Midweek Update 24 May 2017

THIS WEEK IN MIDWEEK UPDATE

Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events

Aviation News………. Worldwide Incidents and Accidents

This Week in Aviation History………Advertising Rate Card

RADIO SHOW

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26-28: SAPFA President's Trophy Air Race. Springs Aero Club. Website: www.sapfa.org.za E-mail: Race@sapfa.org.za. Race director Robin Spencer-Scarr: robin@stylegroup.com.au ot Contact Robbie Myburgh e-mail: roblena@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 377 0925

27: We are organizing a small breakfast fly-in at the Jack Taylor Airfield (FAKR) Krugersdorp. Breakfast will start from 08h00 and be served all morning. Everyone is welcome so please come join us and let's get a good thing going! We plan on growing this into an annual fly-in so please come and support.

27-28: Wings Park Annual Airfest Fly in. All aircraft welcome. Great fun filled weekend with some of the coolest planes and pilots around. Avgas and Mogas available. Jet A1 on request. Safe parking with kilometre long grass runway. Contact Rob Williamson Cell: 082 574 9034 E-mail: rwhw@iafrica.com

27: Botswana International airshow. Matsieng Airfield (FBMA). Contact Guillaume Knipe E-mail: Gknipe@work.co.bw Cell +267 71300646






JUNE

2-3: Newcastle Airshow. Newcastle. Contact Johan Pieters 082 923 0078 e-mail: johan@champ.co.za or Christo van der Vyver 083 375 5883

3-4: Keep the weekend of June 3 and 4 open for a Radio Control fly-in and sleep over at Henley. Susan Vosloo, wife of the owner of Henley Airfield, will have her mobile restaurant in attendance and the food which she and her daughters prepare is 5 star.

3: TETE Free State Aviation Exhibition 2017 at Parys Airfield. Contact Ishmael Mokoena, Coordinator Cell 073 598 0220

4: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day

7: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact editor@afskies.co.za

10-11: Wonderboom Adrenaline Show. Wonderboom. Contact Chris Briers E-mail: chris@briersgroup.com Cell: 082 568 7988

15-16: Lowveld airshow at the Nelspruit airfield Tel: 013 741 6412. Contact Willemien Hodgkinson e-mail: willemien.hodgkinson@kishugu.com

15-18: NAC fly-away. Contact Deneys Potgieter Cell: 082 891 4354 e-mail:
deneys.potgieter@nac.co.za


16-18: MISASA Microlight Championships and kroon Fly in. Contact Mervyn on 073 763 7510 for competition details.


17: Queenstown Flying Club Centennial Celebrations. Contact Alasdair 0825518375 mac@mactax.co.za


24: Middelburg Aero Club Airshow. Richardt Lovett. mail@pegasusi.co.za 082 771 8775


3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341


30-3 Jul: Race for Rhinos. Kubu Island Botswana.Contact Chris Briers E-mail: chris@briersgroup.com Cell: 082 568 7988


30- 1 July: SA Landing Championship Training Day - Brits Airfield. Contact Mauritz du Plessis email: whitehouse@worldonline.co.za, Cell: 083 601 1042


JULY

1: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day

5: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact Contact editor@afskies.co.za

5-8: SAC Nationals. Malelane, Mpumalanga. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

8: EAA Chapter 973 - Krugersdorp. Breakfast Fly-in to Crosswinds Airfield. All EAA members, Microlighters, friends and aviation enthusiasts - You are all invited to fly in or drive in to Crosswinds Airfield and enjoy the day with us. A full breakfast at R80 per head will be available, which includes coffee and tea. Map available here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/9fed99877f4280842cbc752a7/files/ae942317-6a4c-4675-8d5c-638c47005dbe/Crosswinds_Airfield_info.pdf


8: Swaziland International airshow. Swaziland Flying Club. Contact Yorick Hulett e-mail: hulettcharcoal@gmail.com Tel: +268 760 31002

14-16: Nylstroom Flying Club and EAA Taildragger Fly-in. Contact Richard Nicholson Cell: 092 490 6227 E-mail: rgn@pcwireless.co.za

15: Hoedspruit Fun Rally. Contact Wynand Uys email: wynand@ottersden.co.za or Frank Eckard e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za cell: 083 269 1516

3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341

24-30: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Wisconsin, USA. Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden e-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net or Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig e-mail: calvin@designer.co.za

28: World Precision Flying Championships - Austria.




AIRLINK ADRENALINE WONDERBOOM AIRPORT SHOW 9-11 JUNE 2017



"The Airlink Adrenaline Wonderboom Airport Show is back and we are excited to bring you an adrenaline filled line up. Over and above the usual airshow favourites this year we plan to bring some exciting never have seen before acts. Having won the 2016 airshow of the year award means we must up the ante, and we intend doing just that. You don't want to miss this one, it's going to be one for the record books." said Christian Maiorana, Co-owner and Show Boss.

The show coincides with Airlink's Silver and Gold Jubilee on 11th June, celebrating 25 years in its current iteration with uninterrupted leadership, and recognizing that its roots date back fifty years to Lowveld Air Services founded in 1967. Accordingly, the program for the Sunday show11th June, will include a special acknowledgement of this momentous occasion.

This year's show is set to be BIGGER and BETTER, with acts that have never been seen at any airshow in South Africa, and for the first time, the South African Air Force (SAAF) will be participating, a special thank you to the Airlink team for making this possible. The Silver Falcons and a Gripen fighter jet will take to the skies, and a SAAF Augusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter will be on static display.

For the first time ever at a South African airshow, there will be the 'Up and Over', an airshow act that sees a motorbike backflip over an aircraft as it flies under the bike. On Saturday evening only, there will be a Jetcar Meltdown - another first for a South African airshow, as well as a wall of fire, fireworks display, and the spectacular Puma Energy Harvard Flying Lions Night display. Sunday only, will have a Jetcar smoke blowout. Keep a lookout for the 'Huey Surprise'.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION BANS AIRZIM OVER AIR SAFETY CONCERNS


An Air Zimbabwe Airbus A320 at Harare International Airport. Picture: ANA

The European Commission (EC) has banned Zimbabwe's struggling flag airline, Air Zimbabwe, from their airspace over safety concerns.

On Tuesday, the EC said they had updated the European Union (EU) Air Safety List, the list of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards, which are, therefore, "subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union".

"All air carriers from Benin and Mozambique were removed from the EU Air Safety List, while four individual airlines, one each from Nigeria, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe, were added," the EC said.

At Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the national flag carrier boasted a fleet of 18 planes, but is now rundown and operating at less than a third of that capacity and reeling under a debt in excess of US$300 million.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe usually uses Air Zimbabwe for his foreign travels, which he reportedly pays for in full.

The Commission said the EU Air Safety List seeks to ensure the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is a top priority of the Aviation Strategy adopted by the Commission in December 2015.

EC transport commissioner Violeta Bulc said: "I am glad that we are able to take all carriers from Benin and Mozambique out of the air safety list. Their reforms have paid off. This is also a signal to the 16 countries that remain on the list. It shows that work and co-operation pays off. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency are ready to assist them and raise the safety standards worldwide." EC said following Tuesday's update, a total of 181 airlines were banned from EU skies.

Six years ago, Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 737-500 was impounded in South Africa after failing to settle a US$500 000 debt owed to Bid Air Services for ground handling services.

In the same year, its largest aircraft, a Boeing 767-200, was seized by American General Supplies in London over a US$1,2 million debt, but was later released after the airline paid the debt. The airline immediately stopped flying to London, one of its most lucrative routes.

The debt-ridden airline was kicked out of the International Air Transport Association's flight reservation services in 2012 after failing to honour its obligations - which then stood at US$3,4 million - a development which resulted in limited business.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE CAASA AVIATION ACTIVITY INDEX (CAAI)

The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) is proud to announce the official launch of a composite index of aviation activity.

The rationale behind the decision to design the Caasa Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) was, firstly, the recognition of the indispensable role that commercial aviation plays in facilitating the rapid transport of decision-makers in all spheres of society.

Secondly, CAASA has identified a need to contribute to the knowledge base of conditions in the aviation industry by forging a number of key indicators into a composite index, weighted in terms of their perceived contribution to the general trend in commercial aviation.

A total of 25 different indicators were selected for inclusion in the CAAI, classified in terms of the following seven groups:
#Value of imports of helicopters
#Value of imports of aeroplanes (of a mass less than 15t)
#Physical quantity of imported aircraft
#Value of imports of aircraft spares
#Value of exports of aircraft
#Air traffic movements at six ACSA airports
#Air traffic movements at seven key non-ACSA airports

In combination, the CAAI provides an objective & balanced gauge of economic activity in the commercial aviation industry.

Due to the short-term volatility inherent in purchasing and selling aircraft, where units are small, but the currency values are very high, the CAAI is based on a standard statistical practice of a 3-month moving average.

Summary of key trends depicted by the CAAI:

1. Despite disappointing results for the first quarter of 2017, the overall index shows that commercial aviation activity in South Africa is alive and well and outperforming most other sectors of the economy by a considerable margin. The CAAI increased by 20.2% between the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2017. In comparison, the country's GDP (weighted according to the quantity/nominal value ratio of the CAAI) only increased by 9% over this period.



2. Since 2014 (the base period for the Index), the ratio of imports of aircraft spares to the imports of aircraft has remained high, averaging 1.48.
3. The main drivers behind the positive trend of the CAAI since 2014 has been the value of exports of aircraft and the value of imports of airplanes weighing between 2t and
4. The values of imports of helicopters of a mass of less than 2t has also increased significantly over the past three years.
5. Since 2014, growth in air traffic movements at airports managed by ACSA has been muted, but nevertheless positive. The group index for this indicator increased by a modest 4% over this period.
6. In contrast, growth in air traffic movements at key non-ACSA airports has been more robust, namely 15.7% (since 2014)



B-29, C-47 D-DAY AIRCRAFT HIGHLIGHT COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE GROUP AT AIRVENTURE


Fifi, the B-29 over flying AirVenture, Oshkosh. Photo AirVenture

Some of the World War II era's most significant military aircraft that have been restored and preserved by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will be among the highlights of the annual warbird gathering at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.

Among the airplanes coming to Oshkosh is the Boeing B-29 FIFI, which will join the world's only other flying B-29 bomber, Doc, on the flightline for the first appearance of multiple B-29s in more than 50 years. In addition, CAF B-25 bombers will appear as part of the 75th anniversary of the famed Doolittle Raid of April 1942.

"While more than 300 vintage military aircraft at Oshkosh each year create the world's largest annual warbird gathering, the CAF has been at the forefront of restoring and preserving many marvelous examples of flying history," said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member programs who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. "At AirVenture, visitors can see the airplanes in the air and on ground display, and also learn more about the aircraft from the people who own and fly them."

While at AirVenture, the B29 FIFI will be available for flights on July 26-27, based from Appleton, Wisconsin. More information is available at CAF's Air Power History Tour website. At other times, the aircraft will be displayed at Oshkosh for cockpit and aircraft tours.

Other CAF aircraft on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh include:

C-47 That's All Brother, the airplane that led the D-Day invasion and is under restoration in Oshkosh
B-17 Texas Raiders
A-26 Invader twin-engine bomber
B-25s Miss Mitchell and Devil Dog, part of the Doolittle Raid 75th anniversary commemoration.
"The Commemorative Air Force is again excited to bring a number of our aircraft to Oshkosh for the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," said Stephan Brown, Commemorative Air Force president. "These airplanes represent an outstanding tribute to the men and women who have dedicated themselves and sacrificed to preserve our freedom."

Many of the CAF aircraft will also participate in the EAA AirVenture daily afternoon air shows, including the warbird extravaganzas that take place throughout the week.



LOCKHEED MARTIN SIGN AS GOLD SPONSOR FOR BIDEC 2017


Photo Bidec/Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company based in Maryland, USA, has joined the ever growing list of exhibitors at BIDEC 2017 which include Otokar, Bell Helicopter, BAE Systems, MBDA and Berretta to name just a few.

BIDEC 2017, scheduled to take place on 16-18 October 2017, will be Bahrain's first ever tri -service defence exhibition and will be hosted under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in addition to full support by Bahrain Defence Force.

George Standridge, Lockheed Martin, Vice President, Aeronautics Strategy & Business Development says "Bahrain International Defence Exhibition & Conference brings together key leaders from around the global security and defence industry, providing a platform for us to engage with our most important customers from the Middle East and far beyond. We look forward to participating in this year's exhibition to strengthen relationships with local governments and industry partners and showcase how our technology can help regional partners navigate today's security environment."

Thomas Gaunt, Event Director of BIDEC 2017 says "Lockheed Martin confirming their Gold Sponsorship of BIDEC 2017 is a fantastic endorsement for the exhibition and reflects the ever-growing requirement for such an event in Bahrain. The overwhelming demand for exhibition space has resulted in an extension to the BIDEC floor plan; we are really looking forward to the show this October."

With over 3000 international visitors expected to attend, BIDEC will also host unique features including Shooting Range Exercises, a Warship Display and Military Vehicle Demos. The Middle East Military Alliances and Coalitions Conference, addressing the biggest challenges facing the region, will also run alongside the exhibition.


AIRBUS LAUNCHES ACH THE DEDICATED PRIVATE AND BUSINESS AVIATION HELICOPTER BRAND


Photo Airbus/Camille Moirenc

Geneva, Airbus Helicopters has launched Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH), its high-end, bespoke brand, at EBACE 2017. The brand, which will be identified by the ACH logo, will build on the company's leadership in the Private and Business Aviation market, offering a unique level of quality finish, craftsmanship and bespoke service matching the most demanding requirements.

ACH provides an exclusive platform from which customers can benefit from best in class products, tailored completion and service. Mirroring the successful sister brand Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), ACH will provide current and future customers an end-to-end exclusive ownership experience ranging from advice helping customers to choose the right aircraft and design a bespoke style. Finally, customers will benefit throughout the period of ownership from a concierge-style support service which, in addition to ensuring the highest availability of the aircraft anywhere in the world, will help preserve the aircraft's resale value as a result of a dedicated care and support by the manufacturer.

Helicopters are the ideal complement to corporate and VIP customers due to the unique capabilities rotary wing aircraft bring; primarily providing a point-to-point transport for business and corporate customers and an enhanced lifestyle for VIP customers enabling luxury travel between assets or even to remote, inaccessible locations.

With the launch of ACH, Airbus becomes the only aerospace manufacturer to offer dedicated range of jets and helicopters. Today the company is leveraging its aerospace pedigree through a distinctive range of aircraft for both corporate and VIP customers in the high end, luxury market.



Switzerland, Zurich: A Helvetic Airways Fokker 100 performing was accelerating for take-off from Zurich's runway 28 when the crew rejected take-off at 80 knots over ground reporting they had no airspeed on the first officer's side. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron.

USA, New Jersey: An Learjet 35A corporate jet operated by A&C Big Sky Aviation LLC with two crew on board on a flight from Philadelphia International Airport crashed and burst into flames while on approach runway 01 to Teterboro Airport, New Jersey. The airplane impacted the ground in an industrial area 1000 m short of the runway. There were no survivors and the aircraft was destroyed in the subsequent fire.





17 May 1928

Lady Heath (formerly Mrs. Elliot-Lynn) lands in London, becoming the first woman to fly solo from Cape Town, South Africa to London, England in an Avro Avian 594 Avian III.

Mary, Lady Heath (10 November 1896 - 9 May 1939) was an Irish aviator. She was one of the best known women in the world for a five-year period from the mid-1920s.

In 1923 she represented the United Kingdom at the 1923 Women's Olympiad] in Monte Carlo, during the games she came third place at the high jump, javelin throw and the Women's pentathlon, in 1926 she again represented the United Kingdom at javelin at the 1926 Women's World Games in Gothenburg, coming fourth[3] with a throw of 44.63 metres.

During 1925 she took her first flying lessons and the following year she became the first woman to hold a commercial flying licence in Britain and along the way, set records for altitude.


Avro Avian III

She initially estimated that her flight in the Avian to Cape Town would take three weeks As it turned out it took her three months before reaching her target. After her great flight from the Cape, she took a mechanic's qualification, the first woman to do so, in the USA, where she was known as "Britain's Lady Lindy,"

On 9 May 1939, aged 42, she died in St Leonard's Hospital, Shoreditch, London following a fall inside a double-decker tram.



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