MARKSMEN TEAM
Mark Hensman
Position: #1 - Team Leader
Team Manager & Technician
Aircraft: MX2
Johnie Smith
Position: #2 - Right Wing
Aircraft: Extra 330 LX
Eugene du Preez
Position: #3 - Left Wing
Aircraft: Extra 330 SC
Gary Glasson
Position: #5 -
Slot
Aircraft: Slick 540
#1 Mark Hensman
- Team Position: #1 Team Leader, Manager, Technician
Flying achievements:
- SA Aerobatic Champion 2006 and 2009.
- Silver medal for the South African team at both 2007 and 2010 Advanced World Championships.
- 5th at the 2010 China International Air Sports Fiesta.
- 4th in the World Air Masters, China 2011.
- 15,500 Flying Hours.
Mark Hensman grew up in Zimbabwe. He went solo in a glider at the age of 15 and started his Airline flying career at age 26. In 1995 Mark entered the first Advanced World Aerobatic Championships (AWAC) flying a Christen Eagle bi-plane that he had built himself. Under the guidance of his mentor Nigel Lamb, Mark achieved 11th place in the first program and 17th overall. He has competed in 5 World Championships at both Advanced and Unlimited level and been South African Aerobatic Champion twice.
In 2010, after 15 years of performing solo displays around Southern Africa, Mark ventured into formation aerobatics flying lead in the Team Xtreme Duo which expanded into a world class 4 ship team displaying locally and internationally.
In 2014 Mark left his airline career as a B747 training captain to pursue his passion for formation aerobatics full time.
Aircraft Flown at Air Shows:
- Yak 55
- MX2
- XtremeAir 42
#2 Johnie Smith
- Team Position: #2 Wingman
Flying Achievements:
- 2011 Advanced National Champion.
- 2013 Advanced National Champion.
- Represented South Africa in the Advanced Class in 2010, 2012 & 2014.
Johnie was born in Heilbron, Orange Free State. His first flight in an aeroplane was with his dad when he was 4 months old in a 1947 Tiger Moth… from there on he was hooked on aviation! He started his flying career in 1988 when he got his Private Pilot License. Even though he was working fulltime he still managed to complete his Commercial Pilot License and IF rating achieving both in 1991. He started a successful crop-dusting business in 1995, a successful business that still continues today.
Johnie has now surpassed 9500+ hours of spraying. He started his business with a C188 and progressed to an AgCat and was later the proud owner of a range of Air Tractors which included AT401, AT402, AT502 and an AT602.
Johnie started aerobatics in 2006 with a Pitts S1S when he joined the Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa. He later bought the South African made Slick 360 and started competition aerobatics. Johnie flew it for 420 hours in air shows and aerobatic competition. In 2013 he purchased a XtremeAir XA42. He was crowned 2013 National Advanced Champion using this aircraft. Johnie has flown +- 120 solo aerobatic air shows in South Africa from 2010 to 2018. His total aerobatic hours stand at 670 hours.
Johnie turned to Aerobatic Judging in 2016 and progressed to International Aerobatic Judging in 2018. In 2019 Johnie together with his scribe were rated best judge & scribe at an international competition.
Johnie started formation aerobatics in February 2022 and did his first formation aerobatic display in November 2022 in Nanchang China.
Aircraft Flown at Air Shows:
- Slick 360
- XtremeAir XA42
#3 Eugene du Preez
- Team Position: #3 Left Wing
Flying achievements:
- Advanced World Aerobatics 2018 Romania – 23rd place overall.
- South African Advanced Champion 2019.
- Qualified as Unlimited Aerobatic Pilot in South Africa 2020.
Eugene du Preez grew up in Pretoria, South Africa. His flying started as a hang-glider pilot in 1993 while studying BSc Civil Engineering at the University of Pretoria. He obtained his fixed wing Private Pilots License in 2005 and his Commercial Helicopter License in 2008.
Eugene started flying competition aerobatics in 2014, and formation aerobatics in 2020 before joining the Marksmen Aerobatic Team in 2021.
“Formation Aerobatics is all about teamwork and the ultimate trust in one another. It is immensely satisfying and all consuming. Your mind cannot be anywhere else. I find that hugely rewarding.”
Aircraft Flown at Air Shows:
- Extra 330SC
- XtremeAir XA42
#4 Mark Sampson
Forever our trusted #4…………………
If you ever see our four-ship formation in the skies, remember there is always a fifth pilot flying with us. Sammy will continue as #4 and the rest of us will fly as #1, 2, 3 and 5.
#5 Gary Glasson
Team Position: #5 Slot
Flying Achievements:
- 2013 Sportsman National Champion.
- 2015 Intermediate National Champion.
- 2017 Advanced National Champion.
- 2018 Advanced National Champion.
- 2021 Nationals – 3rd Place Unlimited.
Gary was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Like most aerobatic pilots, Gary has had a passion for aviation since childhood.
He started his flying career in 2003 when he got his PPL on a Cessna 172 at Wits Flying Club, Lanseria. He quickly realized he needed a greater challenge and also wondered what flying upside down would feel like! He managed to get some time in a De Havilland Chipmunk with well-known instructor and air show pilot, Bob Ewing and was instantly hooked! He acquired a Yak 52 which gave him a superb grounding in aerobatics and many years of pleasure.
He then purchased a Pitts Special S1 Falcon and got involved with competition aerobatics joining the Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa, a club Gary ultimately served on as club chairman in 2019 and 2020. The Pitts served him well, allowing him to fly all the classes from Sportman through to Unlimited.
Gary, together with his father completed a scratch-built DR107 One Design aerobatic aircraft in 2023. This aircraft was not only an immense amount of fun to build but has also brought many hours of flying pleasure. Gary hopes the 1D will allow him to continue with his Unlimited Class aspirations.
Aircraft Flown at Air Shows:
- XtremeAir XA42
- Slick 540