This week in Midweek Updates
22 Squadron to the rescue for Table Mountain cableway.
Pakistani Chief of Air Staff in South Africa.
UN DR Congo mission authorised to assist SAMIDRC.
South Korea's KF-21 fighter radar being tested by Paramount in South Africa.
Piper M700™ FURY unpaved field certified.
Joby Rolls third aircraft off production line, reports second quarter 2024 financial results.
Boeing, U.S. Air Force Definitize Contract for Two Rapid Prototype E-7A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft.
Electra's eSTOL Goldfinch is first piloted electric aircraft to fly at NASA's Langley Research Centre.
Florida Institute of Technology takes delivery of four Pilot 100i Aircraft.
PR ST. Barth executive starts regular services with Tecnam P2012 Stoll.
This week in history - First flight of the Cessna 208 Caravan
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - The Legend, Piper's Super Cub
22 SQUADRON TO THE RESCUE FOR TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY www.defenceweb.co.za
Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat-based 22 Squadron, via SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, answered a call for civic duty from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company.
The cableway, a major tourist attraction in Cape Town, is shut from 15 July to 1 September for annual maintenance, which includes a full cable replacement for the first time since a 1997 revamp, as well as maintenance of the hanging and running gear.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company required replacing 6 km of track rope cable. After searching far and wide for commercial helicopter capability, no positive outcome was received.
After reaching out to the SA Air Force, 22 Squadron made available an Oryx to lift components to the top of the mountain.
Major LH Grobler of 22 Squadron reports the go-ahead for the cargo slinging was given for 26 July. The Western Cape province's inclement winter weather put the kibosh on the Friday 26 July move until the following Tuesday (30 July) when an Oryx medium transport rotorcraft took eight loads of cableway equipment from Tafelberg Road to the top of the iconic mountain.
Grobler further reported the Oryx made “light work” of the slinging as the aircraft is capable of carrying 1.8 tons under its fuselage and its mission was duly successfully executed.
PAKISTANI CHIEF OF AIR STAFF IN SOUTH AFRICA www.defenceweb.co.za
Strengthening ties between the Pakistani and South African air forces in line with bilateral military co-operation programmes is topping the agenda during Air Chief Marshall Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu's six-day visit.
He and his entourage were met at the flagship SAAF transport base - Waterkloof - by South African Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, after touching down in a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Bombardier Global Express (J-758).
The high level PAF visit is the second to see a Chief of Air Staff call on the SAAF three-star this year. The first was India's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, in May.
Both the Sidhu and Chaudhari visits were reported by SAAF communication personnel as being to strengthen military ties and co-operation.
First stop for the PAF delegation was the SAAF College in Thaba Tshwane and then on to Bays Hill and the SAAF Memorial, north of what is now the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW), previously Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop, the oldest operational base in the SAAF inventory.
The first day of the visit (29 July) was given over to what Corporal Sherildean Mamba reported as “activities designed to strengthen the collaborative ties between the two countries”. She reported further Sidhu's visit as being of “great significance” to both countries but did not elaborate on his itinerary.
By contrast the Chaudhari visit in May listed stops at all three SAAF bases - Langebaanweg, Overberg and Ysterplaat - in the Western Cape province with a special mention for the SAAF Museum at Ysterplaat.
A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution adopted this week makes available UN peacekeeping resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - under strict conditions - to the tri-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the country's troubled eastern region.
At the heart of the four-page Resolution 2746 (2024) adopted on 6 August, are a number of points detailing support to be provided by MONUSCO to SAMIDRC (SADC Mission in the DRC).
The first authorises MONUSCO, the UN mission in the DRC working to wrap up operations by year-end, to support SAMIDRC through enhanced co-ordination, information sharing and technical assistance as well as use of MONUSCO logistic assets and military capabilities in the MONUSCO deployment area.
This is to happen “consistent with paragraph 20 of resolution 2717 (2023) and within existing resources in furtherance of MONUSCO's mandate” at all times taking into account protection of civilians, including women and girls, child protection, prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, prevention of harm to civilians, civil-military co-ordination (CIMIC), disarmament as well as weapons and ammunitions management.
On “asset utilisation” the resolution has it there will be co-ordination between MONUSCO and SAMIDRC for “air and other assets” to be used for medical and casualty evacuation (casevac) of SAMIDRC troops. This co-ordination will extend to moving SAMIDRC troops, by air and on the ground, only when MONUSCO assets are needed in combat situations.
SAMIDRC will be on the receiving end of “comprehensive technical advice” from UN legal officers as regards compliance covering international humanitarian law and international human rights law, where applicable, as well as the African Union (AU) Strategic Framework for Compliance and Accountability in Peace Support Operations.
Resolution 2746 “stresses” MONUSCO support provision to the Southern African bloc mission is “without prejudice to MONUSCO's existing mandate”. This refers specifically to protecting civilians and in support of national security. It also calls on the three SAIMDRC troop contributing countries (TCCs) - Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania - to “actively minimise the risk of harm to civilians in all areas of its operation”.
It “emphasises” the importance of implementing the UN zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and calls on the SAMIDRC TCCs to “ensure appropriate conduct and discipline to prevent and respond to SEA incidents”.
Advance party deployments for SAIMDRC started in December with MONUSCO Head, Bintou Keita, last month informing the UNSC its operationalisation was expected in July. There was, at the time of publication, no response from SADC on Resolution 2746 on its website or X (formerly twitter) account.
SOUTH KOREA'S KF-21 FIGHTER RADAR BEING TESTED BY PARAMOUNT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Guy Martin www.defenceweb.co.za
Testing of the KF-21 Boramae fighter radar continues in South Africa, on a modified Boeing 737 operating out of Wonderboom National Airport. The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is among the most challenging components of the indigenous KF-21 fighter jet programme. South Korea originally sought to acquire AESA radar technology from the United States, but export restrictions precluded this, and so it decided to develop its own radar for itself. The KF-21 AESA radar programme marks South Korea's first AESA radar development efforts, and may be scaled for other future applications.
The radar is being developed under the auspices of the South Korean Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), with the South Korean Agency of Defence Development (ADD) and Hanwha Systems Co (HSC) taking the lead. Paramount Aerospace Systems was contracted as a subcontractor by HSC and Italian aerospace company Leonardo to test the radar.
An AESA radar electronically steers the radar beam by using hundreds or thousands of transmit/receive modules on the antenna. Advantages over traditional radars include increased detection range (thanks to beam focussing and steering), improved resolution (particularly against stealthy targets), enhancing tracking capability (including of multiple targets), lower probability of interception and jamming (due to electronic agility and redundancy), and longer service life due to fewer moving parts.
In December 2021, airborne tests of the KF-21's AESA radar on modified Boeing 737 took place in South Africa, attended by developers from the ADD and HSC. The following year, airborne tests took place in South Korea as well after the modified Boeing 737 arrived in South Korea at the beginning of March, and had the radar fitted onto a new nose section. The modified Boeing 737 (ZS-TFJ, msn 26541) subsequently flew a number of sorties over Korean airspaces before heading to South Africa for further testing.
ZS-TFJ flew for Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie and Czech Airlines between 1992 and 2013 as OK-XGC. It was then transferred to Africa Aircraft Maintenance and registered as ZS-TFJ in 2015. In July 2020 the aircraft was taken over by Paramount Aerospace Systems, when it was seen with AESA testing markings (but without the modified nose at that stage).
In 2023 DAPA said the modified Boeing 737 from November 2022 to February 2023 carried out 18 radar test flights, with flight tracking data showing multiple flights from Wonderboom.
ZS-TFJ has been seen at Wonderboom again this year just in the last week carried out multiple flights in the Pretoria region lasting about three hours at a time, including on 6 and 8 August.
Radar testing is also being carried out on board the KF-21, which performed its maiden flight on 19 July 2022. Radar evaluation flights on the KF-21 are expected to take place from March 2023 to February 2026, evaluating things like maximum detection range in air-to-air mode, tracking distance, and tracking accuracy.
South Korea plans to start mass producing the KF-21 by mid-2026. The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) has a requirement for a large number of KF-21 aircraft to replace its ageing fleets of F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II fighter aircraft, which were inducted from the mid-1970s.
Paramount expertise
Paramount offers a wide variety of aviation services, and through Paramount Aerospace Systems the company can provide flight testing, aircraft modification and refurbishment, upgrades, maintenance, mission equipment development and installation. The company does installation work globally for a wide range of customers, with one being the conversion of two Embraer Lineage 1000 business jets into maritime patrol aircraft.
Paramount Aerospace can establish an air force through the acquisition and supply of aircraft, spares and maintenance and the training of transport, helicopter and fighter pilots. It also has a ground school that trains ground crew and technicians able to maintain aircraft. The company offers Mirage F1 upgrades - it refurbished two F1 squadrons for Gabon and Republic of Congo after acquiring the ex-SAAF F1 fleet - but can source and supply various aircraft types.
It has also assisted the US-based Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) make its legacy F1s airworthy again. Maintenance and training are growing in importance for Paramount Aerospace Systems, which in April 2018 received a contract from US aviation service provider Draken International for the overhaul of and engineering support for 22 ex-Spanish Air Force Mirage F1 jets, which are offered to the US Air Force and allied nation customers for adversary training. Paramount acquired four ex-French F1Bs for pilot and maintenance technician training.
PIPER M700™ FURY UNPAVED FIELD CERTIFIED
Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced today that its flagship, the new M700 FURY, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for unpaved field operations. This significant milestone broadens the aircraft's overall operational capabilities.
“The FURY's performance was exceptional considering the FAA's rigorous testing requirements for unpaved field certification,” stated Ron Gunnarson, VP of Sales, Marketing & Customer Support at Piper Aircraft. “The aircraft's robust design and construction quality ensured seamless operations in all test conditions. The certification process was also smooth with the Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight test being completed in just one day.”
Piper Aircraft is progressing with several M700 FURY international validations at both the aircraft level and for unimproved field operations. Those validations will similarly expand the versatility and utility of the Piper M700 FURY, reinforcing Piper's commitment to meeting the demanding operational environment needs of its global customer base. International deliveries will begin in Q3.
The Piper M700 FURY certified in March of 2024 and comes standard with the HALO Safety System, featuring Garmin Emergency Autoland. This revolutionary system includes digital technology that safely lands the aircraft at the nearest suitable airport in the event that the pilot is incapacitated. Additionally, the M700 FURY G3000® avionics suite includes; Autothrottle, Emergency Descent Mode, Electronic Stability Protection (ESP™), SurfaceWatch™, SafeTaxi®, and Garmin PlaneSync™, all of which are designed to enhance safe operation of the aircraft. Beyond the flight deck, the six-seat M700 FURY is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 700 SHP engine. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 301ktas/557 km/hr, a max range of 1852 nm/3,430 km, and a standard useful load of 2,320 lbs/1,052 kg.
JOBY ROLLS THIRD AIRCRAFT OFF PRODUCTION LINE, REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a next-generation aviation company, today announced it has rolled its third production prototype aircraft off the company's pilot production line in Marina, CA, with four aircraft expected to be in active flight test during the next quarter.
The news came as the company issued its Second Quarter 2024 Shareholder Letter, detailing the Company's operational and financial results for the period ending June 30, 2024. The company will host a live audio webcast of its conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) today.
Second Quarter 2024 Highlights:
Production Ramp-Up. We expect to have four aircraft in active flight test during the next quarter, with the second production prototype now in-flight test and the third having rolled off the production line.
Certification Progress. The fourth of five stages of type certification is now 37% complete on the Joby side, with numerous test plans submitted and accepted during the quarter. We expect progress in the fourth stage to accelerate in the remainder of 2024.
International Expansion. We applied for certification in Australia and signed a memorandum of understanding with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco and operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce our aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via direct sales.
Future Technologies. We flew a first-of-its-kind, hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator 561 miles and acquired the autonomy division of Xwing, an industry leader in the development of autonomous technology for aviation.
Strong Financial Foundation. We maintained a strong balance sheet with $825 million in cash and short-term investments at the end of the second quarter.
BOEING, U.S. AIR FORCE DEFINITIZE CONTRACT FOR TWO RAPID PROTOTYPE E-7A AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL (AEW&C) AIRCRAFT
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $2.56 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force for two rapid prototype E-7A AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft. The contract includes lifecycle development, training and support for the Air Force's E-7A fleet.
The combat-proven E-7A Wedgetail provides targeted tracking and battle management command-and-control capabilities to joint forces for “first to detect, first to engage” advantage. The E-7 AEW&C platform is currently in service with the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force (designated E-737 Peace Eye) and Turkish Air Force (designated E-7T Peace Eagle).
“Global operators are proving that the E-7 AEW&C is a critical node for air superiority in the modern battlespace,” said Boeing Vice President and E-7 Program Manager Stu Voboril. “In our partnership with the U.S. Air Force, we're focused on stable, predictable execution to deliver crucial mission-ready capabilities today. This will put us on the path for the long-term growth of the aircraft and mission.”
Built on the Boeing 737-700 NG airframe, the E-7 AEW&C aircraft offers lower operating and sustainment costs, higher mission readiness rates and unmatched interoperability among a growing global user community.
“Our customers have an urgent need for integrated battlespace awareness and battle management,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Defence, Space & Security's Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers division. “The E-7A is the airspace lynchpin to continuously scan the skies, command and control the battlespace, and integrate all-domain data providing a decisive advantage against threats. With our open systems architecture approach, capabilities can be rapidly inserted over time as threats evolve.”
In addition to the rapid prototype E-7A AEW&C aircraft being built for the U.S. Air Force, Boeing is currently producing three E-7As for the Royal Air Force, with military modifications underway in the United Kingdom. Additionally, NATO has selected the E-7A as its preferred AEW&C solution.
Together, the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force have a Wedgetail tri-lateral cooperation agreement relating to E-7 aircraft capability development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training and safety.
ELECTRA'S ESTOL GOLDFINCH IS FIRST PILOTED ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT TO FLY AT NASA'S LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTRE
Electra successfully demonstrated the flight capabilities of its EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) technology demonstrator aircraft at NASA's historic Langley Research Centre on Monday, July 15. The achievement marks the first flight of an electric aircraft with a pilot onboard at NASA Langley
Electra and NASA are working together on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) research, demonstrations and information sharing under a NASA Space Act Agreement. In a separate effort, Electra is working under a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project on solar-electric, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft research called a “high-altitude platform station” or HAPS. Electra has also contributed to a NASA study on connecting communities into the national transportation network through Regional Air Mobility (RAM) using underutilized airports.
The flight demo for NASA Langley's research community showcased the eSTOL aircraft's use of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) with blown lift technology, which is capable of taking off and landing in under 150 feet. The demonstration highlighted the aircraft's hybrid-electric capabilities for longer range potential and battery-electric flight for quiet, community-friendly operations. Earlier that day, the aircraft completed the 120-mile cross-country flight from Electra's Manassas, VA facility to NASA in Hampton, VA using the hybrid propulsion system.
Electra is developing a 9-passenger eSTOL production aircraft designed to replace short- and medium-distance vehicle trips up to 500 miles with decarbonized, quiet and affordable air travel. This aircraft would be able to connect Northen Virginia to the Hampton Roads area in a quick 35-minute flight, rather than the 2.5 hours it takes to drive today.
"NASA is an incredible institution that has developed many of the foundational technologies underpinning today's aviation industry. They are now pioneering the future with advanced air mobility innovations,” said JP Stewart, Electra's Vice President and General Manager. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with them on new technologies that will extend seamless and convenient air travel to all communities."
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TAKES DELIVERY OF FOUR PILOT 100I AIRCRAFT
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is proud to announce the delivery of four new Piper Pilot 100i aircraft to Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in Melbourne, Florida. These four aircraft are part of the eight scheduled for delivery this year. Florida Tech currently operates an all-Piper fleet of Archers, Seminoles, and Warriors.
“At Florida Tech, our students learn by doing, and we are eager to get them into the cockpits of these cutting-edge Piper Pilots to start learning with our amazing flight instructors,” said Dr. John Nicklow, President of Florida Tech. “What makes all of this even more meaningful is that a dozen of our alumni working at Piper helped build these planes. It's a high-flying example of the power of a Florida Tech education in action.”
During an open house at Florida Tech last year, the Piper team conducted a full day of demonstration flights with the Pilot 100i. Florida Tech representatives, including student pilots and certified flight instructors, had the opportunity to experience the aircraft firsthand. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the aircraft's ease of flight, user-friendly design, and impressive avionics.
“It's an honour to continue supplying planes to our long-term Flight School Alliance member, Florida Tech. Their program is one of the best, and we know from firsthand experience as we have multiple Florida tech graduates working at the Piper factory,” stated Ron Gunnarson, VP of Marketing, Sales & Customer Support. “We are proud that Piper trainers are known for their ease of use and reliability, and we know that is what makes us the top choice for flight schools' training needs, in addition to our outstanding customer support.”
PR ST. BARTH EXECUTIVE STARTS REGULAR SERVICES WITH P2012 STOL
Tecnam announced today that St. Barth Executive, the French VIP airline based in the Caribbean, has commenced scheduled operations with the two P2012 STOLs already delivered. A third P2012 is scheduled for September.
The first passenger flight was operated on August 1st from Guadeloupe (SBH/TFFR) to St Barth (SBH/TFFJ) and has been operated under the AIR INTER ILES brand by St Barth Executive.
With a standard schedule of three flights per day, and up to six flights per day during the high season, this 50-minute flight will allow for a constant, affordable, dependable, and distinguished daily connection for locals and tourists between the islands. This new route has been eagerly awaited as it is connecting islands that were previously only accessible by boat.
The Short Take-Off and Landing variant of the P2012 is the perfect platform for a unique environment like the West Indies, especially for runways like Saint-Barthélemy that require a significant approach gradient due to the very close proximity of a hill on the approach path.
The P2012 STOL, with its 425m take-off distance and its 360m landing distance, coupled to a certified “10° (17.5%) steep approach” grants outstanding performance over the 646-metre-long runway.
Tecnam's innovative and modern design of an aircraft built with commuter passengers in mind will allow St Barth Executive to bring the comfort and luxury of modern amenities and ergonomic design to their service in the Caribbean, providing a high level of service to their communities.
Comfortably seating nine passengers with one or two crew, the P2012 STOL is a new generation, turbocharged, twin-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft. The introduction to the St Barth Executive fleet will offer experiences that discerning travellers expect, such as premium interiors, in-seat power, superior legroom and under-seat stowage.
Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam Managing Director, said: “"We are delighted that St Barth Executive has chosen the P2012 STOL. Today we celebrate the start of operations at St. Barth Executive and congratulate Vincent on his professionalism and passion. We are proud that an Italian, European aircraft allows greater mobility and transport in the Caribbean islands!”
Vincent Beauvarlet - Président, St Barth Executive, said: "We are very pleased to have met our deadlines with TECNAM. This was made possible by a great teamwork with TECNAM and St. Barth Executive, which led us to start operations on time. We carried out dozens of hours of training and pilot releases, which allowed us to test the performance and operation of the STOL, which met the specifications perfectly.
The P2012 lands and takes off perfectly in St Barth and offers us an attractive payload. Finally, we have an air vector that allows us to connect our islands with controlled operating costs. Once again, we would like to thank TECNAM for their continued commitment and support, as well as their availability day and night. Our thanks also go to the French Civil Aviation Authority, which has also found the resources to enable us to open these routes on time for the benefit of the populations of all these islands".
8 AUGUST 1982
FIRST FLIGHT OF THE CESSNA 208 CARAVAN
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a utility aircraft produced by Cessna. The project was commenced on 20 November 1981. The production model was certified by the FAA in October 1984 and its Cargomaster freighter variant was developed for FedEx.
The prototype first flew on 9 December 1982. The (1.2 m) longer 208B Super Cargomaster first flew in 1986 and was developed into the passenger 208B Grand Caravan.
The strutted, high wing 208 typically seats nine passengers in its unpressurized cabin, is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A tractor turboprop and has a fixed tricycle landing gear, floats, or skis.
By 2022, 3,000 had been delivered and 24 million flight hours have been logged. Caravans have been used for flight training, commuter airlines, VIP transport, air cargo, skydiving and humanitarian missions.
Nepal, Surya Chaur-7, Nuwakot district: An Air Dynasty Eurocopter AS350B2 Ecureuil FX II took from Kathmandu Airport. Three minutes after take-off, contact with the Kathmandu tower controller was lost. The helicopter was confirmed to have crashed at Suryachaur, ward no. 7 of Shivapuri village municipality, Nuwakot district. The pilot as well as the four Chinese passengers died in the crash. The helicopter was destroyed.
USA, Corbin City, NJ: An experimental Quad City Challenger II, apparently stolen, experienced a fuel exhaustion and made a forced landing to farm field terrain in Corbin City, New Jersey. The sole (apprehended) pilot was not injured and the aircraft was not damaged.
Spain, Cabra, Córdoba, Andalusia: An Avincis Aviation España SA Agusta A109S Grand, operating for the 061 emergency services, experienced an explosion when preparing to take-off and caught fire at the football field of a sports stadium in Cabra, Córdoba, Andalusia, for unknown reasons. The patient suffered serious injuries and the four other occupants' minor injuries and the helicopter was destroyed.
Australia, Cairns, QLD: A Robinson R44 Raven II crashed on the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland. The pilot perished and the helicopter was destroyed. The Nautilus Aviation helicopter was reportedly stolen from Cairns Airport (CNS/YBCS).
