NEWS

New destination in the Free State

Next time you fly south from Bloemfontein over Gariep Dam, take a close look at the airfield. After 25 years of its sleepy existence, new developments have taken place there recently.
Built during the period of the dam construction, FAHV has seen very little activity, other than a few flying contests and an international gliding event each summer, started originally by Helmut Fischer..

The Karoo is one of the world's best areas in summer for long distance gliding, and from Gariep world records still stand, with closed circuit courses of around 1400km and average speeds over 160kph. These conditions draw top pilots and their slick carbon fibre machines from all over Europe and even Japan. However, other countries were beginning to entice foreign pilots to other destinations with better facilities. There was a danger that the regular camp at Gariep would fizzle out.  So, Peter How, who had by now, taken the running of the annual gliding camp, began a project to bring new life to the Gariep Dam airfield, boost tourism to the area and to make the airfield the premier southern hemisphere destination for glider pilots.

Shade parking for visiting aircraft was erected, a large additional hangar was built, the existing buildings were improved and many indigenous shade trees were planted. Acquisition of tow planes, motor gliders and sailplanes for use by foreign pilots had already begun, and a flying club was founded.

These improvements are designed to make Gariep Dam the premier southern hemisphere destination for glider pilots from Europe and the USA during our summer period. At the same time, the airfield will become an attractive destination for power pilots and their families wanting to get away from the major centres, but not have to worry about landing on a unimproved dirt strip on arrival.

Receiving full support from the local Kapanong Municipality and Free State tourism, this is the first major investment into the region. Capital for the airfield improvements and its purchase had been raised in Europe. It is believed to be the first time that a major airfield had been transferred to a private organisation as part of a project to boost regional tourism. The project is expected to bring several million rands worth of tourism benefit to the area each year, with additional spin off to South Africa at large.

After completing the airfield upgrade project and running the gliding camp for a few further years, Peter retired as camp and project director and the airfield purchase was taken over  Gunther von Versbach of Germany.  Martin Lesle and Petia are now running the annual camp very successfully.

The airfield is seen as a gateway to an area with great eco-tourism potential. Being centrally situated in South Africa, Gariep dam airfield is ideal for major fly-ins and competitions by all forms of aviation. It has two long tarmac runways and taxi-ways, ample parking and no airspace problems. There is plenty of low cost accommodation and a community willing to go out of its way to make pilots welcome. Fuel is always available. In the town and surrounding areas, there are a wide range of activities including game viewing and nature drives and walks, cycling, fishing, game hunting, swimming, boating, tennis, golf, mini-golf, river rafting, horse riding, gliding in summer, art galleries and historical tours. Car hire is available.

Gariep Dam Fly-in

On 14th November, 13 aircraft from the Eastern Cape visited the airfield for a breakfast held at the Gariep Dam Hotel. Furthest to fly in and return that day, was a 1948 Cessna 120 from Progress Airfield near Port Elizabeth. The town's people responded with their usual hospitality and transported all the pilots and their families to the hotel and back, and the breakfast was fantastic.

November 2005

Flying starts Beginning of November and ends at the end of January 2006

31 January 2004

Water Festival

20-22 March, 2004

Mass power aircraft fly-in - enquire here

7 - 12 April (Easter)

Easter gliding camp - enquire here

Late November 2004
to end January, 2005

Gariep 2004 long distance gliding camp - enquire here

February 2003

There was fun and games again at the weekend water festival, which coincided with the end of our gliding season.

March 2003

The Karoo Classic aerotow hang gliding event again took place

April 2003

Those fantastic jet powered models again used Gariep Dam Airfield's fantastic facilities.

23 Nov 03 to
31 Jan 04

Gariep 2003 long distance gliding event.

This is the Karoo Classic Hang Gliding Event which took part from 24th March to 31st March. This was the first successful event using microlights to tow hang gliders. The participants were very pleased with the site and facilities and a new bigger event is planned for end Feb next year.

21 to 24th Sept

The office of the Minister of Water Affairs has requested that the weekend celebration and particularly the function on 24th Sept re the 30th anniversary of the completion, be postponed to a new date in October.

9 Nov 2002

Mooney Fly-In.

24 Nov 2002 to
1 March 2003

Gariep Dam annual international gliding camp.