MIDWEEK UPDATE 8 JANUARY 2020   Dear Aero Club Member, it is the Aero Club & Member Association renewal time for the year 2020. Many thanks for your continued support for recreational aviation in South Africa. The year 2020 is a significant year being the Centenary of the Aero Club and we will take the opportunity to bring to the fore the importance that recreational aviation has for the growth of aviation in SA, particularly poignant in preserving our free flight while working with the regulator transitioning from the domain of RAASA to the CAA and the regulatory changes that it brings. We will keep you posted on the overall status & progress. To renew your membership or join the Aero Club and its Sections, go to https://www.aeroclub.org.za/member-renewals-and-new-memberships/, where you can use the Aeropay System, or you can pay via EFT. If you have any difficulties, please contact the Aero Club office by email or phone as given below, Sandra & Charne are ready to assist. The Aeropay System Visit the Aero Club website on www.aeroclub.org.za Click on Memberships and then on the Aeropay link Log in to your membership and follow the steps Once your payment is processed you can download or print your Membership certificate and Tax invoice. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) The Aero Club of South Africa Standard Bank Acc: 202506231 Branch: 001155 Midrand Reference: Your Name and Surname Send proof of payment to: sandra@aeroclub.org.za The Aero Club of South Africa Tel : 011 082 1100 Fax : 086 635 3755 E-mail : office@aeroclub.org.za     8: Chapter 322 Meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall, Edenvale.    25: Rand Airport Challenge Rally - Rand Airport. Contact: Frank Eckard e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za cell: 083 269 1516 25: SAPFA AGM - Time: 2 PM Rand Airport. Contact: Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za cell: 082 804 7032   1: Witbank Speed Rally - Witbank Airfield. Contact: Jonty Esser e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za cell: 082 855 9435 5: Chapter 322 Meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall, Edenvale. 7 - 9: SAPFA Committee Bosberaad - Paddafontein. Contact: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 29: Rally Navigation Training Course - Venue Aerosud. Contact: Mary de Klerk e-mail: maryd@expandingbranding.co.za cell: 084 880 9000   4: Chapter 322 Meeting. Dicky Fritz Moth Hall, Edenvale. 7: Brakpan Fun Rally - Brakpan Airport - Contact: Frank Eckard e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za cell: 083 269 1516 7-8: SAC KZN Regional Aerobatics. Ladysmith Airfield. Contact Annie Boone: chunge@mweb.co.za 21: Bethlehem Speed Rally - Bethlehem Airfield - Contact: Jonty Esser e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za cell: 082 855 9435 21: The Airplane Factory Fly-in, Tedderfield. Contact: Shanelle 011 948 9898 21-22: Fashkosh Airshow Stellenbosch Airfield. Contact: Anton Theart at gm@stelfly.co.za or 079 873 4567 13 to 5 April: Sun 'n Fun, Lakeland Florida USA. Contact: Neil Bowden at Neil1@telkomsa.net or on 084 674 5674   Obituary: Trixie Heron 12 July 1949 - 25 December 2019  There is hardly any member of the local recreational aviation community who did not know Trixie and her unbridled enthusiasm for EAA. It is true to say that EAA was the centre point of Trixie's life and had been so for at least the last 17 years and never missed a single meeting. She loved the EAA community, animals and younger people and music. Trixie was born in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape with the surname of van Rooyen and grew up as an Afrikaans speaker at school in Port Elizabeth. She married George Heron a fine sportsman who lived in Rhodesia. She also lived in the UK and Saudi Arabia where she worked for the Royal Saudi family as a tutor. Trixie was a rabid vegetarian and teetotaller - she had the moral conviction of her love for all animals and vowed never to eat anything that had eyes. She was often referred to by Ricardo De Bonis as 'The Rabbit' at our frequent and happy braais at his hangar at Krugersdorp when she'd bring her own salad or pasta. She was an accomplished pianist. Wherever we went on EAA events and a piano was present, Trixie would tickle the ivories. She earned a stipend at many weddings and church functions playing the piano, this being one of the ways she made a meagre but honest living. Trixie was a copy writer as her main occupation and did proof reading for some large companies' advertorials. Nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Trixie was an aunt of the late Terry Hertz who was EAA of SA National Chairman in 2003. She was an erstwhile member of MISASA when she owned and was learning to fly her microlight Trike. For a while, she published her glossy African Skies magazine which focussed mainly on the microlight fraternity. She often spoke of the Microlighters' annual fly-ins to the Numbi Hotel airstrip at Hazey View. Her plane was damaged in a tornado which collapsed a hangar that destroyed several Trikes badly damaging others, including hers, which has not flown since. I spent many years compiling the EAA newsletter which we named '…brakes on, throttle set, CONTACT!' Trixie would come to my home the week prior to our Chapter 322 monthly meetings to proofread my work so that the newsletter could be distributed punctually with a reminder in time for the upcoming meeting. The proof reading was an immense task as she was an absolute stickler, almost to the point of pain, for accuracy of spelling and grammar. Her language proficiency in English, Afrikaans and French as well as Arabic was impressive. Trixie was loath to be elected to any EAA Committee although she did act as secretary on occasion and attended most EAA Committee meetings of both Chapter 322 and the EAA of SA Council. Trixie will be remembered too for handling registrations as well the sales of EAA regalia at countless EAA events that she would get to in EAA members' planes or cars. She kept a ledger of all members and guests at 322 meetings and was insistent that everybody signed in - her attendee lists were always useful as many members' contact details changed regularly. Trixie was baptised recently in the Catholic Church. She will be sorely missed. May her soul rest in peace. Karl Jensen  Since our maiden flight in 2009, we have continued to make our mark in the history of aviation. This re-brand represents our successful and ongoing transition to a company well beyond our local heritage. Today, Sling Aircraft competes in 25 countries and 6 continents and have appointed more than 32 Sling official dealers and distributors around the world, all of whom have successfully sold Sling Aircraft into their respective markets. While our domain has changed to better represent what our company is today, our value proposition remains the same - To become and remain the world's most loved and respected aircraft manufacturer as a consequence of the outstanding qualities of our people, products and ideas.      "The order finalized today-just one year after the extraordinary administration started-is the result of the joint and generous effort of all parties involved: the Italian Government, the Armed Forces, and local Institutions," extraordinary commissioner of Piaggio Aerospace Vincenzo Nicastro said. "This represents, for Piaggio Aerospace, a turning point: with the restart of aircraft production, we will also be able to gradually reintegrate workers who are currently on temporary layoffs." Nicastro added that the restructured OEM continues to finalize new aircraft orders from the private market as well as prepare a plan to sell its assets.   Partners in ACCEL, which is half-funded by the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) with the support of the UK government, include Oxford-based electric motor manufacturer YASA and Gloucester Airport, UK-based Electroflight. Also unveiled during an event held at Gloucester Airport on December 20 was the ionBird test airframe, which will be used to test the propulsion system before it is integrated into the aircraft. Tests are planned "over the next couple of months," including running the propulsion system up to full power along with airworthiness checks. Rolls-Royce said ACCEL will have the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft, enabling it to fly 200 miles (London to Paris) on a single charge of its 6,000 cells.   Terra Drone's investment will enable Terra Drone Mining to expand UAS Inc.'s business beyond North America to South/Central America, South Africa, Central Asia, Russia, and Australia. Mine operators can use drones to obtain 3D models of the mines and prevent workers from entering hazardous locations. Terra Drone utilizes SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) to create highly detailed maps of underground areas. The company notes that mining remains one of the world's most hazardous industrial occupations, with dangers that include falling material, flooding, and underground fires and explosions. More than 20 fatalities have been recorded year- to-date in U.S. mines alone.   Under a draft law passed by the government in November - still to be ratified by the country's parliament - four aircraft will arrive in 2020, with the final example to follow in 2021. The five new aircraft will have the same M.5.2R configuration as Romania's existing 12 F-16s, but Bucharest says all 17 will be raised to a new standard it calls M.6.X. In addition, the contract will boost the technical expertise of the Romanian air force, says the defence ministry, including the ability to overhaul and repair the F-16's Pratt & Whitney F100 engine and modernise the platform. Romania in 2013 agreed to take its first batch of 12 F-16s - nine A-model single-seaters and three B-variant twin-seaters - and took delivery of the initial six aircraft in 2016. In addition to the dozen F-16s, Cirium fleets data records the Romanian air force as currently operating 17 Mikoyan MiG-21s with an average age of 44.2 years. Earlier this year, Bucharest indicated that it was seeking a total of 36 F-16s to replace its elderly MiG-21s.   Following the first shipment of SAF in Canadian history, the inaugural Bombardier customer aircraft to fly on SAF is the award-winning Challenger 350 business jet, which continues to lead the way in the super mid-size segment. In addition to reaching 300 deliveries faster than any other jet in the medium and large categories, the Challenger 350 aircraft recently demonstrated its undeniable performance capabilities and superior reliability by setting speed records for 10 key American city pairings in 20.5 hours. The Challenger 350 aircraft is one of the most efficient business aircraft in the world. Its redesigned canted winglets cut down on drag, reducing fuel burn and its engines deliver increased thrust, contributing to the aircraft's fuel efficiency and significantly lower emissions. With half a dozen Challenger series aircraft in service, Latitude 33 Aviation manages one of the newest and largest fleets of light, mid-size, and super mid-size aircraft in North America. The aircraft charter company's commitment to sustainable flying marks a significant milestone in the increased use of SAF throughout the industry, which follows Bombardier's inaugural shipment of SAF, a key pillar in the company's plan to secure long-term partnerships with fuel suppliers to deploy SAF worldwide. "We're excited about our continued relationship with Bombardier," said Solomon Short, Director of Operations at Latitude 33 Aviation. "Our company is known for its exceptional service and seamless travel experience, so this factory-new delivery will help us continue to provide one of the best charter flight experiences, as well as help address the industry's environmental impact."   EASA is the European Union's aviation authority and regulator, ensuring the highest level of safety protection. By awarding a DOA, EASA entrusts a growing range of responsibilities to Volocopter as per a set of rules and processes. The key effect of having a DOA is that EASA exercises surveillance to the organization as a whole and the involvement can be reduced to fewer steps on the way to the final commercial certification. Consequently, product development can be conducted at a faster pace by the approved organization. Receiving EASA DOA thus proves to be a strong competitive advantage for Volocopter within the global context. EASA awards DOA to companies they have thoroughly audited with regards to their organisation, processes, resources and staff expertise. Key aspects the agency checks before giving their seal of approval are clearly defined throughout certain processes that also need to be lived in everyday work, safety awareness and the organisation. The audits ultimately serve to assess and decide whether a company can bring a safe aircraft to market. The initial DOA approval obtained today will be continuously expanded with further privileges. These privileges can eventually include elements such as issuing approvals of changes or even issuing a permit to fly for its test aircraft allowing to conduct engineering and certification flight test of Volocopter's commercial air taxi. By obtaining a DOA approval, Volocopter joins the ranks of Airbus S.A.S; Dassault Aviation, Leonardo S.p.A., BAE Systems, ADAC Luftfahrttechnik GmbH or Lufthansa Technik as Design Organisation. Earlier this year EASA finalized and published the Special Condition VTOL, the world's first certification baseline specifically created for air taxis, under which Volocopter is in process to get its aircraft certified.   Alberto Gutiérrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, said: "We are pleased to welcome the Irish Air Corps to our family of C295 operators, a signal of continued trust from an Air Force that already operates two Airbus CN235s."  USA, Sioux Falls, Chamberlain, South Dakota: The pilot and a passenger of a Pilatus PC-12 that crashed after taking off from a small South Dakota airport on Thanksgiving weekend, killing nine of 12 members of an Idaho family who were on board, spent three hours clearing snow and ice from the aircraft before departure, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report. The single-engine plane made it less than a mile from the airport in Chamberlain, South Dakota, and only 460 feet into the air before it crashed. Three of the plane's warning systems - the stall warning, stick shaker and stick pusher - activated within seconds of lift-off, the report states. USA, Fresno's Yosemite International Airport: A 17-year-old girl snuck onto Fresno's Yosemite International Airport where she managed to get into a hangar and aboard a late model Textron Aviation Beechcraft King Air and managed to start one of the engines. She then impacted airport fencing and building structure, destroying the left engine and nacelle and caused additional damage to the tune of more than $300,000. Police arrested the girl who was not a pilot and who had no flight training shortly after the aborted attempt. Germany. Cologne: Passengers on a Lufthansa flight flew for eight hours and landed 85 miles from where the plane took off. The flight that had departed from Frankfurt, Germany, and was destined for JFK Airport in New York but was forced to do a U-turn as it reached the Atlantic because of a fault in the plane's hydraulics system. However, Frankfurt Airport is closed at night so the plane was forced to land in nearby Cologne and passengers were transported by bus back to Frankfurt. The plane made a safe landing and that a subsequent investigation revealed that there were no problems despite the concern about the hydraulics system.    BSAA operated mostly Avro aircraft: Yorks, Lancastrians and Tudors and flew to Bermuda, the West Indies, Mexico and the western coast of South America. After two high-profile aircraft disappearances it was merged into the British Overseas Airways Corporation at the end of 1949. The initial aircraft - until the Avro Tudor II was available - would be Avro Lancasters converted by Avro into the same configuration as Lancastrians and the crews were being sought from former Pathfinder Force members: the general manager Don Bennett had been the force commander during the war. The single route to be flown was Hurn- Lisbon-Bathurst-Natal-Rio de Janeiro-Montevideo-Buenos Aires. On 1 January 1946, the airline's first Avro Lancastrian Star Light flown by Don Bennett and R. Clifford Alabaster undertook the first flight from the newly opened Heathrow Airport and was on a proving flight to South America. The first commercial flight followed ten weeks later.  |
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