After the two early spring cold snaps in recent weeks, the day turned out to be superb for the event, with little to no wind. Next weekend looks like we will have another cold snap!
The first RV arrival was before 07:00, and Kitty Hawk was ready and waiting. Dawie had already marked out the parking areas with barrier tape, cones and white lines, and was setting up the PA system, Lynette and her team were preparing the breakfasts and the mobile coffee station was warming up.
Graham's RV7 from Springs, with Kitty Hawk clubhouse.
The mobile coffee station baristas ready to serve the first coffees. SAAF Museum Buccaneer Restoration group memorabilia gazebo.
The Kitty Hawk RV Day is a highlight in the general aviation calendar and this was clearly evidenced by the attendance of 58 of the expected 60 aircraft. The parking areas were full and well organised by Nigel Musgrave and Chris Burger. Dawie Pretorius said if more arrived, he had a contingency plan to park them in various additional spaces.
Dawie Pretorius, the Kitty Hawk airport manager, is a man of many talents. The grounds are always well kept, he looks after any emergency situations that may arise, and was Announcer/MC and DJ for the event and did the “meet and greet” of arriving guests, while he was not occupied with other duties.
Aircraft started arriving overhead in a steady stream and either used 01 or 19 runways under direction of Nigel Musgrave or Chris Burger, who also marshalled the aircraft into the full parking areas, with RV's given priority in front of the clubhouse.
Of course, most aircraft were RV's of different versions, with there being a significant number of RV10's. Some other types departed or arrived, with the most interesting being a Fairchild Argus III.
Aircraft arrivals.
Breakfasts for pilots were sponsored by Sport Plane Builders and caps by Robin Coss Aviation.
Irmarie efficiently sorted out registrations, caps and breakfast vouchers. Pierre Dippenaar's beautiful RV10 is the 100th aircraft built by Robin Coss Aviation, who have been in the business for more than 25 years.
The Argus then took off and a high-level flypast in formation with an RV was performed.
Argus takeoff and formation flypast.
Inside the clubhouse delicious breakfasts were being served and a display and information for avionics upgrades was available.
Breakfasts being served and enjoyed and the Aeronautical Aviation display tables.
Parking areas allowed close-up viewing of those interested in more details about the various aircraft present.
Views of parking areas, showing the heartening turnout.
The SAAF Museum Buccaneer Restoration group made a presentation of a painting to Kitty Hawk.
Dawie Pretorius making the announcement and Chris Burger receiving the painting from the Buccaneer group.
Dawie had made arrangements for aerial views of the event to be taken from the visiting Lama helicopter to give perspective of the event. Many aircraft had already left, but it still showed how popular the RV Day was.
Aerial views of the Kitty Hawk RV Day event from the Lama, which was ideal for this purpose.
Lama departing.
It is always good to have a well-run and safe event, but contingency plans always need to be in place.
CERT Emergency Medical Services were on standby, but thankfully, their services were not needed.
The Marksmen two ship aerobatic team, consisting of locally based pilots, Eugene du Preez and Gary Glasson, had all eyes watching their polished display which was easy to track with their smoke systems operating.
Eugene and Gary wowed the crowd with their breath taking airmanship.
Karl Jensen, the faithful supporter, made his appearance in ZU-VAL, having visited a number of other events during the morning.
Karl Jensen arrives.
Then it was "time to say goodbye" as the last few visiting aircraft departed.
Manpower before horsepower and last departures.
As a final bonus for the late-leavers, Gary Glasson practiced some aerobatics in his high performance One Design DR-107.
Gary in inverted pass and final go-around before landing.
Chris, Dawie, Lynette and their staff can be proud of the 2026 Kitty Hawk RV Day, which was safe and well attended.
We look forward to the 2027 edition of this popular event.
