While many found last week’s spectacular tricks of AFB Makhado´s Hawk MK 120 training plane over Louis Trichardt’s airspace entertaining, there were also those who did not enjoy the noise that came with it.

According to Ms Bea Reimer of the local SPCA, they received complaints from especially dog owners who struggled to comfort their pets amid the noise of the air spectacle.

According to AFB Makhado spokesperson Lt Col Cecilia Tseuoa, the air show formed part of the base’s yearly golf day that took place on Friday.

“It was decided to use this event to allow the Hawk display pilot of the base to familiarize himself with the vertical features in close vicinity of the town,” she said. This exercise, according to her, also helps pilots to prepare for participation in other shows such as the Freedom of the Town celebrations and other projects such as Syandiza, the most important recruiting program of the South African Air force (SAAF).

Tseuoa gave the assurance that the necessary permission was obtained beforehand.

“The chairman of the local flying club was informed about the exercises and authority was also requested from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to conduct an exercise below 1000 feet above a built-up area.”

A notice to airmen (NOTAM) was also published to inform civilian aircraft of the exercise. In addition, the air traffic control tower of AFB controlled the exercise.