Uis Fly-In: A spectacle of aviation and community spirit
10th anniversary event
Strangers became friends, united by their shared passion for the timeless beauty found in the skies above.
This year’s annual Uis Fly-In, organised by Light Sport and Amateur-built Aircraft Association of Namibia (LISAMA), marked a historic moment in the Namibian aviation calendar.It was the 10th anniversary of the event, which once again captivated aviation enthusiasts and locals in the picturesque town of Uis. The programme included skydiving, formation and aerobatic flying, public demonstrations, and gyrocopter flights.
Pilots, aviation friends, and their families arrived in a total of 39 aircraft, showcasing not only the thrill of flight but also a strong sense of community. As in previous years, the fly-in attracted pilots and their families and friends from South Africa, Germany, and Switzerland.
With the majestic Brandberg as a backdrop, Uis provided the perfect venue, offering ideal weather conditions from sunrise to sunset. The local community was, once again, an excellent host, providing ample accommodation in town, as well as camping facilities at the airfield.
The excellent gravel runway, with sufficient parking for all aircraft, exceeded expectations.
The Friday programme kicked off with 24 participants showcasing their flying skills. Following sightseeing flights and a well-deserved coffee and breakfast at the airfield, the 08:30 pilots’ briefing began.
Other highlights
Dr Henk Koster, an accomplished rally and precision pilot, organised several events over the weekend. He ensured that all participating pilots attended the briefing. After completing pilot and aircraft registrations, the first event—a navigational skills test—took place. The route led pilots and their navigators around the Brandberg. Each aircraft was fitted with a logger to track their flight paths and reveal any navigational errors in the vast Namibian landscape.
On Saturday and Sunday, spectators were treated to impressive flying displays, including a spot landing exercise and a skills flying test that evaluated speed and accuracy around three pylons near the airfield.
On Sunday evening, the prize-giving ceremony acknowledged not only flying skill but also the spirit and joy of aviation.
Results
Navigation Exercise
V5-KBV – Riaan Burger
V5-TOL – Frank Stein
V5-UOP – Matt Totten
Pylon Skills Test
V5-UKR – Jens Rubow
V5-UWH – Heiner Schlusche
V5-UVC – Laura Braune
Spot Landings
V5-UKR – Jens Rubow
V5-LUV – Nadia Braune
V5-USL – Frikkie Kruger
Overall
V5-UKR – Jens Rubow
V5-UOP – Matt Totten
V5-RYN – Ingo Hasse
The Uis Fly-In not only showcased the excitement of aviation, but also fostered camaraderie and community spirit. Families and friends came together to enjoy the festivities and savour local cuisine catered by Brandberg Restcamp. Strangers became friends, united by a shared passion for flight.
As the event drew to a close, the memories of this remarkable celebration lingered, leaving behind a promise of future soaring adventures. The Uis Fly-In stands as a testament to the unifying power of aviation and the timeless beauty found in the skies above.
Throughout the event, all pilots demonstrated outstanding flying skills, airmanship, and radio discipline. Despite the absence of air traffic control, unmanned airfield procedures were followed diligently.
Multiple simultaneous aircraft movements were conducted during the fly-in, with no airspace or runway encroachments.
LISAMA extends its sincere thanks to the many sponsors, without whose contributions the event would not have embodied the spirit and character of general aviation in Namibia.
A special note of gratitude also goes to the Executive Director of the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority, who provided the guidance and authorisation necessary to ensure that the event was not only conducted within the legal framework, but also in a safe and professional manner.