MIDWEEK UPDATE 12 DECEMBER 2018THIS WEEK IN MIDWEEK UPDATE Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events…….Aviation News Worldwide Incidents and Accidents……This Week in Aviation History     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: St. Francis Fly In. 28 Dec as a reserve day in case of bad weather. Contact Regards Barry Culligan 083 611 3333   5: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290 10: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: kevinmarsden88@gmail.com 19 & 20: SAC Gauteng Regionals at Vereeniging 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 26: SAPFA Rand Airport Challenge - Rand Airport. Contact Frank Eckard cell: 083 269 1516 e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za   2: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290 2: SAPFA Morningstar Speed Rally - Morningstar Airfield. Contact Hans Potgieter e-mail: hcom@mweb.co.za 6: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: 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   2: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290 4-7: HAI Heli-Expo. Georgia World Congress Centre, Atlanta, Georgia. Contact E-mail: rotor@rotor.org Website: www.rotor.org 6: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: kevinmarsden88@gmail.com 9 & 10: Swellendam Flying Club Sport Aerobatic Club Regional Championships Contact Pieter Venter e-mail: pventer@vgv.co.za 12-14 March: Saudi Airshow Thumah Airport, Riyadh. Website: www.saudiairshow.aero 13-15: Ageing Aircraft & Aircraft Corrosion seminar at OR Tambo International Airport. Contact e-mail: lmjaviationbookings@gmail.com 23: FASHKOSK at Stellenbosch airfield. Contact Anton Theart Cell: 079 873 4567 E-mail: gm@stelfly.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 23: SAPFA Virginia Fun Rally - Virginia Airport. Contact Mary de Klerk cell: 084 880 9000 e-mail: maryd@expandingbranding.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   THE AERO CLUB AND ICASA NOTICE 4 DECEMBER 2018  ICASA has issued a notice in the Government Gazette 42080 on 4 December 2018 requiring all radio frequency users to apply for a permit. • VHF Navigation (108.000Mhz - 117.950Mhz) • VHF Communication (118.000Mhz - 136.975Mhz) • Transponder / Traffic Collision Avoidance System (1030 Mhz / 1090 Mhz) • Airborne Weather Radar (9375Mhz) • Radar Altimeter / Ground Proximity Warning System (4200Mhz-4400Mhz) • Distance Measuring equipment (962Mhz-1213Mhz) • Global Positioning System (1176Mhz - 1575Mhz) • Doppler Radar (8800hz-13300Mhz) • FLARM (868Mhz) • Others (2.4Ghz, 5.8Ghz and 35Mhz) The Aero Club has established confirmation that previous regulation Government Gazette Vol 630 No 41321 15 December 2017 applies, which states that these regulations are NOT APPLICABLE to aeronautical mobile, aeronautical radio-navigation and radiolocation services operating in the frequency bands allocated to these services in the National Radio Frequency Plan published by ICASA in terms of section 34 (2) of the electronic Communications Act, 2005. We support the SACAA and DOT in their initiatives to ensure flight safety prevails and promote full compliance with the ICAO Conventions in this respect. Aviators are therefore NOT required to apply for a permit should you be operating in these frequencies for aviation purposes. Also SKA are finally acknowledging the need for genuine stakeholder engagement. We shall keep all aviators apprised of developments as they occur but will endeavour to ensure the freedom of flight for all.  RECREATION AVIATION ASSOCIATION OF SA STATISTICAL REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2018  Looking at the latest November 2018 statistics we keep at RAASA, the following is a summary of observations. Licenses RAASA issued 244 new licenses in the last 12 months. It also shows that about the same number of licenses is not renewed after having lapsed. It would seem that pilots who are also aircraft owners have a greater chance of maintaining their license validity. Maybe this is due to the aircraft being a commitment, or is it a case that pilots who do not own aircraft, don't have access to a plane to fly, and may have to fly the school aircraft if available. Is it simply a convenience issue? ATFs Last month we have had the highest number of renewal transactions in any one month for as long as we keep these records and stats (8 years plus)!! November also recorded a very high number of ATF's renewed. Could this be due to a pilot owning more than one aircraft? There are cases where aircraft are syndicated to more than one owner, perhaps like a club. Is this not maybe a solution? Airframe (ATF) hours A slow and consistent rise in the number of hours flown per aircraft has been noted. Coupled with the number of airworthy airframes, the total number of hours has gone up slowly but surely. Accidents We have started keeping records of accidents by RAASA issued ATFs and compared this to the number of hours flown. When expressed as a ratio, there has been a steady and consistent drop in the accident stats. This downward trend has been upset in this last quarter and is worrying. We need to keep this down, and it seems to have a lot to do with the three main safety topics; awareness, awareness, and awareness. Flying school and club safety drives For just over three years, the flying schools and clubs have consistently been promoting safety by promoting a fair knowledge of regulations, peer review, and ongoing serious safety dialogue. The Safety First campaign runs as a joint industry initiative and have no doubt been a part of the growing safety culture. For a monthly overview on recreational aviation statistics please visit the RAASA website.  Linden Birns  The handbook is a guide to the origins, objectives, economic and social benefits as well as the implementation of SAATM by the AU and its member states. SAATM is intended to open up intra-African air travel with enhanced connectivity and African competition. This will enable and promote growth by facilitating greater intra-African trade, transport, commerce and investment as well as the free movement of business travellers and tourists. In doing so, SAATM will underpin the AU's Africa Continental Free Trade Area strategy and give life to its 2063 agenda. Another goal of SAATM is to strengthen Safety and Security oversight in Africa and promote cooperation among African carriers through the formation of partnerships, mergers and consortia. As a result, stronger African airlines will be able to compete favourably with stronger states or blocs from outside the continent. SAATM's full implementation will create a larger market for African carriers and improved access to capital. SAATM was officially launched in January this year and to date, 27 AU member states, representing over 80% of the current aviation market in Africa, have committed to establishing the SAATM.   The inaugural EDEX is fully supported by Egyptian armed forces and presents a brand new opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the latest technology, equipment and systems across land, sea, and air. With over 1.3 million military personnel, as the largest military power in Africa and one of the leading forces worldwide, Egypt is the ideal setting for a large-scale event for the sector. In addition, Egypt has historically maintained continuous investment in the latest weaponry as a defence strategy and has strengthened national production lines across a range of military complexes. More than 350 exhibitors of major Egyptian and world companies operating in military industries domains exhibited at the event to showcase the latest military and security technology, equipment and systems across land, sea and air. Revealed at EDEX is the apparent interest of Egyptian Air Force (EAF) in the progress of the PAC/Chengdu JF-17 Thunder.  Russian Helicopters Holding Company exhibited the Ka-52K combat reconnaissance and attack helicopter and the multipurpose Mi-38 helicopter which is one of the most advanced civilian helicopters in the world. Moreover, the holding company's executives will negotiate with traditional and potential operators of Russian helicopters. After-sales service of previously delivered Russian helicopters will also be discussed, as Africa has one of the world's largest fleets of Russian helicopters. The event drew more than 10,000 visitors of top brass and those interested in armament and military industries.   The Graflight V-8 engine employs an electronic control system designed and manufactured by industry leader Bosch General Aviation Technology to dramatically reduce pilot workload and ensure efficiency and ease of operation. The engine is controlled with a single power lever, leaving traditional pilot chores like propeller pitch, fuel mixture and controlling engine temperature to the computer, reducing the risk of pilot error. Photo © EPS Graflight. EPS Graflight was formed in 2006 and began building the proof of the concept high performance engine, which is expected to put out between 320 hp and 450 hp, in 2011. The engine is designed with extremely rugged technologies, like steel pistons and CGI iron crankcases that provide superior strength and durability over aluminium without sacrificing weight. This reduces maintenance costs significantly by increasing the targeted Time between Overhauls (TBO) to 3,000 hours, a 50 to 100 percent increase over the industry's current values of 1,500 to 2,000 hours. With its low-profile, compact design, the Graflight V-8 is suited for single and twin-engine aircraft. Its meticulous craftsmanship and specially patented features also make it capable of working with composite and aluminium propellers, a unique feature that attests to the extraordinarily low vibration generated at even the highest power. In addition, the Graflight V-8 has the advantage of running on a variety of heavy fuels, including Jet A, JP-8 or straight diesel, making it viable for use not only in GA aircraft and small helicopters, but also in military drones, small boats or troop carriers The company announced last week that it has now has secured the funding required to complete the engine and has made good progress toward certification. The engine has flown about 25 hours so far. The Graflight V8 engine has the potential to be a game changer as it can be installed into a long list of legacy airframes, such as the Cirrus SR22, Mahindra Airvan 8, Cessna 206 and Piper Navajo.   The Royal Nepal Airlines officially restored the Kathmandu-Lukla route, which had been interrupted for two years. The Airlines first operated the Y-12E, which was introduced from AVIC HAIG (AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd.), to carry two batches of passengers to the Lukla Airport located at the southern slope of Mount Everest. Photo © AVIC. Nepal Airlines is the biggest operator with Chinese-made civil aircraft abroad. Among its nine small and medium aircraft, six come from China -four are Y-12Es and two are MA60s. To guarantee successful operations, the AVIC integrated logistics team was sent to assist Nepal Airlines to conduct routine maintenance and repair, train pilots and ground professionals, and tackle daily operational problems in real time.   Kaman Aerosystems (Kaman), a division of Kaman Corporation (NYSE:KAMN), announced that it received orders for two additional K-MAX® helicopters, expanding the fleet of operators to two new customers who will take delivery in the coming months. Further, given consistent demand the company has approved continuous manufacture of the versatile medium lift workhorse aircraft with the authorization of Lot III production. Photo © Kaman. Mountain Blade Runner Helicopters of Montrose, Colorado, will become the newest K-MAX® operator, utilizing the aircraft to support high altitude external lift operations and firefighting missions. "We are adding K-MAX® to our fleet of AS350B3e helicopters which essentially doubles our lift capability at high altitudes and provides a strong U.S. Forest Service Type 1 firefighting helicopter to combat fires," stated Bryson Gray, President of Mountain Blade Runner. St. Louis Helicopter of Sellersburg, Indiana, will also expand its fleet with the addition of a K-MAX®. The aircraft will be used for agricultural aerial solutions, such as seeding, fertilizing and firefighting, where the increased lift capacity will expand their overall capability. Jim Robinson, Owner of St. Louis Helicopter, said, "the significant increased lift capacity of the K-MAX® brings expanded business solutions, it cost-effectively serves the expanding needs of our customers, where we have implemented the use of greener aircraft which are quieter and more cost-efficient." "We are delighted to add two new K-MAX® operators. We are finding that operators are evaluating their entire fleet and looking to expand their overall capabilities and K-MAX® provides a much-needed solution," stated.   With the establishment of its new Urban Air Mobility unit, Airbus aims to lay the foundations for more efficient and sustainable city travel. To co-create an entire industry from scratch, it will develop cutting-edge technical solutions as well as engage a wide range of stakeholders to ensure maximum societal benefit. Image © Airbus. Joerg Mueller recently experienced just how easy urban travel can be. After landing at the airport in São Paulo, Brazil, he used Airbus' on-demand helicopter booking platform, Voom, to take him directly to his hotel. "In rush hour traffic, that journey can take two hours," says the Head of Programmes and Strategy for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). "It took me just 11 minutes of flight time." Voom is currently operating in São Paulo and Mexico City, and the demand is already impressive. Thousands of passengers have used the service and many of them were flying in a helicopter for the first time The service will be launched in other megacities in 2019 and beyond and will continue to lay the groundwork for Airbus' longer-term vision of urban mobility using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. "Voom has proven to be an awesome mechanism for us to glean key insights into the potential of the on-demand air mobility market and passenger preferences, and we are constantly relaying those insights to the UAM team," says Monnet. Realising that future vision is the task of Airbus' new UAM unit, established in June 2018. Voom is just one part of the unit, which hosts the ongoing UAM activities across the company, from air traffic management to infrastructure development, including partnership building and pilot projects. It also steers the development of Airbus' ongoing eVTOL demonstrators, Vahana and CityAirbus.   Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Airbus have signed an agreement to jointly explore opportunities to meet the growing demand for aerial refuelling for US defence customers. Photo © Airbus "Reliable and modernized aerial refuelling is an essential capability for our customers to maintain their global reach and strategic advantage," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. "By combining the innovation and expertise of Airbus and Lockheed Martin, we will be well positioned to provide the United States Air Force and allies around the world with the advanced refuelling solutions needed to meet 21st century security challenges." "The US Air Force deserves the best aerial-refuelling technology and performance available under the sun and this great industry team, Lockheed Martin and Airbus, will offer exactly that," said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO. The companies are taking a cooperative approach, with the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) at its heart, to examine a broad spectrum of opportunities. These may range from ways to support critical near-term air-refuelling needs, such as a fee-for-service structure to conceptualizing the tanker of the future. Airbus Defence and Space Head of Military Aircraft Fernando Alonso said: "The A330 MRTT has been selected by a dozen nations around the world. It is extensively proven in live operations and has been repeatedly praised by major air forces. We are convinced that the combination of Airbus' tanker expertise with Lockheed Martin's extensive US presence has the potential to provide highly effective solutions for current and future US military aerial-refuelling requirements." Lockheed Martin has a long and successful history of systems integration, manufacturing and MRO operations with large airlift and tanker aircraft. When combined with Airbus' expertise, the two companies will field a strong team to address future air refuelling needs. "Airbus is an industry leader in the aerial refuelling area, and Lockheed Martin is known for cutting-edge defensive technologies and capabilities," said Michele Evans, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "This is a great opportunity for our two companies to combine our expertise - cooperating to develop world-class solutions for critical needs around the world."   USA, Las Vegas: A Frontier Airlines Airbus A320-200 with 166 people on board, was climbing out of Las Vegas on a flight to Tampa, Florida when the crew reported that flight attendants had noticed fire in one of the engines and that the right hand engine cowl of one of the engines was open. The crew declared emergency and requested to return to Las Vegas. The next departure on runway 26R reported there was some large foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway. The A320 landed safely back on Las Vegas' runway 26L about 15 minutes after departure. USA, Memphis Indiana: A Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 operated by Estoair LLC with three on board was destroyed when it crashed in a wooded area about 12 km north-northwest of the airport. Contact with the flight was lost about a minute after departure. None of those aboard survived.   15 DECEMBER 1959 Major Joe Rogers of the United States Air Force Flight Test Center flew F-106A Serial Number 56-0467 on a straight line eleven mile (18 km) course at an altitude of 40,00 feet (12192m) to a measured world absolute speed record of 1,525.95 mph (2455.77km/h) Mach 2.39, surpassing the previous record of 1,491.3mph (2399.95km/h) set on October 7, 1959 in a Mikoyan Ye-1152-1 flowen by Colonel G. Molosov of the USSR by 34.63 mph (55.73 km/h).  After landing, the aircraft exhibited graphic physical evidence of its high-speed flight. Paint was burned on the leading edges of the wings and air inlets and was partly missing on the vertical fin. Canopy side panels were slightly deformed from heating. The stock engine was a complete write-off, and it's a wonder it even lasted through landing. Joe Rogers received the Distinguished Flying Cross and became the 25th recipient of the Thompson Trophy. He later went on to a distinguished air force career.  |
                 |
 |
 |
Copyright © Pilot's Post PTY Ltd
The information, views and opinions by the authors contributing to Pilot's Post are not necessarily those of the editor or other writers at Pilot's Post.