Page 60 - World Airnews Magazine January 2020 Edition

AWARDS AWARDS

AEROCLUB CELEBRATES

Aero Club chairperson Paul Lastrucci paid tribute to the
hard work of members across all sectors at their awards
evening event last year. Here is a shortened version of
his speech at the club recent awards ceremony

is in place at these forums now with the regulator to streamline
and improve going forward.

pecial mention to Poppy Khoza, Simon Segwabe, Neil de Being an aviator, one of the pre requisites is being a safe aviator,
SLang, Mary Stephens Subash Devkaran and their partners and recurrent honing of skills can be done at events that take place

from the SACAA and to Bruce Harrison chairperson of RAFOC, at least once a month within SAPFA. The fun navigational rallies

Jonty Esser our MC and guest speaker Rob Pascoe. are the precursor to providing fun and competition flying to our

Today we celebrate the achievements of our Aero Club mem- recreational aviators to become accurate navigational flyers. Rob Aero Club Lifetime Achievement Award went

bers who have contributed for many years and those that have Jonkers and Jonty Esser and the SAPFA team have raised the bar Paul Lastrucci received a special recognition certificate to Mike Pascoe. The award was collected by

represented our country in the numerous recreational aviation considerably with fun rallies and have untiringly provided a pro- for his dedication to heading the Aero Club of SA Mark Holliday on behalf of Mike Pascoe

disciplines this year. fessional platform that attracts many aviators to this sporting, skill

Every year and this one, is no exception, we see a number of honing events. We have world champions in our midst that impart peting in the SAPFA fun rallies and soon we will see participation leading excellence in service delivery.

South African aviation enthusiasts achieve so much and through these skills to new pilots or pilots that want to get involved. on the world stage competing in various disciplines, bringing home We launched a document assistance process at the Aero Clubs offic-

their efforts the South African recreational aviation fraternity con- Next year SAPFA hosts the international rally competition at Stel- the trophy and accolades that will be showcased at events like this. es to assist members with submission and follow up of documentation

tinues to be held in high regard worldwide. lenbosch as part of the Aero Club centenary celebrations. It all starts with dedication, direction and passion that are contin- delivered for processing at SA CAA. There are challenges however has

Within the international aviation industry it is expected to have YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ually kindled in the recreational sphere providing consistent and worked exceptionally well and we will continue to promote.

a safe and regulated environment. There is sometimes a tendency We continue to bring the joy and passion of flying, and being safe participation within the path chosen to reach their pinnacle.

to over regulate, however, with continued engagement with the involved in the recreational aviation industry at large to a vibrant Aero Club provides funding through projects to promote provide 2020 – A CENTENARY TO BE CELEBRATED

regulator in a constructive and mutually beneficial manner; we find youth in South Africa. the platform to bring recreational aviation to the youth with a long As has been widely publicised, in 2020 we celebrate our centenary,

workable solutions that are pursuant to avoid any over-regulation term view of establishing the future aviators in South Africa. and want to make it a memorable year in every possible manner

of the amateur sports aviation and to assist with working toward This through the efforts of the Aero Club Transformation and All our sections are well established and professional, and por- for all in South African aviation.

international compliance. development programmes, which has changed slightly with the tray a strong room full of experience and knowledge that resides We are rapidly approaching the festivities for 2020,planning

Regulations are dynamic, so it’s good that that existing regula- formation of ‘Rise Above Aviators’. Championed by Daniel Ralefe- within their specific disciplines and they make it available to exist- is well under way, there is still a vast amount of work to be done

tions are revisited from time to time, in a manner that continues to ta, a highly energetic, enthusiastic and capable aviator along with a ing and attract new members. in preparations for the celebration, and will be the year in which

team ensure representation and participation throughout the year

ensure optimal safety for aviators and the public at large as well as promoting recreational aviation amongst the youth that ordinarily formal actions will be in place to execute the current plan. Marie

ensure acceptable governance required by the regulator. would not have had easy access to aviation. THANKS Reddy our Aviation Super Woman that keeps us all on our toes has

Recently further alignment and review of the sections to Part We are seeing fruits of their efforts of not only mentoring and To the sections and members of SAHPA, SAPFA, SAMAA, SAC and put in tremendous effort here and in many other areas to ensure

149 ARO which is the regulatory framework within the civil aviation creating future aviators; however we have seen participation com- SSSA that represented South Africa this year thank you for your success many thanks Marie.

regulations is in process within ARO’s where strong representation dedication and commitment to your sport by your enthusiasm and The team have completed a prospectus of activities, outputs and

professionalism you make us very proud. events, and have started to circulate this within the Recreational

Equally special thanks to John Gaillard and Bob Skinner for repre- Aviation community, and should have much of this done by year

senting the Aero Club at the FAI. end, this prospectus outlines the overall plan for 2020.
We also need to acknowledge the contribution of the indus- Highlights will be the Governor General’s Cup Air Race in the

try players like the Airplane Factory, the various ATO’s and the format held initially in 1937, which became the President’s Trophy
commercial AP’s and CAASA who has provided valuable input into Air Race as a feature air race on the 2020 calendar; plans are in place

recreational aviation. in cooperation with the SAAF hold the Silver Queen Air Rally from

The effort and support we get from the Aero Club council team Swartkops as a theme rally. The Aero Club will be holding the annual
whom I am privileged to act as the chairperson and through our Airweek at Middelburg as the signature centenary event for the year

vice chairman Rob Jonkers, who is a superman when it comes to that encompasses all our sections and extend the period of activities

steadfast and discipline planning and to Hanke Fourie for his strict with the ambition to achieve a Oshkosh type of event which is a fly-

and fair role as our treasurer. in, airshow, forums, flymarkets, camping to bring together our rec-

But their efforts are in no way discounting the tremendous input reational fraternity and also promote youth development, and this

and support and frank disagreement where necessary when we in- year’s Airweek held at Middelburg was a precursor to 2020 where
teract with each section head and representatives on the Aero Club we were on a smaller scale able to achieve many of these features.

Council namely Sean Cronin, Rikus Erasmus, Rob Jonkers, Richard The team has started the outline of a Centenary Yearbook sup-
Bovell, Simon Smith, John Boucher, Rowena Kraidy, Mark Bellingan, ported by SA Airlink. Content has mostly been sourced during 2018

Walter Doubell, Yolande Combrink, Pete Wallender, Marthinus Potgi- and 2019 and the compilation will be starting in January 2020.

eter, Bob Skinner, Sean de Klerk, Daniel Ralefeta, Kevin Storie, John Publication is expected in April this year. Anybody willing to step

Gaillard and our dedicated office staff Sandra Strydom and new up to the plate to contribute would be well appreciated.

appointee this year Chane Smit for their assistance. So as can be seen we have progressed steadily in the planning

With exception of our office staff almost all are volunteers that and framework of showcasing this prestigious milestone. We urge

also have demanding careers and family lives. Sincere thanks for all sections to start finalising the planning for the section events

your contributions and concise efforts to promote and keep recre- that will compliment a full program during the celebrations. The

ational aviation in this country. plans and wish list we have cannot be achieved by the small com-

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our colleagues at the SACAA petent team we have alone, so I am appealing to all sections to get
in particular Neil De Lange, Mary Stephens, Subash Devkaran and involved and support us.

their teams for all their support over the year at Aero Club. De- Thank you to everyone here today for making Aero Club the
spite the many challenges that arise we are sure that with energet- special club it is.
Winners of the Air Show of the Year award went to the Stellenbosch Air Show held in March ic interactions the SACAA they will meet and exceed the industry Paul Lastrucci Q

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