CATEGORIES

USAF TO RETIRE U-2S IN 2026

In accordance with ongoing efforts to reshape the manner in which the service surveys nations, organisations and persons not supportive of US policy, the USAF is proceeding with plans to retire its fleet of storied, high-flying U-2 Dragon Lady spy aircraft in fiscal 2026.

SIMAERO TRAINING CENTER KEMPTON PARK - OR TAMBO AIRPORT JOHANNESBURG (SACAA ATO 1101)

Simaero leverages its expertise to assist aspiring pilots in bridging the gap between flight schools and securing their first position with an airline.

CAPE TOWN FLIGHT TRAINING CENTRE

Operating at Cape Winelands Airport since 2003, Cape Town Flight Training Centre (CTFTC) is Cape Town's premier fixed-wing pilot training establishment. Cape Winelands Airport is unique to the area in providing an excellent weather record, a safe learning environment and multiple runways at a location which allows immediate access to the General Flying Area (GFA) and Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) controlled airspace.

TEMPE AIRSHOW SPONSORED BY HERHOLDT GROUP

Over the weekend of 19 to 21 May, Christine and I drove to Bloemfontein to attend the final day of the Sports Aerobatics (SAC) Nationals Competition as well as to attend the Bloemfontein, Tempe airshow on the Saturday. I was impressed by the well organised airfield, especially with the Skydive Adventures, Bloemfontein Parachute Club's new restaurant and refreshment facilities that has plenty of space for the children to play as well as a great outdoor entertainment facility. Although it was very cold as the sun set on Friday, the skies were clear and the hospitality was awesome.

SAAF MUSEUM SWARTKOP AIRSHOW

After a long three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic this very popular airshow returned to the delight of all South African aviation enthusiasts and they came in their thousands to enjoy the show.

WHEN BASICS FAIL, CRASHES PREVAIL

On Saturday morning, 28 May 2022, two crew members comprising a pilot-in-command and a co-pilot, accompanied by two passengers on-board a Beechcraft King Air 200 with registration ZS-PTE took off from Lynedoch private airfield near Baviaans River in the Eastern Cape province, with the intention to land at Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT).

YOUR TURBOPROP IS FAST REACHING ITS PT-6 ENGINE OVERHAUL TIME NOW BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR AIRCRAFT

As the accredited African for a variety representative of aftermarket performance enhancement systems, Absolute Aviation is ideally situated to work with you to plan a significant upgrade for your aircraft.

TEXTRON AVIATION BRINGS PEACE-OF-MIND TECHNOLOGY TO THE BEECHCRAFT DENALI COCKPIT

With customer input at the forefront of its product investments, Textron Aviation announced it is bringing the revolutionary Garmin Emergency Autoland system to its new clean-sheet design Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop. The new feature is being implemented into the aircraft's development and flight test programme and will be available as a standard feature at time of entry into service.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES POSTS HIGHEST NET PROFIT IN ITS 76-YEAR HISTORY

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that its net income for the group, which includes budget arm Scoot, totalled S$2.16 billion ($1.62 billion) as the world reopened from COVID. It posted a loss of S$962 million the previous year. Revenue was S$17.78 billion, up from S$7.6 billion.

ALASKA AIRLINES TO RETIRE A321 NEO FLEET

True to its north-western roots, Alaska Airlines is preparing to transition back to an all-Boeing fleet. For a period of time measurable in years, the Seattle-based air-carrier has been divesting itself of Airbus narrow-body aircraft come to it by way of the carrier's 2016 acquisition of Virgin America, which operated an all-Airbus fleet.

PREPARING FOR YOUR AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW

The aviation community is buzzing and the much talked about pilot shortage is threatening to shake up the industry. With the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) predicting that by 2026 more than 350,000 pilots will be required to sustain operations, it could seem that it would be easy to get a pilot's role.

SIX TIPS TO HELP YOUR AIRLINE ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE BEST TALENT

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a significant pilot shortage in the aviation industry, with an estimated 27,000 vacancies at the end of 2021. Likewise, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) predicts that this shortage will continue to grow, with over 350,000 pilots required by 2026 to sustain operations.

PTAR 2023 STAGED AT MIDDLEBURG AIRFIELD

Over the weekend of Friday 26 to Sunday 28 May, the South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) staged the annual President’s Trophy Air Race (PTAR) at Middleburg airfield. Although there were only 28 entries the event was safe and a huge amount of fun.

VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR A KOREAN WAR HERO TWICE REBORN

In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair in three truckloads of parts that, over the following decade, they re-built into a flying warbird

ELDERS FLIGHT AT BRAKPAN AIRFIELD

What an incredible day that Felix Gosher planned at Brakpan airfield with the Elders Flight, where somewhere in the region of 300 Elders and Military Veterans were flown by an amazing group of pilots

UKRAINE TO GET ITS FIGHTER JETS: POLISH MiG-29s TO ARRIVE WITHIN 'DAYS'

At the time of writing Poland planned to send a dozen MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, with the first four likely to come within the week. But what state the jets will be in and who else might send them, is a big question mark

HOW WAS THE F-22 RAPTOR OVERSHADOWED BY THE F-35 LIGHTNING II?

In early 2023 the venerable Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor appeared to be given a new lease of life after shooting down a Chinese spy balloon, scoring the first kill of its career and briefly becoming the star of the headlines

THE WESTERN CAPE's HELIHACKERS

Every so often, a group of courageous mountain climbers are helicoptered into the highest reaches of the Western Cape mountains to remove alien invaders

SIKORSKY HELICOPTERS

Sikorsky Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut USA

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY

Founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, Robinson Helicopter is located in Torrance, California

MD HELICOPTERS

The preeminent manufacturer of American made commercial, military, law enforcement and air-rescue helicopters, the MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for its value, versatility and performance

HILL HELICOPTER HX50

THE LIGHT HELICOPTER REVOLUTION IS HERE

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

BELL

THE FUTURE FLIGHT OF VERTICAL IS NOW

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services

AVIC'S AC332

LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTER MAKES FIRST FLIGHT

Airbus Helicopters and International SOS join forces

Airbus Helicopters has partnered with International SOS to launch a next generation emergency medical system improvement programme, LifeSaver, which enhances healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes.

TWO-SEAT PROTOTYPE OF SOUTH KOREA's KF-21 FIGHTER JET CONNDUCTS MAIDEN FLIGHT

The test flight took place on 20 February 2023. The prototype stayed airborne for about 34 minutes flying from the 3rd Flying Training Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) based in Sacheon Airport (HIN), South Korea.

SPANISH AIR FORCE PURCHASE ANOTHER 16 PC-21s AND SIMULATORS

The Spanish Air Force, Ejército del Aire, decided to purchase 24 PC-21s in early 2020. The final PC-21 of this order was delivered to Spain in mid-2022. The Spanish Air Force has now decided to purchase another 16 PC-21s. The contract signed with the Dirección General de Armamento y Material (DGAM) makes Spain the largest PC-21 operator in Europe.