All eyes will be on the sky above Durban's beachfront this weekend when some of the world's best pilots perform daring aerial moves and race over the ocean to be crowned the finest and fastest.
The main attraction of the Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival is the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics, a first in South Africa.
"There have been similar events in Europe and other countries. It's going to be spectacular," South African pilot Nigel Hopkins said. South Africans will be competing against pilots from Russia, the Czech Republic, France, the UK and Germany.
Planes are expected to race, twist, turn and be pushed to the extreme as they blitz through multi-storey pylons placed on the beachfront piers to complete an aerobatic routine.
They will fly across the beachfront at speeds in excess of 400km/h while being subjected to plus 10 and minus five times the force of gravity.
"We obviously practise the manoeuvres many times so when we are up there, our focus is on making sure that we get it right for ourselves and for the spectator as well," Hopkins said. The South African Air Force official display team, the Silver Falcons from Langebaan Air Force Base, will also take to the sky to add to the aerobatic feast. The air force's skydiving team, the Golden Eagles, will also be there.
One of the navy's major surface ships, a Valour Class frigate, is expected to dock in Durban and a submarine has also been added to the line-up.
The National Sea Rescue Institute will use its mother ship and semi-rigids in a demonstration and provide a rapid response rescue service at the festival.
The South African Police Service water wing will also be in attendance.
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