The envisaged Dundee airshow, scheduled for October 31, is a done deal, but there is some work ahead before Saturday’s event.
Local pilot, Paul Coetser, who is also involved in the arrangements, is cautiously optimistic that all the arrangements will fall into place, and Dundee can look forward to a day of aerobatic thrills.

Between the municipality and the Civil Aviation Authority, someone is going to have to provide adequate fencing and security personnel to patrol the area and keep the area ‘sterile’ in terms of safety factors.

They will also need radio contact with the air traffic controller. At the moment, the entire area is open to the public with animals roaming the terrain. Horses, cows and other animals will need to be removed from airfield prior to the air show.
According to the safety and feasibility audit done by Pierre Laubscher, from the Recreational Aviation Administration of South Africa, all houses that are closer than 100 metres from the runway edge will need to have energy deflecting, or absorbing barriers, erected between the runway and applicable houses.

Large tree stumps, broken glass and other hazards, adjacent to the runway, will need to be removed, prior to the air show, and the markings next to the runway are flat and flush with the terrain along the runway edges.
This needs to be flattened out to the same level as the runway and adjacent terrain prior to the show.
The runway on the southern side is not smooth, and will need some filling and sealing to avoid, or at least reduce, foreign object damage. The runway markings and numbers should be repainted to clearly mark its threshold and headings.
According to RAASA, the apron also has too much debris, or stones, with a potential for foreign object damage to aircraft or injury to persons, and these need to be properly swept and cleared of all debris prior to the show.
All residents in the adjoining built-up areas east and south of the airfield need to be kept away from the airfield perimeter and runway, as access to the air show is free, and such residents should be informed of the potential risk and to go to the public viewing areas, by the Municipality and Emergency services.

There remains a massive amount of work to be done within the week, which will only then see an air show take place. Will Dundee and the CAA be up to it?
The South African Airways will also have a presence at the show, with the approximately 750 invited learners in mind in their Aviation Career guidance show they are planning. Two aerobatic teams and the Silver Falcons are also expected, so all young people who are interested in a career in aviation should ensure that they are present at the show. Two of Dundee’s old scholars, both SAA pilots now, Johan van Solms and Paul Coetser jr., will also be flying for one of the aerobatics teams.