Every year, there is an event on the birdman's calender that makes for a great fly-in. The Virginia Airshow. On this one occasion, management are out of the equation, and the airfield is hired by the Airshow management for this show. And the Microlights flock in...........

For the rest of the year, weight-shifts are not permitted to land at Virginia, and other microlight types require prior permission for type.

From the first time I landed a weight-shift at Virginia, it has always been a special flight for me. I fly past about 2 or 3 times a month on flips down the Umgeni River mouth, and I always cast a longing eye sideways at Virginia....

But this once, just this once " Microlight BTA you are cleared to land in turn on runway 23..........."

Thanks to Geoff from Light Flight for spreading the word around the Cato area, for Jica for doing the same amongst the Ballito folk.

All in, I think there must have been about 30 microlights in the fly-in. I know there were 17 weight-shifts, and I would venture a guess at about 13 fixed wing types.