MIDWEEK UPDATE 24 OCTOBER 2018Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events…….Aviation News Worldwide Incidents and Accidents……This Week in Aviation History  Dear Aero Club Member, we held the scheduled Special General Meeting (SGM) on 23rd October, however we did not achieve the required quorum of 20 members for the meeting to go ahead. The current Articles allow for it to be re-scheduled 7 days later, same time, and same place, where the meeting will go ahead without the quorum requirement. As per previous communication, there is only one agenda topic, that being to discuss and bring into effect the planned new Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) and a new Constitution that will replace the Articles of Association. The essential changes in the Constitution are mostly related to changes in the management structures and the fiduciary roles of the directors and council members, as well as defining more explicitly terms of office. The new MOI allows the Aero Club to align with the Companies Act as amended in 2008. The draft documents are on the Aero Club website http://www.aeroclub.org.za/constitution-moi/ which also provides explanatory notes. The current Articles of Association are also available on the website. The SGM as reconvened will take place on: Date: 30 October Time: 18h00 Venue: EAA Auditorium Rand Airport Please support the Aero Club to bring into effect these new documents, if you are not able to attend, you may support by proxy (proxy forms are on the website) Best Regards Rob Jonkers (Vice Chairman)   23 & 24: Avi Afrique 2018 Africa Aviation Innovation Summit CSIR. Contact ATNS Percy Morokane E-mail: percymo@atns.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 27: NAV Rally Baragwanath Airfield and lecture by Springbok Rally pilot Rob Jonkers. Contact Marie Reddy 083 259 7691 27: Military Art Exhibition CANSA Art Gallery, Menlyn Park Tswane. Contact Munnik Marais 083 268 8701     3: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290 3: Potties Vliegklub MISASA Fly in. Contact Nico Willemse. nico@pottiesnuus.co.za 082 582 5961 3: Volksrust Breakfast Run. Free breakfast to all pilots and passengers. Hangar dance. To RSVP Whatsapp Robert 082 907 4917. 3: Stellenbosch Nav Rally. Stellenbosch Airfield. Briefing: 09:00 in the Club House. Contact frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Tel: 083 269 1516 5-10: Gliding Training Week. Wanted to learn to fly a glider and soar? Kranskop Gliding Club is hosting a gliding training week towards a Glider Pilots License at Brits Airfield. Details: Estimated Gliding Costs for the week: R 7 000.00 Deposit of R 5 500.00 secures a booking. Contact Bennie du Plessis for bookings and enquiries Email: bennie@geotesting.co.za.. 7: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: clive.king@tariff.co.za or kevinmarsden88@gmail.com 8-11: SAMJA Jet Weekend at Henley. Contact Stan stan@fincham.co.za  9-11: EAA Sun 'n Fun Brits Airfield. Contact Marie Reddy 083 259 7691 10: EAA Sun n Fun Adventure Rally - Brits. Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell:082 804 7032 17: Aero Club of South Africa awards dinner 17h00 onwards. Contact E-mail: office@aeroclub.org.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: Springs Fun Rally - Springs Airfield. Free breakfast to all that fly in on the day. Not just rally participants. Contact e-mail: chairman@sapfa.co.za cell: 082 855 9435   1 to 2: Sport Aerobatics ACE of Base Brits Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 5: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: clive.king@tariff.co.za and kevinmarsden88@gmail.com 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 8. WAA breakfast fly-in. RSVP comms@flywaa.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   SUN FLYER 2 ON THE ROAD TO CERTIFICATION-FOUR SEATER IN THE PIPELINE  The Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer 2 that made its debut at AirVenture 2017 had its test flight on 10 April 2018 and is now set for certification under the new FAR 23 Sub Part 1. Bye expects this certification to be completed in 2 years. Photo © Sun Flyer. George Bye of Bye Aerospace told the media at AirVenture that a great deal of further work has gone into designing a production aircraft that meets their specific design goals. The prototype was based on the Aeron Lightning, but the production aircraft will have a longer wingspan, added winglets, and L/D that is greater than 20. In regards to power, Bye noted the production motor will be supplied by Siemens, and a Siemens motor is currently being installed in the prototype. This motor, with a 90KW peak and a 70KW continuous rating, will have no traditional engine noise, no av-gas, and no C02 emissions. Additional benefits will be no vibration, which translates into more comfort, less fatigue for the instructor and student, as well as less fatigue on the aircraft's structure. With a noise signature about 30db less than its reciprocating counterpart, the power management process will more akin to Turbine power management during the flight.  Bye also discussed anticipated performance numbers for the production Sun Flyer 2: a maximum range of 3.5 hrs, with a 135 kt cruising speed, and a 1000 fpm climb at a cost of $3 /hr of electricity. Bye also stated, "the performance capability of electric is surpassing conventional aircraft that are flying today, and we are almost on par with endurance of 3.5 hrs. The charging time of the Sun Flyer 2 depends on a number of variables, the primary one being the charger type. With a Supercharger type electrical charger, the Sun flyer 2 can be charged in as little as 20 minutes Also discussed was the Sun Flyer 4, the four seat follow up to the Sun Flyer 2. This project is no secret to the press or to the general public, and Bye talked about some of its anticipated performance numbers including four hours of range and 150 kts cruising speed with a gross weight of 2700 lbs Bye believes that with the operating cost being 1/6th of a comparable piston powered aircraft, the revolution away from the internal combustion engine to electric has begun.  AIRBUS HELICOPTERS REVEALS RACER HIGH-SPEED DEMONSTRATOR CONFIGURATION  Airbus Helicopters has unveiled at the Paris air show the aerodynamic configuration of the high speed demonstrator it is developing as part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme. Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft, this demonstrator will incorporate a host of innovative features and will be optimised for a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h. It will aim at achieving the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, sustainability and mission performance. Final assembly of the demonstrator is expected to start in 2019, with a first flight the next year. Photo © Airbus RACER. The Racer demonstrator will be built around a simple architecture, ensuring safety and cost-efficiency. An innovative "box-wing" design, optimised for aerodynamic efficiency, will provide lift in cruise mode while isolating passengers during ground operations from the "pusher" lateral rotors designed to generate thrust in forward flight.  Optimised for performance and low acoustic signature, these lateral rotors as well as the main rotor will be driven by two RTM322 engines. An "eco mode" will be tested by the engine manufacturer to demonstrate an electrically-powered "start and stop" of one engine in flight, thus generating fuel savings and increasing range. The Racer demonstrator will also benefit from a hybrid metallic-composite airframe, specifically designed for low weight and low recurring costs. It will also be equipped with a new high voltage direct current electrical generation, which will significantly contribute to weight reduction. Building upon the success of the self-funded X3 demonstrator, which validated the "compound" aerodynamic configuration - a combination of a traditional main rotor and innovative lateral rotors - the Racer project will bring this concept closer to an operational design and demonstrate its suitability for a wide spectrum of missions where increased speed and efficiency will bring significant added value for citizens and operators. This is especially the case for emergency medical services and search and rescue operations, as well as for public services, commercial air transport and private and business aviation.  MALAYSIAN A400M TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT UNDERTAKES FLIGHTS TO SUPPORT RELIEF EFFORTS IN INDONESIA The Indonesian Government, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Airbus Foundation have been working together to support humanitarian relief efforts in Palu, Indonesia with the deployment of a RMAF A400M and the distribution of emergency supplies to the city. Photo © Airbus  The A400M's cargo included fuel trucks from Indonesian oil firm Pertamina and excavators from industrial products manufacturer PT Pindad. The aircraft also transported food and drinks, clothes, and medical supplies collected by the Indonesian Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises. It will be distributed via the ministry's corporate social responsibility (CSR) networks, which are actively supporting the relief efforts. The Airbus Foundation is also supporting the transport and the distribution of emergency supplies and is helping the IFRC by providing 45 flight hours with an H125. The Foundation is also supporting Medecins sans Frontières (MSF) by enabling them to contract an H155 operator who will be assisting relief efforts for a few weeks. Furthermore, images from Airbus satellites are being used for emergency response following the activation of the International Charter for Space.  "Everyone has seen the heart-breaking devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, and our thoughts are with victims and their families who have lost so much," said Andrea Debbane, Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation. "This is the least that we can do together with our partners, who have provided much-needed logistical support and contributed a lot to this urgent call for help." The earthquake was followed by a tsunami of up to six metres, which struck Palu and neighbouring Donggala. More than 1,400 people have died, around 5,000 residents have been reported missing and over 200,000 people are in need of emergency assistance.  SAF EXPANDS FLEET WITH AN ORDER FOR SIX LIGHT SINGLE AND LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTERS  French Alps-based civil operator SAF Group has ordered six new Airbus' helicopters for emergency medical service (EMS) operations, mountain rescue, aerial work and passenger transport. The order includes three light single and three light twin helicopters to be operated in Metropolitan France and in the Reunion Island, where SAF has recently acquired Hélilagon. Delivery of the six aircraft is planned for 2019. Photo © Airbus.  The new aircraft will further expand SAF Group's fleet of 44 Airbus' helicopters operating seven days a week for all types of civilian rescue and protection operations, alongside safety services. SAF's fleet is mainly composed of light singles and twins, including 24 helicopters of the H135 family type, making SAF one of the largest H135 commercial operator in France. "I want to thank SAF for placing their trust once again in Airbus products", said Olivier Michalon, Senior Vice President, Head of Europe at Airbus Helicopters. "We are certain these new helicopters will meet SAF's stringent requirements for performance and reliability and will increase their capability to carry out critical missions."  BOEING UNVEILS NEW BBJ MAX INTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT  Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) has delivered the first BBJ MAX airplane to a customer, the company announced at the National Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). The aircraft is scheduled to fly to an interior finishing centre. Photo © Boeing. Customers from around the world have placed orders for 20 BBJ MAX airplanes. Most recently, Seacons Trading Ltd announced in July it is purchasing a BBJ MAX 7 at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow. To commemorate the first delivery, Boeing Business Jets unveiled a new interior concept by award winning aviation design firm SkyStyle. The concept, named Genesis by SkyStyle Co-Founders Max Pardo and Lucas Colombo, represents the company's debut in BBJ MAX design. "From an aviation designer's perspective, the BBJ MAX is incredibly appealing because there is so much more interior space to realize one's vision," said Max Pardo. "And since the MAX flies ultra-long-distances, the owners are looking for a comfortable lounge, multi-function conference area and a large master suite to ensure the ultimate flight experience."  The BBJ MAX Genesis concept draws inspiration from nature's tranquility, its voluminous clouds hanging over a white sand beach, smooth rolling hills and a starry night sky. "BBJ MAX interiors have always been a sharp departure from the cramped cabins of smaller business jets, and the Genesis design is yet another example of our exclusive cabin capabilities," said Laxton. The BBJ MAX family - based on Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX airplane - offers business jet customers the best combination of space, comfort and range. With more than three times the cabin area as most competing business jets, bespoke interiors to match any preference, and lower cabin altitude, the jet is capable of flying 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km). In addition, BBJ MAX owners benefit from a lower total cost to own when compared to other high-end business jets. The MAX's optimized maintenance schedule drives operating costs that are nearly the same as smaller, less comfortable competitors. BBJs also retain comparatively higher residual values by requiring a fraction of the lengthy and expensive shop visits experienced by other business jets as they age. As a result, the BBJ MAX can save customers millions of dollars in total ownership expenditure over the life of the airplane.  BELL AND YAMATO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION TO TRANSFORM ON-DEMAND DELIVERY SERVICE  Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO: 9064) announced their strategic collaboration for the future of civilian aerial logistics. Together they aspire to be a global leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) logistics and plan to do so by collaborating to integrate innovative autonomous unmanned vehicle systems and package handling systems to create an exceptional customer experience for on-demand logistics services. They expect to introduce their initial product into service by mid-2020s. Photo © Bell.  For the initial demonstration activities, Bell will lead the design, development and production of its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT), and Yamato will develop a customized detached pod, highlighting future ground-handling capabilities. The companies' goal is to demonstrate the integration of the existing ground logistics network with vertical lift capabilities to provide new and innovative services to their customers. "We have provided logistics services for almost a century and are excited to invest in future services with next-generation technical solutions in collaboration with Bell to provide higher quality deliveries to our customers," said Shinji Makiura, Yamato's Management Executive Officer of innovation and business strategy. Bell's APT utilizes a tail-sitting eVTOL configuration and an innovative payload pod. The eVTOL can reach speeds of more than 100mph and can be small enough to handle loads up to 15 pounds, or large enough to transport 1,000 pounds. The APT capability enables a whole new level of expedited service and operational efficiency.    USA, Lemoore: The pilot of a USN F/A-18F Super Hornet made an emergency landing earlier this month after its right engine caught fire. No injuries were reported and the pilot and weapons system officer safely landed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. USA, Nevada Test and Training Range: Maj. Stephen Del Bagno an Air Force pilot with the Thunderbirds flight demonstration team was killed in an April 4 crash after he lost consciousness while performing an aerial manoeuvre in an F-16CM, the investigation into the incident determined. The investigation found that Maj. Stephen Del Bagno blacked out for five seconds after pulling 8.56 Gs - despite regaining his bearings one second before impact; he was not able to pull the plane out of its dive. In the last two seconds, he endured a sharp increase in negative G forces, which lowered his blood pressure and heart rate at precisely the wrong time. Russia, Sea of Azov, Dolzhanskaya: A Russian Air Force Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros military trainer jet on a scheduled training flight crashed into water close to the village of Dolzhanskaya under unknown circumstances. Both pilots are presumed dead according authority.  USA, Washington County: A Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage operated by Keystone Aviation LLC experienced an inflight fire and subsequent force landing to open farm field terrain in southwest Hurricane, Utah. The airplane sustained substantial damage and two of the five occupants onboard received minor injuries. Three of the occupants onboard the aircraft were not injured.   Frederich Valentich mysteriously disappears while flying a Cessna 182L over the Bass Strait in Australia, after encountered an unidentified flying object.  He continued to describe a craft of some sort that did not resemble an airplane and was moving all around him as he flew. His transmission ultimately ended with 17 seconds of metallic scraping sounds before cutting. No trace of him or his aircraft were ever found. There were belated reports of a UFO sighting in Australia on the night of the disappearance; however, the Associated Press reported that the Department of Transport was sceptical a UFO was behind Valentich's disappearance, and that some of their officials speculated that "Valentich became disorientated and saw his own lights reflected in the water, or lights from a nearby island, while flying upside down." |
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