Number 05 – 18 January 2021

Due to the fact that African Pilot is attracting considerable international interest, I have decided to include an ‘editorial comment on topical aviation issues every week within the Monday edition of APAnews:

Obituary: Passing of Giovanni Maiorana
It is with sadness that I am reporting the passing of Giovanni Maiorana who was the original owner and much-loved father of the famous Giovanni Italian restaurant situated at Wonderboom National Airport. Giovanni was a wonderful man with an incredible smile, where nothing was too much trouble. On behalf of African Pilot and all who knew this amazing man, we wish the Maiorana family lots of love during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace in that great hangar in the sky.

In what obviously was a complete media blackout, most of the staff at the Air Force base were sent home on Wednesday 6 January when the aircraft arrived, but of course essential services such as air traffic control and fire services were required to be present. It was reported that when the cargo airliner landed, it was surrounded by refrigerated trucks and a significant police contingent. The Boeing had departed from Malaysia with a consignment of COVID-19 vaccines from India onboard. Now you need to ask the question? The government via the president have made several public statements that the first COVID-19 vaccines will only be with us in February. Why do we ordinary citizens have to endure this level of dishonesty and why could the president have not owned up that the first consignment has already arrived?

The January edition has completed its international circulation. This edition features Professional Aviation Services in terms of aircraft and pilot insurance as well as aircraft financing and other aviation financial services. Advertisers can now see the benefits of marketing their products and services to a vast international aviation audience including short videos, picture galleries and actual virtual shops, they will realise that marketing is most important for future profitability. In South Africa and the African continent, African Pilot is the only aviation publication that has purchased the latest 3D software to provide digital enhancement to any advertiser anywhere in the world. At the same time African Pilot is also the only aviation magazine that is easy to read on any digital smart device, because our team understands the importance of ensuring the ease of use in this ‘new normal’ digital age.

It is now obvious that ALL other local aviation publications are attempting to copy what African Pilot has pioneered, but this was to be expected. However, at least African Pilot publishes correct aviation information such as the calendar of events on a regular basis. It was most interesting to see that a certain aviation magazine claimed that it was the first to publish its weekly ‘newspaper’, when African Pilot has been publishing APAnews for the past 20 years.

The February edition of African Pilot will feature Piston engine aircraft over 600 Kg as well as the piston engines and propellers that drive piston aircraft. In 2021 we decided to no longer feature the major South African General Aviation airports, mainly due to the new international nature of the magazine. Instead, I will be featuring many of the smaller airfields and flying clubs at these airfields. Some of these airports have remarkable histories as well as colourful pilots that are building interesting aircraft. The idea is to expose more about sport and recreational aviation within South Africa and to other countries in the world.  

There is no doubt that African Pilot provides the finest overall aviation media reach in Africa.
We are positioned to provide professional video and stills photography, website development, social media platforms, company newsletters as well as several other important media services to our customers.

The monthly magazine is available as a digital edition where ALL advertisers enjoy the direct routing to their websites at a touch on a smart phone or tablet as well as a click of the mouse on a computer screen or tap on any smart phone device. 

Then of course this APAnews service has been part of African Pilot’s line-up since the inception of the magazine 20 years ago.

Website: www.africanpilot.co.za
Facebook: facebook.com/AfricanPilot
Twitter: twitter.com/africanpilot
Instagram: www.instagram.com/african_pilot_/

Over the past few weeks, I have received several e-mails asking for my assistance to place aviation friends in contact with service providers or to supply important information to assist them with answers within aviation. Understandably, I am not an expert in many aviation subjects, but via African Pilot’s considerable media reach including APAnews, I can assist to provide people with answers as who to contact for the respective inquiries. Please note that this is yet another FREE service to anyone in aviation and all you need to do is contact me via e-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za.

Enquiry 1: I have had a request for an EASA Part 66 qualified technician to physically check only 4 AD items on the aircraft. Do you know, and you know almost everybody in SA’s aviation, a person meeting that qualification?

Enquiry 2: A client of mine is looking to purchase a Piper J3 Cub. If you know of someone who is interested in selling a J3 Cub in good condition, please contact me. Thank you.

Nobody thinks much about aircraft escape slides unless and until they are needed and then they think about little else. If an airliner itself is a technical marvel, one of the sub-marvels aboard is the slide system. Every exit door must have one and in a big airframe such as the 777, there may be a half-dozen, including complex models that must fold down over the wing for evacuations from mid-fuselage. An Airbus 380 has 16. Modern slides are required to deploy within six seconds in winds up to 25 knots and are required for every exit where passengers can be expected to egress without injury. They are not used often, but in the 10-year period between 1990 and 1999, the NTSB found that 27 incidents and 21 accidents required evacuation and use of slides. Call that about five times a year.

Wouter Botes’ E-book on Flight to Nowhere is available by visiting www.africanpilot.co.za and click on the button provided on the home page. We have provided an option for payment of R60 per download on the page.

Early bird rates available for the ONLY dedicated General Aviation show in South Africa

AERO South Africa is the perfect platform to showcase your products and services and build profitable relationships whilst engaging with over 4000 visitors across the general aviation industry. Exhibitors to the show will also benefit from FREE landing, approach and ground handling fees, making AERO South Africa the most cost-effective opportunity to reach a niche target audience of general aviation enthusiasts and businesses.

Book your space at the premier General Aviation Business-2-Business event and benefit from a discounted rate, contact:

Marlene Bosch: Marlene.bosch@za.messefrankfurt.com or 084 622 3931

Annelie Reynolds: Annelie.reynolds@za.messefrankfurt.com or 083 308 1251

The AeCSA Centenary Yearbook is now available to purchase from the online shop. Please visit www.aeroclub.org.za/shop.

30 January
SAPFA AGM also at Rand Airport after the rally
Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za cell: 082 804 7032

30 & 31 January
Sport Aerobatic Club Gauteng Regionals Vereeniging Airfield
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
Postponed new date to be advised

3 February
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual and MOTH hall
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

5 & 6 February
SAPFA Witbank Speed Rally at Witbank Airfield
Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435

16 to 18 February
Saudi International Airshow Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Contact E-mail: news@saudi-airshow.com Website: www.saudishow.aero

27 February
SAPFA Fun Rally at Brakpan airfield
Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516

27 February
EAA Chapter 322 drive-in or fly-in night at Jack Taylor Krugersdorp
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

We will show a movie on a giant screen on the airfield. Members can drive in or fly in (camp that night on the field). Planned movie is ‘Flying the Feathered Edge’ with Bob Hoover

26 to 28 February
Sandstone Steam Festival – train rides all day from 10h00
Contact 051 933 2235 Website: www.sandstone-estates.com

3 March
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual and MOTH hall
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

6 & 7 March
Sport Aerobatic Club Judges Trophy Venue TBA
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

12 & 13 March
Bethlehem Aero Club event TBA
Contact Stephan Fourie E-mail: fouriesj1491@gmail.com Cell: 072 344 9678

12 & 13 March
Aero Club of South Africa AGM venue TBA
Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032

19 and 20 March
FASHKOSH airshow at Stellenbosch airfield
Contact: Anton Theart E-mail: gm@stelfly.co.za Cell: 079 873 4567
Postponed indefinitely 

22 to 25 March
HAI Helicopter Association International La Nouvelle New Orleans Los Angeles USA
Contact E-mail: rotor@rotor.org

24 to 26 March
Aerospace and Defence Trade Show (ATDS 2021) Lanseria International Airport
Contact Louise Olckers (GM) Cell: 082 847 3403

27 March
SAPFA Brakpan Fun Rally at Stellenbosch airfield
Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516

26 & 27 March
Uitenhage Wings and Wheels
Contact Lourens Kruger E-mail: imk@telkomsa.net Cell: 082 320 2615

2 to 5 April
Sandstone Steam Festival – train rides all day from 10h00
Contact 051 933 2235 Website: www.sandstone-estates.com

3 April
Garden Route Airshow at George Airport
Contact Brett Scheuble E-mail: info@gardenrouteairshow.co.za Cell: 084 418 3836

7 April
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual and MOTH hall
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

17 April
Robertson Flying Club annual breakfast fly-in with spot landing competition
Contact Alwyn du Plessis E-mail: boeredata@breede.co.za Cell: 083 270 5888

17 & 18 April
Sports Aerobatics Club Eastern Cape Regionals Wings Park Airfield
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

15 & 17 April
SAPFA Rally Nationals and Fun Rally – Stellenbosch Airfield
Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516

21 & 22 April
Aviation Africa Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda
Website: www.aviationafrica.aero
Contact Alison Weller Tel: +44 7501 185255 E-mail: alison@accessgroup.aero
Postponed until 7 and 8 July 2021

21 & 24 April
AERO Friedrichshafen Germany Global show for General Aviation
Website: www.AERO-EXPO.com
Contact Stephan E-mail: Stephanie.keller@messe-fn.de

24 & 27 April
Aero Club Airweek at Middelburg Airfield
Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032

27 to 29 April
MRO Americas, Orlando Convention Center, Orlando, USA.
Website: www.mroamericas.aviationweek.com
Contact Jennifer Roberts +1.917.699.6231
E-mail: Jennifer.roberts@aviationweek.com

27 April
SAPFA Middelburg Speed Rally at Middelburg Airfield
Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435

Airlink regrets to announce the suspension of its air services to and from Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park. This follows a local outbreak of COVID-19 in the Lower Sabie area and at other nearby camps. “In order to protect our customers, crews and personnel from exposure to the virus, we have decided to halt all operations at the Skukuza Airport until 28 January 2021.  We apologise to ticketholders for any inconvenience this might cause,” said Airlink Managing Director and CEO, Rodger Foster.

Daily flights affected by the suspension of services are:

4Z 865 Johannesburg – Skukuza

4Z 866 Skukuza – Johannesburg

Airlink continues to operate flights to Hoedspruit and Nelspruit KMI Airport, the two closest alternates for travellers planning to visit the Kruger National Park or other resorts and camps in the surrounding area. Airlink’s flight schedule is available on its website: www.flyairlink.com/flightschedule

On Friday I visited the Sling factory at Tedderfield Air Park to have a look at the new Sling High Wing prototype. I was surprised at how much larger and taller this aircraft is when compared to the Sling TSi. The High Wing is slightly taller under the wing than a Cessna 172, whilst the cabin is more spacious and the overall visibility is amazing. The next Sling High Wing prototype will be a taildragger and I photographed this partially built aircraft, which I was told should be complete and ready for test flying within the next two weeks. My overall impression is that Sling Aircraft certainly have another winning formula with a speedy and stable cruiser in the tricycle gear model, whilst the taildragger model will certainly be a winner with ‘back country’ flying. Once the new High Wing’s parameters and testing is complete, African Pilot will be featuring a full test flight report in the monthly magazine.

On Saturday morning I travelled to Pretoria Radio Flyers airfield close to Rietvlei Nature Reserve to see some of the incredible and realistic model aircraft that club members have built. One of the members was test flying a gyrocopter that he designed and built from scratch, whilst other members were flying their electric planes. It seems that many new generation model planes are electric powered, even the jets have high thrust electric fan motors that sound rather authentic and are fast reaching speeds more than 150 km/h. My friend Daniel Ralafeta has recently built a DH Venom complete with a South African Air Force colour scheme, flaps, land lights and retractable gear. This was an interesting experience and I certainly will be visiting the club again, especially when the members stage a competition flying day.

Congo Airways will soon have two variants of E2s in its fleet. The Kinshasa-based flag carrier has exercised options for two E195-E2s from a December 2019 contract for new E-Jets. The airline previously ordered two E190-E2s. Deliveries are planned to begin in 2022 with Embraer and Congo Airways continuing to review the potential to anticipate the beginning of the deliveries. The 120-seat E195-E2s will have 12 business and 108 economy class seats. The configuration has 25% more capacity than the 96-seat E190-E2s with 12 business and 84 economy class seats.

Mali’s Air Force has taken delivery of another two Mi-35 attack helicopters from Russia, as part of the 2016 order for four. The handover took place on 12 January at Air Base 101 adjacent to Bamako–Sénou International Airport in a ceremony attended by defence minister Sadio Camara, Russia’s defence attaché, Vice President Assimi Goita and other dignitaries.

Mali’s Mi-35M acquisition was first revealed in September 2016 when Yury Demchenko, Rosoboronexport delegation head for the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in South Africa said over the next year Russian Helicopters would deliver Mi-8/17 transport and Mi-24/35 attack helicopters to Nigeria, Mali, Angola and Sudan.

Mali’s Air Force already operates a number of older Mi-24s, but the upgraded Mi-35M is far more capable. It features several improvements over its predecessors, such as new avionics with multifunction colour displays, more powerful Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines developing 2 200 shp, fiberglass main rotor blades, main rotor head with elastomeric joints, a new swashplate and X-type tail rotor. The Mi-35M’s fuselage has shortened stub wings and fixed landing gear. The helicopter’s sighting system has a thermal imager, TV camera and laser rangefinder and designator. The new helicopters will be used to support Mali’s counterinsurgency and terrorism efforts. The country has been in turmoil since 2012, when Tuareg rebels took over the north and advanced towards the capital, Bamako.

On 13 January a Harbin Y-12-II transporter from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) crashed in the Tsavo East national game reserve in the east of the country and the four persons on board, two passengers and two crew died in the accident. This is the second crash of a Kenyan Harbin Y-12-II in the past six months. The previous incident was at Dhobley Airstrip in Somalia, in August. The 19-seat Chinese -built aircraft was en route from Moi Air Base near Nairobi to Mombasa. Kenya is one of a number of African air forces to use the Harbin aircraft. Others include Mali Eritrea, Ghana and Djibouti.

After departing from Clare Municipal Airport (48D) in Michigan, the pilot raised the landing gear handle and the gear motor continued to operate longer than normal, with an abnormal sound toward the end of the retract sequence. The Cessna 210’s right main gear did not fully retract and hung about 45° rearward. The left main gear was not visible from the pilot’s vantage. The pilot spent time trouble shooting the issue for 20 to 25 minutes by completing the emergency procedure checklists, but the landing gear did not respond. At some point during the troubleshooting, the nose landing gear fully extended.

The pilot continued the flight to Bishop International Airport (KFNT) in Flint, Michigan and declared an emergency with air traffic control. Before landing he attempted to extend the landing gear but was only able to get the nose gear to extend. During a fly-by ATC confirmed that the main landing gear wheels were not extended. During the emergency landing, the nose gear remained extended, whilst the two main gears were partially retracted. The airplane spun about 180° and came to rest on the runway.

To test the hydraulic system, the airplane was raised on jack stands and about 16 ounces of hydraulic fluid was added to the hydraulic reservoir. The emergency gear extension handle was actuated in attempt to extend the main landing gear before preforming the full functional test. After 10 to 12 pumps, hydraulic fluid sprayed from a damaged hydraulic hose. There was no resistance felt from the emergency handle during actuation. The hydraulic system was unable to build pressure so the functional test was terminated. The damaged hose was replaced with a new hose and the functional test was resumed. With the new hose installed, the emergency handle was actuated and the main landing gear extended and locked without a problem.

A review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the last annual inspection was completed on 9 September 2018, at 3,840.2 hours total airframe time. The airplane accumulated 32.8 hours since the annual inspection with no hydraulic hose or landing gear discrepancies noted. The nose gear door actuator hose was first replaced in October 1977 and then replaced again on 4 April 1996, at 2,059.2 hours total time. The airplane had accumulated 1,813.4 hours total time since the hydraulic hose was replaced.

The airplane manufacturer’s inspection guidelines are to perform a functional test and inspect the landing gear system every 200 hours. The maintenance manual states, “Each five years, overhaul all retraction and brake system components. Check for wear and replace all rubber packings and backups and hydraulic hoses.” This maintenance requirement applied to this airplane.

Additional guidance associated with the inspection was Cessna service newsletter, SNL85-54, issued during November 1985, which changed the five-year overhaul / replacement requirement to an ‘on condition’ overhaul / replacement interval based on part numbers involved. The damaged hose, p/n S2178-4-0095A, was considered an ‘on condition’ component and could be replaced based on its condition at the time of maintenance. In 1992, the airplane manufacturer released Cessna service bulletin, SEB92-8, that called for the replacement of all S2178-4 hydraulic hoses with p/n S2888-4-0095. According to available maintenance documentation, the airplane was never equipped with the updated hydraulic hose.

While proceeding eastbound at night along the shoreline of an island, the airplane began a rapid spiral descent and impacted the ground. Despite an extensive search by multiple entities, the airplane remained missing for approximately four years. However, when the wreckage was located, there was sufficient evidence to show that the vacuum pump, which powered the attitude indicator and the directional gyro, had failed. Examination of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that the airplane had accrued in excess of 1,224.8 total hours of operation, but no evidence of the vacuum pump ever being overhauled or replaced was discovered. The pilot did not possess an instrument rating and most likely had not flown at night for approximately 10 years. The airplane was equipped with an autopilot, but it was reported that the pilot was experienced in its use. Taking into consideration the direction of flight, available weather date and the lack of ground lights in the area, there would have been no visible horizon forcing the pilot to maintain control of the airplane solely by referencing the flight instruments. It has been well documented that such conditions can result in a myriad of vestibular illusions which can be extremely difficult to overcome. One illusion in particular can cause a pilot to believe the airplane is in level flight, when in reality, it is in a gradual turn. If the airspeed increases, the pilot may experience a postural sensation of a level dive and pull back on the yoke, which tightens the turn. If recovery is not initiated, a steep spiral will develop and continue until the airplane impacts the ground or water. The FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook states that ‘unless a pilot has many hours of training in instrument flight, flight in reduced visibility or at night when the horizon is not visible should be avoided.’ FAA Advisory Circular AC 91-75, highlights that pilots tend to rely heavily on the attitude indicator in instrument meteorological conditions and that vacuum system failures can be a significant cause or contributor to fatal accidents because in most cases the corresponding instruments slowly becomes inaccurate, making the failure difficult to recognise.

With its latest economic impact analysis of COVID-19 now completed, the UN agency for civil aviation has confirmed that international passenger traffic suffered a dramatic 60 per cent drop over 2020, bringing air travel totals back to 2003 levels. ICAO reports that as seat capacity fell by 50 per cent last year, passenger totals dropped by 60 per cent with just 1.8 billion passengers taking to the air during the first year of the pandemic, compared to 4.5 billion in 2019. These numbers also point to airline financial losses of US$370 billion resulting from the COVID-19 impacts, with airports and air navigation services providers (ANSPs) losing a further 115 billion and 13 billion, respectively.

The pandemic plunge in air travel demand began in January 2020 but was limited to only a few countries. As the virus continued its global spread However, air transport activities came to a virtual standstill by the end of March. With the wide-scale lockdown measures, border closures and travel restrictions being set out around the world, by April the overall number of passengers had fallen 92 % from 2019 levels, an average of the 98 per cent drop-off seen in international traffic and 87 per cent fall in domestic air travel. Subsequent to the April low point being reached, passenger traffic saw a moderate rebound during the northern hemisphere summer travel period. However, that upward trend was short-lived, stalling and then taking a turn for the worse in September when the second wave of infection in many regions prompted the reintroduction of restrictive measures. Sectoral recovery became more vulnerable and volatile again during the final four months of 2020, indicating an overall double-dip recession for the year.

ICAO also reported that there has been a persistent disparity between domestic and international air travel impacts resulting from the more stringent international measures in force. It said that domestic travel demonstrated stronger resilience and dominated traffic recovery scenarios, particularly in China and the Russian Federation where domestic passenger numbers have already returned to the pre-pandemic levels. Overall, there was a 50 per cent drop in domestic passenger traffic globally, while international traffic fell by 74 per cent or 1.4 billion fewer passengers.

Paralysed revenue streams resulting from the plunge in air traffic has led to severe liquidity strains across the aviation value chain, placing the industry’s financial viability in question and threatening millions of jobs around the world. Cascading impacts have also been severe across tourism markets globally, given that over 50 per cent of international tourists formerly used air travel to reach their destinations. The global 370 billion dollar drop in gross airline passenger operating revenues represented losses of 120 billion in the Asia/Pacific, 100 billion in Europe and 88 billion in North America, followed by 26 billion, 22 billion and 14 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa, respectively.

ICAO indicated that the near-term outlook is for prolonged depressed demand, with downside risks to global air travel recovery predominating in the first quarter of 2021, and likely to be subject to further deterioration. It expects any improvement in the global picture only by the second quarter of 2021, though this will still be subject to the effectiveness of pandemic management and vaccination roll out.

In the most optimistic scenario, by June of 2021 passenger numbers will be expected to recover to 71 per cent of their 2019 levels (53 per cent for international and 84 per cent for domestic). A more pessimistic scenario foresees only a 49 per cent recovery (26 per cent for international and 66 per cent for domestic). ICAO continues to provide recommendations and support for the aviation sector to weather through the crisis. Its new Guidance on Economic and Financial Measures summarises a range of measures that can be explored by States and the industry to alleviate the imminent liquidity and financial strain and to strengthen the industry’s resilience to future crisis.

On 13 January DHL Express announced that it had placed an order for eight additional new B777 freighters. The investment marks a further step in DHL Express’ expansion of its intercontinental air network to meet customer demand in fast growing international express shipping markets. First deliveries are scheduled for 2022. The 777F is the world’s largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter with a range of 9,200 kilometres (4,970 nautical miles) and can carry a maximum payload of 102,010 kilogrammes (224,900 lbs). It allows DHL Express to make fewer stops and reduce associated landing fees on long-haul routes, resulting in the lowest trip cost of any large freighter.

Preceding the new order announced, DHL Express had already taken delivery of the first ten new B777F aircraft as part of an original order of 14 aircraft made in 2018. These timely deliveries ensured that DHL could accommodate customer’s unprecedented demand during the peak shipping season last year. Boeing’s 2020 World Air Cargo Forecast anticipates significant increase in demand for new and converted freighters with a fleet growth of more than 60 percent over the next 20 years. This reflects in the growing demand for cross border time definite shipments DHL Express is experiencing. For this reason, both companies also agreed options and purchase rights for four additional planes. DHL operates over 260 dedicated aircraft with 17 partner airlines with over 600 daily flights across 220 countries and territories.

After two days of debate, during which a cross-party consensus formed, 276 out of 300 Greek lawmakers voted positively on the law paving the way for a purchase of 18 Dassault for a total of €2.5 billion. An agreement is due to be signed in Athens, Greece between Greek and French ministers before the end of January 2021. The contract includes 12 used Rafale of the French Air Force and six new planes, all to the F3R standard, as well as an array of weapons that include Exocet anti-ship missiles and SCALP cruise missiles. The first six fighters, taken from the inventory of the French Air Force, should arrive in Greece as early as July 2021. The remainder of the order will be delivered in two instalments of six in 2022 and six in 2023. The Rafale jets will be based in Tanagra, the home base of the 114th Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force. The wing is used to French-made aircraft:

The Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol capability will be boosted with Australia set to acquire two more P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), bringing the total fleet size to 14. The Government has also approved sustainment funding for the current approved fleet of three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft. “Together, the Poseidon and the Triton will provide Australia with one of the most advanced maritime patrol and response capabilities in the world. These additional aircraft will enhance Air Force’s flexibility to support multiple operations and will play an important role in ensuring Australia’s maritime region is secure for generations to come.” The additional Poseidon aircraft are to be purchased through Australia’s existing Cooperative Program with the United States Navy. The planned integration of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) into Australia’s MPA fleet will also allow it to strike adversary surface vessels at significantly increased ranges.

The future of the Reno Air races remains somewhat questionable as they struggle to deal with the damage caused by a serious accident some years ago, coupled with the most recent year’s battle with COVID-19. The Reno folks have been up-front about all this. “For more than 56 years, the National Championship Air Races has carried on a proud legacy. Now, that legacy is in jeopardy due to financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are asking for help by launching a fund-raising campaign to ‘Save The Races’ with the goal of raising $500,000 by the end of this year.”

They added that, “ancelling was not a decision that was made lightly, whilst the repercussions have been significant both fiscally and emotionally. We greatly missed our September Family but safety and following Nevada’s restrictions on gathering size unquestionably had to be our priority as we sought to preserve the long-term viability of the Reno Air Races. Because of the cancellation there is a large gap between where we are and where we need to be financially.”

Electric propulsion is getting into all facets of aviation and now an Austrian skydiver has flown an electrically boosted wingsuit. Peter Salzmann teamed up with BMW to create a chest-mounted thruster unit with two ducted fans that allowed him to climb briskly on a flight over the Alps. According to Salzmann, the boost from the combined 15 kW of power can push the whole package to 186 MPH. The power is available for five minutes and comes from a 50-volt lithium battery. He prototyped the concept with cardboard and impellers and batteries and then took it to BMW for some help. The engineers there fundamentally changed the design. “Initially we were going to put the propulsion unit on the back,” Salzmann said. “But after the initial drawings and discussions with aerodynamics experts, we decided to move the fly unit to the front.” Salzmann did 30 jumps with the wingsuit before attaching the power unit and jumping from a helicopter at 10,000 feet.

After a 12-year battle, a Nigerian court ordered Emirates to pay a local businessman $1.63 million in compensation for a single piece of lost luggage. Orji Prince Ikem, a businessman from Nigeria, was traveling to China when his two suitcases were lost without an explanation at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos (LOS) in 2007. The bags contained $700,000 and $930,000 of cash, respectively. Ikem was carrying the money in order to purchase goods in China, according to local media reports.

According to the businessman, before he boarded his Emirates Airlines flight, staff requested to take the luggage for safekeeping in the cockpit. After he refused a couple of times, Ikem handed the luggage in order not to miss his flight. However, after landing at his final destination in Guangzhou, China, he found that his luggage was lost and the airline could not find it. For the next 12 years, Ikem was trying to track down his luggage. However, the Nigerian businessman was unsuccessful in his search. Emirates reportedly told him that the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) was responsible for all baggage handling processes at LOS.

The Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Emirates to repay the $1.63m that was lost, in addition to another $131,000 in compensation. “I hold that Emirates Airlines failed in its obligations to customers by not delivering the luggage containing the sum of $1.63 million,” announced the judge. “Emirates has already filed an appeal in this matter and we will be vigorously defending our position,” commented the airline’s spokesperson.

UPS will team up with Verizon and its subsidiary, Skyward, to deliver retail products with drones through its Flight Forward division at The Villages in Florida. In April 2020, UPS announced plans to work with CVS on prescription deliveries in The Villages. “We will need the ability to manage and support multiple drones, flying simultaneously, dispatched from a centralised location, operating in a secure and safe environment. To do this at scale, alongside Verizon and Skyward, we will need the power of 5G,” said Carol B Tome, CEO of UPS.

“We are just beginning to see how the power of 5G Ultra-Wideband will transform the way businesses operate,” said Rima Qureshi, chief strategy officer at Verizon. “By partnering with UPS and other innovative companies, we can learn from each other’s expertise and collaborate to create solutions that help move the world forward.”

In 2020, Verizon, UPS Flight Forward and Skyward started testing 4G LTE in delivery drones to demonstrate cellular reliability and performance at altitude. UPS has operated more than 3,800 successful drone delivery flights since the creation of UPS Flight Forward, its drone delivery company, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2019. But in 2020, drone delivery emerged as much more than rapid delivery of essential healthcare items. During the global pandemic it provided high-risk seniors a rapid and contactless delivery option to remain healthy at home.

The S-70 reportedly destroyed a target on the ground during tests carried out above at the Ashuluk training ground, near the Caspian Sea. On 12 January, an industry source told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti: “Unguided bombs of 500 kilograms were dropped from its internal hold.” The exact date on which the tests took place was not disclosed.

In early-December 2020, another source had revealed the agency that the Russian military evaluated the capacity of the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik (‘Hunter’) to operate as a fighter-interceptor. The flight tests included the use of both infrared and radar homing air-to-air missiles using functional simulators. The experiments assessed the capacity of the upcoming heavy attack drone to work in collaboration with the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. Live test-firing of guided air-to-air missiles from the S-70’s internal bays on real air targets should take place during the second half of 2021.

With a 20-meter wingspan, length of 14 meters and a mass around 20 tons, the Sukhoi S-70 is much larger than its Western counterparts. It is expected to fly at a speed of 1,000 km/h, for a range of 6,000 km. Its two internal bays should embark up to 2.8 tons of weapons. The first Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik attack drone should be delivered to the Russian military in 2024 after the Ministry of Defence demanded to speed up the experimental work.

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Until Thursday, please be ‘Serious about flying’.

Athol Franz (Editor)