MIDWEEK UPDATE 22 OCTOBER 2014
1 Plan your weekend
2 Forthcoming events
3 Project Cuba
4 Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle successfully completes 3rd flight
5 Embraer's Ethanol-powered Ipanema celebrates its 10th birthday
6 Embraer Executive Jets to exhibit Legacy 450 at NBAA
7 Piper M-Class business aircraft on display at NBAA, Orlando Executive Airport
8 Shield Aviation UAS obtains US Navy flight clearance
9 Nextant delivers of its first 400XTi to the UK
10 Boeing delivered the 18th P-8A Poseidon
11 Rate Card
24 - 25 October: Port Elizabeth airshow. Contact Dr. Crystal Watson or E-mail: cwatson@mweb.co.za
25 - 26 October: SAC KZN aerobatic regionals - Ladysmith. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
1 November: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
1 November: Panorama Breakfast Fly in. Contact Helga 082 322 2979
8 November: Bosveld Breakfast. Potgietersrus Microlight Club and Limpopo Flight School invites all aviators and pilots from all over for a Bosveld Breakfast on the 8th of November 2014 at Potgietersrus Airfield. Contact: Nico - 082 852 5961 or Martin - 082 578 1657
8 November: Aero Club Annual Awards Dinner. Hangar 5 at Swartkops Museum. This is a prestigious event to honour our fellow aviators for attaining National Colours and other awards. The Aero Club should be supported by all recreational and competitive fliers as they are our fighters who ensure our freedom of the skies against ever increasing regulation.
14 -15 November: Mafikeng fly-in and hangar dance. Contact: Connie Conradie 018 387 1425 or E-mail: info@mafikeng-flyingclub.co.za
22 November: EAA Sun and Fun and Peter Hengst memorial Brits airfield. Contact : Karl Jensen karlpix@icon.co.za
26 November to 3 December: Yak-52 and Intermediate Class World Aerobatic Championships, Mosselbay. Contact: mbac.committee@gmail.com
29 November: Stellenbosch Flying Club landing competition. For more information go to www.stelfly.co.za
6 December: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
6 - 7 December: SAC Ace of Base Aerobatics - Baragwanath airfield. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
7 December: ICAD (international Civil Aviation Day) Contact: Mark Swarts 082 878 0875
13 December: RV Fly in at Stellenbosch. Contact Alewyn 082 4126 1951 or alewyn@burger.org.za
13 - 14 June: Baragwanath 'Old School' Fly in. Contact Courtney Watson: cwatson@stithian.com
17 -19 July: Taildraggers to Nylstroom fly-in in conjunction with EAA Chapter 322. Contact Richard Nicholson Nylstroom Flying Club Cell: 082 490 6227
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Upon landing safely, his damaged aircraft lost all braking, overran the end of the runway and went through a fence and a ditch which inadvertently set off his ejection seat injuring him severely. After being hospitalized for seven months, he was discharged with a C6, C7 fracture of the neck and is permanently confined to a wheelchair. See http://www.projectdreamwings.co.za/ for a full report of his accident.
Arthur has three dreams.
1. To fly to Cuba to reconcile with the pilot that damaged his aircraft.
2. To build an airplane that he can fly to renew his flying licence.
3. To fly around the world for charity and himself.
To help Arthur achieve his first dream, we are appealing to all flying enthusiasts to contribute an affordable amount, to achieve this truly worthwhile cause. Our initial plan was to assist Arthur and his father who recently passed away, to travel to Cuba. After discussing "Project Cuba" with Arthur, he says that Linda de Jager, an independent film producer, has already started filming a documentary about his story including his dream to fly to Cuba in early February 2015. See http://www.endgamemedia.co.za.
The proceeds of this documentary will help Arthur to support himself and could even help him achieve his other dreams. Initial estimates for this trip are at least R 200 000.
As aviation enthusiasts let us take-off and co-pilot with Arthur as he follows his dream. All contributions will be consolidated into one amount which will be handed to Arthur at the first EAA meeting in 2015. Any amount from R5 to R50k will be appreciated. So whatever you can afford/justify, will help Arthur to achieve his dream. Only Mark Clulow, our Treasurer, will know who paid what and his lips are sealed.
We hope that you will manage to contribute to this incredible opportunity and honour, which we can all proudly share in, by making a deposit to: Bank: ABSA, Account Name: EAA 322, Branch: Greenstone, Account number 405 376 6150, Please use reference: "Arthur - Your Name".
For more information contact Marie 083 259 7691, marie.reddyy@gmail.com or http://www.eaa.org.za
This project is dedicated to the many young pilots and crew that lost their lives in the Angolan war for our freedom: KW Williamson, Neil Liddell, Dewald Marais, Owen Doyle, Paul Vellerman, Nigel Osborne, Dick Retief, Pete Hollis, Koos Celliers, Steve Volkerz, Bertus Roos, Clifton Stacey, John Inggs,
John Robinson, Michael Earp, Kenny Dalgleish, Gene Kotze, John Twaddle, Chris Pieterson, Grobbies Grobler, Richard Glynn and Ed Every.
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Recovery crew members process the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base after completing 674 days in space. Photo © Boeing
The Boeing built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) successfully de-orbited and landed today at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 9:24 a.m. PDT, concluding a 674-day experimental test mission for the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The X-37B was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2012.
"We congratulate the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base on this third successful OTV mission," said Ken Torok, Boeing director of Experimental Systems. "With a program total of 1,367 days on orbit over three missions, these agile and powerful small space vehicles have completed more days on orbit than all 135 Space Shuttle missions combined, which total 1,334 days. The innovative X-37B combines the best of an aircraft and a spacecraft into an affordable, responsive unmanned vehicle and continues to demonstrate that reusable space vehicles are affordable options that support vital missions."
The first OTV mission began April 22, 2010, and concluded on Dec. 3, 2010, after 224 days in orbit. The second OTV mission began March 5, 2011, and concluded on June 16, 2012, after 468 days on orbit.
A total of three X-37B missions have been completed, totalling 1,367 days on orbit. Photo © Boeing
The X-37B program is demonstrating a reliable, reusable unmanned space test platform for the Air Force. Its objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies that could become key enablers for future space missions.
Boeing's commitment to this space-based unmanned vehicle spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab's X-40 program, NASA's X-37 program and the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency's X-37 Approach & Landing Test Vehicle program.
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Produced without interruption for more than 40 years, the Ipanema has already surpassed 1,300 units delivered. Photo © Embraer
The Ipanema agricultural airplane, powered by ethanol (hydrated alcohol) - EMB 202A, will celebrate its 10th anniversary since certification on Sunday, October 19. The Ipanema was the first airplane produced in series, in the world, to leave the factory already certified to fly with this type of fuel - the same as is used in automobiles - and it is still the only one.
The first delivery of the ethanol-powered Ipanema took place in March 2005 - coincidentally, it was also the one-thousandth Ipanema to be sold. From then on, Embraer also began to offer ethanol conversion kits to the owners of airplanes powered by Avgas. Up to 2014, there were 269 aircraft sold, as well as 205 conversion kits, totalling 474 aircraft powered by alcohol. This alternative energy source, derived from sugarcane, reduced the environmental impact and operating and maintenance costs, and also improved the overall performance of the aircraft, making it more attractive to the market.
"Ethanol is efficient and costs less, and it is an alternative that pleased customers - many of whom have their own sugarcane plantations," says Fábio Bertoldi Carretto, Embraer's Sales Manager for the Ipanema. "Not surprisingly, over 80% of new aircraft are sold with this configuration." Today, about 40% of the Ipanema fleet in operation is powered by ethanol. The use of ethanol is based on the fact that Brazil is a big producer of this fuel, which was already being used by Brazilian automobiles for over 20 years.
Each ethanol-powered Ipanema pollutes less, and puts about 44 pounds less of lead into the atmosphere per year. Based on the total fleet over these past 10 years, they have emitted 51 less tons of lead. The model is also more economical: on average, the owner of an ethanol-powered airplane spends 25% less on fuel. Furthermore, the fuel provides 7% more power, improving the aircraft's performance on take-off, climbing, speed, and maximum altitude.
Produced without interruption for more than 40 years, the Ipanema has already surpassed 1,300 units delivered and it leads the agricultural aviation market in Brazil, with a 65% share. Seventy units of the Ipanema were sold, in 2013, to customers in Brazil and the Mercosur. The airplane is used mainly to spray agrochemicals, thus avoiding losses from machinery rolling over the crops and making the operation more flexible. It also can be used to spread seeds, for basic firefighting, stocking rivers, and combating larvae and disease-bearing insects or animals. The main crops that have required the airplane are: cotton, rice, sugarcane, citrus, eucalyptus, corn, soy, and coffee
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Embraer Executive Jets will exhibit its full aircraft portfolio at the National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition, in Orlando, FL, on October 21-23. This will be the first time that the Company will showcase all seven aircraft on static display, including a prototype of the Legacy 450 mid-light jet, which is expected to be certified in mid-2015.
"We are thrilled to bring the Legacy 450 to NBAA alongside the Legacy 500, which was delivered to the first customer last week," said Marco Túlio Pellegrini, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. "These are revolutionary aircraft, delivering true innovation in their classes."
The Company will hold a press conference on October 20, from 11:00am to 11:45am, in room N220A at the Orange County Convention Centre, and will receive its customers and guests at booth 5638. The portfolio of Embraer Executive Jets will be on static display at Orlando Executive Airport, exhibit 655.
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Piper Aircraft will concentrate its entire presence at Orlando Executive Airport for the 2014 National Business Aviation Association's Annual Meeting and Convention. On static display will be two signature, top-of-the-line Piper M-Class single-engine business aircraft, the Piper Meridian and Piper Mirage, and the Twin-Class Piper Seneca V.
"We decided to focus our presence at NBAA at Orlando Exec this year because that's where committed buyers go to examine available aircraft. As the business aviation economy picks up, we expect the NBAA airport to be a busy place," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott.
"The aircraft we will have on display - the Piper Meridian, Mirage and Seneca V - are popular cabin-class business aircraft with relatively low acquisition and operation costs. The number of Piper airplanes being flown by Part 91 operators has increased as business flight departments are making decisions to move to more economical Pipers from aircraft that are more expensive to acquire and operate," Caldecott added.
About Piper M-Class Aircraft
M-Class aircraft offer Piper performance and safety in a proven airframe that has been an industry standard for years. Three refined derivatives comprise the full line: the Meridian, the Mirage and the Matrix. Each product fits its own niche and price point, and each aircraft provides a seamless step-up to the next level. Created to maximize the private travel experience, the M-Class line balances performance, efficiency and simplicity.
About the Piper Meridian
Meridian. Photo © Piper
The Piper Meridian is a single-engine turboprop that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 500hp engine, sports a 260 KTAS / 482 km/h max cruise speed and has a range of 1,000 nm / 1,852 km. Equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the Meridian starts at $2,219,850.
About the Piper Mirage
The Piper Mirage is a single-engine pressurized piston that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS / 395 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343 nm / 2,487 km. Equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the Mirage starts at $1,100,450.
About the Piper Seneca V
Seneca V. Photo © Piper
About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series-the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix- offers businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
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Photo © Shield Aviation
SHIELD Aviation UAS SHIELD Aviation, Inc. announced the granting of a Category 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Interim Flight Clearance (IFC) for the ARES Block C UAS by Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River MD AIR - 4.0P.
The ARES UAS IFC supports Navy public aircraft operations of ARES Block C UAS within restricted and warning areas of the U.S. National airspace. SHIELD Aviation Engineering and Operations Divisions along with NAVAIR engineers worked tirelessly to complete an engineering review and risk assessment to ensure safety of flight and to reduce risk to personnel, property and/or environment. Cooperation was key to its success.
The IFC for the ARES Block C UAS is an extremely important step in supporting Navy public aircraft operations. "The granting of the IFC for the ARES UAS is an extremely important milestone as it recognizes its airworthiness and safety of flight for ARES UAS. It also ensures SHIELD and ARES UAS operates within Naval Instructions 13034.1D CH2 requiring all UAS operated by Department of Navy (DON) to have an Interim Flight Clearance or Flight Clearance.
SHIELD Aviation is extremely proud of the ARES UAS perfect safety record. It also ensures the operation of ARES UAS by SHIELD Aviation in conjunction with the Department of the Navy. The operation conforms to all Naval Regulations," said Myles Newlove, Chairman and CEO of SHIELD Aviation, Inc. SHIELD is committed to continuing to serve the men and women in the armed services, to ensure our Unmanned Systems maintain their cutting technological edge, certification, but most importantly operational relevancy. The Interim Flight Clearance by NAVAIR 4.0P is just another step ensuring our commitment to the armed services
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Nextant Aerospace maker of the Nextant 400XTi - the world's only remanufactured business jet - and the forthcoming Nextant G90XT turboprop, announced the delivery of its first 400XTi to the UK. It will be the UK's first remanufactured aircraft and will be operated by Norwich-based SaxonAir.
This aircraft is the seventh 400XTi delivered to Europe and the first to the UK. The European 400XTi fleet has proven itself as a strong revenue generator on the European charter market with the majority of the fleet operating in excess of 80-90 hours per month. The aircraft can fly non-stop from London to any city in Europe faster than any other aircraft in its class. The spacious cabin features Wi-Fi, an espresso machine and a high tech acoustic dampening blanket that cuts ambient cabin noise by half.
"The 400XTi's range allows our customers direct travel anywhere in Europe for considerably less than any other light jet and without sacrificing performance or comfort," said Chris Mace, SaxonAir Group Commercial Director. "The aircraft allows us to offer the productivity benefits of business aviation to whole new customer segments." SaxonAir, as well as operators, are also the exclusive UK sales representatives for Nextant.
As European operators focus on value for money, the value proposition of remanufacturing becomes stronger. The UK already recognizes the economic and environmental value of remanufacturing. Estimates suggest that the value of the overall remanufacturing industry in the UK is already £2.4 billion, with the potential to increase to £5.6 billion1
"Remanufacturing. Towards a Resource Efficient Economy". All-Party Parliamentary report, March 2014. and to support thousands of new skilled jobs2Next Manufacturing Revolution: Non-Labour Resource Productivity and its Potential for UK Manufacturing, July 2013.. Other benefits include reduced energy requirements, pollutant emissions, material use, and water consumption3Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre website. when compared to the manufacture of new products.
The trend it global: in the US remanufacturing is a $50 billion industry, growing at 15% per year4United States International Trade Commission report, October 2012.. "There has been a lot of talk in Parliament and in the press about the benefits of remanufacturing," continued Mr. Mace. "The 400XTi is proof of concept. The 400XTi performs like a new-build aircraft by every meaningful metric but costs a fraction as much to own and operate. That delivers value both to our business and our customer's bottom line."
Nextant is pioneering the concept of remanufacturing for business aviation. The defining feature of the 400XTi is its value proposition. The aircraft performs better than new production aircraft at half the purchase price and with superior operating economics. Nextant serialized factory-production process captures the technological, safety and comfort benefits of modern business aircraft without the hundreds of millions of pounds it takes to develop and certify a clean-sheet design. Those savings translate into a significantly lower purchase price.
"We are very pleased with the international acceptance of the 400XTi," said Nextant President and CEO Sean McGeough. "By the end of this year, we will have delivered 50 aircraft to 10 countries and flown in excess of 50,000 flight hours. As the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group is calling for the increased adoption of remanufacturing in the UK, we hope Nextant can be a good example of how remanufacturing can create real value for operators, customers and the overall economy."
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Photo © Boeing
Boeing delivered the 18th P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule October 14, where it joined other Poseidon aircraft being used to train Navy crews.
The P-8A departed Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and was Boeing's fifth delivery this year.
"We're proud to continue to deliver aircraft on cost and on schedule," said Rick Heerdt, Boeing Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement vice president and program manager. "The Navy's need for the P-8A resonates even more following Patrol Squadron 5's recent operational deployment."
Earlier this summer, the VP-5 'Mad Foxes' replaced the VP-16 War Eagles squadron that completed 600 sorties and 3,500 flight hours while on deployment operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The Mad Foxes are currently conducting operational missions internationally.
Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides the Navy anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As.
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