DOC AND FIFI, THE LAST SUPERFORTRESSES
African Pilot|December 2022
Owing to some trouble with an implacable Austrian corporal, a reticent Japanese emperor and a pathologically violent Italian prime minister, between 1942 and 1946 Boeing was compelled to build nearly four-thousand B-29 Superfortresses. The famously temperamental, pressurised, computerised bombers teetered precariously atop the pinnacle of reciprocating-engine technology and to this day and one hopes all days remain the only aircraft type to deliver nuclear ordnance in anger.
ATHOL FRANZ
DOC AND FIFI, THE LAST SUPERFORTRESSES

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is an American four-engined propeller-driven heavy bomber, designed by Boeing and flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Superfortress was designed for high-altitude strategic bombing, but also excelled in low-altitude night incendiary bombing and in dropping naval mines to blockade Japan. B-29s dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only aircraft ever to drop nuclear weapons in combat.

One of the largest aircraft of World War II, the B-29 was designed with state-of-the-art technology, which included a pressurized cabin, dual-wheeled tricycle landing gear and an analogue computer-controlled fire-control system that allowed one gunner and a firecontrol officer to direct four remote machine gun turrets. The $3 billion cost of design and production (equivalent to $45 billion today), far exceeding the $1.9 billion cost of the Manhattan Project, made the B-29 programme the most expensive of the war. The B-29's advanced design allowed it to remain in service in various roles throughout the 1950s. The type was retired in the early 1960s, after 3,970 of them had been built. A few were also used as flying television transmitters by the Stratovision company. The Royal Air Force flew the B-29 as the Washington until 1954.

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An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
African Pilot

An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration

Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.

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3 mins  |
July 2024
Jabiru South Africa
African Pilot

Jabiru South Africa

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

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2 mins  |
July 2024
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
African Pilot

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.

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4 mins  |
July 2024
Bat Hawk Aircraft
African Pilot

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.

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1 min  |
July 2024
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
African Pilot

FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR

The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.

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1 min  |
July 2024
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
African Pilot

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.

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2 mins  |
July 2024
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
African Pilot

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.

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1 min  |
July 2024
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
African Pilot

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.

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6 mins  |
July 2024
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
African Pilot

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.

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6 mins  |
July 2024
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
African Pilot

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.

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1 min  |
July 2024