CATEGORIES

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.

Jabiru South Africa

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

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.

Tech designed to prevent runway collisions tested in Washington

One Friday morning, the pilot of a Boeing 757 airliner approached Yakima Airport in Central Washington and lined up to land. On the threshold of the runway below, a Falcon 900 business jet was set for take-off, directly in the path of the Boeing 757.

Aviation industry improves baggage handling

SITA announced an improvement in the air transport industry's rate of mishandled baggage. The newly launched SITA Baggage IT Insights 2024 reports the number of bags mishandled by the industry falling from 7.6 to 6.9 per 1,000 passengers in 2023.

Textron's Cessna 408 SkyCourier

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is an American utility aircraft designed and built by the Cessna division of Textron Aviation. It was launched on 28 November 2017, with an order for 50 aircraft from FedEx Express, with the aircraft designed for the needs of its FedEx Feeder service. It made its first flight on 17 May 2020 and was type certified on 11 March 2022, whilst FedEx took delivery of the first production model on 9 May 2022.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Walmart's retail renaissance brings better to life with innovation, integrations

At Walmart, the customer has always been at the center of everything. Helping people live better is not a mantra, it has been part of the company since day one.

Drone manufacturer AATI claims first-of-its-kind FAA approval

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) developer American Aerospace Technologies Inc. (AATI) says it has received an FAA exemption for commercial beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations of a drone weighing more than 55 pounds and flying above 400 feet. The FAA says the exemption is the first for a drone with those specifications that does not require human observers to directly monitor flights.

How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

Last year, both Russia and Ukraine boasted of fielding drones that tracked targets using AI algorithms. Now new expert analysis suggests that neither side managed to get this to work well enough for war but the US and China might.

Airbus partners with Avincis on AAM

Airbus and Avincis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner on the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The companies will collaborate to explore opportunities for operating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft throughout Europe.

Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub

The German manufacturer says it is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the French government to add a high-volume aircraft production facility in France, citing it as an attractive market for its flagship Lilium Jet. The company plans for the aircraft to enter service in 2026.

Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test

Results from the world's first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional Jet A-1 fuel.

Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing

Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.

NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars

The space agencies signed a new agreement that will see NASA supply heating units for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which could launch as soon as 2028.

Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims

In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.

Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought

An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.

First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft

Electra's blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take-off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft.

Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension

Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.

uAvionix awarded FAA contract to scale C-Band frequency management for Regional UAS C2

As a leading provider of avionics solutions for uncrewed and crewed aircraft, uAvionix, announced that it has been awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract to scale C-Band frequency management for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Command and Control (C2) communications to a regional level with multiple UAS operating in proximity to one another.

Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation

Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry

The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.

STAGGERWING - ALREADY OLD WHEN NEW

The Staggerwing was the climax, and the end, of an era.

The Aim of Bombing

In modern warfare it's not the soldiers who die - it's the civilians. One of the best examples of this is carpet bombing.

PIPISTREL PANTHERA FINALLY HERE

One of the world's most eagerly awaited piston single engine aircraft designs has finally arrived in South Africa. ZU-KTR is a long awaited Panthera, proudly owned by Bertus Kritzinger, a Free State trucker, and based at New Tempe in Bloemfontein, where the well-known Ferriera Aviation has assembled it.

PRESIDENT'S TROPHY AIR RACE 2024

The annual Presidents Trophy Air Race (PTAR) is the highlight of the year for many competitive general aviation pilots.