If there is one sport just as popular as football among spectators in North America, it is airshows, which attract an amazing 26 million people to more than 400 aviation shows annually.
On home soil, the Durban airshow is an historic and much loved event in the country, as it is the second oldest civilian airshow in the world. Preceding the much anticipated Durban airshow that is taking place in July this year, the second annual KZN Winter Air Tour will stop by Newcastle, Mkuze, Ulundi, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and Margate to bring aviation to the people across the province this winter.
For pilots, airshows are an electrifying opportunity to show off their skill and put on a great show. “Just to be able to throw the aircraft around without 350 people sitting behind you, screaming their heads off, is a thrill for pilots,” said John Neilon, event organiser and airside director of the KZN Winter Air Tour, who has been part of the Durban airshow for the past 15 years now.
Thousands of spectators are expected to show up at this year’s KZN Winter Air Tour where top pilots such as Menno Parsons, Nigel Hopkins, Chris Briers and Stu Davidson will all put on an exciting display of the very best in aviation. “Each aircraft is so different in many ways and it is amazing to witness the designs and work that goes into making them fly,” said Neilon.
The KZN Winter Air Tour will also provide great family entertainment, with food stalls and various exhibitions at the seven airshows. Neilon added that there will be fun activities for the kids and the airshows will be a great day out for the whole family.
The KZN Winter Air Tour will bring aviation action to Newcastle on Saturday, June 1st, Mkuze on June 8, Ulundi on June 15, Richards Bay taking place on June 22 and Pietermaritzburg on June 29. During July, Margate will host its airshow on July 6 and Durban’s Virginia airport will close this year’s air tour on July 13.
Tickets are available on the day of the airshows at the airport gates or online at http://www.kznwinterairtour.co.za.
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Author: Lizanne Swart from KZN Winter Air Tour. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
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