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Mastering the prohibited maneuvers in the Operations Manual is one of the best forms of aviation life insurance you can get. Anonymous
The passing of Brig. Gen Kriegler
To all members SAAF Museum and Friends we regret to inform you that Brig Gen Kriegler passed away in the early hours of Saturday 13 May after a short illness. General Kriegler was the pilot for Shackleton 1722, and a patron of SAAF Museum Cape Town. To the many friends that he had, he was affectionately known as "Ben Gunn"
To his friends and family, our deepest condolences.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember him.
C. J. Teale - Museologist at the SA Air Force Museum AFB Ysterplaat.
SASOL / Rand Jozi airshow
The annual Rand airshow held on mother's day 14 May (Sunday) could not have had finer weather and this showed with the large crowd that attended. As before the airport was excellently laid out with a few noticeable additions such as parking on the western side of the airfield. The large selection of both aviation and non aviation related show stands meant that there was something for everyone, especially the children.
One of the most important features of the Rand Airport airshow has always been the outstanding performance of the pilots in an exciting menu of displays due to the fact that many of the airshow aircraft are resident at Rand. This year was no exception as the 'fast and furious' programme got underway with the flight of nine Harvards in two formations. Due to the almost calm conditions both runways were utilised therefore keeping the show in front of the audience all the time. Throughout the day there was hardly a time when the sky was empty as the combination of Kevin Woolacott (ramp co-ordinator) and Ricardo Afonso (AT) kept the display pilots on toes. Rand is also well positioned for an airshow of this nature since except for the late afternoon; the sun is always behind the spectators. A well managed airshow always delivers excellent value for the spectators who after all have paid an entrance fee.
The new concept of Acro Racing and Helo Racing went down very well with all nine fixed-wing and four helicopter participants adding a new dimension to the airshow scene. The crowd broke into spontaneous applause when Brad Bennetts won the Acro racing in an exciting photo finish. Well done to Scully Levin and his team for successfully creating an amazing event, which I am certain, we will see at other airshows around the country. The inclusion of the SAAF for the first time at Rand with the Silver Falcons, Oryx helicopter, Cessna Caravan and the Cheetah all the way from AFB Mikado was welcomed by the crowds.
Johan Jacobs and his jet car raced the L-39 ZU TEE flown by Pierre Gouws now repainted black and sporting Castrol colours down the main runway 11 to pass by several explosions in the middle of the airfield. The three Sasol Tiger Delfin L-29s flew with Russian Knight Pilot Skvla in the back seat in a gentle display of masterful formation aerobatics. There were many other airshow displays too numerous to cover in the short space of this newsletter. However, Rand management can be proud of their effort that kept spectators on their feet throughout the day and delivered a safe event that ran ahead of schedule for much of the program.
Remarks from a selection of spectators and pilots after the show:
James Hill - Friends of the SAAF Museum
The atmosphere at Rand is always great and the programme well planned with no dead spots, whilst the flying is exceptional.
Theo de la Rey - Friends of the SAAF Museum
I enjoyed the air race between the helicopters and the fixed wing aerobatic aircraft. What I missed was a fly past of a SAA airliner or other airliner, but I saw a Cheetah and was impressed with its performance.
Anton Kruger - Manager Rand Airport
This was a major team effort that worked like clockwork and I am very proud to be associated with the Rand Airport team.
Ryan Beckley - Biggles Junior
The most professional and well organised airshow of the circuit with new acts such as air racing, the sound of the crowd was amazing, but they will be louder next year because there will be even better displays for the spectators.
Martin van Straten - SASOL Tiger pilot
Great show, great wingman. It is easy to soar like an eagle when you are not surrounded by a bunch of vultures.
Vicky Karropoulos - Classique Aviation
This was the first airshow that I have attended in a while, but it definitely will not be my last because the show, the planes and the pilots were awesome. I will be obtaining my PPL in a few weeks' time and hope to join future airshows in the context of a pilot.
Brad Bennetts - Mazda Zoom-zoom Zlins
Thanks to Control Instruments for sponsoring the most exciting addition to the airshow circuit.
Mark Beckley - Boeing Stearman
Geez! - it was a lekker airshow! - For our international readers this means that the airshow was outstanding
Skvla - Russian Knights Sukoi SU-27 pilot
This was a really open airshow with a successful finish where spirit of the atmosphere of aviation is unique to South Africa - this comes from my heart
Peter v.d. Westhuyzen - Albat pilot
Better Rand airshow, with the addition of the Acro racing arousing public interest to aviation.
Brian Zeederberg - Airshow flight director
We worked so hard that the airshow ran as much as 18 min ahead of the programme at one stage. The Acro racing made a fantastic debut and will be an ongoing success for future airshows.
Ralf Dominick - SASOL Tigers
This airshow was so good that it will be a hard act to follow.
Leone Schulenburg- Saward - married to S-1-11B pilot
The Acro and Helo racing was extraordinary and has added huge value to the airshow scene. Watch out for the first new generation Pitts Special at the Virginia airshow in Durban.
Kevin Woolacott - airshow coordinator extraordinaire
It is always a pleasure to work with absolute professionals, from ATNS, the media, airport management and the Pilots who participated.
Lee Holmes - ASSA / Event Energy
Great show of support from team sponsors and a special word of thanks to Sasol and Control Instruments for their support.
Frans Dely - Aviation Dimension
This was a great airshow and in particular it was great to se the SAAF back at the Rand airport airshow in 2006.
Final remark from African Pilot
Whilst I agree with the sentiments expressed above, I must point out that the media were afforded excellent opportunities to capture those special pictures due to the far sighted attitude of Rand Airport management and the organisers. On behalf to ALL the media, I wish to thank you all for the opportunity to deliver pictures that will be well utilised for future airshow events. I wish to mention a special word of thanks to Roger Machin from CANON who allowed several photographers to use CANON lenses that many photographers can only dream about. The group of photographers, mostly utilising CANON digital equipment estimated that between them they had taken more than 10 000 pictures at this airshow.
Cirrus day in Rustenburg - Saturday 13 May
Piet van Blerk and his team from CDC Aviation, representing Cirrus in South Africa, organised a Cirrus fly-in to Rustenburg for all Cirrus owners, the media and other pilots who have expressed an interest in Cirrus aircraft types. The day was hosted by the Rustenburg Flying Club and all but three Cirrus aircraft already flying in South Africa attended. CDC Aviation has also associated their company with the Reach for a Dream Foundation and several terminally ill children were offered their first flight in a Cirrus aircraft. Piet explained that CDC would be assisting with the provision of airborne transport for children or their parents when the situation arose and he appealed to others to follow his company's example.
Mr. John Bingham - VP Sales & Marketing of Cirrus was also present to give everyone an interesting presentation on the development of the Cirrus aircraft type. The company now employs 1 200 people in its manufacturing facilities in the USA and has already started assembling aircraft in the Isle of White in the UK and in Australia, whilst the Latin American market has started opening up for Cirrus. John also announced that Cirrus is definitely looking at the production of a Very Light Jet to be known as the 'Cirrus Jet' as the logical step up in the Cirrus family. The Cirrus aircraft is now the best selling aircraft in the world with 701 planes produced in 2005 and 750 expected during this year.
Brad Bennetts and Ian Billing flew their Mazda Zoom-zoom Zlins over to Rustenburg for an exciting aerial ballet display. They also flew two Cirrus aircraft in a close formation display with Piet in one machine with Brad and me in the other with Ian at the controls. After the various demonstration flights the Cirrus owners, their families and visitors were loaded into a luxury bus for the Pilansberg game reserve.
African Pilot would like to thank Graeme Clarke from King Air Services for the lift from Lanseria to Rustenburg in his immaculate red Bell 407 and to Andy Currin for the ride back to Lanseria in the CDC Cirrus. Also to the 10 Cirrus owners who assisted with the photography of their aircraft lined up on the taxiway.
Pietermaritzburg airshow next weekend
The capital city of Kwa-Zulu Natal brings you vintage and homebuilt aircraft, a choice line up of popular aviation acts, some of which have not been seen before in this region. Unfortunately it appears that much of the available accommodation in the town has already been taken up due to several major events happening in the town this weekend. For further information please contact Pietermaritzburg Tourism on (033) 345 1348 or the airshow office at (033) 346 0929.
EAA South Africa news
On one evening every month, the EAA presents a Talk Show at the new EAA Rand Auditorium (the refurbished old squash court at Transvaal Aviation Club at Rand Airport). Usually two guest speakers are interviewed by the talk host, Karl Jensen. The lively shows which have proved to be immensely popular commence promptly at 19h30. Booking is essential and the project co-coordinator is Jeremy Woods 082 8830436. The next EAA Talk Show takes place on 8 June 2006 with guests Horace Bock and Jonathan Balladon who were crew on the desert Shackleton accident. The EAA is offering a course on Formation Flying. The course is to be presented by Jeff Earle with CAA approval to comply with ASSA and Aero Club of South Africa requirements for participants at air shows in South Africa. The course will be presented at the EAA Rand Auditorium. Notes and reference documentation will be provided as well as teas. The cost will be R250/person or R200/person if you are an EAA or Aero Club of South Africa member. The course will run at 19h30 for 22h00 on July 6, August 3, September 7 and October 5. Contact numbers are: Stan Oliver: 082 5686827 or Jeff Earle: 083 6521002. From the CAASA newsletter - from CEO Oliver Stratford
R10 / liter - Unbelievable!
In some quarters the projection is that this is the price that one could be expected to pay for Avgas by the end of this year! The subject of current and future supplies of Avgas has been high on the agendas of the Affiliate Executive Committee meetings, but letters to the Petroleum Industry have brought no response to date, and as a result the Executive committees have resolved to solicit government support in an endeavour to have a stable and sustainable supply of Avgas to the industry in the future.
Sadly, unlike in other countries, there is no contract with the fuel companies here for the supply of this grade of fuel., and the a current shortage is due to the fact that two refineries decided to shut down their production facilities for maintenance reasons within months of one another. This could have been avoided if there had been some form of communication between the two companies, or there was some organised control to prevent this from happening.
Air BP are at present delivering only 50% of their regular supply to industry members, but reported that a ship had been procured and loaded with 1 million litres of imported fuel and should be docking early in May. However, this fuel will not reach customers straight away since it will take some time to pump the fuel out and then distribute it. In any event, how far will 1 million litres of fuel go? This is obviously a stopgap situation.
Insofar as the longer term is concerned, there appears to be no decline in the manufacture of piston engines for general aircraft, and newer models are being produced and coming onto the market, with order books running well past 2010, even though there is no firm commitment from the fuel companies that they will continue to supply Avgas.
Air BP say that research is taking place in the US in an attempt to produce lead-free fuel for piston-engined aircraft, but this is a along way off. Current operators are calling for a switch to Mogas to ensure the continuation of their businesses and will be pursuing this option with the engine manufacturers.
There does not seem to be a concerted effort to terminate the production of piston engines and institute a total move towards gas turbines. The advent of the diesel engine shows some promise, however, but it has yet to prove itself. With over 3000 piston-engined aircraft on the South African register, one can see why there is some cause for concern.
1000km Fun Fly - 24 June 2006
Please could you be so kind and forward this email to your club members or other interested parties or print out this email and place it on the notice boards in your clubhouses.
The Men with Balls motorbike rally is an annual institution in the Free State and is organized by the Christian Bikers association which covers a 1000km route in the Free State in the middle of the winter. The date for the rally is the 24th of June 2006. The rally is organized to raise funds that are then donated to charities like Meals on Wheels etc. This year the organizers are raising funds for the cancer ward. The ward urgently needs funds to assist some of the patients.
We approached the organizers and asked if we could join forces and present a 1000km fun fly over the same route. Entrants will have 12 hours to complete the course with two mandatory landings (Fuel is available at these airports). Participants will start and finish at the Tempe airfield in Bloemfontein. The competition will be judged on three legs namely: Speed (Handicap) and accuracy of navigation, photo identification and spot landing. Entrants (per aircraft) will receive 2 shirts, 2 badges and trophies for completing the fun fly. The first three places will also receive prizes. In the evening a function will be held for all the entrants and for a small amount extra (R35 per person) spouses and children are welcome.
The entry fee is R450 per plane of which R200 will be donated towards the cancer ward. Entries are limited to 15 planes & motor gliders and entries will be treated on a first come first serve basis. We can also assist in arranging accommodation if required. Come and join us for a fun filled day and help us raise funds for a worthy cause.
For any further information please contact Jacques van Wyk
E-mail: Jacquesvw@JGLConsulting.co.za or 082 454 97171
2006 African Bush Pilots Fly-in - 3 June 2006
Bush Air (Barberton Valley Airfield), South Africa.
Co-ords: S25°42'87 E030°58'39 - elevation: 2 340ft - Freq:124.80 - Call sign: "Bush Air".
Africa's premier, most exciting and exhilarating Fly-In event!
- Camping next to your aircraft in a subtropical climate
- Bush Flying, General flying & STOL, Formations, Banner Towing & Crop Spraying displays.
- "Air Raid" Stunt show & Fire bombing displays etc... Come see the only Airshow Pyrotechnic Stunt Show in Africa!
- Competitions: Short take off & Landing, Spot landing, flour bombing, toilet roll chasing etc... (Open to anyone with a flying machine of any kind)
- Skydiving displays
- Static exhibitions and displays
- Massive high impact Fireworks display. (evening Sat 3rd)
- Nightly entertainment in the "Bush Pilots Pub" with food, braai packs and drinks on sale
- Camping and ablution facilities with showers
- Off airfield accommodation: Jock of the Bushveld Tel: 013 712 4002 apx.4km. There are also many B&B's in Barberton about 15Km from airfield.
- Extreme Fun, Action, Excitement and Adrenaline! There is absolutely NO other similar event anywhere in Africa. The success of previous year's events was mainly due to the fun, exciting, rustic and an easy going atmosphere. We encourage all pilots to actively participate in this fun and exciting event
- Pilots are also openly invited to come and show off their skills and machines. We are offering free exhibit space and registration fee's to all mission pilots, medevac pilots and their aircraft
- One of the highlights of the aerial stunt show and pyrotechnics display this year and again a "1st" & "only" in SA will be the enormous and devastating NAPALM "Wall of Fire" similar to the one produced at the annual EAA Fly-In in Oshkosh, USA! Another highlight will be the aerial water bombing of the fires and debris created during the "Air Raid" by Forest Fire Association aircraft from Nelspruit.
Anyone interested in attending or exhibiting to please send in your registration form/email to us ASAP to mail@bushair.co.za EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY JUST COMING AS A SPECTATOR. We have very limited space available and need to know how many vehicles and if any.
This "Fly-In" is not an "Airshow". The general public are not invited
. Contact: "CC" 082 490 5721 or E-mail: cc@bushair.co.za
SAX unveils first Q400 aircraft in Africa
South African Express Airways welcomed its newest acquisition, the Canadian built Bombardier Q400 aircraft. At a ceremony attended by Public Enterprises Minister, Alec Erwin, Transnet Group Chief Executive, Ms Maria Ramos and 200 guests, South African Express Airways (SAX) CEO Siza Mzimela said the aircraft, which arrives as SAX celebrates 12 years of existence, will enrich the company's intra-Africa networks and increase frequency for the convenience of its customers.
Mzimela said the new aircraft will help transform the aviation industry in South Africa. 'As the competitive landscape changes, to keep the edge in a fast changing market, we need to develop flexibility, a quick reaction towards change and a product offering that meets the requirements of our passengers. We are proud to be at the forefront of these changes.'
Maria Ramos, Transnet Group CEO said: 'The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that the global airline passenger traffic is expected to have grown by 7.6% last year, 6.5% this year and 6.2% next year. It is therefore not surprising that the South African civil aviation industry is also experiencing airline travel growth.'
'I am proud that SA Express has shared in our country's aviation growth, providing services to destinations such as Kimberley and Richards Bay, and the Q400 will enhance aviation growth in our country. The acquisition of this aircraft enjoys our support. We reviewed a number of worldwide case studies where the Q400 has assisted other regional airlines to remain competitive under difficult operating environments,' Ramos said.
SAX Chairman Stavros Nicolaou said: 'In line with its feeder airline leadership on the continent, SAX has become Africa's first airline to take receipt of the new state of the art Q400's. The Q400's will not only contribute to enhancing SAX's operational efficiencies, but are set to benefit consumers by reducing travel time between various destinations, passing on cost efficiencies due to better fuel utilisation and because it is a newer regional turbo prop, passengers will experience greater comfort and a less noisy flight. This cutting edge first for Africa and first for SAX is in line with our vision of ensuring enhanced customer service and fleet efficiency across the African skies.'
'The aircraft has very good economics and is the perfect fit for our local and regional routes. It is the most economical and comfortable turboprop aircraft in the world making it the most ideal aircraft for our operations," Mzimela said. 'SAX selected the Bombardier Q400 to expand its fleet for passenger comfort, improved technology, reliability and the aircraft's excellent operating economics. Our customers expect an exceptional travel experience from our airline. With this aircraft and our belief in service excellence, we have a perfect combination for them.'
The aircraft will fly the Johannesburg - Bloemfontein route and the Johannesburg - George route with increased frequency to both destinations. In addition to the two Bombardier Q 400 aircraft, SAX's fleet consists of six modern Canadair Regional Jets (CRJs) and seven De Havilland Dash 8 300 turboprop aircraft.
Aviation humour
As the airliner pushed back from the gate, the flight attendant gave the passengers the usual information regarding seat belts, etc.
Finally, she said, "Now sit back and enjoy your trip while the Captain, Judith Campbell and crew take you safely to your destination."
Joe sitting in the eighth row thought to himself, "Did I hear her right? Is the captain a woman?"
When the attendants came by with the drink cart, he said, "Did I understand you right? Is the captain a woman?"
"Yes," said the attendant, "in fact, this entire crew is female."
"My God," said Joe, "I'd better have two scotch and sodas. I don't know what to think of all those women up there in the cockpit."
"That's another thing sir," said the attendant, "We no longer call it the cockpit. Now the sharp end is now known as the box office." | 