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 →
Twenty two thousand flying hours. Think for a moment, of how much in terms of training, exercising, and operational flying it would allow for. Now consider this: That’s how many funded hours have been cut from the South African Air Force’s budget compared to a decade ago. Ten years ago,Read More →
Boeing has created a new safety committee to oversee both design and manufacturing in a move the company said reaffirms its “longstanding commitment to aerospace safety and the safety of its products and services.” Called the Aerospace Safety Committee (ASC), this permanent office will be headed by retired Admiral EdmundRead More →
‘There is no such thing as a stupid question’ is a statement I often make while talking to the public about flying, or when briefing students during a simulator session or an elementary training flight at Lanseria. Well, I lied. There is no shortage of stupid questions – but everythingRead More →
The pleasure – albeit transient – of owning a brand spanking new aircraft has become exponentially more expensive and thus out of the reach of many. The benefit of this for South Africa’s thankfully still deep repository of skills in aviation maintenance is a thriving industry refurbishing old aircraft. ITRead More →
70 Years in Africa. The Aeronca Sedan is one of those rare classics, appreciated by those in the know. A direct competitor to the Cessna C170, it does almost everything better, with a wonderfully spacious four-place cabin and a fabulous wing that likes to fly slow so well it doesn’tRead More →
Low flying is exhilarating and something that plenty of pilots do – or are tempted to do. Many pilots have come to grief carrying out low level manoeuvres when testosterone took over and attempts were being made to impress girlfriends. In the air force low-flying is taught as an exercise.Read More →
This report was compiled in the interest of promoting aviation safety and not to establish legal liability. SYNOPSIS The aircraft departed Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB) at approximately 12h00Z with five occupants onboard for a flight to Sishen. After being airborne for approximately two hours they joined overhead Sishen aerodrome at 2000Read More →
I had just returned to my drafting board with my first cup of Monday tea, when our receptionist delivered a telegram clearly marked URGENT PRIORITY from the DCA inviting me to tea – it was actually a disguised formal demand that could not be refused. I went cold as IRead More →
At last, after a full year of flying, studying, and exams, I was ready for my PPL Check-ride. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows – I was feeling the butterflies, big time. No use denying I was excited. But my excitement was mixed with a full measure of apprehensionRead More →
