
“Lawyers are operators of the toll bridge across which anyone in search of justice has to pass.” Jane Bryant Quinn


Since last week’s mystery aircraft was relatively easy to identify, according to the number of correct answers I received, this week I have provided another interesting aircraft type. Please send your answers to me at editor@africanpilot.co.za. I will publish the names of those that identified the aircraft correctly within the Thursday edition of APAnews.


African Pilot needs assistance
Due to the many aviation events, especially over weekends, I will be looking for experienced persons that have a flair for excellent aviation photography to join African Pilot’s small team of reporters and writers to join Africa’s finest aviation magazine to assist me with reporting on aviation events. The persons should have some sort of aviation knowledge, a good digital picture and also video background, excellent understanding of the English language and how to write exciting features as well as have a passion for aviation.
For example, next weekend Christine and I will be covering the amazing Maputo airshow in Mozambique. The following weekend we will be covering the Polokwane airshow, then we have the three days of AERO South Africa at Wonderboom National Airport from 3 to 5 July followed by the Elders Flight on Saturday 6 July at the SAAF Museum. I am so excited about the aviation calendar and just how many events have been planned which makes African Pilot exceptionally diverse as well as totally relevant to the overall aviation market. If you are interested in becoming part of our exceptional and diverse team please send me your CV and some examples of your recent work.
Thanks: editor@africanpilot.co.za.



The 238-page June edition of African Pilot with 14 Videos and four picture galleries featuring aviation careers was completed last week and sent to the world on Saturday 1 June 2024. Featured within this edition are four airshows including the SACAA’s airshow at Wonderboom National Airport, SAAF Museum airshow, Lowveld airshow and the Bloemfontein Tempe airshow as well as the annual President’s Trophy Air Race. In addition, the magazine also contains all the normal chapters such as Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Military Pilot, Sport Pilot a Technical section and the four Historical subjects. Once again, the June edition of African Pilot takes on a completely different flavour to previous magazines mainly due to the extensive photography and embedded videos.


The main feature of the July edition of African Pilot will be Light Sport Aircraft types, South African built aircraft and various types of kit- built aircraft. Every month, African Pilot features all aspects of aviation from Airline business to Recreational and Sport Aviation, whilst Military aviation, Commercial and Technical issues are addressed monthly. Within African Pilot’s monthly historical section, we feature the Best of the Best, Names to Remember, Fact File and our monthly historical feature.

The material deadline for the July 2024 edition of African Pilot is on Friday 21 June 2024.
All editorial content should be sent to me Athol Franz
E-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za
For advertising opportunities please call Cell: 079 880 4359
E-mail: marketing@africanpilot.co.za


The 20th 140-page edition of Future Flightwas sent out to the world-wide audience on Wednesday 15 May 2024. Due to the nature of the subject material, compiling this exciting new publication has been most rewarding, whilst at the same time, the magazine allows many of African Pilot’sadvertisers to have their adverts placed in our second monthly magazine FREE of charge. I would love to receive your feedback about this exciting digital publication: editor@africanpilot.co.za.
Thank you.
The material deadline for the June 2024 edition of Future Flight is on Wednesday 12 June 2024.
All editorial content should be sent to me Athol Franz
E-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za
For advertising opportunities please call Cell: 079 880 4359
E-mail: marketing@africanpilot.co.za


MACH Loop






Zimbabwe Air Rally
I always knew that Zimbabwean pilots and their flying teams could party but having been asked to cover the annual Zimbabwe Rally that finished at Victoria Falls was an amazing experience. In addition to the pilots from Zimbabwe there was a considerable contingent from South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and even as far afield as Switzerland and New Zealand. In total there were 53 entrants that included aircraft such as the Cirrus Jet, around 14 Cirrus SR22 aircraft, standard Cessna and Piper aircraft to several Vans and Sling aircraft to a single Jabiru, a Robinson R44 helicopter and even a Zimbabwe Air Force training aircraft. Support aircraft included a Cessna 206 and four Cessna Caravans from South Africa as well as several Zimbabwe registered aircraft. The aerial picture I took from the Robinson helicopter at Victoria Falls International Airport shows the extent of the field involved.
This was the 50th Zimbabwe Air Rally that Attracted considerable sponsorship from several South Africa aviation businesses such as Absolute Aviation, Cirrus South Africa, Sling Aircraft and Century Avionics.
From the pre-planning presentation of the rules and the routes to be flown the Friday Rally and the Saturday Rally, Sunday prize presentation and activities such as a Zambezi River cruise and the luncheon at the Victoria Falls boating club everything had been planned to perfection. I met so many interesting pilots, navigators and people who assisted with all the necessary functions of the overall planning for 200 plus persons involved in this year’s rally. I was particularly impressed at the overall friendliness of the local Zimbabwean people in all capacities from bus drivers, staff on the river cruise, restaurant assistants and anyone that I met during this trip. Gaining access to the restricted airside of the Victoria Falls International Airport was expertly managed by the security team who appointed an official to assist me with video and stills photography. The few pictures I have selected are just some of th more than 1200 pictures I took as well as in excess of four hours of video coverage.
My sincere thanks to the Zimbabwe Rally organisers as well as everyone involved that made this a significant African event on which to report, take numerous pictures and produce an outstanding video to be enjoyed within African Pilot’s July edition.

EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
By Charlie Hugo – pictures from Fiona and Charlie Hugo
The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year. The South African branch, Chapter 322 has followed this lead and through the efforts of Neil Bowden (Chapter 322 chairman) and Tyla Puzey with a group of Young Aviators actively spreading the excellent word of aviation in South Africa. To this end around 80 young people who had not flown before and have an interest in aviation were invited to attend a Young Eagles Day sponsored and hosted by ExecuJet at the company’s magnificent Lanseria premises. A total of 20 (19 were used to fly the children) aircraft from the EAA arrived at the ExecuJet Facilities as the company went all out to ensure that the day was a success. Special mention must be made of Nigel Townsend (Kingair 260) and Clyde Straughan (Citation Mustang) for their generous contribution of their beautiful aircraft to fly the children.
ExecuJet, a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and charter operator, which is part of the international Luxaviation Group opened their hearts and facilities to the EAA for the day. The ExecuJet team members lived up to their well-deserved reputation of serving their customers went all out to ensure the day was memorable to the children. Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds, of whom ExecuJet has been a long-term sponsor was on hand to entertain and advise on proceedings throughout the day. A full report will appear in the July edition of African Pilot magazine


African Pilot’s 2024 calendar
We will publish the aviation calendar within APAnews three months ahead, but you can always visit African Pilot’s website:www.africanpilot.co.za if you would like to obtain the full calendar for the entire year.
15 June
Maputo airshow
Contact Gavin Neil E-mail: gavin@haps.co.mz
15 & 16 June
SAC Event KwaZulu Natal venue TBA
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za
15 & 16 June
Hluhluwe fly-in to Doornkuil farm near Hluhluwe
Website: www.hluhluweflyin.online
Contact Christiaan Kleyn Cell: 082 945 7362, E-mail: kleyn.ac@gmail.com or
Mike Currie 084 506 7610
Coordinates of the runway: 27°59’22.5″S 32°18’27.1″E

20 June
Rand Airport Safety Symposium at the Harvard Cafe
Contact Dave le Roux PilotInsure E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za
28 to 30 June
EAA Taildraggers fly-in to Warmbaths airfield
Richard Nicholson E-mail: Richard.nicholson1963@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227
29 June
SAPFA Speed Rally at Warmbaths airfield
Contact David le Roux E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
29 June
Polokwane airshow at Gaal airport
Contact Robin Tapinos E-mail: airshow.polokwane@gmail.com Cell: 074 117 6384

29 June
FAPE Open Day at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
General Aviation Area, Boeing Street, Walmer

July
3 to 5 July
AERO South Africa at Wonderboom National Airport
Website: www.aerosouthafrica.com
6 July
Elders Flight at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (Zwartkops)
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 191 4603
13 July
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at Jack Taylor airfield FAKR
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
20 July
SAC Event & Limpopo regionals at Phalaborwa airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za
20 July
Phalaborwa airshow TBC
Contact Cliff Lotter Cell: 082 855 5550
22 to 28 July
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden at E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig at E-mail: calvin@designer.co.za
22 to 26 July
Farnborough International Airshow London, United kingdom
Contact E-mail: enquiries@farnborough.com
27 July
Virginia airshow – Durban
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314
August
2 & 3 August
Soutpansberg fly-in and airshow
Contact Bianca Prinsloo E-mail: spbvilegklub@gmail.com
3 August
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
17 August
EAA Chapter 322 breakfast fly-in to Fly-in Estate
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
17 August
Pilotinsure Heli fly-in to Krugersdorp airfield
Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
17 August
Marekanelo airshow Rustenburg airfield
Contact Lesego Serekwane E-mail: sculpturevents@webmail.co.za Cell: 066 256 7302
17 & 18 August
SAC North West regionals at Klerksdorp airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za
24 August
Wonderboom airshow
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314
24 August
SAPFA Speed Rally at Groblersdal airfield
Contact David le Roux E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
31 August
Children’s Flight at New Tempe airfield, Bloemfontein
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 191 4603



Stearman pilot found guilty of false statements in water crash
A former airline pilot has admitted lying to federal authorities regarding the crash of a Stearman biplane he was flying with a passenger in the summer of 2022. At the time former United Airlines pilot Bruce Forbes (66) initially told authorities the Stearman experienced engine trouble on a sightseeing flight over a lake and he struck power lines while he was trying to troubleshoot the engine issues. On Monday 3 June he pled guilty in federal court to misrepresenting the facts.
He told the court, “I was flying low over the water around the curves of Lake Keystone and struck power lines, causing the plane to crash into the lake. I believed if I told NTSB investigators the truth, their investigation would find that I was flying in an unsafe manner and I would have difficulty receiving insurance payments.”
Last December, an Oklahoma grand jury indicted Forbes on two counts of making false statements and one count of obstructing a government proceeding. The indictment cited statements Forbes made to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) between 27 August and 30 September 2022 and alleged false statements on 2 October 2023, to a special agent of the Department of Transportation–Office of the Attorney General.
His passenger Baily Nevill (19) told local news outlets that, before the flight, she had not received a safety briefing on how to unfasten her safety belt. Describing the accident, she said Forbes was demonstrating ‘water dancing’ low over the surface of the lake before striking the power lines and crashing into the water. She said Forbes tried to pull her from her seat, but “We were sideways and the water was rising. We were in the middle of the lake. He was screaming at me and once the water got above my chest, Bruce then decided to let go of me and swim away.”
Nevill was unsure how she finally freed herself from the belt and swam to the surface. Boaters rescued both occupants and brought them safely to shore. The court has not set a sentencing date and Forbes could be facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He declined to comment on the case to local news outlets.

How an F-15 landed in a ditch: blame all around
A series of errors by the pilot, air traffic controller and maintainers all contributed to launch an F-15D careening off the runway and into an irrigation canal at Kingsley Field, Ore., last year, investigators said. The accident destroyed the $35 million fighter. An Air Force Accident Investigation Board report released 4 June faulted the pilot for choosing the wrong action, the controller for poor communication, and the maintenance crew for insufficient care. These were the central and contributing causes of the 15 May 2023, accident, which ended with the twin-seat fighter lying mostly underwater. The pilot emerged from the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. According to the report, a single aviator was operating the aircraft as part of a four-ship formation from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing. The Eagles were training with nearby F-35s and were returning to Kingsley Field on a low-level route, when the pilot was alerted to a hydraulic malfunction. Told by the pilot’s wingman that ‘hydraulic fluid was leaking from behind the right main landing gear and now trailing the aircraft between the exhaust nozzles,’ the pilot declared an in-flight emergency, abandoned the route and headed back to Kingsley.
On approach, the pilot alerted the tower and said he would try to land normally, but go around if the brakes failed, before trying to land a second time using the F-15’s emergency tailhook. The air traffic controller responded that the runway’s arresting cable, which catches the tailhook, was up. The pilot touched down and tried to brake. About halfway down the 10,000-foot runway, he decided he lacked the time and space to safely execute a go-around, so decided instead to deploy the tailhook, radioing the tower the single word ‘cable.’
“The air traffic controller understood the radio transmission to mean the pilot wanted the cable down, activated the switch to lower the arrestment cable and approximately three seconds later transmitted ‘cable coming down’ on tower frequency,” the report states. “Approximately seven seconds later, the pilot transmitted ‘no, no, I need cable, cable up, cable up, cable up, cable up.’ Approximately four seconds later, the air traffic controller activated the switch to raise the cable and responded, ‘cable up.’”
The F-15’s tailhook missed the arresting cable and the pilot decided not to engage the fighter’s emergency brake system. He subsequently told investigators that he did not want to use the emergency system because technical orders caution against doing so when the aircraft is going above 70 knots calibrated airspeed and recommend applying light pressure at first. “During the AIB interview the pilot described being involved in previous F-15C loss of brakes incidents where use of the Emergency Brake / Steering system resulted in blown tyres,” the report states. The pilot indicated concern about losing directional control of the plane.
But without the emergency brake, the pilot lost control. When he steered around a lighting system, the report states, the jet ‘struck a raised retention berm on the northside, momentarily became airborne, and impacted the southside berm of the irrigation canal.’ Using interviews, simulators, flight data and technical documents, investigators subsequently concluded the most direct cause of the mishap was the failure to use the emergency brake system, a decision that went against the emergency checklist.
“Engaging the Emergency Brake / Steering system may or may not have resulted in blown tyres or damage to the landing gear but would have ultimately prevented the mishap,” the board president wrote. A simulation employing the same circumstances showed the aircraft could have safely stopped before leaving the runway.
However, other factors contributed:
The air traffic controller should have recognised when the pilot deployed his emergency tailhook
The pilot’s one-word communication with the air traffic controller did not follow Air Force procedure, creating confusion and the controller did not confirm with the pilot before lowering the arresting cable.
“It is also likely that the departure-end arrestment cable would have remained in the raised position had the pilot said nothing, as the air traffic controller had already communicated that the cable was raised prior to the landing,” the board president noted. Beyond that, investigators determined that maintainers failed to do their job in preventing the hydraulic failure that caused the in-flight emergency.
On 3 May 12 days before the mishap, the aircraft suffered a utility pump failure that caused a flight to be aborted on the ground and led to an overhaul of the utility hydraulic system. The aircraft did not fly again until a prior flight the same day as the mishap. “After the first flight, maintenance personnel reported a possible Utility System hydraulic leak during the Thru-Flight inspection,” the report noted. They found hydraulic fluid leaking under a door just behind the main landing gear and conducted a quick fix before clearing the aircraft to fly again, without properly documenting their actions. “These factors should have indicated to maintenance personnel that a more thorough evaluation was required, and had proper maintenance procedures been followed to isolate the leak, there is a high likelihood that the MA would have been deemed Non-Mission Capable (NMC) on the day of the mishap,” the board president wrote. Subsequent analysis determined the cause of the leak was a crack near a weld on the Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger.
The loss of the F-15 shrinks an already small fleet of two-seat D models. As of September 2023, there were just 12 F-15Ds across the entire Air Force and Air National Guard. The planes average more than 36 years of age. The Air Force plans to retire most of its C and D models in the coming years and last year announced, just days after the mishap, that it plans to put an F-35 Formal Training Unit at Kingsley.

Electrical wire separation led to power loss before WWI-era Curtiss JN-4 crash
The separation of an electrical wire powering the ignition module on a WWI-era Curtiss JN-4 single-engine biplane replica rendered the ignition system inoperative, leading to a total loss of engine power. The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing, crashing into a field in Greenville, Kentucky on 15 May 2023 and substantially damaging the aircraft. On that day the pilot of an experimental Walker-Curtiss JN4D (N8262) flew three legs with no reported engine issues. After landing at the third airport, the pilot filled the fuel tank for a final leg and inspected the aircraft. The flight took off from the Madisonville Regional Airport (2I0) in Madisonville, Kentucky and about 10 minutes into the flight, while flying at 1,500 feet agl, the engine suddenly stopped ‘as if it were turned off.’
The pilot attempted to restart the engine numerous times and on the third attempt, it started and operated to full power for about 10 seconds and then stopped again. He attempted again to restart the engine but it did not start. The plane was now over rolling hills and the pilot saw a logging road and field, initially planning to land on the logging road because recovery of the plane might be easier. As the plane approached the road, he saw stumps and decided to divert to the nearby field. The pilot performed a three-point landing in the field and the plane skipped. After a second touchdown, something came in contact with the main landing gear and it separated from the aircraft. The JN-4 came to rest with the empennage twisted to the left, the right lower wing was torn off about two feet outboard from the wing root and the landing gear had been sheared off. Investigators conducted operational testing of the engine ignition system following plane recovery and there was electrical power to the distributor but not from the distributor to the ignition module. The inspection found that a female spade electrical terminal connector of the red-coloured electrical wire had separated from the plastic connector and from its mating male connector at the distributor.
Upon closer inspection, investigators found that there was no positive locking resistance of the female spade terminal electrical connector inside the plastic connector. The female spade electrical connector of the separated wire was placed on its mating male connector at the distributor and the connection was tight. There was not a secondary locking device on the electrical connector at the distributor to prevent a single-point failure.
The replica is better known as Jenny and is the only JN-4 certified for coast-to-coast flight. The same plane was also involved in a 2017 crash at a gold course, with damage to the plane and minor injuries to the pilot. The plane was restored by a nonprofit volunteer organisation called Friends of Jenny and resumed flying in 2018.
The Curtiss JN-4 was designed in 1917 and served as a trainer for the US Air Service in WWI. Later the Jenny flew as a barnstorming and mail-carrying plane in the 1920s. A surplus of JN-4 aircraft was sold off in the US after 1918 and it grew to be a popular plane due to its versatility and affordability. The single-engine two-seat replica was manufactured in 2013. According to Bowling Green Daily News, the replica Jenny was one of only six Curtiss JN-4 planes remaining in the world.


Passenger’s Apple watch tracks down airport baggage thief
A former employee at an airport terminal shop is facing prison time, thanks to a Spirit Airlines passenger’s Apple watch. College student Paola Garcia had packed her jewellery, designer clothes, computer and two Apple watches in her pink rolling carry-on bag but was asked to check it due to overstuffed overhead bins. When she arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on 3 March she said she waited patiently at Terminal 4 baggage claim, but her bag did not arrive.
Spirit told her the bag would turn up and they would send it to her home, but the next day, she noticed that the tracking function of one of her Apple watches was showing it was at a residential house in Fort Lauderdale. She called the phone number at the house, but got no response, so she drove to the location. She took photos and video of several pieces of luggage, then called the police, who said “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” It turns out a resident at the house, Junior Bazile, was found to be a worker at one of the shops at the airport and he was on duty the day Garcia’s bag went missing. The shop owner turned over surveillance video that showed Bazile rolling a bag matching Garcia’s into a back room, going through it and removing the computer, watches and other items. Bazile was arrested and charged with grand theft (stealing items valued at $750 or more) and faces the possibility of five to 30 years in prison. Although the items were presumably recovered, the airline issued Garcia a reimbursement check as a courtesy, though Spirit said it does not believe one of its employees was involved in the theft. The Broward County Airport Authority (BCAD) noted that all airport employees undergo a criminal background check, adding, “When BCAD is made aware of any illegal activity that may be occurring at FLL, we work closely with the appropriate local and / or federal law enforcement partners to address the matter as swiftly as possible.

German Ministry of Interior orders up to 44 H225 helicopters for its Federal Police
This record order for the H225 includes 38 firm orders with options for a further six helicopters. Its payload, range and advanced systems make it a versatile aircraft capable of conducting a large array of law enforcement and homeland security missions ranging from special forces transport to firefighting and disaster relief. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2029.
The H225 will replace the H155 and AS332 helicopters that have been in service with the German Federal Police for more than 20 years. The order of the H225 will ensure a seamless transition for pilots and maintenance personnel. The contract also includes training means and spare part packages. The new and powerful mission and communication system guarantees improved situational awareness and smooth data transmission between police forces. It also has an improved main gearbox and an extended health and usage monitoring system, which increases safety and helps to save costs. With a maximum take-off weight of 11,160 kg, the H225 offers an increased range of more than 832 kilometres (1,107 km with external fuel tanks) and an unmatched external payload of 4,750 kg, essential for missions like disaster relief and firefighting. Airbus Helicopters’ ambition is that the helicopter will be able to fly with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 which was already demonstrated at ILA Berlin 2022.
The German Bundespolizei operates 94 Airbus helicopters, ranging from the single-engine H120 used for pilot training, to more than 40 twin-engine H135 family helicopters for several missions including emergency medical services on behalf of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe), and the Super Puma family, of which the H225 is the latest variant. The partnership began in 1962, when the Bundespolizei (at that time Bundesgrenzschutz) started operation of its Alouette II, manufactured by Airbus predecessor company Aérospatiale.
Offering the industry’s best range, speed, payload and reliability in the 11-tonne twin-engine category, the H225 is the latest member of Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma family that has accumulated more than six million flight hours in all-weather conditions around the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art electronic instruments and renowned autopilot precision, the H225 offers outstanding endurance and fast cruise speed and can be fitted with various equipment to suit a variety of roles.

Milestone Aviation and NHV Group sign leaseback agreements for five helicopters
The Milestone Aviation Group (Milestone) has announced the signing of purchase assignment and leaseback agreements for five helicopters with the prominent helicopter service provider NHV Group (NHV). This deal includes four Airbus H175 helicopters, one of which has already been delivered and is currently supporting offshore oil and gas operations in Denmark. The remaining three new units are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026. In addition, a new Leonardo AW169 helicopter is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks and will be deployed for offshore oil and gas missions in Côte d’Ivoire. Milestone Aviation Group, an AerCap company, is renowned for its helicopter leasing and financing services. Milestone collaborates with helicopter operators globally, offering a comprehensive range of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase / leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. This partnership with NHV Group underscores Milestone’s commitment to supporting the growth and modernisation of helicopter fleets worldwide, ensuring that operators have access to the latest technology and capabilities to meet their operational demands.

Saudia Group to expand further with new order for Airbus or Boeing widebodies
According to Reuters, Saudia Group is currently in talks with both Boeing and Airbus over the possibility of placing an order for new wide-body aircraft. Saudia Group hit the headlines only a few weeks ago by announcing an order with Airbus for 105 A320neo family aircraft. However, it appears the company wishes to go further. Abdullah Alshahrani, the Saudia Group General Manager of Communications and Media Affairs, has said that the airline requires a total of 180 new single-aisle aircraft. However, with limited Airbus production slots available, Saudia was looking at widebody jets instead, specifically the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330.
Alshahrani told Reuters that the group had been fortunate to push through the order for single-aisle planes with Airbus last month. It has not been reported exactly how many of the new widebodies will be allocated to Saudia and how many to Flyadeal. In May 2024, it was announced that Saudia will acquire 54 A321neo aircraft, while Flyadeal will receive 12 A320neo and 39 A321neos from the Airbus order for 105 aircraft. According to Ch-aviation, Saudia already operates 59 Airbus A320 family aircraft. This comprises 37 A320-200s, 15 A321-200s and seven A321-200neos. The carrier already had a further 14 A320neo and 15 A321neo XLR on order prior to this latest announcement.

Tecnam begins P-Mentor deliveries to the US
“Beginning P-Mentor customer deliveries less than one month after achieving FAA type certification marks another incredible milestone of raising the bar for the general aviation marketplace,” said Giovanni Pascale Langer, managing director of Tecnam Aircraft. “The P-Mentor has already begun to transform the training marketplace around the world as flight schools recognise that they cannot continue to operate legacy aircraft. The P-Mentor offers a unique combination of unparalleled safety, performance and cost-effectiveness.”
According to Robert Renfro, chief pilot and co-founder of Kilo Charlie Aviation, the school that was established in 2020 has, up until now, relied upon a fleet of Piper Warrior Pa-28-161, Piper Archer III, and Cirrus SR-20 G6 aircraft for single-engine training. As its student population and fuel bill increased, the company realised it needed to find a more efficient design to fulfill training needs. “We looked at every fleet on the market, I truly mean everyone,” Renfro said. “We had been flying the Tecnam P-2006T for twin training after transitioning from a Diamond DA-42 and fell in love with its reliability and efficiency. We reached out to Tecnam to order a bigger fleet of twins and they let us know at the time that a new certified single was coming out and that they wanted to present it to us.”
According to Renfro, Tecnam is providing the flight instructors with one hour of ground instruction and two hours of flight training in the aircraft. Most of the instructors have already had some experience with the Tecnam, he said, noting that last year they were the first pilots in the US to fly the airplane. “All our instructors flew it for an hour and said that it is easier, more intuitive and has more effectiveness in landing,” Renfro said. “All airplanes have tendencies which we will learn, but from what we know so far, the transition is going to be very easy.”
The useful load of an aircraft is always a consideration in the training environment, second only to fuel economy. Although Tecnam is synonymous with light sport aircraft (LSA), the company chose to certify the P-Mentor with a maximum gross weight of 1,587 pounds 268 pounds more than the top of the LSA class. This allows for a useful load of 628 pounds.

Swiss Air Force practices motorway landing with F/A-18 fighter jets
On 5 June the Swiss Air Force conducted landing and take-off drills on a stretch of motorway as part of its ‘Alpha Uno’ exercise. The drill involved eight McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets landed and took off on a section of the A1 motorway between the towns of Avenches and Payerne in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The section of the motorway was closed for 36 hours and cordoned off. The F/A-18 is a multirole aircraft, originally designed for use from US Navy aircraft carriers. Switzerland currently operates around 25 Hornets fighter jets, which it will eventually replace by Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
According to the Swiss Air Force, the goal of ‘Alpha Uno’ is to test whether its fighter jets can take off and land at improvised locations. SwissInfo reported that the Air Force wants to strengthen its defence capability due to the ‘deteriorating security situation’ in Europe, largely due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

B-1 Bomber drops live munitions in exercise over South Korea
On 5 June a B-1 Lancer conducted the bomber’s first live munitions drop over South Korea in seven years. The one-day drill saw the B-1 from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, with two Republic of Korea F-15Ks, release live 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). According to a US 7th Air Force release, the bomber and the fighters aimed to hit multiple targets all at once with the exercise. “This training showcases the incredible capabilities of our combined forces to simultaneously strike multiple targets in a contested environment,” Lt. Gen. David Iverson, US Forces Korea deputy commander and 7th Air Force commander, said in a statement Lt. Col. Christian Hoover, 37th EBS commander, added that the exercise also demonstrated the ability of the B-1 fleet to “conduct precision targeting and strike with live weapons in an unfamiliar location.”
JDAM, a GPS-equipped guidance kit, transforms unguided bombs into precision munitions. JDAM-class weapons are the most frequent air-to-ground munition expended in combat and the system can be fitted onto all US fighters and bombers. After the munitions drop, the B-1 joined US Air Force’s F-16s and KC-135 Stratotankers; Marine Corps F-35Bs and ROK Air Force F-35As and KF-16s, for more air-to-air training over the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s Defence Ministry said the deployment of the B-1 bomber is part of the extended deterrence commitment between the two nations, reaffirmed during the Defence Ministers’ meeting in Singapore on 2 June. Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III met with ROK Minister of Defence Shin Won-sik on 2 June at the as part of the annual Shangri-la Dialogue. Austin also met with Japanese Minister of Defence Kihara Minoru to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They condemned North Korea’s recent actions, including nuclear delivery system tests, ballistic missile launches and illicit arms transfers with Russia. Austin and the two ministers agreed to implement the first iteration of a new, multidomain trilateral exercise, ‘Freedom Edge,’ this summer.
The bomber exercise comes amid a new surge in tensions between North and South Korea. North Korea recently launched hundreds of balloons filled with trash across the border, prompting the South Korean government to fully suspend the inter-Korean military agreement signed in 2018 that was meant to foster trust between the two countries.

Qantas: Airbus A350 extra fuel tank certified
After a delay announced earlier this year, Qantas has confirmed that Project Sunrise is now back on track, with the third fuel tank for its fleet of ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000s having been certified.
On 22 February 2024, Qantas explained that delivery of its fleet of new Airbus A350-1000s would be delayed by six months because the regulator had requested that the aircraft’s center tank be redesigned. At the time, Christian Scherer, the CEO of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business, said: “We have to redesign the center tank, the extra fuel tank, that will allow the Sunrise mission and that is what explains the shift.”
On 4 June 2024, at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual general meeting in Dubai, Qantas head Vanessa Hudson announced that the extra fuel tank, which will enable 22-hour flights from Australia, had received approval from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Hudson said: “We are working very closely with Airbus and the first aircraft is due to arrive from mid-2026. It has passed all the certifications now, so we are feeling very optimistic about the delivery timetable.” Until the delay was announced earlier this year, Qantas was expecting the first of 24 A350-1000s to start arriving in 2025.
Initially Qantas ordered 12 A350s in 2022 and then a further 12 in 2023 for Project Sunrise, with the aim of providing nonstop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London. During the pandemic, the Australian flag carrier was forced to shelve Project Sunrise. As such, executives are likely to be thrilled that nothing now appears to stand in the way of the flights commencing next year.

German Chancellor Scholz announces order for 20 additional Eurofighter Typhoons
On the opening day of ILA air show in Berlin, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that the government has placed an order for 20 additional Eurofighter jets. During a speech on 5 June 2024, Chancellor Scholz confirmed that the purchase of the new aircraft for the Luftwaffe is in addition to the 38 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered in 2020. Addressing the media, Scholz said: “I am strongly in favour of maintaining and expanding production capabilities. That is why we will order 20 more Eurofighters in this legislative period in addition to the 38 aircraft currently in the pipeline.” In June 2020, Germany’s acquisition of 38 Eurofighter Typhoons was estimated to be worth around €5.4 billion ($5.8 billion). Delivery of the Airbus fourth-generation fighter jets should commence in 2025. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter, manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.

Messerschmitt Me 262 replica for sale
A rare opportunity has arisen to purchase a full-scale replica of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the first operational jet-powered fighter. The aircraft in question was built in Germany by Manfred Pflumm, the owner of the International Flugmuseum in Schwenningen. With a passion for aviation and a keen eye for detail, Pflumm dedicated many years to restoring and rebuilding airplanes for various museums. His ultimate dream was to establish his own museum and surround himself with his meticulously crafted 1:1 scale aircraft models.
On 28 May 1988 Pflumm’s dream came to fruition with the grand opening of the International Aviation Museum. The museum’s debut featured an impressive array of exhibits built by Pflumm himself, complemented by a collection of numerous military aircraft. One of the standout exhibits was a 1:1 scale model of the Messerschmitt Me 262. The Me 262 is marked with the original insignia of the Me 262A-1A, Werknummer 111924, from the 1. Staffel Jagdgeschwader JG7, designated as Weisse 7. This faithful recreation showcases the dedication and craftsmanship of Manfred Pflumm, paying homage to a significant piece of aviation history. Today, this remarkable aircraft is located in Las Cruces, NM where it has continued to inspire and educate aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. However, the time has come for the Me 262 to find a new home and it is offered for sale by Norbert Steinwedel. He can be reached by phone by e-mail at norb841@gmail.com.


Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought
An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper’s final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 1963 (powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D). The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing’s Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days. The spacecraft departed from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Pad 41 (a few miles from Cooper’s 1963 launch site) at 10h52 EDT and is considered a ‘shakedown’ flight to the International Space Station.
On board are former Navy test pilots Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita Williams, both now active-duty NASA astronauts. Between them, they have four space flights logged, including 500 days in orbit and 11 space walks. Their mission calls for monitoring automated controls during the initial launch, testing manual controls en route, then monitoring the automated 25-hour rendezvous and docking sequence with the International Space Station just past noon on Thursday 6 June (EDT).
Boeing’s Starliner is considered four years behind Elon Musk’s SpaceX Crew Dragon, which has already carried 50 astronauts, Russian cosmonauts and civilians on 13 orbital flights since 2020, all but one to the space station. But Williams and Wilmore say the Starliner is safer and more capable than the competition, with multiple upgrades. Williams said, “I am not going to say it has been easy. We knew we would get here eventually. It is a solid spacecraft and I do not think I would really want to be in any other place right now.”
After docking and meeting with the astronauts and cosmonauts currently on board the space station, the Starliner crew is scheduled to begin its return journey to Earth on 14 June. That date is subject to weather forecasts for the landing sites in western US desert regions. Going forward, NASA is expected to certify the Starliner for annual routine rotation flights to the space station. Current plans call for alternating missions with the SpaceX Crew Dragon to deliver crews to the space station for six-month duty tours.


EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 celebrates vertical lift and rotorcraft aviation
Celebrating women involved in vertical lift and rotorcraft aviation missions will be the theme for EAA WomenVenture 2024 during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The 71st edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is scheduled for 22 to 28 July at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“This year, we wanted to focus on the vertical lift and rotorcraft industry as it is a uniquely impactful segment of the aviation world,” said Margaret Viola, an EAA-member pilot who is the volunteer chair of the event. “Nicole Battjes, along with our panel of female aviators in the vertical lift space, have helped make great progress in the industry while inspiring other women to pursue their aviation dreams,” said Viola. “We are excited for them to speak to the evolving nature of vertical lift missions, both past and present.”





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