Legendary stunt pilot to fly into the sunset

BARBERTON – You will never believe what a standard aircraft is capable of doing until you’ve seen CC Pocock in action. Sadly, Pocock who has been in the Lowveld since 2002, has announced his departure.

Among his many flying qualifications, he is a professional stunt and display pilot, as well as a qualified pyrotechnician, owner and operator of both Bush Air (a bush-pilot school) and the Barberton Airfield.

To watch Pocock in action, demonstrating the full capabilities of the various aircraft he flies, is nothing short of breathtaking. Able to perform stunts and displays in virtually any light or medium, single- or twin-engine aircraft, this master of the stunt-and-display executes seemingly impossible, extreme and over-the-edge manoeuvres, all while keeping within the approved limitations of the aircraft.

About 16 years ago he started to look for the perfect location in SA to run his advanced bush and mountain flying courses. He stumbled across a portion of a farm for sale in Barberton, “and that was that”. He found Barberton Valley to be the perfect arena for his training as all the real-life scenarios and terrain he needed existed within a 10-mile radius of the town’s airfield. He then built his new base, Bush Air and of course the airport, which later became the new official Barberton Airport, as the old municipal one had shut down and become a squatter camp. “I truly love the Lowveld, but I need to look after my future,” Pocock said. “I’ve now decided to move my home base to the USA and continue my work there.” Every year he spends time in the United States where he runs his advanced flying courses and safety seminars.

However, due to his courses still being in high demand in SA, he plans to return every year for a couple months to continue to give courses to local pilots.

What will you miss the most?

My home and the Barberton Valley. I built this place from nothing and it has become a part of me and what I do. Moving to the Barberton Valley and starting my advanced flying courses have been the most successful venture of my life. Over 500 pilots from all over the world have stayed here while attending my courses.

What are your best memories and highlights?

The many fly-ins and air shows over the years, meeting hundreds of interesting people and making new friends from all over the world, as well as the various TV shows filmed here about my training especially the most recent US Discovery Channel TV show. I feel extremely privileged especially as a South African and non-US citizen to have been invited to be part of a US Discovery Channel TV production with millions of viewers. I still wonder what it must have cost to send a crew of eight people all the way out here to Barberton to film three episodes of my training and why. This is one of the reasons for my decision to move to the US.

Do you consider yourself to be the Evel Knieval of aviation?

I guess so as I have always tried to bring something new, exciting and of some value and benefit to aviation in SA over the years. My advanced flying courses are designed to make any pilot much safer and more proficient in general flying skills. During my air-show performances I enjoyed demonstrating the capabilities and flight envelope of various light aircraft as well as adding lots of entertainment such as my finale knife-edge fly-by with pyrotechnic “Wall of Fire” explosions.

Back in 1999 I introduced and pioneered the use of explosives for pyrotechnic special-effect purposes at South African air shows as well as the aerial-firework displays at night after the event.

Have you had any close encounters in your aircraft?

On a couple of occasions when I felt I was a little too close to the explosion at an air show, but I have never felt that safety was ever an issue or compromised in any way. Other than air shows, I have had a few aircraft crashes and also a few emergency landings.

Will you still perform at this year’s Lowveld Air Show?

Even though the last two air shows were probably the best I have been involved in, I have decided to withdraw my participation from all South African air shows. This includes my own flying displays, as well as pyrotechnics support for other acts. I am, however, planning to participate in US air shows.

Pocock concluded by saying that once his new Bush Air home base is set up in the US, he plans on attracting pilots from around the world and SA to come and experience the freedom, safety and excitement of back-country flying. After all, it is the country that not only pioneered aviation but also where bush flying originated.