MIDWEEK UPDATE 21 MAY 2014
1 Plan your weekend
2 Forthcoming events
3 Presidential inauguration NOTAM
4 Saab welcomes the signing of a new Gripen lease agreement between the governments of the Czech Republic and Sweden
5 ATNS intensifies its women recruitment drive
6 Indian Air Force Pilatus PC-7 MkII fleet clocks record performance
7 Sonex Aircraft prepares for busy summer production and R&D Schedules
8 ATR leads the surge with over 100 firm orders already booked since the beginning of 2014
9 Piper Seminole Named Most Popular Propeller Twin Aircraft in China
10 Rate Card
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24 May: Lowveld Airshow (Nelspruit) Contact: Kerry Palermo 071 686 5996 E-mail: periperi@mweb.co.za
29 to 31 May: President's Trophy Air Race. Contact: Robbie Myburgh E-mail: website www.sapfa.org.za.
31 May: New Castle Airshow. Contact: E-mail: johan@champ.co.za
1 June: Baragwanath Airfield celebrates its 95th anniversary. The original airfield was created in 1919, with the Johannesburg Light Plane Club being formed in 1926. The club is still in operation today at the 'new' Baragwanath south of Lenasia and we are planning a good old fashioned fly-in to celebrate South Africa's aviation heritage and its future with a wide variety of aircraft present at the airfield on the day (old rubbing shoulders with new) and some great entertainment in the form of live music, vintage cars and motorcycles and period dress competition.
Please RSVP to Courtney Watson with your name, names of your guests, your aircraft type and Registration e-mail: cwatson@stithian.com 083 642-3565. Information will be available on the Johannesburg Light Plane Club website and updates and notices will be sent via E-mail Courtney.
7 June: Pietermaritzburg airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
7 June: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact: Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
14 June: Margate airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
21 June: Richards Bay airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
20 & 21 June: Mafikeng Memorial War Fly-In. Contact Connie: Conradie 018 387 1425 or e-mail: info@mafikeng-flyingclub.co.za
28 June: Mkuze airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165
5 July: Ulundi airshow KZN Winter Air Tour. Contact John Neilon 082 485 5514 E-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
5 July: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
17 to 20 July: SAC Nationals - venue TBA. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
18 to 20 July: Taildraggers to Nylstroom fly-in. Contact Richard Nicholson Nylstroom Flying Club 082 490 6227
19 & 20 July: Parys Time Trials and flour bombing competition - Golden Oldies & Microlights. Contact Scully Levin E-mail: flyboys@global.co.za
28 July-3 Aug: EAA's annual AirVenture to be held in Oshkosh USA. Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden e-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net
2 August: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
6 -10 August: Race of Champions - Ulundi airfield. Contact Mariska at AirTeam e-mail: Mariska@airteam.co.za
17 August: Grand Rand airshow. Contact Stuart Coetzee 011 827 8884 E-mail: Carolyn@randairport.co.za
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Gripen has been in service with the Czech Air Force since 2005, with the current lease expiring 2015 (Photo SAAB)
The defence and security company Saab welcomes the signing of a new Gripen lease agreement between the governments of the Czech Republic and Sweden. According to the contract, signed today, the Czech Republic will continue to operate 14 Gripen C/D another 12 years, until at least 2027. The partnership is a contract between two governments, where Saab acts as a sub-contractor to FMV, who provides the aircraft. No order is placed on Saab yet.
"With this agreement, the Czech Republic is taking a long-term strategic decision to continue operating Gripen and ensuring the continued development of its national capability. This is further proof of the confidence in Gripen, and its defence capacity," says Lennart Sindahl, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Saab's business area Aeronautics.
The Czech Republic will continue to operate 14 Gripen C/D another 12 years, until at least 2027 (Photo SAAB)
Gripen has been in service with the Czech Air Force since 2005, with the current lease expiring 2015. The new agreement extends the partnership between Sweden and the Czech Republic for a further 12 years and the Czech Republic will continue to operate 14 Gripen C/D until at least 2027.
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The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), in conjunction with the Human Capital Investment Department, Office of the Premier, are currently involved in a week-long focused recruitment drive, scheduled to end on Friday, 16th May 2014.
Unemployed female graduates and matriculants are being offered opportunities to follow careers in Air Traffic Control and Aeronautical Information Management.
Ours is still a society that reflects huge disparities between men and women.
As part of the recruitment drive, ATNS has effective programs in place, primarily to increase access to high quality training and skills development opportunities, which will enable women to effectively participate in the economy and reduce inequalities. ATNS' recruitment objectives are aimed at, among others, to achieve the fundamental transformation of inequities linked to class, race, gender, age and disability in our society.
In June 2012, ATNS partnered with the Limpopo Provincial Human Resource Development (currently known as Human Capital Investment) Department by undertaking a similar initiative. It is in this context that the partnership continues - with the sole objective of ensuring that unemployed graduates and/or matriculants have full access to opportunities on offer.
In order for the current project to be successful, the two entities have liaised with the Office of the Youth Commission - for database purpose and information dissemination; utilised District Human Resource Development Managers as the entry point to Districts; enlisted the services of Regional and Community Radio Stations to reach the constituency; Approaching the relevant provincial department to reach out even to traditional authorities " Moshate"; contacting all FET Colleges in the Province and targeting best performance schools in the province.
Since Monday, 12th May 2014 to date, the Recruitment team has visited the Vhembe, Mopani and Sekhukhune Districts. The drive will end on Friday - at the Waterberg District.
The Final Assessment and Intake will take place from mid-May to end of July 2014. Only those who have passed the assessments tests will be offered free bursaries.
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Pilatus remains firmly committed to serving the Indian Air Force with its renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality (Photo Pilatus)
This significant achievement demonstrates the outstanding performance of the new PC-7 MkII training platform and the excellent co-operation between the Indian Air Force and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in maintaining and operating a highly reliable Basic Trainer Aircraft.
As of April, less than two years after contract signature, the Indian Air Force has taken delivery of 35 PC-7 MkII aircraft and the remaining 40 aircraft are being flown-in on a monthly basis under the accelerated delivery schedule.
Due to the excellent endurance, low maintenance and reliability of the PC-7 MkII aircraft, the Indian Air Force supported by Pilatus has been able to maintain a very high availability rate on the flight line since the introduction of the new platform. Thanks to this, the Indian Air Force is already planning to advance their plans to enhance the number of student pilots by 150% from the next course as they are confident that the PC-7 MkII will continue to measure up to their requirements and expectations. Furthermore, the PC-7 MkII has enabled the Indian Air Force to increase the basic training syllabus in terms of flight hours by 220% compared to the old syllabus and increase the solo content from only 1 to 14 sorties.
The Indian Air Force has taken delivery of 35 PC-7 MkII aircraft and the remaining 40 aircraft are being flown-in on a monthly basis
In March this year another significant project milestone took place. The first PC-7 MkII Fixed Base Full Mission Simulator became operational at Dundigal with a second simulator and additional Ground-Based Training Systems due to be installed by the end of this year.
Pilatus remains firmly committed to serving the Indian Air Force with its renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality, through delivering and supporting the most advanced Basic Flight Training turboprop trainer in the world - the Pilatus PC-7 MkII.
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Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of sport aircraft along with the AeroConversions line of products
Sonex Aircraft, LLC is preparing for an extremely busy summer in 2014. The season will be kicked-off by the June 7-8 Sonex Builders Workshop event, the 57th seminar since the company's founding in 1998! Sonex Workshops give current and prospective builders a hands-on opportunity to gain metal aircraft construction skills specific to the Sonex Aircraft product line, while learning the ins and outs of all other aspects of building, flying and maintaining a Sonex Aircraft, all at Sonex company headquarters in Oshkosh, WI. Attendees also get a chance to take advantage of Basic Aircraft Familiarization Flights in the factory fleet of aircraft via the Sonex T-Flight Transition Training program. Space is still available and attendees can save over $1,000 on their Sonex Aircraft kit purchase.
Production and deliveries of Sonex Aircraft kits and AeroConversions products are in full-swing heading into the summer, including a full calendar of Quick Build Kit deliveries and a large number of AeroVee Engine Kit orders, combined with a full production schedule through year-end 2014 for the SubSonex Personal Jet. In-preparation for expanded production schedules for 2014 and beyond, Sonex Aircraft has just completed a 3600 square foot addition to its warehouse facility, which increases total Sonex Aircraft warehouse space to nearly 10,000 square feet. "This warehouse expansion was a critical move to allow production capacity for the next generation of Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products including the very near-term SubSonex Personal Jet and AeroVee Turbo offerings," comments Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett. "We're pleased to be doing our part in contributing to local and national economic growth as we continue to purchase the vast majority of our manufactured products from American companies, most manufactured right here in Wisconsin. We're proud to be made in the USA."
Sonex Aircraft¹s Sonex, Waiex, and Onex sport planes, the Xenos sport motorglider, and now the SubSonex Personal Jet, offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package
Final tasks are being completed in-preparation for first flight of the JSX-2 SubSonex Personal Jet production-conforming prototype, anticipated to fly in June. Completion of JSX-2 testing will allow production of customer Quick Build units to begin, and some of the first parts for SubSonex customer kits have already arrived at the Sonex warehouse. "We're very pleased with the progress and success of the JSX-2 R&D and production planning processes thus-far," comments Monnett, "we are on-track to meet all of our ambitious SubSonex goals for 2014." A new progress update was released to SubSonex deposit holders and other interested enthusiasts on Friday.
The AeroVee Turbo R&D project is also anticipated to be concluded and ready for production by the end of 2014. After more than a year of data collection and refinement in Sonex Aircraft's engine test cell facility, the AeroVee Turbo has been returned to a flying airplane, with flight tests commencing this week. This is the second phase of flight test for the AeroVee Turbo project; the first round occurred early in the project, after which the engine was moved to the test cell. The second flight test phase is aimed at verification of performance and reliability benchmarks achieved in test cell running, and collection of performance numbers for the system including take-off distance, rate of climb, and cruise at various altitudes.
Sonex Workshops give current and prospective builders a hands-on opportunity to gain metal aircraft construction skills specific to the Sonex Aircraft product line
Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of sport aircraft along with the AeroConversions line of products which include the AeroVee engine, AeroInjector and ancillary aviation products. Sonex Aircraft¹s Sonex, Waiex, and Onex sport planes, the Xenos sport motorglider, and now the SubSonex Personal Jet, offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package that can be purchased and completed with full technical support at an unrivalled price. Sonex and AeroConversions continue to invest heavily in developing new products. Our team is committed to providing simple, elegant and low-cost solutions for sport flying. Simply put, Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products provide the Best Performance Per Dollar.
about Sonex Aircraft Workshops can be found at:
http://www.sonexaircraft.com/support/workshops.html
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The European regional aircraft manufacturer ATR announced an outstanding order intake of over 100 firm ATR aircraft in the first four months of 2014. The ATR-600 series aircraft are leading the way among all regional aircraft. Since the beginning of the year, sales of new ATR -600s represent over 80% of total orders for regional aircraft below 90-seats announced so far. ATR's commercial results achieved in the first four months of the year already surpassed outcomes of the whole 2013 with firm orders for 89 ATR -600s. The outstanding commercial success highlights the attractiveness of the newest generation ATRs for the development and the expansion of regional aircraft fleets all over the world. It proves to be the preferred regional aircraft among airlines operating regional networks.
ATRs represent over 80% of total orders for regional aircraft up-to 90-seats this year
Up to date, ATR has already unveiled orders for the United Arab Emirates' leasing firm DAE (20 firm ATR 72-600s and 20 options) and 6 firm ATR 72-600s for the Canary Islands-based Binter Canarias, both announced at the Singapore Airshow early this year. Beyond these firm orders for 26 ATR 72-600s and 20 options already announced, ATR has booked 8 additional contracts for 81 firm aircraft plus 41 options. Most of these new orders will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
"This is already a very dynamic year in terms of sales and we expect our order intake to further grow very soon", declares Filippo Bagnato, ATR's Chief Executive Officer. "Such outstanding results highlight the strong work which is done daily by every ATR employee." He added: "Based on these positive results, our current backlog largely exceeds 300 aircraft".
As of today, ATR has sold over 470 ATR '-600 series' aircraft, and some 150 are already operating worldwide in the liveries of 35 carriers.
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Piper Aircraft's piston-powered Seminole was recently named the Most Popular Twin-Engine Propeller Aircraft in China by U-Jet, China's first exclusive journal for private aviators.
U-Jet is published under auspices of the General Administration of Press and Publication of China and is the nation's most widely circulated magazine dedicated to the subject of private flying. U-Jet's editorial team consists of professional editors from Xinhua News Agency, CAAC News, China Quality News, and SINA.com.
The Seminole is a twin-engine, piston-powered aircraft that seats four and is powered by two Lycoming L/O -360-A1H6 engines, each generating 180 hp (Photo copyright Piper)
"This acknowledgment by the Chinese aviation industry is greatly appreciated by the Piper Aircraft team and reflects the appeal of this aircraft in China and throughout the world," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "Our ongoing efforts to globalize the Piper brand and presence are proving successful."
The award was given earlier this month at ceremonies for China's business jet and general aviation industry at the Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao. The event was organized by U-Jet in cooperation with Jizhi.com, Right To Play, and China Corporate Jet Alliance.
With academic support from Beihang University General Aviation Industry Research Center and Liaoning General Aviation Academy, and extensive surveys from dozens of business jet and general aviation operators, the China Private Jet Annual Awards is intended to be the most influential annual gala event of China's private aviation industry.
"Xu Yuhai, General Manager of U-Jet, expresses his hope that, "The China Private Jet Annual Awards can be a chronicle recording the growth of private jet and general aviation in China. Each year, we will invite worldwide industry leaders together to review the developments of the past year and to award individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the industry."
About the Piper Seminole
Piper's Seminole, with standard G1000 flight deck, performs multiple roles as an executive and personal transportation machine and as a popular twin-engine training platform. As the leading multi-engine trainer available today, the Seminole has more than twenty years of proven service. Students and instructors appreciate its ability to perform advanced manoeuvres and procedures skilfully and safely. Instructors appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to teach flight lessons in a safe and forgiving manner. With easy maintenance metal construction, the Seminole has the lowest acquisition cost in its class.
Garmin G1000 software on the Seminole includes Vertical Profile View and user-defined holding patterns (Photo copyright Piper)
The Seminole is a twin-engine, piston-powered aircraft that seats four and is powered by two Lycoming L/O -360-A1H6 engines, each generating 180 hp. Its cruising speed at 75 percent power is 162 KTAS / 300 km/h. Its range is 700 nm / 1,426 km. Standard equipment includes the Garmin G1000.
Garmin's G1000 avionics suite is a seamlessly integrated all-glass avionics panel that makes flight information easy to scan and process. The G1000 flight deck presents flight instrumentation, navigation, weather, terrain, traffic and engine data on large-format, high-resolution displays. Garmin's reliable GRS77 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) provide accurate digital output and referencing of aircraft position, rate, vector and acceleration data. The latest Garmin G1000 software on the Seminole includes Vertical Profile View and user-defined holding patterns.
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