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PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS

THE FUTURE IS HERE!

LIVING THE DREAM-HEADING OFFSHORE

I dearly miss the mountains of the Western Cape, but I'm soon reminded that my \"office\" offers one of the best views, regardless of where I happen to be located on this planet. Today is no different, as ocean, clouds, and sunrise all conspire to produce a breathtaking vista while we settle down in the rhythmic gallop of the big Sikorsky.

CANADIAN C152 spin

Jim’s Note: The SACAA seem to have lost all but the newest and oldest accident reports. This is not a bad thing because I have found Canadian reports are excellent and have selected this one, because it deals with issues very relevant to South Africa – particularly density altitude, spinning, and post maintenance test flight

SPECIAL RULES AREA CHARTS

Imagine a chart that doesn’t rely on batteries that unexpectedly let you down. Imagine one that covers a large area in detail, yet that weighs a few grams.

FLIES ON THE CEILING

Allow me for a moment to explore one of the great mysteries of aviation with a subject that has been around ever since Immelman rolled his Fokker rightway up at the top of a loop over the shell-holed killing fields of World War 1.

INTERESTING AVIATORS I HAVE MET

I remember back in 1960 being in Nairobi West (where Wilson Airport is situated) standing with my mother watching a train pass by, filled with refugees from the Belgian Congo. The train was full, with many of the people dressed in pyjamas, or whatever they could find to wear in their haste to leave.

EVACUATOR

I have had a lot of fun during this past few years of flying. I have sneaked a Twin Otter out of Algeria, over Libya, to Tripoli and thence, across the Mediterranean, to the historic twinkling jewel box of Malta, at night.

WHY AIR POWER IS KEY in the Ukraine War

There is evidence that with 'borrowed' F-16s and the recent arrival of French Mirage 2000s, improved Ukrainian air superiority may be the deciding factor that brings the Russians to the peace talks table.

JANUARY 2025

The new year is off to a good start with 15 aircraft having been registered.

FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS

In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.

YOU WILL NEVER Understand Lift

Forget it. You haven't got a chance. So I muttered to myself as I closed a fascinating book called, The Enigma of the Aerofoil.

PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT

The ambitious plans to 'save' Plettenberg Bay Airport from the neglect of its local city council are fast unravelling.

NEW SEARCH FOR MH370

Ten years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, the Malaysian government has approved yet another search for the missing aircraft.

SACAA WINS TOP EMPLOYER AWARD

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has been recognised as a Top Employer for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.

RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 26 SPINNING

I have been doing some long-range mentoring of a new instructor. I called her the other night to find out how she was getting on with her patter and preparation for the flight test.

SOUTH AFRICA STILL CONSIDERING C-390

Defenceweb reports that South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation given a tour of Embraer's facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.

SUPERMARINE Mk.26 - Spitfire

Due to the huge value and the irreplaceable nature of a real Spitfire, very few select pilots will ever get the opportunity to pilot a real Spitfire.

INTRODUCING BIG WATER AERO

The Gariep Dam Airport has changed hands. The new owners are rsa.Aero Winelands Airport.

SLING REPORTS BEST EVER YEAR

Sling Aircraft says 2024 has been its best year ever, with more planes sold and delivered than ever before.

PIAGGIO SOLD TO TURKISH UAV BUILDER

Baykar, a Turkish company specializing in unmanned aircraft, has received approval from the Italian Ministry of Enterprises to acquire Piaggio Aerospace, manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti turboprop.

DECEMBER 2024

This month's column closes off 2024. The year has flown by quickly and by the time you are reading this column you will already be well through the first month of the New Year!

BOEING VS AIRBUS 2024

In 2024 Boeing delivered 180 fewer commercial aircraft than 2023 after a year which began with the door plug failure on an Alaska Airline 737-9 Max.

USE IT OR LOSE IT!

Wilbur Wright said, 'It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.

FLIGHT DESIGN INSOLVENT

The very successful Light Sport Aircraft manufacturer Flight Design has filed for insolvency. The aircraft builder says it has run out of cash because a major customer hasn't paid its bill.

CHINA CERTIFIES FIRST COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC PLANE

China has certified a four-place electric aircraft under Part 23 regulations making it the first to qualify for commercial operations beyond flight training.

LIVING THE DREAM Part 2: Planning and Pax

Part 2: Planning and Pax

QUEEN AIR TALES

In the early seventies Esquire Airways acquired a pre-owned Beechcraft Queen Air. This top of the range 8,800 lb MAUW model had nine forward facing commuter seats and I flew it as a single pilot operation for several months.

HELICOPTER PILOTS SHOULD UNIONISE

Helicopter pilots are stuck in a 12-month flying cycle. While they will have periods of rest and active rest (performing ground-based tasks and planning ventures) within their work source campaigns, it's not a good situation. They need programmed periods to catch their breath.

AFTERMATH of the Engine Fire

Iris McCallum continues her stories about her early years with Air Kenya. This month she tells us about the immediate aftermath of her dramatic engine fire and crash, and her subsequent 'getting back onto the saddle'.

LARGEST EVER RHINO RELOCATION

Specialist air cargo operator ACS mobilised all its skills to successfully complete a very challenging project – the translocation of 39 White Rhino from Namibia to the USA.