CATEGORIES

Sabrewing Unveils Prototype ‘Rhaegal-A' Air Cargo Like No Other

The Rhaegal is a new generation of regional cargo UAV that offers high-efficiency, all-weather operation with vertical landing and take-off (VTOL) capabilities. It carries a payload of up to 1 000lbs/54 kg over a distance of 1 000nm/1 850km with a cruise speed of 180 knots / 330 kph.

Impact Of Space Weather On Aviation

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) charged to monitor the Space Weather Regional Warning facility for Africa, functions from Hermanus in the Western Cape under the auspices of the International Space Environment Service (ISES)

Travel Lockdown, How Long Will It Last?

Travel Lockdown, How Long Will It Last?

D-2 Narodovolets

One of first submarines to be built by the Soviet Union

Viking Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Twin Otter 400 series

The presence of major aircraft manufacturers dotted around the globe is a key drivers of regional economies and proud benefactors of engineering excellence stimulating the pride of a nation.

The multi-versatile Bell 407 GX

In the Swiss town of Buochs there is a small airfield which houses a Bell 407 GX operated by Aplinlift Helikopter AG established in 2005 and based at Buochs Airport ever since.

Auterion Skynode: Internet, onboard

Jump-start your development process with Skynode, the fastest way to power drones with the software, payloads and workflow integrations that enterprise customers demand. By connecting you to the Auterion platform, Skynode dramatically reduces the time and cost of designing, integrating and maintaining your own hardware and software, so you can focus on developing an excellent product.

Coral reefs, great fishing, pristine beaches and the “Çrown Jewels” of the Western Indian Ocean

Mozambique has so much to offer but for many years the war that caused so much death and destruction nearly decimated the country although it has over time, become a getaway destination for other countries in the region.

"RIETBOK" AIR ACCIDENT

South African Airways Flight 406

Russian Cruiser Aurora

On the night of 7-8 November, 1917, a salvo was fired giving the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace bringing the Bolsheviks to power in a coup that changed world history. That blank shot came from the protected cruiser Aurora, symbol of the Russian Revolution and the oldest surviving ship of the Russian Navy, having fought during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 1905, WWI and the Great Patriotic War when her cannons were used to defend Leningrad.

Wildlife, Waterfalls, Witchcraft Zambia Has It All!

There is only one place in the world where four countries meet at a single frontier, - a landlocked country with the largest man-made lake in the world, national parks, Africa’s fourth-largest river and a lake where the water temperature never drops below three degrees.

The Covid Thing

I’m not one who generally subscribes to mass opinion or hysteria, tending to generally find my own way through something by fact-checking various outlets or just steering clear of the emotions.

COVID-19 Brings Aviation To Its Knees

The rapid and global spread of the Covid-19 virus has dealt a stunning and destructive global blow to the airline and aerospace industries.

Covid-19 Travels While The Travel Industry Remains Stationary

When China was affected by Covid-19, the world did not expect nor predict that it would have such a major impact globally.

Travails of a touring offshore pilot

In an earlier column I had narrated, rather lightly, the life of an offshore pilot. At that time, my transition from naval aviator to the offshore pilot was complete. But it was still early days to weigh-in on which side the grass was greener. Today, with the benefit of hindsight and experience, both good and bad, I have some more insights to share with you.

PIPER Super Cub

Back in 1930 CG Taylor had orders from the Piper company treasurer to design an aircraft that would be inexpensive to buy, cheap to maintain, and easy to fly. The Piper Taylor E-2 Cub was born.

Dawn of a new era

The revolutionary Ion engine that took spacecraft to Ceres

BUILT TO RACE

Warbirds, fighter aircraft with no real purpose post-World War 2, proved that they were definitely not ready to be sent to obscurity. Collectors had snapped up many of them but some a new career as competitors in the Reno Air Races when they started up again in 1964. However, there was a downside to this for collectors as warbirds cannot fly without spare parts and the Reno racers were using them all.

Aviation in the age of pestilence – a reminiscence

Now is not the time for people like me to start pontificating about the impact of COVID-19 on aviation, because the situation is simply too new, and too fast-moving. It’s incredibly important of-course, but things need to settle down before academics like me should be publishing on it.

The Falcon 6X - Business Jet Will Take To The Skies In 2021

Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 6X has completed its critical design review, meaning the plans are set and manufacturing can begin. The first Falcon 6X is on track to be built by early 2020.

South African 2020 Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is in remembrance of 600 soldiers that died in the sinking of the SS Mendi and all those who have died in armed conflicts representing South Africa

When is a Skylark not a Skylark?

Jeff Whiteley, who then ask a friend to help him restore the disused Skylark

SQUIRRELS on a MISSION

Having lived in South Africa my whole life, I have become used to our amazing road system. It’s normal for me to ride to work on a modern five-lane highway, covering the 40km in no time. I hardly think about it during the short uneventful journey, except when there’s been an accident to foul up the traffic, sometimes for hours. Then I wish I was already in a helicopter zooming overhead to my destination.

Operation Jericho

On 18 February 1944, three months prior to ‘Operation Overlord’, the proposed Allied landings on occupied Europe, a particularly bold daylight raid was carried out by Mosquito fighter bombers of No.2 Group. Their target was the notorious three-story prison situated on the Amiens/ Albert road to the northeast of Amiens in northern France.

Mosi oa-Tunya-(the smoke that thunders)

Dramatic landscape, diverse wildlife, ancient ruins and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This is Zimbabwe, a landlocked country that has a place in history as much for the discovery of the magnificent Victoria Falls by David Livingstone, as for the legend of King Solomon’s mines, possible burial site of Paul Kruger’s gold.

Former MOD gliders to be used by charity to change lives

Motor gliders used to train thousands of RAF Air Cadets will get a new lease of life and bring joy to people with disabilities and injured ex-military personnel.

Beech Baron 58

Date and time: 17 January 2009 at 1300Z Aircraft registration: A2-AHF Last Point of departure: Private aerodrome north of Thambazimbi, Limpopo Province Next point of intended landing: Wonderboom Airport (FAWB), Gauteng Location of incident site: South-west of Thambazimbi (GPS co-ordinates: S24˚20.361' E027K 05.335' Meteorological information: Visibility good, clouds nil, temperature 28˚C, no wind. Type of operation: Private Persons on board: Pilot + 5 pax No of people killed 0 Pilot age and hours on type: 35 with 65.5 hours on type Total flying hours: 1 670.7 hrs

AMO's Lifeblood of aviation

An aircraft maintenance organization is on the forefront of importance for any company or person within the aviation industry. To short cut or neglect maintenance on any aircraft is irresponsible and a threat to life. AMO’s are expensive, however taking good care of engines and an aircraft, can assist in extending engine life and ensure the safety of pilots and passengers.

Allies are not automatically also personal friends

Goma, in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is now a relatively safe town but in 2009 it was said to frequently be an area in turmoil, especially as it was close to the Rwandan border where bands of armed rebels had terrorized the inhabitants for years.

Belgium Says Goodbye To Its Jet Trainers

On 12 January, 2020 the last three Alpha Jet trainers of the Belgian Air Force returned from France to the Beauvechain Air Base in Belgium for the last time. This brings an end to the era of the air force’s successful trainer jet and the joint co-operation with France for advanced jet pilot training. Due to the great success of these aircraft, the Alpha Jet is often called ‘the best trainer jet of Europe’.