CATEGORIES

The design and implementation of glass cockpit avionics upgrades for Cessna 425s

For more than 45 years, Century Avionics have been helping pilots safely navigate the skies by upgrading, installing, maintaining and supporting aircraft avionics to enhance functionality and experience a,deep passion for the wonders of flight.

DART Aeronautical Cessna 182 panel upgrade

This relatively new Cessna 182 underwent a complete panel upgrade from its original equipment analogue instruments to a complete digital ‘glass cockpit’ over the space of six weeks.

Building an autonomous business jet

A vision of an artificial intelligence piloted business jet was presented to the world last October by Embraer, while in recent years autonomous piloting in specific circumstances has become a reality. Two companies, Cirrus and HondaJet now offer an autonomous flight feature for emergencies. For several years before these recent developments, the aviation industry had been debating reduced or no pilot operations.

End of an era: Final four Air India Boeing 747s leave the carrier's fleet

After over a quarter of a century, the last four Boeing 747400s have finally left Air India's fleet.According to the carrier, the four-remaining aircraft, the oldest of which dates back to 1993, have been sold to a US company that specialises in the sale of used aircraft, spare parts and jet engines. One of the aircraft was acquired by the airline in 1993, one in 1994 and the remaining two in 1996.

ENSTROM Helicopter Corporation

With crisp handling, well-appointed features, incredibly smooth ride, beautiful style and roomy interior, Enstrom’s line of helicopters offers the attributes of the ultimate luxury sports car and for an unexpectedly affordable price.

CABRI G2

Helicopteres Guimbal was founded late-2000, with the purpose of developing and certifying the two-seat helicopter Cabri G2.

A-10 demonstration team announces its final season

After more than four decades of performing around the world, the US Air Force A-10C demonstration team announced that 2024 will be its final season. The 355th Wing located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona said the decision was a part of the Air Force’s divestment of the A-10 Thunderbolt Il, affectionately known as the Warthog.

LOCKHEED MARTIN 35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

POLIKARPOV I-16

Rare POLIKARPOV I-16 flies again in SPAIN

KERMIT WEEKS

Kermit Weeks acquires unique Boeing Stratoliner houseboat

GNSS JAMMING AND SPOOFING EVENTS PRESENT A GROWING DANGER

Last year, reports that fake signals were jeopardising aircraft navigation systems spiked in the area over the Black Sea. First reported by security intelligence organisation OpsGroup, the reports cited false or jammed global navigation satellite system GNSS) signals, affecting the US global positioning system GPS) civil signals, causing aircraft navigation systems to show missing or inaccurate position information.

HILL HELICOPTER HX50

The arrival of Hill Helicopter’s HX50 is set to shake up the world of general aviation, with some of the most interesting technological developments seen in decades.

AVIC'S AC332 LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTER MAKES FIRST FLIGHT

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer Avic announced the first flight of its light-twin AC332 helicopter in Tianjin.

PC-12 SILENT 7 PROPELLER Now with improv ved certified take off performance

Due to the smaller diameter the seven-bladed MT-Propeller for the Pilatus PC-12 has more ground clearance for less blade tip erosion and FODs.

EMBRAER'S PHENOM 300

The Phenom leads the business jet industry in twinjet deliveries and is the world's best-selling light jet for 12 consecutive years

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES to expand widebody fleet with up to 20 Boeing 777X airliners

With commitment for eight 777-9s and up to 12 more, Ethiopian Airlines is the first African customer for highly fuel-efficient 777X passenger jet.

GLOBAL HELICOPTER SALES IN 2023

Deliveries in the rotorcraft segment rose by nearly 10 percent last year compared to 2022. The turbinepowered category showed even better performance with its 753 deliveries equating to a 10.4 percent boost.

VEKTOR AVIATION'S insight into the SOUTH AFRICAN AVIATION industry

During the first week of March it was all engines firing for Vektor Aviation as the company hosted a team of Lockton and London-based underwriters. This was the first time that some of these brokers and London-based underwriters have been hosted by Vektor to geta better insight into the South African aviation industry. Their exposure to the South African aviation industry included visits to various clients in Gauteng and North West as well as to Lanseria and Wonderboom airports.

STELLENBOSCH AIRSHOW 2024

The Stellenbosch Airfield, home for the Stellenbosch Flying Club SFC) is widely regarded as one of the finest airfields in South Africa. Located amongst the vineyards of the region's wine lands and having the Hottentots Hollands mountains as a backdrop verifies this view. With this picturesque environment the SFC airshow is also considered as one of the must attend’ airshows. With a strong support from the SFC membership who display their varied and seldom seen outside the region, personal aircraft adds to the variety of aircraft adds to this statement.

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR SAA'S FAILED PRIVATISATION?

Following the announcement on Wednesday 12 March 2024 by Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan that the Takatso transaction had been cancelled, several pertinent questions arise: Who is to blame? What does it mean for SAA? What does it mean for future privatisations?

AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 2024

Once again, the annual Aero Club of South Africa’s AeCSA) Airweek 2024 was hosted by the Middelburg Aero Club from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March. AeCSA’s annual Airweek was staged earlier this year in anticipation of fine weather, which turned out to be the case throughout the weekend. Without doubt Airweek is the most important General Aviation event on the South African calendar because this event brings all the sections of the AeCSA together on one airfield over a two-day period, whilst the Experimental Aircraft Association EAA) South Africa hosts its national convention at the same time.

EAA Young Aviators March meeting

On Saturday 2 March I witnessed firsthand the incredible rej Jyenation of General Aviation where younger people, mostly studying for their pilot's licences that has also brought considerable diversity to the membership of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) and specifically Johannesburg Chapter 322.

HAI HELI-EXPO 20024 EXPERIENCES RECORD-BREAKIING ATTENDANCE

This year’s event staged between 26 and 29 February included the announcement that the show's producer, Helicopter Association International HAI), was rebranding as Vertical Aviation International VAI). VAI is the world’s leading membership association dedicated to the vertical aviation industry, which encompasses all aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing.

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. It has maintained a presence in South Africa since 1994. Airbus Southern Africa Pty) Ltd is a one-roof entity shared services), incorporating Airbus Commercial, Helicopters and Defence Space and has its South African headquarters at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, South Africa.

B-1 LANCER CREWS PREPPING FOR 2 FEBRUARY MIDDLE EAST STRIKES

Last month the US Air Force published a batch of photos and videosshowing B-1Bbomber crews preparing for the CONUS-to-CONUS mission that included strikes targeting Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria on 2 February

NAMESTO REMEMBER

TEST PILOT RECOUNTS FLYING BOTH'HAVE BLUE' AND 'TACIT BLUE' EXPERIMENTAL STEALTH JETS

SLING TSI with ROTAX 916iS engine flight test

As pilots rise through the ranks and fly aircraft of everincreasing sophistication, one question remains constant: What is next? One answer will always resonate: More speed. More capability. More power. More capacity. The Sling TSi encompasses all of these qualities and has become an aircraft with an uncompromising mission: To offer unrivalled performance, safety, comfort and reliability to any pilot, no matter the mission. The Sling TSi is not simply more aircraft, it is more of all the reasons you fly.

TIME TO TAKE STOCK REFERENCED MATERIAL (CAA 202

Looking back on 2023 with an analytical mind must teach us something. The information as always makes horrible reading and again shows us where the main accidents occur and they are not on airlines and all the ICAO-induced rules and regulations, training focuses and special interventions, is undoubtedly not doing its job as intended. The statistics are somewhat contaminated by the addition of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the mix. I do understand the dilemma, as the RPA air vehicles, although void of human presence, are all, or let us rather say those registered, carry an official tail number and therefore must make part of the statistics.

WHISPER X350 GENERATION II

The X350 Gen Il is a two seat, cross-country sport aircraft, well priced for the South African market. Complete kit prices start at only R495,000, with options to purchase the kit in sections.

TECNAM AIRCRAFT

Tecnam is committed to the production of innovative, stylish, reliable and affordable aircraft, whilst the company has firmly established itself as the second largest manufacturer of General Aviation and Light Sport Aircraft. Its extensive range of models have proved popular with both flight training organisations and private owners alike.