Aero Club Communique April 2025 #2.
AERO South Africa will host its fifth edition on 25-27 June 2025 at Lanseria International Airport.
Egypt close to acquiring FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea.
Air Legends Foundation bringing 'flight of the Cats' to AirVenture 2025.
U.S. Air Force to bring iconic U-2 Dragon Lady to AirVenture 2025.
Væridion and Bosch join forces in strategic partnership to advance green air mobility.
Diamond Aircraft reorganized Volocopter Securing its Future in Germany.
Technology transfer project between Lockheed Martin and Pilatus for PC-21.
This week in history - The Royal Air Force introduces its new 8,000-lb (3,629-kg) “Super Cookie” bomb - Its largest bomb to date.
Worldwide Accidents and Incidents
Bonus video - Bell UH 1 Iroquois Matsieng Botswana
Aero Club Communique April 2025 #2
Dear Member, we are pleased to invite you to the Aero Club of South Africa NPC's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place on 7th May 2025 at 18:00 for 18:30. The meeting will be held virtually on teams by following the link below this message and in person at the EAA Auditorium, Hurricane Road, Rand Airport, Germiston and all members in good standing are encouraged to attend. In accordance with our constitution, we are delivering this notice of the AGM via email and publication on the Aero Club website. This notice is being sent 21 clear days in advance, as required.
Only members in good standing may attend the AGM. If you are unsure about your membership status, please reach out to us prior to the meeting.
Members who are unable to attend in person or virtually may appoint a proxy. Proxies must be members in good standing, and the proxy form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the Chairman at least 48 hours before the AGM. You can find the proxy form and additional meeting documents on the Aero Club website. Nominations for a council seat are also open. There is a proposed Constitution update regarding adding a process to elect a Chairman-Elect for future succession planning, that is on the website for review.
We encourage you to participate in this important event, where we will discuss key developments and plans for the future of Aero Club. Your attendance and input are highly valued.
The Aero Club of South Africa invited you to a Microsoft Teams Meeting:
The Aero Club of South Africa Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, 07 May 2025
18:30 - 20:00 (SAST)
Venue: EAA auditorium at Rand airport or virtual with the following link -
Meeting link: The Aero Club of South Africa Annual General Meeting | Microsoft Teams | Meetup-Join
Regards
The Aero Club of South Africa
0110821100
if you are not a member and wish to join or renew membership of the Aero Club and any of its Sections feel free to do so member-renewals-and-new-memberships
Our Centenary Yearbook is now still available to purchase (see advert below) from our webshop http://www.aeroclub.org.za/shop
AERO South Africa will Host its Fifth Edition on 25-27 June 2025 at Lanseria International Airport
As Southern Africa's premier event for the General Aviation industry, AERO South Africa remains the ultimate platform to showcase the very best that this sector has to offer. Organized by Messe Frankfurt South Africa in partnership with fairnamic GmbH, the joint venture of Messe Frankfurt and Messe Friedrichshafen, AERO South Africa continues to gather momentum.
AERO South Africa, allows for aircraft fly-ins, demo flights, and an immersive experience for serious prospective buyers. It's an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products and for attendees from across the country to conveniently attend the event.
Prepare to explore a spectrum of products and services at AERO South Africa 2025, featuring the latest innovations, developments, and regulations in the General Aviation industry. Building on the success of previous years, we aim to deliver an even more engaging experience with captivating workshops, product launches, Business matchmaking, and demonstrations.
Join us as we continue to shape the future of General Aviation in Southern Africa. Trade visitors come join us at AERO South Africa 2025 and get ready for an unforgettable journey in the world of aviation!
Egypt Close to Acquiring FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft from South Korea
Written by ADIT - The Bulletin and republished with permission. www.defenceweb.co.za
According to a statement from the Egyptian ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman, Cairo is on the verge of concluding a deal with Seoul for up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft. The agreement should also include technology transfer.
An official from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the jet manufacturer, claimed that this procurement would “advance the Egyptian aviation industry and strengthen strategic partnerships across Africa and the Middle East”.
The fighter, which has 70% commonality with the classic Lockheed Martin F-16, would likely replace ageing Alpha Jets and K-8E trainers. According to industry analysts, Egypt could start by ordering a first batch of 36 aircraft worth around $1 billion, before potentially procuring more. If Cairo finally buys the whole 100, around 70 would be built directly in Helwan, Egypt after KAI signed an agreement in early 2023 with Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), an Egyptian state-owned company.
Military cooperation between South Korea and Egypt is not limited to this procurement. In 2016, Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and then South-Korean president Moon Jae-in signed a comprehensive agreement aiming to deepen military and trade cooperation. The result was the gift of a second-hand Pohang-class corvette to the Egyptian Navy in 2017, and a $1.66 billion deal in 2023 for the procurement of around 216 Hanwha K9 self-propelled howitzers, an undisclosed number K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, and 51 K11 fire direction control vehicles.
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cairo and Seoul. In recent years, the two countries strengthened a lot their relations. In fact, some Egyptian officials see the South Korean development since the end of the Korean War in 1953 as a path to follow for their nation. On Seoul's side, Egypt is perceived as an investment opportunity for South Korean companies, as well as an entry point for Middle East and North African markets. For example, in August 2022 Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company won a $2.25 billion contract alongside a Rosatom subsidiary to build the first Egyptian nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, while Samsung got a “golden licence” in august 2023 to build a factory in Beni Suef.
Air Legends Foundation Bringing 'Flight of the Cats' to Airventure 2025
Four legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman will be among the highlights of the warbirds gathering and air shows during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 on July 21-27. The 72nd edition of the annual EAA fly-in convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Air Legends Foundation will bring the four Grumman aircraft - the F4F-3 Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, and F8F Bearcat - to Oshkosh for AirVenture week. During various times, the airplanes will be parked on Boeing Plaza, showcased in the EAA Warbirds of America area, and flown during the daily afternoon air shows as the “Flight of the Cats.” Exact dates and times of those appearances will be announced as they are finalized.
“This unmatched collection from the Air Legends Foundation matches perfectly with AirVenture's emphasis on aviation technology during the period extending from World War II to the Korean Conflict,” said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “To have all of them at Oshkosh and in the air at the same time will undoubtedly be one of those 'Only at Oshkosh' moments for which AirVenture is famous.”
Each of the Grumman aircraft participating has a unique place in American military aviation history:
F4F-3 Wildcat - This aircraft entered service in 1940, also known as the Martlet in the Royal Navy. It had an outstanding combination of durability, maneuverability, armament, and range.
F6F Hellcat - This replaced the Wildcat and was designed to match the Japanese Zero fighter airplanes. It was the U.S. Navy's dominant carrier-based fighter during the second half of World War II .
F7F Tigercat - This heavy fighter aircraft was the first twin-engine fighter deployed by the U.S. Navy and served from the end of World War II until 1954.
F8F Bearcat - Grumman's last piston-engine fighter aircraft, it was introduced at the end of World War II and served both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout the middle part of the 20th century.
The “Flight of the Cats” is part of the world's largest annual gathering of vintage warbird aircraft that takes place during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
U.S. Air Force to Bring Iconic U-2 Dragon Lady to Airventure 2025
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 will feature one of the most popular intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, as the U.S. Air Force plans to bring a Lockheed U-2 from Beale Air Force Base in California. The 72nd edition of EAA's annual fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“The U-2 continues to play a vital role in ISR operations for the United States and remains an iconic aircraft among the Air Force fleet,” said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “We welcome the crew to Oshkosh and appreciate the opportunity to have one on display at EAA AirVenture.”
The aircraft will be on display all week to commemorate the U-2's 70th anniversary, having first flown on August 1, 1955. Nicknamed Dragon Lady, the U-2 served as a major upgrade to the United States' reconnaissance capabilities after World War II. The U.S. has used U-2s all over the world including during operations in the Soviet Union, Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The aircraft can reach altitudes greater than 70,000 feet with a cruise speed of 470 miles per hour.
While the U-2 is a single-seat aircraft, it often requires a team effort to land due to the reduced forward visibility and bicycle-type landing gear. A second U-2 pilot follows the aircraft in a high-performance chase car during landing. The two pilots communicate via radio to ensure a successful landing.
Arriving alongside the U-2 will be a T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer that serves a variety of roles in Air Force pilot training. The aircraft is primarily used by the Air Education and Training Command to prepare pilots for frontline fighter and bomber aircraft. The T-38 boasts an impressive amount of power with the ability to reach speeds greater than 800 miles per hour.
Væridion and Bosch Join Forces in Strategic Partnership to Advance Green Air Mobility
Væridion And Bosch Aviation Technology, part of the BOSCH Group have entered into a strategic partnership focused on advancing next-generation aviation solutions for regional aviation sector. The collaboration was announced yesterday at the AERO Friedrichshafen.
At the heart of the partnership is VÆRIDION's all-electric Microliner-a nine-passenger-plus-crew aircraft engineered for distances up to 400 kilometres under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions. Bosch will contribute its deep-rooted expertise in electric mobility, power electronics, and battery management systems to support the development of the Microliner, which is poised to revolutionise regional air travel.
Bosch's General Aviation Technology division will also use the Microliner as a platform to test and validate cutting-edge aviation-grade components, including advanced sensors and control systems. This collaboration underscores the growing synergies between the two companies, building on their existing relationship through the Bosch Collaboration Campus, where VÆRIDION established a dedicated battery development lab in 2024.
“VÆRIDION's ambitions to advance regional flight align seamlessly with our dedication to pioneering next-generation aviation solutions,” said a spokesperson from Bosch. “With our proven expertise in electric mobility and aviation technologies, we're helping drive the future of more efficient and sustainable regional aircraft.”
The Microliner represents VÆRIDION's bold vision for the future of regional mobility: a fully electric aircraft built on trusted aerospace technologies, designed to provide a low-emissions alternative to conventional short-haul flights. The partnership with Bosch is expected to accelerate the aircraft's journey toward certification and commercial deployment.
“We are thrilled to be adding Bosch to our growing base of world-class suppliers as we pave the way towards certification,” said Markus Kochs-Kämper, Chief Technology Officer of VÆRIDION. “Their expertise in General Aviation and electric mobility will enable us to achieve our business objectives at an even faster pace. Together, we are reshaping regional air mobility in Europe-connecting regions efficiently, cost-effectively, and with zero emissions.”
This MoU signifies a major milestone in both companies' commitment to sustainable innovation and reinforces their leadership in driving forward the electrification of aviation.
Diamond Aircraft Reorganized Volocopter Securing Its Future in Germany
Diamond Aircraft Group Austria, based in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, has integrated Volocopter with the company headquarters remaining in Bruchsal, Germany.
Diamond Aircraft Group Austria is a subsidiary of Wanfeng Aircraft Division of Wanfeng Auto Holding Group Co., Ltd., and is an internationally renowned general aircraft manufacturer with over four decades of expertise operating internationally. The company's reorganization of Volocopter will broaden its aircraft and business portfolio into the field of electric urban air transportation, while enabling Volocopter to reduce costs, retain a highly motivated and skilled workforce, and focus on achieving its certification milestones by 2025. The VoloCity, along with its next-generation variants, will continue to evolve successfully over the long term, contributing significantly to the sustainable growth of the aviation industry.
Bin Chen, Chairman of Diamond Aircraft Group states: “The future of aviation is shaped by visionaries. Diamond's stellar portfolio, its manufacturing expertise, and the addition of Volocopter create a formidable lineup of general aviation flying vehicles. Together, we are laying the foundation to advance sustainable air mobility and strengthen Europe as an innovation hub in aviation.”
Tobias Wahl, insolvency administrator and partner at Anchor Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, added, “Volocopter's expertise and highly motivated team have consistently set benchmarks in the eVTOL industry. With Diamond Aircraft, we have found a strong strategic partner who will build on this foundation. My special thanks go to the employees for their spirit and commitment. I am grateful that the team can carry on with their impactful work in the European economy.”
Technology Transfer Project Between Lockheed Martin and Pilatus for PC-21
Under the terms of an offset project, Pilatus and Lockheed Martin will partner on the technology and development of avionics and training functionality for its advanced next-generation pilot training system. This will allow Pilatus to provide a bespoke pilot training solution to customers operating the F-35 and other fifth-generation frontline aircraft.
In 2022, Switzerland finalized an agreement to purchase the F-35A. The F-35 is a state-of-the-art fifth-generation military jet manufactured by the global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin, headquartered in the United States. The Swiss government's purchase of the F-35A is linked to a commitment by Lockheed Martin to implement offset projects in Switzerland equal to 60 percent of the contract value. These projects benefit various sectors of Swiss industry, including aerospace.
Under the offset agreement, Lockheed Martin will provide data and support to Pilatus to develop an advanced next-generation pilot training system, which will offer a training solution tailored to fifth-generation operators, and more specifically, F-35 nations.
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, emphasized: “We are delighted to have the support of armasuisse and Lockheed Martin. This technology transfer is a win-win situation for all three parties, and for Switzerland. Thanks to this cooperation, we can continue to supply our customers with the world's most advanced training system.”
J.R. McDonald, Vice President of F-35 Business Development at Lockheed Martin, added: “We look forward to continuing to partner with Switzerland on the F-35A program and developing this important pilot training capability with Pilatus.”
Urs Loher, director of the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) underlined: “This industrial cooperation makes a significant contribution to strengthening our security-relevant technology and industry base. It promotes sustainable innovation, technological development and the competitiveness of Swiss industry, which directly benefits national security.”
The offset project received the armasuisse pre-approval early in 2024 and the agreements, including the statement of work, between Lockheed Martin and Pilatus were concluded during last summer.
Given the increasing operational pressure on air forces worldwide, the PC-21 offers a cost-effective, highly efficient and sustainable platform for training military pilots. The state-of-the-art equipment and features of the PC-21 are designed to meet the demanding training requirements of the future. The innovative training system design ensures that the PC-21 turboprop trainer provides advanced training covering a wide range of mission types previously reserved exclusively for jet trainers.
10 April 1942
The Royal Air Force introduces its new 8,000-lb (3,629-kg) “Super Cookie” bomb - Its largest bomb to date.
The “Blockbuster” bombs were a series of high-capacity bombs used by the RAF to cause as much damage as possible with minimal raids, especially on buildings, (hence its name). They were used in conjunction with small incendiary bombs to devastate cities.
Sometimes they were able to form the so-called “fire storms”, a specific phenomenon of this type of joint bombing that produced terrific results. The 75% of its weight was high explosive component, unlike other bombs in which it does not exceed 50%.
They were sarcastically nicknamed “cookies” because of their “small” size. The 8,000-pound model, (3,600kgs), could only be launched by the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber, which had to modify its internal bombs bay to carry them. They were built in 2 different types, the Mark.I and Mark.II, both carried Amatex or Torpex explosive and were built from 1942 to 1945.
Namibia, over Namibia: A British Airways Airbus A350-1041, experienced a burning smell in the front end of the rear cabin section while en route over Namibia at FL330. The flight crew elected to return to the departure airport, CPT. A safe landing was made 2 hours and 50 minutes after take-off.
Belize, near Corozal: A Tropic Air flight 9N711, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, was hijacked after take-off from Corozal Airport, Belize by a passenger holding a knife. He demanded to be taken to the United States. The flight diverted to Belize City Airport (BZE). A licensed firearm holder on board shot and killed the hijacker moments after landing.
USA, Orlando International Airport, FL (MCO/KMCO): A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-323, was starting the no.2 engine after pushback at Orlando Airport, Florida (MCO) when the engine briefly emitted flames. An evacuation was carried out. Videos recorded by the passengers showed damage to two right wing flaps fairings which partially caught fire and were burnt.
