Midweek Updates 28 February 2024
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This week in Midweek Updates
Delivery of first operational A-Darters scheduled for December.
Non-availability of aircraft delays SA SAMIDRC deployment.
GAMA releases 2023 aircraft shipments and billings report.
Five Mass Arrivals Scheduled for AirVenture 2024.
LCI signs framework agreement for up to 21 latest generation helicopters from Leonardo.
Lilium launches its services organization and offering: Lilium POWER-ON.
Airbus CityAirbus - technology demonstrator.
Surf Air Mobility and Electra eEnter bilateral agreement to bring eSTOL aircraft to market.
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents.
Bonus video - A busy Saturday morning flying
2 SAA Museum Society Specialised Tour limited to nine adults. Contact E-mail: events@saamuseum.co.za Cell: 076 879 5044
8 DCA Industry Roadshow Stellenbosch, Cape Town. Contact Ms Charmaine Shibambo E-mail: shibamboc@caa.co.za
8 to 10 Aero Club Airweek venue Middelburg Airfield. Contact Sandra Strydom E-mail: sandra@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100
9 ANR at Aeroclub Airweek - Middelburg Airfield.
Contact Iaan Myburgh email iaanmyburgh@gmail.com cell: 082 449 2531
15 DCA Industry Roadshow Mangaung, Free State. Contact Ms Charmaine Shibambo E-mail: shibamboc@caa.co.za
16 EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Brits airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
23 Stellenbosch Airshow - Fashkosh. Contact Sam Cell: 082 828 4553 or Anton Cell: 079 873 4567
6 Robertson annual fly-in breakfast Robertson airfield. Contact: Alwyn du Plessis. E-mail: boeredata@breede.co.za Cell: 083 270 5888
6 EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
6 SAPFA ANR National Championships - venue TBA. Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: iaanmyburgh@gmail.com Cell: 082 449 2531
6 & 7 SAC Eastern Cape regionals Wings Park airfield
13 Elder's Flight Brakpan airfield. Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 1919 4603
17 to 20 AERO Friedrichshafen 30th anniversary. Contact E-mail: info@fairnamic.com Website: www.fairnamic.com
20 EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Eagle's Creek airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
20 Wonderboom airshow. Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: Cell: 071 220 1245
27 to 4 May Gauteng Gliding Championships. Magalies Gliding Club.
1 Witbank Aviation Society Breakfast Fly in.
4 SAAF Museum airshow at AFB Zwartkops. Contact Major Michael Church E-mail: mike.church172@gmail.com Cell: 072 720 0700
4 EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
10 & 11 Queenstown Wings & Wheels. For more information contact 082 921 2879
11 Lowveld airshow at the Nelspruit airfield. Contact Willemien E-mail: willemein.hodgkinson@kishugu.com Cell: 079 499 5733
14 to 17 NAMPO Harvest Day Bothaville. Contact Wim Venter E-mail: wim@grainsa.co.za Tel: 086 004 7246
17 to 19 EAA Chapter 322 weekend fly-away to Pyramid airfield. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
18 Parys airshow. Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: chris@creativespacemedia.co.za
18 SAC Free State regionals at Tempe airfield
23 to 25 SAPFA President's Trophy Air Race at Louis Trichardt civil airfield (FALO). Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200 Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: race@sapfa.co.za Cell: 082 449 2531
23 to 27 NAC fly-away venue TBA. Contact Agnes Phillips E-mail: agnes.phillips@nac.co.za Cell: 082 893 3399
25 Tempe airshow Bloemfontein. Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell 082 465 4045
DELIVERY OF FIRST OPERATIONAL A-DARTERS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER
www.defenceweb.co.za
Armscor, in a briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) on 21 February, stated that an industrialisation/production contract with Denel has been amended, allowing for work to continue.
This will allow Denel to deliver "trainer missiles" from June this year and deliver the first four operational missiles during December. Delivery of the "final contracted operational missiles" according to the Armscor presentation, will happen "during January 2028".
Last year, Armscor investigated alternative options to resuscitate the programme, and presented various options to the Air Force Command Council in July. A final proposal was presented to the Council in September 2023, which was accepted, allowing the programme to be 'unlocked.'
"Denel is currently executing the programme with deliverables as agreed with the SAAF", Armscor reported.
Last year, Armscor told the PCDMV that due to funding and skills constraints at Denel Dynamics it had developed a plan to have other local defence companies work with Denel to industrialise and manufacture the missile.
The A-Darter was developed jointly with Brazil under Project Assegai, with Denel Dynamics to deliver eight practice missiles, 21 trainer missiles, and 41 operational missiles to the SAAF. Continued delays mean the A-Darter is already seeing some obsolescence in certain areas.
While it waits on the A-Darter, the South African Air Force continues to use the interim IRIS-T missile, which was acquired from Germany in 2009. The Air Force does not have a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.
www.defenceweb.co.za
South Africa's commitment to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) did not have an auspicious start - apart from two deaths in an advance party, the non-availability of aircraft meant at least part of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment did not leave for the central African country as planned.
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"The projection of forces," as per the presentation, "was planned to begin from 15 December 2023, but not realised due to the unavailability of aircraft".
There is no mention of when and with what troops and equipment will be airlifted to the DRC. Unconfirmed reports have it President Felix Tshisekedi's government will be responsible for ensuring the arrival of SANDF elements as well as those from Malawi and Tanzania, at this stage the only confirmed troop contributing countries (TCCs) to the fledgling mission. South Africa is contributing 2 900 troops out of a total 5 000 for the force.
Also on the DRC, the PCDMV was informed the SANDF continues its participation in the United Nations (UN) PSO (peace support operation) MONUSCO by way of Operation Mistral. This sees the SANDF as one of three TCCs to the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) including an SA Army tactical intelligence unit (TIU) and a quick reaction force based in Mavivi as well as an SA Air Force (SAAF) composite helicopter unit (CHU) in Goma. The presentation makes no mention of the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) deployment, also in Goma.
The only other "regional" deployment listed in the presentation is Operation Vikela, the South African commitment to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). It notes quarter three saw the SANDF providing "general military assistance" combatting terrorism and violent extremism. South Africa, along with Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia have been in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado since August 2021 in a deployment set to end by mid-year.
GAMA RELEASES 2023 AIRCRAFT SHIPMENTS AND BILLINGS REPORT
Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the 2023 General Aviation Aircraft Shipments and Billings Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference. Overall, when compared to 2022, all aircraft segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $27.8 billion, an increase of 3.6%.
GAMAWhile the deliveries from 2023 are very encouraging, our industry faces headwinds from ongoing supply chain issues, workforce shortages, uncertainty and unpredictability from global regulators, and short-sighted efforts aimed at curbing business and general aviation, particularly in Europe. As civil aviation's innovation incubator, our entire GA industry is focused on new aircraft and technologies that will lead the way in safety and sustainability for the entire aviation sector. This progress is dependent on having effective, predictable and accountable regulatory processes, and a supportive business environment.
Therefore, it is crucial that the U.S. Congress passes a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, a fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill for the FAA, and a tax measure which is pending that promotes research and development. Likewise, non-U.S. global regulatory agencies must receive the proper budgetary support from their governments to carry out current and future activities. If political entities and regulatory bodies can deliver on their responsibilities, what our industry can accomplish in 2024 and beyond will be extraordinary," said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO.
Airplane shipments in 2023, when compared to 2022, saw piston airplane deliveries increase 11.8% from the same reporting companies, with 1,682 units; turboprop airplane deliveries increase 9.6%, with 638 units; and business jet deliveries increase 2.5%, with 730 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2023 was $23.4 billion, an increase of approximately 2.2%.
Piston helicopter deliveries for 2023, when compared to 2022, saw an increase of 7.7%, with 209 units; and preliminary civil-commercial turbine helicopter increase 10.4%, with 753 units. The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2023 was $4.4 billion, an increase of approximately 11.2%.
Year-end Aircraft Shipments and Billings
Aircraft Type 2022 2023 % Change
Piston Airplanes 1,505 1,682 +11.8%
Turboprops 582 638 +9.6%
Business Jets 712 730 +2.5%
Total Airplanes 2,799 3,050 +9.0%
Total Airplane Billing $22.9B 23.4B +2.2%
Piston Helicopters 194 209 +7.7%
Turbine Helicopters (*) 682 753 +10.4%
Total Helicopters 876 962 +9.8%
Total Helicopter Billing $4.0B $4.4B +11.2%
GAMA is an international trade association representing over 150 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.
The mass arrival schedule for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 is set, with five mass arrivals taking place over three days. The excitement begins on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m. with the Piper Cherokee arrival and will conclude with the Cirrus aircraft arrival on Sunday, 21 July at 10 a.m.
Cherokees - 11 a.m.
Cessnas - 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 20:
Mooneys - 10 a.m.
Bonanzas - 1 p.m.
Sunday, July 21:
Cirrus - 10 a.m.
The mass arrival times will also be posted in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 NOTICE (NOTAM) in order to help others flying in to Oshkosh plan their arrival.
LCI SIGNS FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR UP TO 21 LATEST GENERATION HELICOPTERS FROM LEONARDO
LCI, a leading aviation company, has announced a framework agreement for up to 21 of the latest generation helicopters from Leonardo, comprising of 10 firm plus 11 options.
The innovative new framework agreement covers the latest generation light-intermediate AW169, intermediate AW139 and super-medium AW189 helicopters, which will collectively address industry renewal and replacement requirements.
The new helicopters will be delivered through to 2028 and will be aimed at a variety of missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue (SAR), offshore energy, including wind. The helicopters will be strategically allocated between LCI and SMFL LCI Helicopters, LCI's joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL).
In addition, they will be equipped with the latest suite of navigational and safety features and will also be cleared to use Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) in the future, leveraging the certification standards already obtained by Leonardo for SAF use.
Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: "We are extremely pleased to extend our deep and long-standing relationship with Leonardo. The helicopter market is seeking to review, renew and replenish capacity in a disciplined and pragmatic way. We want to help customers, operators and end-users to grow sustainably whilst using some of the most modern, efficient and technologically innovative helicopters in the skies."
These commitments build upon LCI's decade long partnership with Leonardo during which it has already taken delivery of over 50 helicopters making it one of the manufacturer's largest customers for new equipment.
Stefano Villanti, SVP Marketing and Sales of Leonardo Helicopters, said: "We are delighted to strengthen our long-standing partnership with LCI as they continue to rely upon our technology to meet multiple requirements in the market. This will bring greater efficiency to LCI's customers and help them reduce their environmental impact whilst offering significant performance enhancements."
LCI's fleet currently includes 77 Leonardo helicopters in operation in 20 countries across the globe. Many are deployed on mission critical and socially responsible sectors such as EMS, SAR and offshore wind energy.
The new helicopters align with LCI's long-term commitment to sustainable growth. LCI is a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland's (ALI) Sustainability Charter, with a commitment to driving forward and achieving responsibility goals, centred around 10 priority sustainability principles, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.
Lilium N.V (Nasdaq: LILM), the developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing ("eVTOL") jet, has appointed Senior Lilium Executive Dominique Decard to head the eVTOL industry's first Customer Service organization, named Lilium POWER-ON. Today, at the Singapore Air Show, the company announced its newly established business unit that will offer the full aircraft manufacturer services portfolio, including training services, maintenance operations, material and battery management and global distribution, flight operations support, ground service equipment, and digital solutions.
Work began on Lilium POWER-ON, two years ahead of the Lilium Jet's expected entry into service. Lilium already announced a number of partnerships for its services business, including flight training with Lufthansa Aviation Training and FlightSafety International, and global material services with AJW Group, as well as digital aircraft health management solutions with Palantir.
"As we officially launch Lilium POWER-ON, our priority will be to test the full range of products and services to support our future operators during Lilium flight testing campaign and continue to contract and onboard the best partners for our working ecosystem", said Dominique Decard. "The services revenue and contribution margins will play a crucial role in Lilium's profitability. I am excited to lead this organization from the very beginning with a clear vision for our customers."
Lilium began production of the Lilium Jet in late 2023, following Lilium's Design Organization Approval by EASA, evidencing that the company has the organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated rigor required to certify aircraft according to the highest safety standards.
Dominique Decard is a Franco-German engineer, with degrees from TU Munich and Oxford University. He has 20 years of experience in senior leadership positions in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK in airline operations, the creation of production platforms and new business models, customer support organizations, and market entry strategy development. He joined Lilium in 2018 and is currently VP Flight Operations & Customer Service, having previously served as Director Flight Test Spain. In his new role, he will report to Lilium's Chief Commercial Officer, Sebastien Borel.
Airbus Helicopters did a feasibility study in 2015 that concluded that an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could reach operating cost targets and safety requirements to be certified for public use. The project was moved to its Airbus Urban Mobility unit in 2018, taking advantage of company's resources in civil aircraft development and certification (Airbus Commercial Aircraft), vertical flight (Airbus Helicopters) and power systems (Airbus Defence & Space).
The CityAirbus technology demonstrator is a multi-passenger (however, there is no seating inside but is a large enough aircraft to hold passengers), full scale, autonomous piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle designed for urban air mobility. (Note: This design was superseded by the CityAirbus NextGen design in September 2021.)
Eight pitch rotors are powered by eight specially designed Siemens (now Rolls-Royce) SP200D direct-drive 100 kW units relying on four 140 kW batteries developed by Airbus' Defence and Space arm. The CityAirbus will carry up to four passengers with a cruise speed of 75 mph (120 km/h). The model currently will have 15 minutes of flight time. The vehicle is designed to fly autonomously. The four-carbon fiber ducted co-axial propeller configuration will contribute to a low acoustic footprint. Each duct provides 881 lb (400 kg) of thrust for a payload of up to 551 lb (250 kg).
Airbus plans for a high-volume production allowing for low cost units. The CityAirbus is designed to be environmentally friendly way. The first commercial flights will employ a pilot, allowing for an entry into the market before regulations or air traffic control systems have adapted to large autonomous vehicles. The vehicle will transfer to a pilotless system once these regulations are in place. The vehicle is intended for flying between fixed routes between critical transit hubs like downtown to an airport or seaport.
Ground tests were begun in 2018. An unpainted photo of the unmanned demonstrator was released on March 6, 2019, and the company conducted the official unveiling of the demonstrator in Ingolstadt, Germany, on March 11. A tweet on May 3 by the CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Bruno Even, announced that the aircraft had flown, and on Dec.1 2020 a video was released that showcased the flight of their demonstrator. Type certification and commercial introduction are planned for 2023.
Although the CityAirbus has a significant resemblance to the Italdesign/Airbus "Pop.Up Next" concept, these are separate projects.
The first unmanned tethered flight of Airbus' CityAirbus took place on May 3, 2019 at the Airbus Helicopters flight test facility in Donauwörth, Bavaria, Germany. While there was no official statement made by Airbus Helicopters and no videos released, Bruno Evan, CEO Airbus Helicopters, made a congratulatory tweet to the CityAirbus team on May 3, 2019. We confirmed with Rotor & Wing Magazine, through their direct communication with Airbus Helicopters, that the first flight date was 3 May 2019.
Surf Air Mobility Inc a leading green regional air mobility platform, and Electra.aeroInc. ("Electra"), a next-gen aerospace company, have joined forces to introduce affordable, sustainable, and easily accessible regional air travel to a broad customer base leveraging Electra's hybrid-electric short take-off and landing(eSTOL) aircraft on Surf Air's technology-driven, on-demand air mobility platform, and through Surf Air's Aircraft-as-a-Service (ACaaS) offering to air operators.
The agreement between Surf Air and Electra highlights several key points of collaboration:
? SurfAir secures preferred delivery positions on 90 eSTOL aircraft from Electra
? SurfAir and Electra will collaborate on the development of route networks to be served by Surf Air's air mobility network leveraging the Electra eSTOL aircraft
? SurfAir is the preferred lessor and provider of Electra eSTOL aircraft to Surf Air customers under its Aircraft-as-a-Service leasing program
? SurfAir, its data services partner(s), and Electra will collaborate on the development of predictive analytics systems to reduce overall operating costs and streamline operations.
"Electra stands out as one of the early market leaders in regional air mobility, and we're excited to bring them onto our platform. Their innovations around hybrid-electric, short takeoff and landing aircraft-which can essentially take off and land on a football field-sized space-will unlock tremendous opportunities within the changing landscape of regional air mobility. We intend to leverage our leading position to become the definitive launch platform for new advanced aircraft technologies such as Electra," said Stan Little, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Surf Air Mobility.
"As the country's largest commuter airline, Surf Air is at the forefront of addressing the growing demand for cleaner, more affordable and convenient travel options. Electra is pleased to partner with Surf Air in spearheading the decarbonization of regional business aviation through the integration of our eSTOL aircraft into their fleet," said John S. Langford, founder and CEO of Electra.
Traditionally, smaller regional Part 135 operators have not had the same access to aircraft funding options and software services as larger commercial air carriers. Surf Air's Aircraft-as-a-Service program is being designed to solve this problem and lower the barrier to entry by providing the necessary financing and software tools to enable a new generation of regional aircraft and air operators to launch, grow, and optimize their businesses.
In addition to supporting the growth and distribution of innovative sustainable aircraft, such as the Electra eSTOL, Surf Air continues to develop its own electrified powertrain technology for the Cessna GrandCaravan aircraft whose development is supported by an exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation. Surf Air will use its platform to bring the electrified Caravan aircraft to market on a global scale, thus proving what it can do for other aircraft makers as well.
"With billions of dollars being invested into the regional and advanced air mobility space, it's becoming increasingly important for a solution that can on-ramp new technologies and get them into the hands of operators as quickly and safely as possible," said Jamie Strecker, VP of Business Development for Surf Air Mobility. "Through our air mobility platform and our Aircraft-as-a-Service program, we believe we can accelerate Electra's eSTOL aircraft time to market."
20 FEBRUARY 1996
Death of Jeffrey Kindersley Quill OBE AFC FRAeS, British WWII RAF officer, RNVR officer and Test pilot. He test-flew every mark of Spitfire.
After succeeding Summers as Vickers' chief test pilot, Quill test-flew every mark of Spitfire. Quill's work on the aircraft aided its development from a promising but untried prototype to become, with the Hawker Hurricane, an instrument of the Royal Air Force's victory in the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire later played a leading role in gaining Allied air superiority over Europe.
Jeffrey Quill died at his home in the village of Andreas, Isle of Man, on 20 February 1996.He is buried in St Andrew's church yard, the church being near to the former fighter station RAF Andreas which operated Spitfires from 1941 to 1942.
After Jeffrey Quill's death in 1996 the British aviation society, the Air League, created a new award in his name, and since 1997 they have awarded the Jeffrey Quill Medal annually "for an outstanding contribution to the development of air-mindedness in Britain's youth".
South Africa, Middelburg Airfield (FAMB), Middelburg, Mpumalanga: An Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros overshot runway 32 during a take-off attempt from Middelburg Airfield (FAMB), Middelburg, Mpumalanga, went through a fence and stopped in a field. The pilot suffered various cuts and contusions as well a broken jaw. The aircraft received substantial damage.
South Africa, Baragwanath Airfield (FASY), Gauteng: A Cessna 172K Skyhawk was involved in an accident near the threshold of runway 13 at Baragwanath Airfield (FASY), Gauteng. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft was conducting circuits when it entered a stall/spin during a go-around.
USA, Harry P Williams Memorial Airport (PTN/KPTN), Patterson, LA: The aircraft, an Experimental Pulsar 1, was consumed by fire subsequent to impact with airport terrain during an emergency landing attempt at Harry P Williams Memorial Airport (PTN/KPTN), Patterson, Louisiana. The sole pilot onboard the Amateur Built single engine airplane received unspecified injuries.
Venezuela, between Obispo Ramos de Lora and Andrés Bello, Mérida: A Bell 206 JetRanger, operating for Corpoelec, crashed in a mountainous zone between Obispo Ramos de Lora and Andrés Bello, about 30km from El Vigía, Mérida, while doing an inspection on electrical wires. It was also carrying electrical implements/tools supposedly for maintenance. All three on board escaped unharmed and the helicopter received substantial damage.
USA, Fond Du Lac County Airport (FLD/KFLD), Fond du Lac, WI: A Mooney M20TN Acclaim ran off the runway at Fond du Lac County Airport (FLD/KFLD), Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, while trying to avoid a deer and suffered a prop strike and gear collapse. The pilot and passenger and a pet dog were not injured and the aircraft received substantial damage.
Brazil, Lake in Porto Novo, Goianésia, Pará: A Robinson R44 Raven II had an accident on the 19th, in Pará, and after searches it was found submerged on the 21st. The bodies of the three occupants were found by teams of divers and firefighters, in the region of an island in Porto Novo, which belongs to the municipality of Goianésia do Pará.
A busy Saturday morning flying
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