MIDWEEK UPDATE 29 APRIL 2020Compiled by Willie Bodenstein      It has been an auspicious start for the new executive committee, who have in the background been keeping busy transitioning into the new team and redefining the roles and portfolios, which is now complete and on the website. I also thank Council for your confidence placed in the new team at the helm of the Aero Club that is now in a unified structure. We are also moving our digital meeting platform to Zoom being the industry benchmark and have had successful Exco meetings using this platform. Our office team Sandra and Charne are fully operational in their homes, including telephone service, thus any administration matters and member support can be dealt with. As we went into lockdown, as an EAA initiative, Karl Jensen put in a tremendous effort to coordinate Operation Life Flight as a means to support the government in transporting critical supplies, and at this point in time, no requirements have come up, but as we move into the arena of lifting restrictions, we may be still called upon. We thank Karl and the team behind him for the efforts made so far. The Aero Club Exco had a meeting with the CAA ASO on Thursday 23rd April, where the topics of what was presented at the Industry Liaison Forum (ILF) was tabled, primarily dealing with the revision plans for Part 149 that govern our AROs, where all the AROs attended a four day workshop in October 2019 to provide valuable inputs and where subsequently not much movement took place. The CAA has assured us that progress will be made shortly as it hinged upon the CAA first signing off a General Aviation Safety Strategy (GASS) document which was achieved at the end of March, which we should also get sight of soon. As we are shortly entering a Level 4 lockdown state and attempting to interpret what and what not is allowed, the fact that we are at 5 weeks of zero aviation activity. With the issues of recency and the maintenance state of our aircraft, we also discussed with the CAA on allowing specific flights to support keeping our aircraft healthy. As a result, the Aero Club has submitted a letter on Sunday 26th April to the DoT and the CAA requesting that our members with powered aircraft in all disciplines be allowed to exercise said aircraft solo for a limited duration flight within the bounds of the home airport. If the DoT / CAA require oversight for this, the Aero Club and its AROs will be able to manage a permit system that authorises our members to such a flight. Although this is a basic and minimum request, we deem it appropriate at this time, where we should be well positioned in the short term to request further flight requirements as the restrictions ease up. We will keep you posted on our success of this application. As discussed in the March Communique, most events have been cancelled or postponed up to end of June. The likelihood of events happening this year at all is still in the balance and we will have to review these with time and we get to understand what will be allowed at the different lockdown levels. All the centenary events have been cancelled and will be reviewed in 2021, we are however progressing well with the centenary yearbook being compiled by John Illsey, along with some of the last information sourcing being gathered. We will be sending out a prospectus shortly that will outline what the book will contain and taking pre-orders. These may be trying times. Please spare a moment as to when you can to renew your membership if not yet done so as we need the funds to support our Recreational Aviation freedom. https://aeroclub.blueboxonline.com/? Best Regards Rob     In line with advice from public health organisations and government legislation that prohibits all events with more than fifty people, aviation events advertised on Pilot's Post will most likely be cancelled or postponed. Those planning to attend or participate in any of these events are advised to contact the event organisers direct for confirmation.  1 to 3: Aero Club Air Week at Middelburg airfield. Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 Postponed due to the COVID 19 to a date to be advised. 1 to 3: EAA National Convention at Middelburg airfield. Contact Sean Cronin E-mail: sean@glutek.co.za Cell: 083 447 9895 Postponed due to the COVID 19 to a date to be advised. 1: SAPFA Middelburg Speed Rally Middelburg airfield. Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435 Postponed due to COVID 19. Rescheduled to 21 and 22 August. 2: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop Open and practice day 1 to 3: MISASA and SAGPA North meets South at Gariep Dam. Contact Donald Hicks Cell: 083 626 3180 E-mail: wendonair@gmail.com Postponed due to COVID 19 new date to be confirmed. 5 to 10: Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Lakeland, Florida, USA. Website: www.flysnf.org Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. 6: EAA Chapter 322 Monthly Meeting. Dickie Fritz Moth Hall, Edenvale Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. 8 to 10: 20th Battlefields fly-in to Dundee KZN Contact Dave O'Halloran E-mail: gm@battlefieldslodge.co.za Cell: 079 496 5286 9: SAAF Museum Airshow at AFB Zwartkop. Contact Mark Kelbrick Cell 082 413 7577 E-mail: markkelbrick@yahoo.com Postponed due to COVID 19 new date to be confirmed. 16: The Coves annual fly-in closed event by invitation only. Contact JP Fourie E-mail: jp.fourie@nac.co.za Cell: 083 625 4804 Provisionally cancelled due to COVID 19. A new date may be set. 12 to 15: NAMPO Harvest Day at NAMPO Part outside Bothaville. Contact Bennie Zaayman, Wim Venter: E-mail: Wim@grainsa.co.za Cell 082 414 8099 Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled for 11 to 14 August 2020 23: EAA AGM at the EAA Auditorium Rand Airport. Contact Sean Cronin E-mail: sean@glutek.co.za Cell: 083 447 9895 23 to 24: SAC Eastern Cape Regionals Wings Park, East London. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 22 to 24: SAPFA President's Trophy Air Race at Ermelo airfield. Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: chairman@sapfa.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 Website: www.sapfa.co.za E-mail: Race@sapfa.org.za Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled but will be reviewed later in the year. Provisionally cancelled due to COVID 19. A new date may be set. 31: Fly-Mo fund raising breakfast fly-in at Springs airfield. Contact Fanie Bezuidenhout E-mail: ansan@tiscali.co.za Cell: 083 789 5507 Due to COVID-19 this event has been postponed to a date later in the year.   Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. 5 and 6: Newcastle Airshow. Contact Johan Pieters E-mail: Johan@champ.co.za Cell: 082 923 0078 Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled to 3 and 4 October 2020. 3 to 7: Zim Navex Prince Charles Airport, Harare. Contact Marion Kalweit E-mail: zimairrally@gmail.com Tel +26 377 257 0009 6: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop Open and practice day 9 & 10: Aviation Mena 2020 Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. Contact Alison Weller E-mail: alison@accessgroup.aero Web: www.aviationmena.aero Due to the COVID 19 this event has been re-scheduled to 18 and 19 October 2020. 13: SAPFA Silver Queen Air Rally AFB Zwartkop. Contact Rob Jonkers E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell: 082 804 7032 20: SAC full day Airshow New Tempe - Bloemfontein. Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell: 082 465 4045   2 to 4: AERO South Africa Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria. Annelie Reynolds Tel +27 10 599 6150 Website: www.aerosouthafrica.com or Amanda Dube: E-mail: Amanda.Dube@za.messefrankfurt.com Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled for 2020. 10 - 11: EAA Taildraggers at Warmbaths airfield. Richard Nicholson E-mail: flybenchmark@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227 11- 12: Flying Legends United Kingdom. Website: www.flyinglegends.com Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled 17 - 18: SAPFA Speed Rally at Thabazimbi airfield. Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435. Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. 20 to 24: Farnborough Airshow United Kingdom five-day trade show - no public days Website: www.farnboroughairshow.com Due to the COVID 19 this event has been cancelled. Malelane Airport, Malelane. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 21: CAASA AGM at CAASA House Lanseria International Airport Contact Sam Keddle E-mail: office@caasa.co.za Tel: 011 659 2345 Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig E-mail: calvin@designer.co.za 23-25 Brits Rally Nationals 23 - 25 July 2020. Contact Frank Eckard E-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za Cell: 083 269 1516   22: ASSA - Bethlehem Airshow. Contact Stephan Fourie at fouriesj1491@gmail.com 21-22: Bethlehem Speed Rally 21 - 22 August 2020 - replaces FAKR ANR. Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435   6: Rand Airport Air Show Secunda Airfield, Secunda, Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za cell: 082 804 7032 16 to 20 AAD - Waterkloof Air Force Base 24: Great Train Race and Fly-in. Heidelberg Airfield Contact Van Zyl SchultzE-mail: vzs@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 5602275   3-4: SAC WC Regionals - Swellendam. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 3: SAPFA Witbank Fun Rally. Witbank Airport. Contact Rob Jonkers 082 804 7032 rob@aerosud.co.za   8 to 14: Training week WFRC 2020, Stellenbosch. Contact Mary de Klerk, Cell 0848809000, Email maryd@expandingbranding.co.za Stellenbosch. Contact Mary de Klerk, Cell 0848809000, Email maryd@expandingbranding.co.za Contact Jonty Esser e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za cell: 082 855 9435   Contact Sandra Strydom, email: sandra@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100 5-6: SAC Ace of Base - Vereeniging. Baragwanath Airfield. Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za    The changes for 2020 include a reshaped and longer cowling, Blackline propeller with new spinner, fully integrated landing light and an additional NACA inlet to improve cooling. Other aerodynamic improvements include new landing gear legs with internal brake lines and new low drag wheel fairings. This all leads to significantly reduced drag and an increase in maximum speed. A Garmin GMA 245 audio panel with the USB charging port, Bluetooth connection and Garmin's 'home theatre' top-end quality sound makes flying with the new "Royal Black" interior more comfortable.   Entering service in 2010, the CJ4 is the largest of the Cessna light jet family of aircraft. The single-pilot jet continues to stand out due to its combination of high performance, low operating costs and class-leading cabin amenities delivering productivity and value to customers. The Cessna Citation CJ4 allows customers to go further with the leading range-to-payload ratio and a best-in-class IFR range of 1,926 nautical miles (3,567 km) with a maximum cruise speed of 451 knots. The single-pilot certified jet combines superior speed, range and operating economics when compared with larger aircraft, making it the ideal platform for owner/operators or corporate missions. The CJ4 has seating for ten passengers and includes a notable 1,040-pound baggage capacity. Other features include single point refuelling and an externally serviceable lavatory. Cessna Citations continue to lead this segment, with over 5,000 light jets delivered throughout the world, offering customers the broadest range of products on the market. From the popular entry level Cessna Citation M2, to the upgraded efficiency and comfort of the CJ3+ and the leading CJ4, Textron Aviation's Citation family of light business jets has evolved to offer a range of capabilities, systems and options unmatched in its class.   The campaign achieved a total of 45 flight test hours and 120 dry contacts with the A3R system, covering the whole aerial refuelling envelope, as the F-16 and MRTT consolidate the maturity and capabilities of the development at this stage. The certification phase will start in 2021. Didier Plantecoste, Airbus Head of Tanker and Derivatives Programmes, said: "The achievement of this key milestone for the A3R programme highlights the A330 MRTT's excellent capability roadmap development and once more confirms that our tanker is the world's reference for present and future refuelling operations. Our special thanks go to the Portuguese Air Force for their continued support and help on this crucial development". The A3R system requires no additional equipment on the receiver aircraft and is intended to reduce air refuelling operator (ARO) workload, improve safety and optimise the rate of air-to-air refuelling transfer in operational conditions, helping maximise aerial superiority. The goal for the A3R system is to develop technologies that will reach fully autonomous capabilities. Once the system is activated by the ARO, the A3R flies the boom automatically and keeps the alignment between the boom tip and the receiver receptacle with an accuracy of a couple of centimetres; the proper alignment and the receiver stability is checked in real-time to keep a safe distance between the boom and the receiver and also to determine the optimum moment to extend the telescopic beam to achieve the connection with the receiver. At this point, the fuel transfer is initiated to fill up the receiver aircraft and once completed and the disconnection is commanded, the boom is cleared away from the receiver by retracting the telescopic beam and flying the boom away to keep a safe separation distance. During this process, the ARO simply monitors the operation.   We hope this will motivate non-flying pilots as well as student pilots and flight instructors to stay connected to their passion and learn more every day. Anybody, whether student pilot, pilot, flight instructor or aviation enthusiast, flying clubs, flight schools can apply and join the online course free-of-charge for a period of 3 months, from April 2020 until end of June 2020. This unique offer is available worldwide to all, including to non-pilots who are interested in aviation. During the current almost worldwide "lock down" period, the free-of-charge online course will help to refresh and revise the theoretical knowledge required to fly and learn the specifics about modern Pipistrel aircraft series, including the Alpha Electro, the only electric trainer in serial production in the world. The online course gives detailed information and knowledge of different Pipistrel aircraft. Pipistrel is offering completely free of charge the specially designed and developed Online Training course for the Alpha Trainer UL/LSA/BCAR, the Virus SW UL/LSA, Virus SW121 and the Alpha Electro. Normally the online course fee is 147.30€ for 14-days or €247.30 for Permanent subscription. Courses can be accessed from anywhere in the world, with your laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Online courses available from today onward, completely free of charge, include: Pipistrel ALPHA Electro, the only certified electric training aircraft in serial production anywhere in the world Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer aircraft in UL/LSA/BCAR configurations Pipistrel Virus SW and SWiS in UL/LSA configurations Pipistrel Virus SW 121 model, EASA certified   The NAF A-29 aircraft will now begin mission modification and final testing in Centennial, Colorado. Following final testing, before delivery, NAF pilots will train in the aircraft. "This is an exciting milestone in the production of these A-29s for the Nigerian Air Force. The Jacksonville production line is active and Embraer and SNC look forward to seeing these aircraft continue to roll off the line in the coming months," says Jackson Schneider, president & CEO, Embraer Defense & Security. "The aircraft meet or exceeded all the requirements and we are very pleased with the successful flight," stated Ed Topps, vice president of Tactical Aircraft Systems and programs for SNC's IAS business area. "SNC and our partner, Embraer, are certain the Nigerian Air Force will be pleased with these aircraft." The combat-proven A-29 Super Tucano is the gold standard of light attack combat and reconnaissance aircraft around the world and is designed and built for the mission in Nigeria. The A-29 Super Tucano is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for basic and advanced flight and combat training, close air support operations, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), armed over-watch, counterinsurgency and irregular warfare scenarios. The aircraft has already been selected by 15 air forces around the world to deliver cost-effective close air support and reconnaissance capabilities. In December 2018, SNC and Embraer Defence & Security were awarded the contract to deliver 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force. The contract for the NAF includes ground training devices, mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support equipment, alternate mission equipment, contiguous U.S. interim contractor support, outside of continental U.S. (OCONUS) contractor logistic support and field service representatives for OCONUS support.   "We're proud the JASDF selected the Cessna Citation Latitude, the best-selling midsize jet, in support of its flight inspection mission," said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales for Textron Aviation. "When the JASDF needed a modern aircraft with low direct operation costs for an enduring mission, it chose the Cessna Citation Latitude." Fitted with UNIFIS 3000 Flight Inspection System equipment from Norwegian Special Mission (NSM), the aircraft will provide flight inspection missions through the periodic evaluation of navigational aids, such as flight procedures and electronic signals, to ensure they are safe and accurate. The aircraft will be operated by the Flight Checker Squadron, a JASDF unit based at Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo. "Flight inspection has long been a vital part of providing a safe air transportation system making instrument flight possible and safeguarding passengers and aircrew," said Gibbs. "The Latitude's long range, large cabin and class-leading performance ideally suits it for the flight inspection mission."   The F-16 was one of two jets performing drills 120 miles (193.12 kilometres) east of the air base on the border of the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. The pilot, the only person on board, burned off fuel before ejecting, according to the report.   The contract includes the following upgrades to the Dragon Lady: An updated avionics suite that modernizes the U-2's onboard systems to readily accept and use new technology. A new mission computer designed to the U.S. Air Force's open mission systems (OMS) standard that enables the U-2 to integrate with systems across air, space, sea, land and cyber domains at disparate security levels. New, modern cockpit displays to make everyday pilot tasks easier while enhancing presentation of the data the aircraft collects to enable faster, better informed decisions. "As a proven, agile and reliable aircraft, the U-2S is the most capable high-altitude ISR system in the fleet today. The Avionics Tech Refresh contract will continue our commitment of providing a premier aircraft to our warfighters, ensuring global security now and into the future," said Irene Helley, U-2 program director. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin will lead the design, integration and test of the new advanced aircraft components, which will enable the U-2 to be the first fully OMS-compliant fleet. Interim fielding is anticipated to begin in mid-2021, with fleet modification expected in early 2022.   "This has been a long-time effort by the Alaska Congressional Delegation, the Tiger Team, and the military, and I congratulate everyone who played a part in making this a reality," Murkowski said in a statement. "The importance these squadrons of F-35s will play in our national defence, while also providing our airmen with incredible, real-world training is unparalleled."    USA, Chignik, Alaska: A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operated by Grant Aviation sustained substantial damage after impacting steep, mountainous terrain about 8 miles south of Chignik Lake Airport, Alaska. The wreckage came to rest in deep snow at about 2,993 feet on the west face of a treeless, steep mountain in the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge of the Aleutian Range. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Chile, Curepto: A Bell-Garlick UH-1H Iroquois firefighting helicopter operated by Corporación Nacional Forestal with one board on a firefighting operation crashed under unknown circumstances. The pilot died in the crash.    After World War I, Major E. L. Hoffman of the Army Air Service led an effort to develop an improved parachute for exiting airplanes by bringing together the best elements of multiple parachute designs. Participants included Irvin and James Floyd Smith. The team eventually created the Airplane Parachute Type-A. This incorporated three key elements, In 1919, Irvin successfully tested the parachute by jumping from an airplane. With Smith flying the plane and Irvin making the jump, the new chute performed flawlessly, though Irvin broke his ankle on landing The Type-A parachute was put into production and over time saved a number of lives. Leslie Irvin died on 9 October 1966.  |
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