[3] These aircraft were used to perform in airshows and could also be chartered by the general public for recreational flights, including going supersonic and climbing to altitudes around 50,000 feet.

[4] The company's other activities included upgrading older models of the Aerospatiale Puma helicopter with modern avionics and renovating airframes and engines.

[5] Thunder City Holdings (Pty) Ltd. is the parent company of several subsidiaries: Some of the aircraft are the most recently airworthy examples of the type.

Only the higher one of the pair was planned to fly supersonic as it was considered to be high enough so as not to cause alarm, however the lower aircraft also broke the sound barrier.

[b][10] The accident investigation found major shortcomings in the maintenance program of the aircraft,[10] consequently the South African Civil Aviation Authority suspended the company's operating certificate in March 2010.