The 2012 SA Aerobatic season kicked off in Grand style with 30 Pilots competing across all classes. The unique format sees all classes against each other per class and for overall honours with the best percentage in any class winning the event. Nigel Hopkins in the newly branded Cirrus Aircraft MX2 along with sponsors Ecko Unlimited and Flightsure won the Unlimited class and finished second overall, narrowly pipped by a superb performance by Barrie Eeles flying in the Advanced class. MXtreme Aerobatics also put on a freestyle performance to get the season off to a cracking start.

From all at Mxtreme Aerobatics and Team Xtreme we wish you all a successful and prosperous 2012 with safe and fun filled Aviation memories. The teams event calendar is filling up and we hope to bring you many hours of entertainment.

Coverage of the WPFC featuring MXtreme Aerobatics at the opening ceremony.
06-Dec-11 17:30 18:30 SS6A Premier
06-Dec-11 17:30 18:30 SS6 Premier
07-Dec-11 11:00 12:00 SS6 Repeat
07-Dec-11 11:00 12:00 SS6A Repeat
09-Dec-11 09:00 10:00 SS5A Repeat
09-Dec-11 09:00 10:00 SS5 Repeat
12-Dec-11 14:00 15:00 SS6 Repeat
12-Dec-11 14:00 15:00 SS6A Repeat
13-Dec-11 18:30 19:30 SS5 Repeat
13-Dec-11 18:30 19:30 SS5A Repeat
15-Dec-11 10:00 11:00 SS6 Repeat
 

MXtreme Aerobatics opened the 2011 WPFC in style with a crowd pleasing display in the MX2. Brand SA put together a promotional video to showcase the event as well as the stunning scenery South Africa has to offer. The promo features on You Tube, the South African Power Flying Ass website, FAI website as well as local and international social networks. Cirrus Aircraft SA became a proud supporter of MXtreme Aerobatics.

The 2011 show at the Air Force Base Waterkloof was threatened by weather but the 25 Knot winds and threatening storms didn’t detract from a great spectacle for the 100 000 spectators that lined the Newly revamped runway in Pretoria. Nigel Hopkins entertained the crowds with a high energy display of Gyroscopic and Unlimited Aerobatics. Captains Pierre Gouws and Nigel Hopkins then thrilled the crowds with a formation and solo display with the South African Airways Boeing 737-800. They were initially joined by the two SAA Harvards and the 5 ship Airforce Display team, the Silver Falcons in a unique formation display. Here are a couple of the comments off local aviation blogs and social media:

“To me the highlights were the MX2 (unbelievable!), the Mirage F1 and seeing the formation flying with the Vampire, the Hawk, the Mirage and the Grippen.”

“The best display was Cpt. Gouws and Hopkins throwing that 737 around so gracefully. Something you don’t see everyday!!”

MX2 Aerobatics will be performing at this weekend’s Airforce Show, South Africa’s biggest Airshow. Only a few selected Civilian Displays will perform with the South African and United States Airforce heavy metal, fast Jets and Helicopters! As a bonus Nigel and Pierre Gouws will display the Boeing 737-800!

The 26th WAC was held in Foligno, Italy from the 31st August to the 10th September 2011 and South Africa is back after a 15 year absence. The South African team of Nigel Hopkins, Mark Hensman and Mark Sampson together with Team Manager Annie Boon headed into unknown territory and were pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome received by the top Pilots on the World Competition Aerobatic Stage. 51 Pilots in all started the event. Nigel, Bugs and Sammy arrived in Luxembourg to assemble Rob Hollands brand new MXS and headed for Terni, Italy to get on with training. Many lessons were learned by all and a great experience for South Africa’s Pilots. Nigel finished as the top SA pilot in 25th place which according to the SAC records is the best result yet by an SA Pilot at WAC. A huge thanks to the team as well as Rob Holland for the generous use of the MXS!

Nigel Hopkins with the MX2 will open the 2011 World Precision Flying Championships to be held at Brits Airfield South Africa from the 23rd October 2011. This will be a fitting opening as Nigel represented SA at 3 World Precision Flying Champs finishing 5th in Croatia in 2002 and 4th in Denmark in 2004 as well as winning 4 South African Precision Flying Titles. The 2003 World Rally Flying Champs were held in nearby Rustenburg and Nigel along with Navigator Dale De Klerk were crowned World Champions. Nigel will be assisting the 2011 SA Precision team with training leading up to the event. 60 Pilots from around the World are expected to Participate.

The Lowveld town of Tzaneen got to witness the thrilling MX2 Unlimited Freestyle Aerobatics as part of the Race of Champions event and annual airshow. Nigel Hopkins displayed the Aerial Concepts and Ecko Unlimited mx2 to the 7000 strong crowd to loud applause. The high energy display was captured by airborne TV cameras. Together with team mates Pierre Gouws, Larry Beamish and Rob Beaumont, Nigel also displayed the Harvard T6.

Nigel Hopkins has been selected to represent South Africa at the 26th World Aerobatic Championship in Italy. This is the first time South Africa has participated in the World Unlimited Champs since 1996. Team Xtreme members Mark Hensman and Mark Sampson have also been selected to the SA Team.