WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SELECTS CIRRUS AIRCRAFT FOR ITS TRAINING FLEET

Last month Cirrus Aircraft announced that Western Michigan University has purchased thirty-two (32) TRAC SR Series aircraft as it prepares to expand its College of Aviation. As a long-time collegiate partner, Western Michigan University has leveraged Cirrus Aircraft's technology and sophistication for advanced student flight training.

RECENT ALSIM SALES INTO THE PILOT TRAINING MARKET

In June and July 2023 ALSIM announced several world-wide acquisitions of various models from the ALSIM range of procedural simulators to flying school operations.

THE WORLD'S FIRST SEVEN-BLADE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON 75 PILATUS PC-12 AIRCRAFT

The installation of The Silent 7 MT-Propeller on the Pilatus PC-12 sets new limits for certain applications, exceeding the performance of five-blade propellers.

FIRST EUROPEAN DELIVERY OF CHALLENGER 3500

So eager was Bombardier to unveil its Challenger 3500 super-midsize jet that it jumped the gun, debuting the model one month prior to 2021's NBAA-BACE event.

EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION AIRVENTURE 2023 BY THE NUMBERS

By all accounts EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh set new records. The official attendance announcement from EAA on 1 August states that approximately 677,000 people attended eclipsing last year's tally of 650,000. According to EAA CEO and president Jack Pelton, \"We had record-setting totals of campers, exhibitors, volunteers and more. It was also a challenging year at times with weather, logistics and other factors, which makes me even more proud of the efforts by our volunteers and staff to organise an outstanding event.\"

THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO, RAF FAIRFORD UNITED KINGDOM

The Royal International Air Tattoo triumphs again with its most successful show ever.

AERO SOUTH AFRICA 2023

The third edition of AERO South Africa aviation trade show at Wonderboom National Airport that was staged from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 July was an outstanding event that provided the opportunity for aviation professionals from all walks of the business to get together showcasing their businesses.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AIRBUS A340-600: 6 NOVEMBER 2018 LOSS OF CONTROL REPORT

On 17 July 2023 the final Board of Inquiry report by the German authorities into the loss-of-control experienced by an SAA South African Airways Airbus A340-600, registration ZS-SNF performing flight SA-260 from Johannesburg to Frankfurt, on 6 November 2018, which was enroute at FL380 climbing to FL390 over Switzerland, about 40nm south-south-east of Zurich, when the aircraft encountered overspeed and the subsequent actions by the crew (notably the PIC) led to a loss of control.

LABOUR SHORTAGE AND MATERIAL COSTS THREATEN MRO INDDUSTRY'S GROWTH

Ever since the start of the pandemic, the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) industry has faced many challenges that had an impact on many industry players. According to Anca Gosling, Director of Training Content and Development at Aeroclass, an aviation digital learning platform, despite hurdles, the industry is expected to reach new heights in the coming years.

HAVE YOU FACED FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND FLIGHT DELAYS?

In the wake of thousands of cancelled flights and the extensive flight delays travellers are facing, Jonathan Merry, CEO of MoneyTransfers.com has put together some of his key recommendations to navigate the upcoming flight delays.

Airbus Says Extra Development Needed for US-made Armed AH-125 Helicopter

Airbus has brought the new helicopters to market in a bid to 'capture advantages of the US export system' and the Foreign Military Sales process, said Scott Tumpak, vice president of military helicopters at Airbus US. Airbus H125M helicopters have inspired the launch of two US manufactured rotorcraft configured for light attack and multirole missions.

APIE AND FREDRICK KOTZEE WIN THE 2023 PTAR

Over the past few years whilst covering South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) speed rallies and the annual President's Trophy Air Race (PTAR) I have become acquainted with father and son team of Apie and Fredrick Kotzee.

AZERBAIJAN TO PURCHASE A C-27J SPARTAN FROM LEONARDO

On 8 June Leonardo announced that the Azerbaijan Air Force had signed a contract with the company to procure an unknown number of C-27J Spartan multi-role military transport aircraft. According to a statement by the Italian firm, the contract was signed by an Azerbaijani delegation in Italy, in the presence of defence ministers' representatives from the two countries.

ZAMBIA CHILDRENS FLIGHT 2023

Felix Gosher, along with his gorgeous wife Belinda continue their long-standing project of bringing the joy of aviation to those less privileged. His 'Children's Flight' initiative, which last year included Zambia, had the second running for a day of fun, for the underprivileged children in Zambia. With the support from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), this event continues to be enormous. The ZAF provided the venue, as well as several aircraft to fly the children for their first flight experience.

FAILURES OF FRACTIONAL AND CHARTER COMPANIES OF CONCERN

On 9 May 2023, Wheels Up founder and CEO, Kenny Dichter resigned in the face of his company's mounting losses and potential bankruptcy.

CAASA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On behalf of African Pilot, I attended the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa's AGM on Wednesday 31 May at CAASA House, Lanseria International Airport.

HONDA AIRCRAFT TO LAUNCH HONDAJET 2600 LIGHT JET

Honda Aircraft is moving ahead with plans to 'commercialise' the HondaJet 2600 concept light jet that it unveiled at NBAA-BACE 2021. Powered by two Williams International FJ44-4C turbofans and with a Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the 2600 will also share the original HA-420 HondaJet's over-the-wing-engine-mount design. Certification is planned for 2028.

PARYS AIRSHOW 2023

Located on the banks of the Vaal River in the Free State, Parys is a town in that is better known as a weekend getaway to de-compress from the pressures of modern life. Parys has an airfield, which is located outside the strictly controlled commercial airspace that is Johannesburg which adds to the attraction of hosting an airshow. In addition, the commute from the economic hub of South Africa is around 90 minutes.

PARIS AIR SHOW 2023

The 54th edition of the world's largest biennial aviation trade fair, the Paris Air Show opened its doors at Le Bourget Parc des Expositions for the first time in four years on Tuesday 20 June. The week-long fair was brimming with visitors from all around the world, especially Middle Eastern carriers that aim to expand internationally.

ROYAL AIR FORCE AIRSHOW RAF COSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM 11 JUNE 2023

The Royal Air Force's premier airshow took place once again at RAF Cosford, United Kingdom in early June. As usual with this event you have access to superb airshow and a major Royal Air Force Museum containing many famous exhibits documenting advances in British military aviation.

MAPUTO AIRSHOW

Early on Friday morning 16 June, I travelled with Brian Emmenis and his Capital Sounds team to Mozambique to attend the amazing and most successful Maputo airshow. We flew with LAM Express in an Embraer 145 that seats 50 passengers.

NASA AND BOEING TO PRODUCE NEW SUSTAINABLE X-PLANE

Last month NASA and Boeing announced a new project, creating a new sustainable X-plane. The aircraft produced through the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project will be designated X-66A by the US Air Force. Boeing was awarded its contract in January, to lead the development and flight testing for a full Transonic Truss-Braced Wing demonstrator airplane.

DID CHINA KICK RUSSIA OFF THE CRAIC CR929 PROGRAMME?

With the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) setting up a booth at the Paris Air Show 2023 and showcasing a COMAC wide-body aircraft as one of its products, was Russia kicked out of the CR929 programme?

THE FIRST FALCON'S FIRST FLIGHT

Marcel Dassault famously said, \"for an aircraft to fly well, it must be beautiful.\" Already well known for the sleek Mirage fighters, Dassault, the man and the company proved the adage once again on 4 May 1963, with the first flight of the Mystère 20, the company's first business jet. With an eye toward the sizable American market, the Mystère 20 would soon be rebranded the Falcon 20.

Apollo Astronaut Walter Cunningham dies at 90

Former astronaut Walter Cunningham, who flew into space on Apollo 7, the first flight with crew in NASA’s Apollo Programme, passed away on 2 January 2023 in Houston.

BONA BONA GAME LODGE FLY-AWAY

What a wonderful weekend we spent at Bona Bona Game Lodge attending the annual fly-away and speed rally. I was told that 61 aircraft and four helicopters were present on Saturday and a total of 19 teams took part in the SAPFA speed rally.

BILL HARROP'S ORIGINAL BALLOON SAFARIS NIGHT GLOW OF HISTORIC BALLOONS

We were invited to spend Sunday 30 Aprill, late afternoon early evening at Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safaris vintage balloon night glow evening. This was a special occasion because about fifteen hot air balloons were set up on the vast expanse of the balloon field and as darkness fell the pilots all did a simultaneous 'night glow' which was very beautiful to watch and record.

NICOLE STOTT SPEAKS AT SKYHAWK AVIATION

In my lifetime of reporting on aviation events, I have met some pretty famous people, but I have never met and hugged a real live NASA astronaut, especially someone as competent and beautiful as Nicole Stott who when to the International Space Station (ISS) twice on board the NASA Space Shuttle.

NEW STUDY SHOWS PILOTS HIDE HEALTH PROBLEMS TO KEEP FLYING

A new study has found that many pilots avoid medical professionals due to a fear that revealing health problems may lead to the loss of their pilot certificates. According to the study, two-thirds of military and paid civilian pilots answered 'yes' to at least one of four survey questions addressing their reluctance to seek formal medical advice about health problems.

HUMAN FACTORS: NO GENTLEMAN

In the closing chapters of Ernest K. Gann's novel 'Gentlemen of Adventure,' Gann's anti-hero Kiffin Draper, who is terminally ill, suffering great pain and very near the end of his life steals two things.