Pilots and navigators from across South Africa descended on Secunda Airfield for the prestigious 2026 President’s Trophy Air Race (PTAR) from May 28 to 30, where skill, precision and teamwork were put to the test in one of the country’s premier aviation competitions.

Hosted by the Secunda Flying Club and organised by the South African Power Flying Association, the event attracted competitors from around the country, all vying for top honours and the coveted President’s Trophy.

The overall President’s trophy was awarded to Henning Ellis and Lukas Eksteen, whose outstanding performance earned them the highest gain on handicap.

John Sayers and Dion Raath secured second place overall, while Leon Bouttell and Rob Jonkers claimed third place.

Regional honours were also awarded, with Johan van Zyl and Eric Addison named the best coastal provinces crew, representing the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Leon Bouttell and Rob Jonkers took the best interior provinces crew award for the Free State and Gauteng, while Henning Ellis and Lukas Eksteen were recognised as the best northern provinces crew, representing Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga.

The best club award went to Mossel Bay, represented by Etienne Smith, Mario Febbraio, Johan van Zyl and Eric Addison.

Aircraft category winners included Theodor and Frans Boshoff, who received the best Beechcraft award; Jackie Schouten and Werner Steenkamp, who won the best Cessna award; and Henning Ellis and Lukas Eksteen, who took top honours in the Piper category.

Johan van Zyl and Eric Addison were recognised as the best-performing Van’s RV crew. Van Zyl and Addison also claimed the fastest time award for completing the course in the shortest time.

The John Sayers turbocharged award was presented to Leon Bouttell and Rob Jonkers as the top-performing turbocharged aircraft crew.

Family teamwork was celebrated through the Kassie Kasselman parent and child award, which Theodor and Frans Boshoff won.

Kevin Cloete and Rehan van Tonder received the novice award as the first novice team home, while John and Judy Lehman were honoured with the DJA airmanship award for their exemplary airmanship.

Special individual recognitions included Paul Haakenstad, who received the youngest competitor award, and Adrienne Visser, who was named the top-placed female competitor and recipient of the best woman award.

The successful event once again showcased the precision flying skills, sportsmanship and camaraderie that have made the President’s Trophy Air Race a highlight on South Africa’s aviation calendar.