Flying Lions Aerobatic Team

The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team is a South African formation aerobatic team. The team flies a four-ship aerobatic display using North American Harvard aircraft. The team operates five aircraft but only uses four in their display to ensure there is always a spare aircraft if needed. The team has been in operation since 1999 when Arnie Meneghelli acquired the Harvard aircraft that the South African Air Force was decommissioning as trainers. The Flying Lions have grown to become a favourite at South African airshows and participate at many major airshows around the country during the airshow season.

The Pilots
Four of these pilots will fly the formation aerobatic display at an airshow.

Scully Levin
Scully Levin is the team leader of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team. Scully was born in Polokwane in 1946. He joined South African Airways in 1971 at the age of 25 and flew one of their aircraft in a three-ship formation at the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki. After reaching SAA's mandatory retirement age, he joined Mango Airlines where he flies Boeing 737-800s. He has over 27 000 hours of flight experience. Scully is also the leader of the Gabriel Wings Aerobatic Team.

Arnie Meneghelli
Arnie Meneghelli is the no. 2 pilot and the owner of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team. He has flown many aircraft types including Extras, Pitts and Zlins. Arnie also flies as the right wingman of the Gabriel Wings Aerobatic Team.

Ellis Levin
Ellis Levin is the no. 3 pilot of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team. He started his aerobatic career at the age of 17 under the guidance of his father, Scully Levin. He is currently flying Airbus aircraft with South African Airways. Ellis also flies as a soloist for the Gabriel Wings Aerobatic Team and is the wingman of the Mazda Zoom Zoom aerobatic team

Sean Thackwray
Sean Thackwray is the no. 4 pilot of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team. He was born into a military family and flew Impalas, Mirages and Cheetahs in the South African Air Force. In the past he flew for Cathay Pacific Airlines and currently flies with South African Airways. He is also the left wingman of the Gabriel Wings Aerobatic Team.

Steward Lithgow
Steward Lithgow is the no. 5 pilot of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team. He was part of the team that landed an SAA Boeing 747 at Rand Airport and he was one of the pilots that participated in the 2004 presidential flypast.

Sponsors
Since their beginning in 1999, the Flying Lions Aerobatic team have attracted sponsorship from big names in the aviation industry. Companies that have sponsored them include:
 * Academy Brushware
 * Air BP
 * Castrol
 * Cell C
 * Nissan
 * Peugeot

The Team is currently sponsored by Eqstra Holdings Ltd.

2006 Water-skiing stunt
In 2006, the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team performed a water-skiing stunt with their aircraft in the Klipdrift Dam near Johannesburg. The pilots flew low over the dam and reduced their altitude until their aircraft's wheels were about four millimetres into the water. The wheels could go no deeper into the water due to hydroplaning and water compression. The stunt was approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. The pilots who took part in this stunt were Scully Levin, Arnie Meneghelli, Stewart Lithgow and Ellis Levin. The stunt was photographed by world-renowned photographer, Frans Dely. Upon viewing the photos online, many internet users doubted their authenticity.