Rainer Frieboese's 50th year of flying

Pilots arrived from far and wide at Brits airfield. From as far away as Botswana, Lesotho and Cape Town to help Rainer celebrate his 50th year in aviation. Parked on the immaculate lawns fronting the Wings and Tracks’ hangars were scores of aircraft belonging to proud customers as well as other types owned by friends who visited for the weekend and who were entertained with typical German hospitality. I was honoured to be amongst those who were invited and witness first-hand the passion of the proud owners for their immaculate aircraft. Twenty-seven aircraft including two Casa 1.131-Es (Spanish built Bucker Jungmans) took to the air and flew a salute in honour of Rainer who must surely be one of South Africa’s most prolific and successful builders of aircraft. What a proud moment it must have been for Rainer as he sat draped in a cloak and with a crown on his head to see his handiwork displayed in such splendid fashion.

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