Airborne over the scintillating Namib Desert

THE Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge hosted its third annual fly-in over the first weekend of June, with more light aircraft, pilots, associated folk and visitors than ever before.

An airstrip set amongst spectacular desert vistas of never-ending verdant veld, fast turning golden under a constant winter sun, rich red dunes, a cloudless blue sky and a gentle easterly breeze provided an ideal setting for this competitive gathering of single wing chariots. The show was meticulously organised by lodge owner Wolfgang ‘Kucki’ Kuhhirt, of Kucki’s Pub fame, who benevolently set aside all his Rostock accommodation for those attending.Arrivals throughout Friday and early Saturday saw all competitors then report for registration and a full pilots’ briefing at the delightfully named ‘Rostock International Airport’.The Directorate of Civil Aviation provided all the radio equipment and transport for qualified Air Traffic Controller Micha Stiemert.He was responsible, in his capacity as ATC for the event, for supervising all airborne movements and thus ensuring that each of the Fly-In programme events was carefully regulated and overseen.Once again Heidi Snyman, the owner of Hotel Schweizerhaus and Café Anton in Swakopmund, kindly assisted with the day’s administration, and tallied the all important pilot scorecards.So the scene was set for the first action of the day, the Cross Country.Pilots were given a list of 12 GPS co-ordinates, each with a relevant puzzle to solve.Marks were awarded for each correct answer given after pilots had flown their own route past each waypoint.The record-breaking entry of 21 planes was comprised of a group of larger light aircraft, including several Cessnas (210 and 310), Pipers (Cherokees and a 124), a Bellanca and a Super Decathlon; a group of four Samba and Lambada motor gliders; two Tecnams, two Cheetahs and a Cubby, all in the ultralight category, and finally a single Savannah microlight.The day progressed with all competitors executing the Waterdrop with each pilot having, over two separate runs, to drop a waterfilled balloon into the target area, a clearly marked 20-metre wide section across the airstrip.Points here were for accuracy.In the Spot Landing category, pilots had two attempts also to ‘land’ their aircraft in that same area, with the first touch down of the main wheels on the ground being marked and scored.These were really spectator-friendly events, taking part right in front of the shaded viewing and aircraft holding areas, with each attempt greeted by all manner of crowd reaction, underlining the friendly rivalry between all the pilots.The aerial action ended with an impromptu display of formation flying and some aerial acrobatics by the four motor glider pilots, all of whom had flown up from South Africa.At a prize-giving ceremony held at the lodge restaurant later, owner Kucki Kuhhirt reminded us of a wonderful quote related by an anonymous competitor: “Don’t tell my mother that I’m a pilot; she thinks that I’m a piano player in a bordello bar!” Heiner Schlusche, a Swakopmund-based flying instructor, using his own Cheetah, proved to be the overall winner in an extremely close contest and was delighted to become the third winner of the fine Rostock Fly-in trophy.Runner-up Johan Ferreira had flown his Bellanca all the way from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape to take part, while local businessman Kai Rubow – last year’s champion – had to settle for third place in his Piper Cherokee 180.Plaudits must also go to several sponsors including Rostock Ritz, Swakopmund Brauhaus, African Marketing, Hotel Schweizerhaus, the Salt Company in Walvis Bay and Namibia Breweries for their generous support of the event.An apt reminder for next years Fly-In, which will take place on June second 2007, comes with the words of Leonardo da Vinci: “For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards; for there you have been and there you will long to return.”The show was meticulously organised by lodge owner Wolfgang ‘Kucki’ Kuhhirt, of Kucki’s Pub fame, who benevolently set aside all his Rostock accommodation for those attending.Arrivals throughout Friday and early Saturday saw all competitors then report for registration and a full pilots’ briefing at the delightfully named ‘Rostock International Airport’.The Directorate of Civil Aviation provided all the radio equipment and transport for qualified Air Traffic Controller Micha Stiemert.He was responsible, in his capacity as ATC for the event, for supervising all airborne movements and thus ensuring that each of the Fly-In programme events was carefully regulated and overseen.Once again Heidi Snyman, the owner of Hotel Schweizerhaus and Café Anton in Swakopmund, kindly assisted with the day’s administration, and tallied the all important pilot scorecards.So the scene was set for the first action of the day, the Cross Country.Pilots were given a list of 12 GPS co-ordinates, each with a relevant puzzle to solve.Marks were awarded for each correct answer given after pilots had flown their own route past each waypoint.The record-breaking entry of 21 planes was comprised of a group of larger light aircraft, including several Cessnas (210 and 310), Pipers (Cherokees and a 124), a Bellanca and a Super Decathlon; a group of four Samba and Lambada motor gliders; two Tecnams, two Cheetahs and a Cubby, all in the ultralight category, and finally a single Savannah microlight.The day progressed with all competitors executing the Waterdrop with each pilot having, over two separate runs, to drop a waterfilled balloon into the target area, a clearly marked 20-metre wide section across the airstrip.Points here were for accuracy.In the Spot Landing category, pilots had two attempts also to ‘land’ their aircraft in that same area, with the first touch down of the main wheels on the ground being marked and scored.These were really spectator-friendly events, taking part right in front of the shaded viewing and aircraft holding areas, with each attempt greeted by all manner of crowd reaction, underlining the friendly rivalry between all the pilots.The aerial action ended with an impromptu display of formation flying and some aerial acrobatics by the four motor glider pilots, all of whom had flown up from South Africa.At a prize-giving ceremony held at the lodge restaurant later, owner Kucki Kuhhirt reminded us of a wonderful quote related by an anonymous competitor: “Don’t tell my mother that I’m a pilot; she thinks that I’m a piano player in a bordello bar!” Heiner Schlusche, a Swakopmund-based flying instructor, using his own Cheetah, proved to be the overall winner in an extremely close contest and was delighted to become the third winner of the fine Rostock Fly-in trophy.Runner-up Johan Ferreira had flown his Bellanca all the way from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape to take part, while local businessman Kai Rubow – last year’s champion – had to settle for third place in his Piper Cherokee 180.Plaudits must also go to several sponsors including Rostock Ritz, Swakopmund Brauhaus, African Marketing, Hotel Schweizerhaus, the Salt Company in Walvis Bay and Namibia Breweries for their generous support of the event.An apt reminder for next years Fly-In, which will take place on June second 2007, comes with the words of Leonardo da Vinci: “For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards; for there you have been and there you will long to return.”