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One of the beautiful things about a single piloted aircraft is the quality of the social experience. Anonymous
African Pilot's March edition
This coming week is the final opportunity to place advertising in our March edition since the magazine will go to the printer on Thursday afternoon. Final acceptances are therefore up to the close of business on Tuesday 13 February. Please contact our marketing department on: marketing@africanpilot.co.za or call (011) 702 2342/3 or 078 4713010. Thank you.
Position for a proof reader at African Pilot
For the past year Hetta Bosart has undertaken our proof reading on a freelance basis. Sadly, Hetta will be leaving the Kyalami region at the end of February and therefore the March edition will be her final read for African Pilot. We will be launching a second publication (not in aviation) by mid year and therefore the proof reader will have two monthly magazines to read on a regular basis. We need to stress that this position is a part time appointment and does not provide for permanent employment status. If you know of someone who has an excellent command of the English language, is meticulous and organised, please ask this person to contact our offices at: editor@africanpilot.co.za Thank you.
Changes on the airshow calendar
Please note that there is another change to the 2007 Airshow Calendar
In view of the EAA not being able to host its annual convention at the Wonderboom Airport from the 27 April to 1 May, a decision was taken by the Margate Airshow Committee to change their date from the 16 June to the 27 April to 1 May.
Their plan is to invite as many EAA members to fly down to the Margate to enjoy the sunshine coast. The Airshow Committee will then be able to test the waters and see what kind of reaction they receive. Several incentives are being discussed. The event is not being organized to disrupt or interfere with any of the EAA operations but merely to accommodate the EAA members and other pilots who wish to come to Margate for a fun filled weekend. Hopefully this could be the start of reviving the good old days of Margate .
Initial program:
Friday 27 April Arrival and fly around
Saturday 28 April Airshow day
Sunday 29 April Fly around - fun at the field
Monday 30 Apr or Tuesday1 MayDeparture(1 May is a public holiday)
"Time to close the book on age 60" Marion Blakey FAA Administrator
The FAA will propose a new rule that would raise the retirement age for airline pilots to 65, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said last week. During a speech at the National Press Club in Washington , D.C. , Blakey reiterated the history of the age-60 rule, and said, "This is a change whose time has come." Issues of experience and equity clearly support change, she said, as well as the need for "global harmonization" with international rules, which as of last November allow for one pilot on airline crews to be over 60. Safety will be enhanced by keeping experienced pilots in the cockpit, she said. The new rule will apply only to pilots who haven't reached 60 by the time the rule takes effect.
1Time introduces Durban to Cape Town
According to our research, lots of Durban people want to hike up a hill that is higher than the statue of uShaka. There are also lots of people who want to have a paddle in the sea that lasts longer than 30 seconds. So we came up with a brilliant idea comfortable, direct, low-cost flights between these two great cities! That is why you can fly between Cape Town and Durban for just R198 one way. Book your luxurious leather seat with decent legroom online now and until midnight 1 February 2007 by logging on to: www.1time.co.za and, if you are only bringing hand-luggage, then you can also use eCheck-in service, which lets you check-in online 24 hours before your flight. Don't delay because there are only 30 seats per flight at this rock-bottom price. Offer is valid for flights from 25 March 30 September 2007.
Choose Aircraft Charter as the safe option for air travel
Aircraft charter ensures passenger safety, flexibility, convenience, privacy, speed, comfort and security. Services unmatched by those afforded to the passenger from Commercial Air Travel. Aircraft charter will help you avoid long hours spent waiting in airports for connecting flights, time consuming check-in queues and baggage delay issues. Aircraft charter flies to your own itinerary, allowing you to manage your time.
NAC's charter crews are qualified commercial pilots and our extensive fleet consists of the latest executive jets, pressurized turbo-props and piston engine aircraft, together with single and twin engine helicopters, says Martin Banner, NAC CEO, Time is a valuable commodity to the busy business executive and aircraft charter services will save you from facing the inconveniences of commercial airline transport.
All of NAC's charter aircraft and helicopters are maintained by qualified engineers at one of our ISO 9001:2000 quality assured in-house facilities, in accordance with regulations laid down by aviation authorities, added Banner.
Our unique VIP Passenger Service is unrivalled in the general aviation industry, says Attie Niemann, NAC Executive Director Operations, This 24-hour VIP service is designed to assist you through every stage of your travel itinerary, whether it is baggage handling or passport control.
When making a choice of aircraft charter companies, always establish if the company is licensed and reputable. By choosing NAC Charter you can be safe in the knowledge you have made the right decision.
kulula thanks Virgin Money!
Last week kulula.com offered its appreciation to Virgin Money for publishing research into the credit card market showing that the kulula VISA credit card has the most attractive and generous rewards programme around. Gidon Novick, joint CEO of kulula.com said: "Thank you to Virgin for undertaking this study and getting to the heart of what customers really are getting from the many options available in the market."
The research included a comparison of all major credit cards on the market on various dimensions. The report highlighted that with the average credit card it takes over five years and R196 ,000 of spend to earn a free return flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town whereas on the kulula card it takes only eleven months and R33,000. The report also showed the annual fees on the kulula card to be amongst the lowest in the market at only R150.
Since kulula launched its credit card in August last year it has signed up over 15,000 cardholders. According to Novick "Over 2,000 of these customers have already used their moolah towards free flights." He added "While we encourage our customers to shop and spend responsibly, the appeal of quick and easy free flights have resulted in a very high average spend per card."
The kulula credit card is underwritten and managed by Firstrand Bank Limited, an authorised financial services provider
- Customers earn 'moolah' of 3% on spend at any purchases while 6% is earned using the card on kulula purchases
- Moolah can be used towards any kulula flight, anytime
- Cards applications are available on-line or by calling 0860 MOOLAH
Oshkosh 2007
The Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture the greatest aviation celebration on earth' takes place in Oshkosh each year during the last week of July. For any person who has either AVGAS or JET A1 running in their veins, this is an airshow not to be missed. A visit to Oshkosh at least once in a lifetime is absolutely essential. Two South African tour operators reguarly take aviation enthusiasts across the big pond to the good old US of A to experience the magic of EAA. Your choice of tour operator is dependent on your personal comfort requirements. Air Adventure Tours is for those persons who enjoy the camping option together with fellow South Africans. However, Designer Tours offers en-suite hotel accommodation and coach transfers to and from the airfield.
Air Adventure Tours 084 6745674 Neil1@telkomsa.net From R15 850 per person
The quoted price includes: airfares, airport taxes, transfers, camping accommodation in tents to be provided, breakfasts and guaranteed fun.
Neil Bowden has managed the camping option on the Whitman airfield for many years now. During this time Neil has built up an inventory of tents, chairs, skottel braais, mattresses, stretchers and all the equipment that is necessary to provide a level of comfort for happy campers'. Over the past five years, African Pilot has actively promoted and travelled with Neil's tour, which I can report is a holiday with a difference'.
One of the advantages of travelling with the South African camping group is to return to camp each evening and spent quality time with fellow South Africans who share the same love for aviation. Last year Neil and his team of assistants planned for evening meals to be prepared at the campsite and together with the famous sing-along entertainment provided by Dix Vorster there is absolutely no doubt that the South Africans have made their mark on US soil.
Both tours require that individuals pay their own entrance fees to AirVenture and the easiest way to do this is to follow the registration procedure from the EAA Website. Entrance is certainly less expensive to become an EAA member and pay these fees up front whilst you are still in South Africa . All EAA members also receive the outstanding magazine Sport Aviation' as a benefit of membership posted to their South African address. Please follow the link provided for EAA membership registration : www.eaa.org and click on the button Join EAA'
Adult membership is US $40 per annum, whilst entry into AirVenture is US $102 for members against US $190 for non-members.
Designer Tours (021) 788 8440 calvin@designer.co.za From R19 200 per person
The keychange this year is that the tour is going back to the Flying Circus, which is operated on Sundays from May to October, by a group of United Airlines Captains, flying their own Steerman and Waco airplanes. Our group used to attend annually and during the morning, everyone enjoyed a 20 minute flip (some paid a surcharge for an aerobatic flip). We were guests at the show pilots briefing, then at 14H00 the airshow began.
Billed as a Barnstorming Airshow', the event takes place from a grass strip on a farm complete with old wooden barns for the aircraft. Features like formation flying, aerobatics, wing walking, parachute drops, mailbag drops and pick-ups, are some of the humorous acts. The main pilots are three generations of John King. John Snr. was a United Capt.,John is currently a United Captain, and John Jnr. is an accomplished wing walker.
After the show, the show pilots and ground crews and the South Africans enjoyed an evening of pizzas and beers under the trees. We became good pals, and their Website features pictures of the South Africans enjoying themselves at the Flying Circus.
The tour moves on to Oshkosh on the first day being a Monday. As a result we were obliged to drop the Flying Circus and use the Sunday to move up to Oshkosh . However, after three years we are going to drop the first day at Oshkosh , and go back to the Flying Circus on the Sunday. I took a poll of the guys who have been to Oshkosh - both those who experienced the Flying Circus and those who did not and received a 100% return that Flying Circus as an option. It is worth noting that the original Flying Farmer act emanates from the Flying Circus and the last time I was there he was still going, but he is getting on in years and he may not be a feature any longer.
New SAA cash mayday after a very tough year
From Business Day
Talks were under way with the national treasury to secure state support for the further recapitalization of struggling national airline South African Airways (SAA), which had experienced another very tough' financial year, Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin told Parliament last week.
Erwin told a parliamentary briefing that the airline needed additional funds to strengthen its balance sheet, and to expand its fleet and route network. Should the treasury agree to the use of state funds for a recapitalization, it would be the second capital injection received by SAA in three years. The first was the R6bn ploughed into the organisation by TransNet early in 2004 to clear its hedge book losses. The recapitalisation would give SAA a boost as it separates from former parent company TransNet and operates as an independent state-owned enterprise reporting directly to government. `
Erwin would not disclose the sum under discussion, but SAA CEO Khaya Ngqula said late last year that SAA needed about R4bn, Ngqula stressed at the time that government would not put new money into the company and that the funds would come from the markets, with government hopefully guaranteeing 50% of the capital raised.
Erwin said various options for financial support for SAA were under consideration. His support for a capital injection represents an about-turn as South African Transport and Allied Workers` Union general secretary Randall Howard said last month that Erwin had refused the union's request for state support for SAA to prevent retrenchments.
Last week Erwin said The state would not `bale out` SAA or any other state-owned enterprises to make good their losses in future Government wanted them to operate off their own balance sheets and to remove state guarantees.
Should Finance Minister Trevor Manuel approve the use of state funds, it is likely that provision will be made for the recapitalisation in the budget on 21 February. Erwin told Parliament's two public enterprises committees that the recapitalisation would not avert the need for SAA to cut jobs as it was imperative the airline cut its costs. SAA has indicated that more than 1 000 employees might have to go. Erwin said the South African Airways Bill provided for the transfer of SAA from TransNet to government and its-creation as a separate, unlisted public company.
He said it was important for the state to maintaining strategic control over the airline, but this did not rule out the possibility of disposing of a minority stake in future. If there was a public offering; this would be only in several years' time. Erwin hinted that SAA would perform poorly in the financial year to end-March. While the airline's passenger volumes had grown, higher fuel costs and greater competition in the market had offset the airlines profitability.
In the six months to end-September 2006, SAA reported a 7% rise in operating costs to R10.l bn, while revenue reached R9.6bn. It posted a net loss R652m higher than last year's interim loss of R475m. In the 2005/06 year profit fell 90% to R65m from R648m on a 13% increase in revenue to R9.4 bn.
Aviation Humour
Cabin announcement from a Southwest Airlines steward: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa . To operate your seatbelt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight.It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn'tbe out in public unsupervised."
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