MIDWEEK UPDATE 12 OCTOBER 2016


THIS WEEK IN MIDWEEK UPDATE


AvClicks Photo Competition……Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events


Aviation News………. Worldwide Incidents and Accidents


This Week in Aviation History………Advertising Rate Card






Pilot's Post is proud to launch its "AVclick 2016" aviation related photo competition. By entering your favourite photos, you will not only share your aviation photography passion with thousands of others, you will also stand a chance to win exciting prizes this year. Our prizes for this competition were carefully chosen to suit everyone's aviation interest and that is why we are offering the winner a choice between three different options.


For more information go to:
www.pilotspost.com/arn0000956


This Week's Four Finalist
To vote for your favourite photo click on "Vote for"




Vote for 24-1…………………………Vote for 24-2




Vote for 24-3…………………………Vote for 24-4



Go to
www.pilotspost.com/arn0001074 to vote for the September finalist















15: Sheila Taylor Nav Rally - Krugersdorp . Up for grabs: the Sheila Taylor Navigational Skills Shield. Breakfast will be served in the clubhouse and there will be a prize giving after the event. The 26 SOUTH Clubhouse will be open for lunch as usual. Please support your club, invite friends and family and lets all have an enjoyable day. Contact: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za . Please forward your entries to acr@absamail.co.za


15: Tumahole Aviation Awareness Expo Parys airfield. Contact Ishmael Mokoena Cell: 073 598 0220 E-mail:
777ishman@gmail.com








OCTOBER


22: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AGM EAA Auditorium Rand Airport. Contact Paul Lastrucci Cell: 082 822 7018

22-23: SAC KZN regionals Ladysmith. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

23 - 24: Karoo Gariep Fly-in. Contact PC Ferreira Cell: 082 567 9211 website: www.karoogariep.co.za

29: SAPFA Grand Central fun rally & open precisions. Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032

29: Rustenburg Breakfast Fly In. Contact mauritzmuller1@gmail.com





NOVEMBER


2: EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting, Dickie Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact editor@afskies.co.za

5: Aero Club of South Africa Annual Awards at AFB Zwartkop. Contact AeCSA-Office: office@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100

5: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. webmaster@saafmuseum.org



5: Aero Club of South Africa Annual Awards at AFB Zwartkop. Contact AeCSA-Office: office@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100


11-13: Bosveld Fly in. Potgietersrus Airfield. All welcome. Camping available. Contact Nico 082 582 5961, Martin 082 578 4657 or Willie 072 523 2423.


11-13: EAA Sun n Fun fly-in to Brits. Includes Neil Bowden's Oshkosh Visitors reunion fly-in, the Peter Hengst Memorial fly-in breakfast on Saturday 12, an Adventure Fun Rally organised by Rob Jonkers under the SAPFA banner, The Airplane Factory Sling fly-in, a 1/3 scale jet powered BAE Hawk model will do a demonstration flight. Brits FC is known for its fine hospitality, good food, braais, and a pub. Camping at the airfield and many reasonably priced B&B's nearby. ATC will be in operation form Friday 13h00Z - 15h00Z and Saturday 05h00Z - 15h00Z on 124.2 Mhz. Further info from Karl Jensen e-mail: rsvp@eaa.org.za or
karlpix@icon.co.za or Roel Jansen 082 777 7299


12: SAPFA Peter Hengst Memorial fun rally Brits airfield. Entering on the EAA website at www.eaa.org.za or entering on the SAPFA website at or Contact Rob Jonkers email: rob@aerosud.co.za


13: A rally for vintage aircraft will leave Crete in Greece bound for Cape Town in South Africa, scheduled to arrive 5 weeks later. Following in the footsteps of the pioneering flights in the 1920s. For more details see here: www.crete2cape.com


18-20: Mafeking fly in and hangar dance. Contact Connie Conradie e-mail:
info@mmafikeng-flyingclub.co.za


19: Bob Hay Fun Rally - Baragwanath. Our last event of the year is at Baragwanath. Come and join the JLPC (Johannesburg Light Plane Club) for a day of fun. Contact: Contact Frank Eckard email: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za cell: 083 269 1516. You may enter any of these events online on the SAPFA website at: http://www.sapfa.co.za/index.php/component/competition/?view=pilot









AAD 2016 EXCEEDED DEFENCE TRADE EXPECTATIONS


Africa's premier defence and aerospace exhibition - AAD 2016 - was an unqualified success, attracting a record number of displays and close on 34 000 visitors from 105 countries.

Kevin Wakeford, CEO of Armscor, says the lasting value of AAD 2016 will become apparent in coming months through partnerships formed during the five day event, resulting in business and export opportunities for local companies.

Plans for the 10th edition of the Africa Aerospace & Defence Exhibition are already in place with the dates confirmed as 19-23 September 2018.

"AAD is the premier event that showcases the range, depth and quality of South Africa's high-tech defence and aerospace industries", says Wakeford. As the most important event on the African continent, it presents the ideal platform where decision-makers can observe the latest local technology and products and network with their international counterparts.

Speaking at the opening of the biennial event at the Air Force Base Waterkloof, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said there is an upsurge in international interest in the African defence industry and AAD is the ideal platform to launch new and innovative products and technology.

True to the 2016 theme of "Unlocking Africa's Aerospace and Defence Potential" AAD, for the first time, featured an African Unity Pavilion. Wakeford says AAD2016 hosted for the first time the technology and products manufactured on the rest of the continent. Defence companies from Nigeria, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the Republic of the Sudan shared exhibition space with the more established companies from the northern hemisphere.

At this year's exhibition the Paramount Group launched its Mbombe 6 infantry fighting vehicle while Denel unveiled a demonstrator model of its new Africa Truck designed to provide logistics support for forces involved in peacekeeping operations. Boeing and Saab demonstrated the capabilities of their latest advanced trainer aircraft designed to meet the requirements of the US Air Force.

The public days at AAD attracted more than 50 000 visitors despite the fact that some of the aerobatics had to be cancelled due to rain and low clouds on Sunday. This however failed to dampen the spirits of aviation enthusiasts who visited the 80 aircraft on static display and the 13 national pavilions with over 400 local and international exhibitors.

One of the primary attractions was a full scale replica of the Bloodhound supersonic car that will attempt to break the world land speed record at Hakskeenpan in the Northern Cape next year.

"AAD 2016 exceeded all expectations with more exhibitors, more trade visitors, more companies and more official delegations than ever before. Among the countries that sent official delegations at ministerial or senior defence force level were Egypt, Iran, Sweden, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, Russia, Spain, the USA, Brazil, India and Turkey.

AAD 2016 in numbers
• 33 862 - the number of trade visitors;
• 105 - the number of countries represented at the show;
• 532 - the number of exhibitors;
• 54 000 - total square metres of indoor and outdoor exhibition space;
• 57018 - members of the public who visited the public displays;
• 444 - the number of international and local media that covered the event.



KITPLANES FOR AFRICA



Photo © Kitplanes for Africa


Situated at the Petit Airfield, Gauteng, South Africa, Kitplanes for Africa produces 12-15 airframe kits and builds up 6 airplanes to test-flight completion per year. The facility is also home to Komati Flight Academy offering weight shift and light sport flight training on tail or nose-wheel aircraft. The school specializes in tailwheel training and advanced bush flying. See our school website Komati Flight Academy for more details.

To date Kitplanes for Africa has produced in excess of 300 airframes, some of which have been exported to Australia, UK, USA, Netherlands, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Kitplanes for Africa began producing the Bushbaby in 1993. The initial aircraft was modeled on the popular and very successful Kitfox 4. In 2003 the airframe benefited from some significant upgrades and the Explorer mk1 was born. During 2008 development on the Explorer continued and the Explorer Mk2 saw the light. The Mk2 Explorer has a larger luggage area than the Mk1, The same elevator as the Safari and a longer sleeker engine cowl. These small changes took the Explorer to the next level and gained instant popularity from our customers.

In 2008 development of the the Safari LSA started and continued to 2010 when the first Safari LSA's were produced and sold. The Safari LSA is an all new aircraft that has an 48 inch wide cockpit and firewall, 400mm longer fuselage, higher tail fin, external luggage door, massive luggage capacity, larger elevator and rudder.

During testing of the Safari LSA it was evident that the Safari structure far exceeded the LSA standards and that a higher certification can be sought. It was decided to start testing the Safari LSA to the EASA CS-VLA standards. This meant that the weight was increased from 600kg to 700kg. The results were outstanding and apart for some minor modifications in one or two areas the Safari passed all the structural testing to with ease.



REAL ADVENTURE FOR REAL WACO PILOTS….CRETE2CAPE



Photo © CRETE2CAPE


On the 13th November 2016 a rally for vintage aircraft will leave Crete in Greece bound for Cape Town in South Africa, scheduled to arrive 5 weeks later. Following in the footsteps of the pioneering flights in the 1920s - they will connect some of the most beautiful and evocative points in Africa.

Flying low along the Nile from Cairo to Khartoum, past the highlands of Ethiopia before the plains of Kenya and the home of African aviation in Nairobi. Then off again past Kilimanjaro into the Serengeti - and on to the spice island of Zanzibar. After a short pause to enjoy the Indian ocean, they will continue, crossing Zambia to Victoria Falls, before continuing to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

The final days take the aviators into, and across, stunning South Africa - to the Cape, journey's end.

The rally intends to recreate the pioneering age of African aviation in the 1920s. The vintage aircraft will be the centre of attention, supported in their endeavour by more contemporary light aircraft and helicopters. WACO can help with US logistics and transportation, RAS in Germany can help with reassembly and European logistics. This is a great opportunity for you to join the group for what would truly be the adventure of a lifetime.

For more details see here: www.crete2cape.com



BLACKHAWK LAUNCHES NEW ENGINE UPGRADE PROGRAM FOR THE KING AIR 350 SERIES



Photo © Blackhawk


Blackhawk Modifications, Inc. unveiled details about their newest XP Engine + Upgrade program for the King Air 350 in an announcement from company executives. Blackhawk is developing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that will allow the installation and operation of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engine to replace the existing PT6A-60A engines on the King Air 350 model. The Blackhawk program, called the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade, is currently installed on Blackhawk's King Air 350 that will be used as the STC test aircraft during the experimental flight process. Blackhawk proudly displayed this King Air at their booth during the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture gathering at Oshkosh in July and anticipates receiving the STC in the second quarter of 2017.

The PT6A-67A engine is a 1200 SHP power plant that will replace the existing 1050 SHP PT6A-60A engine currently certified on the King Air 350 model. Blackhawk's STC will flat rate the 1200 SHP to the airframe limit of 1050 SHP allowing an operator to take advantage of more than 400 thermodynamic shaft horsepower per engine in climb and cruise settings (1825 ESHP). This higher thermodynamic rating will also improve takeoff and climb performance in high altitude and hot ambient temperature conditions.

The initial performance results have exceeded forecast projections. In hot climate conditions, the XP67A will climb from sea level to its service ceiling of FL350 in as little as 18 minutes - more than doubling the rate of climb. Typical cruise speeds are increased by up to 37 KTAS and can settle in at up to 340 KTAS if an operator chooses to fly at maximum engine power limits. Operators looking for increased endurance and range can throttle back and extend capabilities due to better specific fuel consumption ratings. Blackhawk's STC will include a new Flight Manual Supplement with full performance for flight planning purposes.

The XP67A initial certification plan will include all Proline II equipped King Air 350's with the steam powered engine instruments. Blackhawk is working jointly with Garmin and anticipates G1000 compatibility as part of the initial STC. A separate certification program will capture the Proline 21 avionic package along with the 16,500 lbs. increased gross weight kit with extended range tanks.

Precertification orders are now being accepted for the XP67A. A $50,000 refundable deposit will secure an initial delivery position and lock in a pre-certification pricing rebate. Blackhawk has contracted with Pratt & Whitney to offer the XP67A under the Converter Exchange Program (CEP) and requires the core PT6A-60A engines to be returned. Qualifying core engines will be issued credit at $70 per hour / per engine for time remaining to the 3600 TBO. Contact Blackhawk for pricing details, credits and rebates specific to your King Air 350.



AIRBUS HELICOPTERS TO SHOW NEW SERVICES AND TOOLS AT 2016 HELITECH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION




Photo © Lorette Fabre / Airbus


Airbus Helicopters will be participating at this year's Helitech International exhibition in Amsterdam surrounded by highlights from its product and service range, along with a few new tools that further the company's priorities of providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction, quality, safety, and competitiveness to its customers.

On display at booth 12C70 from the Airbus Helicopters product range will be a light single-engine H130 in passenger transport configuration and a light twin-engine H145 in emergency medical service (EMS) configuration. New additions to the stand this year include the H160 Experience - an interactive, virtual opportunity to enter inside and learn more about the aircraft - and a Helionix avionics demonstration tool.

Customers will also get a sneak peak of Fleet Keeper™, a new web and mobile application that will completely replace operators' technical logbooks and which was recently approved by the French Civil Aviation Authority.

Further reinforcing Airbus Helicopters' commitment to providing the best support to its customers worldwide will be the HCare Customer Services corners, where company representatives will be available to respond to customer questions.

At Airbus Helicopters, our mission is to provide the most efficient helicopter solutions to our customers. What is important to them is essential to us.



BOMBARDIER CS300 AIRCRAFT AWARDED TYPE VALIDATION BY THE EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY



Photo © Bombardier

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has awarded Type Validation to Bombardier's CS300 aircraft. The validation is a requirement for the aircraft's operation in Europe and a precursor to first delivery to CS300 launch operator, airBaltic of Latvia. Bombardier's first CS300 aircraft delivery to airBaltic is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016. EASA's validation follows the CS300 aircraft Type Certification awarded by Transport Canada in July 2016.

"Certifying two clean-sheet aircraft within a nine-month period is a major aviation industry achievement and today we celebrate the latest C Series program milestone with the CS300 EASA certification. We owe a great deal of thanks to the hundreds of Bombardier employees and suppliers who have worked so diligently and professionally to design and build the superb C Series aircraft -- the only single-aisle jetliners developed for the 100- to 150- seat market segment in close to 30 years," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

"EASA's approval of our CS300 aircraft, as per schedule, recognizes the significant contribution of our highly skilled engineers and technical experts in the development and testing of the best-in-class C Series aircraft," said François Caza, Vice President, Product Development and Chief Engineer and Head of Bombardier's Design Approval Organization. "We fully expect that the CS300 aircraft's upcoming delivery and entry-into-service with airBaltic will be as successful as for the CS100 aircraft with SWISS."

"Our teams have produced an impressive family of airplanes with proven technology, performance, passenger amenities, economics and environmental qualifications that are turning heads and will be serving operators well in the future," said Robert Dewar, Vice President, C Series Aircraft Program. "Our focus is on the completion of the first production CS300 aircraft for launch operator airBaltic as their teams focus on completing their pilot and crew training for first delivery later this year."



DASSAULT AVIATION HANDS OVER FIRST FALCON 8X



Photo © Dassault Aviation - V. Almansa


Dassault Aviation has delivered t its first Falcon 8X, marking the entry into service of the company's new ultra-long range flagship. Amjet Executive took delivery of the aircraft at Dassault Aviation's Bordeaux-Merignac facility and is now the first company to operate the Falcon 8X.

The 6,450 nm/11,945 km 8X received its EASA and FAA certification in June and is entering service precisely on schedule, 2 years after it was first announced. Certification followed a month-long round the globe operating test campaign intended to ensure aircraft systems would be fully mature and operational from day one.

"To see our new flagship Falcon handed over right on time in perfect operating order gives us immense pride," said Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation. "We are very pleased to deliver the first example of this great new aircraft to Amjet, a long time Falcon operator."

Based in Athens, Greece, Amjet offers fleet management, charter, sales and maintenance/repair services and operates a full line of Falcon jets, including the super midsized Falcon 50, the long range Falcon 900EX EASy and the very long range Falcon 7X.

"I am extremely pleased to welcome the new Falcon 8X into our fleet," said Amjet President, Abakar Manany, who was at the controls for the delivery flight. "As a pilot, I can personally vouch for the remarkable handling and piloting qualities of the big new trijet. Its superb performance and cabin comfort will allow us to fill an ever wider range of needs and missions for our exceptionally demanding clientele."

Further deliveries are anticipated over the coming weeks to customers in a dozen countries, from Brazil, the U.S. and Europe, to the UAE and India.






Israel, Ramon AFB: An Israeli Air Force pilot died Wednesday afternoon during a failed attempt to land a Sufa (F-16i) fighter jet at the Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev. The pilot and navigator ejected from the burning aircraft. The pilot did not survive, the navigator sustained minor injuries. It is not clear what caused the aircraft to catch fire. The incident occurred as the aircraft was returning from the afternoon's attack on Gaza in retaliation for rocket fire that targeted the Jewish town of Sderot in southern Israel earlier in the day.

Ireland, Belfast: Operations at Belfast International Airport were disrupted after a TNT Airways-branded Boeing 737-400 freighter was involved in a landing gear incident, blocking both of the airport's runways. The 737 had issues with its undercarriage and came to a halt at the intersection of the two runways, which are laid out in a t-shape. Nobody was injured in the incident. The disabled aircraft halted all arrivals and departures from the airport. Flights resumed about 90 minutes later.

Afghanistan, Baghlan: An Afghan Air Force (AAF) Mil Mi-17 helicopter army en-route to the army camp in Qarghan Tapa area crashed as a result of a technical malfunction. All seven occupants, four crew members and three soldiers, died in the crash.






12 OCTOBER 1918

The Imperial German Navy's Naval Airship Division flies its last combat mission


A Zeppelin flying over SMS Sedlitz. Photo United States Library of Congress


The Imperial German Navy was created in 1871 at the time of the formation of the German Empire. Its mission initially was coastal defence though this was with the advent of WWI enlarged.


Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Photo Bundesarchiv / commons.wikimedia.org

In 1895, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, the father of the airship demonstrated his new designs to the navy who had doubts about their reliability and considered them to slow. (In 1909 the navy had rejected proposals for aircraft to be launched from ships.) In 1911 the navy called for trials and a year later purchased its first dirigible to be used in the reconnaissance role. The following year ten more was ordered and a new naval air division was created.


Peter Strasser (1 April 1876 - 5 August 1918) was appointed chief commander of German Imperial Navy Zeppelins during World War I.

The main force of dirigibles flew bombing missions from 1915 to 1917.

Although armed with machine guns for use against aircraft and experimental 80 kg (180 lb) bombs early dirigibles had had insufficient range to operate over Britain. Later models had a longer range.


A LZ 7 of the German Imperial Navy. Photo Library of Congress / commons.wikimedia.org

The bombing Champaign against the UK by German Imperial Navy dirigibles had little material effect and it was during such a mission, the last of the war that a dirigible, a L 3, piloted by Peter Strasser was shot down and Strasser was killed.





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