West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show

West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show The West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show is a MegaExtravaganza!

10/03/2026

👉 WEST COAST AIRSHOW CALENDER

Dear Valued Guests,

Please note that there is no Airshow planned for 2026.
We will continue to share updates and information on our Socials. Watch this space for more updates as it unfolds!

Regards,

The West Coast Airshow Team

07/12/2025

🇿🇦 TONIGHT @20:10 SA TIME! ✈️🔥
SA’s Virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team — 2024 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS — take to the skies at the International Virtual Air Festival 2025!
CALLING ALL AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS — LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE, SA! 🔥🇿🇦

And a huge congratulations to our Virtual Silver Falcons for a superb performance last night! 🟦✨ You made SA proud!

Tonight, we rally behind our defending champs — The AIR Tech Virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team — as they represent South Africa on the world stage. 🇿🇦🔥

Over 6 & 7 December, our local pilots step away from their usual general-aviation platforms — Pipers, Slings & Jabirus — to fly the PC-7 MkII and Extra 330 simulators in a world-class virtual arena.

📺 CATCH SA’S TEAMS LIVE:
🟦 Virtual Silver Falcons — 6 December • 21:00 GMT / 23:00 SA (completed — superb performance!)

🟨 Virtual Marksmen (Defending Champions) — 7 December • 18:10 GMT / 20:10 SA
🏆 2024 Best Production Trophy Winners

🎥 WATCH LIVE: www.Twitch.tv/VirtualAirFestivals

📆 5–7 December • Virtual teams from around the world
Let’s show the world how SA flies! 🇿🇦✨

The AIR Tech virtual

06/12/2025

🇿🇦 TONIGHT @23:00pm ✈️🔥 SA's Virtual Silver Falcons will take to the skies at the International Virtual Air Festival 2025. ✈️🔥 CALLING ALL AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS — LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE SA!

🇿🇦 TOMMOROW @20:10pm SA's Virtual Marksmen Aerobatic team - also 2024 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS - will take to the skies!

We wish our SA virtual aviation teams all the very best for stellar performances this weekend!

On 6 & 7 December, our local pilots step away from their usual general-aviation platforms — Pipers, Slings & Jabirus — to fly the PC-7 MkII and Extra 330 simulators on a global stage. ✈️🔥

CATCH SA’S TEAMS LIVE:
🟦 Virtual Silver Falcons
📅 6 December • 21:00 GMT / 23:00 SA

🟨 Virtual Marksmen (Defending Champions)
📅 7 December • 18:10 GMT / 20:10 SA
🏆 Virtual Air Fest 2024 Best Production Trophy Winners

🎥 WATCH LIVE: www.Twitch.tv/VirtualAirFestivals

📆 5–7 December • Virtual teams from around the world

Let’s show the world how SA flies! 🇿🇦✨

The AIR Tech virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team

TOMORROW!!! Virtual Silver Falcons in action!!! Make some noise Virtual Silver Falcons
05/12/2025

TOMORROW!!! Virtual Silver Falcons in action!!! Make some noise Virtual Silver Falcons

04/12/2025

🇿🇦 THIS WEEKEND! ✈️🔥 CALLING ALL AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS — LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE SA! 🇿🇦 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ARE BACK!
We wish our SA virtual aviation teams all the very best for stellar performances this weekend!

South Africa’s award-winning Virtual Marksmen Aerobatic team — the 2024 Best Production Trophy Winners — return to the virtual skies this weekend at the Virtual International Air Festival 2025, joined once again by the incredible Virtual Silver Falcons aerobatic team.

On 6 & 7 December, our local pilots step away from their usual general-aviation platforms — Pipers, Slings & Jabirus — to fly the PC-7 MkII and Extra 330 simulators on a global stage. ✈️🔥

CATCH SA’S TEAMS LIVE:
🟦 Virtual Silver Falcons
📅 6 December • 21:00 GMT / 23:00 SA

🟨 Virtual Marksmen (Defending Champions)
📅 7 December • 18:10 GMT / 20:10 SA
🏆 Virtual Air Fest 2024 Best Production Trophy Winners

🎥 WATCH LIVE: www.Twitch.tv/VirtualAirFestivals

📆 5–7 December • Virtual teams from around the world

Let’s show the world how SA flies! 🇿🇦✨

The AIR Tech virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team

02/12/2025

🇿🇦 THIS WEEKEND AVIATORS! South Africa is taking to the virtual skies!
We’re gearing up for the Virtual International Air Festival 2025. Stepping away from their usual general-aviation platforms — Pipers, Slings and Jabirus — to compete on a global virtual stage, our local pilots will be flying the PC-7 MkII and Extra 330 simulators on a global stage. ✈️🔥

🟦 Virtual Silver Falcons
📅 6 December • 21:30 GMT / 23:30 SA

🟨 Virtual Marksmen
📅 7 December • 18:10 GMT / 20:10 SA
🏆 2024 Best Production Trophy Winners

🎥 WATCH LIVE: www.Twitch.tv/VirtualAirFestivals

📆 5–7 December • Teams from around the world

Your support means everything. Let’s show the world how SA flies! 🇿🇦✨
The AIR Tech virtual

🇿🇦 SAVE THE DATE! THIS WEEKEND AVIATORS!South Africa is taking to the virtual skies at the Virtual International Air Fes...
02/12/2025

🇿🇦 SAVE THE DATE! THIS WEEKEND AVIATORS!
South Africa is taking to the virtual skies at the Virtual International Air Festival 2025.

✈️ Virtual Silver Falcons
🗓 Saturday, 6 December
⏰ 21:35 GMT • 23:35 SA Time

🔥 Virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team
🗓 Sunday, 7 December
⏰ 18:10 GMT • 20:10 SA Time
🏆 Winners of the 2024 Best Production Trophy

🎥 WATCH LIVE: www.Twitch.tv/VirtualAirFestivals

📆 Festival runs 5–7 December
🌍 Global pilots • VR flying • SA representation

The AIR Tech virtual Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team virtual Marksmen Aerobatic Team

Today, we pause. We remember. We honour. As James O’Connell’s memorial service takes place later today, our hearts remai...
07/04/2025

Today, we pause. We remember. We honour.
As James O’Connell’s memorial service takes place later today, our hearts remain with Ansie, their children, the O’Connell family, his colleagues at TFASA, his aviation family and friends and all who loved and admired him.

James was more than a pilot. He was a man of integrity, a legend of the skies, and a true ambassador of South African aviation. His final flight left us in mourning — but his legacy continues to soar.

From all of us at the West Coast Airshow, we share our poem as our this tribute to James today — a small offering of love and gratitude for the man who inspired a nation.

*Thank you Dean Wingrin for this incredible shot of James on the day!

🕊️ TFASA Grant Timms Marksmen Aerobatic Team Brian Emmenis Clive Coetzee Gretha Coetzee Sune Stassen

26/03/2025

THIS IS FOR YOU JAMES!
A hero of the skies. A gentleman on the ground.
A national icon who inspired us all.

This short video is our tribute — from the entire West Coast Airshow team — to honour his memory, his final flight, and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. 💔✈️

We’ve also released a full press statement, sharing more about the tragic events of Saturday, the decisions made on the day, and our heartfelt thanks to everyone who stood with us through it all.

🕊️ “Fly high, James. You and the Impala will forever remain heroes in our skies.”

You can read our 2nd press release on our website HERE 👉 https://bit.ly/4c6ER0A OR in the comment block below!

To our audience — and anyone in our extended community — who may be experiencing trauma, whether mild or severe, please know that help is available. We urge you to call 012 333 6000 and ask for MAYDAY. You will be connected to highly trained professionals who are ready to support you and your loved ones through this very difficult time.

***Thank you to all our photographers who beautifully captured the special moments in the sky!

Dean Wingrin
Pete van der Spek
Jacques Myburgh
Delphine Evertson



CapeTownMagazine.com Aviation Central Flightline Weekly Av'tog Media Final Approach Aviation Friends of SAAF Museum, Ysterplaat Aviation Media The AIR Tech Air Show South Africa - ASSA Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa TFASA Grant Timms Clive Coetzee Gretha Coetzee Brian Emmenis Marksmen Aerobatic Team

💔 TRAGIC NEWS FROM WEST COAST AIRSHOW 2025***👉 Please find our official press release attached. 👈Today, during the offic...
22/03/2025

💔 TRAGIC NEWS FROM WEST COAST AIRSHOW 2025
***👉 Please find our official press release attached. 👈

Today, during the official flying display, a fatal accident occurred involving the Impala Mark 1 aircraft, piloted by highly respected South African test pilot James O’Connell.

Despite the aircraft appearing stable through most of the performance, a sudden loss of altitude during the final manoeuvre led to a devastating crash. Emergency services responded immediately. Thankfully, no spectators were injured.
Airshow commentator Brian Emmenis, who witnessed the incident up close, shared:

“He went into the dirty configuration, he rolled the aircraft… he was in a serious deep dive and went straight into the ground. There was no sign of any attempt to eject. The crowd remained behind the barriers, totally stunned.”

A full investigation by ASSA and the Civil Aviation Authority is now underway. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with James’s family, loved ones, and everyone affected by this very tragic event.

Many of our spectators also reached out to us, asking to share their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

We’ll share more updates as verified information becomes available.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

***Please note that the following is a fake account .coast.airshow.2025.2025! Please do not entertain them. Let's stand together and show respect and support for James' family and friends by helping us shut them down.



Discoverctwc Department of Tourism West Coast Way SA CapeTownMagazine.com Love Cape Town Aviation Central Flightline Weekly Av'tog Media Final Approach Aviation Friends of SAAF Museum, Ysterplaat Aviation Media The AIR Tech Air Show South Africa - ASSA Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa WeskusTickets.co.za Brian Emmenis WESKUS JOU LEKKER DING

Craythorne I.T.

🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TOMORROW’S AIRSHOW PROGRAM! 🚨We know many of you are excited to see the detailed line-up ...
21/03/2025

🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TOMORROW’S AIRSHOW PROGRAM! 🚨

We know many of you are excited to see the detailed line-up for tomorrow’s West Coast Airshow, but here’s why we can only share a provisional program:

🌬️ The West Coast’s unique coastal location creates special weather conditions—from sea fog to sudden wind gusts. This makes it very difficult to finalize a fixed schedule ahead of time. Unlike other airshows, we are right by the sea, which means our skies can change quickly.

💥 That’s why Rickus Erasmus from Air Show South Africa (ASSA) and his team will make the first call on tomorrow’s flight program at 7:00 AM during the mandatory pilot safety briefing. From there, they will continue adjusting the program throughout the day, depending on:

✔️ Weather changes
✔️ Aircraft performance in those conditions
✔️ Safety of all pilots and spectators

🎯 Your safety and the safety of our pilots is ALWAYS the #1 priority. So please know that the reason we can’t publish a detailed line-up has nothing to do with poor planning—it’s about responsible aviation and real-time safety calls. This is completely in the hands of Air Show South Africa, who have decades of experience in safely managing world-class airshows.

✅ The GREAT NEWS? ASSA has confirmed that the weather tomorrow is looking perfect for an epic day in the sky! So come early and don’t miss a moment!

🕕 Gates open at 6:00 AM – This is to help manage the flow of thousands of spectators.
✈️ Airshow starts at 9:00 AM sharp – So make sure you're settled in early for the magic to begin!

🎟️ TICKETS – Buy online at www.weskustickets.co.za or at the gate. (Cash & card accepted.)
🪑 Chairs – Bring your own or rent one at the show for just R20 with a R50 refundable deposit.

We had a fantastic setup day today, vendors and exhibitors are prepped and ready, and we can’t wait to welcome YOU to the ONLY airshow in the Western Cape in 2025!

💥 It’s all systems GO! See you bright and early tomorrow!


Discoverctwc Department of Tourism West Coast Way SA CapeTownMagazine.com Love Cape Town Aviation Central Flightline Weekly Av'tog Media Final Approach Aviation Friends of SAAF Museum, Ysterplaat Aviation Media Air Show South Africa - ASSA Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa WeskusTickets.co.za Jonsson Workwear Craythorne I.T.

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Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport
Saldanha

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+27846141675

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