AAD 2010 - Ysterplaat (African Aerospace and Defence )

AAD was held at Ysterplaat AFB for the last time in 2010 - the show returning to Waterkloof AFB in 2012.  although Ysterplaat will continue hosting airshows in the future, it will of course be with a lot less participation as was seen at the three AAD's staged in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

AAD 2010 highlights were the displays by the USAF's C17 Globemaster III, the PaveHawk helicopter and the C-130J Hercules.  But, the favourite to many, was the Italian C-27 Spartan - a transport aircraft that flew a display of a fighter aircraft - it barrel rolled and knife edged it's way into many spectators' hearts.  Many of which I'm sure was desperately hoping that the SAAF would get its hands on this aircraft.

The  helicopter line up included the Oryx, Super Lynx, Bk-117, Agusta A109 and of course the South African built Rooivalk attack helicopter. All of these performing in the mini war as well.

Jets included the Gripen D, Hawk, L-39 Albatros and K-8 trainer of the Zimbabwean Air Force.

Formation aerobatics were performed by the Silver Falcons, the Flying Lions Harvard display team, lead by Scully Levine, and a RV-7 formation.  It was lovely to have a fo(u)rmation of Dakotas, three C47-TP's with the SAAF Museum's C47A, still in the original camouflage paint scheme - with the memorable roar of those engines that used to fill the sky over Cape Town years ago.

The United States Air Force also performed a Search and Rescue simulation, with spectacular explosions to entertain the crowd.

The loss of AAD is a sad occasion for Cape Town, but with the sea close by and navy participation included, let's hope it returns due to international pressure.  In the meanwhile - this DVD's gives you the opportunity to enjoy Cape Town's biggest airshow over and over again.

Running Time of the DVD is 2 hours 12 minutes.