DOT's ICAD AIRSHOW AND AVIATION YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EVENT AT HEIDELBERG
African Pilot|January 2023
Our team of photographers, Charlie and Fiona Hugo, Paul Ludick, Christine and I all attended the Department of Transport's (DoT) and South African Civil Aviation's (SACAA) International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) at the Heidelberg airfield on Saturday 3 December 2022.
ATHOL FRANZ
DOT's ICAD AIRSHOW AND AVIATION YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EVENT AT HEIDELBERG

The airshow part of this event was excellently managed by Rikus Erasmus, Walter Doubel and the ASSA team. The airfield had been beautifully prepared with the grass cut short and large marquees set up for the expected 500 school children and in the region of 200 dignitaries. Several large food outlets were planned and I was told by the caters that they had been tasked to feed more than 600 people.

After the normal airshow media briefing by Rikus and the ASSA team, the media had access to delicious snacks and cold refreshments, including bottled water which was essential for the heat of the day. SACAA’s media specialist Sisa Majola addressed the media about the intension of the day and how things would proceed.

The show itself started at 11h00 with the SAPS Squirrel helicopter dropping three task force members above the airfield. Once they landed safely and to the delight of the spectators the national anthem was played. Several young dancers in traditional clothing danced to the exciting African rhythm that many of us have heard many times before and this heralded the arrival of all the dignitaries.

At this stage the airshow was adjourned for two hours whilst the children and dignitaries moved into the large partially airconditioned marquee when several speeches were made by local, provincial and ministerial leaders as well as CEO’s of the various aviation parastatal companies such as SACAA, ACSA and ATNS. Emphasis was placed on the theme for ICAD this year: ‘advancing innovation for global aviation development.’ The world is changing at a rapid pace and technologies such as remotely piloted aerial systems.

Guest speakers

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2023 من African Pilot.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2023 من African Pilot.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من AFRICAN PILOT مشاهدة الكل
An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
African Pilot

An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration

Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Jabiru South Africa
African Pilot

Jabiru South Africa

Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
African Pilot

EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024

The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Bat Hawk Aircraft
African Pilot

Bat Hawk Aircraft

Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
African Pilot

FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR

The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
African Pilot

Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy

Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
African Pilot

Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police

The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
African Pilot

Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!

On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
African Pilot

Single-pilot operations and lemon juice

Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
African Pilot

ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks

JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024