Legacy in the skies: Goodyear Eagles

When you speak to Dennis Spence, you’re not just talking to a pilot – you’re tapping into nearly half a century of South African airshow history.

From the throaty rumble of Pitts Specials cutting through the African sky to the quiet mentorship that shapes the next generation, Dennis has lived, flown, and led through it all. At 75, he still ferries display aircraft to shows. Still flies. Still mentors. Still laughs at his own stories. And still holds an unshakable belief in the power of discipline, mentorship, and teamwork in aerobatic flying.

40 years of formation flying – when did it all begin?
The seed was planted in 1985. I started with a single Pitts Special. By 1990 we had two, in 1993 we expanded to three, and in 1997 we had a full four-ship aerobatic team.

And who were the original pilots in those early days?
In the beginning, it was just me and Jeremy Lange. When we became three, Glen Warden and Steve Yorke joined in. The first four-ship
included Glen, Neil Trollope, Johan van Niekerk and myself. Every name there was carved into the DNA of our team.

What about today’s formation?
Over the years, we’ve had an evolving cast of brilliant pilots. Today, we have a team of rockstars: Nigel Hopkins, Jason Beamish, Trevor
Warner, Johan Van Solms, Gareth Gill

Who backed you from the start?
Our first sponsor was Smirnoff — they believed in us for 18 years. That was rare loyalty. Today, we’ve been with Goodyear for 17 years and counting. Their trust helped take us global – from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi.

What’s the team’s most unforgettable memory?
There are plenty, but flying eight shows in Kenya stands out. And the three international events in the UAE – particularly Al Ain – were
magic. We shared airspace with the likes of the Red Arrows and Saudi Hawks, and our guys held their own. No second-class act. We flew our flag with pride.

On mentorship, safety & handing over the controls
Dennis becomes more contemplative when asked about the next generation. We’ve got world-class young talent coming through. But without proper mentorship, we risk losing them – literally and figuratively. Airshows and competition aerobatics are two different animals. One polishes your skills, the other demands presence and crowd awareness. We’ve seen too many tragedies – good pilots, even champions, pushing limits in the wrong setting. One accident is one too many. We need structured progression. It’s not about pulling hard Gs 10 feet above the ground. The crowd can’t see how low you are anyway. Showmanship doesn’t mean risk.

What’s your vision for the future?
We must institutionalise mentorship. Pass the baton before the light dims. As veterans, we owe it to the young ones to speak honestly – about scares, mistakes, recoveries. To say: ‘Don’t do that. I’ve been there. Here’s what works.’

Final reflections
At the end of the conversation, Dennis leans back. “It’s been a privilege,” he says. “I’ve had a hell of a ride. Now it’s time to make sure the next generation flies smarter, safer, and stronger.” He pauses. Then with a wry grin, adds: “What I won’t miss is cold hamburgers and warm Coke. But the smell of smoke on startup, the roar of a crowd, and the sight of a tight four-ship rolling off show centre –
that never leaves you.”