June was a bit slower than the past few months with just ten additions and eight cancellations from the register.
This month we only have one regional jet, a former Mesa Airlines operated Bombardier CRJ900 ZS-CAU (41051) registered to Cemair. It is interesting that, if this is a new Cemair operated plane, it is not suing their usual ZS-CM* registration block. Unfortunately we are not given ownership details due to POPIA Act constraints but will soon see if my assumption is correct.
Two Cessnas are the only other type-certified planes registered this month: A Cessna 185F Skywagon II, ZS-YOO (18503954) and a Cessna 182T ZS-KLV (18283293). ZS-KLV is a brand new plane delivered to Lanseria recently and mentioned in the May Register Review.
Three helicopters were registered this month, including a Robinson R44 Raven II and a 1994 model AS350B2 Squirrel imported from the UK where it was registered G-SDII. However, it would seem to be no ordinary Squirrel but instead a Soloy converted AS350 D2 model, powered by an upgraded Lycoming LTS 101-700 engine. This engine upgrade offers better hot and high capabilities from the base B2 model, with the added benefit of reduced fuel burn.
A Schweizer 300C helicopter is also registered as ZT-RLO. These distinctive looking helicopters used to be the game capture industry’s first choice of aerial platform but their number have dwindled over time so it’s great to see another being registered in SA.
Non Type certified
Four new aircraft join the Non-Type Certified category. These include two very interesting ones: the first is a four seat SAAB 91D Safir ZU-SWE (91436). This Safir was previously American based and registered N91SB but painted in the livery of the Dutch Rijksluchtvaartschool with large Dutch registration PH-RLY applied. It is not clear if this plane then took up this Dutch registration as it was apparently cancelled from the American civil aircraft register as exported to Belgium. Perhaps the new owner can contact SA Flyer and clear up its recent past history prior to it being imported into South Africa.
A batch of former Ethiopian Air Force SAAB Safirs were imported into South Africa in the early 1990s by a local aircraft collector. Several of these were subsequently restored and flown in South Africa, but few seem to still remain airworthy so it’s great to see a new one gracing our skies!
I am also pleased to see another Antonov An-2, ZU-JCA (1G22025), being registered in South Africa. More than 13,000 An-2s and derivative models were assembled at the WSK-PZL Mielec plant in Poland between 1959-2002 making it one of the most produced aircraft types ever built. Many of these big, graceful biplanes remain in service to this day in both civilian and military applications and a few are operated by local owners that can afford the An-2’s 1000 hp nine cylinder Shvetsov ASh-62 radial engine’s thirst for fuel – and oil!
The remaining fixed wing this month is a Johan Strydom RV-10, ZU-JCC. This is clearly a kit-built example with a nod to its builder’s name, as per SACAA custom.
Finally, another AS341G Gazelle helicopter, ZU-RJG (1012) is registered. These first-generation Aerospatiale-built helicopters are very popular in South Africa as private transports while several have also been sold on to military users, including Libya. This particular example was manufactured in 1973 and delivered to a Japanese client before being exported to the USA and finally the UK where it flew as G-ZLLE until its recent arrival in South Africa.
Eight aircraft were cancelled from the register in June. Zambia is a popular destination for South African aircraft and this month three aircraft have been transferred to Zambian registry. The first is a former Airlink Jetstream 41 ZS-NRG that was sold to Proflight Zambia following its retirement from service with the South African regional carrier. The plane was delivered new and handed over by Queen Elizabeth to Airlink in 1995. It was retired in late 2023 and now gets a second lease on life as part of Proflight Zambia’s steadily growing fleet.
The other two cancellations to Zambia are an elderly Cessna 172, ZS-CFE and a Cessna 182RG, ZS-KDV (R182-00418).
A bit of house cleaning sees the former Anglo American operated Dornier 328 ZS-IOC (3219) being cancelled as “destroyed”. This turboprop was withdrawn from use several years ago after running a shuttle service to the Northern Cape mining town of Sishen, in support of its iron ore mining operations there. The last four letters of the registration was a nod to its ownership – Sishen Iron Ore Company. The airframe was stripped for spares and I was told still remains somewhere in the Denel complex at OR Tambo International Airport.
A third turboprop cancelled this month is a Beechcraft Kingair 200, ZS-PPZ (BB-419), which was exported to Mauritius. Perhaps our readers can let me know its new Mauritian registration? The last type-certified cancellation this month is one of the world class, home-grown, Jonker Sailplanes, ZS-GIY (1C-039) that has been exported to the USA.
A Sling 4 ZU-IYL (263SK) has also been cancelled as exported to the USA. The last entry this month is the cancellation from the register, due to scrapping, of a Velocity ZU-DZU (DMO 370). It would seem plans to restore her to flying condition were finally scrapped.
This brings to a close the June Register Review and I look forward to seeing what new types next month’s updates bring.
NEW REGISTRATIONS
ZS-REGISTRATIONS (TCA)
Registration Registration Date Aircraft Manufacturer Aircraft Model Serial Number
ZS-YOO 26/06/2025 Cessna Aircraft Company A185F 03954
ZS-CAU 06/06/2025 Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2D24 15038
ZS-KLV 04/06/2025 Textron Aviation Inc. 182T 18283293
ZT-REGISTRATIONS (HELICOPTERS)
Registration Registration Date Aircraft Manufacturer Aircraft Model Serial Number
ZT-RLO 18/06/2025 Schweizer Aircraft Corp. 269C-1 0195
ZT-HBZ 11/06/2025 Eurocopter AS 350 B2 2825
ZT-HBK 05/06/2025 Robinson Helicopter Co. R44 II 14861
ZU-REGISTRATIONS
Registration Registration Date Aircraft Manufacturer Aircraft Model Serial Number
ZU-SWE 26/06/2025 Svenska Aeroplane SAAB 91D Safir 91,436
ZU-JCC 12/06/2025 Johan Strydom RV-10 42487
ZU-JCA 10/06/2025 WSK PZL Mielic An-2 1G22025
ZU-RJG 06/06/2025 Aerospatiale Industries SA 341 G 1012
EXPORTED
ZS-REGISTRATIONS (TCA)
Registration De-Registration Date Aircraft Manufacturer Aircraft Model Serial Number Country of Export/Reason for Cancellation
ZS-CFE 02/06/2025 Cessna Aircraft Company 172 29802 Zambia
ZS-GIY 25/06/2025 Jonker Sailplanes CC JS1C 18/21 1C-039 USA
ZS-IOC 03/06/2025 Dornier Deutsche Aerospace Dornier 328-300 3219 Destroyed
ZS-KDV 05/06/2025 Cessna Aircraft Company R182 R182-00418 Zambia
ZS-NRG 09/06/2025 Jetstream Aircraft 4100 41051 Zambia
ZS-PPZ 11/06/2025 Beech Aircraft Corporation 200 BB-419 Mauritius
ZU-REGISTRATIONS
Registration De-Registration Date Aircraft Manufacturer Aircraft Model Serial Number Country of Export/Reason for Cancellation
ZU-DZU 06/06/2025 Velocity/Gessl AM 173 RG-E DMO 370 Scrapped
ZU-IYL 10/06/2025 Glen Oliver Sling 4 TSi 263SK USA