8 October 2026

Elders Flight 2026 Brings 500 Senior Citizens to the Skies

Around 500 senior citizens took to the skies from Wonderboom National Airport during the 2026 Elders Flight, supported by volunteer pilots, aircraft owners, sponsors and aviation organisations, with South African military veterans joining the programme later in the day.

Elders going for a flight in a Bell 407 [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

Written by:

Timothy Homan

Why this article matters
The Elders Flight demonstrates the role South Africa’s general aviation community can play beyond conventional flying operations, bringing aircraft owners, pilots, organisations and volunteers together for a large community initiative. The participation of military veterans also connects current aviation activity with South Africa’s aviation heritage.

The 2026 Elders Flight took place at Wonderboom National Airport on Saturday, 3 October, giving around 500 senior citizens the opportunity to fly.

Elders lined up for their flights. [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

Volunteer pilots and aircraft owners brought a mix of light aircraft, homebuilts, larger singles, twins and helicopters to Wonderboom for the day.

The Elders Flight is the initiative of pilot Felix Gosher, who staged the first event at Rand Airport in 2018. Subsequent editions have brought hundreds of elderly South Africans into the aviation environment.

Speaking to African Pilot after the event, Gosher thanked the pilots, aircraft owners, sponsors and volunteers who made the flying possible.

Felix Gosher said, “None of it was possible without them. They are the building blocks of the entire operation.”

Tristan Eeles in his Reclam Extra 330 SC during the airshow portion of the event [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

The Pretoria and East Rand branches of the South African Air Force Association were also involved in this year’s event.

Flying began after an opening programme that included Graham Field parachuting from an Antonov An-2 with a large South African flag, followed by a short air display programme.

South African Flag drop [© Graham Field – AerialFX Skydivers]

Once passenger flying began, the flight line included Slings and Van’s RVs alongside Cessna Caravans, a Piaggio P.166 Albatross and a Citation. Bell JetRangers, LongRangers and Hueys were among the helicopters carrying participants.

Those flown received a set of wings after their flights.

tdh 3060 — Barry and Tristan Eeles (Father and Son) with a Elder after her flight. [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

tdh 3062 — Barry and Tristan Eeles (Father and Son) with a Elder after her flight. [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

Later in the day, the programme shifted to South African military veterans. Aircraft used for the veterans’ flights included an Alouette III, Tiger Moth, Navion and Antonov An-2.

Among the former senior South African Air Force personnel attending were retired Major General Lucky Ngema and former Chief of the South African Air Force Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang. Current SAAF Chief Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe also supported the event.

SACAA Senior Manager: General Aviation Neil de Lange was also among those attending.

AN-2 ZU-FOO during the Elders Flight [© African Pilot Magazine | Tim Homan]

Participants came from several retirement homes and senior organisations, including Ons Tuis, Serene Park Retirement Centre, Siyathandwa Senior Social Club and the Krugersdorp Council for the Care of the Aged.

The event also relied on volunteers and sponsors to provide fuel, catering, medical services, security, insurance and equipment, while Cliff Lotter headed the safety team.