MEET THE GUNS

Ellis Levin started flying at the age of 16. Having been introduced to the airshow world at a very young age, he has been a member of the now “Trailblazers Aerobatic Team” for the past 27 years. Ellis was one of the founder members of the “Flying Lions Aerobatic Team” which has been operating for the past 21 years. Ellis has amassed a total of 21 000 flying hours while flying as a professional pilot in both the Airline Industry for SAA where he attained his command on the Airbus A320, and on the South African Airshow Circuit. He has a great passion for creating and developing aerobatic teams, airshow routines and aerial stunts, some of which have been world firsts.    

Scully Levin started his career in the South African Airforce as an Instructor on Harvards. He later joined South African Airways where he served out a 38-year career. Scully has enjoyed a remarkable career as both an airline pilot and an airshow pilot. He has displayed many different types of aircraft, from the 747-400 to piper J3 Cubs. He has displayed warbirds, airliners in formation, landed on moving trucks and was an aerobatic competitor in the 70’s. He is most known for his leadership of the now “Trailblazers Aerobatic Team” and the “Flying Lions Aerobatic Team”. Few pilots have a skill set as developed as Scully’s.

Arnie Meneghelli is a successful entrepreneur with a huge passion for airplanes and flight. While running successful businesses, Arnie learnt to fly and acquired his commercial pilot’s license. He felt his collection would be best served by displaying the aircraft and set out to learn aerobatics and formation aerobatics. This led to the birth of the “Flying Lions Aerobatic Team”, which Arnie owns. Arnie is now a member of three aerobatic teams, flying the T-6 Texan, Pitts Special and the Extra 300, and has been involved in creating and developing world first aerial stunts such as waterskiing aircraft chained together and the double inverted ribbon cut.

Sean Thackwray started his career in the South African Airforce where he learnt to fly on the Harvard and the Impala.  He then served as a Fighter Pilot on the “Cheetah”. After a brief stint in Hong Kong flying for Cathay Pacific, he decided to return home to South Africa and fly for the national carrier, South African Airways where he attained his Command on the Airbus A320. He now flies for both the “Flying Lions” and the “Trailblazers”. He has amassed 18 500 flying hours while flying as an Airline and Airshow Pilot. Sean has been heavily involved in the development and implementation of the aerial stunt work of the “Flying Lions”.

Sally Levin started flying after university and quickly rose up the ranks. Getting a break flying as a co-pilot on a Boeing 737 for Nationwide Airlines was the steppingstone to South African Airways, where she finally flew the Airbus A350. Sally is an accomplished aerobatic and formation aerobatic pilot and fills in for Ellis, Arnie or Sean when they are not available.