1986 Comair W P Provincial Air Rally
Held at Stellenbosch - 29 November 1986
By Roy Waldek
It was David Livingstone who once said when he first saw the Victoria Falls "But scenes as lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".
I also felt like that on finals for Zero One into Stellenbosch last Friday. I have never seen a more magnificent view in my life - the prominence of the Helderberg and Stellenboschberg Mountains surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye could see. Adding to the scenario of all this magnificence was the picturesque log-style clubhouse of the Stellenbosch Flying Club - what an appropriate structure for this surrounding splendour.
After being warmly welcomed, we made our way to the hotel. It was a beautiful surprise seeing the tranquil Hotel Lanzerac set back up a valley on the slopes of the Jonkershoek, an awe-inspiring mountain range changing majestically as the last rays of the afternoon sun reached out to reflect upon its upper-most peaks.
That evening we drove through to the Good Hope Flying Club at D.F. Malan. and were treated very well - thank you to all who had laid before us an appetising spread of wine. chicken. fish, snacks etc. After enrolling and paying the necessary dues, we an rookies decided on an early night and drove back to the hotel, retiring close to ten-thirty that evening.
The next day - Saturday - the day of the Western Province Air Rally, finally dawned with terrific blue skies, a glorious start to a much looked-forward-to Rally. First aircraft off was at eleven- thirty. Exactly one hour before take-off time we were given the rally route with times for each checkpoint. All in all there were eight checkpoints, two secret ones and a scenic flight awaiting both Pilot and Navigator - from Stellenbosch to the Strand, which was the start, across the water of Gordon's Bay to Die Punt and Kaap Hangklip, around the peninsula of Betty's Bay, up the valley climbing to the lovely Du Toits Kop Peak 1760m with its panoramic view of Fransch Hoek Pass, turning a left wings over and descending down into some of the finest wine country of the fairest Cape to Lategan Station, checkpoint number three, then past Paarl and Wellington from where the scenario begins to change from vineyards to wheat fields. Freshly harvested lands below patterned like giant spider webs, field after field up to checkpoint no 4 - a place called Kruispad. From here on up - very little to navigate on - occasionally a road, again a positive bearing then on again over more wheat lands passing Morreesburg on the right to a road intersection at Holvlei down to a coastal unmanned checkpoint no 6. Turn left again and head for checkpoint no 7 following roads, power lines, beacons - anything signifying that you're still on track. fearful all the time that you may just have missed a secret checkpoint. Photos were good, accurately placed and, above all, in colour. Ground markers at some places were slightly difficult but otherwise no complaints. On to second last checkpoint at Perdeberg, last leg navigation much better - far more to navigate on right over the Bottelaryberg spot height heading for Lynedock Station and arrived surprisingly enough on time. Final leg home a short 2nm hop for a spot-landing at the field with power. Undershoot this and you receive an additional 25 penalty points; land in the box and you collect 25 bonus points. Overshoot the box and you're not penalised nor do you collect any bonuses. Needless to say, we landed deep after a two and a half hour flight, marked up our map in the aircraft and then went in for our first of many well deserved cold beers.
All in all we didn't fare too badly but I must definitely fit dive brakes to ZS FLY as we continuously arrived early at the checkpoints which cost us plenty in double penalties. I know now also why we don't carry paxs. Who wants to witness you murdering your navigator and vice versa?
With all the pent-up tension released, the talk was more relaxed and pilots were once again discussing the rally in general. With some of these guys. however. mentioning one second early or late at each checkpoint, I think I'll stick to organising these things in future.
Incidentally, not all the checkpoints were manned, nor were they all photographed, which was a pity because, had they been photographed and we missed the checkpoint, the organisers would have known and we would have incurred 1000 maximum penalties. Not being photographed the organisers did not know if we were there or not, so we automatically benefitted. I wonder how many were actually missed? Makes you think, doesn't it? Well, after a long wait by all, the last aircraft arrived back at about 4:45 and in time, mind you. as the wind had picked up at one o'clock gusting 20-30KTS on finals.
What a pleasant sight it was, everybody out on the lawns in front of the clubhouse soaking up the sun and. of course, keeping the breweries in pocket money.
Back to the hotel for a bath. dressed and arrived at the Bellville Holiday Inn for the Banquet. Prize Giving etc. Although apologies were forthcoming from the organisers earlier about the venue. it was rather unfortunate that not all the contestants could be accommodated in one big hall. Nevertheless the spread made up for this one shortcoming. I might add that at one stage it looked like a Holiday Inn Management Convention with all that green and gold around, but (jokes aside) it was very nice to see our Springboks in their blazers they so proudly deserve to wear. More is the pity that some other countries can't see what gentlemen and fine pilots our Springboks really are.
Brian Ferguson was able to start the proceedings once he had received the results (no need to apologise for the delays, Brian. If ever the results come out on time, please let me know how it is done). Once the thank you's were over, the anticipation of the results was electrifying to say the least. Some facial expressions gave the impression that their owners were due for the toilet but had decided to wait a little longer. Finally the results were read and a very worthy and relieved brother combination - Dave Mostert and young brother Anton - were very popular winners. With total penalties a mere 125 points - a magnificent achievement, well flown and well deserved.
Johan Swart and Andrea Schoeman took a commendable second place, missing no1 by only 9 penalties to repeat their performance of last year when they won the same event. Third place went to the grand master of the circuit, Colin Jordaan and John Adams, with a very good score of `48 penalty points
All in all, up to 20th position the penalties were only 477 as no quarter was given and no quarter was asked for. Every pilot and navigator strove desperately to win the coveted W P Air Rally Trophy and, of course, the R2600 prize monies kindly sponsored by Comair.
Our two Algoa Flying Club pilots, husband and wife team Dave and Ivanhoe Perelson, certainly did not disgrace themselves as they came in a very creditable 4th place, only 29 points behind the winners. Ivanhoe also received the First Lady Home Pilot Trophy to add to her collection of cups. Congratulations also as they are overall winners of the 1986 Precision Air Rally Championships. Well done you two.
To our Western Province hosts, Brian Ferguson, Martin Pollock, Johan Swart, Peter Norton en al julle ander kerels, baie dankie vir alles.
Thank you for a magnificent rally, well organised, well supported and flown by a great crowd of guys and girls. Hope to see you again next year.