Airlink says its formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium was conducted within safety parameters approved by the aviation authorities, after concerns were raised online about how low the aircraft appeared to fly.
Image: Facebook/Airlink
The Airlink fly-over of Cape Town's DHL Stadium on Saturday ahead of the Springboks match against the All Blacks continues to trend on social media.
And this time, FNB South Africa is entering the chat.
In a post on X following Saturday's "controversial fly-over", FNB SA sent a "gentle reminder" to Airlink, this as the Boks gear up to take on the All-Blacks in Joburg this weekend.
"Chomi, we’re doing it again at my house next Saturday neh, @Fly_Airlink?," FNB SA asked.
Meanwhile, The South African Rugby Union (Saru) has confirmed that another flyover will take place ahead of the third Test between South Africa and New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
If you missed it, the fly-by featured two Airlink Embraer aircraft, the green ZS-YAE E190 and black ZS-YDE E195, which were liveried in the colours of the competing teams and carried the official Tour logo.
In footage of the fly-over, which has gone viral on social media, the aircraft can be seen flying low over the stadium.
According to Airlink, the flight required careful planning and rehearsal because it involved flying at low altitude at around 150 knots.
In fact, the airline said the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided guidance, approval and support to ensure the flyby was conducted safely.
"The two aircraft were operated by highly experienced crews, with each aircraft carrying three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. Airlink said flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed that the flyby was conducted within the safety altitude and speed limits approved and rehearsed by the SACAA," the airline said in a statement.
FlightRadar24's analysis of the aircraft's ADS-B altitude data indicated that the planes passed less than 50 feet above the top of the stadium.
FlightRadar24 stated that the lowest recorded ADS-B altitude was 50 feet above mean sea level at standard pressure.
After correction for local atmospheric pressure, FlightRadar24 estimated the aircraft's altitude at 205 to 210 feet above mean sea level.
Airlink has offered the aviation regulator black-box data from the two aircraft.
IOL
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