Golden Oldie flies high in Free State sky
Residents of the Free State Goldfields were pleasantly surprised on Thursday morning as a South African Airforce C-130 Hercules made a brief appearance in the Welkom airspace after an absence of 15 years.
Well-known aviation specialist, Brian Emmenis,says the flight was part of a tactical training exercise undertaken by members of the 28 Squadron based at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Gauteng.
“This meant that they were doing what is known in the aviation world, as touch and go. They did not touch down in Welkom but did several approaches. The ideal conditions in Welkom make this a suitable training area for the South African Airforce Pilots,” Emmenis explained.
This was the C-130 Hercules’ first appearance in Welkom in 15 years.
The aircraft is now heading to the Bram Fischer Airport, outside Bloemfontein, where further training will be undertaken.
ALSO READ:
Mixed reaction to Mboweni's SAA payday
On Wednesday Mboweni told the National Assembly that Treasury would inject an additional R7 billion into the Land Bank and R10.5 billion into South African Airways (SAA). The embattled national carrier is tethering on the brink of collapse. SAA business rescue practioners approached government for more funding to help undertake the airline's business rescue plan.
