West Coast Airshow is great family fun

Our guide to enjoying West Coast Airshow 2025

Last updated: 29 October 2024

The West Coast Airshow has doubled the thrills. By adding the Marksmen Aerobatic Team, 4x4 tracks, glamping, an additional build-up day, and more. Of course the favourites are still there, like 20+ aerobatic displays, drone races, skydivers, and pilot meet and greets. 

It’s happening 21 to 22 March 2025. Find everything you need to know, like must-see acts and what to bring, in our guide below.

You don’t have to be an aviation enthusiast to be blown away by the incredible stunts. Image: Frank Moody

MUST-SEE: MARKSMEN AEROBATIC TEAM 

For the first time the West Coast Airshow (which started in 2022) will host South Africa’s premier civilian formation flying team. The Marksmen Aerobatic Team will be one of the highlights of the weekend. 

Celebrated for their thrilling aerial performances worldwide, their dynamic shows feature close-formation flying, daring freestyle aerobatics, and exhilarating crossover passes. 

With a mix of synchronized stunts and gyroscopic maneuvers, the Marksmen Aerobatic Team delivers jaw-dropping displays of skill, timing, and speed. There's a few more striking acts too which will be announced. 

The Marksmen Aerobatic Team performs airshows globally. Image: Frank Moody 

MAKE SURE TO MEET THE AVIATORS  

Kids love the meet-and-greet with the aviators, when they can also see the aircraft up close. 

There’s some big names on the list, like Andrew Blackwood-Murray in the Nashua Extra300I. He has an impressive 16 500+ hours of flight experience. He worked in the South African Air Force for seven years, where he operated Harvards, Bosbok, and Impala jets. 

Some other top aviators you can meet include Dr Jurie Steyn (the reigning South African Intermediate Aerobatic Champion) and Gareth van Kets (he’ll be showcasing the iconic "Talk to Me Goose" T-51D Mustang, which combines classic design with modern technology).

You can meet the pilots and get an up-close view of the aircraft. Image: Gareth van Kets

SKYDIVING & DRONE RACES TOO 

The airshow includes all kinds of air performances, not just aircraft displays. The skilled Mother City SkyDiving team will take flight, creating breathtaking formations as they leap from planes high above. 

In electrifying drone displays, the FlyFPVSA team will attempt to break the South African drone speed record with an FPV quad. For those new to the scene, an FPV quad is a drone equipped with a first-person view system, letting pilots experience flight as if they were in the cockpit. 

The FlyFPVSA team will also host the first West Coast Airshow Drone Park, where people who have a Remote Pilot License (RPL) will have the opportunity to fly a drone.

Get ready to witness thrilling skydive displays by Mother City Skydivers. Image: Bernard Voges/Typographica Media 

WHAT TO EXPECT ON DAY 1 (21 MARCH) 

On build-up day, the pilots will be doing their validation flights (practice flights to ensure the planes are performing well and their display is safe for the main show). It’s a nice taster of what you can expect on day two, the main airshow event.  

There’ll also be a Guinness World Record attempt for drone speed racing, a drone park, Fun Park for children and a 4x4 demonstration and track.

Gates open at 12pm and there’ll be over 50 food vendors and arts and crafts stalls (there’s even a potjiekos competition). You can unwind in the lively beer garden or head to the gin bar.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON DAY 2 (22 MARCH) 

The main event will have the headlining, jaw-dropping aerial displays. The day kicks off at 9am (gates open at 6am) with 20+ aerobatic displays and static aircraft exhibits. 

This is also when you can expect the skydiver performances, FlyFPVSA demonstrations, and an impressive precision drill by the navy. The pilot meet-and-greet will happen during the lunch break. Of course, there’ll still be food vendors, the beer garden and gin bar, and many arts and crafts stalls to browse. 

There's so much for the entire family to do at the West Coast Airshow. Image: Dean Wingrin

CAMP OR GLAMP AT THE WEST COAST AIRSHOW 

Because 21 March is a public holiday, the best way to enjoy the airshow is to make a long weekend out of it. For R400 per night, you can secure an on-site camping spot where you can pitch your own tent. Your site may accommodate up to four people.

There’s five glamping options, starting from R1 750 for three nights in a Canvas Dome (two people). Three nights in a Bell Tent (two people) costs R3 000. It goes all the way up to group glamping options. Access to toilets and showers are included in the price.

It’s essential to book your camping or glamping accommodation online.

Extend the thrills of the West Coast Airshow by making a long weekend of it. Image: Ben Francis

WHAT TO BRING TO THE WEST COAST AIRSHOW

Make sure to bring hats, sunscreen and wear comfortable walking shoes for the uneven ground at the airshow site. We encourage you to bring your own chairs, as there will be a limited amount available to rent at the event (R10 each). 

You can’t bring alcohol, food or drinks, umbrellas, picnic baskets, laser lights, firearms (including air guns), knives, or anything else that could be harmful.

AIRSHOW 2025 TICKETS, PARKING, SAFETY

There’s tickets for Build-Up Day (Friday) from R20 for adults and Early Bird tickets for Saturday for the main event from R180 for adults. The West Coast Airshow is a great family outing because there’s discounted tickets for pensioners and kids under 17, and children under 5 get in for free. Don’t miss the Early Bird run before the festive season kicks in! 

You can buy tickets online via Weskus Tickets. 

On-site parking is free and can accommodate thousands of vehicles. There will be medical response teams on-site. It gets busy, so make sure kids under 13 carry contact information on them. 

There'll be skydiver performances, FlyFPVSA demonstrations, a navy precision drill, and more. Image: Bernard Voges/Typographica Media 

EXPERIENCE THE WEST COAST AIRSHOW   

The West Coast Airshow is on: Friday, 21 March 2025 – Saturday, 22 March 2025

Build-up day opening times: 12pm to 8pm

Main event opening times: 6am to 6pm (Beer garden and some vendors will stay open later)

Find it: Saldanha Airport

Contact on: West Coast Airshow website, 084 614 1675, Facebook, @wcoastairshow 

By Saarah Gierdien 

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