Ground control, the South African Air Force Association (Saafa) East Rand branch, was cleared for landing to celebrate the end of another successful year.

Clear skies beckoned on November 22, as Saafa members embarked on their final descent of the year, making a gentle landing at the Café@The Range, Kempton Park, for its year-end luncheon.

Sixty airmen and women took their places and fastened their seatbelts as branch chairman Roelf Rossouw reflected on the year.

“The East Rand, Pretoria and Johannesburg branches had the pleasure of hosting the association’s 80th congress and gala in May,” he said.

“During this affair, the East Rand branch was not only recognised as the branch of the year, but comrades of aviation had the privilege to celebrate the legacy of our country’s aviation history.”