The first military aviation undertaken in South Africa was by the British, who used balloons for aerial observation during the South African, or Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.

A civil engineer from Brandfort, John Weston, built his own aircraft in 1907, but as he lacked a powerful enough engine to fly it, he dismantled it and shipped it to France. Here he installed a 50 horsepower Gnome rotary engine, and in 1910 flew the aircraft successfully for the first time. When he returned to South Africa in 1911, Weston was finally recognised as a pioneer in aviation.

On 6 June 1911, Weston made a South African non-stop flight record of eight and a half minutes in his Weston-Farman biplane. Thanks to his drive and ambition he went on to found the Aeronautical Society of South Africa. Unfortunately, Weston was prevented from ever opening a flying school of his own.