MIDWEEK UPDATE 13 MAY 2020
Compiled by Willie Bodenstein
DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)
DIRECTIONS ISSUED IN TERMS OF REGULATION 4(7) READ WITH 22(2) OF THE REGULATIONS MADE IN UNDER SECTION 27(2) OF THE DISASTER
MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002 (ACT NO. 57 OF 2002): AIR FREIGHT OPERATIONS
SCHEDULE
In these directions, any other word or expression to which a meaning has been
assigned in the Act shall have that meaning assigned to it in the Act, and unless the context requires otherwise "COVID -19" means the Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCov2) which is an infectious disease caused by a virus that has previously not been scientifically identified in humans, which emerged during 2019 and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in 2020; "Disaster Management Act" means Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No 57 of 2002); "the Act" means the International Air Services Act, 1993 (Act No. 60 of 1993);
2. AUTHORITY
(1) Section 26(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 provides that a national disaster, once declared, must be managed in accordance with existing legislation, as well as contingency arrangements as amplified by disaster management regulations or directions issued in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002.
(2) These directions are issued pursuant to the provisions of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and specifically in terms of Regulation 4(7), 20(1) and (2) of the Disaster Management Regulations 2020 to provide for measures necessary to manage COVID-19. These directions are valid for the duration of the declared national state of disaster.
3. PURPOSE OF DIRECTIONS
The purpose of the directions is to provide for the:
(a) Charter Flights;
(b) Compliance with Disinfection measures;
(c) Engineers and Ground Staff, Inspections and Servicing of Aircraft at Hangars;
(d) Aviation Training; and
(e) Exemptions and Approvals.
4. APPLICATION OF THE DIRECTIONS
These Directions are applicable to all Air Services Operators and Air Services
Facilities.
5. CHARTER FLIGHTS
Transportation by charter domestic flight of mining products as set out in Annexure C of the Regulation and staff performing mining essential services are permitted.
6. COMPLIANCE WITH DISINFECTION MEASURES
(1) Aircraft Maintenance Organisations and Aviation Training Schools are required to submit procedure to the, Civil Aviation Authority and the procedure must demonstrate measures they are going to put in place in order to eliminate the risk of spreading Covid -19.
(2) No person will be allowed to enter a building, place or premises if they do not wear a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers nose and mouth.
(3) Air Service Operators must put measures in place to adhere to physical distancing to curb the spread of the virus.
(4) Air Service Operators must put in place procedures for cleaning and disinfection of their premises on regular intervals.
7. Engineers and Ground Staff, Inspections and Servicing of Aircraft at Hangars
(1) Aircraft Maintenance Organizations are allowed to conduct aircraft
maintenance.
(2) Aircraft flights for purposes of positioning aircraft for maintenance are allowed.
(3) Flying for purposes of conducting flight test and ground engine runs are
allowed.
(4) For the purposes of conducting maintenance related flights, approval from Civil Aviation Authority must be obtained.
8. Aviation Training
Aviation Training Schools are allowed to conduct aviation training to students using virtual platforms.
9. Exemptions and Approvals
All Exemptions or Approvals related to the Covid -19 Minister's Regulations and
associated Directions must be submitted to the Department of Transport.
10.Short Title and Commencement
These Directions are called the Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the
Spread of COVID19: Air Freight Operations Directions, 2020 and comes in to
operation on the date of publication, by the Minister in the Gazette.
ROTAX TECH TIPS
How to check fuel injected engines for fuel pressure oscillation.
Due to Covid 19 and government regulations aviation events advertised on Pilot's Post will most likely be cancelled or postponed. Those planning to attend or participate in any of these events are advised to contact the event organisers direct for confirmation.
16: The Coves annual fly-in closed event by invitation only. Contact JP Fourie E-mail: jp.fourie@nac.co.za Cell: 083 625 4804
Provisionally cancelled due to COVID 19. A new date may be set.
12 to 15: NAMPO Harvest Day at NAMPO Part outside Bothaville. Contact Bennie Zaayman, Wim Venter: E-mail: Wim@grainsa.co.za Cell 082 414 8099
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled for 11 to 14 August 2020
23: EAA AGM at the EAA Auditorium Rand Airport. Contact Sean Cronin E-mail: sean@glutek.co.za Cell: 083 447 9895
The AGM will be conducted online, details to follow.
23 to 24: SAC Eastern Cape Regionals Wings Park, East London. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
22 to 24: SAPFA President's Trophy Air Race at Ermelo airfield. Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: chairman@sapfa.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 Website: www.sapfa.co.za E-mail: Race@sapfa.org.za
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled but will be reviewed later in the year.
30: Botswana International Airshow at Matsieng Flying Club. Contact E-mail: hentie@dwddrilling.com Cell: +267 713 10935
Provisionally cancelled due to COVID 19. A new date may be set.
31: Fly-Mo fund raising breakfast fly-in at Springs airfield. Contact Fanie Bezuidenhout E-mail: ansan@tiscali.co.za Cell: 083 789 5507
Due to COVID-19 this event has been postponed to a date later in the year.
3: EAA Chapter 322 Monthly Meeting. Dickie Fritz Moth Hall, Edenvale
Due to the COVID 19 this event will take place on line. Details to follow
5 and 6: Newcastle Airshow. Contact Johan Pieters E-mail: Johan@champ.co.za Cell: 082 923 0078
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled to 3 and 4 October 2020.
3 to 7: Zim Navex Prince Charles Airport, Harare. Contact Marion Kalweit E-mail: zimairrally@gmail.com Tel +26 377 257 0009
6: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop Open and practice day
9 & 10: Aviation Mena 2020 Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Contact Alison Weller E-mail: alison@accessgroup.aero Web: www.aviationmena.aero
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled to 18 and 19 October 2020.
13: Maputo Air Land and Sea Airshow. Contact Gavin Neil E-mail: airshow@acm.co.mz
13: SAPFA Silver Queen Air Rally AFB Zwartkops. Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032
15 to 19: SAC National Championships New Tempe - Bloemfontein. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
20: SAC full day Airshow New Tempe - Bloemfontein. Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell: 082 465 4045
1: CAASA Symposium venue TBA. Sam Keddle E-mail: office@caasa.co.za Tel: 011 659 2345
2 to 4: AERO South Africa Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria. Annelie Reynolds Tel +27 10 599 6150 Website: www.aerosouthafrica.com or Amanda Dube: E-mail: Amanda.Dube@za.messefrankfurt.com
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled for 2020.
10 - 11: EAA Taildraggers at Warmbaths airfield. Richard Nicholson E-mail: flybenchmark@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227
12 to 17: BAFSA South African Hot Air Balloon Championships. Bill Harrop's, Skeerpoort, North West Province. South Africa. Contact Richard Bovell e-mail: chairman@bafsa.co.za
11- 12: Flying Legends United Kingdom. Website: www.flyinglegends.com Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled
17 - 18: SAPFA Speed Rally at Thabazimbi airfield. Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435.
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled.
17 to 19: Royal International Air Tattoo United Kingdom. Website: www.airtattoo.com
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled.
20 to 24: Farnborough Airshow United Kingdom five-day trade show - no public days
Website: www.farnboroughairshow.com
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled.
22 July to 1 August: SAC Advanced World Champs -
Malelane Airport, Malelane. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
21: CAASA AGM at CAASA House Lanseria International Airport
Contact Sam Keddle E-mail: office@caasa.co.za Tel: 011 659 2345
20 to 26: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net
Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig E-mail: calvin@designer.co.za
Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled.
23-25 Brits Rally Nationals 23 - 25 July 2020. Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516
8 to 10: SAPFA Rally Training Camp - Brits Aerodrome. Contact Mary de Klerk e-mail: maryd@expandingbranding.co.za cell: 084 880 9000
22: ASSA - Bethlehem Airshow.
Contact Stephan Fourie at fouriesj1491@gmail.com
21-22: Bethlehem Speed Rally 21 - 22 August 2020 - replaces FAKR ANR. Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435
6: Rand Airport Airshow
11 t0 13: SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally #6.
Secunda Airfield, Secunda, Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za cell: 082 804 7032
16 to 20 AAD - Waterkloof Air Force Base
24: Great Train Race and Fly-in. Heidelberg Airfield
Contact Van Zyl SchultzE-mail: vzs@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 5602275
26: Garden Route Airshow. Contact Brett Scheuble E-mail: info@gardenrouteairshow.co.za Cell: 084 418 3836
3-4: SAC WC Regionals - Swellendam. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
3: SAPFA Witbank Fun Rally. Witbank Airport.
Contact Rob Jonkers 082 804 7032 rob@aerosud.co.za
24-25: SAC Judges Trophy - Tzaneen. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
8 to 14: Training week WFRC 2020, Stellenbosch.
Contact Mary de Klerk, Cell 0848809000, Email maryd@expandingbranding.co.za
16 to 21: World Rally Flying Championships 2020.
Stellenbosch. Contact Mary de Klerk, Cell 0848809000, Email maryd@expandingbranding.co.za
27- 28: SAPFA Springs Speed Rally. Springs Airfield.
Contact Jonty Esser e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za cell: 082 855 9435
5: AeCSA Aero Club of SA Annual Awards. Rand Airport, Main Terminal Building, Rand Airport Rd, Germiston.
Contact Sandra Strydom, email: sandra@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100
5-6: SAC Ace of Base - Vereeniging. Baragwanath Airfield.
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
The contract which is for three years plus a potential two-year extension, calls for Bestfly to take the oil company workers from the Angola capital Luanda to the ExxonMobil base for its offshore operations in Soyo, some 200 miles away on the mouth of the Congo River.
Bestfly has a fleet of 21 aircraft ranging from AW139 helicopters to Gulfstream business jets. The company's two ATR 72-600s were ordered at the 2019 Paris Air Show and entered service in Angola in January 2020. “Oil and gas business is the reason we selected the ATR in the first place,” said Pereira. As well as delivering the corporate shuttle flights, Bestfly will be using the aircraft to support mining operations in Angola.
The latest contract award follows an extension to an agreement for Bestfly to provide medical evacuation (medevac) flight support to offshore platforms. The pooled service sees Bestfly provide an AW139 helicopter for ExxonMobil “We have been audited by the oil industry and passed without any safety concerns,” Pereira said. The medevac contract is also for three years with an option for two further years.
“We are really excited by these contracts,” Pereira said. “I am very proud of our whole Bestfly team, from our people who work in handling and dispatch on the rigs through to the employees at our FBO. We have not stopped in our support during the Covid-19 outbreak. and I am very proud of the way everyone responded. They have been amazing.”
These IgG/IgM Antibody RDT kits will complement the ongoing serosurvey and other targeted tests to estimate the proportion of the population that have developed immunity against Covid-19. The test gives results within 10-15 minutes either with serum or whole blood specimens. The 7000 kits were urgently flown into Entebbe International Airport on special arrangement from the company's head office in Kuwait.
Commenting on the donation, Zahouani said “NAS is a global company with a strong local presence in Uganda. Finding RDT kits for local testing was going slow due to the logistical challenges under the current lockdown. As a ground handling company, we procured the kits in Kuwait and utilized our experience and expertise to facilitate the process. Working with our partner DHL, we had the kits flown to Uganda within three weeks. At the airport, we also did the needful to have them cleared and delivered to the Task Force as soon as possible.”
NAS has a presence in over 45 airports across Africa, Middle East and South Asia and provides ground handling services to seven out of the top ten airlines. The company also operates 45 airport lounges and has a wide portfolio of services including cargo management, engineering and line maintenance, airport technologies, fixed base operations, terminal management, aviation training, travel solutions, and meet-and-assist packages.
National Aviation Services (NAS) (www.NAS.aero) is the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets.
Established in 2003, NAS quickly transformed from a Kuwait based ground handling company into an emerging markets leader in the industry. NAS is present in over 45 airports across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, handling seven of the world's top 10 airlines and managing more than 45 airport lounges.
For the TBM very fast turboprop aircraft, deliveries continued to be focused in the U.S., involving 38 airplanes; followed by Europe, with three in Germany, two in the United Kingdom and one in Russia. Daher provided three TBMs in Latin America: two for customers in Brazil, and one in Mexico. Completing the 2019 activity was a TBM 940 version delivered in Japan, marking the first sale of a TBM in this country since the acquisitions of several TBM 700s by Japanese customers during the TBM program's early days.
With Daher's addition of Kodiak to its aircraft portfolio last year, the 2019 sales results were the first to include both the Kodiak and TBM in the company's annual tally of new business.
“This STC is important because it will allow us to give operators of this versatile aircraft the ability to perform safer night-time operations with night vision,” said ASU repair station manager Chris Reber. “Because of the PC-12's ability to take off and land in undeveloped runways and fly in terrain that is less developed, adding NVIS capability just adds to the aircraft's already robust capabilities.”
ASU also holds NVIS STCs for a number of other airplanes, including the Air Tractor AT-402, AT-802A, and AT-602; Cessna 208; Casa C-212; Gulfstream G550; and PLZ M18, among others. Among the Boise headquartered company's capabilities are in-house drafting, parts manufacturer approval, traveling NVIS installers, and a streamlined STC approval process, all of which serve to help minimize aircraft downtime.
The utilization picture for HondaJet owners and operators is interesting, he noted. In March, HondaJet and other light jets saw dramatic increases in flight hours, but then significant decreases last month. “It's very dynamic,” Fujino said, but he also believes that there are signs that business travellers are looking to business aviation to enable essential movement.
Meanwhile, new countermeasures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 on the manufacturing line will result in a lower production rate. This includes sanitizing of facilities and equipment, use of partitions, and social distancing in the Greensboro, North Carolina headquarters, assembly area, customer service facility, and research and development operation. Most engineers are working remotely “and continue to do research activities,” Fujino said.
“Aviation Sans Frontičres” (French for: “Aviation without Borders”) has created a collaborative portal on its website (http://asfcovid.wingly.io) to bring together free-of-charge resources from aircraft manufacturers, business aviation operators, aircraft owners and others for the urgent transportation of health care personnel and medical equipment across France and in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Aviation Sans Frontičres” call for assistance also is being answered by other companies across France's aviation sector, including Total (the oil and gas company, which is paying for fuel used by Daher in its TBM airlift flights), and Dassault.
Daher's transportation support for “Aviation Sans Frontičres” is in addition to the company's mobilization of personnel in its maintenance and logistics for airplanes and helicopters of the French government (French armed forces and Gendarmerie), as well as for TBM and Kodiak aircraft owners and operators who are providing assistance in the battle against the coronavirus.
The town of Barrow, Alaska, also known as Utqiagvik, is located at 71 degrees north latitude. The average temperature in mid-January is -14 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius) and the sun does not rise completely above the horizon until early February. This region, with its exceptionally harsh conditions, will be the new home for the Super Versatile Jet.
The SAR Department is responsible for delivering basic medical care to all North Slope Borough residents. The team performs medevac operations, search and rescue and other emergency missions.
In addition to the PC-24, which replaces an older light jet, SAR currently operates two helicopters and a fixed wing turboprop aircraft. All are capable of day, night, visual or instrument meteorological flight conditions in a medevac context. Many flights are operated from snow and ice packed runways with paved, dirt, and gravel surfaces - conditions for which the PC-24 was specifically designed.
April Brooks, Director of North Slope Borough Search and Rescue, explained the reasons which motivated the choice of the PC-24: “The PC-24 is a gamechanger when it comes to fast, efficient transport of critical patients across vast distances in our extremely harsh environment. Its unique cargo door, large cabin and ability to safely operate from short, unpaved runways make it ideally suited to our needs.”
The Air Force did not say how long the deployment will last, but it comes as the service is implementing shorter deployments under the dynamic force employment concept.
“U.S. strategic bombers will continue to operate in the Indo-Pacific, to include Guam, at the timing and tempo of our choosing,” Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement.
Even so, Air Force Global Strike Command noted that this change didn't mean strategic bombers would remain absent from the Indo-Pacific region.
“Our wing has conducted, and participated in, a variety of exercises over the last year to ensure we are primed for large-scale missions such as this one,” “We're excited to be back in Guam and proud to continue to be part of the ready bomber force prepared to defend America and its allies against any threat.” Col. Ed. Sumangil, 7th Bomb Wing commander, said in an Air Force news release.
The aircraft, which uses artificial intelligence to extend the capabilities of manned and unmanned platforms, is the first to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. It is Boeing's largest investment in an unmanned aircraft outside of the United States.
As the first of three prototypes for Australia's Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program, the aircraft also serves as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the global defence market.
“This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation,” said the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia. “The Loyal Wingman will be pivotal to exploring the critical capabilities our Air Force needs to protect our nation and its allies into the future.”
More than 35 members of Australian industry are supporting prototype work across four Australian states. With a global market demand for highly capable but extremely affordable unmanned aircraft, Boeing applied company-wide innovation to achieve those goals. The aircraft was engineered using a digital twin to model its structures, systems, capabilities and full life-cycle requirements; manufactured with Boeing's largest-ever resin-infused single composite piece; and assembled using proven advanced manufacturing processes.
The Loyal Wingman prototype now moves into ground testing, followed by taxi and first flight later this year.
To be delivered by the end of July to the German Air Force, the widebody twin will be equipped with a “transitional” cabin for the transport of government officials and their delegations that will be later replaced with a “fully featured VIP cabin” that the other two A350s-military registrations 10+01 and 10+02-will have installed at Lufthansa Technik.
The transitional cabin on this first A350-military registration 10+03-will include office and conference areas, a multifunctional lounge, washrooms, and a kitchen with modern equipment. It will receive the permanent VIP cabin once completions are wrapped up on its sister A350s.
“Over decades we have formed a comprehensive partnership with the German Air Force, in the course of which we have already equipped a large number of aircraft with special cabins for government representatives,” said Lufthansa Technik VIP and special mission aircraft services v-p Kai-Stefan Röpke. “We are pleased to be able to extend this cooperation to install the first government cabin in an Airbus A350. This is not only a first for our long-standing customer German Air Force or for Lufthansa Technik, but for the entire industry.”
VoltAero this week revealed the production configuration for its Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft. The French company started flight testing the fixed-wing design in early March and plans to achieve type certification under EASA's CS-23 rules in time for deliveries to begin by the end of 2022.
On May 6, VoltAero announced that it intends to offer three variants of the single pusher prop aircraft, featuring a distinctive aft main wing and tail boom, as well as a canard configuration. These will include the four-seat Cassio 330 with a combined hybrid-electric power rating of 330 kW, the six-seat Cassio 480 (480 kW), and the 10-seat Cassio 600 (600 kW).
Intended for a variety of business and general aviation applications, including air taxi, the Cassio family will offer range of up to 920 nm and 200-knot cruise speed. Take-off and landing distance is projected to be less than 1,800 feet and VoltAero says the aircraft will be able to operate for up to 10 hours each day, allowing multiple rotations. Max take-off weight will be below 2.5 tonnes (5,511 pounds) to comply with CS-23 requirements.
The hub of the Cassio's proprietary propulsion system is an internal combustion engine that drives three 60-kW electric motors. In standard operations, the electric motors would be used for take-off and landings (partly to reduce noise), with the engine extending range.
VoltAero is testing this power combination in an early prototype, the Cassio 1, which is loosely based on the Cessna 337 Skymaster. The production aircraft will not include this prototype's two forward-facing sets of propellers and or the forward high wing.
The company intends to produce the all-composite aircraft in a purpose-built final assembly line in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of southwest France. It will also seek partners for licensed production in North America and Asia.
VoltAero was founded by former Airbus chief technology officer Jean Botti, who led the European aerospace group's E-Fan X electric aircraft development program.
WORLWIDE INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS
All occupants perished; the aircraft was destroyed. The Transport Minister of Southwest Region of Somalia reported there were no survivors. Ethiopian troops operating and guarding the airport in the civil war-stricken area secured the crash site. The airline reported the aircraft was shot down 5km from the airport in Bardale. The aircraft had flown from Mogadishu via an intermediate stop in Baidoa to Berdale (Baardale).
USA, Byron Airport, California.: A Bellanca 8GCBC Scout operated by the Northern California Soaring Assoc with one on board nosed over inverted during an apparent take-off attempt at Byron Airport. The airplane was partially consumed by fire and the sole pilot onboard received fatal injuries.
USA, New Orleans: A USAF B-52 Stratofortress bomber flying over the city of New Orleans suffered a mishap when it shed an access panel that fell onto private property. The flyover, part of a salute to the region's medical professionals, did not result in any injuries. Two B-52 bombers and two F-15 fighter jets flown by personnel from the U.S. Air Force and Louisiana National Guard participated in the flyover, part of the Air Force Salutes program designed to honour first responders battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
India, Hoshiarpur district in Punjab: An Indian Airforce Mig 29 reportedly has crashed near Hoshiarpur in Punjab after a technical failure. The pilot ejected safely.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Unable to locate the downed trainer, officials eye him with suspicion and rumours that he traded to jet to the Russians, or flew it to Mexico, dog the pilot and ruin his military career.
He returns to civilian life and eventually dies in an aircraft accident in 1965. Finally, in 1977, Boy Scouts hiking in the national park discover the canopy of his T-33, too late to vindicate the pilot's story and reputation.
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