The Pitman brothers are headed to Oshkosh!
ADEPT-powered Velocity begins phase 1 testing.
Denel Overberg test range back in the black.
Introducing Big Water Airport.
UPDF helicopter crashes at Mogadishu - five deaths reported.
Denel to deliver first production A-Darter missiles to the SAAF this month.
See you in Roswell, 10 - 14 September, 2025, for the first National Championship Air Races at our new home.
Daher's TBM airplane family: delivery of the 600th aircraft in the TBM 900-series, and counting.
Bell completes delivery of 40 Bell 505s to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
This Week in History - Birth of Jean-Pierre [François] Blanchard a French inventor.
World Wide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus Video- Flying Lions Harvards to Zonderwater
The Pitman Brothers are Headed to Oshkosh
We're heading to the world's greatest aviation celebration - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 - and we'd love to see you there!
WHERE TO FIND US:
TAF Sling: Sling Island - Booths 648, 649 and 650
Sling Pilot Academy: The Education and Career Centre - Booths E1 and E2
WHO'S JOINING FROM SLING HQ:
Straight from Sling HQ in Johannesburg, James and Andrew will be on the ground at Sling Island, ready to chat, connect and share all things Sling!
Warning: Prolonged exposure may lead to spontaneous aircraft purchases and questionable adventure planning.
SPECIAL GUEST MEET-UP:
Chelsea Smith from Aviation 101 will be flying a Sling TSi from Kentucky to Oshkosh, and will be joining Josh Flowers for a special live talk and meet-up on Wednesday, July 23, at Sling Island. You won't want to miss this one!
WHAT'S ON:
We've got a packed week of events, demos, talks and meet-ups.
IT'S SLING DING TIME:
The tradition continues - and you're invited. Join us for the 7th Annual Sling Ding - a legendary evening of aviation camaraderie, ice-cold drinks, big laughs, and bigger stories. Whether it's your first Sling Ding or your seventh, this will be one to remember.
1366 W Waukau Ave.
Thursday, July 24 | 17:30 till late.
CAN'T MAKE IT?
We've got you covered with daily videos from the show.
Subscribe to our Oshkosh Newsletter as well as our YouTube Channel to stay in the loop on the regular!
Let's make Oshkosh 2025 one for the books.
Sling Island awaits!
Adept-Powered Velocity Begins Phase 1 Testing
The team at ADEPT Propulsion Technologies USA is thrilled to support the Phase 1 test program for the first ADEPT engine installed in an aircraft in North America.
The Velocity SE-RG is equipped with the ADEPT 280N, a naturally aspirated 280-hp, 120-degree V6 liquid cooled engine (designed to run on auto gas). During this phase of testing, we are thoroughly monitoring the integration of various systems, including electrical systems, avionics, engine mounting, and cooling systems. All engine data is being logged and continuously monitored by our factory representatives.
One of the key challenges of ground testing for pusher-type aircraft is the efficient management of cooling systems. We are confident that ADEPT's advanced, liquid-cooled technology-combined with ECU-controlled coolant pump and thermally regulated fans-will provide an optimal solution, ensuring much lower ground operating temperatures compared to traditional air-cooled engines.
Preliminary results from testing have been highly encouraging. The engine operates with exceptional smoothness and is notably quiet. Its efficiency is impressive, and it demonstrates excellent hot-start characteristics. We look forward to documenting the Velocity SE's performance as we work through the Phase 1 Flight envelope.
Denel Overberg Test Range Back in the Black
Guy Martin www.defenceweb.co.za
Denel expects its Overberg Test Range (OTR) in the Western Cape to be profitable over the next three years thanks to a healthy order pipeline, including a possible satellite launch. In its 2025-2026 Corporate Plan, tabled in Parliament in June, the company predicts a R9 million profit for the Denel OTR in 2025/26; a R4 million profit in 2026/27, and a R5 million profit in 2027/28.
This is on the back of over R400 million in planned sales over the next three years, with major orders and campaigns either signed or projected from entities including the South African Department of Defence, Halcon, Diehl Defence (IRIS-T), Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), Pronex, University of KwaZulu-Natal (rockets), and Milkor (Milkor 380 UAV). The Republic of Singapore is expected to once again use the range for its Brightfire live fire exercise (the 2024 edition at the Denel OTR involved the RBS 70 missile, for example).
There are more potential orders Denel is pursuing for the test range, but these have a low probability of being secured, and are worth over R100 million cumulatively. They are with Canada's International Test Pilots' School (ITPS); Aselsan and Paramount; the Brazilian Navy; Viettel/Vietnam Navy; France (Exercise Oxide); United States (Exercise Shared Accord); Skyrora (UK rocket company); Rocket Factory Augsberg; Saab (RBS 70); and Russia and China (Exercise Mosi).
Denel is also looking at space capabilities, including the completion of a locally designed, manufactured and launched satellite and upgrade of the Overberg Test Range for satellite launches, tracking and testing for national space initiatives. South African National Space Agency and Department of Science and Innovation funding will be used to ensure the Overberg Test Range is ready to launch a first satellite in 2028. “This will strategically position South Africa to develop a sovereign space launch capability,” according to Denel's Corporate Plan.
Denel expects to secure a contract with the University of KwaZulu Natal with funding from the Department of Science and Innovation to the amount of R16 million per year between 2025/26 and 2027/28 for space-related activities.
In its Corporate Plan, Denel identified a number of risks to the Overberg Test Range's future, including insufficient capital expenditure, lack of critical skills, and instrumentation and infrastructure failures resulting from inadequate spending during 4-5 years of its liquidity crisis brought on by state capture. However, Denel believes it has sufficient cash available to maintain planned instrumentation and infrastructure, and aims to fill critical vacancies during the 2026 financial year and phase the rest in during the following financial year.
Apart from the Denel Overberg Test Range, most Denel divisions are expected to be profitable over the next three years, including Denel Aerospace and Integrated System Solutions (ISS). Denel Dynamics and PMP are expected to move from losses to profit, whereas Landward Systems is expected to post losses over the next three years.
As a group, Denel has reported a R223 million (unaudited) profit for the 2025 financial year, after a loss of R532 million in 2024. The group expects a R155 million loss in 2026, a R45 million loss in 2027, and a R92 million profit in 2028, according to its presentation to Parliament.
UPDF Helicopter Crashes at Mogadishu - Five Deaths Reported www.defenceweb.co.za
A Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) Mi-24 helicopter detached to the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia crashed at Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport on Wednesday 2 July with five fatalities.
A UPDF statement has it the rotorcraft (AUO-015) crashed about 200 metres east of the airport's north ramp. All told eight people were aboard, according to the UPDF.
The helicopter was conducting a routine combat escort mission when it crashed carrying unspecified munitions. The crash, as per the UPDF statement, triggered detonation causing “significant damage” to nearby structures and injuring three civilians.
The three-man flight deck crew of pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer survived the crash but suffered serious injuries including burns and were taken to the AUSSOM (AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia) Sector 1 Level II Hospital for treatment.
A joint emergency response team of firefighters from Mogadishu International Airport and the United Nations (UN), along with AUSSOM explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel, is managing the scene and supporting rescue operations.
An official investigation to determine the cause of the crash is underway.
Ugandan troops are part of an 11 000-strong African Union (AU) force helping the Somali government fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than two decades.
The head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Maalim, told the BBC that the helicopter had come down in the airport's military section after flying in from the Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, north-west of Mogadishu.
Last September, the Ugandan military lost a transport helicopter while flying from Mogadishu to Baledogle Airfield. All four peacekeepers on board survived that incident, according to the military.
The Ugandan crash comes a month after Burundi lost one of its two AB 412 helicopters deployed in Somalia with AUSSOM. The aircraft (BAF-1135/AUO-012), experienced a technical malfunction and made a forced landing near Hawadley, 50 km from Mogadishu, on 2 June. The helicopter was transporting Burundian peacekeepers from the recently evacuated Hawadley village after heavy flooding forced their withdrawal.
According to AUSSOM, the aircraft experienced mechanical failure during the operation, prompting the pilots to carry out an emergency landing in a location near Al-Shabaab-controlled territory. All personnel onboard fled the scene and were later transferred to a nearby military base. However, the abandoned aircraft was subsequently captured by Al-Shabaab fighters.
Denel to Deliver First Production A-Darter Missiles to the SAAF this Month
Guy Martin www.defnceweb.co.za
Denel Dynamics is due to deliver the first operational A-Darter fifth generation air-to-air missiles to the South African Air Force (SAAF) this month, after years of delays.
In a presentation to Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) on 13 June, Denel stated that eight inert practice missiles have already been delivered to the SAAF, along with four acquisition trainer missiles (out of an order for 21). The first four operational A-Darters are scheduled for delivery this month, with 37 more to follow.
Deliveries are under Project Kamas, the industrialisation phase that followed A-Darter development under Project Assegaai. A three-year delay in the completion of development led to extended Project Kamas delays, Denel explained, with liquidity challenges resulting in the loss of key skills and subsequent delays.
The company explained that actions had been taken for limited recovery of the programme and subsequent deliveries. “The missile production deliveries can now be accelerated with access to additional working capital.”
The A-Darter is a short-range dogfighting weapon (some seven kilometres range) but with some outstanding features. The missile has a high off-boresight capability, which means the missile can detect a target at 180 degrees from the heading of the launch aircraft.
Further, the A-Darter has Lock on Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock on After Launch (LOAL) capability, which means that the initial lock is achieved while the missile is still on the aircraft's wingtip and the Lock on After is engaged by the A-Darter's optical seeker head after the missile is fired.
The seeker is an Imaging Infrared (IIR) dual colour optical head which can detect between chaff and flares and the target. The missile can handle 80 Gs. Even if the missile is fired at a target coming from the front, and it passes the pilot, the missile will make a U-turn and follow the target.
The missile uses a fragmentation warhead with a proximity fuse from RDM (Rheinmetall Denel Munition) as well as an electronic safety and arm device which prevents the warhead detonating prematurely, as well as actuators and other items coming from RDM in South Africa.
Denel Dynamics in 2006 began development of the A-Darter in collaboration with Brazil. Deliveries supposed to have been completed by the end of 2017 but development was only completed in November 2019.
At present, manufacturing will be done in South Africa for SAAF Gripen C/Ds. There was an attempt to get the A-Darter qualified on the new SAAB Gripen E, which Brazil has acquired. This was initially unsuccessful but Denel has apparently revived plans to get the missile integrated onto the E model, and integrate the A-Darter onto the Hawk Mk 120.
Since the retirement of the R-Darter, the SAAF does not have a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. This could be rectified by the Denel Dynamics Marlin, now known as the Joint Strike Missile. This is a multi-role radar-guided beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air and surface-to-air system. The demonstrator has already been tested, at the Overberg Test Range, with “global and local demand,” according to Denel.
The Joint Strike Missile will, Denel told Parliament, be developed for both ground- and ship-launch (Umkhonto-R) and for air-launch (R-Darter or Marlin). It will also be an integral part of a wider ground-based air defence system (GBADS) solution for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
See You in Roswell, 10 - 14 September, 2025, For the First National Championship Air Races at Our New Home
Just over a month ago, the desert skies above Roswell, New Mexico, were buzzing with aircraft, fuelling adrenaline and anticipation as the first-ever Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) at the new home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) took flight May 19-23, 2025. With a successful week of rigorous training, community celebration, and a deepened commitment to aviation excellence, the journey to the inaugural NCAR in Roswell this September is off to a thrilling start!
A total of 73 pilots attended and were officially certified to race, supported by over 59 aircraft on-site. Interestingly, the number of pilots outnumbered the aircraft, a common feature of PRS as pilots often share planes to keep expenses manageable. But make no mistake-each pilot underwent intense and thorough training, with numerous briefings, multiple flights, and meticulous evaluations designed to hone the precision flying skills required for high-speed pylon racing.
Six race classes participated in the seminar. STOL Drag did not participate, as its course is not a pylon configuration but a straight line and does not require the same acclimation. The consensus from our seasoned veterans and new racers alike: the new Roswell course is both challenging and exhilarating.
Additionally, we had 13 student racers attend PRS for the first time. Also, pilots previously certified in 2023 will have the opportunity to recertify on the new course in a session prior to the September event. PRS participants combined with those expected to qualify during the pre-race session should yield quite a showing for our first Roswell Air Races!
The newly designed racecourses were put through their paces during PRS, and the results were electric. Roswell now features four complete pylon racing courses with a fifth course already in the works for the future to accommodate jet aircraft reaching speeds up to 600mph. This is high-octane evolution in real time!
Fans, take note: the new layout offers unobstructed, 360-degree viewing of the entire racecourse. And the crown jewel? The "Valley of Speed" - the fastest stretch of the course - thunders directly in front of the crowd, streaking past Home Pylon in a display of raw speed and precision that will leave you breathless.
After such an invigorating experience at PRS that furthered the anticipation for this September's event, RARA leadership was effusive in its praise of the experience.
RARA President and COO Tony Logoteta reflected, "We couldn't have asked for a better debut in Roswell. The commitment from the community, the excitement from the pilots, and the potential of this venue are absolutely inspiring. We're building something extraordinary."
Daher's TBM Airplane Family: Delivery of the 600th Aircraft in the TBM 900-Series, and Counting
Daher Aircraft's turboprop-powered TBM airplane family marked a new milestone with today's delivery of the 600th aircraft in the TBM 900-series, which was provided to its customer at the Paris Air Show. The TBM 900-series is the best-seller in the TBM's history, and underscores the continual improvement applied to this product line of fast, efficient general aviation/business aviation airplanes.
To date, more than 1,260 TBMs have been produced overall in six variants since the airplane's 1990 service entry, beginning with the TBM 700 and TBM 850; and followed by the five versions in the TBM 900-series: the TBM 900, TBM 910, TBM 930, TBM 940 and TBM 960. The global TBM fleet has logged more than 2.6 million flight hours in service around the world.
Daher's milestone TBM 900-series aircraft is a TBM 960 version received by Jim Baum, a U.S.- based businessman who has been an operations executive in various technology firms for the past 30 years, and also manages the Minus 7 air-to-air visual communications company for aviation video and photography. As with more than half of the TBM customer base, Baum is a repeat buyer, having owned a TBM 940 and a TBM 930.
Nicolas Chabbert, the CEO of Daher Aircraft's division, said the TBM's continued market demand reflects the aircraft's combination of efficiency, sustainability and speed - backed by the global Daher Care support Network: “Attributes for the TBM's success include its combination of jet-like speeds with turboprop performance, opening access to shorter runways, lowering fuel consumption and providing operational efficiency,” Chabbert stated. “We remain committed to the TBM product line's competitiveness with an emphasis on listening to the customer and applying proven technology for further enhancements in sustainability, maintainability, flight safety and operability.”
Daher's introduction of the first TBM 900-series aircraft was in 2014 with the TBM 900 version, featuring such aerodynamic improvements as the addition of winglets, the use of new engine cowlings, and the integration of Hartzell's five-blade scimitar propeller.
In 2016, the TBM 900-series family was augmented by the TBM 930, equipped with Garmin's touchscreen-controlled G3000 integrated flight deck. This variant incorporated the initial elements of TBM e-copilot® functionality, which lowers pilot workload and provides better situational awareness.
Daher Aircraft further evolved the TBM 900 series in 2018 with the mid-category TBM 910, featuring Garmin's G1000 NXi avionics.
In 2019, production of the TBM 930 was succeeded by the TBM 940, which integrated the autothrottle function in its G3000 avionics suite. In 2020, the TBM 940 became one of the first aircraft equipped with the revolutionary HomeSafe™ emergency autoland system.
The TBM 960 is the latest TBM 900-series version, unveiled by Daher Aircraft in 2022 and integrating the new PT6E-66XT turboprop engine - purpose-built by Pratt & Whitney Canada for this aircraft, as well as Hartzell Propeller's five-blade composite propeller with the Raptor™ lightweight hub. Both the engine and propeller system are linked to the TBM 960's dual- channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS).
The EPECS optimizes powerplant performance from the engine's startup to landing, while reducing pilot workload by integrating all functions and protecting the engine's life. It also enables the aircraft to be flown with more precise settings: at Daher's recommended cruise setting of 308 kts., the fuel consumption is only 57 U.S. gallons per hour - a 10 percent fuel economy for more sustainability when compared to the maximum cruise setting.
The TBM 960 benefits from a full range of TBM e-copilot® functions: an icing protection system; flight envelope monitoring through the Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and the Under- speed Protection (USP) systems; the Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) function; as well as the HomeSafe™ emergency autoland system.
Daher's use of digital power for the TBM 960 extends into the aircraft's Prestige cabin, featuring an all-new environmental control system. Other enhancements include improved cabin style and comfort with ergonomically-enhanced seats, LED ambience strip lighting in the overhead ceiling panel, and electronically-dimmable windows - all controlled by a Passenger Comfort Display (PCD).
Along with the TBM aircraft family's continued popularity among individual owners and business operators, it continues to prove itself in multi-mission applications. Building on the TBM's application in military command/VIP transportation, flight test support and the airlift of time-sensitive cargo, it has now entered service as a “birddog” aircraft in support of wildfire air attack missions.
Bell Completes Delivery of 40 Bell 505s to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has successfully delivered 40 Bell 505 helicopters to the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). This fulfils the delivery requirements outlined in a contract signed between Bell and the Republic of Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in May 2022.
“Bell has successfully met an aggressive timeline for delivering the cutting-edge Bell 505 training platform to the ROKA and ROKN in the aftermath of supply chain disruptions caused by covid-19," said David Sale, managing director, Asia Pacific, Bell. "With a fleet of 40 Bell 505 aircraft and eight simulators, complemented by a comprehensive aftermarket support program, Bell remains committed to collaborating with DAPA and the ROK Armed Forces to ensure operational readiness with their Bell 505 fleet.”
The ROK Armed Forces joins other government agencies worldwide that utilize the Bell 505 as a rotary wing trainer, including the Indonesian Navy, Jamaican Air Force, Japan Coast Guard, Armed Forces of Montenegro, Iraqi Army Aviation Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
Equipped with a Safran Arrius 2R engine, dual-channel FADEC, and Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite, the Bell 505 is one of the most technologically advanced platforms in its class. To further enhance pilots' situational awareness, the Bell 505 features an open cabin design, glass cockpit, wraparound windows, and Synthetic Vision technology.
Globally, over 500 Bell 505 aircraft have been delivered, accumulating well over 100,000 flight hours since its introduction in 2017.
Birth of Jean-Pierre [François] Blanchard was a French inventor
Born on 4 July 1753 Jean-Pierre [François] Blanchard was a French inventor, best known as a pioneer of gas balloon flight, who distinguished himself in the conquest of the air in a balloon. Notable for his successful hydrogen balloon flight in Paris on 2 March 1784, Blanchard later moved to London and undertook flights with varying propulsion mechanisms. His historic achievement came on 7 January 1785, crossing the English Channel from Dover Castle to Guînes in about 2½ hours, receiving acclaim from Louis XVI and earning a substantial pension.
Touring Europe, Blanchard demonstrated his balloons and showcased the modern parachute, which he later used for a successful escape in 1793 when his hydrogen balloon ruptured. Also in 1793, he conducted the first balloon flight in the Americas, witnessed by President George Washington. Married to Sophie Blanchard in 1804,
On 7 March 1809 Blanchard suffered a fatal heart attack in his balloon. His widow continued balloon demonstrations until her accidental death.
Poland, Bielsko Biala: An Avionic Diana 4E powered glider sustained minor damage when it landed in a field next to Bielsko Biala Airport (EPBA). The drunk test pilot lands outside the airfield. It was established that the pilot had consumed alcohol prior to the flight with a blood alcohol concentration of 1.5%.
Spain, Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI/LEPA): Ryanair flight RK3446, a Boeing 737-800, was evacuated on the apron at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) after reports of an engine fire indication in the cockpit after pushback. At least 18 people suffered minor injuries, according to local media. The fire warning turned out to be false.
Russia, SNT Topograf, Chita District, Zabaikalsky Krai: An Antonov An-2T, RF-00487, crashed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The aircraft was carrying 10 skydivers and a pilot and had taken off from Chita-Kashtak Airport. According to the Deputy Minister of Health of Transbaikalia, there are currently 9 people in the hospital: three are now in intensive care, six in the trauma department.
Germany, East of Friedrichshafen: Swiss flight LX1413, an Airbus A220, experienced smoke in the cabin while en route from Belgrade to Zürich. The flight diverted to Friedrichshafen. At 0854Z (10:54 local time) the flight crew declared an emergency and began with a rapid decent down to FL100. Still too high for EDJA, the nearest airport, EDNY was chosen and the crew with oxygen masks on was guided to Friedrichshafen by Alps Radar, where they safely touched down at 0915Z on RWY 24. After vacating the RWY the A/C came to a stop on apron 3, which usually is for GA only, where it was awaited by rescue services. A CHX45 rescue helicopter was alarmed and rushed to the airport.
