This year’s look at Durban history features an event rather than a building.
Before 2015, the Durban Virginia Airshow had wowed aviators and land-bound audiences alike for nearly 60 years. Last year broke the “jet-fuel” drought after 10 years, and the show takes to the skies for this year’s version today, Saturday August 31.
Its return has invigorated those who love these machines.
Posting on www.4x4community.co.za/forum, AlexP writes: “The return last year September of the airshow was a great surprise after the airshow had not been hosted for 10 years.
“At one of the last airshows in Durban, the South African Air Force flew the Gripen fighter jet in an amazing display.
“It was just before dusk when the ‘yes’ came through to break the sound barrier, but unfortunately the pilot would not have had enough fuel to return to base at Waterkloof, so he took off in a vertical climb that you had to see to appreciate the speed, and then fired off a series of flares as he was climbing.
“This is a great day out for the whole family.”
Russell Dixon-Paver recalls the “Air Pageant” on www.pilotspost.co.za: “My first exposure to aviation was at Virginia Airport as I had an uncle who lived in Glenashley, visiting the airfield at times and in the 1960s had watched the Virginia Air Pageant from the dunes on the sea-side of the runway.
“At that Air Pageant a Mirage broke the sound-barrier and caused mayhem in Durban-North, where many windows were shattered by the sonic shock-wave. Later, my brother and I, as schoolboys, used to catch two buses to attend the Air Pageants. Later still my brother and I had our first flying experience, joining our cousin and his instructor doing circuits and bumps as he did his conversion to twin aircraft. My cousin, brother and a number of friends served as ATCs (air traffic controllers) at Virginia. Many young men went the ATC route, while they started PPLs and CPLs (pilot’s licences)and built their hours to eventually become airline pilots.”
Highlights will include performances by Scully Levin, who had a 38-year aviation career, starting with the South African Air Force as an instructor on Harvards before joining SAA. Levin has competed in aerobatics ‒ and been team leader ‒ since the ’70s on many types of aircraft, including a 747-400, flying airliners in formation, military planes and landing on moving trucks.
Other main attractions are five-time South African aerobatics champion Patrick Davidson of the Marksmen Aerobatic Team, On the Move’s Tristan Eeles, and a display from aerobatic helicopter pilot Juba Joubert.
An after-action report on the 2023 show posted on aviationcentral.co.za said: “Juba Joubert, with his distinguished military flying background, took to the skies in an Aerospatiale SA-341G Gazelle, defying gravity with breathtaking helicopter manoeuvres that earned him thunderous applause from the mesmerised crowd.”
Apart from sky delights, there will also be ground exhibits, food and refreshment stalls, and entertainment.
Gates open at 08.30am, and tickets cost R140 for adults and R100 for U18s and are available at the gate.