Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2012, Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria
AAD, held every two years in South Africa, moved back to Pretoria after being in Cape Town for several years to to upgrades taking place at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. This year, I thought the airshow was rather disappointing due to the lack of international air forces flying and also the fact that the Biz jets left at the end of the trade days on Friday. The result was a very diminished static area for the general public who paid to see the airshow. I estimated around 40,000 people atteneded on Saturday but wasn't there on Sunday but imagine the same amount arrived. The airshow itslef was good but not spectacular. An international airshow, one expects spectacular!!
The highlight for me was the SAA Airbus A340 in formation with the Silver Falcons - and then a solo diaplay in the Airbus by Capt. Johnny Woods and Capt. Brad Bennetts. Awesome flying - really low at times but well under control. The other displays which I enjoyed were the SAP and special forces although the "war" bit went on too long in my honest opinion. Nice to see the enthusiasm by Menno Parsons at the end of his parachute (tandem) jump with Graham Field. Menno is such a nice guy and couldn't stop talking about the jump.
Thanks go to Canon for the team in the media centre for cleaning cameras and lenses and the general support by the team. Nice one guys!
