MIDWEEK UPDATE 5 AUGUST 2015By the Pilot's Post TeamPlan your weekend Forthcoming events Notice Board This week in aviation history Worldwide incidents and accidents Aviation News Advertising rate card  7-9 August: SAPFA Fun Rally Brits. Contact Frank Eckard e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za 14 - 15 August: Bethlehem airshow. Contact Stephan Fourie e-mail: fouriesj1491@gmail.com Cell: 072 344 9678 20 - 29 August: Sports Aerobatics Club Unlimited World Championships - France Contact Annie Boon chunge@mweb.co.za 23 August: Grand Rand airshow (Sunday) Contact Stuart Coetzee e-mail: manager@randairport.co.za Tel: 011 827 8884 29 August: Bethlehem Aero Club fun navigation rally. Contact Izak Venter e-mail: izak@motsu.co.za or Francois Marais e-mail: info@stanfra.co.za 4-6 September: Petit Vintage and Classic Fly-in. Contact Ivan van der Schaar 0823759180 .jpg) 5 September: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org 5 & 6 September: Fly & Braai @ FAGL (Groblersdal). If you want to stay over - bring your tent or stay at a B&B in Town. Bring along: Your own Dop & Tjops. Contact Fanie: 0834498638, Oom Piet: 0741601429, Dries: 0829077817, Christo: 0824162159 or Dawie 0823884401. 12 September: Kitty Hawk is pleased to once again host the RV lotus day. Free caps and an American breakfast for participating RV pilots. All aircraft are welcome! More detail closer to the time! Contact our airport manager Dawie for more detail: 0767980235 18-20 September: Pyramid Air Park Aviators Weekend Barberton. Contact Peter Lea peter@irricon.co.za or 0825534908 17-20 September: Botswana Air Race at Matsieng, It is going to be the best ever race with sponsored fuel, tents and lots more. Contact admin@airrace.co.bw  3 October: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org 3 October: SAPFA Fun Rally Grand Central. Contact Jonty Esser e-mail: jontye@x7online.co.za Cell: 076 302 0451 10 October: Spring 2015 TMG Fly in at Bundu Inn Flying Estate. Contact Marietjie van Niekerk on 0827656670 or marietjievn@gmail.com 24 - 25 October: Sports Aerobatic Club KZN regionals - Ladysmith. Contact Annie Boon chunge@mweb.co.za 31 October: Bethlehem Aero Club fly-in and hangar dance. Contact Izak Venter e-mail: izak@motsu.co.za or Francois Marais e-mail: info@stanfra.co.za  BE A SAFETY FIRST AVIATOR   August 5 1981 - In the United States, Air traffic controllers affiliated with the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization walk off the job. President Ronald Reagan fires 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work. August 5 1935 - Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world, and his passenger Will Rogers are killed in a crash in Alaska. August 6 1969 - The biggest helicopter ever built, the Soviet Mil V-12 secures an unbeaten world lifting record for rotary-winged aircraft by carrying 40,205.5 kg (88,636 lb.) to a height of 2,255 m (7,400 ft.). August 7 1980 - Janice Brown pilots the MacCready Gossamer Penguin on its first solar powered flight. August 8 1982 - First flight of the Cessna 208 Caravan August 8 1910 - The first aircraft tricycle landing gear is installed on the US Army's Wright airplane. August 11 2003, The Spirit of Butts Farm becomes the first flight across the Atlantic by a computer-controlled model aircraft. August 11 1918 - The first use of a parachute from a combat aircraft occurs when a German pilot escapes his burning Pfalz D.III after being attacked by a pilot from No. 19 Squadron RAF. August 11 1906 - Mrs. C. J. S. Miller becomes the first woman passenger in an airship. The 40-hp craft is owned and operated by her husband, Major Miller.  USA, Kentucky: A man shot Man shot down a drone hovering over his house in Hillview, Kentucky where his teenage daughter was sunbathing. The drone's owner, police say, said he was flying it to take pictures of a neighbouring house. The home owner said he didn't know if the Drone was looking at the girls or looking for something to steal. To him it was the same as trespassing. India: As many as 39 defence aircraft, including 14 helicopters, of the defence forces have crashed since 2012 in which 36 personnel have lost their lives. The number of accidents of defence aircraft has come down significantly over the last four decades, from an average 29 accident per year during 1970s to 17 per year during 2001-10. USA, Wisconsin: Two men who were on their way to the Experimental Aircraft Association convention in Oshkosh have died when their Zenith CH601XL crashed close to the Village of Bristol. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office was contacted by Winnebago County authorities about an aircraft that was 20 hours overdue. The aircraft was in a field close to a home. China, Beijing: A man tried to set afire to the seat of a Chinese airliner with more than 100 people on board while the plane was landing in southern China. He was overpowered by flight crew and other passengers. USA, South Jersey: The pilot of a Piper PA28 flying at approximately 1000 feet about 25 miles northwest of the Sewell Airport was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid a drone in the air. Russia, Ryazan: One pilot died and another jumped clear as their helicopter crashed during an aerobatic display at a airshow. The surviving pilot has said that a hydraulic failure was the cause. There have been six other Russian air force crashes in recent weeks and the Russian defence ministry has grounded its fleet of Mi-28 attack helicopters.  TERRAFUGIA PREMIERS NEW TF-X™ OUTER MOLD LINE  Photo © Terrafugia Terrafugia is excited to premier the new Outer Mold Line for the TF-X™, the four-seat, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) hybrid electric aircraft that will make flying easier and safer than ever before. In addition, a one-tenth scale wind tunnel test model of the TF-X™ has been successfully developed based on the new OML, and is currently on display at EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. The model will be tested at the MIT Wright Brothers wind tunnel, the same tunnel that was used to test models of Terrafugia's Transition. The wind tunnel test model will be used to measure drag, lift and thrust forces while simulating hovering flight, transitioning to forward flight and full forward flight. These new developments represent exciting, significant progress on the path towards the realization of Terrafugia's revolutionary vision for the future of personal transportation.  Photo © Boeing Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy extended advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability to a key U.S. ally, presenting the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with its first EA-18G Growler. Australia is the first country other than the U.S. to obtain this aircraft. "The Growlers will complement our existing and future air combat capability, and we will be much more lethal with this AEA protection," said Air Marshal Geoff Brown, former chief of the RAAF. "In many respects, it's the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for the RAAF." A derivative of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G is the only aircraft in production providing tactical jamming and electronic protection. The Growlers enhance the RAAF's current fleet - which includes 24 Super Hornets - and advance 'Plan Jericho,' an initiative to transform the RAAF into an integrated, networked force able to deliver air power in all operating environments. The Growler will fly to Naval Air Station China Lake, Calif. for flight testing and then Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., where RAAF operators will continue training with U.S. Navy pilots to gain expertise in the highly technical electronic warfare mission. The RAAF is expected to take delivery of the aircraft in-country in 2017. "Growlers are the cutting edge of electronic warfare," said Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, U.S. Navy Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. "As the U.S. Navy and RAAF continue to train and operate together we welcome Australia's strategic step to advance the capabilities of our joint partners for years of future success."  Photo © Airbus Helicopters CHC received its 40th H225 in 2014, and is currently the largest operator of this helicopter type. Almost one fifth of the Canadian company's fleet is made up of H225s. For Gérard Aubert, program contract manager for the H225, this huge order "was a strong sign of trust". CHC took delivery of its first H225 in 2007 and has subsequently accumulated more than 100,000 flight hours with this helicopter, mainly through oil & gas and search and rescue missions. The fact that CHC reached this milestone in a relatively short period of time is a sign of the helicopter's high availability, which amounts to more than 90 percent, adds Aubert. "The H225 has proven to be a solid aircraft that can be used in harsh conditions worldwide," confirms CHC pilot Glenn Christiansen, who flies workers to oil rigs on the Norwegian continental shelf. According to Christiansen, he and his colleagues appreciate the increased payload, reduced vibration, fully digital autopilot and long range. The H225 offers the farthest range in comparison to its competitors. Mick O'Grady is senior base pilot for CHC, stationed in Broome, Australia, where the helicopter is mainly used for search and rescue missions. "The H225 is one of the few aircraft that can actually travel up to 500 nautical miles, round-trip. That makes a difference during rescue operations in this part of the world," he explains. He and his team recently were able to find and rescue five fishermen at night using the equipment on board the H225. One indispensable asset, he says, was the aircraft's forward looking infrared (FLIR), which allowed the pilots to detect the men's heat signatures in the moonless night.  "The GEnx-powered Boeing 787 aircraft has proven itself with outstanding fuel burn and reliability, and we are pleased to add four more GEnx-powered aircraft to our leasing fleet," said Tony Diaz, President of CIT Commercial Air. The GEnx-1B engine is the best-selling engine on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The engine has accumulated more than 1.7 million flight hours and more than 300,000 cycles since entering service. More than 1,600 GEnx-1B engines have been sold to more than 50 customers. Compared to GE's CF6 engine, the GEnx engine offers up to 15 percent better fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The GEnx's innovative twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor dramatically reduces NOx gases as much as 55 percent below today's regulatory limits and other regulated gases as much as 90 percent. Based on the ratio of decibels to pounds of thrust, the GEnx is the quietest engine GE produces due to the large, more efficient fan blades that operate at slower tip speed, resulting in about 40 percent lower noise levels. The GEnx is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio - GE's business strategy to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. Revenue-sharing participants on the GEnx are IHI Corporation of Japan, Volvo Aero of Sweden, MTU of Germany, TechSpace Aero (Safran) of Belgium, Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France and Samsung Techwin of Korea.  "The opening of China's low-altitude airspace has boosted the pilot training market in the region, and this additional order further demonstrates the Cessna Skyhawk's continued leadership in pilot training around the world," said Kevin Wu, vice president, International Sales, Greater China and Mongolia Region. Shandong Hairuo General Aviation is based in Binzhou city, Shandong province, China. It is a Part 91 general aviation operator, as well as an authorized sales representative and an authorized customer service facility for Cessna single-engine aircraft in China. It currently operates a fleet of four Skyhawks and is looking to provide Part 141 training for personal, commercial and airline pilot licenses. "The world renowned Cessna Skyhawk is the optimal choice for flight training," said Chen Maosen, chairman of Shandong Hairuo General Aviation. "The new aircraft will join our existing fleet for expanding our business in pilot training. As the authorized sales representative and customer service facility for Cessna aircraft in China, we are devoted to the future of the general aviation sector, and reinforce the cooperation with Textron Aviation for a win-win solution for our customers."  Photos © NCAR The 18th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) will be held June 17-20 at the Reno Stead Airport. PRS is a qualifying and safety seminar for pilots new to the National Championship Air Races. This year's event, which is not open to the public, expects more than 58 airplanes and 86 participants, including students, instructors and certified pilots.   "The National Championship Air Races may not be until September but our preparation starts far before the planes arrive. PRS is an unofficial kickoff to the air races and we are excited to see some new faces at this year's seminar," said Mike Crowell, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. "Rookie School, as many of the pilots call it, is a chance for pilots new to the races to get a feel for the course and safety guidelines. They have a chance to work and train with flight instructors who know the Reno Air Races like the back of their hands."   The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has sponsored PRS as a unique and productive opportunity for race pilots to prepare, practice and become certified to race in the National Championship Air Races each September. RARA, along with the individual race class organizations provides PRS to all pilots, though it is mandatory for rookies. The seminar offers race practice time, education, training and certification to all pilots, allowing them to race with maximum competitiveness and safety at the air races.   Tickets are on sale for the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races held September 16-20, 2015 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit http://airrace.org.   |
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