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We are soaring through placid valleys of white cotton candy, banking gently on occasion to follow the contours of an aerial fantasy land. Our wings are like outstretched arms and slice through soft cumulus castles. This exhilarating sense of speed and freedom is what flying is all about - Barry Schiff
We apologise for this AP newsletter being one day late, but we went to inspect a lovely bush lodge near Malelane in Mpumalanga that will be our Mach edition cover prize. Unfortunately the torrential rainy conditions experienced all over the central regions of South Africa forced us to drive instead of fly to Thanda Nani bush lodge, which is located very close to the Malelane landing strip. We used this opportunity to visit our clients and friends at the Nelspruit airfield on Monday before retuning to Kyalami.
African Pilot February edition
The printing of our February edition, with the MTN Yello Squadron Hawker Hunters photographed by Frans Dely on the cover, is complete and will be distributed this week. This is the best bumper package ever produced by African Pilot. It includes a free industry Services Guide, a spectacular Sasol airshow wall calendar and a detailed concept for aircraft fractional ownership. We would like to thank the aviation industry for the fantastic support African Pilot has received during the past year. Clearly the magazine has come of age and is now recognised as the industrys standard in terms of quality production, standard of printing and relevance in the southern African aviation business. The level of interaction from persons involved in all sectors of aviation has been quite extraordinary. We have decided that, in South Africa, our cover price will remain at R25 this year and our subscription rate will also remain static at R220 including VAT.
Tragic loss of Dirk de Vos and friends
Well known and colourful personality, Dirk de Vos, lost his life together with four friends in a terrible accident en route to Harrismith from Wonderboom airport this past week. The exact circumstances of the accident are not yet known, but it is believed the AeroStar crashed into the ground during a heavy rain storm at very high speed. Dirk was an accomplished pilot who had many friends at Wonderboom airport as well as throughout South African aviation. From all at African Pilot, we will miss your jovial character, quick witted humour and wonderful laughter. Our sincere condolences to the families. AP
Dirk de Vos received from Dr. Johan Strasheim
On Tuesday 18 January, aviation lost one of its few legendary characters and a good friend to many of us Dirk de Vos. Dirk was on his way from Wonderboom to Harrismith with 4 passengers in his beloved AeroStar. They never arrived and the wreckage was found the following day. As we all know by now, sadly, no one survived the crash.
When the tragedy was confirmed, I felt a bit as if I was told that Superman died. Wonderboom airport seems different now. We already miss his kindly presence, that well-known voice, the familiar smile and chuckle, the Hallo krels, the green file, the short pants, the aviation stories over many cups of coffee in Giovannis. Dirk said many times that: We do not retire from aviation, we die, and then he would show that devilish wide-eyed grin of his. Being a somewhat unorthodox character, Dirk probably would have preferred no other way to go; yet it is still very sad and hard to let him go. Dirkie belongs to the ages now, but we preferred it when he belonged to us. As I put my pen to paper I was instantly struck with the difficulty I was having in referring to Dirk in the past tense. His strong presence is still so vibrant, so alive. Dirk was a passionate man. He was passionate about aviation especially driving AeroStars - and he was passionate about his three children. We'll remember him always. Cheers Dirk!
An informal memorial service in Dirks memory was held at Giovannis Wonderboom Airport - on Monday 24 January 2005.
Slot time allocation for General Aviation
Larry Beamish, Chief Pilot for Pick n Pay, called an important meeting of commercial pilots and operators who fly corporate aircraft and are affected by the introduction of the slot system by Air Traffic and Navigation Services. The venue was PNPs new conference facility in Kensington. This was probably the largest gathering of corporate and charter pilots and operators brought together due to a problem that affects all of them.
The purpose of the meeting was to address the following issues:
Due to the very nature of the GA business it is impossible to adhere to fixed slot times
Slot time requirement for VFR routing from FAJS to the Gauteng feeder airfields
The need for numerous calls in order to book slots when the flight plan should suffice
Why can pilots not file "request GPS direct" in field 18 as can be done in other ATC areas
These issues were thoroughly discussed during a presentation of facts, figures and statistics by Stuart Radcliffe and Charles Norval of ATNS and, in certain instances, questioned by those present. Larry will endeavour to forward a set of minutes to all participants ASAP but suffice it to say that the outcome of this meeting brought the GA position clearly to the attention of ATNS on the above issues and the meeting was assured that positive feedback would be forthcoming in this regard.
Pilots were advised that the routes in and out of FALA are in the process of being revised. In addition, changes are due during the month of February 2005 and on an on-going basis during the course of the year as new equipment is being installed that will enable more efficient traffic flow.
This was an enlightening meeting and as a result, the unanimous decision of all in attendance was that a General Aviation Association be formed. This will serve as a forum to air all matters affecting GA operations from ATC, business practices etc. through to issues affecting training and safety at the corporate end of the market. The general idea is that the GA Associations information will be freely available and will largely operate via email or website, thus enabling all pilots 'on the move' to have a 24/7 grievance, help or idea line. The Association will call a meeting from time to time or as issues dictate with a view to being represented at the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa. In turn, CAASA will address the more serious or legislative issues with the various authorities concerned.
Thanks to Nigel Forrester (NAC) who has offered his assistance with the liaison between GA and CAASA, Dave Pratt (Executive Turbine) for his efforts, Raymond Steyn (ExecuJet) who has offered to investigate the setting up of a web site, Evan Baillie (Bateleur) and Dave Fold (ExecuJet) for their offer of administrative assistance, Athol Franz (African Pilot) who will bring the forum to the GA population's attention via his Magazine and his email Newsletter and finally to Stuart Radcliffe and Charles Norval for lending their ears to GA.
Larry Beamish
Pick 'n Pay
lbeamish@pnp.co.za
Cell: 083-700-3333
Fax: (011) 425-6109
Stellenbosch Flying Club Fly-In
Stellenbosch Flying Club is hosting a fly-in next weekend 28 - 30 January 05 and we are expecting the largest gathering of micro flyers in one fly-in (setting a record). However, please note that this is not an airshow, but a FLY-IN. Micro flyers from as far as Gauteng and KZN will be attending. There will be many fun items and events on the day. We are hoping to have a good turn out. Stellenbosch Flying Club: Tel (021) 880 0924 e-mail: stelfly@iafrica.com
The Bantam and Andrew Papas
African Pilot spent Sunday night with Andrew and Tombie Papas at their delightful thatched home in the hills overlooking Nelspruit. This is also the home of Bantam city, where Andrew and his team assemble the Bantam microlight aircraft when they arrive in South Africa. Andrews next consignment of eight new Bantams will arrive this week in a six meter shipping container. However, most of this consignment has already been sold, making a total of forty-five Bantams already in South Africa. The Bantam was launched in South Africa in April 2002, which means that this microlight is currently the best selling aircraft in South Africa.
We arrived at Bantam City at the height of an exceptionally vicious storm. However, once the storm had passed Andrew insisted we go for a quick flight to Jaques Oosthuizens new farm where he has built his runway and new home on the side of a hill. Jaques has a large dam filled with Koi fish and, more important, he has 10 aircraft on his personal airfield, including a Cessna 182, Piper J3 Cub, Piper TriPacer, Piper Colt, two Bantams, Kitfox and a Bell 47 helicopter. Bantam City farm runway appears to be quite a challenge, but not for Andrew who flew his Bantam off the runway within what seemed to be a few metres. The microlight loves to be airborne and although I have flown in Bantams several times, the ease of flying this most stable platform was an absolute pleasure. Essentially the Bantam is absolutely stable for hands-off flying once the power to the Jabiru 80hp engine is set
South African Military History Museum
African Pilot received many e-mails expressing outrage in response to our highlighting of the ridiculous raid on the Military History Museum in Saxonwold. The following statement was received by African Pilot from the Chief of Defence Corporate Communication: Major General Mohato Mofokeng and is quoted exactly as received:
Military Police Agency investigation into allegations that military equipment was illegally stored at the National Military Museum in Johannesburg is continuing.
Whereas no further arrests have been made and no more equipment has been confiscated, an internal investigation however is continuing to determine negligence or other possible offences which may have been committed by people entrusted with the disposal of arms. Discussions are being held between the DOD and the Northern Flagship Institution to determine the legality or otherwise of the presence of the equipment at the Museum.
The action by the Military Police Agency was in line with the new crime prevention strategy for the Department of Defence. Throughout the investigation the MPA members followed standing, prescribed procedures after receiving reports of alleged crime.
The security forces are the only institutions entrusted with the protection, handling and storage of military equipment and only obsolete and non-functional equipment is donated to museums for display. The disposal procedures of military equipment, especially weapons and ammunition, have to be strictly adhered to at all times, but if these procedures appear to have been disregarded and functional or operational weapons are found, an investigation will be initiated. Ends.
African Pilots comment on the matter
Whilst we agree with all of the above, it is clear that a National Museum that reports to another government department Arts and Culture - has no intention of disregarding the law. Certain vehicles were kept in working condition as they would have been in any museum of this kind anywhere in the world. However, the overall functionality of the majority of displays is questionable. The G6 for example has no engine and the brace legs are permanently welded in the down position. The G5 has not worked for more than a decade and the barrel has been plugged. Most of the small arms, some of which was used by the ANC during the struggle have been spiked so as to render these weapons useless as hostile arms. All armaments were registered with the South African Police and have valid permits. Lets be really honest: was there any intention to commit a crime?
How about the fact that a lady, Ms Suzanne Blendoff, curator in charge of medals and badges was locked up in a filthy jail some 50km away for the night and Richard Henry, curator in charge of vehicles was treated in a similar manner? The director of the Museum, John Keene, had recently undergone an eye operation, which, as a result of the stress to which he was subjected, had to return to hospital in order for the operation to be repeated. These are ordinary South African citizens who have displayed an interest in military history; this is the crime they committed.
As we said in our last AP Newsletter: The whole matter could have been discussed over a cup of tea like gentleman instead of creating an uproar in the press, losing face in the public eye and destroying the beautiful gardens of the Military History Museum. Clearly this has become another political blunder which should receive an apology from the Department of Defence before any further embarrassment or cover up is envisaged. Gentlemen from the Department of Defence please stop attacking innocent South African citizens and concentrate your efforts on the thousands of illegal aliens who continue to infiltrate our country. Let us look at the innocent lives that are lost and damaged daily due to murder, rape, drugs, extortion and a host of more serious crimes against orderly society. Please help museums like the one in question to preserve the history of our nation for generations to come.
The South African Air Force Museum based at Zwartkop, Ysterplaat and Port Elizabeth all have similar exhibits, where the history of the SAAF in South Africa is preserved. These museums also have working exhibits, some of them flying exhibits. Are these a danger to our lives? Certainly not! Actually, the preservation of ones history is the first step to recognising civilization in an orderly society that has respect for law and order.
I recently visited the Apartheid Museum and was most impressed with the quality of displays, information at hand and level of education this museum offers. Like the Military History Museum, this museum should be visited by all South Africans (including Defence Force Generals) in order to understand and reject the past history of intolerance. The South African Defence Force is a vital stabilising institution that requires public respect. Please do not destroy your image by meddling with museums that can preserve the history of our past for our children in years to come.
Aviation humour
A couple were driving to the airport in stony silence since they had had an argument and she was not really interested in flying in her husbands aircraft that afternoon. They drove past a meadow in which several goats, cows, horses and sheep were grazing. He asked sarcastically, Relatives of yours? Yes! she quickly replied In-laws. | 