On November 15, 1919, a special edition of “The Star” was flown from Baragwanath to Durban by Major Alister Miller in a World War I Avro 504 biplane. Shortly afterwards Baragwanath became home to the first ever aerial transportation company in South Africa.
The Johannesburg Light Plane Club (JLPC) was formed in 1927, making it one of the oldest active flying clubs in the world.
You can find a much more detailed history of Baragwanath in the following articles.
History of Baragwanath Airfield and the JLPC
The fascinating history of Baragwanath Airfield
Opening of the Syferfontein Airfield
After so many months of problems, crises, difficulties and no airfield, Saturday 23rd October dawned clear and bright for JLPC.
Pictures: 1970 – 1979
Pictures from the 1970s
Pictures: 1960 – 1969
Baragwanath hosted many airshows in the 1960’s
Pictures: 1950 – 1959
Memories from the 1950’s
Pictures: 1940 – 1949
Private flying was suspended in the war years, with activity only resuming from 8 June 1946. Not long after that the Air Pageant returned to Baragwanath.
Pictures: 1930 – 1939
Pictures from the 1930’s including the new clubhouse.
Jackie Moggridge
Jackie Moggridge learnt to fly at Baragwanath. She was the first woman in South Africa to do a parachute jump.
Crash at Baragwanath
A tragic crash takes the lives of William John Charles Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick and passenger Sir Michael Oppenheimer
Pictures: 1920 – 1929
Images from the roaring twenties.
Pat Judson
Pat Judson was the first Rhodesian born airman. He went solo at Baragwanath on 27 August 1929.
Dick Bentley – Pioneering Spirit
The story of Richard Reid “Dick” Bentley
Pictures: 1910 – 1919
Images from the beginning of Baragwanath’s history
Cecil Robert “Tommy” Thompson
Cecil Robert “Tommy” Thompson was a founder member of the Johannesburg Light Plane Club at Baragwanath.