Midweek Updates 14 March 2024
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This week in Midweek Updates
AAD exhibition space already half taken.
Vintage Wings of Canada's “Victory Flight” to soar at AirVenture 2024.
Capacity-building, peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance under the spotlight at SADC Standing Aviation Committee meeting.
Tecnam delivers the 400th P2006F Twin to Bartolini Air.
Piper M700 Fury earns type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Textron Aviation celebrates first Cessna Skycourier order in Indonesia at Singapore Airshow.
CityAirbus NextGen makes its debut.
B-29 Doc Joins AirVenture 2024 performer list.
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents.
Bonus video - Aircraft Movements EAA 322 Fly In to Kitty Hawk Airfield
15 DCA Industry Roadshow Mangaung, Free State. Contact Ms Charmaine Shibambo E-mail: shibamboc@caa.co.za
16 EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Brits airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
23 Stellenbosch Airshow - Fashkosh. Contact Sam Cell: 082 828 4553 or Anton Cell: 079 873 4567
5 to 7 ANR National Championships - venue tbc - Contact Leon Bouttell e-mail: Leon@lbaa.co.za cell: 076 294 1363
6 Robertson annual fly-in breakfast Robertson airfield. Contact: Alwyn du Plessis. E-mail: boeredata@breede.co.za Cell: 083 270 5888
6 EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
6 SAPFA ANR National Championships - venue TBA. Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: iaanmyburgh@gmail.com Cell: 082 449 2531
6 & 7 SAC Eastern Cape regionals Wings Park airfield
13 Elder's Flight Venue to be confirmed. Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 1919 4603
17 to 20 AERO Friedrichshafen 30th anniversary. Contact E-mail: info@fairnamic.com Website: www.fairnamic.com
20 EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Eagle's Creek airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
20 Wonderboom airshow. Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: chris@creativespacemedia.co.za Cell: 071 220 1245
27 to 4 May Gauteng Gliding Championships. Magalies Gliding Club.
1 Witbank Aviation Society Breakfast Fly in.
4 SAAF Museum airshow at AFB Zwartkops. Contact Major Michael Church E-mail: mike.church172@gmail.com Cell: 072 720 0700
4 EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
10 & 11 Queenstown Wings & Wheels. For more information contact 082 921 2879
11 Lowveld airshow at the Nelspruit airfield. Contact Willemien E-mail:
willemein.hodgkinson@kishugu.com Cell: 079 499 5733
14 to 17 NAMPO Harvest Day Bothaville. Contact Wim Venter E-mail: wim@grainsa.co.za Tel: 086 004 7246
17 to 19 EAA Chapter 322 weekend fly-away to Pyramid airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
18 Parys airshow. Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: chris@creativespacemedia.co.za Cell: 071 220 1245
18 SAC Free State regionals at Tempe airfield
23 to 25 SAPFA President's Trophy Air Race at Louis Trichardt civil airfield (FALO). Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200 Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: race@sapfa.co.za Cell: 082 449 2531
23 to 27 NAC fly-away venue TBA. Contact Agnes Phillips E-mail: agnes.phillips@nac.co.za Cell: 082 893 3399
25 Tempe airshow Bloemfontein. Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell 082 465 4045
AAD EXHIBITION SPACE ALREADY HALF TAKEN
Kim Helfrich www.defenceweb.co.za
This augurs well for AAD 2024 to overtake 2022's 203 exhibitors and echoes what Solomzi Mbada, Armscor Chief Executive, hopes to see as an exhibition that will contribute positively to the wider South African defence industry (SADI), exhibitors and all participants.
Armscor is the AAD 2024 host taking over from the SA Air Force (SAAF), which hosted AAD 2022 on behalf of the Department of Defence (DoD), one of four AAD partners. The SA Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) and the Commercial Aviation Association of SA (CAASA) are the remaining two partners.
Among exhibitors confirmed to date by recently appointed exhibition director Nakedi Phasha are Denel, with a new chief executive in the form of Tsepo Monaheng, as well as Brazilian aerospace giant, Embraer, whose C-390 Millenium transport was demonstrated at Waterkloof in November.
Other confirmed exhibitors are Sweden's Saab, whose products include the Gripen JAS39 in service with the SA Air Force; European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, whose A400M acquisition by the SAAF was canned during Lindiwe Sisulu's time as defence and military veteran's minister; Turkish Aerospace Industries and United States (US) defence contractor, technology and information technology supplier, L3Harris.
“We are positioning SADI to use AAD2024 as a platform for both buyers and sellers to come together and conclude those crucial and mutually beneficial deals,” Mbada said in an exclusive early exhibition preview for defenceWeb.
“Our South African defence budget might be dwindling but the global market presents an opportunity for local industries to take advantage of,” his preview reads in part, adding the exhibition “provides local industries with an international platform to showcase and market their value to a carefully curated and accredited global player network”.
Armscor is working with key partners to put together a “memorable” AAD beneficial to all invited guests and delegations as well as aiming at “producing the required return on investment (ROI) envisaged by all participants”.
The Pretoria East headquartered defence and security acquisition agency has it “the AAD trade expo and air show provides a conducive environment for business-to-business linkages, as well as an ideal platform for engaging on international defence, aerospace and other related best practices”.
Geopolitical conflicts currently underway “galvanised” countries to relook and strengthen defence capabilities it notes.
AAD this year runs from 18 to 22 September with the weekend set aside, as has become standard operating practice (SOP), for an air show at the base the SAAF once tagged as its “centre of transport excellence”.
Spitfire Mk IX - Often considered the most beautiful aircraft design of its day, the “Spit” became legendary with its performance during the Battle of Britain in 1940. The Vintage Wings of Canada example is painted in the markings of Arnold Rosemond, a Canadian who flew more than 65 missions before being shot down over Normandy in 1944. It received the World War II Reserve Grand Champion and Phoenix Gold Wrench awards at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018.
Hurricane Mk VII - This versatile aircraft was an extraordinarily capable dogfighting airplane that was also developed into numerous variations from fighter-bombers to carrier-based Sea Hurricanes. This aircraft was built by Canadian Car and Foundry in Fort William, Ontario. It carries the markings of Flight Officer William Lidstone “Willie” McKnight, who was part of the Royal Air Force's all-Canadian No. 242 Squadron and Canada's most outstanding fighter pilot during the first 18 months of WWII.
P-51D Mustang - One of the best-known and capable fighter aircraft of WWII, more than 16,000 Mustangs were produced beginning in 1940 in response to a British plea for more fighter aircraft from the U.S. This aircraft is painted in the markings of 442 Squadron as they appeared toward the end of the war. It is dedicated to brothers Larry and Rocky Robillard from Ottawa, Ontario, who both flew with that squadron during the war.
Vintage Wings of Canada is the creation of Michael Potter, who founded the Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation and has been collecting and flying vintage aircraft since the mid-1990s. The aircraft of his collection are maintained in flying condition and flown annually throughout the summer to support air shows, commemorative military flypasts, and other special events. Several aircraft of the collection are owned directly by the charitable foundation as well as by other individual operators.
Potter has put together a collection of some of the finest examples of Canada's, and indeed the world's, most historically significant aircraft. The collection is housed in a 24,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art hangar at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport near Ottawa, Canada.
Current plans call for the aircraft to arrive at the start of AirVenture week and to initially spend several days in the warbirds area. The aircraft will also fly on selected days in the afternoon air show prior to spending the final weekend on Boeing Plaza.
www.defenceweb.co.za
The Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, recently hosted the 21st Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Aviation Committee forum, which covered a range of pressing topics, from air force capacity building to the need for strategic airlift for regional peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions.
The forum was held from 24 to 29 February in Cape Town and attended by representatives from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Captain Tebogo August, Editor of Ad Astra Magazine, reported Mbambo as saying the forum gathered to “illustrate the significance of SADC region airspace in curbing hostilities and manage disasters of all kinds but also to harmonise doctrines and build capacity for self-reliance.
“To all Air Chiefs in attendance, the SADC Secretariat and all esteemed guests, the peace and stability in our region can easily be likened to a wet bar soap, it is very slippery, making it very difficult to hold firm with confidence. The reports we have received from developments in SAMIM [SADC Mission in Mozambique] and the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirm that the journey towards peace destination is still some few nautical miles away and our flight path is full of serious turbulences.
Mbambo said the meeting articulated itself very well on the matters that require higher organs' attention and those issues that need the Standing Aviation Committee's immediate attention.
The SADC Standing Aviation Committee usually meets once a year, on a rotational basis among members. The meetings are convened in line with the aims and ideals of the SADC Inter-State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC). Established in 1977, the ISDSC is a forum for defence and security co-operation and played a crucial role in the liberation struggles of SADC members.
Namibian Air Vice Marshal Teofelus Shaende, the outgoing Chairman of the Standing Aviation Committee, stated, “This being the 21st Standing Aviation Committee, it means we should remain extremely alert. We have done plenty of exercises, traversed borders and terrains, tested and improved inter-operability of both men and machines, created synergy. In other words, collectively, we have amassed hours of experience in training to respond to humanitarian situations. Thus, we are more than ready for the real business under the new Chairmanship of Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo of the South African Air Force. He has all our support in ensuring that the Standing Aviation Community remains a well-organized body within the sub organs of SADC and African Union.”
The exercises Shaende alluded to are the 'blue' series focussing on humanitarian relief by SADC members to improve co-ordination and co-operation among air forces and air wings in joint air operations. The SADC Standing Aviation Committee decided to hold a 'blue' exercise approximately every two years, starting with Exercise Blue Hungwe in Zimbabwe in 1997. Other blue series exercises by SADC air arms have taken place in South Africa (Blue Crane in 1999, Blue Cluster in 2011), Tanzania (Blue Ruvuma in 2006), Angola (Blue Zambezi in 2011), Zimbabwe (Blue Leopard in 2013), Botswana (Blue Okavango in 2015), and Namibia (Blue Kunene in 2017).
Speaking at the February forum, the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rhudzani Maphwanya, said that SADC region members need to come together to share ideas, successes and problems, and help make Africa a great place again.
“We remember our soldiers who fell with their boots on in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, they have paid the supreme sacrifice,” Maphwanya told the forum in reference to soldiers killed while serving with SAMIM, the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission in the DRC and the new SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
“On behalf of our President, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, and the people of South Africa, I am honoured to be part of a collective that is committed to foster cooperation in aviation space, which is pivotal, considering the dynamic challenges and opportunities that characterise the change in the contemporary way of warfare. A platform for sharing insights, strategies and resources to strengthen our aviation capacities.
“It is an undeniable fact that geopolitical conflicts continue to strain international relations and geopolitical rivalry contribute to uncertainty and potential conflicts in various regions. Our continent of Africa and her regions, SADC included, are not spared of these developments.
“Making concrete decisions, will mitigate risks in an uncertain tomorrow, which is more important than ever, when looking at development both in Europe and the Middle East.
“We therefore need to emphasise the need for investment in efficient infrastructure, the equipment retention as well as aerospace industry growth because our woes have always been economic concerns and funding. Therefore, we have a responsibility to inform our principals to really look as the aviation environment as the critical element in the defence of our countries and our region.
“Our shared commitment to fostering peace, stability and prosperity through aviation capabilities binds us together in a common purpose. We need to strive for an inherent self-reliance strategy because it is only when we can do things for ourselves, that we will be the masters of our own destiny,” Maphwanya concluded.
TECNAM DELIVERS THE 400TH P2006T TWIN TO BARTOLINI AIR
Tecnam today reached a significant milestone by delivering the 400th Tecnam P2006T Twin to Bartolini Air, Poland's leading flight training organisation. The renowned Polish flying school has also taken delivery of SN/200; handover of the keys took place during the Pilot ExpoBerlin.
With 400 P2006T's now in service worldwide, it consistently comes out on top in the most rigorous of competitor fly-off evaluations. As well as flight schools, Tecnam has partnered with a number of air forces and other niche operators who are now flying special versions of the twin, such as the P2006T SMP version for aerial operations.
Bartlomiej Walas, Managing Director of Bartolini Air, said: “I still remember the first time I saw a picture of the P2006T on the cover of an aviation magazine. It was just a drawing with a short description inside. I said to myself, this is exactly what we need to take Bartolini Air's training offering into the 21st century. And that is what we are doing. Today, if you are a passenger of Ryanair or another major European airline, it's quite likely that your pilot made his or her first multi-engine IFR flight in a shiny Tecnam P2006T at Bartolini Air. This new addition to the fleet is another milestone, which will help accommodate growing demand for our training.”
Since the first P2006T in the fleet, S/N 33 - SP-DZW acquired in 2010, Bartolini Air now operates a training fleet of 15 aircraft, in large majority made of Tecnam: 8 P2008JC's 2 P-Mentors, 4 P2006T's and 1 P2010. Five more Tecnams will join the fleet in early 2024, which, will bring the number of Bartolini Air aircraft to 23 (including CAP 10C NG dedicated to advanced UPRT and aerobatics and 3 Citation Jets operated by a subsidiary AOC-holder).
Bartolini Air provides over 12,000 flight training hours per year, qualifying over 200 students who are today pilots for many of the world's major airlines. Since 2010, more than 2000 students from around the world have been trained on the P2006T. The P2006T fleet, accumulated 26, 000 flight hours.
Walter Da Costa, CSO Tecnam, said: “Key to the success of the P2006T Twin has been our commitment to offer our customers unbeatable value, coupled with low operating and ownership costs, innovative design and Italian styling.
The Rotax engines, in particular, allow the Tecnam P2006T to be an environmental leader as well. With remarkable fuel savings and significantly lower noise emissions, it has redefined both the flight training and ownership experience in a single step”.
Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced today the type certification of its new flagship aircraft, the Piper M700 FURY, by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, achieved on February 29, 2024. This certification is a significant milestone for Piper Aircraft, coming quickly after the new aircraft's announcement on February 6, 2024. Customer deliveries will begin immediately.
Key M700 FURY performance highlights include:
Initial Climb - after a MGTOW departure, the M700 FURY enjoys a class-leading 2,048 fpm climb rate, 32 percent better than the M600/SLS.
Climb to Altitude - settled into the climb, the M700 FURY reaches a comfortable FL250 in 13.9 minutes (34 percent quicker than the M600/SLS) after covering a short 34-mile distance (35 percent less distance than prior) while only burning 97 lbs. of fuel (25 percent less fuel than the M600/SLS and nearly 50 percent less fuel than a single-engine jet competitor).
Cruise - 301-knot max cruise speed.
Landing Performance - Landing over a 50 ft. obstacle, the M700 FURY continues its class-leading performance, achieving a 26 percent reduction versus the M600/SLS and within half the ground roll distance of some competitors.
“We are thrilled to announce the U.S. certification of the Piper M700 FURY by the FAA just a month after its announcement,” said John Calcagno, President & CEO of Piper Aircraft. “And there's more to come. The FURY is just the first step in a new generation of our M-Class product line, so watch this space, as Piper's M-Class will be expanding both above and below what we currently offer today.”
The M700 FURY international validations for Canada (TCCA), Europe (EASA), the UK (CAA) and Brazil (ANAC) are on track to be completed in the second half of 2024, with customer deliveries in those regions before the end of the year.
Representatives from Textron Aviation and PT Smart Aviation celebrated the company's purchase agreement for the first Cessna SkyCourier order in Indonesia. The agreement includes a SkyCourier passenger variant and four Cessna Grand Caravan EXs with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.
The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.
“The SkyCourier's exceptional capabilities, combined with its cost-effectiveness and versatile cabin design, make it a true game-changer in Indonesia,” said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “This order underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry. We are excited to witness the transformative impact it will have in connecting communities and driving progress in Indonesia and beyond.”
For PT Smart, these additional aircraft will strengthen their current fixed wing fleet, totalling 23 units. PT Smart is strategically bolstering its aviation capabilities to support operational activities in remote areas across Indonesia. This move not only aligns with PT Smart's commitment to aiding the nation's operations but also signifies a leap towards advancing aviation capabilities in Indonesia.
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators. It's available in both freighter and passenger versions. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds. The freighter variant features a large door and a flat floor cabin that is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability.
CITYAIRBUS NEXTGEN MAKES ITS DEBUT
Airbus has presented its full electric CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the public, ahead of its maiden flight later this year. The two-tonne class CityAirbus, with a wing span of approximately 12 metres, is being developed to fly with an 80 km range and to reach a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it perfectly suited for operations in major cities for a variety of missions.
“Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market. Thank you to our community, team and partners all over the world for helping us make this a reality,” said Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus.
At the same time, Airbus is expanding its global network and partnerships to create a unique ecosystem that will foster a successful and viable AAM market. Airbus recently signed a partnership agreement with LCI, a leading aviation company, to focus on the development of partnership scenarios and business models in three core AAM areas: strategy, commercialisation and financing.
B-29 DOC JOINS AIRVENTURE 2024 PERFORMER LIST
B-29 Doc, one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita during World War II and one of only two B-29 bombers still airworthy and flying today, will be among the performers at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. Doc will host B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides July 22-25 and will be a featured performer at the air show during the week. The historic warbird will also be on static display for ground and cockpit tours on Boeing Plaza on Friday and Saturday, July 26-27.
“Joining the EAA AirVenture performer line-up is a top highlight of our tour season each year,” said Donnie Obreiter, B-29 Doc director of maintenance & chief flight engineer. “Bringing Doc to Oshkosh allows thousands of people a unique opportunity to experience history up close and personal. Operating such a historically significant machine to honor the Greatest Generation is core to our mission and it's something in which our entire team takes great pride in executing.”
Tickets for B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides during EAA AirVenture are on sale now at B29Doc.com/rides. Tickets will also be available at the Bomber Shack in Warbird Alley on the EAA show grounds during the week of the air show.
This year marks the fifth time Doc has participated in EAA AirVenture.
6 MARCH 1927
Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper Jr. born on 6 March 6, 1927 was an American aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot and the youngest of the seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first human space program of the United States.
Cooper died at age 77 from heart failure at his home in Ventura, California, on 4 October 2004.
Kenya, over Nairobi National Park, Nairobi: A Safarilink DHC-8-Q315 Dash 8 (5Y-SLK), flight XL053, and a 99 Flying Club Cessna 172M Skyhawk (5Y-NNJ) suffered a mid-air collision near Wilson Airport (WIL/HKNW), Nairobi. The Cessna crashed in Nairobi National Park, killing both occupants, and was destroyed. The Dash 8 had just departed from Wilson Airport and safely returned back to the airport after the collision. All 39 passengers and five crew on board were not injured. The aircraft sustained damage to the leading edge of the right-hand horizontal stabilizer.
South Africa, N4 (highway), near Ngodwana: A Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG forced landed on the N4 highway, after problems with the engine. No injuries were reported and the aircraft suffered no damage.
Kenya, Mwachon, Eldama Ravine: A Bell 407, helicopter carrying the Roads Cabinet Secretary and Kenya Airports Authority chairman suffered an accident during departure from Mwachon, Eldama Ravine. The helicopter suffered damage to the skids.
USA, near Ingalls Field Airport (KHSP), Hot Springs, VA: diversion to Ingalls Field Airport (KHSP), Hot Springs, Virginia. The two pilots and three passengers perished in the accident. KHSP is a unique airport since its located-on top of a mountain. It features one asphalt runway (5600 x 100 ft), and it is known for its challenging winds. At the time of the accident, winds were 19 knots at 280 degrees, gusting 38 knots.
USA, NW of Mendocino, CA: A Cirrus SR22 encountered an issue after take-off from Shelter Cove Airport, CA (0Q5). The pilot pulled the CAPS system and the aircraft crashed into a wooded area and flipped over, snapping the back portion of the aircraft. All 3 occupants suffered minor injuries.
Belgium, Genk-Zwartberg Airfield (GNK/EBZW): A Piper PA-28-181 Archer II veered off to the left of runway 03L during landing at Genk-Zwartberg Airfield (GNK/EBZW). When the pilot saw he was quickly approaching another airplane holding short on a taxiway, he attempted a go-around. He was able to avoid the other airplane but stalled shortly afterwards. The airplane hit the corner of a hangar and lost its left wing, with the fuselage crashing into the hangar. Both occupants suffered minor injuries and the aircraft received substantial damage. It was reported that there were easterly winds at 12 to 15 knots at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Movements EAA 322 Fly In to Kitty Hawk Airfield
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