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You can always tell when a man has lost his soul to flying. The poor bastard is hopelessly committed to stopping whatever he is doing long enough to look up and make sure the aircraft purring overhead continues on course and does not suddenly fall out of the sky. It is also his bound duty to watch every aircraft within view, take off and land. Ernest K. Gann, Fate is the hunter.
Perhaps it is just the excitement of becoming more deeply involved in the South African aviation scene than ever before, or perhaps the fact that our media has made significant inroads into the aviation industry. Or perhaps it is simply the expectation of the airshow season that reaches out to the people of South Africa, that African Pilot is sensing exponential growth in this business. We have always believed in quality strategic partnerships that will be to the benefit of all members of the aviation business of Africa and particularly the southern African region. Whatever the reason, African Pilot magazine is now widely acknowledged as the media that is engaged in reviving the aviation business of southern Africa, especially with regard to the acknowledgement of significant sponsorships.
Our July edition will lead you into the art of display formation flying through the eyes of Airshow Maestro, Scully Levin. Our very successful Cape Town airliners photographic sortie utilising Stu Davidsons Albatros L-39 in one of the most beautiful destinations of the world is described. And, the African debut of the Bombardier Challenger 300 midsize business jet is illustrated with some of the finest photography available anywhere in the world today.
Details of the launch of the African Pilot 2005 A5 Service Guide book, to be published and distributed together with our January 2005 edition, is immediately available on our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za. All participants in the African Pilot 2005 Service Guide will be placed in the links section of the African Pilot Website with direct links to their own Websites as part of our service. We are proud to announce that the African Pilot Website received 72 500 hits during the month of May - an all-time record.
NAC transports four white lions to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
On behalf of the Global White Lion Protection Trust, NAC transported a white lioness and her three cubs to the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Klein Karoo aboard a Beechcraft 1900 airliner on the morning of 8 June 2004. The cubs are now 6 months old and are ready to be re-introduced to the wilderness. The Beech 1900 was chosen, as the pressurised aircraft was large enough to accommodate the lions and the crew consisting of veterinarian, Johan Joubert, support staff, as well as the CEO and founder of the Global White Lion Protection Trust, Linda Tucker.
Dr. Gaston Savoi, the co-chairman of Mantis Collection, is a conservationist. It has long been his dream to return the white lion to the wild. The realisation of his dream commenced in 2003 when a male and female white lion were purchased and transported to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. The unique reserve is situated in the Little Karoo, on the R62 between Montague and Barrydale. Sanbona is 54 000 ha in size and is the first privately owned reserve in the Western Cape in which the Big Five are roaming free. White lions are a genetic variation of Panthera Leo and are not albinos. They have pigmentation, which show particularly in the eye, paw pad and lip colour. The white phenotype is the result of a recessive gene and is termed leucism.
NAC is a passionate and devoted supporter of the Global White Lion Protection Trust and the work that has been undertaken to provide a safe-haven for South Africas most sacred animals. The all round capability of the Beechcraft 1900 allowed the aircraft to safely land on the Sanbona private runway. The pilots for this mission were well know NAC and aviation personality, Graeme Conlyn and his daughter, commercial pilot, Tracy Conlyn.
African Pilot clarifies its position on Airshows and Fly-in events
African Pilot will always support calendar events in South Africa that have received the sanction of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Aero Club of South Africa through official channels. Through the correct official channels, time proven procedures have been laid down which seek to ensure the overall safety of these events. No single person, least of all African Pilot, wishes to dampen the spirits of organisers and this is the reason we devote an entire page to calendar events each month and provide the most up-to-date information received through our weekly AP Newsletters. However, during my time as EAA South Africas PRO mainly at Margate, 15 years ago and over several airshow events in the past, I have been present when an un-practiced manoeuvre resulted in the death of one or more of my friends or acquaintances. I believe that any aviation accident is one too many, therefore African Pilot will always support those organisations that strive for the correct safety measures at these events. Since CC Pocock has now agreed to the CAA laid down procedures for the African Bush Pilots Fly-in next weekend in the Barberton valley, African Pilot will support this event and also take part in the fun and games.
African Bush Pilots Fly-in 19 and 20 June Barberton Valley, Lowveld, South Africa.
Co-ordinates: S25.42.87 E030.58.39: Elevation: 2350 ft Frequency: 124.8 & 125.1 (displays & circuits)
If you are planning to attend this event, please call CC Pocock on 082 490 5721 or send an email to: mail@bushair.co.za so that we may have an idea as to how many aircraft will be attending and to provide sufficient parking space etc. We cannot accommodate an unlimited amount of aircraft. Accommodation is camping on airfield or chalets nearby at 'Jock of the Bushveld' Tel: (013) 712-4002 / 082 451 2760 / 083 376 1199. The African Bush Pilots Fly-In is the first of its kind and a totally unique aviation event. It is aimed mainly at bush pilots, operators and bush flying enthusiasts. The event will have a fun, informal, unofficial, and rustic atmosphere set in a real bush environment. Static displays of all types of bush planes, helicopters, and outdoor related goods, vehicles, services etc. Flying displays should be exciting, fast paced and mostly just good old adrenaline fuelled bush-flying demos. Highlights of the event will include aerial fire fighting demos, the largest ever-simulated air raid incorporating live explosives, and a fireworks display in the evening. The event will be held over two days with full camping, catering and entertainment facilities. (Pilots can camp out under the wing of their planes). In fact you can camp virtually anywhere except on the runway! For more information please log onto: www.bushair.co.za/fly-in.htm
Tzaneen Bush Pilots airshow one of the best in South Africa
At the end of this month (25-26 June) the Tzaneen airshow will take place with full Capital Sounds, ATC and CAA presence. Although this regional airshow is relatively small, somehow the good folk always seem to provide incredible surprises and the hospitality of the organisers is almost unbeaten. You can expect the African Pilot team to attend this airshow in our Cessna 172. We will publish the ATNS provided arrival details in the next AP Newsletter.
Events over the past weekend
Due to a number of reasons, African Pilot decided to take a well-deserved rest in the southern Drakensberg mountains and entrusted the reporting of the Presidents Air Race and the Margate airshow to the capable hands of our regular correspondents. We visited the Lake Navarone and Castleburn Resorts in addition to exploring this majestic region of our country. We are happy to report that the Lake Navarone runway in the central part of this incredible valley is absolutely safe for private aircraft and pilots who have both mountain and bush experience. The runway is distinctly one way, but is long with a good, close-cut grass surface and will accommodate aircraft up to King Airs with ease.
Presidents Air race held at the Polokwane civil airfield
Report by Michael Black
It was a cold and windy Polokwane that played host to this years President's Trophy Air Race on 11 and 12 June. Pietersburg Civil Airport arguably saw more aircraft than it has ever seen within the space of three days as competitors from all over South Africa arrived on Thursday. Marshals were well briefed to cope with the inflow of aircraft, and there were virtually no problems finding parking space for more than 70 aircraft.
Ably organised by the 'Briers Broers', bothers Chris and Dries Briers of Naturelink, the event went remarkably smooth considering the number of things that could have gone wrong. Safety wise the PTAR maintained its blemish-free record, with no more than minor incidents taking place: a Beech Baron that burst a tyre on landing was soon dealt with by Naturelinks excellent mobile workshop, while a
Cessna 180 made a forced landing on a road near Nylstroom without further mishap.
2004 Presidents Air Race Results
Presidents Trophy to the crew gaining the most time on handicap.
Grumman AA1A ZS VYI: Harry Antel and Barry de Groot.
Air Charter Trophy to the second crew home.
Cessna 172K ZS NET: Nico den Berg and Johan Rautenbach
Vincent Maclean Trophy to the third crew home.
Piper PA-28 235 ZS JTU: Wessel Vermas and Pieter Lordan
Wakefield Trophy to the first woman pilot home.
Piper PA-28 235 ZS FDZ: Christa Greyvenstein and JH van der Berg
Preller Germishuys Trophy Handicapping committee award.
Natal Advertiser Award the competitor covering the course in the fastest overall time.
Glasair III ZS WBT: Lucas Wiese and Johan van Gruting.
John Sayers Trophy to the crew of the first turbocharged aircraft home.
Cessna T210 ZS LCM: Jacques Willemse and Diekie Schoeman.
Bloemfontein Flying Club Trophy to the team with less than 1000 hours.
Hassie Kasselman Trophy to the first father and son team home.
Beechcraft F33A ZS RMA : John Mayer (Jnr) and John Mayer (Snr).
Dolph Kruger Trophy to the first homebuilt aircraft home.
Jabiru J450 ZU LAJ: Leslie Jagger and Nigel Townsend.
It would appear that the organisers and most of the participants were happy with the results, as there were fewer queries than in years before. Although there were a total of twenty sponsors, special thanks go to the main sponsors: Imperial Bank, Executive Turbine and Naturelink with a full crew on standby. Once again, African Pilot voices an opinion that it is pointless having two major aviation events clash like the Presidents Air Race and the Margate Airshow, as the potential participation or audience will be diluted. We sincerely hope that next year the organisers will address this shortcoming and plan for these two important events to be scheduled on alternate weekends.
Sasol sponsored Margate airshow
Report by Pete van der Spek
Everyone I spoke to on Saturday was in agreement that this airshow is making a welcome return to the airshow calendar. And return it did, with smooth flying, smooth co-ordination by the two female ATCs, and smooth weather! Over 15 different acts in the morning routine with the same for the afternoon and the finale of a fourteen aircraft flypast in the late afternoon made this an airshow to remember. With idyllic weather (the Johannesburg guys couldnt stop talking about it) and with a crowd of about 4 to 5 thousand, the vibe was excellent!
For the crowd, the stars of the show were the Sasol Tigers, who gave a flawless display with really tight flying. However, for me the Mazda display team (the Zoom Zoom team) were outstanding. Perhaps I dont see them enough being in the sticks here in Durban in terms of flying (Ill get shot down for that one) but I felt they were just brilliant! Such a varied display, not the same old routine but something different. Any airshow would be a non-event without Brian Emmenis. He jumped on an aircraft early on Saturday morning in Polokwane to be in Margate to do his stint and then at 3:15pm, jumped back on an aircraft to fly back to be master of ceremonies at the Presidents Air Race dinner the same night. Now thats commitment if ever Ive seen it. Well done Brian and thanks for helping to make the airshow a success. Your quips about Martin van Straten doing the sprint on the taxiway certainly had the crowds on their feet.
The finale, with fourteen aircraft in formation flying out into the sunset and back again was stunning. There was one nasty incident, which was narrowly avoided by some quick thinking by the pilots involved! As Dennis Spence (not involved) put it, it happened, it was avoided, the pilots involved discussed it, its over. Overall, on a day marred by the rugby, all had a great day. I have a feeling that Margate will long be in the airshow calendar and long may it be so.
Comments by some involved pilots:
Karl Jenson airman extraordinaire - Nice to be back in Margate, I came for a quiet weekend to watch and was asked to display my old Cessna what a bargain! Lots of interesting aircraft, lots of friendly people a great day.
Ernest Claassen CAA safety officer A very nice and relaxed airshow at a beautiful venue.
Brian Emmenis the Mouth Brilliant, wonderful to be back at Margate and a nice, relaxed airshow. The flying was of a high standard.
Dennis Spence Mr Pitts Absolutely lovely to be back at Margate, great weather!
A big thanks goes to Russel and Dale at The Albatross Guest House in Margate, for their kind hospitality and a scrumptious breakfast. They can be contacted at www.thealbatros.co.za next time youre in the area.
Police open second FTC arson case
According to the Midrand Reporter: The police are investigating two cases of arson at Guy Jacksons property. The first fire, which gutted the garage that held valuable documents of the now defunct Flight Training College, was on 22 May. The second fire was 10 days later, and this time the entire house and its contents were burnt. Jackson said he had received death threats following the financial collapse of FTC. Many students had paid up front and lost the money they had invested in their training. Directly quoted from the Midrand Reporter.
Global Flight Training (Pty) Ltd Jackson again
Jackson started another flight training school at Grand Central, which moved to Rand Airport shortly after its formation. According to information received this school has also ceased operations and the Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the training licence of Global Flight Training. Airport manager, Mr. Kruger says that landing fees and rent are outstanding. Head of flight training operations at the Civil Aviation Authority, Peter Volland, told African Pilot that the SACAA may not interfere in the financial affairs of training organisations, but that some sort of control was long overdue in order to safeguard the investment that students make when they choose a particular flying training establishment. Whilst there are many excellent training schools in South Africa, that are managed honestly, there are bound to be those few exceptions. Volland believes that the return of the Air Service Licence Council to this particular sector is long overdue. There are good operators and bad operators in every part of aviation and training schools seem to have attracted their fair share of operational disasters. The CAA is mainly interested in the safe operation of training schools said Volland.
The issue of training schools will be published in the August edition of African Pilot, who firmly believes that the reputation of our country is at stake when suspect operators take students money and do not deliver the training as promised. Furthermore, African Pilot will not place flight-training advertisements in our monthly magazine of training establishments that have a track record of suspect business practices. Whilst there are bound to be certain critics of our policy, as the most influential aviation magazine in terms of reaching young people, we believe that our policy of promoting the reliable and honest training schools will place our country on a credible footing.-something that is long overdue.
Aviation Humour
Co-pilot to the dozing captain who flew DC-4s and DC-6s all his life: Captain, if you sleep much longer you will miss the jet age.
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Until next week, please be "Serious about flying".
Athol Franz |
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