Number 57 – 19 July 2021

No prizes, but can you identify this aircraft? After presenting last week’s rather challenging mystery aircraft, I thought I would present an easier aircraft this week. Please send your answers to me: editor@africanpilot.co.za

I will publish the names of all those that identified the aircraft correctly in the Thursday edition of APAnews. Last week one lady identified the aircraft correctly so, perhaps more ladies will have a go at this quiz this week?

On Friday evening the President addressed the nation again and this time I was impressed for several reasons, but perhaps the most important reason was that he admitted the security forces were not prepared for what unfolded during the past week of criminal looting. Although much of what the President said was repetitive, it is alarming that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) were caught out by what has been described as a well-orchestrated attempted coup.

What is pleasing to note is the huge amount of goodwill from ordinary citizens who are working together to clean up the destruction and take their lives back. From an aviation perspective the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) together with the Aero Club of South Africa (AeCSA) have prepared a co-ordinated plan to fly essential medicines, food and other vital supplies to Durban and the surrounding areas. Many people have also made cash donations towards this worthy cause, which is to be applauded.

There is a wonderful video doing the rounds showing ordinary people assisting with the clean up as well as people who are sympathetic to the cause of taking back our country from these criminal elements. By now, like most South African people, I believe there can be no doubt that the events of the past week were a well-orchestrated attempted coup and I sincerely hope that the security services arrest those responsible. Their actions are treason and they should be placed against a wall and shot.

However, there have been numerous warnings that what we all saw on television, on our cell phones and elsewhere may in fact be just the tip of a festering sore that can erupt into increased violence at any time. For this reason, it is important for all of us to be aware of the well-orchestrated treason that is happening all around us. Take care everyone and please keep clear of potential hotspots.

The July edition of African Pilot featuring Light Sport Aircraft types (LSA), South African designed and manufactured light aircraft and South African light aircraft assembled from kits has been fully distributed. This 260-page publication is one of the largest we have ever produced and incorporates 25 embedded picture galleries and 28 embedded videos, also another record. This year the LSA and South African manufactured aircraft feature is a whopping 80 pages. On behalf of the African Pilot team, I would like to thank those advertisers that have supported this amazing edition. Without your commitment there is no way we could have produced a publication of this excellence.

The August edition will feature Avionics, Instrumentation and headsets, especially the aircraft retrofit market. Over the next few days African Pilot will be sending information to all known avionics and instrumentation companies in South Africa as well as the remainder of the world. Now that the magazine reaches anyone with an interest in aviation throughout the world, African Pilot is now considered to be an international publication.

Best of Aviation 2020

Wallpaper calendar for the months of May and June. Go to our wallpaper page to download the calendars in three different resolutions.

I have watched and enjoyed the full series to date and I was impressed with the production of the various episodes that African Pilot published as a series during 2019 / 20 and that we consolidated into Wouter’s eBook. I understand from Wouter that the series has been so popular that the television station will be re-broadcasting the series on Mnet catchup for the next few weeks.

Flights to Nowhere eBook

Purchase your copy here

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

KZN relief flights: CAASA together with the industry are coordinating relief flights in support of assisting KZN in this time of need. If you have air assets and / or are able to support such flights, this would be highly appreciated, these flights will support flying in food and essentials, medical supplies, security equipment. A KZN relief fund has also been established in support of assisting those affected by the fallout of the riots. 

For General Enquiries or to Provide Any Assistance, contact Sam Keddle 063 717 3460 E-mail: Sam@caasa.co.za. For more detailed information go to http://www.caasa.co.za/kzn-air-fund/

C-19 status: Since our last communique we had entered Lockdown Level 4 until 11 July 2021, which has since been extended to 25 July 2021. Essentially the same protocols continue as before.

ICASA: It has become apparent that renewing or change of ownership of radio licences as a service has again regressed to a point where no responses to queries are attended to, our attempts to engage have been unsuccessful. Therefore, it is best is to continue to make your payments and utilise the payment receipt as proof.

Part 66, Subpart 4 – Approved Persons Certificate: the rework of this regulation has commenced and will keep members posted on progress. The Aero Club website is also being overhauled as far as Approved Persons is concerned and will shortly contain relevant information on the process of how to become an AP, application forms and study material. We will also be starting an AP contact list – which will be Popi act compliant with the necessary consents.

Popi Act: The Popi act came into full effect on 1 July. In compliance we hereby afford you the opportunity to unsubscribe from our Mailchimp mailing list. If you would like to opt out, you can click the unsubscribe link below. If you are happy to be kept on the mailing list, no action is required.

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) together with local airline, Airlink, supermarket chain, Shoprite and global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) are joining forces to provide vital relief, supplies and support in cleaning up Pietermaritzburg after the looting and civil unrest that has devastated the city and surrounding communities over the past week. Together they will provide and safely transport over 2,000 food packages and provisions to people who are currently without any food after shops in the city and surrounds were pillaged.  A team of 85 volunteers from Airlink and HSF will fly to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday (Nelson Mandela International Day) where Santaco-affiliated minibus taxis will ferry them to those areas in most need of support.  Relief supplies and food packages were donated by Airlink, HSF, their respective staff and matched with generous contributions from Shoprite.

Airlink has been flying urgently needed medicine and other supplies to the city since its airport was reopened on Wednesday. It has also helped several people stranded in Pietermaritzburg return to their homes in other parts of the country after the main freeway out of the city was closed.   Airlink is also supporting wider relief efforts, which has included the transportation of more than 50 tons of relief for Durban and Johannesburg.

26 July to 01 August
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net
Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig E-mail: calvin@designer.co.za
Cancelled for South African travellers

29 to 31 July
Botswana Air Race Friday at Matsieng Aerodrome
Contact Hentie de Wet E-mail: hentie@dwddrilling.com
Postponed until 2022

31 July
Botswana International airshow Saturday at Matsieng Aerodrome
Contact Hentie de Wet E-mail: hentie@dwddrilling.com
Information: www.botswana-airshow.com
Postponed until 2022

4 August
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual via Zoom
Contact Neil Bowden Email: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

7 & 8 August
Sports Aerobatics Club Western Cape Regionals and training camp Venue TBA
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

18 to 21 August
Sports Aerobatics Club National Aerobatics Championships Phalaborwa Airfield
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za or Natalie Stark natalie@stark.co.za

20 & 21 August
Bethlehem Airshow at Bethlehem Airfield
Contact Stephan Fourie E-mail: fouriesj1491@gmail.com Cell: 072 344 9678
Postponed until 2022 due to COVID-19

28 August
SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally at Secunda Airfield
Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435

29 August
Rand Airshow at Rand Airport
Contact Stuart Coetzee E-mail: manager@randairport.co.za Cell: 082 444 0407
Postponed until 2022 due to COVID-19

1 September
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual via Zoom
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

11 September
SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally at Secunda Airfield
Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435

11 September
RV Day fly-in to Kitty Hawk
Contact Dawie Pretorius Cell: 082 804 6979

14 & 15 September
Aviation MENA, Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.
Website: www.aviationmena.aero
Contact Alison Weller E-mail: alison@accessgroup.aero Tel: +44 7501 185255

17 & 18 September
EAA Silver Creek fly-in and movie evening. Camping on the airfield
Contact Neil Bowden Cell: 084 674 5674 or Jeremy Woods Cell: 082 883 0436

21 to 23 September
MRO Asia Pacific, Singapore EXPO, Singapore
Website: https://mroasia.aviationweek.com
Contact Jennifer Roberts E-mail: Jennifer.roberts@aviationweek.com Tel: +1.917.699.6231

24 to 26 September
EAA Sun ‘n Fun at Brits airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

24 September
Great Train Race vintage cars and aircraft at Heidelberg airfield – Heritage Day
Contact Van Zyl Schultz E-mail: vzs@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 560 2275

2 October
SAPFA Springs Speed Rally at Springs Airfield
Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435

2 & 3 October
Sports Aerobatics Club Northwest Regionals Klerksdorp Airfield
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

6 October
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual via Zoom
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

8 to 10 October
EAA Taildraggers at Warmbaths airfield
Contact Richard Nicholson E-mail: flybenchmark@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227

12 to 14 October
NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Las Vegas Nevada
https://nbaa.org/events/2021-nbaa-business-aviation-convention-exhibition-nbaa-bace/

14 & 15 October
Aviation Africa Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda
Website: www.aviationafrica.aero
Contact Alison Weller E-mail: alison@accessgroup.aero Tel: +44 7501 185255

19 to 21 October
MRO Europe, RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Website: https://mroeurope.aviationweek.com
Contact Jennifer Roberts E-mail: Jennifer.roberts@aviationweek.com Tel: +1.917.699.6231

3 November
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual via Zoom
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

5 November
Children’s Flight at Orient airfield
Contact Felix Gosher

6 November
SAPFA SA Landing Championships at Stellenbosch Airfield
Contact Ron Stirk E-mail: melron@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 445 0373

6 to 13 November
SAPFA World Rally Championships training week at Stellenbosch airfield
Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516

14 to 18 November
Dubai Airshow DWC, Airshow Site, Dubai, UAE
Email: hello@dubaiairshow.aero

14 to 19 November
SAPFA World Rally Championships at Stellenbosch airfield
Contact Mary de Klerk E-mail: maryd@expandingbranding.co.za Cell: 084 880 9000

16 to 18 November
European Rotors Hall 8 Conference Centre Koelnmesse
Website: www.europeanrotors.eu E-mail: presse@messe-fn.de

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

1 December
EAA Chapter 322 monthly meeting virtual via Zoom
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net Cell: 084 674 5674

4 December
Aero Club of South Africa annual awards venue TBA
Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032

4 & 5 December
Sports Aerobatics Club ACE of Base Baragwaneth Airfield
Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

The Bronco II prototype has been flying demonstration flights in the United States as part of the Armed Overwatch competition. After several successful flights, the aircraft was parked on the ground on 9 July when it suffered minor damage to its landing gear. A Leidos spokesperson said, “the aircraft suffered minor damage during a preventative maintenance action.” It is not clear if human error or a technical problem was responsible, although it could be a combination of both. “We are working with the customer to complete the necessary inspection and continue showcasing the advanced capabilities of this aircraft,” the Leidos spokesperson said. It is expected the aircraft will be flying again in the next few days.

The Bronco II is the United States version of the Paramount Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) and armed Mwari variant, being offered by Leidos and its team, which includes Paramount USA. Leidos, Paramount USA and Vertex were among five teams awarded a total of $19.3 million for prototype demonstrations under the Armed Overwatch programme. The other teams are Textron Aviation Defence with its AT-6E Wolverine, L3 with its AT-802U Sky Warden, MAG Aerospace with its MC-208 Guardian and Sierra Nevada Corporation with its M28/C-145 Wily Coyote.

An Antonov An-28 airplane disappeared from radar on a flight between Kedrovo and Tomsk, western Siberia, Russia. The aircraft, registration number RA-28728, belongs to the company Siberian Light Aviation. It was on its way from Kedrovo Airport to Tomsk-Bogashevo Airport (TOF) when it disappeared from radar. “Its emergency locator beacon went off,” a source told the Russian news agency TASS. “There are 17 people on board, including four children and three crew members.” A Mil Mi-8 helicopter was sent to search for the plane, which was last located 52 kilometres southeast of Kedrovo. The aircraft was located. According to preliminary information, all occupants survived the incident. The plane sustained heavy damages.

On Friday 9 July, an unmanned aircraft crashed during a test flight from NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. According to a NASA statement, the incident with the remotely piloted X-56B happened at approximately 07h35, when the aircraft ‘encountered an anomaly in flight.’ The aircraft impacted hard into the ground and was destroyed.

The X-56B is a small aircraft with very long wings. It is the successor to the X-56A, which concluded testing in 2019. The X-56B uses the same aircraft body as its predecessor, but with different wings. It is part of a project with NASA and partner Northrop Grumman, as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory. The aircraft is used to test technologies to enable future aircraft to fly using long, flexible wings. Long, lightweight wings are needed for more fuel-efficient, long-range aircraft, but they are susceptible to vibration known as ‘flutter’ at low speeds that can cause control issues and damage the wings. The X-56A programme was able to successfully suppress this potentially destructive characteristic. The X-56A was developed by Lockheed Martin for the Air Force Research Laboratory, then transferred to NASA Armstrong following that programme’s conclusion for NASA to conduct its own research on flutter control and similar technologies.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a directive to inspect cabin altitude pressure switches on all Boeing 737 aircraft. The directive affects all 737 series aircraft, including Classic, NG, and MAX models. It urges all operators to perform tests of and replace switches if needed. According to the FAA, the concern was caused by reports about failed switches, discovered by a certain 737 operator during tests. “Failure of these switches could result in the cabin altitude warning system not activating if the cabin altitude exceeds 10,000 feet, at which point oxygen levels could become dangerously low,” the directive states. The issue is unrelated to much-publicised problems with Boeing 737 MAX flight control software, according to the agency. There have been previous issues with 737 pressure switches though. The latest failures, discovered in September 2020, were investigated by Boeing and found inconsequential. FAA disagreed, which lead to the issuing of the directive.

With most of its Boeing 777 pilots already flying, Emirate’s airline is about to start bringing back its Airbus A380 pilots which are currently on furlough. The air carrier plans to reinstate from 70 to 100 pilots per month, its COO told local media. The airline has already brought 169 out of its 263 planes back to service. Among the aircraft that remain parked, only five are 777s, Planespotters.net data shows. Meanwhile, only about a quarter of the Super Jumbos, 30 out of 119, are back in service.

“Regarding our A380 pilots, we will start building the numbers up as we put more aircraft back in operation,” Al Redha said, as cited by the National. “We are constrained with the number of training sessions that we can hold in our simulator, but we are currently working on bringing in between 70 to 100 pilots per month to re-train.”

In line with its fleet modernisation plan, which is focused on aircraft simplification, scale, size and sustainability, Delta Air Lines will add 29 used Boeing 737-900ERs and seven used Airbus A350-900 jets. Delta will lease all seven A350s through the Irish leasing company AerCap. Meanwhile, it will buy 29 Boeing 737-900ERs from funds managed by a private investment firm Castlelake. The aircraft newcomers are expected to join Delta’s fleet by Q1 2022 and should enter customer service once the required modifications are made.

The American air carrier expects that additional planes will improve its fleet efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and enhance the customer experience. Delta’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ed Bastian believes that the widebody fleet renewal will allow the company to grow and sustain profitability as well as support its sustainability commitment as the demand for air travel returns post-pandemic.

Seven Airbus A350-900 newcomers are expected to replace already withdrawn Boeing 777s. The move should help the airline to enhance its cargo capacity as well as reduce unit costs. Once Airbus A350s will be added to the fleet, the airline will operate 24 jets of the type. The additional Boeing jets will bring the total number of the type to 159 planes, the data of Planespotters.com shows. The existing Delta Air Lines fleet consists of a total of 800 aircraft.

The state-owned low-cost carrier flydubai agreed with the American manufacturer to reduce the number of the Boeing 737 narrow-body jets on order. The airline confirmed to the local media having cut the order by 65 jets. The decision follows the airline’s update of strategy. flydubai is working on rebuilding its network which was adjusted to ‘the changing dynamics of the airline’s route structure’ affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company used to be the second-largest customer airline for the Boeing 737 MAX in the world, after Southwest Airlines (LUV). flydubai initially placed an order for 75 737 MAX jets in 2013 and has been expanding the commitment year on year. Previously the airline had commitments to acquire a total of 251 aircraft of the type, of which 14 have already been added to the fleet. The airline took two 737 MAX 8s in June 2021 and expects to take a further 11 by the end of 2021. To date, the Dubai-based air carrier operates an all-Boeing fleet, consisting of 50 aircraft, whose average age is 5.5 years. The company flies 36 Boeing 737-800s, 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 3 Boeing 737 MAX 9s.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on states to follow new guidance on travel from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The guidance recommends a ‘risk-based approach’ to implementing measures related to COVID-19 and international travel. Specifically, WHO recommended that governments:

• Do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a mandatory condition for entry or exit
• Remove measures such as testing and / or quarantine requirements for travellers who are fully vaccinated or have had a confirmed previous COVID-19 infection within the past six months
• Ensure alternative pathways for unvaccinated individuals through testing so that they can travel internationally
• WHO recommends rRT-PCR tests or antigen detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for this

Only implement test and / or quarantine measures for international travellers ‘on a risk-based manner’ with policies on testing and quarantine regularly reviewed to ensure they are lifted when no longer necessary. “These common sense, risk-based recommendations from WHO, if followed by states, will allow for international air travel to resume while minimising the chance of importing COVID-19. As WHO notes and as the latest UK testing data proves international travellers are not a high-risk group in terms of COVID-19. Out of 1.65 million tests carried out on arriving international passengers in the UK since February, only 1.4 percent were positive for COVID-19. It is long past time for governments to incorporate data into risk-based decision-making process for re-opening borders,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

WHO also called on states to communicate ‘in a timely and adequate manner’ any changes to international health-related measures and requirements. ‘Consumers face a maze of confusing, uncoordinated and fast-changing border entry rules that discourage them from traveling, causing economic hardship across those employed in the travel and tourism sector. “According to our latest passenger survey, 70 percent of recent travellers thought the rules were a challenge to understand,” said Walsh. 

In addition, WHO encouraged states to look at bilateral, multilateral and regional agreements, particularly among neighbouring counties, ‘with the aim of facilitating the recovery of key socioeconomic activities’ including tourism, for which international travel plays a vital role. “The pandemic has put more than 46 million jobs, normally supported by aviation, at risk. By incorporating these latest WHO recommendations into their border opening strategies, states can begin to reverse the economic damage of the past 18 months and put the world on the road to recovery,” said Walsh.

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is exploring multiple pathways to reducing its environmental impact, with initiatives ranging from the planned introduction of electrically powered light training aircraft to the ‘flight-free certification’ of future combat assets. Introducing a sustainability session during the virtual Farnborough Connect event on 13 July, minister for defence procurement Jeremy Quin said the Ministry of Defence accounts for 50% of all emissions made by UK central government departments, with the RAF’s Air Command alone responsible for 41%.

Speaking during the same forum, RAF deputy commander Air Marshal Andrew Turner said a broad range of measures are already being explored to reduce the service’s environmental footprint, including investing in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This drive is being made in support of the UK government’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but also offers operational benefits, he adds. “We are going to endeavour to fly a 100% SAF-powered aircraft this side of Christmas and move that fleet to 100% SAF in about two years’ time,” Turner says, without identifying the type involved. Flying the service’s current assets with a 50:50 mix is already possible.

The RAF recently made an investment in a private company which has demonstrated the production of jet fuel from apples and lavender, with a laboratory product ‘more stable than jet fuel’, Turner says. However, he notes that today SAF typically costs around four-times as much per litre than Jet-A1 fuel, and that broader adoption of the technology is needed to close this price gap.

If you are looking for cost-effective, rugged and simple, you have probably come across the Aerosport Bushcat. A Rotax powered two seats, side by side LSA, the Bushcat uses the best of the older ultralight style construction methods along with some significant updates to create a very solid little high-wing machine that will not break the bank. Best of all, the cabin width is generous whilst the headroom is rather good. The BushCat by SkyReach is available as a certified Light Sport aircraft (SLSA). It is available as a conventional trike or a taildragger or with floats.

Blue Origin has confirmed that Oliver Daemen will be the first paying customer to fly on board New Shepard, marking the beginning of commercial operations for the programme. He will join Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos and Wally Funk aboard the first human flight on 20 July. At 18-years-old and 82-years-young, Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk represent the youngest and oldest astronauts to travel to space.

The winner of Blue Origin’s auction, who has asked to remain anonymous at this time, has chosen to fly on a future New Shepard mission due to scheduling conflicts. Club for the Future announced this week the auction gift has enabled Club to donate $1 million to 19 non-profit organizations ($19 million in total), all of which are working to support the future of living and working in space.

“We thank the auction winner for their generous support of Club for the Future and are honoured to welcome Oliver to fly with us on New Shepard,” said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin. “This marks the beginning of commercial operations for New Shepard and Oliver represents a new generation of people who will help us build a road to space.” Flying on New Shepard will fulfill a lifelong dream for Oliver, who has been fascinated by space, the Moon and rockets since he was four. Oliver graduated from high school in 2020 and took a gap year before continuing his studies to obtain his private pilot’s license. This September, Oliver will attend the University of Utrecht to study physics and innovation management.

A mysterious whiff of an unstable chemical in the skies of Venus may not be a sign of life but the result of explosive volcanic eruptions, a new study finds. Last year, scientists reported detecting signs of the molecule phosphine in the clouds of the second rock from the sun. The chemical, which is made up of one atom of phosphorus and three atoms of hydrogen, should break down quickly in atmospheres that are rich in oxygen, such as those of Earth and Venus. On Earth, phosphine is made in factories and is found near certain kinds of microbes. As such, researchers suggested phosphine on Venus might be a hint of life on that hellish world in a hotly debated hypothesis. One opposition camp has questioned whether or not phosphine was definitely seen, while another debates whether life is the only possible origin for phosphine on Venus. Now, a pair of planetary scientists suggest explosive volcanic eruptions could also spew phosphine into the Venusian atmosphere. “We may be witnessing active volcanism on Venus,” study lead author Ngoc Truong, a planetary scientist at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, told Space.com.

To see if there might be a nonbiological explanation for phosphine in the skies of Venus, the researchers analysed lab data on phosphorus chemistry as well as calculations of volcanic and atmospheric activity. The scientists found that volcanism on Venus could potentially bring small amounts of phosphorus-loaded compounds known as phosphides from deep in the mantle layer of the planet to the surface. Explosive volcanic eruptions could then spew these phosphides in the form of volcanic dust into the atmosphere, where the chemical could react with sulfuric acid to form phosphine.

In order for phosphides to reach the altitudes necessary for the previously reported phosphine detection, the researchers suggested a Venusian outburst on a scale comparable to the Krakatau eruption on Earth in 1883 was necessary. That catastrophe was one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history on Earth, destroying more than 70% of the Indonesian island of Krakatoa and its surrounding archipelago.

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich carries an advanced altimeter that allows it to make more precise measurements of global sea levels than its predecessors. The new European-American ocean-monitoring satellite Sentinel 6 Michael Freilich has started delivering ultra-precise measurements of rising sea levels on Earth a six-month shakedown period. As the globe’s climate changes, Earth’s oceans are warming and rising. To keep a watch on the waters, scientists have been relying for three decades on eyes in the sky: satellites that closely track how seas are behaving around the world and the latest such satellite, Sentinel 6 Michael Freilich, has just begun to send back data.

The spacecraft, named after the late NASA climate scientist Michael Freilich, lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California last November. In time, Sentinel 6 will be able to give scientists more precise data about ocean surfaces than its predecessors, accurate to only a few centimetres. As a result, it will allow meteorologists to better track weather patterns, such as nascent hurricanes and accurately monitor temperatures and rising sea levels. For now, its mission has just begun. “It is a relief knowing that the satellite is working and that the data look good,” said Josh Willis, a project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in a statement. “Several months from now, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will take over for its predecessor, Jason-3, and this data release is the first step in that process.”

On Monday 12 July, Zhurong rolled up to investigate its parachute and back shell, which fell to the red dirt a short distance away from the rover’s landing site on the huge Martian plain Utopia Planitia. Zhurong captured black-and-white images of the gear with its hazard-avoidance cameras, including one shot that also features the rover’s own tracks. And the robot snapped a stunning colour photo of the parachute-back shell assembly as well. (The back shell covered the rover and its lander on its way to Mars and through much of the planet’s atmosphere.)

“The complete back cover structure after aerodynamic ablation, the attitude control engine diversion hole on the back cover is clearly identifiable,” Chinese space officials wrote in a description of the image on Thursday 15 July. When it took the colour photo, Zhurong was about 100 feet (30 meters) from the back shell and roughly 1,150 feet (350 m) from its landing site, the officials added.

Zhurong is part of Tianwen 1, China’s first fully homegrown Mars’s mission. Tianwen 1 launched in July 2020 and arrived in orbit around the Red Planet this past February, about a week before NASA’s Perseverance rover made it to Mars. In mid-May, Zhurong separated from the Tianwen 1 orbiter and touched down on Mars, making China just the second nation, after the US, to successfully land a robot on the Martian surface and operate it for an appreciable length of time. (The Soviet Union’s Mars 3 spacecraft landed successfully in 1971 but died about two minutes later, whilst the European Space Agency’s Beagle 2 lander may have touched down safely in December 2003, but it never made contact with its handlers.)

Zhurong is studying the geology and topography of its surroundings and hunting for buried water ice, among other tasks, during a surface mission designed to last at least 90 Mars days, or sols (about 93 Earth days). The Tianwen 1 orbiter, which relays communications to and from Zhurong in addition to performing its own observations, will operate for at least one Mars year (687 Earth days) if all goes according to plan. This hazard-camera shot of Zhurong’s parachute and back shell, taken on 12 July 2021, also features the rover’s tracks. As of Thursday, Zhurong has been exploring the Martian surface for 60 sols and has travelled a total of 1,476 feet (450 m), Chinese officials wrote in the image description.

CAE, a global leader in aviation training and Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), announced the signing of a strategic partnership, subject to definitive agreement, to develop, certify, and deploy an innovative pilot training programme for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations. A first in the industry, this eVTOL pilot training programme will develop the pilot workforce of the future and ensure safe introduction of eVTOL operations globally by leveraging CAE’s advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), as well as data analytics and Volocopter’s leading understanding of requirements for integration into the UAM ecosystem.

UAM is an emerging part of the aviation industry focused on aerial connectivity in and around cities. Volocopter’s family of electric aircraft are designed to relieve today’s heavily fossil-fuelled, inner-city traffic for both people and goods. The company’s first commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, is well into its certification programme with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is positioned to launch first services in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Through existing agreements and partnerships with global leaders, such as Daimler, Aéroports de Paris, Microsoft Azure and now CAE, Volocopter plans to launch its services in several cities globally within the next five years. Volocopter is committed to seeking certification with the highest global safety standards for aircraft and operations.

CAE commits to expanding its worldwide training network with a forecasted investment of up to US$40 million to meet Volocopter’s projected pilot demand in the early years of operation. CAE will be deploying training equipment and instructors in lockstep with Volocopter’s growth. As part of the agreement, Volocopter will purchase a simulator from CAE to be used in its pilot training programme certification. CAE will create new, student-centric courseware, specifically designed for the pilots of the future as Volocopter’s courseware provider and will also offer pilot trainees customised resources that enable faster, more efficient pilot training.

Thales and Operational Solutions Limited have signed a cooperation agreement to further develop and deliver joint opportunities and solutions in the areas of civil counter-unmanned aerial vehicles and systems (C-UAV), as well as unmanned traffic management (UTM). Under the agreement, Thales and Operational Solutions Limited (OSL) will incorporate OSL’s FACE (command and control software platform) into Thales’ market-leading offerings in civil C-UAV and UTM.

In the area of commercial airport counter-UAV systems, OSL’s FACE data fusion and command and control platform works with the Thales Eagleshield IDtect solution. FACE integrates and intelligently fuses data from multiple sensors including the Thales Gamekeeper, an innovative 3D holographic radar. This unique technology provides the ability to monitor the airport’s approach and departure paths out to a range of 7.5km, helping to avoid collisions between drones and aircraft. Fast and accurate detection of rogue drones not only helps to keep passengers safe, but also helps airports and airlines meet sustainability objectives, by reducing the fuel wastage and additional flight stacking caused by unauthorised drones use.

Gamekeeper and FACE have been acquired for use at several major airports, including as part of a comprehensive C-UAV system provided by OSL at London Heathrow, at Auckland airport in New Zealand and for evaluation in Brazil. In the area of UTM, OSL and Thales intend to collaborate on opportunities to accelerate market adoption and establish a leading position in the global UTM market. There is also potential for cooperation in ground-based air defence in the UK.

Last year, by order of the Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia, a working group was created on the implementation of UAVs to calibrate, check and configure navigation aids at Russian airports. As part of the activities of this working group, Cursir implemented NAVAID Calibration Drone at the Ulyanovsk-Vostochny airport. It was used to pre-configure the radio equipment system at the Ulyanovsk airport. The use of Drone made it possible to reduce the number of flights of a specialised aircraft (a flying laboratory), speed up NAVAID commissioning and cut maintenance costs.

NPO RTS, the head structure of RTS Union, is carrying out a contract for the installation of an ILS 734 (instrument landing system) and an RDF 734 (radio direction finder) at the Ulyanovsk-Vostochny International Airport. At the stage of commissioning, NPO RTS engaged Cursir to carry out system checks using NAVAID Calibration Drone. In June 2021, the Drone performed diagnostic flights, during which it obtained data for preliminary adjustment of ground equipment.

Vitaly Munirov (CEO, Cursir) emphasized that the use of NAVAID Calibration Drone radically changes the nature of commissioning, accelerates and reduces the cost of further flight inspections. “Thanks to the use of a UAS platform, it is possible to perform preliminary configuration of the equipment without the involvement of a flight inspection aircraft. The cost of operating a NAVAID Calibration Drone is noticeably lower than that of a specialised aircraft, whilst the extensive functionality makes it possible to effectively solve a significant part of the tasks that arise during flight check of radio aids,” he said.

The complex is highly functional: it can be used to measure the parameters of such radio and navigation equipment as ILS, VOR / DVOR, RDF and light equipment. Compared to traditional measuring systems, carried by flight inspection aircraft, the NAVAID Calibration Drone can significantly reduce the cost of performing flight checks by reducing the cost of performing many hour flights in the airfield area, flights between airports, also eliminating the cost of wages for flight crews. Cursir was founded in Russia in 2015 to carry out scientific and practical research in the field of landing and navigation systems, as well as systems for their diagnostics and control. Resident of the Skolkovo Innovation Center.

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Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend to Husband and noticed a distinct slowdown in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend. In addition, Husband uninstalled many other valuable programmes, such as Romance and Personal Attention and then installed undesirable programmes such as Football, Golf, Sailing and Continuous TV. Conversation no longer runs and House cleaning simply crashes the system. I have tried running Nagging to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Signed, Desperate.

Dear Desperate,

First keep in mind, Boyfriend is an Entertainment Package, while Husband is an Operating System. Please enter the I Thought You Loved Me app and run the Tears function. You may like to try the Guilt function also. If that application works as designed, Husband should then automatically run the applications Jewellery and Flowers, but remember – overuse of the above application can cause Husband to default to Grumpy Silence, Garden Shed or Beer. Beer is a bad programme that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-law (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources). Also, do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend programme. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband.

In summary, Husband is a great system, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. It also tends to work better running one task at a time. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance.

Good luck, Tech Support.

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