CATEGORIES

KENYA - SAA PARTNERSHIP DELAY

KENYA AIRWAYS AND South African Airways announced the establishment of a highly anticipated Pan-African Airline Group three years ago.

TO PARIS FOR LUNCH

One morning I arrived back at Lanseria from a two day charter to a dreary Northern Cape iron mine. Entering the terminal, I removed my wings and epaulets, thrust them into my flight bag, and headed for the restaurant.

IRIS GOES TO SOMALIA

Having spent the last couple of years flying to a rota, I was thoroughly enjoying the freedom and randomness of flying charters at Sunbird Aviation.

SACRIFICE

John continues his anecdotes about the sacrifices he has had to make in the course of his helicopter bush flying career.

LYTE launches a private version of hydrogen-electric VTOL AIRCRAFT

According to Lyte Aviation, its LA-44 X Prime aircraft will have the same 620-mile range as the other variants. Founder and CEO Freshta Farzam said she is in talks with aircraft completion specialists and aims to unveil cabin interior designs in the next few weeks.

AIRBUS CEO EXPECTS TO LAUNCH ZERO AIRCRAFT PROGRAMME BY 2028

Airbus has revealed more details on its ZEROe programme, which the manufacturer announced in September 2020. According to its chief executive, the plane maker is currently exploring two hydrogen technologies: directly burning liquid hydrogen or using it in a fuel cell to turn hydrogen into electricity.

India plans to spend US $3 billion on its space programme

According to the head of India's military, the country plans to spend about $3 billion on space-related contract awards over the next few years to reduce its dependence on foreign satellites and bolster its counter-space capabilities. Gen. Anil Chauhan's call to close the gap between India's own capabilities and other nations that are developing countermeasures in space comes amid tensions with China.

LILIUM PREPARES TO RAMP UP

production of electric jet propulsion units

VOLOCOPTER OBTAINS CLEARANCE TO START EARLY SERIIAL PRODUCTION OF VOLOCITY EVTOL AIRCRAFT

Last month Germany’s LBA civil aviation authority extended Volocopter’s production organisation approval (POA), clearing the way for the company to start serial manufacturing of its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft. The approval covers two new Volocopter production eVTOLs and hangar facilities at Bruchsal in Germany that the company built in 2023.

GKN AEROSPACE and P&W to collaborate on HYBRID-ELECTRIC flight project

GKN Aerospace has signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) to collaborate on the development of the high-voltage high-power EWIS for the RTX hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project.

DUFOUR AEROSPACE COPENHAGEN HELICOPTER A LETTER OF INTENT

The Danish company Copenhagen Helicopter and their partner Copenhagen AirTaxi, based at Roskilde Airport have signed a letter of intent with Dufour Aerospace for a conditional order to purchase the Aero2 UAV for cargo and aerial work and the Aero3 for passenger transportation.

AIRBUS HELICOPTER TO EXPAND UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM PORTFOLIO WITH ACQUISITION OF AEROVEL

Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel have signed an agreement regarding the acquisition of Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor, as part of a strategy to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.

CUSTOMER DEMAND AND WINGS AIRCRAFT LIBRARY DESIGN APPROACH SHAPING NEW AIRCRAFT

At Wing, we are always thinking big about how to optimise drone delivery. Today, we are thinking bigger: We are introducing an additional aircraft into our fleet that will simplify and streamline larger orders.

MAJOR INVESTORS EXPECT FIRST COMMERCIAL EVTOL PASSENGER ROUTES TO BE OPERATIONAL BY 2026

According to new global research from New Horizon Aircraft Ltd, global investors are anticipating the first commercial passenger routes of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be operational in the next few years as the Future Air Mobility market continues to advance rapidly.

ONE SHOT ONE HIT fire control system being used to target drones in Israel

Handheld operated or remotely controlled, the SMASH family of fire control systems excels in combat as well as in HLS due to its unique ability to counter drones and enhance operational effectiveness against ground, aerial and maritime targets.

BOEING SELF-FLYING AIR TAXI VENTURE WISK AERO SETS PLAN FOR TEXAS SERVICE

Wisk Aero, the self-flying, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi venture of Boeing is eyeing Texas as one of its launch markets.

ELBIT UNVEILS NEW HERMES 650 SPARK, claiming 24-hour plus endurance

Last month well known for its drones, Israeli firm Elbit unveiled a new propeller-driven aircraft, powered by what executives called an 'over-powered' engine to give it speed, payload and the ability to loiter for a day or more.

DORON UNVEILS II AEROSPACE H1-X PERSONAL 'FLYING CAR'

The two-seat eVTOL, designed for personal ownership, government agencies and emergency services, is expected to begin test flights by the end of 2024. A Florida-based manufacturer has unveiled a ‘flying car’ design it says is ‘so intuitive that a four-year-old could fly it.’

SURF AIR secures early delivery of 90 ELECTRA HYBRIDELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

On 15 February US Commuter and General Aviation group, Surf Air announced that it has secured early delivery slots for 90 Electra hybrid-electric aircraft. The aircraft will not only go to Surf Air's own airlines, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines, but could also be leased to other operators under what the firm calls 'aircraft-as-a-service' programme. The latter is, in essence, a turnkey leasing scheme designed to meet the needs of Part 135 operators, which are small local and regional airlines with often limited access to the services of more traditional aircraft lessors.

AMADEUS acquires Vision-Box for biometrics

Amadeus announced the company would be acquiring Vision-Box, a provider of biometric solutions for airports, airlines and border control customers. The acquisition of Vision-Box will bring new capabilities around biometrics hardware and software, adding border control solutions to the Amadeus portfolio.

B-1 LANCER CREWS PREPPING FOR 2 FEBRUARY MIDDLE EAST STRIKES

Last month the US Air Force published a batch of photos and videosshowing B-1Bbomber crews preparing for the CONUS-to-CONUS mission that included strikes targeting Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria on 2 February

TIME TO TAKE STOCK REFERENCED MATERIAL (CAA 202

Looking back on 2023 with an analytical mind must teach us something. The information as always makes horrible reading and again shows us where the main accidents occur and they are not on airlines and all the ICAO-induced rules and regulations, training focuses and special interventions, is undoubtedly not doing its job as intended. The statistics are somewhat contaminated by the addition of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the mix. I do understand the dilemma, as the RPA air vehicles, although void of human presence, are all, or let us rather say those registered, carry an official tail number and therefore must make part of the statistics.

SLING TSI with ROTAX 916iS engine flight test

As pilots rise through the ranks and fly aircraft of everincreasing sophistication, one question remains constant: What is next? One answer will always resonate: More speed. More capability. More power. More capacity. The Sling TSi encompasses all of these qualities and has become an aircraft with an uncompromising mission: To offer unrivalled performance, safety, comfort and reliability to any pilot, no matter the mission. The Sling TSi is not simply more aircraft, it is more of all the reasons you fly.

WHISPER X350 GENERATION II

The X350 Gen Il is a two seat, cross-country sport aircraft, well priced for the South African market. Complete kit prices start at only R495,000, with options to purchase the kit in sections.

JABIRU J430 STANDARD

Due to its unrivalled entry level pricing, low maintenance and excellent flying performance for a four-seat aircraft when compared with the equivalent available aircraft in its class, the composite Jabiru J430 four-seat aircraft has been steadily growing in popularity. The J430 is now powered by the fourth generation reputable Jabiru 3300cc 120hp air-cooled six-cylinder piston engine.

DIAMOND DA40 SERIES

The DA40 NG comes standard with a choice of stylish and hard-wearing interior materials. For luxurious comfort and style, available features include premium leather interiors in several designs and colours, adjustable pilot seatbacks and lumbar support, electrically adjustable rudder pedals, electric air conditioning and much more.

Why the past few years have been turbulent for SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

South African Airways (SAA) faced turbulence due to the pandemic, going into business rescue halting operations and struggling to resume flights. Increased competition from low-cost carriers and other airlines resuming flights during the pandemic has also affected the carrier. SAA underwent internal changes, including business rescue, leadership transitions and plans for semi-privatisation to ensure its relaunch and stability.

How and why has premium economy become such an airline success story?

Although a concept that many people still regard as relatively 'new' in terms of passenger air travel, the phenomenon of premium economy has actually been with us for more than thirty years. In this article, we examine the origins of premium economy cabins, how the concept came about, who the early adopters were, how offering premium economy works for airlines and how it has flourished into the enormous success story it is today.

CIRRUS UNVEILS NEW SR SERIES G7 AIRCRAFT

On Thursday 11 January Cirrus Aircraft unveiled the new SR Series G7 aircraft. With the latest in technology and a sleek design, the G7 will redefine personal aviation.

INTRODUCTION to PISTON AIRCRAFT TYPES 2024

Piston performers from singles to twins, there is an airplane for everyone