This week in Midweek Updates
C47-TP grounding leaves SAAF with no maritime eyes in the sky.
Moving memorial to heroic but doomed Warsaw Uprising and SAAF airlift.
GAMA releases second quarter 2024 aircraft shipment and billing report.
JEKTA signs first lessor deal with Solyu for 30 PHA-ZE 100 aircraft.
Egypt orders two C-130J Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin.
US Air Force F-35s make historic first on highway in Finland.
Boeing offers CH-47 Chinook for Poland's heavy transport helicopter needs.
Tecnam receives Flying Magazine Editor's Choice Award and Innovation Award 2024.
This week in history - 7 September 1997 - First flight of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. It reaches an altitude of 15,000 feet in less than three minutes.
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - A busy Saturday morning flying
C47-TP GROUNDING LEAVES SAAF WITH NO MARITIME EYES IN THE SKY www.defenceweb.co.za
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is stranded when it comes to maritime patrols and the possibility of replacement airframes appearing is slim to non-existent.
This inference comes from the reply to a Parliamentary question asked by Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesman on defence and veterans Chris Hattingh. He wanted to know from Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga what steps are being taken to replace the C-47TP aircraft that are being withdrawn from service.
The former Chief Whip and DA Caucus Leader in the North West provincial legislature posed his question around the possibility of maritime guerrilla operations and piracy, particularly off Mozambique, as well as foreign fishing fleets poaching South African maritime resources against the background of a “throttled” SA Navy (SAN).
He was told Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo's service had “generated requirements operational capability for the second time in the last 20 years to address the maritime capability with no success”.
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has Project Pelican - to address light air transport and maritime capability - approved by the Military Command Council (MCC) but it cannot progress as funding is not available.
The SAAF previously had a plan to replace the C-47TPs with proper maritime patrol aircraft under Project Saucepan. When that proved impossible, Projects Metsi and Kiepie were launched to replace the C-47TPs and C212s in the maritime surveillance/patrol and light transport roles respectively. Those projects appear to have been superseded by Project Pelican.
In May it was revealed that the venerable twin-engined C-47TP multi-role aircraft operated by 35 Squadron out of Cape Town's AFB Ysterplaat will be withdrawn from service, but no official SAAF confirmation has since emerged, nor an exact date of withdrawal.
The withdrawal of the C-47 and its turboprop successor comes after 81 years in SAAF service. “No surprise,” insiders said at the time as none had flown in two years due to non-availability of spares and all eight grounded “due to challenges in finding a maintenance provider” as per an Armscor report to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) a year ago.
As far back as 2016, the steadily worsening state of maritime patrol and surveillance in the SAAF was picked up by consortium which offered up to five Dornier 328TPs being leased to South Africa. That the offer went no further is obvious.
MOVING MEMORIAL TO HEROIC BUT DOOMED WARSAW UPRISING AND SAAF AIRLIFT
Christopher Szabo www.defenceweb.co.za
High-ranking members of the South African Air Force (SAAF), diplomats, military veterans and leaders of the Polish community last weekend commemorated the 80th anniversary of the historic Polish uprising against Nazi German occupation and the attempts of the Western Allies - among them South Africa -to help the insurgents. The Memorial was held at the Johannesburg Katyn Memorial in Melrose.
The uprising, which lasted 62 days from 1 August to 2 October 1944 was part of a planned nationwide uprising by the Polish Home Army, or Armia Krajowa (AK) codenamed Operation Tempest, aimed at expelling the Germans after five years of brutal occupation. The Home Army had been organised underground by the Polish Government-in-Exile in London.
The Nazis immediately decided to crush the uprising, and the Polish authorities called on the Western Allies for help (Poland differed from Britain and the US on how they viewed the Soviet Union, after its invasion of Poland in 1939 and the Katyn Massacre in 1940).
British war leader Winston Churchill ordered the Royal Air Force's 205 Heavy Bomber Group, a long range, night bomber unit, to assist the Poles. The Group, commanded by Major General Jimmy Durrant, a South African, comprised: 1586 (Polish Special Duties) Flight; the RAF's 224 Wing and the SAAF's 2 Wing, including 31 and 34 Squadrons flying Consolidated Liberator B Mk VIII (B-24J) long range heavy bombers. Durrant strongly protested the very risky mission but was ordered to carry on by Churchill - the Soviets did not allow Allied aircraft to land on territory occupied by them and as a result, SAAF pilots had to fly the round trip from Foggia in Italy to Warsaw and all the way back, some 2 815 kilometres, most of it over enemy territory.
Of the 41 aircraft sent by the SAAF, 11 were lost, the highest loss rate on operations for the SAAF. Overall, 205 Bomber Group lost one aircraft for every ton of aid delivered to Poland.
The Polish Ambassador, Adam Burakowski, pointed out that Poland found itself facing two totalitarian regimes, the German Nazis and the Soviet Communists. He expressed gratitude to South Africa for the airmen's sacrifice in 1944, as did Dr Pawel Ukielski, Deputy Director of the Rising Museum in Warsaw.
The moving ceremony also featured a religious service, with Pastor Robin Petersen, a son-in-law of one of the Warsaw airmen, speaking, as did Father Radoslaw Szymoniak, who spoke of the futility of war and prayed for peace in current wars.
Following the Last Post, Two Minute's Silence and Reveille and a flypast by four aircraft of the SAAF Museum, wreaths were laid for Poland and the Rising Museum. Major General Lancelot Mathabula represented the Chief of the SAAF. He was accompanied by military attaches from the US and France, as well as military veterans' organisations representing the RAF, SAAF and Polish military and family groups.
Ukielski later opened a new permanent exhibition at the Ditsong Museum of Military History dedicated to the AK and the Warsaw rising.
GAMA RELEASES SECOND QUARTER 2024 AIRCRAFT SHIPMENT AND BILLING REPORT
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently published the Second Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The general aviation aircraft manufacturing industry's results for the first six months of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, show increased deliveries across the piston airplane, business jet and piston helicopter segments along with an increase in the overall value of aircraft shipments.
“Through the first half of 2024, we continue to see robust demand for new aircraft, as indicated by the impressive backlogs and plans for facility expansion by many of our OEMs. Our constraints continue to be ongoing supply chain and workforce recapitalization issues, which are routinely compounded by unacceptable turn times in terms of responsiveness and lack of decision making by the FAA specialists on such things as issue papers, certification plans and regular correspondence. Our industry is the incubator of safety enhancing and aviation sustainability technology, which in-turn serves as a catalyst for economic growth and exemplary employment for millions around the globe. It is vital that our regulators continue to improve effectiveness and efficiency of certification and validation processes, appropriately apply the safety continuum across the spectrum of general aviation products and respond to applicants in a timely manner. For the continued vitality of our industry and to facilitate all the great innovations that are taking place, it is imperative that we tackle these ongoing challenges,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO.
Aircraft shipments through the second quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, saw piston airplanes increase 7.3% with 761 units, turboprops decrease 3.4% with 280 units, and business jets increase 8.8% to 322 units. The value of airplane deliveries through the second quarter of 2024 was $11.3 billion, an increase of 24.2%.
Helicopter shipments through the second quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, saw piston helicopter deliveries increase 2.7% with 115 units, and turbine helicopter deliveries decrease 7.7% with 313 units. The value of helicopter deliveries was $1.7 billion.
JEKTA SIGNS FIRST LESSOR DEAL WITH SOLYU FOR 30 PHA-ZE 100 AIRCRAFT
JEKTA, the Switzerland-based developer of the PHA-ZE 100 aircraft, has signed an agreement with Solyu for 30 of its zero-emissions amphibious aircraft. The deal, which represents JEKTA's first lessor agreement, brings advanced commitments for JEKTA's amphibious aircraft to more than US$1 billion in value.
Solyu, based in Seoul, South Korea, is committed to supporting a low-carbon future for aviation and will offer financial and leasing solutions to its operator customers seeking to harness the sustainable qualities of the PHA-ZE 100. The inclusion of the PHA-ZE 100 represents the first amphibious aircraft in Solyu's regional advanced air mobility portfolio.
“We are excited by the potential that the PHA-ZE 100 gives to our clients, which can optimize the sustainable qualities of JEKTA aircraft to expand and open new markets. Low operating costs, flexibility supported by versatile configurations, and zero emissions operations all deliver added value to our clients seeking to maximize operational efficiencies while still meeting the industry's mandates on carbon emission reduction. The minimal infrastructure requirements needed to support PHA-ZE 100 operations are also attractive, and we expect strong interest from our customers in both the hydrogen and electric variants,” says Chief Executive Officer of Solyu, Andrew Claerbout.
JEKTA and Solyu have recognized the vast market and investment opportunity inherent in offering operators from Asia and around the globe a zero-emissions amphibian aircraft. “We know leasing companies play a crucial and influential role in the aerospace sector, offering operators financial flexibility and affordability to expand fleets and networks. We're looking forward to forging strong relationships with Solyu and its clients as we anticipate the aircraft will enhance networks, increase operational use cases and add market opportunities for all stakeholders in this segment,” says George Alafinov, CEO of JEKTA.
“The deal confirms that the wider aviation sector welcomes our vision of incorporating the benefits of amphibious operations into the global air transport system. With Solyu providing leasing and financing access to our aircraft, operators can sustainably develop new routes and support connections to those currently disconnected by water, doing so in style but at low operating costs.”
The agreement with Solyu represents a significant milestone for JEKTA, which only launched in December 2022 and already has a strong order book. “We are also proud that the inking of this important first lessor deal drives the value of our forward interest to more than US$1 billion; that's quite an achievement in under two years,” concludes Alafinov.
Seamlessly transitioning between land and water without additional hardware, the PHA-ZE 100 is optimized to serve coastal and island communities, regional routes currently limited by operational costs, and to support new low-cost, sustainable services between cities without the need to install expensive land infrastructure. The amphibious flying boat will be certified to EASA CS-23 and US FAA FAR-23 standards for fixed-wing passenger aircraft. Flexible configurations, including 19-seat, mixed economy/freight, VIP, corporate shuttle, and air ambulance options, make the most of the PHA-ZE 100's spacious, contemporary cabin.
EGYPT ORDERS TWO C-130J SUPER HERCULES FROM LOCKHEED MARTIN
Guy Martin www.defenceweb.co.za
Egypt has confirmed an order for two new C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin, making it the 23rd country to acquire the type.
The announcement was made at the Egypt International Air Show on 5 September. The procurement will be completed via Washington's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system and comes two years after the US Senate approved the sale of up to a dozen Super Hercules to the North African country.
The US State Department originally approved the potential $2.2 billion sale of 12 aircraft in January 2022, which was followed by Senate approval two months later in spite of human rights concerns resulting from the detention of political prisoners.
Egypt's Air Force is a legacy Hercules operator, having one of the world's largest C-130H fleets. Approximately 22 C-130H and three C-130H-30S remain in service, after being delivered between 1976 and 1990. Lockheed Martin in a press release said this fleet “has a significant presence in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, supporting military, peacekeeping, humanitarian and natural disaster response mission requirements.”
Egypt joins seven MENA operators that have chosen the C-130J as a preferred medium-sized tactical airlifter and tanker.
“With these new C-130J-30s, the Egyptian Air Force's tactical airlift presence will deliver unmatched capabilities and aligned force amplification to serve Egypt, North Africa and the world,” said Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business.
Egypt is expected to use the new aircraft to assist with border security, the interdiction of terrorist elements, rapid reaction to internal security threats, and humanitarian aid. Egypt also intends to use the aircraft for maritime patrol missions and search and rescue missions in the region.
Over the last decade, Egypt has been gradually enhancing its airlift fleet, for instance receiving two second hand Ilyushin Il-76MF transport aircraft from Jordan in mid-2019. Other transports in Egyptian Air Force service include several An-74TK-200As, two dozen C-295Ms, several DHC-5D Buffalos and a number of Boeing 707 tanker/transports.
The Super Hercules represents a significant advancement over the legacy C-130 Hercules, featuring modernised design elements, enhanced performance, and advanced avionics. Introduced in 1999, the C-130J is powered by more efficient Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, offering improved speed, range, and payload capacity. Its digital cockpit includes advanced avionics and dual head-up displays that enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload.
Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 545 C-130Js and the Super Hercules global fleet has surpassed more than 3 million flight hours.
US AIR FORCE F-35S MAKE HISTORIC FIRST ON HIGHWAY IN FINLAND
The austere landing demonstrates advancements in the NATO alliance's ability to perform operations under the U.S. Air Force's agile combat employment concept and promotes closer integration among allied forces.
“The successful first-ever landing of our fifth-generation F-35 on a highway in Europe is a testament to the growing relationship and close interoperability we have with our Finnish allies,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. “The opportunity to learn from our Finnish counterparts improves our ability to rapidly deploy and employ airpower from unconventional locations and reflects the collective readiness and the agility of our forces.”
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., made history by landing on a highway strip during the exercise BAANA 2024, Sept. 4, 2024, on Hosio Highway Strip, Ranua, Finland. During the exercise, the U.S. Air Force collaborated with NATO allies to adapt, innovate and strengthen our collective defence while making history by landing U.S. fighter aircraft on a Finnish highway strip demonstrating military capabilities and interoperability.
Since Finland's accession to NATO in 2023, it has provided U.S. Airmen with significant opportunities to learn from Finnish counterparts. Among the most recent activities, the Finnish Air Force was among nine national air forces to participate in the 1v1 air superiority exercise held in June at Ramstein. During that event, fighter aircraft and pilots from the nine nations participated in a series of aerial combat simulations.
BOEING OFFERS CH-47 CHINOOK FOR POLAND'S HEAVY TRANSPORT HELICOPTER NEEDS
Boeing [NYSE: BA] is offering the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter to Poland. The announcement was made at the annual MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition where Boeing is highlighting advanced defence systems, capabilities and services.
“The Chinook has been a key part of the European defence and humanitarian relief missions for more than five decades and would enhance Poland's cooperation with allied forces, and support the country's defence needs,” said Tim Flood, senior director, International Business Development for Europe and Americas. “In addition, the Chinook would deliver additional benefits to Poland through job creation, economic growth and greater autonomy for the Polish defence industry.”
The CH-47F Block II is the newest iteration of the Chinook, providing increased lift and range. Chinook Block II is a modernized and ready now solution that provides increased operational flexibility, improved performance, and enhanced survivability. It builds upon the proven capabilities of the CH-47 Chinook, offering an upgraded platform that meets the capability that militaries need today and serves as a strong foundation for affordable future upgrades.
“Operating the Chinook in tandem with the newly acquired Apaches will serve as a force multiplier for the Polish Armed Forces due to their complementary capabilities,” said Adam Hodges, Business Development for Vertical Lift Programs. “The combination of the Apache and Chinook helicopters provides greater operational effectiveness and the ability to conduct a wider range of missions.”
With more than 950 aircraft in 20 countries, the Chinook has a long history of successful operations worldwide and has been extensively used in various military operations and humanitarian missions. Germany is the 21st customer and the 9th NATO nation to have selected the Chinook as its heavy-lift helicopter.
TECNAM RECEIVES FLYING MAGAZINE EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD AND INNOVATION AWARD 2024
Flying Magazine, the world's most widely read aviation publication, has bestowed its Editor's Choice Award and Innovation Award on the Tecnam P-Mentor in recognition of its quality design and advanced technologies.
The announcement was made during Flying's event on the opening night of 2024 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The award also recognises the quality of the entire Tecnam fleet, from the Light Sport category to the innovative P2012 series, which is replacing many aging aircraft for commercial operators worldwide, and of course the P-Mentor, which is revolutionising the training market and its best practices.
In 2024, Tecnam began deliveries of the P-Mentor to major US flight schools such as Kilo Charlie Aviation in Kansas, Vermont University and Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.
We are incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious award. We are proud that Tecnam has been recognized being most innovative company in the aviation industry for its innovative design and advanced technologies by such a prestigious aviation industry publication.” said Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam Managing Director.
“Tecnam is proving that innovation in aviation is possible, and this will help current and future generations of pilots fly in more sustainable and modern aircraft.” said Randy S. Bolinger, editorial director of FLYING.
7 September 1997
First flight of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. It reaches an altitude of 15,000 feet in less than three minutes.
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is an American twin-engine, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft developed and produced for the United States Air Force (USAF). As a product of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the aircraft was designed as an air superiority fighter, but also incorporates ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence capabilities.
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at high altitude.
Mach 1.21, 800 knots (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level
Supercruise: Mach 1.82, 1,220 mph (1,963 km/h) at high altitude
Range: 1,600 nmi (1,800 mi, 3,000 km) or more with 2 external fuel tanks
Combat range: 460 nmi (530 mi, 850 km) clean with 100 nmi (115 mi; 185 km) in supercruise
595 nmi (685 mi; 1,102 km) clean subsonic.
Ferry range: 1,740 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)
Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
g limits: +9.0/-3.0
South Africa, Algoa Park, Eastern Cape: A Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II experienced an engine failure and made a forced belly landing at the Ysterhout Street, Algoa Park, Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape. The three occupants were not injured and the aircraft was written off.
UK, English Channel, In Vicinity of 50 18.4N 002 55.3W, Dorset: A Royal Navy Augusta Westland AW101 Merlin HC4 ZJ135, operated by 846 Sqn, coded "T", and based at RNAS Yeovilton (YEO/EGDY), ditched in the English Channel, near Dorset, during operations with HMS Queen Elizabeth. One crew member perished and two other onboard avoided serious injury and were rescued. Using data available on the aircraft tracking site ADS-B Exchange one can see there were two Merlin helicopters operating off the coast of Lyme Regis that night. Shortly after 20:45 BST, one of the Merlin's disappears from the tracking map and it is not seen again. A couple of minutes later another Merlin appears on the map and operates in the same area for several minutes before also disappearing.
USA, 2 miles SE of Anderson Municipal Airport (AID/KAID), Anderson, IN: A Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage crashed in a cornfield after a missed approach about 2 miles southeast of Anderson Municipal Airport/Darlington Field (AID/KAID), Anderson, Indiana. The four occupants perished and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was instructed to go-around after an apparent missed straight in approach to Rwy 12 (Elev 880) while attempting to land at the airport due to "too high of an altitude." Last recorded groundspeed recorded @ 84kts.
Brazil, Highway BR-316, Teresina, Piauí: An ultralight aircraft crashed on Highway BR-316 during an emergency landing in the Lourival Parente neighbourhood, Teresina. The ultralight aircraft hit a car and a motorcycle, then crashed into a bus stop construction site, leaving a woman seriously injured. This same pilot was involved in another accident in March 2023.
Czech Republic, near Slaný: A student pilot jumped out of a glider, possibly due to panic attack, from an altitude about 300 meters. His parachute did not open and he died. The instructor made an out landing without further incident.
