APEA

During the 1930's, the City Council of Pretoria (CCP) decided to build a landing strip on the farm Wonderboom, approximately 15km north of Pretoria. This was the beginning of Wonderboom Airport and the landing strip was open for air traffic in 1937. Wonderboom Airport became the base for the Pretoria Light Aircraft Company (PLACO) and the Pretoria Flying Club. Although the property belonged to the CCP, PLACO managed the airport.

Between 1937 and 1940, PLACO was responsible for training student pilots for the government and also undertook chartered flights. When the Second World War started in September 1939, the Department of Defense took over the airport and aircraft for military purposes and the PLACO personnel joined the South African Air Force. By 1940, practically all civil aviation training was ceased and military flight training activities were moved from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London to Wonderboom Airport.

During the years of war, pilots for both the Royal Air Force and SA Air Force was trained at Wonderboom Airport because it was far away from the war zone and the pilots could experience ideal weather patterns. This training ended on 8 March 1946.

The Defense Force handed the airport back to the CCP in 1945. After the war, extensive extensions of the airport took place. Except for training, the airport was also used for chartered flights and maintenance of aircraft. Most of these services were managed by PLACO. Mr. Cayasas Modisa, South Africa's first black pilot, received his training at Wonderboom Airport.

The CCP took control of Wonderboom Airport during 1960. In 1965 they extended the runway, built a new terminal building, hangars and workshops and installed landing lights. The first Boeing 737, the Pongola, landed at Wonderboom Airport in 1982. During the 1980's, the airport became the base for one of the biggest parachute clubs in South Africa. The airport became popular with business men due to its excellent restaurant and conference facilities.

During 1993, the airport was once again upgraded to be able to handle bigger aircraft and cargo, which led to the extension of the runway to a length of 1 828m.

In December 1994, with the establishment of the Greater Pretoria Metropolitan Council (GPMC), legislation determined that airport operations should be managed by metropolitan councils. As a result, the former GPMC entered into a contractual agreement with the former CCP to manage the Airport's operations on the GPMC's behalf.

A concession agreement was reached with the Pretoria International Airport Corporation (PIAC) in 2000 to manage the airport. This concessionaire was responsible for the activities at the Airport, with the Airport remaining the asset of the former CCP. However, in the late 1990s the Wonderboom Airport's international designation, as an entry point to South Africa was withdrawn, effective as from 1 January 2000.

Towards the end of 2000, the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) was established, which resulted in the ownership of the Airport and the concession agreement was officially cancelled on 30 June 2003. The CTMM then implemented a Contingency Plan for the Wonderboom Airport with the aim of retaking possession of the CTMM's asset.

The small city of Villavicencio, which is, the Douglas DC-3 Capitol of South America.

Villavicencio (VVC) is the capital city of the Meta province, which is located South East of the Colombia capital city of Bogota. Villavicencio has a population of about 400.000 inhabitants and it lies next to the Guatiquia river. VVC lies between the slopes of the Andean Mountains and on the edge of the Colombian plain called Los Llanos. VVC is also called La Puerta al Llano, or the Gateway to the Llanos.

Villavicencio's proximity to huge mountains and great plains make the city an example of Colombia's geo-diversity. Because it is located on the footholds of the Andes, the early and evening breezes cool the city, which is very hot for most of the day

Villavicencio has grown from a small settlement in the 1850s to an uncontrolled and disparate city of over 400,000+ inhabitants in 2007. It is a vast modern city which has grown out of control. It does not have clean water for all of its inhabitants, its sanitary system does not exist in poor neighbours, and even its electrical grid is not sufficient to meet the needs of the city. A modern road has shortened the driving time to one and half hours to Bogotá. This road is guarded by the military for and tourist can now safely travel this route.

Cattle, agriculture and Oil, are the main ingredients for Villavicencio economy. Beer and soap are manufactured locally in Villavicencio. Exports from the surrounding area include coffee, bananas, and rice.

Villavicencio Airport Villavicencio Airport (VVC), also known as La Vanguardia Airport is located near the Guatiquie River on the edge of the city. The airport has a single asphalt runway (05/23) which is 1,384 feet long. It serves national charter and cargo airlines as well as private sectors. The airport operations are limited between 08.00 to 18.00 hours due to no means of ramp and runway lighting. The airport has a single small terminal building which caters a small cafeteria on the first floor, which overlooks the main parking ramp. A heavy military presence surrounds the tiny terminal most of the times. The drug problem has meant that ramp security is high with police and military patrolling the active ramp.

Frequent serving airlines are Aires SA and Satena connecting VVC with the capital city of Bogota. Several small cargo companies are located on the North side, along the full length of the runway. Back in the hey-days of the big propliners Villavicencio airport was a very active place. Numerous companies with DC-4s, C-46s and DC-6s flew passengers and cargo to the many savannah and Amazon destinations. During our visit the veteran DC-3/C-47 has taken over much of that work. Several companies such as:Aerovilla, Latina, Viarco, Alliansa, Sadelca, Ades, Air Colombia and Aerovanguardia where active on mixed cargo and passenger flights to Yopal, Macarena, Mitu, Mira Flores, Carreno and Inirida.

Gostei destes ultimos.

Parecem cenários de um filme qualquer.