Local pilots shine at SA National Gliding Championships

There were fireworks in the air when the 2018 South African National Gliding Championships took place at the Potchefstroom Airfield from 30 September to 6 October.
The well-known local pilots, Oscar Goudriaan and the Jonker brothers, Uys and Attie showed their mettle in their respective classes. Interestingly, Attie and his son, Tienie, and Uys and his son, Phillip, both competed in father-son partnerships. Attie and Tienie also took first place in the double-seater class with a majestic performance.
Goudriaan took the first place in the 18-metre class with 5273 points ahead of Klaus Kalmback (5072 points) and John Coutts (5000 points).
Other winners included Jonathan Cross in the club class and Mark Holliday in the 15-metre class.
The competition saw each of the classes having to complete specific tasks on the day, which varied in terms of distance and specific routes. The more difficult and challenging the task, the more points were gained. The pilots had to follow a geographical chart with the use of warm thermals for energy and momentum to reach the various geographical points and altitudes before safely landing on the designated runway.
According to Attie Jonker, the experience was a special one as he and his son got a chance to bond and also experience the thrill of competing in this competition.
‘It was a fantastic experience and gave me the opportunity to give Tienie some advice during the various stages of the competition. It really is a special experience to spend 5–7 hours in the cockpit with your son,’ he added.
According to Attie, an important aspect of gliding is to give young pilots the exposure to big events so they can take the sport further.
‘It’s a great learning experience for youngsters like Tienie and Phillip and they enjoy it tremendously,’ he stated.