Air acrobatics wow Mkhuze crowds

AS the KZN Winter Air Tour draws to a close, the penultimate stop on its calendar saw the aircrew and their magnificent craft pull into Mkhuze Airport for a day of jet-fuelled action.

In an expert solo performance which brought envy to the faces of his fellow Yak pilots, Michel Leusch displayed his impressive flying skills during his role in the Yak Attack.

Yak pilots also performed as a team, resulting in the crowd screaming for an encore. The Goodyear Eagles dazzled spectators with their two performances but it was the Black Mamba (L29) which dominated the performance.

Children from the crowd were itching to see it as soon as the airside was opened at lunch time.

Dark skies and rain forced a slight change of plan as the parachutists became one of the finishing performances rather than opening. The crowd was wowed nonetheless.

Of the 2 500 spectators enjoying the sights and sounds, a 65-year-old woman who had never seen an aeroplane up close, took her time eyeing them out.

‘It truly is magical what the KZN Winter Air Tour is doing for aviation and how it is taking it to the people,’ said KZN Winter Air Tour PR and Media Co-ordinator, Cera-Jane Catton.

Siphamandla Madida, Mkhuze Airport Manager, said, ‘Other than the weather not performing, we were very impressed with both the show and the turnout.’

Exhibitors and the municipality had a great day and are looking forward to welcoming the KZN Winter Air Tour back to Mkhuze next year.