Potchefstroom’s Skies Ignite as Airshow Delivers Thrills and Community Cheer

Karen Scheepers
2 days ago
3 min read

Potchefstroom’s winter skies came alive on Saturday, 7 June 2025, as the much-anticipated annual airshow transformed the local airfield into a festival of flight. Under a crisp blue canopy, aircraft of every shape and vintage thundered, tumbled and glided in a program designed to thrill aviators and families alike. From stunning aerobatics to nostalgic warbird fly-pasts, and from sizzling braais to buzzing exhibition tents, the event delivered a full-day celebration of aviation and community spirit.

The morning kicked off with precision formation flying by a colorful array of stunt planes. Extra 300 monoplanes, their smoke trails carving bright arcs overhead, shared the sky with classic Pitts Special biplanes performing tight loops and graceful rolls. Spectators craned their necks as the Flying Lions’ four-ship Harvard trainers lumbered into position and billowed thick white smoke in perfect synchrony.

Later in the day, the unmistakable roar of “Mustang Sally” , a polished P-51D Mustang, drew spontaneous applause as it ripped through a series of low, sweeping passes. In an unexpected treat, this WWII-era fighter even teamed up with an Extra 330 for a rare dual act, pairing vintage beard-shaking power with modern aerobatic finesse.

Thrills continued when veteran stunt pilot Scully Levin performed his signature truck-top landing. With nerves of steel, he guided a bright yellow Piper Cub onto the flatbed of a moving truck, touching down on its roof in a maneuver that left the crowd gasping and then erupting in cheers.

Not to be outdone, a privately owned Aero L-39 Albatros jet, its gray fuselage gleaming under the sun, screamed along the runway in multiple low-level passes. Although aerobatic loops and rolls were restricted by regulation, the jet’s raw velocity and thunderous engine notes more than compensated.

Adding a touch of silence and elegance, local glider champion Oscar wove his Jonker JS-3 sailplane through the air, trailing smoke in delicate spirals before engaging a small sustainer engine for a final, graceful fly-past set to stirring music.

On the ground, the airshow felt as much like a community festival as an aviation event. A cluster of food trucks and marquees offered an irresistible spread of gourmet burgers, traditional braai fare, “Chip ’n Dip” fries and icy treats, the aroma of sizzling boerewors mingling with the scent of jet exhaust.

Children darted between face-painting booths and a toddler play area, while parents relaxed on picnic blankets or settled into deck chairs under branded umbrellas in the beer garden. Between aerial acts, upbeat commentary and music kept everyone’s spirits high, and the wide grassy viewing area buzzed with conversation, laughter and camera shutters.

Nearby, a row of vendor tents showcased everything from pilot training programs to static displays of modern and vintage aircraft. Visitors peered into the cockpit of a Cirrus SR22, climbed into a retired Alouette III helicopter for a photo op, or chatted with representatives from local flight schools about lessons and career pathways.

A dedicated merchandise booth sold commemorative T-shirts and the 20th-anniversary airshow book, while craft stalls offered aviation-themed art and model airplanes. High-school volunteers manned a charity stall, selling raffle tickets to support veterans’ causes, and a handful of local businesses handed out promotional giveaways, further reinforcing the festival atmosphere.

As the sun dipped lower, families and aviation buffs alike reflected on a day that blended high-octane stunts with friendly camaraderie. Spectators applauded the seamless pacing of the program, where moments of adrenaline were balanced by leisurely breaks perfect for exploring the grounds or grabbing a bite.

The collective gasp at the truck-top landing and the thunderous ovation for Mustang Sally’s passes became the show’s defining echoes, replayed eagerly on social media and in conversations long after engines fell silent. For many, it wasn’t just the roar of propellers and turbines that made the day memorable, it was the chance to share a communal experience: a tribute to skill, history and the sheer joy of flight under the vast South African sky.

In all, the 2025 Potchefstroom Airshow delivered a diverse showcase of aerobatics, warbird nostalgia and community-centered festivities. It proved once again that whether you came for the daring in-flight maneuvers or the relaxed picnic vibe among friends and family, Potchefstroom’s air-and-ground spectacle offered a rich, full-day adventure, one that will be talked about until engines fire up again next year.