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“Worry is a sustained form of fear caused by indecision.†Brian Tracy
Tribute to Mark Beckley
How does one say goodbye to a friend who has shared so much of ones' life over the past twenty years? We were both professional photographers having built very large photographic studios and we retired from that particular industry for similar reasons. We both decided that the calling for aviation was a huge improvement on that with which we had come to terms with in the advertising industry.
I often enjoyed flying with Mark in formation to airshows. Mark flying his much loved Boeing Stearman and I flying in my beloved Cessna 172. Many times we would practice our formation flying together because the relative speeds of the Stearman and the Cessna were much the same. Mark was the life and soul of the closely knit aviation community, because his dry witty sense of humour was quite infectious. In his flying career, Mark was meticulous in everything he undertook. This was reflected in the quality and condition of his aircraft, which were always immaculate at any given time.
As a family man Mark was married to Moyra for more than twenty-five years, or half his life time. It seems just the other day that we celebrated his 50th birthday at Sky Raiders. His sons, Ross and Ryan have grown into fine young men due to the love and leadership of their parents. On several occasions Mark and his wonderful wife Moyra would provide Sky Raiders free of charge for aviation events. For all of us who mourn Mark's passing, it was a privilege to have been his friend and to share the driving passion of aviation with an incredible man and his family.
“Mark, you were a much loved person; by your family, your many close friends and everyone who knew you. We are all going to miss your incredible smile and passion for aviation. Wherever you are now, may your soul rest in peace.†Athol.
Mark Beckley's funeral arrangements
Moyra Beckley has advised me that Mark's funeral service will be held at the St. Johns College Chapel on Thursday 5 July at 15h30. Moyra also requested that I convey the following message to the aviation fraternity: “Our family is very grateful for the fantastic support we have received from the aviation community - thank you all.â€
Citrashine Tzaneen airshow
Incredible hospitality, outstanding comradeship and excellent weather were the hallmarks of the Letaba Flying Club's annual Tzaneen Bush Pilots' airshow. With more than a hundred visiting aircraft from all over South Africa and a varied airshow programme that captured the imagination of all aviation lovers, the spectators from the region were treated to another famous Tzaneen aviation spectacle. As in the past, the Letaba Flying Club can be justly proud of the considerable effort it put into the Tzaneen airshow.
Although this was a difficult airshow to host due to the tragic accident on the previous day that claimed the life of our friend Mark Beckley, the team pulled together and presented a safe, well managed event that was good value for the R30 adults' entrance fee. On behalf of the travelling airshow teams our sincere thanks go to the members of the Letaba Flying Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Also to Graham Hall of Citrashine who has generously sponsored the Tzaneen airshow for a number of years.
A brand new steel structure control tower was specifically built to accommodate Brian Emmenis of the Capital Sounds team, air traffic controllers and airshow flight directors. The overall preparation of the airfield was outstanding, in that nothing was overlooked. The airfield was 'littered' with litter boxes and this meant that there was virtually no litter throughout the day. In addition, a team of cleaners made sure that the airfield was always in pristine condition. There were many typical airshow food outlets providing for all tastes and an enormous beer tent doubled as an excellent entertainment venue after sundown with a popular local band.
At the club house the ladies of the Letaba Flying Club provided endless food, food and more delicious food as well as ice cold drinks during the day. This was truly a pilot's airshow, because every arriving pilot and his/her passengers were treated like royalty by the club members. Media captain, Frans Dely welcomed photographers and members of the media and all were afforded excellent positions for capturing those special images that fill the magazines. A delicious dinner was served in one of the AMO's hangars. At dinner the club chairman, Rudi Botes announced that a proportion of the gate takings were to be used to purchase blankets for mentally handicapped children at the nearby Letaba School.
Participation by the South African Air Force with Oryx and Augusta helicopters, Cheetah C, Cessna Caravan and skydivers was most welcome. Apart from many of the usual airshow performers, the two that need to be singled out were the display in Mark Beckley's L-39 by Larry Beamish (Moyra Beckley requested that Larry fly ZU RUN as tribute to Mark). The Flying Lions flew the missing man formation at sunset and I do not believe there were many dry eyes during the fitting moments of this magnificent performance.
Many of the regular airshow participants and media expressed their praise for the relatively small group of aviation friends who managed the airshow so successfully. This is precisely the reason why the Citrashine Tzaneen airshow has become known as one of the best on the African continent.
EAA Convention 2007
Pete van der Spek, our Durban correspondent, covered the EAA national convention on behalf of African Pilot this past weekend. A full report with pictures taken by Pete will be published in the August edition of African Pilot. However, I have decided to publish the lovely letter received by Pete and African Pilot from event organiser, Dave Grosvenor.
“Dear Pete
On behalf of all the members of the Experimental Aircraft Association, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to you and African Pilot for taking the time to attend the annual Convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association held at Pietermaritzburg Airport over the weekend of the 29 June - 1 July 2007.
I trust that you had a good time and enjoyed interacting and flying with the EAA members who drove or flew in to Pietermaritzburg for the weekend. We had a very successful convention with about 50 aircraft and 150 people coming to Pietermaritzburg from all over South Africa. All those who were present over the weekend, you would have gone away with a very positive impression of Pietermaritzburg Airport as well as the city of Pietermaritzburg.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Grosvenor
President, EAA Chapter 645â€
Hoedspruit Airshow and Game Festival
From all accounts this airshow scheduled to take place on Saturday 7 July is likely to be a winner. Apart from Cheetah displays, the SAAF Museum Vampire and Mirage III are likely to fly at the airshow. Mark Mansfield will cover this event for African Pilot. For further information on this unusual event that takes place at the Hoedspruit Airfield please contact Col. Anton van Rooyen at (015) 799 2911.
African Pilot's August edition
Most importers of Light Sport Aircraft have already submitted their information for the forthcoming LSA aircraft survey to be published in our August edition. The closing date for advertising acceptances is this Friday 6 July and the magazine will go into full production from Monday 9 July. Please call either Athol or Mark for advertising inquiries: (011) 702 2342/3.
EAA Auditorium News - by Jeremy Woods
Last week was busy with events once again at the Auditorium.
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Tuesday 19 June's lecture was the Weather Workshop presented by the very capable and interesting Deon van der Mescht from SA Weather Services based in Port Elizabeth. It was arranged at very short notice by a group of avid AVCOMers led by Rod Smith a private pilot and full time teacher at St. David's School. The information from Deon in his presentation was interesting and showed how he was trying to change the habits of his fellow forecasters into supplying pilots with more pertinent weather information.
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Wednesday 20 June was another relaxed film show evening hosted by our Courtney Watson - visitors watched the film “Memphis Belle†and enjoyed it on the big screen.
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Saturday morning and some part of the afternoon 23 June was spent “Flipping CAA personnel†- a wonderful initiative by Andre Klepper, Darryl Lush and a few other AVCOM persons. The idea was to build bridges between the general aviation community and CAA. Andre Klepper financed the cost of all the soft drinks, which were supplied by EAA Auditorium and Placo financed the cost of all boerewors rolls that EAA once again supplied and cooked. Many thanks must go to the EAA members who turned up at short notice to help with the catering: Russell Dold, Deena Gounden, Claus Keuchel and others.
Please don't forget the talk show on Thursday the 12 July. Bookings have opened and we are already more than half full for the evening. Our guest as you all know by now is Gavin McKellar, senior South African Airways captain who lives in Cape Town.
Gavin is chairman of the Accident Analysis Committee - International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA), is an expert in aircraft accident prevention and has been awarded among others:
Gavin's father was one of the icons in SAA's training section - a man who influenced my outlook on aviation and life in no small way. He spent ten years in the SAAF where he flew Harvards, Impalas, Mirage III's and Buccaneers.
The subject in which Gavin specialises has an application for all forms of aviation and he is regarded as a world authority in the field of accident prevention and analysis. We are fortunate that Gavin is prepared to give his valuable time to the EAA Aviation Legends Talk Show on 12 July 2007 at the EAA Auditorium at Rand Airport. This talk promises to be enthralling as Gavin is also an exceptional public speaker.
Jeremy Woods - EAA Auditorium Project Coordinator, Rand Airport.
Tel: (011) 888 8495/6 Fax: (011) 888 8497 Cell: 082 883 0436 E-mail: wbmeaa@tiscali.co.za
Chemspec Durban airshow
The Chemspec Durban Airshow celebrates its 51st anniversary this year and the airshow promises to be the best ever with an action packed programme on both days of the event scheduled to take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July.
"All is going well with the organisation so far. It is a mammoth task to get aircraft from all over the South Africa to Virginia Airport on time. However, everything is going according to schedule." said Ray de Vries, spokesman for the event. “The only concern for organisers has been a very large sinkhole that appeared close to the runway during heavy rains a few weeks ago. A storm water drain that runs underneath the airfield to the sea from Durban North blocked up. The result was massive back pressure up the pipe which blew a manhole cover off and resulted in the flooding of the airport. Airport management have contractors on site who are working day and night to ensure that the two metre deep hole is fixed so that the airshow can go ahead."
Over R5 billion worth of aircraft will be at the airshow. In addition, there will be more displays at the Chemspec Durban Airshow 2007 than there have ever been in the airshow's 51 year history. Ticket prices are R80.00 for adults and R50.00 for children from ages 3 to 14 and the same price applies to pensioners. Sunday's airshow is a little more laid back with a thoroughly entertaining programme and the price is R50.00 for adults and R30.00 for children from ages 3 years to 14 years. A new feature of this year's event will be VIP hospitality and the first class tiered seating. For prices on these features please visit the Website: www.durbanairshow.co.za
Editor's comment: The above admission prices are the most expensive that have ever been charged for a South African airshow. An average family of two adults, two teenagers and one younger child will have to part with R370 just to get into the airshow. Then with the cost of refreshments, an average family can expect to spend at least another R300, making this outing difficult for the average family to afford.
East Rand Flying Club Springs Airfield Breakfast July 2007
The club would like to extend an invitation to all pilots who fly into Springs Airfield, FASI, on Saturday 7 July from 07h30 onwards to enjoy a FREE breakfast with us. Please arrive in your aircraft or other flying machine, but be there. A note of caution! Runways 03/21 and 04/22 have circuits to the same side. Please be very careful and watchful for traffic in circuit for the other 'parallel' runway. Watch your spacing, and especially the base leg crossings, across finals for the other runway. Be clear and concise about which runway you use on the radio. There will be a Radio Advisory Service on the day courtesy of Paul Sabatier.
Cessna chooses Thielert Centurion engines
Cessna Aircraft Company, announced last week that it had reached agreement with Germany's Thielert Aircraft Engines to collaborate on future programmes cantered on the Thielert diesel engine. Cessna is the world's leading manufacturer of piston aircraft and therefore becomes one of the most important OEM customers for Thielert's Centurion engines. Over the coming years Thielert expects thousands of engine deliveries. Details are scheduled to be announced later this year by Cessna. This announcement is a significant step forward in the relationship between the two companies that has been formally established through the framework agreement dated 2004.
Thielert has won several European certifications since 2002 for retrofitting diesel engines into Cessna aircraft, and a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the 172 model from the U .S. Federal Aviation Administration was granted in March 2007. Thielert engines feature low fuel consumption, electronic engine control systems, and improved hot-and-high engine performance.
Cirrus jet unveiled in Duluth
Cirrus Design Corporation unveiled a mock-up of its much anticipated "the-jet" at a special ceremony held on Thursday last week at the company's headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. Calling the single-engine aircraft a “personal jet†and a natural extension of the company's SR22 line, co-founder Alan Klapmeier said, “'The-jet' is designed to be owner-flown and it will be loaded with innovative features, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. While it's technologically advanced, it's designed to be exceptionally easy to fly, offering customers the opportunity to grow into yet another lifestyle change with Cirrus."
At the unveiling, Klapmeier stressed that no specifications have been established and the company has not yet set a production timetable. However, there are some targets for which they are aiming, including: speed of 300 knots at 25,000 feet mean sea level; room for up to seven people; and priced between $1 million and $1.2 million. The airplane will reportedly have rotation, take-off, approach and landing speeds similar to those of a modern piston airplane.
'The-jet' will be powered by "a quiet, efficient and lightweight William's jet engine that will give the aircraft great utility, economy and simplicity never before seen in this market," Alan Klapmeier added. For further information please visit: www.the-jet.com
Aero Club of East Africa's Aviation Centre proves popular
The Aero Club's “AVIATION CENTRE", which provides flight planning services, international flight clearances, fuelling of aircraft, 'push-back' , valet services and other facilities has become very popular. A fully-equipped Conference Room for aviation-related meetings, complete with PowerPoint Projector, is experiencing heavy demand. Conferences have already been held there, and the recent Aviation Seminar was also well-attended. A Pilot's Shop is being established. Maps, log books, aviation calculators and magazines are already available. The flight simulator is awaiting some new software and several companies have already tested it and will train their commercial pilots there. Members can also enjoy free Broadband Internet access at the Centre. Weather, NOTAMS and other flight information is being provided free-of-charge. Further, a trolley and tow bar has been purchased for use by ACEA members. Aircraft owners can also have their planes washed and cleaned at the Centre. All pilots, particularly sport and private pilots, are urged to make use of this facility at Wilson Airport.
New Kenya Aviation Regulations are being reviewed again due to objections
The Kenya Association of Air Operators and the Aero Club of East Africa have voiced the concern of the aviation community about the new Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations that were recently signed into law by the Minister of Transport. A committee has been established by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, headed by Under-Secretary Koech and comprising Ramesh Peshavaria, Harro Trempenau, Fred Opot, Helen Wavre, Eng. Njuguna, and Tad Watts from the aviators. The Aero Club has already submitted its report, outlining its concerns about the new KCARS vis-Ã -vis private and sport aviation. Amongst many other issues, the Club has pointed out that the new Regulations do not recognize the new Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) that in other countries are considered the future of flying training and recreational aviation. Microlights and experimental aircraft are also being marginalized in Kenya. Other concerns are the proposals to require pilot licenses and registration papers for gliders. Skydivers are being subjected to 25 pages of regulations. The Club also objected to the proposed Aerial Work Regulations, the structure of ballooning regulations, and the onerous bureaucratic requirements for film production and car rally flying. The Aero Club and the KAOAO believe that the 1 200 pages of regulations will smother aviation with red tape and result in extremely high costs of operating aircraft.
East Africa Aero Club Air Rally successful
The 2007 Navex Air Rally of the Aero Club of East Africa took place last week-end. On Friday 22 June, the aircraft departed from Orly airfield to begin the circuitous flight to Baringo. The route, designed by Rory McGuinness and Chris Hardisty, added to participants penalty points, first in the Kedong Valley, then in the area north of Nakuru, and finally in the Kerio Valley. The rally participants landed at Baringo after 2.5 hours of challenging flying and navigation. Saturday was a rest day during which some competitors and organisers cured their hang-over, only to challenge their livers again at Sundowners kindly sponsored by Kuehne & Nagel at "Gibraltar Rock", another island in the lake. On Sunday, the second leg of the rally began at noon, ending in the Kedong Valley before landing at Wilson Airport. . The shorter second leg route was manned by eight groups of Marshals, all situated at 'secret check-points'.
The aim of a Navex was for aircraft to fly a precise route, from turning point to turning point. Aircraft must remain within 250 meters of the track, and always on time, to the second. Results of the event were: 3rd Place: Cessna 182 - Cor Roest (Pilot) and Simon Herd (Navigator), 2nd Place: RV 7A - Eric Boullay (Pilot) and Rob Phyre (Navigator), 1st Place: Cessna 206 - H. Trempenau (Pilot) and Eric Hallard (Navigator).
The Aero Club of East Africa is very grateful to Chris Hardisty and Rory McGuiness for organising the event. Thanks also go to Club Manager, Anthea Bwye, for the logistics work (accommodation, transport, fuel) and to the many Marshals who drove long distances to some very remote locations along the route.
Nairobi airshow on track for 7 October 2007 at Wilson Airport
The Aero Club of East Africa is on track to hold the 2007 Nairobi Air Show at Wilson Airport on 7 October 2007. After months of promotion by PR Company Visergy Limited, sufficient sponsorship has been found to ensure a credible event. In a visionary move, the Kenya Airports Authority has come forward as the main sponsor of the Show.
The Kenya Air Force, the Kenya Army, the Police Air Wing and the South African aerobatics team of Dennis Spence have confirmed their participation. Many local performers will also be flying again, including Skydivers, Microlights, gyrocopters, gliders, helicopters and many different airplanes.
Aero Club of East Africa commissions online airfield directory
The Aero Club of East Africa commissioned Michael M. Smith to design and produce of an "on-line" Airfield Directory for Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The site will be hosted by Access Kenya Limited. The project will result in a data base of most airfields in the region. Information will be submitted by users and be constantly updated. Each airfield will be described, with latitude and longitude, runway characteristics, services, peculiarities of the airfield, and much more. Photographs of the airfields will also be included. The Club will seek legal advice to address any liability concerns.
Pilot not allowed access to her aircraft at Wilson Airport, Nairobi
A private pilot, dressed in civilian clothing, was stopped at the Wilson terminal last week and prevented from walking to the Flight Planning Office on the airside, where she wanted to file a Flight Plan. The KAA security man, in a yellow uniform, did not accept her PPL and told her that, to go to the AIS Flight Planning Office at the Tower, she firstly had to go to the KAA office and obtain a daily 'Airside Pass' at a cost of Shs500. Only then would she be able to get to the Tower and, presumably, to her aircraft.
The Aero Club of East Africa and the Kenya Association of Air Operators have already contacted the Airport Manger to file a complaint about this harassment. According to the Chicago Convention, all pilots who hold an ICAO member state licence are permitted to access the airside of airports, to walk to their planes or the Tower.
Aviation Humour - well not really
A mute person goes into a shop to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is concluded. Next, a blind man comes into the shop to buy a pair of sunglasses. How does HE indicate what he wants?
ANSWER: He just has to open his mouth and ask! |
