MIDWEEK UPDATE 26 AUGUST 2020Compiled by Willie Bodenstein      COVID 19 REGULATIONS, INITIATIVES AND AEROCLUB NEWS  SAFETY FIRST AVIATOR WEBINAR - AUG 2020 Celebrating the launch of the AERO South Africa Virtual Marketplace, AERO South Africa is proud to present its first webinar "Safety First Aviator" with the theme 'PROP CLEAR' The Safety First Aviator [SFA] webinar launches the SFA Campaign for 2020 / 2021. The theme for this year is “PROP CLEAR”, indicating ready for engine start, thus back to flying following the Covid-19 lock down. The underlying theme for the campaign will be 'Resilience'; how we can adapt to change and manage the 'new normal' in order to ensure Flight Safety and as such accident prevention. A focus point during this discussion will be to introduce some of the team members and to explain WHY the team behind Safety First Aviation do what they do, HOW they plan to achieve this and WHAT they plan to do in order to promote Aviation Safety in the Industry. Speakers: • Captain Carl Bollweg - ALPA SA • Cobus Toerien - ALPA SA • Santjie White - SASAR • Damon Brown - MAYDAY SA • Lauren Smith - SA Weather Services • Neil de Lange - CAA • Franz Smit - Pilot Insure (Moderator) Date: 26 August 2020 Time: 18h00 Theme: Safety First Aviator Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tvbUcbfxQwS8tsldd9SNnA  CAA FEE STRUCTURE       CORONA VIRUS AND AVIATION EVENTS Due to Covid 19 and regulations regulating travelling as well as restrictions controlling the number of people congregating together, no aviation events open to the general public will take place in the foreseeable future. Pilot's Post will advise our readers as soon as this changes. 2 September EAA Chapter 322 monthly Zoom meeting. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net The following events are to take place under the rules controlling the number of people congregating together and are therefore not open to the general public. EAA FLYING LEGEND TALK SHOW: 27 AUG @18h30  JIM DAVIS interviewed by GUY LEITCH Born and schooled in Kenya, Jim Davis left for RAF in Cranwell after school, where he spent a year before eventually ending up in South Africa to complete his PPL in 1964 on License number #0075. Jim has dedicated his life to aviation through his three passions - writing, training and flying. Jim seeks no credit for the first two, which he inherited from his grandfather - a classical lecturer at Oxford. And he maintains that his flying skills only evolved through having the good fortune to survive many poor decisions early in his career. Jim ran his own very successful Flying School - 43 Air School, Port Alfred for many years and has approximately 15,000 hours (mostly instruction) on more than over 130 types'. We are looking forward to hearing his stories about his experiences spanning over 50 years of flying. Listen in on a short discussion recorded during our test sessions. Join us for another interesting evening's entertainment on Zoom for this online live broadcast. Members will be sent the connection details on 25 August via email. If you are not yet an EAA member, please take this opportunity to join us. The EAA has been very fortunate to have brave souls that have agreed to participate in our online Talk Shows. We know this is a challenge in ways that we are only starting to get used to and we salute you for agreeing to be interviewed / interviewing. To all those that have made this possible over the last few months, if we have not expressed our sincere thanks for this - to Hugh Pryor & Mike Brown, Karl Jensen & Scully Levin and now to Jim and Guy - thank you once again for making these Talk Shows possible! For those that didn't make the July Talk Show, this recording will be available after the August Talk Show has taken place 12 September SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally at Secunda Airfield Contact Jonty Esser E-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za Cell: 082 855 9435 29 September to 4 October SAC National Championships Tempe Airport, Bloemfontein Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za 24 and 25 October SAC North West Regionals at Klerksdorp airfield Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za  PLEASE GO TO www.youtube.com/channel/UCCuRVZAGodT6sztTeXBGeMw and subscribe to our YouTube channel  FUTURE OF AHRLAC SECURED AS BUSINESS RESCUE NEARS COMPLETION  Paramount Aerospace Industries Proprietary Limited (“Paramount Aerospace Industries”), part of the Paramount Aerospace and Technology Group, announced that the Business Rescue Plans of the Aerospace Development Corporation Proprietary Limited (ADC), the manufacturer of the AHRLAC aircraft and its subsidiaries are in the final phase of implementation. Photo © Paramount Industries. This is in line with the business rescue plans adopted by affected parties in October 2019, pursuant to which Paramount Aerospace Industries acquired the businesses of ADC and its subsidiaries in terms of the relevant business rescue plans, which included the sale of the businesses and assets of ADC and its subsidiaries, as well as the assumption of certain liabilities of these entities in accordance with the respective business rescue plan. As the Business Rescue Plans have now been adopted, the newly formed Paramount Aerospace Industries will bring new management with a wealth of aerospace engineering and aviation industry experience to the programme. The state-of-the-art factory at Wonderboom Airport has been operational for several months under Paramount's stewardship, with manufacturing being ramped up to ensure the timeous delivery of aircraft to customers around the world. Approximately 85% of the original staff of ADC have been retained. Paramount has provided and facilitated significant capital as part of these business rescue processes in the form of both post commencement funding, working capital, capital investment and the assumption of liabilities and loan repayments, in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans. Further capital will be injected into the business over the coming months to support both marketing initiatives and manufacturing.  Alison Crooks, CEO of Paramount Industrial Holdings stated: “This is great news for the future of the aircraft, for Paramount, for the South African Aerospace industry, as well as for the global aircraft market. Paramount's decision, more than a decade ago, to fund the development of the AHRLAC aircraft was a matter of national pride and came at a time when the local aerospace industry was searching for a project that would invigorate the sector. Our passion for the country and for innovation is reflected in the direct investment of almost R1 Billion into the project. We are grateful that this strategic programme is now secured and that we can focus on a brighter future. We are delighted to have retained most of the employees who worked on the AHRLAC programme for years and to have created employment for many capable people through our efforts.” The aircraft addresses a key global security requirement by performing missions that previously required several different aircraft. It integrates designs from helicopters, surveillance platforms and reconnaissance aircraft, with the ability to carry multiple systems, such as surveillance radar and electronic systems. Crooks added: “We are very excited about our new management team, made up of leading experts in aircraft engineering, industrialisation and production, who are focusing on the manufacturing of the aircraft and its delivery to customers. We have been encouraged by the global interest in the aircraft and we look forward to making further new customer announcements in the near future. We would like to thank all of our employees who have stood by us and have demonstrated that the resilience, innovative spirit and can-do mentality of South Africans is as strong as ever.” The aircraft is a smart, innovative 'command centre in the sky' that integrates some of the world's most advanced Multi-Function-Displays, Electro Optical Systems, Electronic Intelligence gathering and compact sensors available in the world today. AHRLAC is purpose-built to be infinitely reconfigurable. This allows the application of the aircraft in multiple roles and missions in response to diverse customer requirements around the world. The AHRLAC aircraft will be manufactured in South Africa at the state-of-the-art factory on the Paramount Aerospace Campus in Wonderboom, north of Pretoria. This facility is a vertically integrated operation that uses latest-generation machines to fabricate all airframe components and sub-systems directly from a digital model. All fabricated components are brought together with the engine and avionics on the final assembly line which produces an aircraft ready for flight. In keeping with Paramount Group's well-established portable production model, the aircraft could, depending on customer requirements, also be exported in kit format for final assembly in customer countries. Paramount restated its committed to continue its investment in South Africa, in order to build a strong, sustainable aircraft and aerospace systems capability in the country, and this transaction supports this objective.  LONG DISTANCE RESCUE BY SAAF 15 AND 22 SQUADRONS  Based at AFB Durban on the site of the old Durban International Airport, the Oryx accompanied by two NSRI Durban rescue swimmers and two Netcare 911 rescue paramedics, flew from Durban with a refuelling stop at East London. Arriving at Algoa Bay, the rescue swimmers and rescue paramedic were hoisted onto the vessel with a rescue stretcher and the patient was successfully airlifted to a hospital in the city. On the Sunday, the week before, another Oryx, this time from 22 Squadron based at AFB Ysterplaat rescued ten hikers from Bainskloof between Ceres and Wellington after they became trapped on the wrong side of a swollen river. The helicopter performed the rescue in two separate sorties. The first saw two hikers hoisted and landed safely before the aircraft returned for the remaining eight hikers.   The Board of Denel has appointed Mr Talib Sadik as the interim Group Chief Executive. Mr Sadik, a qualified Chartered Accountant (SA) and former non-executive director, has worked with the board in developing the turnaround plan and positions him well for a seamless transition. Mr Sadik served as Denel's Group CEO between 2008 and 2012 and brings a wealth of experience that will be of value to Denel. Photo © Denel. The Chairman of the Board, Ms Monhla Hlahla, says the board is continuing its efforts to transform Denel into a sustainable defence and advance manufacturing company and wishes to assure our employees, suppliers, customers and all our stakeholders that the board's focus on the turnaround strategy is top priority. The shareholder and the board continue to find solutions to resolve the short-term challenges of the company. The board welcomes Mr Sadik into the interim role and looks forward to working with him on a successful outcome for Denel. The Audit Committee will continue to remain duly constituted as per the company's act. The recruitment process of the permanent Group CEO is underway and the appointment will be communicated to all stakeholders.   "The availability of the G1000 NXi upgrade for Piper Meridians is a great opportunity for our owners and operators to upgrade their aircraft to the latest Garmin technology. The Garmin upgrade not only offers the opportunity for new advanced capabilities, it also provides faster processing power which supports quicker map rendering and smoother panning throughout the displays," said Piper Aircraft President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "We appreciate our continued partnership with Garmin and their support of our owners and well as their commitment to developing new advanced technologies that continue to advance general aviation and safety." "G1000 NXi-equipped aircraft are recognized for their advanced capabilities and significant performance upgrades and today we're excited to add another aircraft to the eligibility list," said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. "When pilots fly behind this modern integrated flight deck, they'll immediately notice its smooth and responsive display and appreciate the latest, innovative features - they'll wonder how they ever flew without the G1000 NXi." The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck upgrade for existing G1000-equipped Piper Meridian aircraft is available immediately through select Garmin dealers. Meridian owners and operators can easily upgrade to the G1000 NXi with minimal aircraft down time and disruption of the panel as the displays preserve the same footprint and connectors, so panel modifications are not required. The upgraded components of the G1000 NXi also come with a two-year warranty, which is supported by Garmin's award-winning avionics product support team. For additional information regarding the G1000 NXi upgrade for the Piper Meridian, contact Scott Frye at scott.frye@garmin.com. For additional details, visit www.garmin.com/g1000nxiupgrade.   “We've developed TAV™ to be in alignment with latest international military armed overwatch and persistent presence requirements and challenges. The aircraft platform defines a niche of its own and excels in addressing all existing and future daily threats facing our troops, security forces and our world,” said Marko Ivankovic, Senior Product Development Manager and Flight Test Engineer for Icarus Aerospace. In its baseline configuration, TAV™ will deploy with two crew in a tandem cockpit that features latest avionics configuration with sensor fusion and network centric capabilities. With a planned payload of 8,000 pounds, TAV™ will have an unrefuelled endurance of 6 ½ hours at its jet-like high-speed cruise. Designed from the outset to be optionally-piloted, TAV™ can utilize its innovative software, avionics and systems to meet a wide variety of mission requirements, including battlefield management, communication relay, aerial refuelling, re-arm & re-supply and medivac - with crew, remotely piloted or as a fully autonomous system. TAV™ is the first in a family of specialized aircraft, including WASP™, a mission-oriented version, focused on Close-Air Support (CAS), Maritime & Coastal Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare, and surveillance, and BRANTA™, a long endurance, high-altitude optionally-piloted/unmanned combat air vehicle (OPV/UCAV). “We are now moving TAV into its next stage of development, to ensure that Icarus Aerospace has the financial resources to bring our exciting new program to fruition,” said Ivankovic.   Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (AHI) has delivered the first of 16 new H125 helicopters uniquely configured for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO). AMO collaborated with AHI as part of a long-term fleet upgrade initiative and the resulting configuration has led to one of the most advanced, high-tech law enforcement helicopters ever developed. Photo © Airbus. “Our mission is to safeguard the nation by anticipating and confronting security threats,” said Steve Boyer, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner for AMO. “Airbus Helicopters' continued commitment to designing, manufacturing, and delivering quality products will enable AMO personnel to successfully and safely carry out this mission.” The first helicopter for the new configuration was tested and delivered from Airbus Helicopters, Inc.'s facility in Grand Prairie, Texas. The remaining aircraft are being built in Columbus, Miss, where a workforce made up of 40 percent U.S. veterans also produces the UH-72A Lakota for the U.S. Army and has delivered more than 450 single-engine H125 aircraft for the North American market.  Following a rigorous analysis of its mission needs and next generation aerospace technology, AMO developed a set of requirements for the new helicopters, which Airbus put in place through nearly 30 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs). The series of STCs are tied together through a primary all-encompassing STC that ensures all of the systems interact properly with one another and with the basic aircraft. Airbus and AMO have a longstanding relationship of more than 30 years, during which Airbus has delivered more than 100 helicopters from the H120 and H125 family. This new acquisition was made possible through a partnership with Davenport Aviation, an SBA-certified woman-owned small business and HUBZone contractor specializing in the supply of aerospace equipment to federal, state and local government agencies. “We are honoured to partner with Airbus Helicopters and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support this fleet upgrade for enhanced law enforcement capabilities through the procurement of 16 new H125 helicopters from our GSA contract,” said Leah Simoes, owner and Chairwoman of Davenport Aviation. “Throughout this project, we have been very appreciative of the support we have received from Airbus and CBP of our WOSB, HUBZone Certified small business.” Known for its power, versatility and excellent performance in hot and high conditions, the H125 features dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, a crash resistant fuel system and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays. The H125 is the single most popular law enforcement helicopter in the U.S., accounting for nearly half of all helicopters delivered for that mission in North America over the last decade.   Boom Supersonic, an aerospace company building the world's fastest civil aircraft and leading industrial technology company, Rolls-Royce, today announced an engagement agreement to explore the pairing of a Rolls-Royce propulsion system with Boom's flagship supersonic passenger aircraft, Overture. Photo © Boom Aeronautical. The goal of the new agreement is to work together to identify the propulsion system that would complement Boom's Overture airframe. The engagement will involve teams from Boom and Rolls-Royce collaborating in engine-airframe matching activities for Boom's flagship supersonic passenger aircraft, Overture. The teams will also examine certain key aspects of the propulsion system. The teams will investigate whether an existing engine architecture can be adapted for supersonic flight, while Boom's internal team continues to develop the airframe configuration. “We've had a series of valuable collaborations and co-locations with Rolls-Royce over the past years to lay the groundwork for this next phase of development,” said Blake Scholl, Boom founder and CEO. “We look forward to building on the progress and rapport that we've already built with our collaboration as we work to refine Overture's design and bring sustainable supersonic transport to passenger travel.” The priorities of this engagement are informed by Boom and Rolls-Royce's shared commitment to sustainability. Both companies recognize that supersonic passenger travel has to be compatible with a net-zero carbon future and the two teams will work together to address sustainability in Overture design and operations. Overcoming the technological challenges of supersonic flight provides a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation sustainably. “We share a strong interest in supersonic flight and in sustainability strategies for aviation with Boom,” said Simon Carlisle, Director of Strategy, Rolls-Royce. “We're now building on our valuable experience in this space as well as our previous work together to further match and refine our engine technology for Boom's Overture.” As a result of this collaboration, Boom and Rolls-Royce expect to make significant progress towards finalizing Overture's aircraft configuration and propulsion system.   This captive carry flight was conducted with tactical hardware and fully instrumented to collect thermal, mechanical and digital data from the flight vehicle. This is the first time a tactical ARRW missile has been assembled. Additional ground and flight testing will follow over the next two years. “The team overcame significant challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve this significant milestone for the program,” said Dave Berganini, ARRW program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This captive carry mission is the pre-cursor for our first booster test flight planned for early 2020s.” Hypersonic weapons provide rapid response, time critical capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and manoeuvrability. An operational hypersonic air-launched weapon enables the U.S. to hold fixed, high value, time-sensitive targets at risk in contested environments from stand-off distances. Lockheed Martin has played a significant role in the research, development and demonstration of hypersonic technologies for more than 30 years. The corporation has made significant investments in key technology and capability development. We have developed deep expertise in the engineering of hypersonic systems and associated challenges through our work with manoeuvring re-entry vehicles, air-breathing engine design, avionics, and aero/thermal flight sciences.  EHANG TO LAUNCH URBAN AIR MOBILITY TRIAL FLIGHTS IN LINZ, AUSTRIA  Andreas Perotti, who was recently appointed as chief marketing officer of EHang Europe, provided an outline of EHang's plans during the Aviation Week UAM Virtual conference on Aug. 13. The operation will build on agreements established last year with Linz AG and the Austrian aerospace company FACC, EHang's manufacturing partner in Europe. Located on the Danube river in the northern part of Austria, Linz is the country's third-largest city, with a population of around 200,000. According to Perotti, Linz is an ideal location for launching a UAM trial because it's “not too big and not too small . . . and the urban area itself is quite small while the outskirts of the city are really large.” Moving commuters between the outskirts and the city could be a particularly promising use case for EHang aircraft in the longer term, Perotti suggested. In the meantime, he said, the Danube will provide a corridor for urban flight testing with minimal risk to the public - which will “also make regulatory approvals and regulatory processes easier.” Perotti said that EHang intends to start the trial with a single route: “meaning we take one Danube shore, build a vertiport there, go to the other Danube shore, build a vertiport there . . . and try to demonstrate the whole end-to-end value chain,” including booking systems, boarding processes, and aftermarket services. According to an EHang press release, construction of supporting infrastructure is planned for 2021, but trial flights with an EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicle are expected to begin in the near future. Although EHang 216s have carried passengers in previous trials, notably in China, Perotti said the first flights in Linz will not have humans on board. The trial will consider aspects of UAM including the practicality of implementation in urban areas, the impact on the environment, and more. It will also give the general public first-hand exposure to UAM operations, which Perotti said will be crucial for establishing public acceptance. “We shouldn't hide in our R&D facilities,” he argued, suggesting that the still largely secretive eVTOL industry does this “too often.” “I think we need to stop that; we need to go out and involve people, let them test it and try it and make them understand what's in it for them. We need to show the public that this is not science fiction we're talking about and that it's basically happening today,” he said.   Initially, SLM will extend the life of Super Hornets from 6,000 to 7,500 flight hours. Future modification plans in 2022 will enable the jets to fly 10,000 hours and incorporate Block III capabilities. “The Super Hornet is the workhorse fighter for the U.S. Navy,” said Steve Wade, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “SLM is critical because it gives the Super Hornet a new life and next-generation Block III capabilities. The combination of Block III Super Hornets coming out of SLM and new builds off the production line will enable the Navy to maintain the force structure necessary to meet its mission needs.” The Block III conversion will include enhanced network capability, conformal fuel tanks, an advanced cockpit system, signature improvements and an enhanced communication system. The updates are expected to keep the F/A-18 in active service for decades to come. Boeing is currently on contract for the modernization of 24 aircraft. An additional contract award covering inductions through 2022 is expected later this year. SLM consists of two production lines in St. Louis and San Antonio, Texas. Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defence, space and security systems and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing employs more than 160,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.  SUDAN  Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed International Airport: The brakes of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air operated by Mobil Oil Nigeria failed while moving on the ramp at Murtala Muhammed International Lagos. The aircraft collided with a fence/wall suffering minor damage to its nose section. The sole pilot on board suffered no injuries. South Sudan, New Fangak Airstrip: A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with two crew and five passengers on board suffered an accident on take-off from New Fangak, South Sudan. The aircraft had been chartered by NGO Nile Hope to deliver humanitarian aid to New Fangak. It had become stuck in the mud and was pushed out before attempting to take off. The Grand Caravan reportedly went off the runway and hit a tree. The right-hand wing separated and the aircraft flipped over. Two of the five passengers suffered minor injuries. Morocco, Kénitra: A Rheims Cessna F.150M operated by the Royal Aviation Club clipped powerlines and impacted the terrain under unknown circumstances during a training flight in Kénitra, Morocco. The aircraft was destroyed and the two people onboard were fatally injured. USA, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida: U.S. Customs agents alerted about a suspicious business jet at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida boarded a Venezuelan-registered Bombardier Learjet 55 (YV3441) on August 15 and found it loaded with nearly 90 weapons, 63,000 rounds of ammunition and more than $20,000 in U.S. currency. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 18 assault/bolt action rifles with optics, six shotguns, 58 semiautomatic pistols and nearly $2,700 in endorsed checks, in addition to the cash. Two Venezuelan national pilots were arrested and charged with smuggling cash and goods from the U.S. and illegally possessing firearms as aliens.  USA, Chicago/Rockford International Airport: A Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, was destroyed following a take-off accident at Chicago/Rockford International Airport (KRFD), Chicago/Rockford, Illinois. Preliminary information suggest that the plane was taking off at runway 1 when it veered off and caught fire. There was one pilot onboard. Guatemala, San Andres: A burnt Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu was found by Guatemalan law enforcement officers. It had been used for transporting drugs. The aircraft wore false US marks and was officially cancelled as WFU. Germany, Leutkirch-Unterzeil Airfield: A Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP operated by FSV Herrenberg e.V. during landing hit the runway very hard with the nose gear first which caused it to collapse. As the aircraft was untearable, it came to a complete stop in a cornfield near the runway. The pilots could disembark the aircraft with help from the airport staff on site. Nobody was injured.   1 SEPTEMBER 1948  First flight of the Saab J-29, a Sweden's first jet. Photo © Wikipedia It was Sweden's second turbojet-powered combat aircraft, the first having been the Saab 21R; additionally, it was the first Western European fighter to be produced with a swept wing after the Second World War, the Me 262 having been the first during the war. Despite its rotund appearance, from which its name derives, the J 29 was a fast and agile aircraft for its era. It served effectively in both fighter and fighter-bomber roles into the 1970s.  |
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