Monthly Archives: August 2018
SAAF 75 Airshow Program
SAAF 75 Airshow Program
As part of the celebrations to commemorate the SAAF’s 75th year of existence, a military airshow and aerospace expo were held at FAWK from 4 to 7 October 1995 (4 and 5 trade days; 6 and 7 public days). It was this show that indicated that there was a need for a combined military and civilian exhibition and that paved the way for the eventual merger of the Aviation Africa and Dexsa exhibitions.
Exhibitors included Aerospatiale; Aerosud (Super Mirage F1); Aerotek, the CSIR; ATE; CASA; Dassault Aviation; Denel (Atlas Aviation, Eloptro, Kentron, LIW, PMP); Eurocopter Southern Africa; Execujet; Reutech; Rolls-Royce; and the Smirnoff aerobatic team.
Air forces/military aircraft included Australia (Orion); Canada (Boeing CC-137); France (Mirage 2000B, Transall); Malaysia (Hercules); Portugal (Hercules); Russia [An-124 and Il-76 (Aeroflot), Mig-29, Su-30/35]; South Africa [DC-4 (previously 44 Squadron); Mirage F1CZ (previously 3 Squadron); 1 Squadron (Mirage F1AZ); 2 Squadron (Cheetah D); 17 Squadron (Oryx); 21 Squadron (Falcon 50, Mercurius); 28 Squadron (Hercules); 35 Squadron (King Air); 41 Squadron (Grand Caravan); 44 Squadron (C-47TP); 60 Squadron (Boeing 707); 86 Multi Engine Flying School (CN235M); Central Flying School (Astra); Museum (Mirage IIICZ, Shackleton); Silver Falcons (Impala)]; Spain (CN235); Swaziland (Arava); United Kingdom [BAe Hawk 100 (demo aircraft), Hawks (Red Arrows aerobatic team), Nimrod, Sentry]; and the United States [USAF F-16; C-141 and
KC-10A (AMC); USAFE F-15; USN (Orion)].
Source: http://www.aviationpics.co.za/
SAAF 75 Program page 1
SAAF 75 Program page 2
SAAF 75 Program page 3
Bethlehem Free State Airshow 2018
Central South Africa in the town of Bethlehem took to the Dihlabeng skies on August 25th,with their annual airshow.This show is always known as one of the colder airshows on the airshow circuit,but the crowds still flocked to the Airshow to see some of the top aerobatic and airshow display performers on the South African Airshow scene. With the low cloud conditions in the morning of the show,some participants manged to get through the weather and made sure they wouldn’t miss the show.
Half scale Tucano
Friday the day before the show some of the pilots arrived as they made a full weekend of the show. Little Annie provided short flips for the youth who have never tasted the thrill of flight. Little Annie is definitely flown a lot of the youth at small town Airshows. These guys are truly making an impact of the youth and are sure creating future pilots for South Africa.
Young Aviator
The Capital Sounds team provided the sound and information on each aircraft on the day,thanks to Leon Du Plessis, Col Keith Fryer, Elvis Manene, Ricky Fouche,’Lappies’ Labuschangne and Francios Schutte. Safety Directors were none other then col Francios ‘Hosepipe’ Hanekom and Pete Graham. Ramp Boss kept the aircraft safe out of the ramp in charge was Col Keith Andrews and Nigel Musgrave.
Capital Sounds Team
The show started off with a gyrocopter display flown by Matt Zalewski,the AN2 ‘Little Annie’ was tasked at taking the eleven Skydivers though the thick clouds,their canopy appeared through them as they were opened. The Brakpan based Randolph sponsored Boeing Stearman was up next flown by Boeing Captain Ivan Van Der Schaar. The sleek line on the canvas made great photo oppurtnities. Team Extreme were up next with their always high impact show. The two Pitts Teams the Cows and Goodyear Eagles put on their high energy aerobatic sequence. Little Annie the AN2 completed a polished display and then decided to race a tractor, something new to the airshow scene. The Puma Flying Lions flew a three-ship display.
Gyrocopter
Paradrop from ‘Little Annie’
Boeing Stearman
Team Extreme
Jason Beamish
The Cows Taillifts Team
Goodyear Eagles Pitts S2B
‘Little Annie’ AN2 ZU-JLM
Little Annie racing a tractor
A Trubo Thrush did a water bombing demo and Bell 222 from Henely Air, provided a near ‘Airwolf’ movie scene with the roar of the blade3s beating through the skies. Conrad Botha and Andrew Blackwood Murray provided solo aerobatic sequences.
Turbo Thrush
Bell 222
Slick 360
Nashua Extra 300
Thanks to Stephan Fourie and Khotso on another Bethlehem Airshow. See you next year!
Free Flight school listing
Attention All Flight schools or Aviation Academies
We at Aviation Central are running a campaign to help making young and old wanting to enter the Aviation industry life easier by having a list of schools and academies available to them on Facebook and then internet. This will run on our website and shared to our Facebook page.
Flight school listing on Aviation Central
Example of what the listing will look like
We are compiling a list of Flight / Aviation related schools in Southern Africa, to be added to the listing is Completely FREE! We are the perfect platform for this list as we are the Aviation related Facebook page with the most likes and followers in southern Africa (Excluding the Airlines) and most of our audience are the Aviation loving public. This include the Public that wants to enter the Aviation industry. This New Pilots, Cabin crew or any other Aviation related entity. The listing will be on our website, with a pinned link to our Facebook page. (Our Facebook page has the most visibility over our website)
Information we need from you to add you to our listing.
Name:
Province:
City / Airport:
Phone
Email:
Website:
Comments: (Max 20 words)
To add your School to the listing, please email the above information to Flightschools@aviationcentral.co.za
For those requiring more visibility R500pm
We will have 8 advertisement spaces on the directly listing page (On the sides of the listing table) where we will be placing an image adverts (Provided by you) with a routing to your website when someone clicks on the image. We will once a Month post that image on our Facebook page with a link to your website and or Facebook side. You are welcome to send us 50-100 words text to include with the posting of your Advertisement image. For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za
Flight School Event share on Facebook R150 per share (e.g. Open day)
Are your school hosting an event where you want maximum public awareness?
Create an Facebook event page or send us a link to a website containing the event information, send us 50-100 words text to go along with the share and we will share your event for you. For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za
Rent our Facebook cover image R150 per day
For Maximum Facebook exposure
As mentioned earlier, we are the perfect platform for this list as we are the Aviation related Facebook page with the most likes and followers in southern Africa (Excluding the Airlines) and most of our audience are the Aviation loving public. This include the Public that wants to enter the Aviation industry.
Our Facebook page is extremely busy and being official Media Partner to Africa Aerospace and Defense, running the official Airshow pages for Swartkop (SAAF Museum airshow) and Rand Airshow also increases our Facebook page visibility. Aviation Central Facebook book page has a Daily page reach of 40 000+ Facebook users (During peak airshow season this goes up to over 100k per day) We have an active “Likes” of 25 000 + (Aug 2018). For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za
*Please note that Aviation Events, e.g. Airshows, Fly-in’s and competitions will get preference on double bookings.
Kind Regards
Flippie van Emmenis
Aviation Central
081 270 4430
Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018
Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018
Sunday the 19th August we were kindly invited to join up with SANPARKS officials to embark on a media excursion to the Kruger National Park.We were privileged to see certain things that the average person doesn’t experience as a visitor in the Kruger on a daily basis.There are major behind the scenes personnel and equipment that keeps the Kruger National Park flowing to protect most certainly its Wildlife,which brings many foreign visitors to see aninals,plant and birdlife face to face!
The conservation efforts in the park are extremely well underway to Anti-poaching operations,where we all know the brutal rhino poaching is taking part in the Kruger and many other Game Reserves around Southern Africa.The Kruger is not just suffering from losing its Rhinos,but aswell as many Elephants,Pangolin and other sort after game.
After a 3am wake-up call we were in convoy from Kruger Gate near Skukuza(The main camp in the Kruger National Park) and home to many operational centres of the park,such as the Skukuza Airport,Veterinary Clinic,ect.We made our way in OSV(open safari vehicles) towards Tshokwane picnic spot which is a half way house to Satara,we continued to the east of Tshokwane where we found the game capture unit waiting to conduct a game capture operation.The chossen area the ramgers and vets sort out for to capture Wildebeest to relocate them to The Mozambique’s Zinave National Park, over the years suffered a major loss of their wildlife and even having most of their wildlife extinct in certain areas,from many years of war.
A Airbus H125 “Squirrel” Helicopter was also part of the capture of game as the helicopter is equiped with a sound device divert the game into the “Boma” to Capture for relocation.The time spentbin the air for diverting game into the “Boma” is alot more quick and versitle then a diversion from a land vehicle.This operation takes alot of personal working as a team to insure the capture of atleast 20 animals that were saw captured are not over stressed or hurt as well as the members of the operation.
Once completed and all animals have been allocated to the trucks,they were transported through the border for a 26 Hour journey to the Mozambique’s Zinave National Park.
The journey continued towards Satara,we were buzzed over by a Bathawk as light sport aircraft manufactured in South Africa,many of these aircraft have now been delivered to the Kruger National Park.The Bathawk is supplied as a complete ready to fly aircraft. The aircraft complies with the ASTM2245 Build Standard rules and regulations as well as South African Civil Aviation Type Approval.
It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration open cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
As a conventional 3-axis light sport aircraft LSA, the Bat Hawk does not rely on pilot weight shift to affect control. Twin seats are positioned side by side for full dual control and both crew members are well protected from the weather by an aerodynamic fibreglass pod and large wrap-around windshield.We were able to get to know pilot and section Ranger of Letaba,Andrew Desment who was injured in 2013 during shootout with poachers in the park.
Satara Airstrip is also a private charter hub for aircraft bringing guests to the park and Singitas private lodge not far from Satara.We were welcomed by a Pilatus PC12, another Pc12 arrived shortly after and a Cessna Grand Caravan.
We then made our way to Skukuza Airport where we got a tour of the Majoc area and the SANPARKS airwing home to four H125 ‘Squirels’ and 2 Cessna aircraft.Our final day saw us at the K9 unit near pretoriuskop,There are currently 54 working dogs based at Kruger National Park’s dog unit trained in tracking firearms and animal products such as pangolin scales, ivory, and rhino horn, says Pretoriuskop section ranger Craig Williams.
World class technology at AAD2018
World class technology returns next month when Africa’s Aerospace and Defence (ADD2018) takes place at the Air Force Base Waterkloof from September 19-23.
Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa chief executive Leon Dillman said the event was a must for everyone.
Dillman said this year’s exhibition had already created enough excitement to attract countries like Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and South Korea to participate in the multi-national exhibition for the first time.
“Guests will have an opportunity to see one of the best air shows on this continent.
“We have not just local but international participations and various civil acts. We are also planning to have a huge grand finale for the closing event, that’s going to be a first for us – but I cannot talk about it at this stage,” he said.
City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said Tshwane was proud to be hosting this year’s exhibition yet again and he was confident it would not be the last.
“The City has invested close to R2million in this and we are hopeful to have spin-off in terms of the economy and in terms of destination marketing for our tourism industry.
“We are not going to only have local people but international delegates and business people because this is a mega event that cuts across South African borders and reaches the entire continent,” he said.
Mashigo was particularly impressed that the organisers had assured him they were reaching out to disadvantaged communities to experience defence exhibitions throughout the year, and they would do the same for ADD2018.
Dillman said the first three days of the event would be be trade days for business-to-business deals, sales, networking and marketing.
Members of the public were invited to take along their children on the public days on September 22 and 23.
ADD2018 is expected to host 90 official delegations from 47 countries, 100 military and civilian aircraft and 450 accredited local and international media.
This included numerous exhibitions from 37 countries, 35000 trade visitors and at least 80000 general public visitors.
Numerous companies have confirmed specific aircraft they will be exhibiting, and the number is still growing.
We have inside information that those who wait the 17:00 On the Sunday will experience something very spectacular.
Organizers encouraged members of the public to download the AAD Expo 2018 application which is already available on Android and Apple. The app will allow users to live stream the air show and access daily content.
The Media was taken for a flight in a SAAF CASA 212 from 44 Squadron over Hartesbeesport Dam.
Read more on AAD here
Photos by Johan Stephens
Click to enlarge photos
Grand Rand Airshow 2018
Grand Rand Airshow 2018
By Koos Smit
Sunday the morning of the 19th August 2018,The Grand Rand Airshow was ready to entertain the crowds of a pure ‘Jozi’ Airshow with the magnificent backdrop of the Johannesburg central business district.A few clouds were present but it wasn’t long until they were burnt off to make way for the ever eager airshow crowd, with Rand Airshow each year its placed on a Sunday to accommodate more people to enjoy the ever exciting Rand Airshow. This show is also lucky to have most display aircraft based at Rand.
The show was opened by the Queenstown based De Havilland Rapide flown by Captain Flippie Vermulen,he was accompanied by three De havilland Chipmunks with one of the ‘Chippys’ painted with a yellow ‘D-day’ color scheme very similar to the other aircraft in the formation. The Just Love Mission’s AN2 ‘Little Annie’ was tasked to take the eleven skydivers up to their required height to jump,at the same time their is no room for error as Rand is very close to OR Tambo’s busy airspace. Two chipmunks were then in the display box to continue with their duo display while the AN2 climbed and reported ready for the jump.
Brian Emmenis and his team from Capital sounds added their professionalism to the crowd in providing sound and information on each pilot and aircraft flying on the day of the show.
The mass radial display got airborne with aircraft comprising of Harvards, A T28 Trojan and a Beech 18.Once all the aircraft had joined into formation they flew over head the crowd to show and hear the roar of the mighty radial engine. The Randolph sponsored Boeing Stearman flown by Comair Boeing 737 Captain Ivan van der Schaar brought more gentle aerobatics to the sole surviving Boeing Stearman display on the South African Airshow circuit. The ever popular Puma Flying Lions flew the best display at their home base, they later joined up with four other Harvards to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the ‘Pilot Maker’. The Harvard flew first on the 1 April 1935 and was retired from the South African Airforce in 1995.
Henley Air showed off their Helicopter hardware consisting of five Bell 222s flying in close formation, the deep thud could be felt far into the distance from the airport. Menno Parsons flew his Bell 407, he really showed what this chopper can do. He teamed up then with Nigel Hopkins in the Extra 330 and showed both fixed wing and chopper can hover. Team Extreame flew their high energy aerobatics with some aircraft never been seen in that formation.That being Barrie Eeles Extra 330. The T28 Trojan was flown by Jason Beamish and a welcome sight to have a T28 flying at an Airshow for the first time this year.Patrick Davidson flew his Red Bull Sbach which he flew up all the way from Port Elizabeth.
Elton Bondi flew Andrew Blackwood Murray’s Nashua Branded Extra 300, he joined up with Barrie Eles in Blue Extra 330The Goodyear Eagles with their Pitts S2Bs and the Taillifts flying Cows added to the ironic Pitts displays on the day. Veteran Airshow pilot Glen Wraden showed off the only jet action apart from the 737, The L29 showed off the sleek lines of the early soviet era jet trainer. The Mango 737-800 flown by Captain Rodney Chinn flew tight in the busy airspace around. Great to see the ‘Heavies’ displaying at airshows. Team Rv flew their four-ship Rv display while the Gyro-copter added variety to the show flown by Matthew Zwolinski.
Large Presence of US Air force Aircraft at AAD2018
The United States Airforce have confirmed a number of aircraft that will be attending the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) at Airforce Base Waterkloof from the 19-23 September 2018.We can expect the following aircraft from this point of time.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries forward the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include medical evacuation and airdrop duties. It was designed to replace the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, and also fulfill some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, freeing the C-5 fleet for outsize cargo.
The C17 will be coming from the The New York Air National Guard.The New York Air National Guard (NY ANG) is the air force militia of the State of New York, United States of America. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard.
As state militia units, the units in the New York Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of New York though the office of the New York Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The New York Air National Guard is headquartered at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Glenville, NY, and its commander is Major General Verle Johnston.
C17
The Lockheed LC-130 is a ski-equipped United States Air Force variant of the C-130 Hercules used in the Arctic and Antarctic. Ten are currently in service with the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard.
LC-130
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 60 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian, and humanitarian aid operations. The Hercules has outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants. Fifteen nations have placed orders for a total of 300 C-130Js, of which 250 aircraft have been delivered as of February 2012.The C130J-30 will be coming from Ramstein Airforce base in Germany,Europe.
C130J-30
The Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. Both the KC-135 and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. It is the predominant variant of the C-135 Stratolifter family of transport aircraft. The KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratofreighter. The KC-135 was initially tasked with refueling strategic bombers, but was used extensively in the Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical fighters and bombers.This aircraft will be from the US Airforces in Europe.
KC135R Tanker
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon (formerly the Multimission Maritime Aircraft or MMA) is a military aircraft developed for the United States Navy (USN). The aircraft has been developed by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, modified from the 737-800ERX. The P-8 conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an early warning self-protection (EWSP) ability, otherwise known as electronic support measures (ESM).[8] This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It is able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. It is designed to operate in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle.The Boeing P-8 Poseidon will be making its South Africa debut for the first time ever. This aircraft will be coming from the US Navy Forces based in Europe.
We will also see the Airforce Band ‘Touch-n-Go” preform at #AAD2018.
P-8 Poseidon
Stay tuned to our website for more updates on aircraft participation for the next weeks to come.
SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04
SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04
The August winds brought the first flying day of the month of August,we were delighted to be invited to go fly in the SAAF Museum SA330 Puma helicopter, the sole surviving airworthy Museum Puma.We got airborne at 9.45am routing towards the east of Hartbeespoort Dam and the we headed back towards the Pretoria CBD, before landing back at AFB Swartkop.
SAAF Museum Puma Helicopter
Passenger View in the Puma Helicopter
Overhead Pretoria
The Flying day kicked off with some of the Pretoria Military Skydiving Club jumping out the Atlas C4M Kudu,as the skydivers made their way safely back towards the earths surface.Museum and Harvard club Harvard’s buzzed the skies above Swartkop with their usual distinct sound.Both the Alouette II and III flew towards the other side of the base,known as Snake Valley, practicing both auto rotation and hovering skills.
Museum Harvard
Alouette II
Alouette III
Puma Helicopter
The Bosbok, Kudu and the Museums two Cessna 185s,continued until the end of the flying days proceedings with circuits. This is all in the interest of giving current SAAF pilots the feel of the old compare with the newer aircraft pilots get to fly these days.
Atlas Kudu
Cessna 185
Cessna 185
The Spitfire Restoration was present with giving the opportunity for the public to help restore the Museums Spitfire. South African National Parks were also present and showing their support of our National parks and how they trying to combat the terrible rhino poaching occurring in the Kruger National Park.
The Windsock Café filled the tummies of many happy visitors of the Museum, where there is no charge to get into the Museum, only a donation that’s goes to keeping the South African Airforce Historic flight in the skies.
AFB Swartkop Tower
Well done to the Museum on a safe flying day, and to the Museums OC and Base OC for allowing us to fly on the Museums Puma Helicopter. We look forward to the next flying day in September as we get closer to AAD2018 at AFB Waterkloof from the 19-23 September. Until then
“Keep them up where they’re belong”
The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer
The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer(English: Dolphin, NATO reporting name: Maya) is a military jet trainer developed and manufactured by Czechoslovakian aviation manufacturer Aero Vodochody.The jet trainer is a dual seat trainingaircraft. It is the country’s first locally designed and constructed jet aircraft, as well as likely being the biggest aircraft industrial programme to take place in any of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance countries except the Soviet Union.
In response to a sizable requirement for a common jet-propelled trainer to be adopted across the diverse nations of the Eastern Block, Aero decided to embark upon their own design project with a view to suitably satisfying this demand. On 5 April 1959, an initial prototype, designated as the XL-29, performed its maiden flight. The L-29 was selected to become the standard trainer for the air forces of Warsaw Pact nations, for which it was delivered from the 1960s onwards. During the early 1970s, the type was succeeded in the principal trainer role by another Aero-built aircraft, the L-39 Albatros, heavily contributing to a decline in demand for the earlier L-29 and the end of its production during 1974.
During the course of the programme, in excess of 3,000 L-29 Delfin trainers were produced. Of these, around 2,000 were reported to have been delivered to Russia, where it was used as the standard trainer for the Soviet Air Force. Of the others, which included both armed and unarmed models, many aircraft were delivered to the various COMECON countries while others were exported to various overseas nations, including Egypt, Syria, Indonesia, Nigeria and Uganda. Reportedly, the L-29 has been used in active combat during several instances, perhaps the most high-profile being the use of Nigerian aircraft during the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s and of Egyptian L-29s against Israeli tanks during the brief Yom Kippur War of 1973.
L29 ZU-AUX based at Rand Airport,JHB
L29 ZU-DNW
L29 ZU-VLL
The Aero L-29 Delfín was a jet-powered trainer aircraft, known for its straightforward and simplistic design and construction. In terms of its basic configuration, it used a mid-wing matched with a T-tail arrangement; the wings were unswept and accommodated air intakes for the engines within the wing roots. The undercarriage was reinforced and capable of withstanding considerable stresses. According to Fredriksen, the L-29 was relatively underpowered, yet exhibited several favourable characteristics in its flight performance, such as its ease of handling. The primary flying controls are manually operated; both the flaps and airbrakes were actuated via hydraulic systems.Current Airforce operators of the L29, National Air Force of Angola – 6 L-29s were in service as of December 2016 and Georgia Army Air Section – 4 L-29s were in service as of December 2016.
L29,L39 and Atlas Impala MK1.Lowveld Airshow 2016
L39,L29 and Atlas Impala Mk1.Newcastle KZN Airshow 2017
General characteristics
Crew: 2: student and instructor
Length: 10.81 m (35 ft 5½ in)
Wingspan: 10.29 m (33 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 19.8 m² (213 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,280 kg (5,027 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,280 kg (7,231 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,540 kg (7,804 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Motorlet M-701C 500 turbojet, 8.7 kN (1,960 lbf)
L29 Powerplant
L29 Cockpit
L29 ZU-AUX late 90s.Nelspruit Airfield
L29 ZU-AUX 2003
L29 ZU-AUX June 2018
Performance
Never exceed speed: 820 km/h (442 knots, 510 mph)
Maximum speed: 655 km/h (353 knots, 407 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Stall speed: 130 km/h (71 knots, 81 mph) flaps down
Range: 894 km (480 nmi, 555 mi) with tip tanks
Endurance: 2 hours 30 min
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,100 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.0 m/s (2,755 ft/min)
Armament
200 kg (440 lb) of various guns, bombs, rockets, and missiles on external hardpoints
L29 ZU-AUX.Newcastle KZN Airshow 2018
South Africa have 4 airworthy L29s
ZU-VLL-Virginia Airport,Durban
ZU-AUX-Rand Airport,Johannesburg
ZU-KGB-Cape Town International
ZU-DNW-Middelburg Airfield
L29 ZU-KGB
Airforce Base Waterkloof 80th Anniversary Celebration
The 1st August 2018,the South African Airforce celebrated Airforce Base Waterkloof’s 80th Birthday Celebration. The base is home to a number of units and flying squadrons, and is a key airbase to the entire country. The base was officially opened on the 1st August 1938 as Waterkloof Air Station in Pretoria. Initially the base was used for practicing forced landings, secondary to Airforce Station Swartkop down the road from AFB Waterkloof.
The jet age slowly creeped upon the South African Airforce, the need for tarmac runways with concrete hard standings were accelerated and make welcome for the then new generation jet powered aircraft. In July 1951 the newly delivered de Havilland Vampires of 1 Squadron were moved to AFS Swartkop in preparation for the construction work to take place. In August 1951 the last aircraft moved out of Waterkloof were the Auster mkVs of 42 Squadron.
Work was scheduled to start on 7 January 1952 and it was estimated that it would take 2½ years at a cost of 434 000 pounds.
When completed it was planned that 1, 2, 3, 4 and 42 Squadrons would operate from there together with 1 and 15 Air Depots. However little of those plans came to pass and it was only in 1956 that flying units were able to move back to Waterkloof. The construction of the runways and other associated tasks therefore took nearly five years to completion.
The period thereafter however saw the vast expansion of the South African Air Force of the 1960’s and 1970’s.Aircraft types that were based at the base at this period of times ranged from De Havilland Vampires,F86 Sabres, Various Mirage 3s,Mirage F1s, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneers,C130s and C160s to name a few. The public have also been privileged enough to beat the base during early day airshows and open days, and more recently the 1195 DEXSA international Airshows and right up to Africa Aerospace and Defence Shows where we will be back at AFB Waterkloof from the 19-23 September 2018.
Units based at AFB Waterkloof
21 Squadron – VIP transport
28 Squadron – Medium transport
41 Squadron – Light transport
44 Squadron – Light transport
111 Squadron – Light transport (reserve)
140 Squadron – Light transport (reserve)
504 Squadron – Security
5 Air Servicing Unit – Maintenance support
Central Photographic Institute – Photographic services
JARIC, (Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre) The SANDF National Imagery Exploitation Centre – Strategic Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) support
Mobile Deployment Wing – Emergency response
SAAF Telecommunications Centre – Communications
Ditholo Training Area is managed as an external component of AFB Waterkloof
1 August 2018 80th Birthday Celebration’s
At 07H00 members of the air force and invited guested assembled at Airforce Base Waterkloof at 28 Squadrons Hanger, as we waited for the days proceedings to start. We were welcomed by Brig Gen M.K Petso, Officer Commanding AFB Waterkloof, a scripture reading and prayer was followed before the fly-past from a 44 Squadron Casa 212.A paradrop from the Pretoria Military Parachute Club who are all SANDF members jumped from a 28 Squadron C130BZ before ending a fly-past with the Casa, once all skydivers had landed safely.
44 Squadron Casa 212
28 Squadron C130BZ
28 Squadron C130BZ
Members were entertained from the SAAF Choir and SAAF Band, it was then time to cut the 80th Anniversary Cake and a Aerial photo of an 80 with the member’s of the air force and invited guests. What a privilege to be part of the birthday celebrations and be part of that 80.All member’s had the opportunity to carry on with the festivities, where braai areas were made use for invited guests and the use of 28 Squadrons bar area.
Brig Gen M.K. Petso and Brig Gen M.I Buthelezi
The Aviation Shop was present at the function with the shadow of two C130s in the hanger, where member’s could by their memorabilia of Aviation from die cast aircraft to mugs, key rings etc. You could also purchase a 80th anniversary hat for R60.
41 Squadron Cessna 208 Caravan
44 Squadron Casa 212
21 Squadron Cessna Citation
We would to wish AFB Waterkloof a happy birthday and many more safe years to come. Thanks to the SAAF for the invite. We looking forward to AAD2018 in a month and half time. We will be at the base a couple of days before the Trade and Airshow start.
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