The cargo compartment smoke warning came as a surprise. This was a heavy-weight take-off, well above maximum landing weight and the aircraft was not even through a thousand feet above ground level (AGL). Air Traffic Control were informed of the intention to return immediately. The ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitoring)Read More →
It is reputed that the Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter was designed by a committee of six Swiss farmers to carry hay into the high Alps, so that they could keep their cattle up there for longer. They knew pretty well what a hay cart looked like but didn’t know muchRead More →
SAA is leasing two A350-900s from Hainan Airlines and two from Air Mauritius. The leases are all three year sub-leases and we can only hope that SAA acquired them at singularly competitive rates as the original client airlines no longer wanted them. By the time you read this SAA shouldRead More →
There is little chance of contradiction if you were to say that the name Scully Levin is immediately familiar to every aviation enthusiast in South Africa and also to many around the world. In his long career he has epitomised the level of professionalism to which most aviation enthusiasts aspire.Read More →
Aviation authorities the world over have the responsibility of overseeing aviation safety and security as well as developing the aviation industries in their countries. Aviation safety and the development of aviation are two things that are mostly at loggerheads with each other: a terrific safety record can be achieved byRead More →
Wednesday afternoons were not for golf, but for aerobatics. The weather was good, my Pitts Special gleamed in the sun and I was determined to be the new SA National Champion. So I used every possible moment to practice. The radio in my Pitts had developed a problem that requiredRead More →
The Hawker-Siddley125 range was around for so long that many corporate flight departments tend to overlook it in favour of new and far more expensive biz-jets. And then in 2013 Hawker stopped building it, so now only exceptionally smart operators know how good it is. I was surprised when myRead More →
Due to its history, the Goodwood Revival is more a historic motor racing event than an airshow. But Goodwood still is a very pleasant and fully functional airfield and so during the motoring events they also host a spectacular display of flying and static historic aircraft. The airfield was builtRead More →
This report was compiled in the interests of promoting aviation safety and reduction of the risk of aviation accidents or incidents and not to establish legal liability. SYNOPSIS On 23 July 2006, the aircraft took off from Worcester Aerodrome on a private flight to Grabouw Private Aerodrome. When the aircraftRead More →
Survey Flying – This type of flying can be particularly satisfying because the benefits of accurate piloting and navigation are clearly reflected in the results. In the ‘60s before the advent of modern technology such as satellites, drones, Lidar and related software most survey work was done using aircraft ofRead More →
