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Plains burnished by autumn whispering peace and mists of a winter's morning rise in languid veils of clear blue skies. Spring blushes with the alluring charm of building storms and summer soars in sheets of green with dramatic skies above. Modified from the original text.
Another first for African Pilot
African Pilot has consistently given southern African aviation magazine readers real value for their R25 per month or R220 on subscription per year. We are at the forefront of aviation development with regard to the use of computer based information technology. This time we are happy to announce our Virtual Magazine Website' .
African Pilot's Virtual Magazine Website
We have entered the testing phase of the new virtual magazine', which we expect to be completed by June later this year. This month's edition is available for your perusal on our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za where individuals may register once only for all future virtual copies of our monthly magazine absolutely free of charge. At this stage the full article may be read on your computer screens as well as printed on your own printer. In future all advertisers will be linked to their own individual Websites at no extra cost. Through this modern information technology method we expect to reach considerably more readers throughout the world than ever before. In addition the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa ABC - has elected to approve virtual copies' provided the readers are registered.
This method of sharing African Pilot magazine with world wide audiences represents a quantum leap forward in South African aviation magazine publishing and we are proud to be spearheading new technology. Since the process is now in its development stage, we would appreciate any feedback from our readers. Your thoughts and suggestions will all be considered as part of the final production of African Pilot's Virtual Magazine.
African Pilot's April edition
Our team will be getting the April edition ready for print this week, therefore the last chance to secure your advertising space will be on Tuesday 6 March. We welcome our new proof reader, Gordon Dyne, who has considerable flying experience. Having published some sixty editions over the past five years, I am all too aware how important the proof reading position has become, especially with technical terms in aviation. At the same time I would like to thank the many applicants who were prepared to assist with the proof reading of African Pilot. Don't delay book today e-mail: marketing@africanpilot.co.za or call Travis at +27 11 702 2342/3
SA CAA Media statement - Illegal aviation training schools
The South African Civil Aviation Authority would like to caution the public about the increasing number of unlicensed aviation training institutions that promise aspirant cabin crew and pilot's bursaries or affordable training specials. These promises are publicized through advertisements in different forms of media.
Regulation 141.01.4 (a & b) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1997, stipulates that any advertisement by an organization indicating that it is an aviation training organization, shall reflect the number of the aviation training organization approval issued by the Commissioner; and contain a reference to the aviation training for which such approval was issued.
The SACAA regulations therefore require that, as part of the advertisement, the CAA registration number be identified and the type of training that is licensed e.g. licensed for Cabin Crew training or Pilot training. In case of any doubt, the public is advised to contact the SACAA directly to verify such information before making any financial contributions towards these special offers.
The Civil Aviation Regulations requires that the Commissioner for Civil Aviation maintain a register of all aviation training organization approvals issued. Included in this register would be the full name of the holder of the approval; the postal address of the holder of the approval; etc.
In addition, our internal investigations have revealed that the schools, which advertise these opportunities normally, claim that they do not present the courses themselves but would use approved aviation-training organizations. However, in some cases we have found that the approved organizations have no knowledge and/or a relationship with these illegal institutions. The public is advised to contact the approved aviation training organizations to confirm this fact.
If any member of the public has become a victim of these illegal institutions, they are advised to report such cases to the police.
For further information please contact the SACAA offices as follows:
Switchboard: (011) 545 1000 E-mail: mail@caa.co.za
Part 141 Operations: Steve Odendaal (011) 545 1211
DJ&A 10th Anniversary Aircraft Raffle
We have started the 10th anniversary of the Reach for a Dream / Dennis Jankelow & Associates Aircraft Raffle; I hope you are going to like the prizes this year. The prizes are:
First prize - Win all your toys at once...
Apristine 10/10 Mooney M20F valued at over R800 000 and a very fast, brand new Special Edition Ducati 1098 and a PPL or similar value conversion to type
As well as 9 Private Pilots Licences.
The cost per ticket is stillR250.00, but this year being our 10th anniversary we will be selling 10 000 tickets so that we can raise a record amount of money for the children.
How to enter?
- Send us a return e-mail raffle@aircraftraffle.co.za with your telephone numberand we will contact you
- If your computercan receive attachments let me know and I will email you an entry form
- Purchase on line at www.aircraftraffle.co.za the Website will be up and runningwith 2007 info in the next few days
- Telephone the office on +27 (0)11 463 5550
Regards
Debra and all the Reach for a Dream Children.
African Pilot fully supports the Reach for a dream project each year.
African Pilot Canon gallery
The overall standard of photographic entries over the past year has been exceptionally high and we thank all entrants for taking the trouble to enter their individual masterpieces.
There is good news and bad news:
A) The bad news: Canon does not have stock of the Canon 350D anymore.
B) The good news: Canon will be replacing this camera with the new 400D as first prize.
The competition ends with the April edition and because the standard of the three entries received was so high, we have decided to award all three as first places. This means there will be fourteen finalists for the big prize in our annual photographic competition this year. All finalists will receive an annual subscription to African Pilot, whilst those placed second and third will also receive valued prizes. The final judging for this completion will take place in the week preceding the 23 March so that we can announce the 1 st , 2nd and 3 rd places at our monthly magazine launch function to be held at our offices on Friday 23 March. A representative from Canon will be at the launch in order to hand over the 1 st prize.
Our team is considering using twelve of the fourteen pictures for the annual African Pilot calendar next year. Naturally we will acknowledge each photographer as well as make ten calendars available per finalist. We would like to hear from our readers about their thoughts on the production of our annual executive wall calendar in this regard.
Now more good news: Canon has agreed to come aboard again for the forthcoming year as the anchor sponsor with even better prizes for the first three positions. In addition, we have decided to raise the level of monthly prizes to include an annual subscription to African Pilot. Canon have expressed their delight at the exposure the competition has given them in such a specialist market and were only too happy to become more involved with African Pilot.
As a photographer myself, I am delighted with the splendid range of beautiful photography that entrants have submitted over the past year and I urge you all to keep up the excellent work in aviation photography. African Pilot is proud to be associated with Canon and the exceptional quality that this brand markets throughout the world. Please watch this space for further developments of the African Pilot - Canon monthly aviation photography competition.
Fun fly-in to Parys
We are having a " fun fly-in rally" on the 11th of March 2007 from Johannesburg to Parys - rumour has it that breakfast and landing fee could be on the house, for you and your co-pilot.
Interested??
Please visit www.avimap.co.za and click on Parys Fun Rally 11 March 2007.
We are looking forward to see you at Parys, 11 March 2007.
Kind regards
Lalla Alexander
AviMap cc cell: 083 441-1780 Tel: (011) 728-5510
www.avimap.co.za
Entertainment for Aviators
For the last 18 months, every second Thursday of the month, hundreds of aviatniks (people who love aviation) have been entertained at the EAA Auditorium at Rand Airport . The entertainment takes the form of a Talk Show, with one or two Talk Show guests and a Talk Show Host a little like an Oprah show on steroids.
At times there has been extreme hilarity with side splitting laughter; at other times there hasn't been a dry eye in the house as guests have shared their moments of high emotion. It certainly has never been boring. Previous guest speakers have included the famous and the not so famous. Talk show guests have always been famous and include Karl Jensen & Scully Levin.
Book your seat now for the next show, which is not even one week away now, featuring two very interesting characters, Captain Cyril Rogers and Captain Ian Dros, with our regular Talk show host and funny man, Karl Jensen.
Date : 8 th of March 2007
Time :18h30 for 19h30 (time to order your drinks)
Venue : EAA Auditorium adjacent to TAC and Holding point of Runway 29
Take the entrance at Hurricane Road (NOT thru the main gate)
Cost : R30 (R20 for card carrying EAA, Aero Club & SAAMS members)
Booking : Send an e-mail or simply phone me at the office between 09h00 & 17h00.
Booking is essential !
Show Dates : Guests : Host :
8 th of March Cyril Rogers & Ian Dros Karl Jensen
12 th of April TBA
10 th of May Nigel Forrester Karl Jensen
14 th of June Graham Conlyn Scully Levin
12 th of July Gavin McKellar Karl Jensen
Please place these dates in your diary OR send an e-mail to wbmeaa@tiscali.co.za now with the word REMINDER in the subject line.
Jeremy Woods - EAA Project Coordinator, Rand Airport
Tel: 011 888 8495/6Fax: 011 888 8497Cell: 082 883 0436E-mail: wbmeaa@tiscali.co.za
Aircraft needed for film shoot
We are looking for a high wing aircraft (C172 or similar) for a film shoot in Johannesburg CBD on about 24 March. It will require transporting aircraft to CBD with wings off, putting on wings, taxiing aircraft under own power in Johannesburg streets (commercial pilot). If you have or know of an aircraft we could use, please let us know. You will be paid by the production company plus your aircraft will be world famous!!
We need to know:
- Cost to take off wings and transport a/c to and from the shoot
- Hire cost per day
- Cost of commercial pilot per day
Many thanks,
Neil Bowden Cell: 084 6745674 or e-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net
Rand Airport challenge
SAPFA has a plan, to get you involved in bigger things. The Rand Airport Challenge is the first in a series of Fun Rallies in the Gauteng area to develop your skills through to International Standard. Whilethis rallywill be fun, we will concentrate on accurate navigation and timing and show you a few tricks. This rally will be followed up with the next fun event at Aviators Paradise and a few months later at Brits Airfield. With your high level of skill you could enter the National Rally and Precision Flying Championships at Parys (in the Free State ) and could progress through to the South African team to go to Austria in July 2008.
Have I encouraged you to enter or do I have to entice you with prizes? Have a look at the prizes on the attachment and then fill in the entry form.
Now some of you have asked what you need to bring, so here is the list:
One Healthy Pilot (with Ray bans), one willing navigator and one serviceable aircraft. ( aircraft may be flown twice)
A clock with seconds display, (use a stop watch and then use my wrist watch as a backup), pens one red one black, pencil, eraser only for non pilots as we don't make mistakes and a protractor. You will be supplied with two maps 1: 250 000 marked with the route, speed scale for the map and SAPFA will lend you a GPS logger.
Now you have been enticed, get your entry form sent off?
Best Regards,
Frank Eckard
Tel:+27 (0)11 395 1968 or Cell: +27 (0)83 269 1516 or E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za
Happy Birthday 1time
It is with great pride and pleasure that 1time airline announced last week that they have just turned three years old. We are extremely excited to have reached this milestone, says Rodney James, 1time's marketing director. We've certainly come a long way in these three short years and our birthday offers the perfect opportunity to reminisce.
Since their introduction in February 2004, 1time have continually strived to make an impact on the low cost carrier market. They are always on the lookout for fresh and innovative ideas on how to make travelling more accessible and a whole lot easier for anyone interested in travel.
1time currently flies between Johannesburg and Cape Town , Durban , East London and Port Elizabeth , between East London and Cape Town and Durban , between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and will soon be flying between Durban and Cape Town and between Johannesburg and George.
Not only does 1time extensively cover the skies, they have also proved that they can offer value on the ground through their car hire and accommodation partnerships with Avis and the City Lodge group. Throughout their career 1time has received many awards. They have been extremely successful at the annual ACSA Feather Awards; in 2006 they won the Best Low Cost Airline out of East London and Johannesburg and in previous years have won Best Low Cost Airline out of Durban , East London and Cape Town .
We've achieved many successes during the last three years and plan to continue to not only push the boundaries of the low cost airline market but also ourselves. We will continue to keep airfares honest in the domestic airline market. We'd just like to thank all our passengers that have flown with us over the years. Our success would not be possible without you all and here's to many more years of successful flying together, concludes Rodney.
Most South African media owners were presented with a delicious Pick n Pay 1 time cake on 26 February at their offices nice touch!
How to arrive in style at the RAF's Air Tattoo in July
Charter aircraft operators, private pilots and aviation enthusiasts are being given the rare opportunity to touch down at one of the UK 's leading military airfields during Europe 's largest airshow. Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are inviting light aircraft and larger passenger aircraft the opportunity to arrive at the airshow in style on Saturday July 14 and Sunday July 15.
Last year, around 20 charter aircraft offered passengers the chance to arrive in style from countries such as Switzerland , Denmark and Holland to a US Air Force airfield usually reserved for B-52s and B-2s. On arrival, visitors will be processed via a purpose-built charter terminal, with full immigration and customs facilities, ensuring swift and easy access to the airshow itself.
Landing fees for light aircraft start at around 250. For details about larger aircraft and charter flights, contact the Royal International Air Tattoo's aircraft operations department at aircraft.ops@rafcte.com
The summer's (our winter) Air Tattoo will be staging Europe's largest tribute to the US Air Force on its 60 th anniversary and will include a rare UK-appearance by the USAF Thunderbirds display team. Aircraft Participation Manager David Walton said: Many people think it is not possible to fly into the show but it is. You actually get a real sense of being part of the event as you touch down centre stage on the 10,000ft runway. It is a great way to see the airshow.
For further information, contact Senior Press Officer Richard Arquati - United Kingdom Tel: 01285 713300 ext 5361 or e-mail: press.man1@rafcte.com
The African Pilot tour will be led by our Durban correspondent: Pete van der Spek: E-mail puds@telkomsa.net or telephone: 082 4416405
kulula announces new fleet
Last week kulula.com announced that it would be replacing its entire fleet by the end of the year. The new fleet of Boeing 737-400 aircraft will reduce the airline's cost per seat by 8% and allow kulula.com to add 160,000 additional seats into the market per annum.
In announcing the new fleet of 162 seat aircraft, valued at R90M each, Comair Joint CEO Gidon Novick said With the efficiency of our new fleet we will have the lowest costs on the industry which will continue to allow us to offer consistently low airfares and achieve our goal of having 10% of South Africans flying by 2010. The new aircraft are significantly more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than the current fleet.
With their new technology engines and spacious cabin, the aircraft are quieter and more spacious than the older MD82 aircraft. The bigger, quieter aircraft will improve the overall kulula experience, said Novick. The current MD82s, currently on lease from Safair, will be phased out as the new aircraft arrive.
The Battlefields Fly In and inaugural carnival 27 April to 01 May 2007.
Great family fun, g ame viewing, horse racing, guided tours, kids events etc.
Accommodation special @ R300.00 per room per night and m eals available on request.
Your payment will secure booking on a first come, first serve basis.
For reservations please contact Shannon on 082 953 6195 / 034 21 81641.
Or e-mail us at stay@battlefieldslodge.co.za
Helipad Grid Ref: LAT 2807'53.5 EAST 03017'25.5 EL 4040ftrunway 11/29 1000 m
A glimpse into Cessna's crystal ballAnytime Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton reveals what's on his mind, you can be sure that plenty of people will be paying close attention. Last week, he delivered a lengthy speech at the University of Northern Colorado in which he outlined what he sees as the assets and obstacles to growth in the GA industry. Topping the list of obstacles were user fees. Defeating the FAA's proposal is "critical to the future well-being" of the GA industry, Pelton said. If user fees are imposed, "instead of growing to meet the global demand and retaining our national leadership in general aviation, we will retreat and ultimately lose out to Japan , to Brazil , and to Canada ."
Pelton also expressed scepticism that a new air-taxi industry using very light jets will take off anytime soon. "We believe the air-taxi segment will show a gradual growth curve that takes into account the economic realities of ramping up aircraft production, public acceptance of the concept, and the need for a critical mass of aircraft in each region to minimize the expense of deadheading," he said. "We believe the true air-taxi concept will be many years in the making." Pelton also said that the much-talked-about new markets of India and China are still 10 to 15 years away from having the infrastructure needed for GA to blossom. Right now, the international growth opportunities are in Central and South America and Europe, especially Eastern Europe . " Europe would grow much faster were it not for the oppressive user fees, landing fees and over flight fees levied on all aircraft, regardless of how they are used," he said. Pelton also said the most exciting new technology now in the works for GA is synthetic vision. "With such a system, the pilot can navigate mountain passes in darkness or bad weather, and land in fog," he said.
Older Pilots perform better, study finds
Researchers studying the impact of aging on performance found that older pilots performed better over time than younger pilots, the American Academy of Neurology reported last week. The results show that expert knowledge may offset the impact of old age. The report is sure to be warmly embraced by those now lobbying for a change in FAA rules to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 60 to 65. "These findings show the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults' skilled cognitive performances," said researcher Joy Taylor of the Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Research Centre in California . For the study, researchers tested 118 pilots, ages 40 to 69, annually for three years. All pilots were currently flying, had between 300 and 15,000 hours of total flight time and held a current FAA medical certificate. In flight simulators, pilots were tested on communications, traffic avoidance, scanning cockpit instruments to detect emergencies, and executing a visual approach. The study found that while older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, older pilots showed less of a decline over time than younger pilots. The study also found pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings and certifications showed less performance decline over time, regardless of age. Researchers suggest that pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings may develop "crystallized intelligence," similar to the way skills are developed by musicians or chess experts, who are able to maintain high performance standards as they age.
Aviation Humour - Gary Shephard
On a visit to Malawi and on arrival at the airport Mr Mbeki was met by the country's Minister of Harbours.
All of a sudden Mr Mbeki realized that this was absurd, as this country has no harbours because it is landlocked. He was very puzzled and decided to find out what the story was all about.
At the official state banquet later that night, he leant over to the president and asked:
"Mr President why do you have a Minister of Harbours when you don't have any harbours?"
The president looked Mr Mbeki straight in the eye and said: " Well,.. YOU have a Minister of Law and Order, don't you?"
African Pilot weekly newsletters
Should you happen to miss out on any African Pilot newsletter please visit our Website: www.africanpilot.co.za , and click on the NEWSLETTERS icon on the front page because all past AP newsletters are archived on the Website. | 