Nigel Hopkins has won the 2012 Free State Regional Aerobatic Championships held in Parys South Africa 21-22 April. Flying the MX2 in the Unlimited class he held off the field to win back to back SA competitions. Results of the Top three Pilots in Each class and Overall:

Overall Standings for Free State Regionals 2012

1. Nigel Hopkins – 79,04%
2. Johnie Smith – 76,82%
3. Charles Urban – 73,19%

Sportsman Class

1. Justus Venter (Pitts S1S) –  65,19%
2. Riaan Prinsloo (Yak 18T) – 62,86%
3. Jason Alexander (Decathalon) – 44,09%

Aspiring young Aviator Matthew Du Rand aced his school project as the only learner to achieve 100%. Son of SAA Training Captain and former Fast Jet Fighter Pilot Charl “Full Speed” Du Rand, Matthew was inspired by the MX2 at the Zebula Airshow. The pictures show various Aerobatic figures as part of his project as well as Matthew with Nigel Hopkins after the show!

The Annual SAA fly-in and Zebula Airshow was held in the fantastic Zebula Wildlife Estate with 162 Aircraft visiting the magnificent venue. MX2 N88MX was voted as the ‘Best Low Wing Aircraft’ in attendance. Mxtreme Aerobatics made its debut at the event with 2 thrilling displays in the MX2 featuring the new 2012 Display sequence with a few never seen in S.A manoeuvres. Nigel had a busy weekend of flying teaming up with Pierre Gouws, Larry Beamish and John Wright flying a 4 ship Harvard display as well as a unique, first of a kind 4 ship Beechcraft display in the B1900, B350, B250 and B200. Together with Glen Warden and Niel Trollip they wowed the crowds with the high energy Goodyear Pitts Special display and then he joined Larry, Pierre and Jason Beamish in a 4 Ship Yak52 display.

“Natalie churned out the scores in her usual efficient manner, and the final results showed that there was a close tussle in Intermediate, and also for the overall spoils. Nigel Hopkins had three excellent Unlimited flights, with no zeros or penalties. He has clearly mastered the Unlimited class and I predict that he may soon be world champion. So congratulations to Nigel, winner of the 2012 Judges Trophy, followed closely by Ben Meyer (Sportsman) and Elton Bondi (Advanced). And kudos to the rest of the field for some really good flying, and for keeping it safe.”

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.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKEobUoEMp4

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.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD68-r5qAzI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhirFEmfp9g

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!!”