell was the video judge.
Aircraft started arriving on Friday 3rd July from 12H00. A briefing was held and twice world champion lander, Ron Stirk, and Jan Hanekom, briefed the competitors on how to execute the kind of landings required for this competition.