Honouring precision and passion: The Marksmen Aerobatic Team

Formed in 2020 amidst global uncertainty, The Marksmen Aerobatic Team quickly established themselves as one of South Africa’s most captivating and technically skilled formation display teams.

Known for their crisp precision, spirited camaraderie and compelling presence on the airshow circuit, they’ve become ambassadors for world-class aerobatics – both locally and abroad. Born out of a shared passion for formation flying, the team was founded by Mark Hensman and the late Mark Sampson, later joined by Eugene du Preez and Marty Schultz. Together, they combined artistry, discipline and flying excellence to create a new standard of aerobatic teamwork.

When was The Marksmen Aerobatic Team officially formed?
We officially launched in 2020, during the Covid lockdowns. While the rest of the world was pausing, we were pushing ahead – training, building and shaping what would become The Marksmen. The founding team was myself, the late Mark Sampson (Sammy), Eugene du Preez and Marty Schultz.

What’s the background that led to the formation of the team?
Sammy and I had spent years flying with Team Extreme between 2010 and 2019. That is where we gained most of our formation aerobatics experience. After Team Extreme disbanded, we knew it was time to start something new – a fresh identity, a new energy. That’s how The Marksmen were born. It wasn’t a rebrand – it was a brand-new beginning.

How did Eugene and Marty join the team?
We brought Eugene du Preez and Marty Schultz in early and trained them. That process – mentoring and building the team together – was a huge part of what made The Marksmen feel different. We spent a lot of time flying together in Cape Town in 2020, laying the groundwork for the team we have today.

Who are the current members of the team today?
The current line-up includes myself, Eugene du Preez and our newest member, Gary Glasson, who joined in 2024. Gary’s a fantastic fi t – skilled, steady and already adding a lot to the
team dynamic.

Can you walk us through the sponsorship journey?
Absolutely. Our initial sponsor was Leatt Protectives – they believed in the dream right from the beginning. After that we were joined by Neworder Group; SV Aviation and Skeerpoort Verspreiders and ADVOCA Auditing. Most recently, we’re proud to welcome WearCheck to the team. Each of these sponsors has played a major role in supporting our growth – we wouldn’t be where we are without them.

What’s been your standout team memory?
Nairobi, 2021. That trip will stay with me forever. We’d just come out of the chaos of the pandemic, and it was one of those rare moments where everything clicked – the flying, the chemistry, the pure joy of being in the air again. It was also the last trip we did with Sammy. As we were landing at Charles Prince Airport, he turned to us and said, “This is the best trip I’ve ever done.” Later that day, he was gone. But that memory… it is golden. It was about more than flying – it was friendship, passion, and freedom all rolled into one.

What inspired you to start a formation aerobatic team?
I have always wanted to. Since the early days of fl ying solo aerobatics back in 1993, I’d dreamed of formation flying. But being in Zimbabwe and later Cape Town, I was isolated from the formation scene. It took nearly five years of determination, travel and persistence to finally bring it to life. You can’t force something like this – it happens when the right people and timing align. Once that happened, the rest followed.

Looking back at 20 years of airshows, what would you want to change in the next 20?
Honestly? As little as possible. The more you change, the more the fun gets lost in rules and red tape. The magic of airshows is in their freedom – the energy, the noise, the thrill. I hope we can preserve that spirit for the next generation. Long may it last.