The Pretoria Airshow 2025
Produced by African Pilot's GA Team - Jared van Bergen and Timothy Homan - Photographs by Jared van Bergen and Timothy Homan - Edited by Phillippa Dean.
The Pretoria Fees is held annually over the Easter weekend at Legends Adventure Farm. This year, a touch of spirit and magic was added with the inclusion of a seriously well-planned and executed airshow. Saturday also featured the SAPFA Speed Rally, hosted by David le Roux from Pilot Insure. Overall, the show was a great success, and the Adventure Farm, together with Rhino Park Airfield, offers a fantastic layout for airshows and aviation events.
No South African airshow would be complete without the Puma Energy Flying Lions. Watching the Harvards in action is always a joy, especially given their historical significance in South African aviation. The team performed an excellent routine despite the challenges of flying at highveld altitudes.
The Flying Lions were then joined by the two Navions and two Extra 330s for a mass formation flypast — a powerful display of precision and coordination.
Juba Joubert and André van Zyl then raced — André in his Maserati and Juba in a Gazelle helicopter. After the race, Juba transitioned straight into his display. His experience in piloting helicopters is evident, and it’s always a pleasure to watch him demonstrate the Gazelle’s capabilities.
Skydivers jumping from the beautiful Alouette III, ZU-RFA. As the four skydivers descended, Andrew Blackwood-Murray prepared for his high-energy aerobatic display in the Nashua Mobile-sponsored Extra 300LP, thrilling spectators with his precision flying.
André van Zyl performed his signature routine in the Magni Gyro. André really makes that gyrocopter sing in the sky! His knife-edge pass is always a highlight. A regular on the airshow circuit, André is a true showman — we appreciate your consistency and flair!
Four Jabiru Light Sport Aircraft from a local flight school performed a spot landing competition. The challenge: land as close as possible to the designated line — any landing before it didn’t count. This fun and engaging event added an inclusive touch to the day’s programme.
Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish took to the skies in the two-ship Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials. It’s common to see these two sharing a routine, also known for dazzling crowds with their Extra 330 formation displays.
The Navion Display Team, powered by Altitude Wealth, was next with a dual-aircraft formation display, expertly flown by Reyno Coetzer and Mike George. Their execution of the switchblade manoeuvre was flawless! Rumour has it they may be adding a third aircraft — something to watch out for.
Grant Timms with a stunning performance in Sylvester de Beer’s beautifully restored AM-3C Bosbok. Grant’s precision flying and hesitation rolls were a visual treat — this aircraft is a must-see at any airshow.
Elton Bondi, a national aerobatics champion, showed off his skill in the Extra 300L, executing a masterclass in precision aerobatics. One particularly low pass left the audience breathless!
Aldo Naudé took to the skies in the Air Tractor, always a visually appealing act given the aircraft’s low-flying capabilities. Meanwhile, a tractor operator began mowing the grass beside the runway. After ignoring repeated calls to vacate, Aldo dropped water on him — at least he left with a clean John Deere!
Jason Beamish and Nigel Hopkins returned to the skies for their Extra 330 duo display. Their tight formation flying and signature double knife-edge pass had the crowd cheering.
Jason and Nigel returned once more, this time as the Raptors, flying their home-built Vans RV-7 and RV-8 aircraft.
Eugene du Preez brought a beautiful bare-metal Cessna 140 to centre stage to take a war veteran for a commemorative flight. However, while taxiing, the aircraft became stuck. Eugene jumped out to push, only for the veteran — revealed to be Elton Bondi in disguise — to hop in and take off! After a few unstable passes and a close call with a fire truck, he managed a successful landing.
Once nerves had settled and the crowd stopped laughing from the “stolen aircraft” gag, Juba returned for a smooth solo in the Gazelle, followed by Arnie, Ellis, and Andrew in the Hired Gun Pitts Specials and the Extra 300LP.
A triple-helicopter formation wrapped up the main acts, featuring the Bell UH-1 Huey, Gazelle, and Alouette III. The Huey, with its iconic thump, drew enthusiastic applause.
Overall, the airshow was extremely well organised, with the programme running smoothly and on time. The organisers did a phenomenal job — especially impressive for a first edition! We’re confident it will be a standout event again next year. Well done to everyone involved!
David le Roux, Pilot Insure.
A special note from the African Pilot team: David le Roux went out of his way to ensure a great experience for the media — from parking and media access to refreshments.
Thank you, David — your efforts are much appreciated!