NOTE: This article describe the 2013 President's Trofee Air Race as experienced by a Turning Point Marshall (Radio Amateur) stationed at Prins Albert and Avontuur.
The 2013 Presidents Trophy Air Race was hosted by The Aero Clubs of Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn and was held in Oudtshoorn over the weekend of 23 to 25 May 2012.
By all reports the event organization made it one to be remembered. Well done to all involved to make this one of the best events on the Southern Cape Aviation Calendar.
Such a large event rely on many marshals to make the event a success. Amongst the marshals for this race were several radio amateurs (SCARC and PEARS Clubs) that manned the control station in Oudshoorn and the following turn-points:
Day 1:
Oudshoorn Control - Chris ZS2AAW and Trevor ZS2AE
4 School - Jaques ZS1WC and Gavin ZS1GB
Laingsburg - Abe ZS1ZS and Raynond ZS1RAY
Prins Albert - Johan ZS2I and Johan ZS1I
Willowmore - Andre ZS1BK and Nicholas ZS2NT
8 School - Colin ZR2CRS and Beavan ZS2RL
Day 2:
Oudshoorn Control - Chris ZS2AAW and Trevor ZS2AE
Ladysmith - Abe ZS1ZS and Raynond ZS1RAY
Philips - Jaques ZS1WC and Gavin ZS1GB
Avontuur - Johan ZS2I and Johan ZS1I
Joubertina - Colin ZR2CRS and Beavan ZS2RL
Willowmore - Andre ZS1BK and Nicholas ZS2NT
As per usual many other radio amateurs decided to join the above groups during the event. Unfortunately I do not have all their names but they all played a vital roll as additional spotters. Thanks go to all of them as they made the task at hand much more easier.
Amateur Radio preparations for the race started in all earnest in March 2013 with several meetings held to discuss various matters. An amateur radio equipment list for the race was compiled to assist radio amateurs in not leaving behind important equipment for the event. Thanks must go to Johan ZS2I who compiled the Excel Spreadsheet for the event. A week before the race all antennas, radio and power sources were tested in Heiderand, Mossel Bay to ensure that everything functions the way it should. The following photos were taken while testing equipment in Heiderand, Mossel Bay on the 17 May 2013.
Images: Testing equipment prior to the race in Heiderand, Mossel Bay - Johan ZS1I
Before quite realizing it the 23 of May arrived with a vengeance. We packed all the equipment and left Mossel Bay for Oudtshoorn for the final briefing at 12h00 in Tefase Hangar, Oudshoorn. On the way to Oudtshoorn I made contact with Eddie ZR1DEP, Sarel ZS1SGN, Abe ZS1ZS and Francois ZS1Q on the 2 Meter band. Johan ZS2I has just installed a new Diamond NR780R: 144/430MHz(2m/70cm) antenna. Signal report on simplex were 5/9 copy and the antenna worked great.
On arrival at Oudtshoorn we joined the radio amateurs from PEARS. This was absolute great to see so many familiar and also new faces. At the final briefing Hans ZS1ALJ (Event Organizer) pointed out the responsibilities of the Turn Point Marshals (Radio Amateurs) which entailed:
1. Man turn points at allocated points on day 1 and day 2.
2. Test effective communications to all turning points
3. Record all aircraft passing the turn point with race number and time ie: race number 67 - time in HH:MM:SS - 10:15:45
4. Send through log sheets to control in Oudtshoorn.
5. Aircraft will pass the turn point at no lower that 200 ft and not higher that 700 ft.
6. Aircraft passing turn points will announce their number and turn point name on 124.8Mhz AM.
7. Aircraft passing the points must be seen and heard ie: spotter sees aircraft with race number 67 - monitors 124.8 hears - race 67 Avontuur - records on log sheet.
8. Any deviation of this needs to be recorded - it not seen - if not hear - to high - to low
9. Curtious to all public at the turn point.
10. Leave the turn point as was found - neat and tidy.
After the briefing in Oudtshoorn each turn point received a large orange SAPFA Gazebo and it was time to head for the respective turning points. From hereon the author of this article will describe the events as they unfolded while making our way to the Prins Albert and Avontuur turning points.
At Oudtshoorn we were joined by Francois ZS1Q who decided to accompany us. At around 12h20 we left Oudtshoorn for Prins Albert. We decided to make use of the shortest route. The GPS took us over the Swartberg Pass into Prins Albert. We once again made contact on 2 meters with Chris ZS2AAW (Oudtshoorn) and Eddie ZR1DEP (Mossel Bay). While climbing the Swartberg Pass we decided to stop for a good old cup of coffee and something to bite. Johan ZS2I obliged with the necessary refreshments and Francois provided the much needed coffee. The scenery made for some great camera shots. I took the following images en-route to Prins Albert.
Images: Swartberg Pass - Johan ZS1I
After spending nearly an hour making our way to Prins Albert we arrived at our destination. We stopped at the local butcher to buy Karoo chops and sausage for the evening braai. A must if you love Karoo meat and a braai. After purchasing a few other odds and ends at the local Spar we made our way to the Prins Albert Airfield. We were greeted with the vastness and silence that you will only find in the Karoo. We setup camp, reported to control in Oudtshoorn via HF radio (7098 Mhz) at 17h00 and then awaited for the Karoo to come up with a beautiful sunset. We were not disappointed as can be seen from the following images:
Images: Prins Albert Airfield - Johan ZS1I
Later that evening we were joined by one of the locals living in Prins Albert, Willem Freysen (Junior) who brought a trailer full of thorn-wood to the airfield. We started a fire and enjoyed a real traditional Karoo braai and also the company of Willem who kept us entertained and occupied with some interesting stories related to Prins Albert and its people. Having lived in Prins Albert for a few years we reminiscent about the years when many of the "Gamkasklowers" were still alive. Being privileged to have known many of them it brought back fond memories. We had the most unforgettable and enjoyable evening with surely the best Karoo meat to fill the empty stomachs. At 21h00 it was time to go to bed for the night. We listened to the quiet of the night and it was not long before everybody was fast asleep.
Image: Prins Albert Turning Point - Johan ZS1I
The next day we woke up long before the sun was out. Made a quick cup of coffee and dipped a rusk or two into the coffee. We packed all the sleeping gear and positioned the SAPFA Gazebo on the allocated GPS co-ordinates. We installed all necessary radio gear and reported to Oudtshoorn control via HF Radio at 08h00. The race was scheduled to start at 10h00. We were set and ready for the first aircraft to arrive. Having some time on our hands until 10h00 we once again took photos of the area. At 08h45 Sarel ZS1SGN arrived from Oudtshoorn to join our group. Sarel unpacked his vehicle and as per usual he obliged with some fresh snacks which was served there and then. The best was however was saved for last. He surprised us with two packs of the best biltong. The "billies" and snacks were just what the doctor ordered and we feasted until it was nearly time for the start of the race. Many thanks must go to Sarel ZS1SGN for the snacks, biltong and his jovial company.
We received the departure schedule and at 10h00 the first aircraft was in the air. All eyes to the horizon and ears listened for the sound of aircraft. We were four radio amateurs that scouted the sky for any movement. At 10:41:20 the first competitor (94) passed the turning point. The next hour was one of the busiest and required good concentration and observation skills. The last aircraft passed the Prins Albert turning point at 11:47:21. We supplied control with the necessary schedule and received our marching orders around 12h45. After a quick "chicken parade" we left the airfield cleaner then we received it. It was now time to head to Avontuur. Avontuur is situated in the Langkloof about 12 km to the south of Uniondale.
We traveled through the scenic Swartberg/Outeniqua valley and arrived at Avontuur at around 16h00. At 17h00 we reported to control that we are in position and that our equipment is functioning as it should. A quick look around revealed an unsafe environment to sleep in with a bottlestore/shebeen not far away and "traffic" heading towards the venues. We decided that it would be unsafe to sleep in this area and decided to move to the Uniondale Caravan Park 12 km from Avontuur. This was great as we were able to shower and to freshen up.
Image: Uniondale Caravan Park - Johan ZS1I
We started a fire, pitched our tents and made a nice cup of hot coffee. Soon it was braai-time and the meat sizzled on the grid with the well known aroma of "braaivleis" in the air. With a nice campfire going we all sat around the fire and we soon discovered that the cold was creeping closer as the sun set behind the mountains. Just after 21h00 we decided it was time to shut eye as we planned to get up early the next morning to erect the gazebo on the designated co-ordinates and also to setup our amateur radio station for stage two of the 2013 President's Trophy Air Race.
It was a cold night. Just after midnight somebody decided that it was party time in Uniondale. Whether it was the "Uniondale Ghost" we were not sure but luckily after about half an hour the SAPS obliged and everything turned quiet again. We woke the next morning with the cold in our bones. A quick cup of coffee and some rusks resulted in warm tummies and we left Uniondale for Avontuur. The sun was just coming out when we arrived at Avontuur. We setup the station and gazebo and were ready for action. Some locals passed by and greeted us with enthusiasm not seen anywhere in the Southern Cape. They inquired what we were up to and after explaining they strolled on their merry way to the local shop. One man however puzzled us. He inquired whether we were the people that were responsible for bringing the money. We answer no and he left. Only once a security vehicle and money van passed we realized that the man wanted to draw money at the shop's auto bank and that it was empty. He obviously thought that we were there to fill the machine with money. At 08h00 we reported in and was told that the race would start at 10h30. With some time on hand we once again took photos.
Images: Avontuur Turning Point - Johan ZS1I
At about 09h30 Bermond Verster, a local farmer stopped after seeing the emblem on my cap. He noticed the SAWDOS emblem and decided to find out more of what we were doing in the area. Bermond is the local head of the Avontuur Fire and Protection Association and a observer for SAWDOS. Man this was now really the cherry on the cake. We chatted for a long time and I received first hand information about the current needs of the farmers in the area relating to weather and disasters as well as the fighting of large fires in the Avontuur area. We really spend some quality time with Bermond and enjoyed his company. Unfortunately Bermond had other commitments and he had to leave but not before he gave us a box of export apples. Talk about open handedness in an area where farmers are really being battered by Fires, Flash Floods, Severe Thunderstorms and Large Hail. "Bermond it was really great to meet up with you and thanks for the delicious apples. Bermond left and after a while a local microlight pilot joined us. We really had a great time. He explained the many different weather patterns and conditions in the area and we also discussed the tragic AMS helicopter accident that occurred in the area a few years ago.
Time crept by and soon we were notified via radio that the first aircraft is in the air. Once again it was all eyes on the sky and ears wide open to listen for the aircraft. The first aircraft number 78 arrived at 11:47:10 and then all hell broke loose when several aircraft would arrive one after the other with only a few seconds between them. The last aircraft passed the Avontuur turn-point at 12:37:50. We received clearance to depart to Oudtshoorn just after 14h00. After disassembling the station we packed the trusted Toyota bakkie and returned to Oudthoorn. Upon our arrival in Oudtshoorn we met up with Hans ZS1ALJ (Event Organiser). While walking towards us Hans whistled a lively tune and from his body language it was obvious that the event was a great success. After a short chat with Hans we decided to head for home as Johan ZS2I still planned to travel to Johannesburg later in the evening.
This event was a great success. Unfortunately the winner aircraft (7) picked up a bolt on the runway. It jammed in the spat and resulted in a blowout and ground loop which caused the aircraft to end up on its nose.No one was injured in the incident. Despite the incident the winners were full of smiles at the price giving ceremony. Congratulations to Jackie de Vries and Marcel Viljoen on winning the 2013 President's Troffee Air Race.
Image: The damaged winning aircraft - Chris, Avcom
Image: The Winners!! - Athol Terence, Avcom
Finally to each and everyone that made this event a success, a big thank you. This event is already being described as the Aviation and Amateur Radio event of the year in the Southern Cape. We are looking forward to the next event on the calendar!
PHOTO ALBUM:
Images supplied by Chris Scarr ZS2AAW (Oudtshoorn Control)
(Trevor Scarr ZS2AE (Now SK) at the radio operating desk in Oudshoorn)
Article compiled by:
Johan Terblanche ZS1I
Mossel Bay
28 May 2013
Article compiled by:
Johan Terblanche ZS1I
Mossel Bay
28 May 2013
