MIDWEEK UPDATE 10 AUGUST 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 15-1…………………………Vote for 15-2
Vote for 15-3
Vote for 15-4
Go to www.pilotspost.com/arn0001037 to vote for the July finalist
12-14: MISASA Starters Masters - Petit. This competition, like all other Starters Masters, has been structured for the novice with a slant (towards the latter part) for those who have flown comps before. The idea of competition flying is for crew to "enhance airmanship through contest." Contact: Mervyn Reynolds 0737637510
15-17: Aero Club safety campaign, Eastern Cape. Monday 15 August, Border Aviation Club, East London evening. Tuesday 16 August, 43 Air School Port Alfred. Wednesday 17, Algoa Flying Club Port Elizabeth evening
19-20: SA Landing Championship - Brits. Saturday the 20th is the competition day and for those who want to practice, Friday the 19th is the training day. This competition will be run according to the FAI rules as published on our website and Provincial Colours will be awarded to those who achieve the required standard. Please enter on the SAPFA website at: http://www.sapfa.co.za/index.php/component/competition/?view=pilot>. Contact: Frank Eckard frank.eckard@mweb.co.za
21: Grand Rand airshow. Contact Stuart Coetzee e-mail: info@randairport.co.za Tel: 082-4440407
23-25: Aero Club safety campaign, Limpopo. Tuesday 23 August Polokwane airfield club house evening. Wednesday 24 August Tzaneen airfield club house evening. Thursday 25 August Hoedspruit airfield club house evening.
27: Bethlehem airshow. Contact Stephan Fourie e-mail: fouriesj1491@gmail.com
27: Toys for Boys at Tedderfield Air Park. Contact 071 516 2157. e-mail: jhb.parties@gmail.com
27: MISASA Best of the Best Showcase at Tedderfield Air Park. The MISASA Toyz4Boyz WWW Showcase is a joint event that features static displays. It is not an airshow. Contact Alan Mackenzie editor@misasa.org
27: August Chopper 2016 gathering at AFB Zwartkop, 5 Hangar 11h00 to 19h00 . Contact Slade Healy e-mail: slade430@yahoo.com or Matt Richards. The initial indications are that the day will coincide with a SAAF Museum Open Day as well as a SAAF Force Preparation Exercise therefore there should be plenty of activity.
3 September: Kitty Hawk's annual RV day. Thee Kitty Hawk RV Raptor Team will be performing and the MG Car Club will also be visiting. Contact Irmarie Jooste (012) 802 0942 office@kitty-hawk.co.za or go to www.fakt.co.za
3 September: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
7 September: EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting, Dickie Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact editor@afskies.co.za
10-11September: SAC Gauteng regionals & Judges Trophy Vereeniging. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
14-18 September: Africa Aerospace and Defence expo AFB Waterkloof. Contact Leona Redelinghuys e-mail: expodir@aadexpo.co.za
BUGATTI REPLICA CRASH DURING FINAL TEST FLIGHT
Photo © Bugatti 100P Replica Project
The reproduction was repaired and the team undertook one final demonstration flight at the Clinton-Sherman airfield, a former Air Force base in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. But we're saddened to report that things went much worse this time. Reports indicate that it failed to gain altitude, then banked sharply to the left and crashed nose-first into the ground.
A rescue crew responded to the scene, but Scotty is thought to have been killed on impact, and the wood-framed aircraft was destroyed beyond repair.
Photos © Zenith Aircraft
"They are stopping traffic with their latest offering - the revamped SAM Aircraft, a design they purchased from the original Canadian designer/owner."
Configured as a taildragger and powered by an all-new lightweight 180-hp Lycoming O-360 engine, the SAM-EX model has an increased gross weight of 1,800 lbs. (useful load of 650 lbs.), carries 38 gallons (144 liters) of fuel, and can be operated in the utility category.
Photo © CubCrafters
XCub is lighter, faster and stronger than any aircraft in its category. XCub also provides a larger payload and greater range. Combined, these attributes fulfil a much wider mission profile compared to any other aircraft in this class.
XCub boasts a cruising speed over 145 miles per hour at 75% power, and a useful load of up to 1,084 pounds. It is powered by a 180 horsepower Lycoming 0-360 that drives a Hartzell Trailblazer constant-speed composite propeller.
To refine handling, CubCrafters completely re-engineered the ailerons and the way pilots interact with them. Roll response was optimized by modifying the aileron aerofoil and cove, and by re-positioning the hinge lines.
CubCrafters' well-known obsession with weight extends to their new airplane. Contemporary design technologies put weight only where it is needed. Extensive use of ultra-lightweight carbon composites, titanium and aluminium is evident throughout the new model.
Pilot ergonomics received particular focus in XCub. The aircraft is designed to give pilot and passenger the comfort and confidence needed for long cross-country flights. High seat positioning, low side windows, the vast skylight, and a low-profile instrument panel assure a commanding view- a rare attribute in a taildragger. The stick rests comfortably at hand, exactly where the pilot wants it. The handsome panel flows intuitively with engine controls on the left and lighting controls on the right.
"Six years ago I imagined a Part 23 certified Carbon Cub," recalls Jim Richmond, CubCrafters' CEO. "Our development team set out to design a Cub with terrific STOL capabilities, like our Carbon Cub LSA, but one that could travel faster and farther, while easily accommodating all of the gear that a pilot and passenger might want to carry for an extended journey. Now, after receiving Type Certification from FAA, I'm proud to say that XCub is much, much more than I had even hoped it would be."
Photo © Airbus
Airbus Helicopters will deliver 29 H135s and 3, hoist-equipped H145s to the UK MoD. These aircraft will be factory fitted with wire cutters and Safran's Arrius 2B2Plus and Arriel 2E turbines for the H135 and H145 respectively. The schedule will see early deliveries in the latter part of this year, the majority of aircraft delivered during 2017 and final aircraft in early 2018.
The aircraft will be delivered to the company's UK headquarters for completion, which will see the aircraft fitted with the final configuration of equipment, including communications, sensor and access equipment to meet the customer's requirement, before handover to the customer in time to meet the delivery of flight hours for Ascent's UK MFTS' training schedule.
The UK MFTS programme will benefit from the latest enhancements available to the H135 and H145 family of aircraft, including lower maintenance burdens, reduced noise levels and intuitive avionics which provide pilot assistance enabling safe full use of the flight envelope.
The benefits of this latest generation aircraft became apparent to the customer and to the end -user when AVM Andy Turner, AOC 22 Gp responsible for flight training across the armed forces, and Paul Livingston, Ascent Flight Training Managing Director, visited the Donauworth site and had their first experience of and H145. After the flight AVM Turner, a helicopter pilot, who had the opportunity to fly the aircraft, said, "There is no doubt that we have a strong, committed, capable and dedicated partner in Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft have a tremendous pedigree with 20 years and 4m flight hours behind them. The innovations are superb, the flight dynamics are excellent, the Helionix instrumentation is incredibly intuitive and the platform will be an excellent lead in to Apache, Chinook, Merlin, Puma and Wildcat".
Selection for UK MFTS of the H135 and H145, already the aircraft of choice for utility, law enforcement and emergency medical services, reinforces the role of these aircraft as the global reference in military flight training.
The Governor continues to chair weekly meetings of her senior technical and planning staff in order to understand the issues, make decisions, ensure the public are properly informed in a timely manner, and push forward all areas of work. These meetings began as soon as the issue of wind shear became apparent, and they continue. Councillors are represented at these meetings.
In terms of the northern and southern approach (Runways 20 and 02 respectively) we now have more than five months of weather data, plus reports of the experience of each of the nine flights that have so far operated various approaches into the Airport. Another aircraft is due to arrive tomorrow.
We are also installing more specialised equipment at the runway to monitor weather conditions and are employing computer and physical modelling to build a stronger picture of the conditions under which we will be asking aircraft to operate. All of this is building up a body of evidence.
Intensive work continues to consider an interim aircraft solution into the southern approach (Runway 02). A key issue here will be the level and frequency of tail wind speeds, given the constraints these can place on aircraft performance. We are gathering more data on both wind patterns and speeds to facilitate these considerations. Longer term solutions for using the northern approach (Runway 20) are receiving the same attention.
Meanwhile, medevac flights and smaller aircraft continue to operate at St Helena Airport, and the RMS extension is providing certainty of access for St Helenians.
BOMBARDIER AND GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA SIGN PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR TWO Q400 TURBOPROPS
Photo © Bombardier
Based on the list price of the Q400 airliner, the firm order is valued at approximately US $62 million.
"Our Q400 aircraft will provide affordable, convenient and comfortable air transport solutions," said Dr. Leonard Chamuriho, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Works and Communication, Tanzania. "We are committed to providing state-of-the-art service to our passengers and are keen to expand further as our business grows to include new destinations in Tanzania and the African region.
"Tanzania is a large country with some challenging airfields, and the Q400 turboprop's capability to operate at these airports, its jet-like speed, long-range cruise capability and outstanding turboprop economics were key factors that guided us in selecting the aircraft for our operations," added Dr. Chamuriho. "The level of in-continent support that Bombardier offers is also very important for us."
"This transaction not only solidifies the relationship between the Government of Tanzania, and Bombardier, but also reaffirms Africa as one of the most prolific Q400 aircraft markets. The Q400 aircraft is a showcase for the continent, where it has proved itself to be extremely efficient as well as cost-effective," said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales - Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
Bombardier's Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ Series regional jets have made significant advances in Africa where approximately 160 aircraft - including more than 50 Q400 turboprops -- are in service with, or ordered by, approximately 40 customers and operators.
USA, Nevada: An F/A-18C Hornet on a routine training mission crashed 10 miles southeast of the Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada. The pilot managed to eject and was transported to Banner Churchill Regional Medical Centre. A similar incident occurred just four days ago when another F/A-18C Hornet crashed near Twentynine Palms, California, during a night training mission, killing the pilot. On June 2 a pilot with the elite Navy Blue Angels flight team died after his F/A-18A crashed outside Nashville, Tennessee, during take-off. Hours earlier on that same day, an F-16 belonging to the Air Force's Thunderbirds demonstration team crashed just outside Petersen Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The pilot was able to eject safely in that case.
14 AUGUST 1914
The first true bomber, the French Voisin III, is used in combat for the first time in an attack on German airship hangars at Metz-Frascaty, Germany
The French Air Force purchased large numbers and the Voisin III became the most common Allied bomber during the early years of WWI. Russia bought 800 and produced another 400 under licence. Approximately 100 were built in Italy as well as 50 in the United Kingdom.
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