MIDWEEK UPDATE 2 AUGUST 2017Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events…….Aviation News Worldwide Incidents and Accidents……This Week in Aviation History   2: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: editor@afskies.co.za  6: Gaborone International Airshow. Contact Mark Mansfield at mcubedmedia@outlook.com 5-6: SAC Judges Trophy. Tzaneen. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 5: East Rand Flying Club will be hosting the annual free fly in breakfast on at Springs Airfield from 8:00 am. Free breakfast! Contact: Paul oh ate two 413 4614 5: Apiesdoring Karnaval Fly-inn Thabazimbi, Limpopo Contact: Chris Ehlers: 0823714492 Gert Ehlers: 0836526208   11- 13: Pyramid Aviators Weekend. Contact Peter Lea: Cell No. 082 553 4908 or e-mail: peter@irricon.co.za  19: FAKR annual SA Flyer/Shell Aviation Spot landing Competition and Airfield Festival. Please take note of the following: Participants for 19 August are requested to re-lodge their entries with Grant Rousseau at gr@kama.co.za . Should the event not be held, and not be completed on 19 August due to weather conditions, it will automatically default to start afresh on Sunday 20 August. 20: Grand Rand Airshow. Stuart Coetzee. manager@randairport.co.za. 011 827 8884 25-26: Bethlehem Airshow. Stephan Fourie. fouriesj1491@gmail.com. 072 344 9678 3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341   9: Grand Central Fun Rally. Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 9-17: Sep World Aerobatic Champs in Malelane, Mpumalanga. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341 30: Namibia Airshow, Windhoek. Reinhard Gaertner. reinhard@fivestar.co.za. 264 81 210 6020 30: Secunda Flying Club Rally. Contact Jonty Esser e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 076 302 0451  4: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: editor@afskies.co.za  7: Polokwane Airshow. Tel: 015 288 0122 Contact Oupa Mamabolo. Cell 082 605 3261. E-mail: oupa.mamabolo@gaal.co.za 21-22: SAC Free State Regionals. Tempe airfield. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341 24-26: African Airshow. Kotoka International Airport Ghana. Contact Jade Myburgh at +971 2 4192714 Website: www.africanairshow.com 21 & 22 October SAC Free State Regionals Tempe airfield. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za  The Aviation Radio Show; get all your questions answered in one place. To listen to a recording of the live broadcast click on the link: www.debela.co.za/aviation-radio-show  JACK J. PELTON DELIVERS CLOSING REMARKS AFTER RECORD-SETTING AIRVENTURE  Following the excitement of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, EAA CEO and chairman of the board, Jack J. Pelton, addressed the media in a press conference to deliver his closing remarks. Pelton began by thanking the convention's attendees and volunteers. He said it's estimated that more than 600,000 people attended AirVenture this year, once Sunday's attendance figures are finalized and added to the rest of the week. More than 5,000 volunteers made AirVenture possible with their collective efforts this year. "It was an incredible week," Pelton said. "Ten days for us, if you count the early arrivals, and certainly each day had its own truly unique venue or feature. It was hard to really pick what was the best." Both parking and camping spots filled up quickly, and stayed at capacity for five days, something that had never happened in Oshkosh before. Extra parking and camping were prepared and opened in the middle of the week to accommodate the increased attendance. Hangars A, B, C, D, and the Main Aircraft Display were all full with exhibitors showing off their latest products. The number of showplanes was up five percent in 2017 when compared to AirVenture 2016, and more than 15,500 aircraft movements were recorded through Saturday, which breaks the record set last year and made Wittman Regional Airport the busiest airport in the world that week. Pelton noted highlights, such as the Apollo gathering at the Theater in the Woods, Stan Lee's visit and introduction of Aviore (the new Young Eagles superhero), and the Blue Angels helped make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 the biggest AirVenture to-date in terms of attendance. As for the Blues, Pelton said while their presence makes for an incredible and busy show, EAA is not on their show schedule for the next two years. To lessen the impact and inconvenience the Blue Angel aerobatic box creates for some of EAA's neighbors, who must leave their homes and businesses to accommodate safety requirements, the show cannot come to Oshkosh more than every three years or so. Pelton attributed the record attendance figure to what EAA was able to offer attendees this year, and the beautiful weather. He said staff will begin work Monday, preparing to make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 even better than 2017.  Photo © MD Helicopters MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces its participation in the 2017 Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Expo, July 26 - 28, 2017 at the Reno Sparks Convention Centre, Reno, Nevada. The MD Helicopters booth, #600, will feature the MD 6XX Concept helicopter custom-configured for execution of a range of law-enforcement missions. "We are always excited and honoured to attend ALEA as an affirmation of our support for and commitment to this country's law enforcement community," said Craig Kitchen, Chief Commercial Officer for MD Helicopters, "this year especially as we celebrate both our legacy of support for the law enforcement aviators and the future of law enforcement aviation in our MD 6XX Concept helicopter." The MD 6XX Concept Helicopter will offer next generation technology and true multi-mission capability in a design that is underpinned by the performance, value and exceptional customer support that is inherent in the MD brand and is currently in proof-of-concept development for operations that range from law enforcement and EMS to scout attack/special operations, utility and VIP transport. MDHI debuted the MD 6XX Concept Aircraft at the 2017 Helicopter Association International conference configured with a certified single-patient EMS/Air Medical interior from Air Ambulance Technology. EUROFIGHTER TYPHOONS FROM THE ITALIAN AIR FORCE WILL TAKE OVER QRA DUTIES  Photo © Eurofighter During their 3 months deployment, starting from July, the Italian Typhoons will patrol the Black Sea region as part of NATO's Southern Air Policing mission. For the Air Defence mission the Typhoon can load two 1,500 litre drop-tanks, four Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAMs), four AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), and an internal Mauser BK-27 27 mm cannon. NATO air policing missions carried out by Eurofighter so far include Albania, the Baltic states; Iceland; and Slovenia. These sit under the oversight and guidance of Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) at Ramstein in Germany, with two Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) at Uedem in Germany and Torrejon in Spain executing the missions. Uedem covers northern Europe above the Alps, Torrejon is responsible for southern Europe below the Alps (including the Black Sea and the Mediterranean). This is the first time Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons have been in Bulgaria since 2013. Eurofighter Typhoon is the most advanced new generation swing-role combat aircraft currently available on the world market. It boasts best-in-class combat effectiveness, that's been amply demonstrated in numerous international tactical air combat training regimes including, ATLC, Red Flag, Green Flag, and Indradhanush. Eurofighter Typhoon is Europe's largest defence programme. 599 aircraft have been ordered by 8 nations (Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait), and 512 have been delivered to 7 nations (Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Oman). The aircraft is continuing its capability development programme with the integration of new weapons and sensors to maintain its current performance edge for many years to come. BOEING DELIVERS FIRST 737 MAX 8 TO FLYDUBAI  SEATTLE, July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and flydubai today celebrated the delivery of the airline's first 737 MAX 8, making the Middle East carrier the first in the region to operate Boeing's newest single-aisle airplane. The delivery is the first of 76 737 MAX airplanes the airline will be adding to their all-Boeing fleet of Next-Generation 737s. "We are delighted to receive our first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from our order made at the Dubai Airshow in 2013," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai. "This marked the largest single-aisle Boeing aircraft order placed in the Middle East. With this new chapter, we are looking forward to continuing our work with Boeing as we benefit from increased efficiency and are able to offer an enhanced customer experience." flydubai currently operates a fleet of 58 Next-Generation 737-800s and has built a network of more than 95 destinations in 44 countries, from Russia in the north, Czech Republic in the west, Thailand in the east and Tanzania in the south. "flydubai's growth in just nine years has been remarkable and Boeing is honored to have been part of this journey," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister. "This delivery marks another significant milestone in our partnership. We are confident that the market-leading efficiency and reliability of the 737 MAX will play a key role in flydubai's continued success and complement its current Boeing fleet." The 737 MAX family has been designed to offer customers exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, with lower per-seat costs and an extended range that will open up new destinations in the single-aisle market. "As the first MAX customer in the region, we look forward to the further fuel and operating efficiencies that this aircraft will bring to our young modern fleet," said Ken Gile, Chief Operating Officer, flydubai. "Our flight crew share our excitement in operating one of the most highly anticipated commercial aircraft to enter service on our network." The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays, and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.  USA, Henderson: A vintage single-engine British-built Strikemaster military jet crashed and burned in the desert just after take-off from the Henderson Executive Airport in Henderson, Nevada. The pilot escaped serious injury.   The biggest helicopter ever built, the Soviet Mil V-12 secures an unbeaten world lifting record for rotary-winged aircraft by carrying 40,205.5 kg (88,636 lb.) to a height of 2,255 m (7,400 ft.). Design studies for a giant helicopter were started at the Mil OKB in 1959, receiving official sanction in 1961 by the GKAT (Gosudarstvenny Komitet Po Aviatsionnoy Tekhnike - "state committee on aircraft technology") instructing Mil to develop a helicopter capable of lifting 20 to 25 t (44,000 to 55,000 lb). The GKAT directive was followed by a more detailed specification for the V-12 with hold dimensions similar to the Antonov An-22, intended to lift major items of combat materiel as well as 8K67, 8K75 and 8K82 inter-continental ballistic missiles.  Photo commons.wikimedia.org The transverse rotor system of the V-12, which eliminates the need for a tail rotor, consists of two Mi-6 transmission systems complete with rotors mounted at the tips of the approximately 30 m (98 ft) span inverse tapered wings. Construction of the V-12 first prototype, after exhaustive testing with test-rigs and mock-ups including a complete transmission system, began at Panki in 1965. The large fuselage accommodated the 28.15×4.4×4.4 m (92.4×14.4×14.4 ft) cabin and crew section in the extreme nose, housing pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and electrical engineer in the lower cockpit, with the navigator and radio operator in the upper cockpit.  Photo commons.wikimedia.org The first prototype, given the registration SSSR-21142, made its first flight on 10 July 1968 from the Mil factory pad in Panki to the Mil OKB test flight facility in Lyubertsy. In February 1969, the first prototype lifted a record 31,030 kg (68,410 lb) payload to 2,951 m (9,682 ft).On 6 August 1969, the V-12 lifted 44,205 kg (97,455 lb) to a height of 2,255 m (7,398 ft), also a world record. Aviation records are certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. The V-12 first prototype has held eight world records, four of which are still current, in the FAI E1 General class for rotorcraft powered by turbine engines. |
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