Professor John M. Lamola, appointed Group CEO of SAA.
BMA UAVs on the way.
Mozambique Air Force gets a C295.
Bombardier's record-breaking Global 7500 business jet achieves category-leading 100th speed record.
Evektor launches delivery of 20-aircraft fleet order to Flybright Pilot Academy in Florida;
Archer unveils Midnight “Launch Edition” commercialization program with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) as first customer.
Commemorative Air Force brings iconic warbirds to sun 'n FUN 2025 - Ride in History!
GE Catalyst Turboprop engine achieves FAA certification.
Lilium closes eVTOL business as new investment falls through.
This week in history - Introduction of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus Video - Harvard A2A Shoot
PROFESSOR JOHN M. LAMOLA, APPOINTED GROUP CEO OF SAA
The South African Airways (SAA) Board welcomes the approval by the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy's appointment of Professor John M. Lamola as its Group Chief Executive Officer.
The Board is confident that Professor Lamola's appointment marks a turning point for SAA's long-term financial health, who has the skill, track record, leadership skills, insight, and vision to guide the national carrier in its continued growth, ensuring that SAA remains a viable regional, continental, and global aviation operator.
Professor Lamola has been at the helm at SAA as interim CEO since May 2022. He is deeply conversant with the airline's past and has been intimately involved in planning its future. His proven leadership will ensure stability and continuity in SAA's governance and operations.
SAA Board Interim Chairperson, Mr Derek Hanekom says: “The SAA Board is delighted to be able to appoint a solid and dedicated leader well versed in SAA's fortunes and eager to continue overseeing its take-off into better skies. We wish Professor Lamola and SAA safe flight into an even brighter future.”
In his position as interim CEO, Professor Lamola ensured SAA's return to profit-making status. In the 2022/23 financial year, SAA reported a net profit of R252-million, marking its first profitable year since 2012. Revenue in the same year was R5.7-billion, up from R2-billion in the previous financial year (2021/22).
The airline has steadily added national, continental, and global routes, flying to 16 destinations by January 2025, in contrast with six destinations in 2021. It has expanded its fleet from six aircraft to 20 in the same period, including the addition of two Airbus A330s. Since 2021, SAA has increased its workforce from 800 to approximately 2 000 (November 2024), including 140 pilots, at group level.
The airline's financial discipline and health continue to improve, and Professor Lamola's appointment confirms the Board's confidence in his leadership and aligns with the government's vision for a commercially viable and globally competitive SAA.
“Professor Lamola can now continue growing SAA with confidence, knowing that he has the full support of the SAA Board and its shareholders,” Hanekom says. “We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well in his leadership of SAA.”
According to a study SAA commissioned from Oxford Economics Africa, a London-headquartered consulting leader in global economic forecasting and econometric analysis, SAA's gross value add (GVA) to South Africa's GDP in the 2023/24 financial year is R9.1-billion. Oxford Economics Africa projects that the airline's GVA to South Africa's GDP will rise to R32.6-billion by 2029/30.
The same report estimates that SAA is a powerful job creator for the South African economy. It projects that SAA's impact on the economy, through, for example, bringing tourists to South Africa and facilitating international trade with the country, will take off, sparking the creation of direct and indirect jobs, from 25 200 jobs in 2023/24 to 86 700 by 2029/30.
SAA activities are anticipated to generate government revenue of R1.1-billion (actual) in 2023/24, rising to R4.4-billion (projected) by 2029/30.
Professor Lamola has solid experience in the aviation industry, having built and managed a proprietary private equity investment portfolio that included holdings in aviation and internet technologies. He was CEO at Denel Aviation between 1996 and 2001 and served on the Board of the Airports Company South Africa between 2012 and 2017.
Professor Lamola obtained his PhD in philosophy and religious studies from Edinburgh University in Scotland and a Master of Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida in the United States.
By the end of March South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) will add the first of ten unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to its equipment arsenal in a further boost to cross-border crime prevention efforts.
The arrival of the UAVs was confirmed by way of a reply to a Parliamentary question asked of Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) National Assembly (NA) public representative Thapelo Mogale. In addition to asking the number of what his question called drones, he wanted to know the number of surveillance cameras, firearms and weapons in BMA service.
Schreiber's reply reads, in part: “The BMA is in the process of procuring 10 of its drones through Armscor with the delivery target date of the first four being the 31 March 2025”.
The Armscor involvement is by way of a January tender for an unknown number of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to be deployed at what was termed “critical ports of entry”.
Over the 2024 year-end period the BMA enlisted the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), accessing five UAVs and pilots. The systems were deployed at Beitbridge, Lebombo, Oshoek, Maseru Bridge and Kopfontein and were a major part in the arrests of 1 094 illegal immigrants.
Another Armscor tender when concluded at the end of next month (March) will see 50 BMA guards and inspectors sporting body-worn cameras (BWCs) while on duty.
Mogale was further informed the BMA presently has at its disposal 127 9mm pistols and four rifles along with 116 different types of vehicles. The working fleet comprises 44 patrol vehicles, 22 prison vans, 28 motorcycles and 22 quad bikes.
Schreiber's reply notes in closing “despite making optimal use of these resources, they are not yet sufficient to address the challenges in the border environment”.
Mozambique's Air Force has taken delivery of a C295W transport aircraft from Airbus as it continues to expand its transport fleet. The C295W (FA655) departed Seville, Spain, on its delivery flight on 24 February. It arrived in Maputo on the 27th, according to flight tracking data, after stops in Senegal, Benin, and Angola.
The Mozambican C295 was first seen in mid-2024 in temporary Spanish markings while undergoing flight testing prior to delivery. The order has not been officially announced by Airbus, but the company has noted an undisclosed African customer for the type.
Mozambique's Air Force has been expanding its transport fleet of late, notably acquiring a second hand CN235M and a Let-410 from Paramount Group in late 2022. Air Force officials at the time of delivery said the two aircraft would be used to transport cargo and troops and deploy special forces and paratroopers. Paramount supplied the aircraft as well as training and maintenance.
The company has also delivered several second-hand Mi-24, Mi-8/17, and Gazelle helicopters to Mozambique and sold its Mwari multi-role aircraft to Mozambique - these have been used operationally in northern Mozambique since December 2022 to combat the Islamist insurgency there. With three Mwari aircraft ordered, Mozambique is the type's launch customer.
Airbus continues to grow its C295 customer base in Africa. Angola recently took delivery of the first of three new C295 transports from Airbus, with the aircraft (T-214) arriving in Luanda in July 2024. Two of the aircraft will be specifically equipped for maritime surveillance with the Airbus-developed Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) mission system. FITS includes a search radar, electro-optical sensors, magnetic anomaly detector and other avionics. Weapons can include torpedoes, missiles, mines and depth charges.
Other African countries to have acquired the C295 include Algeria (6), Egypt (24), Equatorial Guinea (2 on order), Mali (2), Gabon (1), Burkina Faso (1), Ivory Coast (1), Ghana (3), and Senegal (one delivered, one on order). In total, ten countries (including one undisclosed customer that is presumably Mozambique) operate or have ordered 44 aircraft in Africa, and these have reached over 100 000 flight hours since 2005.
“Africa is the only region in the world that has acquired C295s every year since 2018 - when one aircraft was ordered by Ivory Coast followed by Burkina Faso one year later. Even in 2020 during COVID-19 times, when the entire market was challenged, Mali acknowledged the great performance of the C295 and decided to acquire an additional aircraft. Senegal, Angola and Gabon came next, between 2021 and 2023,” Airbus said.
The company cited a good example of “resiliency and outstanding performance of the C295 in African territory” during the international peacekeeping mission that the Senegal Air Force performed in Mali in September 2023, with 28 troops rotations in 14 days, performing a total of 200 flight hours - 16 hours per day.
BOMBARDIER'S RECORD-BREAKING GLOBAL 7500 BUSINESS JET ACHIEVES CATEGORY-LEADING 100TH SPEED RECORD
Bombardier today announced that its industry-leading Global 7500 business jet has achieved the ultimate performance milestone: setting a category-leading 100 speed records.
The industry flagship business jet set the mark on a mission departing from Bombardier's Authorized Service Facility ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo and landing at the London Biggin Hill Airport on Feb. 28 in nine hours and 17 minutes, averaging an impressive speed of almost 1,000 km/hr. Some of the latest speed records include impressive city pairs such as Tokyo to San Francisco, London to Riyadh, Oakland to Tokyo, Hartford to Dubai and Tokyo to Toronto, among many others.
Earlier achievements on the Global 7500 include an 8,225 nautical mile flight from Sydney to Detroit, the longest flight ever recorded in business aviation as well as the industry's first-ever non-stop mission from London City Airport to Los Angeles.
“Bombardier customers need a reliable, fast, efficient business tool that gets them to destination quickly and efficiently, and the Global 7500 aircraft sets the standard in the ultra-long-range class for its outstanding technological advancements and impressive performance capabilities. As these impressive records attest, the aircraft consistently shows it has the speed to successfully complete any type of mission,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. “And with our Global 8000 set to enter into service later this year, we can't wait to build on this speed record momentum and take it to even higher levels across the fleet.”
With a top speed of Mach 0.925 and a baseline range of 7,700 nautical miles (14,260 km), the Global 7500 is the ultimate record-setting time machine. The aircraft's unique Smooth Flex Wing is like an in-air shock absorber, designed with a sophisticated slats and flap system that generates exceptional lift on takeoff and approach, maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and boosting performance while improving safety and offering the industry's smoothest ride. It also reduces fuel burn, lowers emissions and produces excellent short-field and high-speed performance - the type of journey its discerning customers expect.
This outstanding business jet also sets the bar high when it comes to maximizing productivity. With its impeccable cabin design and ultra-fast internet capabilities, the Global 7500 is the ultimate home office in the sky - an essential business tool that enables customers to optimize their day and seamlessly complete their missions feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. The aircraft features four true living spaces, a full-size, superbly equipped kitchen and a dedicated crew suite, including innovative design elements such as Bombardier's patented Nuage seat, which features the industry's first zero-gravity position.
The attributes of the Global 7500 aircraft will be enhanced even more with the introduction of the Global 8000 (2) aircraft. Bombardier's flagship for a new era is anticipated to have an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles and a top speed of Mach 0.94, making it the ultimate all-in-one business aircraft. It is also expected to have a low cabin altitude of less than 2,900 feet when flying at 41,000 ft.
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE BRINGS ICONIC WARBIRDS TO SUN 'N FUN 2025 - RIDE IN HISTORY!
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is thrilled to announce its participation in this year's SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, 1 to 6 April 2025 in Lakeland, Florida, where aviation enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to see and even fly in legendary military aircraft.
As one of the most significant aviation events in the country, SUN 'n FUN promises an unforgettable experience with an incredible lineup of historic warbirds and modern marvels.
The CAF is proud to showcase several iconic aircraft at this year's event, including:
• P-51 Mustang Gunfighter
• SBD Dauntless
• LT-6 Texan
• T-34 Mentor
• Fairchild PT-19
Not only can visitors get up close to these legendary aircraft on the Warbird Ramp, but they also have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly in history. Many of these aircraft will be available for ride experiences during the event. Book Your Ride Today!
Seats are limited, so don't miss your chance to take flight in one of these historic warbirds.
EVEKTOR LAUNCHES DELIVERY OF 20-AIRCRAFT FLEET ORDER TO FLYBRIGHT PILOT ACADEMY IN FLORIDA
Evektor is pleased to announce its new partnership with a renowned flight school in the U.S., FlyBright Pilot Academy, based at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Florida. The academy has a fleet of 20 Harmony LSA aircraft currently in production at Evektor.
FlyBright Pilot Academy is known for its comprehensive training programs designed to serve both aspiring professional pilots and sport pilots. With a strong focus on safety, state-of-the-art equipment, and experienced instructors, FlyBright offers tailored courses ranging from Private Pilot and Sport Pilot training to Instrument Ratings, Commercial Pilot Ratings, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) programs. The academy's structured curriculum and modern fleet equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to progress through each phase of their aviation journey with confidence.
The fleet of Harmony LSA aircraft will play a key role in supporting these training programs. Designed for optimal performance, ease of use and outstanding control harmonies, the Harmony LSA offers an ideal platform for student pilots at various training stages. The first two aircraft units were shipped from Evektor in mid-December, with the remaining 18 aircraft scheduled for delivery between January and October 2025.
Each aircraft in the order comes equipped with cutting-edge avionics from Garmin, including the Garmin G3X Touchscreen Glass Cockpit PFD/MFD, Autopilot, Garmin GNX375 GPS/XPDR/Traffic, dual Garmin radios, and powered by the efficient Rotax 912iS Sport engine with fuel injection. Additionally, the aircraft are fitted with DUC Swirl 3-L propeller, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced fuel efficiency during training missions. With its modern aircraft and experienced instructors, FlyBright is positioned to provide an exceptional learning experience for all aspiring aviators.
This significant fleet order was secured through Evektor's exclusive U.S. distributor, Alion Aviation, represented by Adam Coubal. These fleet deliveries to the U.S. market reinforces Evektor's commitment to providing world-class training solutions for flight schools across the country.
With a combination of innovative aircraft design and world-class training programs, this collaboration sets a benchmark for aviation education. Both organizations remain committed to fostering a new generation of highly skilled pilots who will contribute to the growth and safety of the aviation industry for years to come.
ARCHER UNVEILS MIDNIGHT “LAUNCH EDITION” COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM WITH ABU DHABI AVIATION (ADA) AS FIRST CUSTOMER
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced a “Launch Edition” commercialization program for its Midnight aircraft. The goal of this program is to establish a pragmatic and repeatable commercialization playbook to deploy Midnight in dozens of early adopter markets.
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) is Archer's first Launch Edition customer, with plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft. Archer personnel will now work together with Abu Dhabi Aviation to fly Midnight in the country, targeting passenger flights in Abu Dhabi. The two will also collaborate across pilot training, flight operations and community engagement.
In addition to the Launch Edition aircraft, Archer plans to provide ADA with a team of pilots, technicians and engineers to support the initial operational ramp up, helping ensure a safe and efficient deployment. Archer also plans to provide backend software infrastructure and front-end booking application to help power urban air mobility operations during the Launch Edition program.
The partnership between Archer and Abu Dhabi Aviation was formalized this week during a signing ceremony alongside the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, where Abu Dhabi Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding setting forth a framework to fund the deployment of the Midnight Launch Edition aircraft.
His Excellency Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, said: “We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years, and we are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE. Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service and we are excited to lead the way in launching the region's first electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”
Archer will continue to work closely with ADA and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on its goal of launching electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi this year.
“The unveiling of our Launch Edition program marks the beginning of the next chapter for Archer. This is how we'll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers-and it's a playbook we'll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally. Thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. We have a big year ahead,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer.
Archer's goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60-90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer's Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.
GE AEROSPACE CATALYST TURBOPROP ENGINE ACHIEVES FAA CERTIFICATION
GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced today that the Catalyst turboprop engine has been certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Part 33 certification involved over 23 engines and more than 190 component tests.
Catalyst is the first, new centreline, clean-sheet advanced turboprop of the 21st century and the first turboprop engine to be certified to the latest standards, which include more than 20 significant new requirements.
Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion and Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace said, “The certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all our team members who have dedicated their efforts to the design, development, and testing of this brand-new European turboprop engine. We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine towards the entry into service in support of our customers.”
During the certification process, the test engines completed more than 8,000 hours of operation demonstrating and meeting its key performance targets.
Paul Corkery, Catalyst General Manager at Avio Aero said, “Catalyst has been through a rigorous certification and testing process. We are pleased with the performance of the engine throughout its ground and flight test campaigns, and we remain fully focused on supporting Textron Aviation as they complete the certification process and prepare for entry into service of the Beechcraft Denali.”
The engine will bring a radical change to this segment, thanks to its industry-best 16:1 overall pressure ratio that enables up to 18% better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power, compared to competitors in the same engine class. Catalyst introduces two stages of variable stator vanes, cooled high-pressure turbine blades, and features components made by using additive manufacturing.
The Catalyst engine belongs to the GE Aerospace suite of next generation engines which are defining the Future of Flight. It was designed, developed, and manufactured at GE Aerospace sites in Europe, including Avio Aero in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.
LILIUM CLOSES EVTOL BUSINESS AS NEW INVESTMENT FALLS THROUGH
German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium today filed for insolvency for the second time in just under four months after a consortium of investors failed to produce promised new capital. In a short statement, Lilium Aerospace-the name the company adopted in early January after MUC Mobile Uplift Corporation agreed to buy the group's German assets-indicated the business will now shut down.
“While talks about alternative solutions are still ongoing, the chance for restructuring right now is highly unlikely and therefore operations will be stopped,” the company said. “Given the situation, this is deeply regretful for all employees and Lilium Aerospace thanks them for their resilience and dedication.”
Through a notarized financing round, the investors group had pledged to provide more than €200 million ($210 million) to relaunch Lilium. For reasons that have yet to be explained, these funds never materialized from investors including German start-up backers Christian Reber, Jens Beckers, and Frank Thelen.
Some Lilium employees were recalled to work in January following a December 24 announcement that a group of investors from Europe and North America would acquire the business and fund work to bring its six-passenger Lilium Jet to market in 2026. This deal was supposed to close by January 31 but the process dragged on into February with a spokesman for the investors repeatedly citing “technical difficulties.”
7 January 1983
Introduction of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather supersonic, twin-engine, was a highly versatile aircraft, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft. Derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations.
Able to carry a wide variety of weapons the Hornet can perform fighter escort, fleet air defence, suppression of enemy air defences, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset.
1,480 were produced in a production run that started in 1974 and ended in 2000.
South Africa, Lanseria International Airport (FALA), Gauteng: A Diamond DA42 Twin Star, ZS-TDI, made a gear up landing at runway 07 at Lanseria International Airport (HLA/FALA), Gauteng. Both occupants were not injured and the aircraft received minor damage.
South Sudan, near Wadi Sayyidna Air Base (HSWS), N of Omdurman: A Sudan Air Force Antonov An-26 with 17 on board experienced a technical malfunction and crashed shortly after take-off from Wadi Seidna Air Base (HSWS), north of Omdurman. Seventeen occupants and twenty-nine people on the ground perished and at least ten were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
USA, Chicago-Midway Airport (MDW/KMDW), Chicago, IL: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 (N8517F), and FlexJet flight LXJ560, a Bombardier Challenger 350 N560FX), were involved in a runway incursion incident at MDW. Flight WN2504 was about to touch down on runway 31C when the Challenger 350 crossed runway 31C while taxiing on runway 04L. The Boeing 737-800 aborted the final approach and went around. ADS-B data suggest that the Challenger 350 was crossing the runway at 08:48:17 LT. At that time WN2504 was at about 500 meters from this intersection and already in climb. The ATC recording shows that the FlexJet crew were instructed by ground control multiple times to hold short of runway 31C. After the event, the ground control stated "FlexJet 560 your instructions were to hold short runway 31C." The crew then were given a phone number for pilot deviation .
Hong Kong, 7 nm NE of Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport (HKG/VHHH): A Silk Way West Airlines flight 7L625, a Boeing 777-F (VP-BMU), and MNG Airlines flight MB380, an Airbus A330-343 (P2F) (TC-MCN) were involved in a loss of separation event during departure from Hong Kong Airport (HKG). Both flights were cleared by ATC to depart from Runway 07C and Runway 07R respectively, following standard flight procedures. After taking off, both cargo flights were subsequently instructed by ATC officers to climb to 5 000 feet and 3 000 feet, respectively, to maintain vertical separation. However, as the climbing rates of the two cargo flights varied from what the ATC officers had anticipated, the desired vertical separation was not achieved. During this time, both cargo flights followed standard departure procedures and maintained visual contact with each other. When the aircraft were approximately 7 nautical miles northeast of HKIA, the traffic collision avoidance system of the Silk Road Western Airlines' B777 cargo flight issued an alert to its crew, and the aircraft then descended to 2 500 feet. After the incident, both aircraft continued to their destinations according to their flight plans.
Italy, near Cino Valtellina, Sondrio, Lombardy: A Porto Risen ultralight aircraft that had taken off from Alzate Brianza (LILB),Como, Lombardy, crashed into woods near Cino, Valtellina, Sondrino, Lombardy. Preliminary reports indicate that the pilot was attempting to break a speed record using the Rotax 916 equipped Porto Risen ultralight. Unconfirmed reports suggest the aircraft may have struck a bird. A situation developed in which the pilot pulled the airframe parachute. The aircraft descended into trees, coming to rest inverted, nearly grazing a dry-stone wall. On board were Porto Aviation Group owner Alberto Porto and his wife who tried to set a speed record of 450 km/h. Both were injured.
Italy, Val Cavargn: Ialian+Swiss authorities were searching for a missing Jonkers JS1 glider D-KAVY, reported overdue today 7pm because the local pilot did not return to Alzate Brianza IT airfield (LILB). Last OGN contact was 1314h local time (1214h UTC) on the IT-CH border between Porlezza and Bellinzona.The glider pilot was found around 2 am on Monday night, lifeless. It was the firefighters of the Milan command with Lifeseeker technology, which through a drone manages to locate the cell phone of the missing persons, to determine the position of the crashed aircraft.
