The embattled charter company that operated a helicopter that crashed in January, killing Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others, has blamed two air traffic controllers for the accident. In a cross-complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week, Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. allegedRead More →
The Denel Rooivalk AH-2 is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for “Red Falcon”. Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation (a predecessor of Denel Aviation). The first Rooivalk was officially handed over in April 2011, and are flown by 16 Squadron, AFB Bloemspruit (Bloemfontein). Development The South African Defence Force recognised theRead More →
Photo supplied by UNT Libraries Special Collections “They are hovering a few feet off the ground during its first flight. This particular prototype is the basis for the Bell 47 series, which includes the familiar model with the cockpit encased in a bubble of glass and the tail with exposed weldedRead More →
Airbus Helicopters’ five-bladed H145 has been certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), clearing the way for customer deliveries towards the end of summer 2020. The certification covers the full range of capabilities, including single-pilot and instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL), along with nightRead More →
This wonderful photograph celebrates two things – the pending ending of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic – and the invaluable work of the firefighting helicopters. After a storm over Stellenbosch the sun broke through and created this magically biblical rainbow over the Hottentots Holland mountains. Charmaine Jackson, matriarch of the famedRead More →
The December holiday season in South Africa can be a most merry time, full of braais, cooling off around the pool and slow, special moments with family. For me the December break is also a great opportunity for extra flying. Not only is the security industry at its busiest, keepingRead More →
This month I’m taking a slightly different tack to my normal – away from the adrenaline of playing cops and robbers – to show a different side of flying: The beautiful side. Whenever I have the opportunity to take someone on their first helicopter flight, I start by explaining aRead More →
Most of the time, flying helicopters is pretty mundane. I cruise overhead, busy with a particular project or task and watch people commute to work, from my little cockpit office. You see, helicopter pilots are normal people too, you know! We have jobs, homes and families, gardens, pets and allRead More →
