Stellenbosch Flying Club - Situated to the West of De Zalze

Stellenbosch Flying Club invites residents of the estate to visit us and enjoy sundowners on our lawns and watch the aeroplanes take off and land as well as the moon rising over the Hottentot’s Holland Mountains.

We strive to be noise sensitive and responsible precinct neighbors on every occasion and therefore do not do any training of students on a Sundays as well as no night flying training except on our social Tuesday evenings. We also do circuit training away from the airfield at other airfields in close proximity.

Stellenbosch Flying Club is proud of the fact that we participate in charity events – our big one being the Reach for a Dream Children’s Day on the 29th of May, when children from all over the Peninsula and Boland, who are physically challenged, are entertained and flown by our pilots who open their hearts, and donate their time and aircraft, to these children. This year's was another great success.

Another of these events is our Veteran Pilots Day when we strive to find all Veteran Pilots far and wide and invite them to a day out at our beautiful Club. As you can well imagine, World War 2 pilots are a very rare breed and their numbers decrease each year, but these and other Veteran Pilots have a wealth of experience to share with the pilots of today – albeit they part with their experiences very modestly!

The big Club event is our “Oshkosh at Stellenbosch” or “FASHKOSH” where we invite pilots from all over the country to join us for a weekend at Stellenbosch. Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is the mecca for pilots and some cannot make the pilgrimage, hence the Fly-In and fun weekend at Stellenbosch. This event took place on the 8th and 9th May, 2010.

Aircraft Focus: Auster AOP Mk6 - No 5408

Stellenbosch airfield is home to some exquisite vintage aircraft.

One of these fine aircraft is a beautiful Auster Mk6 which has been meticulously restored by her owners and is hangared at the airfield.

While a touch of artistic freedom has been applied to her present colours; she was restored to depict a near authentic SA Air Force camouflage scheme dating back to the 1950's, a time when these aircraft where in service with 42 Squadron S.A.A.F.

The Auster AOP Mk 6 is a single piston engined communications and training high wing monoplane. She is powered by a Gypsy Major engine similar to that used in the DH Tiger Moth and de Havilland Chipmunk aircraft, examples of which can also be seen at Stellenbosch airfield.

This specific aircraft served in the South African Air Force as No 5408.
Today her civilian registration is ZS-ECW and this is also depicted along the side of her fuselage on the traditional dark earth and green camouflage scheme.

History

The Auster MK6 served as a liaison and observation aircraft for the British artillery during WWII.
She was piloted by artillery officers during WWII, but the aircraft were operated by the RAF until 1957.

Auster aircraft where in service until 1964 in the RAF when they where replaced by light helicopters used in the same role. In the South African Air Force; these aircraft where replaced by the Cessna 185's in the 60's.

Auster 5408 sports the prominent SA Air Force springbok roundels which date back to the Korean war era. Who knows? Next time you visit our airfield in the vineyards; you may just be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of her.

For more information, please browse our website at www.stelfly.co.za and feel free to come and participate. We always welcome new faces.