The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics will take place in Durban on the 28 May at Greyville Racecourse. The Aerobatic flying will occur over the lush playing greens of Royal Durban Golf course and will feature Ten of the Worlds most experienced pilots swathed in numerous World Titles and achievements.

Five of the pilots will be South African who will be coming in from every corner of South Africa, The South African contingent comprises multiple SA champions in various disciplines and categories and who collectively have represented South Africa on numerous occasions and have flowing accolades starting with and in no particular order Nigel Hopkins (Gauteng), Neville Ferreira (Pretoria), Mark Hensman (Cape Town), Patrick Davidson (Port Elizabeth) and Barrie Eeles (Gauteng).

Nigel Hopkins “As a local Pilot this is an incredible opportunity to compete with the Worlds best in home skies with our own machines. Greyville provides an enthralling amphitheatre for spectators and a thrilling challenge for the Pilots. Its certainly a first for us as Pilots and for South African Aerobatics.”

Another Gauteng based Pilot Barries Eeles is looking forward to getting in on the action “Sky Grand Prix is a showcase to see the best pilots this country has to offer going head to head with some of the worlds best. How awesome to be a part of that. Personally I can’t wait to compete at the Sky Grand Prix again. This is one serious bit of exciting flying at an awesome venue and I hope to place in the medals this time.”

The South Africans will be joined by five of the best international aerobatics pilots in recent history.

Rob Holland (USA) has numerous titles and is the 2015 World Air games Freestyle Gold medallist and a five times US Champion. Rob’s attendance at Sky Grand Prix is a major boost for the organizers as he is regarded as a “superstar” in the Aviation world, “ One of my goals is to take aerobatics to the next level, I want to push the limits of what can be done” comments Rob.

While his impact and influence on the air show community is undeniable, his remarkable skills at the controls of his MXS-RH are matched with a humble and approachable demeanour that has forged a unique connection with countless fans the world over.

The other International Pilots competing will be Artur Kielak (Poland), Mikhail Mamistov (Russia), Gerald Cooper (UK) and last but certainly not least the French Women’s Champion Aude Lemortand (France) who is setting the aerobatic world alight with her flying and in her
Professional life is a Boeing 777 Pilot for Air France.

With a competitor “A” list like this the skies of Durban are going to erupt come the 28th May. To the layman and general public the organisers of Sky Grand Prix would like to stress that Durban is being treated to the “best of the best” and to this end you need to book your ticket to be a part of the action.

This event will be held in conjunction with the Annual Daily News 2000 horse race, The Daily News 2000 Racemeeting commences with the first race off at 13:55 and entrance to the races will be FREE from 13:30.

The event is a Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA) internationally sanctioned event and is sanctioned locally by the Sport Acrobatic Club (SAC) and the Recreational Aviation Administration of South Africa. (RAASA).

Cost to enter Greyville Racecourse on the day will be R220 for adults and R50 for children under 12. Tickets are on sale at computicket.  Spoil yourself and your guests with our VIP Package, which includes your entry ticket, bars, banqueting and you can watch the incredible acrobatic flying from the fully air-conditioned roof top venue at Greyville Race Course all for only R600 per person. Tickets for this package can be obtained by contacting Kirsty Newton at the Greyville Convention Centre on 031 309 1430 or email Kirsty@greyville.durban.

What is aerobatics: Aerobatics is the practice of flying manoeuvres involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment, and sport. Additionally, some helicopters, such as the MBB Bo 105, are capable of limited aerobatic manoeuvres. An example of a fully aerobatic helicopter, capable of performing loops and rolls, is the Westland Lynx. Most aerobatic manoeuvres involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other manoeuvres, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis. Manoeuvres are often combined to form a complete aerobatic sequence for entertainment or competition. Aerobatic flying requires a broader set of piloting skills and exposes the aircraft to greater structural stress than for normal flight. In some countries, the pilot must wear a parachute when performing aerobatics. Aerobatic training enhances a pilot’s ability to recover from unusual flight conditions, and thus is an element of many flight safety training programs for pilots. While many pilots fly aerobatics for recreation, some choose to fly in aerobatic competitions a refereed sport

The event is supported by â€" Gold Circle, Royal Durban Golf Club and the Daily News

For further event enquiries contact Vivienne Holden Event Management & Stakeholder Liaison SGP, email topnotch079@gmail.com  Cell No: 082 8825056.

For media enquiries contact Paul Godwin on 0835601185 or email mw.nerve@mweb.co.za

To purchase a Sky Grand Prix VIP Package contact Kirsty on 031 3091430 or email kirsty@greyville.durban

#Skygrandprixofaerobaticsdurban2016

Media releases are also available on the blog site: www.skygrandprixofaerobatics2016.blogspot.co.za

We are also on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/skygrandprixofaerobatics2016 and Twitter: @ SkyGrandPrix16

Press Release prepared by
Paul Godwin (CPRP)
Nerve Communications
Mobile: 083 560 1185
Tel: 031 2012169
Email: mw.nerve@mweb.co.za

On Behalf of
CEO Sky Grand Prix
Roger Deare
Mobile : 083 791 7778
Email : Roger Deare roger@spikeapparel.co.za