“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas A. Edison
Russian-built Mil V-12
The Mil V-12, also known as the Homer, was a prototype helicopter developed by the Mil OKB in the Soviet Union, marking the largest helicopter ever built. The project began in 1959 with the goal of creating a helicopter capable of lifting massive payloads, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. The final design featured a unique transverse rotor system with two rotors mounted on 30-meter wings, eliminating the need for a tail rotor. Despite its innovative design and record-breaking capabilities, the V-12 faced several technical challenges during development, particularly related to its control system due to the helicopter’s sheer size.
The V-12’s design was groundbreaking, utilizing two Soloviev D-25VF turbo-shaft engines powering 35-meter rotors. The helicopter’s control system was complex, incorporating mechanical controls and hydraulic boosters to manage the massive rotors. After extensive testing, the first prototype took flight in July 1968, setting numerous world records for payload and altitude. Despite these achievements, the V-12’s mission became obsolete as the Soviet military shifted away from the deployment of heavy strategic ballistic missiles, leading to a decline in interest in the project.
Operational history saw the V-12 achieving remarkable feats, such as lifting 44,205 kg to a height of 2,255 meters, a record still unbeaten today. The first prototype made a series of public appearances, including a notable flight over Europe and an exhibition at the Paris Air Show in 1971. However, despite its technical success, the V-12 never entered mass production, primarily because its intended role was no longer relevant to the Soviet Air Force’s needs.
By 1974, all development on the V-12 was halted, and the prototypes were retired. The first prototype remains at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, while the second is displayed at the Central Air Force Museum near Moscow. The V-12’s legacy lives on through its world records and the innovative design solutions that continue to inspire modern helicopter engineering.
Source: Wikipedia
Thanks to Albert Questiaux for emailing us with a link to this fascinating video:
Thanks to everyone who sent in their answers, here are all the names who correctly identified this week’s mystery aircraft of the week and sent their answers to news@africanpilot.co.za.
Wouter van der Waal, Thomas Tonking, Rennie van Zyl, Michael Schoeman, Righardt du Plessis, Barry Eatwell, P Rossouw, Bruce Margolius, Jeff Knickelbein, Brian Millett, Bruce Prescott, Steve Dewsbery, Joe van der Merwe, Sergio Antao, Dr. Piet Steyn, Gunter Klampfl, Colin Austen, Hilton Carroll, Kevin Farr, Danie Viljoen, Jeremy Rorich, Selwyn Kimber, Richard Willemse, Clint Futter, Christiaan Haak, Ari Levien, Rex Tweedie, Jan Sime, John Moen, Albert Questiaux, Aiden O’ Mahony, Greg Pullin, Pierre Brittz, Dr Pieter du Plessis, Carl von Ludwig, Nic Manthopoulos, Dave Lloyd, Keith Chiazzari
Busy aviation weekend
This weekend is packed with thrilling aviation events across South Africa, promising excitement for enthusiasts of all ages. The much-anticipated Children’s Flight at Tempe, organized by Felix Gosher, is set to bring smiles to many young faces, following the tremendous success of last year’s event. Meanwhile, Kitty Hawk airfield will host the RV annual fly-in, drawing a vibrant community of pilots and aircraft owners. Over in Bethlehem, the skies will come alive with the Bethlehem Airshow, showcasing breathtaking aerobatics and aviation displays. Additionally, the 4×4 Outdoor Show at Swartkops Raceway will feature a unique blend of aviation and outdoor adventure, ensuring there’s something for everyone this weekend.
The 220-page August edition of African Pilot with three picture gallerias and 12 videos was completed on Saturday 3 August and sent to the world the same day. Once again African Pilot has consistently delivered a monthly aviation magazine that has more relevant features and is far easier to read on any digital device that any other aviation magazine in Africa. This edition features the special experience of the South African camping group that travelled to Oshkosh in July, Sling Aircraft’s award at Oshkosh, AERO South Africa exhibition, the amazing Elders Flight, Polokwane airshow, Avionics and Instrumentation as well as headsets and many other interesting features. 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 August edition of African Pilot takes on a completely different flavour to previous magazines mainly due to the extensive photography and embedded videos.
The 22nd 134-page edition of Future Flight was sent out to the world-wide audience on 15 July 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’s advertisers 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.
FlySafair launching new international flight next month
FlySafair is set to launch a new flight route between Cape Town and Windhoek, Namibia, marking its first regional route out of Cape Town. The flights will commence on 22 October 2024, offering a fresh international travel option as the airline continues to expand its presence in South Africa. Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer, expressed excitement about entering the Windhoek market, noting that the availability of an additional aircraft based in Cape Town has made this expansion possible. The new route will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with tickets starting at R1,800.
Gordon highlighted that the route has recovered to about 83% of its pre-COVID levels, indicating potential for further growth in travel between Cape Town and Windhoek. The timing of the new route aligns with the upcoming summer holidays, providing South Africans with another travel option for visiting family, friends, and conducting business. Additionally, the route is expected to attract travelers eager to explore more of Africa, as well as international tourists using Cape Town as a gateway to other destinations on the continent.
The launch of the Cape Town to Windhoek route is part of a broader trend of airlines expanding international flights in South Africa. German airline Lufthansa, for example, is launching a year-round direct flight between Johannesburg and Munich, along with seasonal flights between Cape Town and Munich starting in November. Norwegian low-cost airline Norse Atlantic Airways will also introduce a new route in late October, connecting London Gatwick Airport with Cape Town International Airport.
In addition to FlySafair’s expansion, other airlines are also increasing their presence in the region. South African Airways (SAA) recently began flights between Johannesburg and Perth, with future plans to open routes to Frankfurt, Munich, London, and cities on the east coast of the United States by 2028. Moreover, Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in South African regional carrier Airlink, furthering its ambitions to grow its operations across Africa. These developments reflect the growing demand for international travel options in South Africa and the region.
September
2 to 5 September
Egypt International Airshow
Contact Yasmine Nasr E-mail: yasmine.nasr@arabianworldevents.com
3 to 5 September
Commercial UAV Expo Las Vegas, USA
Website: www.expouav.com
Contact Carl Berndtson E-mail: cberndtson@divcom.com
6 September
Children’s Flight at New Tempe airfield, Bloemfontein
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 1919 4603
7 September
RV annual fly-in to Kitty Hawk airfield
Contact Frank van Heerden E-mail: frankvh@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 656 7253
7 September
Bethlehem airshow
Contact Khotso Motsoeneng matsoenegkhotso01@gmail.com Cell: 073 909 5409
7 September
SAA Museum Society Specialised Tour limited to nine adults
Contact E-mail: events@saamuseum.co.za Cell: 076 879 5044
7 & 8 September
4 X 4 Outdoor Show at Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria.
Contact Alan Carwood E-mail: alan@4X4outdoorshow.co.za
African Airlines Experience Notable Growth Amidst Challenge
The African aviation industry is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 7.4% year-on-year increase in international passenger demand among African airlines, reflecting their resilience in a challenging global environment. This growth, accompanied by a 6.7% rise in capacity, highlights the ongoing efforts of African carriers to meet the increasing demand for air travel across the continent. However, despite the positive momentum, African airlines still face challenges, such as limited infrastructure and economic constraints, which need to be addressed to fully realize the industry’s potential.
The rise in passenger demand is a clear indicator of the recovery taking place, driven by a renewed interest in Africa as a tourism destination and the gradual return of business travel. Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa have seen a rebound in international visitors, while African governments and airlines have been proactive in promoting air travel through initiatives such as the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). These efforts are expected to further stimulate demand in the coming years, providing opportunities for continued growth in the sector.
In response to this rising demand, African airlines have increased their capacity by 6.7%, reflecting their commitment to enhancing operations and improving connectivity. The load factor, which measures the percentage of available seating capacity filled with passengers, has also improved slightly to 74.3%, though it still lags behind global averages. To optimize operations and increase efficiency, African airlines need to expand their route networks and improve connectivity, particularly to underserved regions, which would attract more passengers and further boost load factors.
Despite the positive trends, the African aviation market continues to grapple with significant challenges, including outdated infrastructure, high operational costs, and fragmented regulations. Addressing these issues is crucial for sustaining the growth and competitiveness of African airlines on the global stage. However, the market also presents significant opportunities for improvement, such as developing regional hubs, modernizing airports through public-private partnerships, and embracing technology and innovation to optimize operations and enhance the passenger experience.
German aviation experts release preliminary report on Malawian vice president’s plane crash
The preliminary report released by German aviation experts regarding the plane crash that killed Malawi’s former Vice President Saulosi Chilima and eight others has been met with criticism for failing to address key questions surrounding the tragic event. Issued by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, the report provides minimal insight into the factors that may have caused the crash in the hilly areas of Chikangawa on June 10. The report revealed that the aircraft lacked both a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder, and its emergency locator transmitter was non-functional due to an expired battery, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation.
The release of the report has sparked widespread criticism from various segments of Malawian society. Social commentator Mavuto Bamusi expressed disappointment, noting that the report lacks substance and fails to answer the pressing questions about the crash that claimed the vice president’s life. Similarly, Shadreck Namalomba, Publicity Secretary of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), voiced dissatisfaction, stating that the report falls short of meeting the public’s demand for truth and transparency. Namalomba emphasized that the report is too technical and fails to provide a comprehensive explanation of the factors leading to the crash.
The aircraft, manufactured in Germany, was investigated by German aviation experts at the request of the Malawian government. However, the preliminary report has only intensified the public’s curiosity, with many still seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Political leaders and civil society activists have been pressuring the government to release the report, and while a final report is expected next year, the current findings have left many questions unanswered.
ICAO says 2023 was safest year in the past 5 years
New figures from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reveal a significant improvement in aviation safety over the past year, despite challenges as the industry recovers from the pandemic. The data, presented at the 14th ICAO Air Navigation Conference in Montréal, shows a notable decrease in the fatality rate, dropping from 50 per billion passengers in 2022 to 17 per billion in 2023. The global accident rate also saw a decline, with 1.87 accidents per million departures in 2023, down from 2.05 in the previous year, all while the industry served a billion more passengers and handled 4 million additional flights.
Remarkably, 2023 stands out as the safest year in the past five years, considering key metrics such as the global accident rate, number of fatal accidents, total fatalities, and the fatality rate. The year recorded just one fatal accident, resulting in 72 deaths, compared to seven accidents and 160 fatalities in 2022. ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano praised these achievements, attributing them to the aviation community’s dedication and hard work. He emphasized the ongoing commitment to achieving zero fatalities in commercial aviation, stressing the need for continued collective efforts to ensure even safer skies.
The report also highlighted the main causes of accidents, with turbulence and abnormal runway contact being the leading factors, together accounting for half of all incidents. The year saw two airplanes destroyed, one due to a loss of control on the ground and the other from an in-air loss of control. Additionally, eight airplanes sustained substantial damage from abnormal runway contact. Other significant causes of aircraft damage included bird strikes, ground collisions, and system failures.
Weird noises coming from Boeing’s Starliner capsule
NASA is currently investigating a strange noise that was heard coming through the speaker on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, a spacecraft already plagued with technical issues. The sound, which has since stopped, was attributed to an audio configuration issue between the space station and Starliner. According to NASA, the complex audio system on the space station, which connects multiple spacecraft and modules, can sometimes cause noise and feedback, but this incident has no impact on the crew or the spacecraft’s operations.
The issue arose during a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) involving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who reported the strange noise on August 31. Despite the unusual occurrence, neither astronaut seemed overly concerned, though they were puzzled by the source of the sound. NASA is investigating the regular, pulsing noise that Wilmore described to mission control, but the problem appears to be minor and does not pose a threat to the mission.
The Starliner capsule, which transported Wilmore and Williams to the ISS on June 5, has encountered several technical challenges, including thruster failures and helium leaks, which have delayed its return journey. The capsule is now scheduled to return to Earth on September 6 without any crew on board. Although the noise issue is not critical, NASA intends to investigate it thoroughly to ensure there are no underlying problems with the spacecraft.
Xpeng released modular flying car with first flight scheduled for November
Xpeng AeroHT has officially unveiled its modular flying car, which combines a land carrier and an aircraft. The first public flight is scheduled for November this year, with pre-sales starting later in the year at a price below 2 million yuan (approximately $280,000). The company, founded in 2013 with support from Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng, plans to begin deliveries of the vehicle in 2026.
Xpeng AeroHT originally set out to create a true flying car, but early designs resembled more traditional flying vehicles than cars. In 2021, they introduced a 6th-generation flying vehicle with deployable rotors, but challenges with rotor stabilization during road travel led the company to rework their design. The result is the Land Aircraft Carrier, a modular vehicle that has now made its debut in China.
The Land Aircraft Carrier consists of a large, three-axle vehicle and a drone-like aircraft that can dock with the carrier. The carrier is powered by an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system based on an 800V platform, giving it a mixed range of 1,000 km. The aircraft, which can be stored in the carrier’s trunk, supports both manual and automatic flight modes. The vehicle’s mass production is slated to begin in 2026, following the construction of an assembly plant in September 2024, with trial production expected to start in July 2025.
DJI Responds to Accusations of Skirting U.S. Bans With Drone Clones
China’s DJI, the world’s leading consumer drone manufacturer, is pushing back against accusations that it is circumventing U.S. federal bans by selling “clones” of its drones through other companies. In a blog post, DJI responded to allegations made by U.S. representatives regarding its connection with Anzu, a Texas-based company selling drones that closely resemble DJI’s Mavic 3. The controversy centers around a licensing agreement that allows Anzu access to DJI’s industry-leading hardware and software, which some lawmakers find suspicious.
U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi have raised concerns that DJI might be using Anzu to sidestep restrictions placed on its technology by various U.S. federal departments. Independent research, including observations from a YouTube drone review channel and a software engineer, has highlighted striking similarities between Anzu’s Raptor T and DJI’s Mavic 3, leading to questions about the true nature of their relationship. These concerns come at a time when Congress is considering the Countering CCP Drones Act, which could extend existing bans to consumer-level sales of Chinese-manufactured drones.
DJI has firmly denied these allegations, arguing that its connection with Anzu is a legitimate and standard business practice. The company claims that the agreement with Anzu involves licensing DJI’s technology to modify and manufacture drones, with no royalties or shared ownership. DJI also emphasized that its drones are intended for peaceful purposes, distancing itself from any military associations or government funding. The company suspended sales to Russia and Ukraine in 2022, reaffirming its stance against the use of its drones in conflict zones.
Despite DJI’s reassurances, lawmakers remain skeptical, especially after comments made by Anzu’s CEO, Randall Warnas, suggested that DJI benefits financially from the drones Anzu orders from a manufacturer in Malaysia. These remarks, combined with the delayed disclosure of their relationship in Federal Communications Commission filings, have fueled further suspicion. Lawmakers have requested detailed information from Anzu about its ties to DJI, its manufacturing processes, and the origins of its components, with answers expected by the end of next week.
The situation reflects broader concerns about Chinese technology firms and their potential connections to the Chinese government. Comparisons have been drawn between DJI and TikTok, both of which have faced scrutiny over data privacy and national security issues. As the debate continues, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of Chinese technology in the U.S. market.
About African Pilot
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