South African Power Flying Association

1986 Comair W P Provincial Air Rally

Held at Stellenbosch – 29 November 1986

By Brian Ferguson

By Wednesday afternoon, it had stopped raining and the North-Wester had started to make way for the South Atlantic high. It moved in slowly over the Cape Peninsula, in other words, good weather could be expected for the Western Province Air Rally, but, the South-Easter could still be a factor to reckoned with.

I’m sorry, it’s not a weather forecast on SATV, but more like how the organizers and competitors kept a somewhat worried eye on the progress of the weather.

By Friday, most of the entrants had arrived in Cape Town and some had already put in a great deal of practice. That evening, the Good Hope Flying Club opened its doors to some 120 pilots, navigators and guests for the pre- rally reception. Snacks were served and the wine flowed as old friends remninisced and new friends were made.

Saturday, the 29th November dawned, and Stellenbosch Airfield was a hive of activity. With a record number of 44 entries, including nine Springboks, namely John Adarns, Colin Jordaan, Dave Mostert, Adrian Pilling, Dave Campbell, John Stratford, Dave Perelson, Maurice Nathan and Mike Seymour, everyone knew it was not going to be an easy rally.

The route which Martin Pollack drew up for the competitors stretched over the most scenic parts of the Western Cape and Boland. It left Stellenbosch for the start on the beach at Strand, then on to Pringle Bay followed by a curved track up the Bot River valley to Franschbock. From there the route followed the Berg River valley past Paarl, Wellington and through the Swartland wheatfields to Bokbaai. Then competitors flew Eastwards past Fisantekraal to Lynedoch and finished overhead the picturesque surrounds of the Stellenbosch Airfield. In the end 39 aircraft completed the 200 nm rally, and crews moved to the Bellville Holiday Inn for the Prize-giving function.

It was late at night when the results were announced. In first place were Dave and Anton Mostert, who with 125 penalties, have done well during this year’s rally circuit in the Mooney, LHE. Johan Swart and Andre Schoeman from the University of Stellenbosch Flying Club came second, only 9 penaties behind the winners in a Cessna 152, JYU. These two Stellenboschers were last year’s winners and came 3rd and 2nd respectively at the National Precision Flying Championships in Grahamstown this year.

Third place was taken by the Springboks John Adams and Colin Jordaan, while in 4th Place was the wife/husband team of Ivanhoe and Dave Perelson. Another husband/wife team, Peter and Di Norton came 5th, followed by Dave and John Campbell (Natal), Ernest MacDonald and Mike Seymour (WP), Frank White and James Craven (WP) Adrian Pilling and Rob Crosskill (Natal) and in 1Oth Place, Maurice Nathan and John Stratford (Tvl).

As the W.P. Air Rally is the last in the circuit, Ivanhoe and Dave Perelson (EP) are overall winners of this year’s rally circuit, with Dave and Anton Mostert (Natal) coming second.

The following trophies were also awarded:
Best Performance by a Lady: Ivanhoe Perelson
Best Performance by a Pilot with less than 150 hours: Pieter Rabic (WP)
Best Performance by a Pilot under 21 years: Georg Gruber (EP)
The First Family Team: Dave and Anton Mostert
The Team who succeeded in fooling all concerned. Howard Parker
First Cessna: Johan Swart and Andre Schoeman
First Piper: Ernest MacDonald & Mike Seymour
First Beecheraft: Patrick Murray & 0 Pletzer

The organizers of the W.P. Air Rally wish to express their sincere gratitude to all who assisted in making this rally possible. In particular we would like to thank the sponsors which allowed us to offer record prize money to the value of R2700,00

1986 O.F.S. Provincial Air Rally

Held at Tempe – 20 September 1986

By Renier Moolman

Bloemfontein Flying Club, Saturday September 20th. The scene was set for what must be one of the most controversial rallies that was ever held in South Africa. At the end of the day, one cannot but help to lift the hat to Glen Dell and Neil Napier, who by putting into practise their team effort of flying skill and navigational expertise, thrashed all the other teams. The initiative that these guys displayed during their preparation; the fact that they could sum up an awkward situation which they were left with and reacted with such deliberate action and success, has left both organisers and opposition stunned. The aircraft that these two okies flew, was once again the Cessna 150 IOP. But this is no ordinary 150. It carries joseph’s amazing technicolour dreamcoat and under the bonnet is tucked a twin-dipstick, double-overhead-chrome, supercharged-oil-cooler-172 engine. Believe me this thing goes.

In an amazing second place was the husband-and-wife team from P.E., Dave and Ivanhoe Perelson. Ivanhoe, who recently accompanied the Springbok team to Spain, decided that backseat-driving was for the birds. So watch out guys – here comes trouble! She has teamed up with her hubbie and in their new Cardinal JCY, have scored points in two out of two rallies so far!

Nico “Omar” Gordon with his new navigator and partner in practise, Dr Slabbert, both from Bloem Flying Club, has made it two third places in a row. So it looks like their little Cessna 150 EGY’s lucky number is three. It being only the second major rally they took part in, shows that “die ou manne” are going to have to watch their tails in future.

Fourth place and scoring team points in every rally they have taken part in is the team of the Mooney LHE and the Mostert brothers, Dave and Anton. If this young team from Pletermaritzburg carries on as they are, selection for the next National Team will only be a formality.

The fifth place of the all Springbok Team of Colin Jordaan and John Adams, have once again proved that their combined skills have made them the most experienced team ever touring the rally circuit. The success that this team has had is not luck, it is years and years of time, dedication & practise.

Springbok Adrian Pilling from ‘Maritzburg, not,only won the landings competition, but together with his navigator Robert Crosskill took sixth overall position. Adrian put down a “zero”, the only man in the competition to do so. He was followed by Andre van Kraayenberg and M Holmes each scoring 10 penalties.