South African has had a long and happy relationship with the Airbus H145 series and its pre-genitors. In its MBB BK-117 form the helicopter was the mainstay of SA Police operations in the urban centres, where two engine safety was considered essential. Since then the type has undergone many improvements,Read More →
On Misinformation Patience and Grace. Darren Olivier It has become a running joke that the general public, and much of the media, will always assume the worst of the South African Air Force (SAAF), and of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a whole. “Damned if you do,Read More →
Guy Leitch asks the question in his Attitude for Altitude column. For years I have moaned about how crappy piston aircraft engines are. They are prohibitively expensive, yet have antiquated technology and are far less efficient and reliable than modern car engines. The modern car now has mature technology engineRead More →
Is it as bad as they claim?Darren Olivier – Defence Editor Reflections on Inkwazi Inkwazi, the South African Air Force’s Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) used for VIP transport, has been reliably racking up the flying hours this year. In just the past two weeks before writing this column it flewRead More →
In 2016 musician, Michael Ferguson and commercial Pilot Felix Gosher joined forces to offer underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the joys of flight, a privilege that many of us take for granted. The initiative was inspired by a song by Michael, ‘Paper Plane’ about a young boy with aRead More →
The piston twin is making a comeback. In the 1980s, under the pressures of high maintenance and high Avgas prices, the demand for piston twins collapsed in the face of Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC-12 turbines. But now, the value proposition of a 40-year old piston twin is once againRead More →
Airlink, has unveiled a distinctive special-liveried new addition to its fleet . The newly acquired Embraer E195 jetliner, which now sports a classy jet-black paint scheme, debuted on a test flight at O.R. Tambo International Airport this morning and will soon operate on Airlink’s main domestic and regional trunk services.Read More →
Johannesburg (Monday, 10th July 2023) – That reassuring bump as the landing gear hits the tarmac, is something that most air passengers take for granted. This complex piece of equipment ensures a safe landing every time the aircraft hits the runway.In line with its dedication to safety standards, South AfricanRead More →
AERO South AfricaThe AERO General & Recreational Aviation exhibition takes place at Wonderboom airport 6 – 8 July 2023, and follows the successful format established since 2019, also based on the European AERO Friedrichshafen Exhibition. Most of the key general aviation manufacturers will be represented by their local agents. AbsoluteRead More →
Following on from our SA Flyer report in April, one of notorious plane salesman Piet van Blerk’s victims was Denise Hellman – a grandmother who bought a new Cirrus SR-22. The South African high court found in favour of Denise Hellman in an action against the aircraft’s financier. The matterRead More →
