Time of Accident ±1800Z Type of Aircraft PIPER PA 34-200T Type of Operation Private Pilot-in-command License Type: Commercial  Age 24 License Valid Yes PIC Experience Total Flying Hours 1064.0  Hours on Type: 354.3 Departure Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (FAKN) Intended landing Piet Retief Aerodrome (FAPF) Accident site Runway 15 –Read More →

Defenceweb reports that South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation given a tour of Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies. The delegation comprised key representatives from Denel and the South African Air Force (SAAF). The SAAF delegation wasRead More →

In 2024 Boeing delivered 180 fewer commercial aircraft than 2023 after a year which began with the door plug failure on an Alaska Airline 737-9 Max.  Boeing has reported that for the year 348 passenger jets were delivered to customers and there were just 57 in the last quarter.  ThisRead More →

Guy Leitch There are some things about flying which fill me with awe and wonder. Flight is the most beautiful synthesis of physics and dreams. I get all choked when I hear the music from the twelve organ pipes of a Rolls Royce Merlin. SpaceX has the ability to regularlyRead More →

This month’s column closes off 2024. The year has flown by quickly and by the time you are reading this column you will already be well through the first month of the New Year! Befitting December’s status as a holiday month where South Africans traditionally take time off and companiesRead More →

Glenn Poley Sometimes pilots get the special privilege of seeing something that is beyond the reach of mere earth-bound mortals. The brief appearance of a comet in late January was one such remarkable event. Captain Glenn Poley was at FL380 on 22 January, at top of descent for Cape Town,Read More →

Megan Stevenson Wilbur Wright said,  ‘It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.’ Pilot knowledge and skill are human factor concepts that have been researched and refined over the decades. When it comes to a proficient pilot, there is little dispute that a calm demeanour,Read More →

SPINNING Jim Davis I have been doing some long-range mentoring of a new instructor. I called her the other night to find out how she was getting on with her patter and preparation for the flight test. She had been due to patter spinning in a little C152 and IRead More →

Guy Leitch with Murray Kester Due to the huge value and the irreplaceable nature of a real Spitfire, very few select pilots will ever get the opportunity to pilot the real thing. For lesser mortals there is the option to build and fly your own replica. This is what AustralianRead More →