Whatever happened to Dunnottar?

[ICEMAN]

I know the airforce deserted Dunnottar Airfield a couple of years ago, maps show it as "abandoned". The runways were huge and managed multiple formations of training harvards simultaneously....

Anyone know what happened to the runway and facilities? is it pvt or still government owned? It the runways are still there, it would make a spiffy place for a micro sortie, so any ideas who to contact for permission?

[ICEMAN]

Just taken a looksy @ Dunnottar with the google satellite............ runways still marked out, can see the threshold runway numbers and the white makers on the borders....... 3 parallel grass runways running East/West and 3 parallel running North/South.......

http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q= ... 019956&t=k

[The Agent]

SAd to see how the bases are being closed one by one. First they use the equipment until it is broke then they pass it on to another dept and aventually its closed. I had abloody good time at Dunnottar and a number of pilots and students learnt what they today know about flying on that base. My eldest son was born there so we have asoft spot for the place and ofcourse the old trusty Harvard, and what do some of the other people who stayed at dunno's say.

[Splitter]

Dunnottar is currently used by the Army's Engineering Corps as storage facility. The runways are parked with big truck's, bridges etc. What an ugly sight. It will never be the same again

[ICEMAN]

What a pity, what a waste....... i heard a few years back that the plan was to revamp, convert and expand it into an international airport to alleviate some of the JIA traffic and congestion.

But then again, that was about the same time that the Lesotho Military open up a can of "whip-arse" on us.

[ACE]

Iceman,

Check with Fred Blokland, or any triker from Springs on this forum and enquire. I trained at Springs a few years ago and often, the instructor and I would go there for circuits and bumps. It was nice & quiet so you could concentrate on the flying and not worry too much about traffic.

Lately I believe that some paragliders or powered parachutists have used it as a launch site but this info is not necessarily accurate.

Regards.

[Chaz]

Heya folks

Your'e right ACE Dunnottar is being used by the paragliders. Flew over there the other afternoon and whilst alerting traffic under special rules East was told to be on the lookout for some paragliders in the area.

You right about the Harvards Agent think, all S.A's have a soft spot for them. At Springs for those who are not aware you can go in one of two Harvards for either a 15 minute flip or 20 minute Aerobatic flip. Only 11 Harvards left flying in the entire country and the Harvard Club of South Africa dont know how much longer they can keep them going due to lack of support. Normal flip R450.00 and aerobatic flip R800.00.

Your's in Flying
CHAZ

[ICEMAN]

Chaz,

Thanks for the update, at least the facility is still being used for flying purposes.

Only 11 Harvards left flying in the entire country

wow, thats not namy left, i grew up in benoni in the 80`s and remember the large numbers of SAAF students from dunottar passing overhead on training excercises in the summer afternoons........, wave after wave of 15-20+ at a time, to be dead honest i firmly believe thats where and when my eyes first turned skywards .... very impressive stuff for a young boy...


(ps: Ace.... i see we share the same legal representaives.... Smith, Wesson and Associates. )

i believe that at one time, dunnottar operated the largest fleet of harvards in the world