African Pilot - September 2022

In this issue

Inside this month:
Special Feature
EAA AirVenture 2022
The 2022 edition of EAA AirVenture, the first full-scale gathering of the General Aviation world’s biggest party post-pandemic, kicked off with strong storms, rocking the wings of many of the planes gathered in Oshkosh. However, the damage was minimal as many of the tens of thousands of aircraft on the campgrounds and around the airport were tied down to weather the severe weather. Fortunately, this was the only severe weather for the entire week, which was blessed with blue skies painted with fluffy white clouds, ideal for airshow photography. (Read more on page 68)

Inside this month:
Aviation Safety
With the General Aviation accident rate climbing, aviation safety is a serious feature within this edition. Aviation safety companies have expressed their opinions on what the problem with ‘just culture’ is within the pilot body, especially when there is so much at stake. (Read more on page 106)

Charter Companies
Possibly due to the fact that after the pandemic, charter business is not yet back to normal since the charter industry appears to still be challenged. In the past many foreign visitors visited southern Africa to spend time at a multitude of amazing wilderness resorts and this was good business for charter companies. (Read more on page 134)

WHY EMIRATES THINKS AIRBUS SHOULD BUILD BIGGER PLANES

Following its unique relationship with the Airbus A380, Emirates has stated its wish for Airbus to continue to build larger aircraft. Speaking at a media roundtable in Doha, the airline's CEO, Tim Clark, made clear his thoughts on the need for larger aircraft in the future as demand for travel bounces back following the pandemic.

2 mins

INTERVIEW WITH RODGER FOSTER CEO AIRLINK

This year represents Airlink’s 30 years of being a southern African regional airline and I used the opportunity to interview Rodger Foster who has been at the helm of the company for all of those years.

6 mins

PROFLIGHT ZAMBIA

I was extremely fortunate to have the flights for my recent excursion to Zambia sponsored by ProFlight Zambia. Arriving at the check-in counter I had a friendly greeting from the staff on duty and my check-in processed efficiently. After a quick milk shake (hey, I was early and wanted to prevent any potential issues during check-in / immigration) I passed through customs and immigration to the departure hall.

1 min

ALSIM WINS BIG

ALSIM, the innovative Nantes (France) based Flight Training Device manufacture, has recently had two big successes in North America.

1 min

BREAKING INTO BACKCOUNTRY FLYING: KITPLANE STYLE

Building your own airplane is an adventure in itself, but for backcountry-bound kitplane owners, the journey has just begun.

2 mins

UAVIONIX AV-30-C, STC NOW INCLUDES LIGHT TWINS AND HIGH-SPEED PISTONS

Last month uAvionix announced it has received FAA approval to expand the Approved Model List (AML) for its AV-30-C Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), by more than 190 light twin and higher performance single-engine models. This expansion significantly extends the availability of AV-30-C in the general aviation market to include a large portion of popular aircraft from Beechcraft, Piper, Tecnam, Air Tractor, Cirrus, Extra, Howard, Taylorcraft, Cessna and many others.

2 mins

THE INVISIBLE SNARE

Synopsis SACAA On 18 March 2022, a pilot and a passenger on-board a Bell 206B helicopter with registration mark ZS-HJJ were engaged in an aerial search flight along the Crocodile River in Koedoeskop Farm, North West province. The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day and under the provisions of Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended.

10+ mins

MCC AVIATION'S FIREFIGHTING AIRBUS H125 HELICOPTERS IN ACTION

The assignment was to capture one of three MCC Aviation owned Airbus H125 helicopters fighting a deliberately set grass fire in the southern Highveld area of Mpumalanga on a brisk winter's day.

3 mins

AIRVENTURE 2022 - A RECORD YEAR

The 2022 edition of EAA AirVenture, the first full-scale gathering of the General Aviation world's biggest party post-pandemic, kicked off with strong storms, rocking the wings of many of the planes gathered in Oshkosh. However, the damage was minimal as many of the tens  f thousands of aircraft on the campgrounds and around the airport were tied down to weather the severe weather. Fortunately, this was the only severe weather for the entire week, which was blessed with blue skies painted with fluffy white clouds, ideal for airshow photography. I have tried to recapture the immense size and spectacle of AirVenture in words, pictures and videos, but as I have said before, one needs to visit the Mecca of Aviation at least once in a lifetime in order to appreciate the vastness and excitement of this the 'World's Greatest Aviation Celebration'.

10+ mins

F/A-18E/F SERVICE LIFE MODIFICATION PROGRAMME UNDERWAY

The F-18 Hornet is a great many wondrous and worthwhile things. The twin-engine, all-weather, fourth-generation fighter is fast, manoeuvrable, tough, battle-proven, eminently upgradable and a symbol of American Naval airpower. However, the Hornet is not young.

2 mins

L3HARRIS SKY WARDEN  ATTACK PLANE WINS SOCOM’s ARMED OVERWATCH PROGRAMME

L3 Harris could produce up to 75 AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft to replace US Special Operations Command’s U-28 Draco.

2 mins

US NAVY UNMANNED HELICOPTER IMPRESSES

Northrop Grumman's MQ-8C Fire Scout is an unmanned helicopter based on Bell's 407, itself a derivative of the hugely successful 206L-4 Long Ranger. The autonomous vehicle provides reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for the ground, air and sea forces of its primary user, the US Navy.

1 min

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African Pilot Magazine Description:

African Pilot is a niche market specialist aviation magazine that has been publishing uninterrupted for the past eighteen years. Subscribers to the magazine can expect glossy layouts with a modern ‘coffee table’ look featuring South African, African and world aviation events, interesting facts about aviation, historical features and general news within aviation. African Pilot is the only South African aviation magazine that strives and is most successful at covering most southern African aviation events. The magazine provides a platform for the organizers of airshows and specific aviation events to market their particular event to members of the public.