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"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute." -- George Bernard Shaw
Office closure for the December holidays
The offices of African Pilot and AFS Studio will be closed from Friday 16 December to Tuesday 3 January. During this time the majority of our staff will be on leave and only a small skeleton staff will be working. Should you have an urgent matter please contact me on my cellular phone: 082 552 2940 or send an e-mail: info@africanpilot.co.za. Thank you.
African Pilot 2006 Service Guide
This is the last chance for your business to be included in the African Pilot Service Guide as entries close this week. Please remember that the proper distribution of this type of information to all persons within the aviation industry is of paramount importance. Since we produce both the AP Service Guide and South Africa's most popular monthly aviation magazine, we can guarantee the correct distribution of our Service Guide which is a situation that no other media can offer with certainty. The expense of placing advertising in media that does not necessarily reach the target audience is not justified, especially when guarantees are not available. Our current audited circulation and over counter sales figures clearly show African Pilot to be the market leader within the aviation industry of southern Africa. From early in 2006 we will be ABC rated (Accredited Bureau of Circulation); this fact will be out in the open for the fist time as we will publish the audited figures.
The overwhelming support by the aviation industry for the annual African Pilot Service Guide has meant that our 2006 volume will double in size and is set to become the most important reference work of its kind yet produced in South Africa. We have incorporated several design improvements over our 2005 volume that will give businesses improved exposure to the market. We have redrawn all the major airport maps, including Port Elizabeth, East London and Cape Town, which will be included. Important aviation representative bodies such as the Aero Club of South Africa and the Commercial Aviation Association have also been included.
Can your business afford not to be included in the African Pilot Services Guide? With a line mention under the relevant category starting at only R150, the cost is affordable for every business involved in aviation. For further information, please contact Ruben at our offices: (011) 702 2342/3 or e-mail: info@africanpilot.co.za. But hurry, as we need to close acceptances by 14 December 2005.
African Pilot quotes
More often than not, I produce quotes that will evoke discussion within aviation and last week's quote about medical doctors and pilots sure did the trick. Thank you to those medical doctors and their friends who responded. However, the most important reaction came from Dr. Kenneth Ingham who has put the record straight. Thanks for your important contribution to the weekly AP Newsletter:
Dear Athol,
Let me start by saying I always appreciate the Aviation humour in the beginning of your newsletters, including this one.
As a past President of the South African Society of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine 'SASAEM' and a South African member of the International Academy of Aerospace Medicine 'IAASM', I hasten to remind you that all South African doctors need to undergo at least fifty hours of refresher training annually to remain on the register of the Health Professional Council of South Africa HPCSA.
In the sub speciality of Aerospace Medicine, recertification is also required every four years by our CAA. This involves attending a 3 to 5 day course on the subject of Aviation Medicine and writing an exam at the end of the course. Most countries e.g. FAA, UKCAA/JAR, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others, require re- appointments every four years, based on attending their courses and conferences or internationally acceptable equivalents.
Please add a correction in your next newsletter so that our pilot population does not feel alone and victimized. We all have to jump through the hoops these days, especially so if you are registered as an Aviation Medical Examiner 'AME' with our SA CAA, or any other country in the world.
Kind Regards
"Be serious about Aerospace Medicine"
Ken Ingham
Central Aerospace Medicine
kaingham@hotmail.com
www.aerospacemedicine.co.za
Tours to UK and USA during 2006
Please note that all the prices quoted do not include personal spending requirements, entrance fees to the events or the cost of obtaining visas to the USA and France. African Pilot fully endorses the following tours to aviation enthusiasts as possibly the best way to enjoy a huge amount of fun together with fellow South Africans who have the experience of leading tours of this nature. Please don't underestimate the importance of planning your tour early since visa requirements, especially to the USA, are rather stringent.
EAA's Sun 'n Fun - Florida, USA
This is an ideal family holiday to one of the USA's major airshows, Disney, Universal Studios and NASA. Neil Bowden of Air Adventure Tours is offering this trip from 29 March to 17 April for R14 850 per person sharing and kids sharing with parents for R10 850. The price includes airfares, airport taxes, transfers, and camping fees at Sun 'n Fun, entrance to the airshow and nine night's hotel accommodation. Interested? Please call Neil on 084 674 5674.
Flying Legends - Duxford UK
This famous airshow will take place on 8 & 9 July at Duxford, United Kingdom. For details on how you can join the tour please contact Pete van der Spek 082 441 6405 or e-mail: puds@telkomsa.net
EAA AirVenture - Oshkosh 2006
Our December edition carries details of how individuals can book for EAA AirVenture next year. In summary there are two trips that are offered from South Africa:
1) Camping option: Neil Bowden has offered the 'camping on the airfield' option for many years and in 2006 the all inclusive price is from R14 450. The price includes various camping options including the new luxury tent option, airfares, airport taxes, transfers and camping fees.
2) Semi-luxury hotel accommodation in Appleton: Calvin Fabig offers two versions of the tour where one group may spend some time in Washington before Oshkosh, whilst the other tour is straight to Oshkosh and back again. This will be the tenth annual tour to Oshkosh arranged by Calvin. Please contact him on e-mail: calvin@designer.co.za or call (021) 788 8440.
Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Airshows
Neil Bowden is also offering various tour options for aviation enthusiasts that may or may not include Oshkosh since the three airshows fall on consecutive weekends. African Pilot will be assisting Pete van der Spek with the leading of the tours to England and then joining Neil at Oshkosh during the final week of this tour. For specific details please contact Neil Bowden on 084 674 5674 or e-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net or visit the Website: www.airadventure.co.za.
Royal International Air Tattoo, Farnborough and Oshkosh
This mega tour, departing on 13 July and returning on 2 August, will be led by me and Pete van der Spek (who will already be in England). Full planning, as always, is through Neil Bowden of Air Adventure Tours, but he will be going directly to the USA to prepare for the South African invasion of Oshkosh. The cost of this tour is R23 850. For further details please contact Neil on Cell: 084 674 5674 or e-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net. Thank you.
Hover Dynamics Christmas run
Crawford College, Lonehill Pre-Primary School, under the leadership of Ros Truecock and Caroline Rooklegde, arranged for all the children to donate wrapped Christmas gifts, which they planned to give to Santa to deliver to charities and orphanages. The Pre-Primary then turned to CAASA, asking that they arrange for the grand arrival of Santa at the school to collect the gifts. Dave Bard of Hover Dynamics jumped to CAASA's assistance and Dean Feldman flew Santa to the school grounds where they landed to collect 600 gifts for redistribution. CAASA and Crawford Pre-Primary School would like to thank Hover Dynamics for generously undertaking this charity flight.
Received from Magalies Gliding Club
On behalf of the Aero Club Day Committee I want to thank all the people who helped to make the day a success. Unfortunately due to the weather and some conflicting events, the turnout was not as expected. However, I think we made a few more friends and possibly a few more members. I was really pleased to see the enthusiasm shown by club members in helping on the day. The Club wishes to extend a special thank you to the Scouts as quite a few pilots were pleased to see their uniforms. I am sure the Scouting movement will benefit from developments over the weekend and I am looking forward to these materialising some time soon. I think the three new scouts are still wondering what they have let themselves in for.
Athol Franz and African Pilot were, once again, pivotal in ensuring that the event took place through the advertising on behalf of Aero Club. Athol, thank you. Could you, through your AP Newsletter, please also thank the participating pilots, their families and friends? Next year the dinner will be scrapped, I think, in favour of a lunch spread. All the pilots will then be able to participate in the lunch whilst yarning over past, present and future exploits. Dinner will then be available to the few who want to stay over or leave late.
I am pleased to report that we broke even once again. This is indeed good news as the reason for our involvement is not to make a profit, but to promote MGC and all it has to offer and to join in the consolidation of all flying disciplines. If we only introduce one new member, the day is a success. Finally to all the Aero Club Day Committee members: thank you for your commitment and hard work. May you have a glorious festive season planning next year's event.
Regards,
Brian van der Merwe
African Pilot responds
Over many years my relationship with the members of the Magalies Gliding Club has been excellent. I have always found members to be friendly as they enthusiastically demonstrate the sporting discipline of gliding, which is awesome fun. Contrary to what has been very poorly written elsewhere, the attitude of an individual towards his / her host is usually the reason why a poor reception is forthcoming. Every gliding club that I have visited in South Africa over the past four years has been more than accommodating in their attitude towards African Pilot. I would like to thank the entire Soaring Society movement for their absolute professionalism in this regard.
1time airline ruffles feathers - again and again and againâ€Â¦.
1time is proud to announce that the airline is yet again, a winner in the Airports Company of South Africa's (ACSA) Feather Awards.
"We're ecstatic about winning ACSA's Feather Award for being this year's best low cost airline in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town. We are really pleased that the flying public chose us as the superior airline on these routes. It seriously is a feather in our cap that 1time has now won the best low cost airline to Durban and Cape Town for a second year running," said Rodney James, Marketing Director of 1time.
The ACSA annual Feather Awards are presented for service excellence based on four independent passenger surveys that are conducted throughout the year. The research conducted also assessed the customer's overall perception of the service provider and the service experienced.
James continued: "Being rated ahead of well established airlines makes us work even harder. In order to keep the Feathers in the air, every one of us at 1time will stay on fire to provide service excellence."
Received from the Aero Club of East Africa
Another two pilots arrested
Two captains from a prominent Middle Eastern airline were arrested on Tuesday by Nairobi Police at the Regency Hotel for violating Kenyan airspace. The two, one American and one Swede, had come to Kenya as tourists and were flying their motorized paragliders through various tourist areas last week. Para-motors are popular aerial vehicles that, in virtually all countries, require neither registration nor a pilot's licence. They don't need a runway or any piloting skills. If the engine fails, they just sink to the ground. The Kenyan Air Law, scripted in the eighties, makes no reference to such gliders and, as far as could be ascertained, there is no law against their use. Notwithstanding, the two Para-motor pilots were seen somewhere near Mombassa and KCAA phoned us on Monday afternoon to ascertain whether any skydivers were jumping near Mombassa. We confirmed that there was no jumping activity there and heard no more.
The two Para-motor pilots, totally oblivious to the fact that the police were now looking for them, drove back to Nairobi. One of the pilots was nursing a broken finger, because he had accidentally stuck his finger (!) in the propeller whilst his engine was running. After being patched up at Nairobi Hospital, they checked into the Regency Hotel and, on Tuesday afternoon (6/12/05) a gentleman in civvies approached them in the lobby and requested that they accompany him to 'Kenya Civil Aviation Authority' to give a statement. As in the 'Craig Hattle Case' last May, the trip to KCAA soon turned into a trip to the Jomo Kenyatta Airport police cells. So far, nobody from KCAA has interviewed the pair.
From the time of their arrest, we began to receive increasingly desperate text messages. The US and Swedish embassies were advised and various interventions were attempted, including with KCAA and other state organs. This proved fruitless as the police had their own agenda and never seemed to have consulted KCAA to see whether or not any laws had actually been broken. The bottom line was another 'tragic comedy'. Yesterday, the two 'culprits' were driven in a police vehicle to stand trial in Mombassa; for what - nobody knew. They spent the night in a huge holding cell with some 200 other 'criminals' and were arraigned this morning in Court on a charge of 'Flying a hot air balloon illegally'. They had no legal representation, could not understand the proceedings between the Judge and the Prosecutor in the packed courtroom and were only asked: "Guilty or not guilty?" Of course, they had never flown a hot air balloon in their lives, but that detail did not matter. They were found guilty and sentenced o one year in jail, or a fine of KShs 100,000.
We now know why handheld phones are called 'cell' phones! They have their uses. Upon receiving the desperate SMS from the two accused, we managed to procure the 100,000 KShs through some aviation-minded friends in Mombassa and the fine was paid. The two pilots are 'out' now, but the questions remain: What laws were broken? When will KCAA address the issue of paragliders, Para-motors, and other aerial devices that fly in most countries of the world without the need for a licence or aircraft registration? Why has paragliding been 'criminalized' in Kenya? On 8 October, we asked KCAA for a meeting about these issues, pointing out that the new draft Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations do not address modern flying devices adequately and that these must be resolved. So far, no meeting has been scheduled.
Meanwhile, it seems that nothing has been learned by the Kenya Police after the 'Crag Hattle fiasco' in May, when a British pilot flew into Kenyan airspace and was arrested for flying his Cessna 182 into Nairobi's Wilson Airport without a proper clearance. Hattle spent several days in jail, was tried, convicted and fined 2 500 shillings, and then re-arrested and deported. That incident was not conducive to attracting aerial tourists, and one can only hope that the Police and CID will learn some time soon to consult their colleagues from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority before charging people for aviation crimes that are not crimes. Moreover, it would also help Kenyan Public Relations, if anybody accused of a crime was provided with public legal representation, before being subjected to a trial.
Whilst we are attempting to clarify with KCAA their stand on paragliders and Para-motors, all enthusiasts in Kenya who are flying these aerial vehicles are advised to digest the above and draw some conclusions from the consequences.
Springbok Classic Air - DC-3 70th anniversary
Would you like to join Capt. Flippie Vermeulen and his team in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3? The type made its first flight from the Douglas plant in Santa Monica California on 17 December 1935; exactly 32 years to the day after the Wright brothers took to the air on a windy hill named Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. The banquet is limited to a select number of guests by invitation only.
Programme of events
The day will start with nostalgic scenic flights around JHB in the Springbok Classic Air's Douglas DC-3, ZS-GPL, starting at midday. A display flight of the DC-3, flown by Capt Flippie Vermeulen will follow. Thereafter a one-and-half-hour presentation on the DC-3, from it's beginnings to its present day applications, including its role in World War II.
Dinner and dance until late
Theme : 1930s
Dress : As per theme, mid 1930s dress code
Venue : Springbok Classic Air, Hangar 5, Rand Airport, Germiston
Time : 12H00 for people participating in scenic flights
18H00 for people participating in the dinner dance only
Price : R150.00 pp for dinner only
: R300.00 pp for nostalgic flight only
: R450.00 pp for nostalgic flight and dinner.
RSVP (011) 824 2142 Capt. Vermeulen 082 779 9180 / (011) 979 2548
E-Mail stan@springbokflyingsafaris.com
or flippie@springbokflyingsafaris.com
RSVP and bookings close 9 December 2005 but I am sure you could still make a booking early in the week before Tuesday13 December.
Thunder City 'climb to altitude records'
As announced in a previous AP Newsletter, Thunder City had one attempt each at two different venues for the 'climb to altitude records' in a two-seat English Electric Lightning flown by Ian Pringle recently. We have been waiting for the official results which were recorded as follows:
Ian Pringle describes the flight profile
Full power was advanced against the brakes in stages until the wheels started to creep, then full power was selected and the brakes released. The immediate requirement was to check engine rpm and afterburner and, since all parameters were in order, it was GO GO!
On reaching 150 knots the nose was aggressively rotated to the take off attitude. Lift off was achieved at approximately 170 knots, the gear was raised and the aircraft rotated at 2g until the 20 degrees nose up at 200 knots was achieved. The flaps were selected in and passing 250 knots once the gear was up, a rotation forward at 0.2 g was started. Acceleration became the primary focus as the requirement was to go as fast as possible as soon as possible. This was the stage where we caught our breath for the next five seconds or so.
The aircraft was held down until 550 knots was achieved, then a 2 g rotation to 70 degrees nose up was commenced and, once achieving Mach 0.9, the load factor was reduced to 0.4 g, which gives zero pitch rate climb angle was between 70 and 80 degrees nose up.
Passing 12 000 feet, the g was further reduced to 0.3 g with a nose up attitude in excess of 80 degrees in order to maintain Mach 0.9 and the aircraft was rotated to the inverted position. Once inverted, g is maintained at 0.2 g until passing 20 000'. At 20 000' the aircraft was rotated to erect flight at approximately 60 degrees nose up and a 2 g rotation to the vertical was commenced, the plan being to pass 30 0000' approaching vertical flight. As 30 000' was passed the focus was shifted to the recovery where supersonic limits and aircraft handling started to become a concern.
We passed the apex altitude going straight up with speed going straight down and a recovery from the vertical was required. If speed went below 200 KIAS, a compressor stall and after burner flameout was probable. In addition, if the speed was insufficient, the aircraft would perform some sort of oscillatory stall and an auto-rotation and spin were quite possible. The rest was rather simple: recover the aircraft, get the engines back on line and get on the ground with fuel that was probably around the 2000 lb mark.
The next problem was FUEL, FUEL, FUEL or rather, the lack of it - just enough to get on the ground with one overshoot if the chute failed. So it was pull 5g and enter a tight spiral to prevent the aircraft from slipping through the sound barrier with engines at idle. Transfer fuel to the number one fuel tank to ensure that there is sufficient fuel if it becomes necessary to shut down the number two engine. The quickest way down was to keep the speed at Mach 0.88 (avoid Mach 0.93 sonic boom speed), fly for the runway for a low altitude pass, break hard onto downwind to get the speed off, gear and flap down with an approach at 170 knots. Pass over the boundary fence at 155 knots and get the chute out on touchdown. Time to breathe as the entire flight should be less than eight minutes.
Just to confirm what I am sure you already know: one afterburner on the Lightning went out quite early and therefore the time to 9 000 m was about 105 seconds, which is sure to be a South African record - but disappointing as the Overberg flight took just 70 seconds to 6000 m and was a better performance.
Well done Thunder City and Ian Pringle in particular - what a wild ride!
IMAX - Fighter Pilot - Operation Red Flag
From Pete van der Spek
Last Monday saw the premiere of Fighter Pilot at Gateway's IMAX theatre in Durban. Not only were invited guests treated to a fantastic movie, they also had a spectacular live show right outside the theatre in the form of SAAF helicopters doing a mock rescue and the Sasol Tigers doing a display. It was all very up close and personal, which makes a change from the airshow circuit where flying displays are getting further away. Despite it being late afternoon/dusk, the Sasol Tigers gave a tight display and the crowd of several hundred just lapped it up. The SAAF helicopters took off right in front of the crowd and, along with the police task force, did a mock rescue of a 'downed' pilot, much like the sequence in Fighter Pilot. Some really tight flying was called for and 15 Squadron from Durban coped extremely well. Starlite Aviation had the task of flying in the Sasol Tigers and they did so in three helicopters freshly painted in Vodacom/Netcare 082911 colours (see second story) and landed in staggered formation, much to this photographer's delight (great photo opportunity).
IMAX is known for its 'in your face' action and Fighter Pilot - Operation Red Flag is no exception. The movie takes you on a wild ride in some awesome hardware - down to almost zero feet at times and up in the clouds at other times. Imagine flying over a B2 bomber which eerily slides by or the action of bombs being dropped and virtually exploding under your feet. Fighter Pilot has it all and is a must for any aviation enthusiast. Don't miss it - you will be sorry if you do.
Going like a Boeing
African Pilot notes that major funding for the latest IMAX blockbuster FIGHTER PILOT: Operation Red Flag was provided by The Boeing Company - allowing the producers (The Stephen Low Company and K2 Communications) - to unleash probably the closest experience any of us will have to flying in one of the world's greatest fighter jets - the F-15 E Strike Eagle.
This Boeing sponsored film premiered at The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum this time last year and has received rave reviews from aviation fans, the military and general public alike.
IMAX and African Pilot are looking to put together an evening for AP readers in Durban. Watch this space for more information. Ticket costs: Adults R35, children, students, pensioners and uniformed services R25. Booking is advisable. Call Gateway IMAX Theatre: (031) 566 4414
Vodacom/Netcare 082911 Rescue Service
From Pete van der Spek
Vodacom and Netcare have banded together to form the Vodacom / Netcare Surf Rescue service for the holiday season. Launched at the Durban branch of the National Sea Rescue Institute, the three superbly painted helicopters were put through their paces by their crews in front of dignitaries, as well as media. Along with two boats of the Sea Rescue Institute, the helicopters did a mock rescue of two 'struggling' men in Durban Harbour. Some good flying by Cameron Dalziel of Starlite Aviation showed off the EC120, which will be based in Durban. The other two helicopters, Eurocopter Ecureuil's, will be based in Margate and Cape Town for the duration of the holiday season.
The simplest way to get hold of one of these helicopters in cases of emergency is to dial 082911. This will get the chopper to the required place in the shortest possible time. Not only will the crews be patrolling and checking for people in distress, they also check for other problems such as sharks swimming close to shore - and close to people. Lifeguards are then alerted who take the necessary action. The service will be available from morning 'till dusk every day. The choppers will be manned by Starlite Aviation crews as well as surf rescue services in the centres concerned.
Some interesting AP Newsletter statistics
50 Newsletters produced through the year, 2005
160 000 words written - average of 3 200 words each
The AP weekly newsletter reaches an estimated 10 000 people
AP Newsletter's recipient audience is global
This is the single most effective way in which to disseminate information within the aviation industry.
Aviation humour
For those of you that are considering Victoria Falls over the Festive Season
"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is your captain (Tony) welcoming both seated and standing passengers on board of Air Zimbabwe.
We apologize for the four-day delay in taking off; it was due to bad weather and some overtime I had to put in at the bakery.
This is flight 126 to Harare. Landing there is not guaranteed, but we will end up somewhere in Zimbabwe and, if luck is in our favour, we may even be landing in your village.
Air Zimbabwe has an excellent safety record. In fact, our safety standards are so high, that even terrorists are afraid to fly with us.
It is with pleasure I announce that, starting this year, over 30% of our passengers have reached their destination.
If our engines are too noisy for you, on passenger request, we can arrange to turn them off.
To make your free fall to earth pleasant and memorable, we serve complimentary Stella tea and Rambawaraira biscuits. For our not-so-religious passengers, we are the only airline who can help you find out if there really is a God.
We regret to inform you, that today's in-flight movie will not be shown, as we forgot to record it from the television. However, for our movie buffs, we will be flying right next to British Airways, where their movie will be visible from the right side of the cabin window.
There is no smoking allowed in this airplane. Any smoke you see in the cabin is only the early warning system on the engines telling us to slow down.
In order to catch important landmarks, we try to fly as close as possible for the best view. If however, we go a little too close, do let us know. Our enthusiastic co-pilot sometimes flies right through the landmark.
Kindly be seated, keep your seat in an upright position for take off and fasten your seat belt. For those of you who can't find a seat-belt, kindly fasten your own belt to the arm of your seat. And, for those of you who can't find a seat, do not hesitate to get in touch with a stewardess who will explain how to fasten yourself to your suitcase."
ENJOY AIR ZIMBABWE
On behalf of all our readers I would like to thank those persons who have sent in aviation humour and quotations through the past year. When I started the AP Newsletter, I had no idea how I was going to keep sharing aviation humour with you, but this task has become easier as items flood into our in box info@africanpilot.co.za.
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