CATEGORIES

BEST OF THE BEST: ND WWII VETERAN REFLECTS ON A LIFELONG LOVE OF AVIATION

World War II Army Air Corps pilot Ernest 'Hod' Hutson stands in his Grafton, N.D. home on Thursday, 17 May 2018

TEN EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS YOU MAY NOT HAVE ENCOUNTERED

When it comes to European aircraft manufacturers, Airbus is the undisputed king. However, there are still many smaller and perhaps lesser-known aircraft makers on the continent, including ATR, Dassault, Fokker, Saab and Piaggio.

HIGH DEMAND FOR THE PC-12 NGX AND PC-24

Exhibiting both the PC-12 NGX and the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet at the world's premier business aviation show, the National Business Aviation Association & Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), Pilatus confirms very high demand for both aircraft.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR AIRPLANE'S OIL?

Recently I was talking to an engine rebuilder about oil change intervals for aircraft engines. He related an experience with a plane owner who was having him do an annual inspection on his aircraft. A problem came up when the mechanic listed an oil change as part of the inspection, even though the aircraft had been flown just 12 hours in the last 12 months.

HOLBORN ASSETS SPRINGS AIRFIELD SEASON FINALE SPEED NAVIGATION RALLY

The South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) organised the 2022 Season finale Speed Navigation Rally on Saturday 1 October 2022 at the Springs airfield. This was the fourth event of Season four of the Speed Rally series.

DEMOCRATISATION OF LUXURY COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE AVIATION

The aviation industry continues to evolve and proliferate, with new trends becoming increasingly prevalent in commercial and private aviation. However, a notable phenomenon in private aviation entails the democratisation of luxury travel, characterised by changing perceptions among air travellers about private flying as a domain exclusively reserved for the ultra-wealthy and increased utilisation of private air travel services.

GARMIN G5000 INTEGRATED FLIGHT DECK TO RECEIVE EASA APPROVAL

Last month Garmin announced imminent European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of the G5000® flight deck for the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS aircraft.

EAA CHAPTER 322's ANNUAL SUN 'N FUN FLY-IN TO BRITS AIRFIELD

Early on Saturday morning 9 October we drove to Brits airfield to attend EAA's Sun 'n Fun weekend. Although rather windy with a cross wind from the east, somewhere in the region of 60 aircraft attended the fly-in.

WORLD'S FIRST 11-BLADED PROPELLER FOR TURBINE AIRCRAFT

Installed on a PA31T1 equipped with two P&W PT6A-135A turbines, the World's first 11-bladed propeller took the sky with an impressive noise and sound signature.

BOEING 737-MAX CERTIFICATION DEADLINE LOOMS

In a high-level letter, the FAA has warned Boeing that documents the plane-maker provided for certification of its 737 MAX-7 model are woefully inadequate. The agency further advised the Chicago-based aerospace titan that certification of the MAX-7 is unlikely to be completed by a Congressionallyspecified year-end deadline.

TACTICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME 2022

In September African Pilot was invited to cover the TLP 2022 course at Albacete Airbase in Spain. This course is similar to the Red Flag exercise in the USA, but of course takes place in Europe.

SIX WAYS PILOTS BECOME CONFUSED IN CLOUDS AND HOW TO PREVENT THIS

The rain season is coming and there is no shortage of clouds requiring IFR days flying. This is an important fact to consider, because 5-10% of all General Aviation accidents result from spatial disorientation and of these accidents, 90% are fatal.

SIX BRAKING TIPS FOR EVERY LANDING

GIVE YOUR BRAKES A BREAK!

IS A PROPELLER UPGRADE RIGHT FOR YOU?

There are many good reasons to consider replacing and upgrading your airplane propeller. Many aircraft owners and operators choose to swap their legacy propeller with a next-generation design when the propeller is nearing overhaul time. Others opt to do an engine and propeller conversion all at once. Whatever the reason, a propeller conversion is one of the smartest investments you can make for your aircraft.

NAMESTO REMEMBER: World War II veteran takes to the air in SBD Dive Bomber 80 years later

World War II veteran Dick Miralles slid into the gunner's seat of the SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber almost as easily as he did 80 years ago in the South Pacific. Miralles (98) was reliving his wartime experience in a restored SBD operated by CAF Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, Georgia.

FROM THE WAODANIS To WEAPONS WAR.

What have a missionary with a bucket and a fisherman with a Bonanza, got to do with the future of military drone technology?

AIRLITE PRO

It’s been a while coming but finally we have a handheld radio scanner with GPS.

SEPTEMBER 2022: This month, although not quite as exciting as last month, nevertheless contains a few delicious items.

FIRST OF ALL, there is an Embraer 145 added to the register which was seen operating in Russia with her South African registration, ZS-ABB, applied in the last month. Unfortunately, nobody that I know has been able to photograph her as yet. This Embraer takes up the former registration of an Avro Avion which was written off in 1947.

AVIATION COMPANY PROFILES GUIDE 2023

AVIATION COMPANY PROFILES GUIDE

WHY DO WE NEED FIGHTER AIRCRAFT?

With the South African Air Force’s Gripen fleet steadily returning to operational status after a year-long grounding as a result of budget cuts and delays in negotiating anew supportcontract, there were once again claims by politicians, journalists, civil society, and members of the public that the country has no need for fighter aircraft at all.

SHORT FINALS

Inthe October 2018 edition of SAFlyer, regular readers of the magazine would have noticed a new Heli Ops” column appear on page 46. In that first column, introduced myself, The Silver Fox,” as well as several themes that would build on as the magazine moved from its printed version, through a Covid-19 induced lockdown, to where it is now, online.

FLYSAFAIR EXPANDS REGIONALLY

FlySafair has received approval to operate international flights beyond South Africa’s borders.

FACE TO FACE JAMES GELDENHUYS

Nedbank’s Aircraft Finance head James Geldenhuys answers Guy Leitch’s questions about the state of post Covid aviation finance in Africa.

CESSNA 206 CFIT

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT

MULTIPLICITY OF ACCIDENT CAUSATION Synopsis (SACAA)

On Friday, 8 April 2022 at approximately 09h40, a flight instructor and a student pilot on-board a Piper PA-38-112 (Tomahawk) aircraft with registration ZS-AXE took-off on a training flight from Cape Town International Airport (FACT) in the Western Cape province, to Diemerskraal Aerodrome in the same province.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ELVIS PRESLEY'S FLEET OF PRIVATE JETS?

As a new biopic about Elvis Presley, directed by Baz Lurhmann, hits the silver screen, there has been a renewed interest in the life of the man dubbed the 'King of Rock and Roll'. Recognised as the best-selling solo artist of all time by Guinness World Records, with one million billion sales worldwide, it is safe to say that Elvis Presley is one of the most recognizable faces and voices in music history.

EAA SUN 'N FUN 2022 RALLY

This year's EAA Sun 'n Fun flying event provided the opportunity to stage the seventh fun rally event staged annually in support of EAA.

FLYSAFAIR REFRESHES SA RUNWAYS

On 30 September low-cost carrier FlySafair revealed a refreshed logo and new aircraft paint scheme at the airline's OR Tambo hangars as the airline welcomed its 25th aircraft into the fleet.

BELL'S V-280 VALOR IS THE STANDALONE CHOICE FOR FLRAA

To deter the threat from near-peer competitors, the Army's air assault mission demands a revolution in capability that only a tiltrotor can provide, not just a faster helicopter.

BOEING FLOATS 'MODERNISED APACHE' CONCEPT FOR US ARMY'S FUTURE ATTACK HELICOPTER

The Apache is going to be the US Army's principal attack helicopter for the next 25 to 30 years. There is nothing right now that is on the books that is going to replace the Apache.