Monthly Archives: August 2019
Brakpan Aero Club Celebrates Women in Aviation
Saturday the 17th August 2019,Brakpan Aero Club celebrated women in Aviation at the East Rand Airfield this past weekend. Women as pilots, groundcrew, cabin crew and Air traffic controllers congregated at the airfields club house for cake and tea. Some of the lucky ladies were awarded with a bouquet of flowers for their contribution in the South African Aviation Community.
Santjie White provided a short talk on Search and Rescue in South Africa as she explained more in detail as the Chief of Aeronautical Search and Rescue coordination centre.
Santjie started at the Aeronautical Search and Rescue coordination centre in April 2008 and received The Director civil aviation special industry award for exceptional individual contribution to the Aviation industry. Santjie White is responsible to Establish a Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) to co-ordinate all participating search and rescue unit’s facilities within her area of responsibility. Ensuring effective and efficient co ordination of SAR processes and operations.
Amelia Mary Earhart one of many women in aviation ,who was an American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences, and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.
The rest of the day, saw some of Brakpan’s local aircraft take to the skies, an Alouette III owned and flown by Rob Osner ,A Mushask MF17 flown by Hilton Wolff, Boeing Stearman flown by Ivan van der Schaar and a visiting Yak 52 flown by Wim Kotze were some of the favourites seen during the afternoon period.
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Rostec to unveil latest Russian military aircraft to foreign partners at MAKS 2019
August 19, 2019
Press-release
Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) will make presentations of the Russia’s latest combat and transport aircraft at the MAKS 2019 International Air Show.
“MAKS is a traditional platform for aviation premieres. This year, Rostec’s display includes 250+ new models of aircraft, avionics, aircraft engines and airfield equipment, including over 40 items that are being showcased at MAKS for the first time. I am sure these products will attract a lot of attention of our foreign partners,” said Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov.
The Su-57E fighter (manufactured by KоAAP named after Yuri Gagarin) and the Il-112VE military transport (built by VACM) will be the centerpieces of the military part of Russia’s display at MAKS 2019.
“At MAKS 2019, Russian manufacturers will be unveiling the fifth-generation Su-57E multi-role fighter jet and the Il-112VE light military transport aircraft, the hottest and most anticipated new products of recent years. Rosoboronexport is ready, at the request of foreign partners, to present these aircraft and turn a new page in promoting state-of-the-art aircraft systems in the world market. I’m sure the interest in them will be massive,” said Alexander Mikheev, Rosoboronexport’s Director General and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Engineering Union.
The advanced Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet from Sukhoi (a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation) and the Il-112VE light military transport aircraft from Ilyushin (a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation) have received the necessary export permits and Rosoboronexport has the right to offer them to foreign customers.
The Su-57E is a fifth-generation multi-role aircraft system designed to accomplish a wide range of missions against air, ground and surface targets. It can be used in any weather, day or night, and in a severe jamming environment.
Its main advantages compared with 4th generation aircraft systems are stealth due to a reduced radar and infrared signature, high immunity of both avionics and aircraft armament system, as well as a strong supersonic cruise capability.
At the same time, the latest Russian fighter surpasses 4++ generation aircraft in terms of key properties:
- multi-mission capability;
- automation and AI technologies incorporated into target engagement processes;
- all-azimuth and multiple target capability, the use of long-range precision-guided weapons;
- super-maneuverability.
The set of features of the Su-57E fighter gives it superiority over the fifth generation aircraft available on the market today at a lower life cycle cost. This fact has been recognized by many world experts in weapons and military equipment.
The Il-112VE light military transport aircraft is the export version of the Il-112V developed for the Russian Air Force and intended for the transportation and airdropping of cargo, vehicles, equipment, ammunition and personnel.
The major competitive advantages of the Russian Il-112VE light military transport aircraft are:
- versatility enabling a wide range of transport missions, including airdropping of cargo and special forces groups, transportation of personnel with organic weapons, delivery of weapons, ammunition and materiel, casualty evacuation, etc;
- state-of-the-art avionics that makes it possible to perform combat missions day or night, in any weather and in different climatic conditions;
- the dimensions of the cargo compartment of the Il-112VE expand the capabilities for transporting cargo, including self-propelled and non-self-propelled equipment;
- the Il-112VE is equipped with two new higher-power and more fuel-efficient engines, the TV7-117ST, and AV112 propellers controlled by a single automatic control system which increases flight safety and provides high take-off and landing performance allowing the aircraft to be operated from short runways, including unprepared fields;
- on-condition maintenance of the Il-112VE obviates the need for major overhauls, which ensures that the required level of equipment operational readiness is maintained at minimum operating costs within the service life limit of 30,000 flight hours or for 30 years;
- the presence of advanced handling and drop equipment on board the aircraft that allows loading and unloading without the use of additional special equipment;
- compliance with ICAO flight accuracy and safety;
- capability to operate independently, including from unimproved airfields.
Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian Federation authorized to export the full range of military and dual-purpose products, technologies and services. It is a subsidiary of the Rostec Corporation. Founded on 4 November, 2000, now Rosoboronexport is one of the leading world arms exporters to the international market. Its share in Russia’s military exports exceeds 85 percent. Rosoboronexport cooperates with more than 700 enterprises and organizations in the Russian defence industrial complex. Russia maintains military technical cooperation with more than 100 countries around the world.
State Corporation Rostec is one of the largest industrial groups in Russia. It comprises over 700 scientific and production entities in 60 regions of the country. Rostec’s key business areas include transport machine building, electronics, medical technologies, chemistry and innovative materials. Rostec’s holding companies form three clusters: the Radioelectronics cluster, the Weapons cluster and the Aviation cluster. Rostec’s portfolio includes famous brands such as AVTOVAZ, KAMAZ, Concern Kalashnikov, “Russian Helicopters”, Uralvagonzavod, etc. Rostec takes an active part in implementation of all 12 National Projects. The company is a key supplier of Smart City technologies, carries out digitization of the government, industry, social sector, and prepares plans for developing 5G wireless technologies, the industrial Internet of Things, big data and blockchain systems. Rostec is a partner of the world’s leading manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Daimler, Pirelli, Renault, etc. The corporation supplies its products to more than 100 countries. Export of high-tech products provides for almost a third of the company’s revenue.
A Moment Time Stood Still-Air Force Base Swartkop
Wherever one wonders around aviation museums around the world, you wonder and think how aviation has come this far as we speak in 2019,expecially in South Africa .The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Imperial war museum at Duxford and many more.Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria is also part of the elite museums to visit as an aviation enthusiast touring South Africa.
The Past..
The SAAF claims Swartkop is the second oldest air station in the world and the oldest operational air station in the world.Over the years many distinguished Squadrons have been based at Swartkop. This includes 26 Squadron which was formed there on 24 August 1942.
* Photos by Adrian Munro, Stefan Bouwer, Team Aviation Central and SAAF Museum archives
The Chief of the South African Air Force opened the relocated at AFB Swartkop in 1993. The Air Force Base reverted to Air Force Station status in 1999. This decision was made by the South African Air Force to vacate the base and leave behind the Museum located there and to keep the Airfield as an extension of Airforce Base Waterkloof. The SAAF Museum Historic Flight had also moved to Hanger 14 at the end of the Southern part of the base to this present day.
As of December 2013 the South African Air Force still hasn’t vacated all operational units on the base. The South African Airforce Museum currently occupies the northern side of the base while active SAAF units occupy the southern side of the base.
Air Force Base Swartkops over watches the residents of Valhalla, Centurion in Pretoria and most air force officers that outlasted their selection phase of pupes course and other forms of duties in the South African Airforce were boundless.
The famous SAAF memorial is located on Bays Hill in Swartkop outside overlooks the entire Airbase. Its familiar in pictures of SAAF fighters passing behind it as they brought the sound of freedom amongst visitors of many airshows held over the years. The memorial was unveiled 1 September 1963 by the then State President of South Africa Charles Robberts Swart. The unveiling ceremony was attended by 5000 people.
The history of the SAAF dates back after a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe, Brig. Gen. C.F Beyers (who was then Commandant-General of the Defence Force) gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Jan Smuts initiated an arrangement with private fliers in the Cape and established a flying school at Alexandersfontein near Kimberley, known as the Paterson Aviation Syndicate School, to train pilots for the proposed South African Aviation Corporation.. The first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914.
On the 1 February 1920 Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld was appointed as the Director Air Service with the task of forming an air force, the date is used to mark the founding of the South African Air Force. In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time.
4 Squadron was reformed in January 1951 at AFB Waterkloof as the Active Citizen Force element of 1 Squadron with Harvards and Spitfires until once again disbanded in October 1958. On 1 November 1961, it was reformed at Swartkop, flying Harvards and in August 1972 the first Impala Jets were received.
The squadron moved from Swartkop to Waterkloof and then to Lanseria Airport where it received Impala Mk IIs. It saw numerous deployments to South West Africa and Mpacha and Rundu airfields in southern Angola. Its home base remained at Lanseria until it was disbanded in September 1991.
Airshows at AFB Swartkop over the years..
For years many of Aviation Centrals followers have been to some of the many historical airshows at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria. The shows have had a big impact in promoting aviation in South Africa and more military aviation.
Yester year youngsters watching former fast movers shadowing “Bays Hill” in the foreground in the form of Mirage IIIs,Mirage F1s and Cheetahs and today the Gripen as the countries 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. The echo of the sound of freedom is what draws the “vlamgat” lovers to these shows!
Swartkop has had a number of airshows over the years which were mainly known as flying days from when the museum had a big fleet of ex air force aircraft that were part of the shows program.This also saw many fighter aircraft from the then current and past SAAF from various fast mover squadrons,including Impalas, Mirages, Cheetahs and up till now to the current SAAF fighters Gripen and Hawk. Warbirds that have attended included PBY Catilina, DC3, DC4, DC6, JU52, Spitfires, Mustangs, Sea Fury’s, Yaks and the list goes on.
Ex Eastern block jet trainers such as the L39 and L29, Vampires, Hawker Hunters and a T2 Buckeye have touched down on Swartkops sloped runway on many occasions. Many airliners have taken part in shows and have landed at the base included MD80s, Airbus A319s, Boeing 707s, 727s and 737 series.
Photos below by Adrian Munro, Stefan Bouwer, Team Aviation Central and SAAF Museum archives.
Since 2012, the Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt Gen FZ Msimang, has initiated a programme to preserve and promote our Air Force history, which includes former TBVC states and the Armed Wings of Former Liberation Movements in relation to the corresponding political, social and economic dispensation of the country under the theme “embracing our collective heritage”. One of the fundamental elements in nation-building and cultivating a cohesive society is the reconfiguration of the heritage landscape to ensure that it reflects the diversity and the incredible efforts of the unity of our society.
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FIRE AT HANGAR NO. 8 AT AIR FORCE BASE SWARTKOP
MEDIA STATEMENT
DATE: 10 August 2019
EMBARGO: None
SUBJECT: FIRE AT HANGAR NO. 8 AT AIR FORCE BASE SWARTKOP
The South African Nation Defence Force (SANDF) hereby confirms that a general-purpose hangar at Air Force Base Swartkop, which did not house any aircraft or museum artefacts, caught fire this Saturday, 10 August 2019 at around 5:00 am. Though there is extensive and structural damage to the hangar, there were neither human injuries nor fatalities.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. The Base Fire Services and the Tshwane Fire Services managed to extinguish the fire to prevent further damages to other vehicles and equipment.
The SANDF with the support of the Tshwane Fire Services will immediately initiate a Preliminary Investigation and/or a Board of Inquiry to determine the cause and extent of the fire.
The majority of the hangars of AFB Swartkops are classified as “heritage structures” because this was the first established air force base in South Africa. The Base and the hangars were built from the early 1920s.
This loss of the hangar is a setback to the South African Air Force and the history of Military Aviation worldwide. Since 2012, the Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt Gen FZ Msimang, has initiated a programme to preserve and promote our Air Force history, which includes former TBVC states and the Armed Wings of Former Liberation Movements in relation to the corresponding political, social and economic dispensation of the country under the theme “embracing our collective heritage”. One of the fundamental elements in nation-building and cultivating a cohesive society is the reconfiguration of the heritage landscape to ensure that it reflects the diversity and the incredible efforts of the unity of our society.
We are grateful for the prompt response of the City of Tshwane and the Air Force Base Swartkop Fire Services.
ENDS
Issued by: Defence Corporate Communication
(Defence Headquarters)
Pretoria
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P51D “Mustang Sally” To Return to SAAF Museum Airshow
Well known businessman and airshow display pilot Menno Parsons will be bringing his P51D Mustang to this years SAAF Museum Airshow on the 7th September 2019,at Airforce Base Swartkop in the city of Tshwane.
Days remaining the 2019 Swartkop airshow!
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The P51D “Mustang Sally” is the only type of its kind airworthy in South Africa, this attractive looking warbird last flew at the SAAF Museum Airshow in 2015.
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, dual-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by North American Aviation in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission.
The theme for the 2019 Airshow is “Collective Heritage” Tickets will be on sale via Computicket.
Tickets this year will cost R80 over the age of 16, ages 12 to 16 will be R30 and under the age of 12 free.
More information of the SAAF Museum Airshow will follow soon. Remember this will be the only airshow in the Pretoria, Johannesburg region this year!
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Ticket Prices for the SAAF Museum Airshow 7th September 2019
Venue- AFB Swartkop,City of Tshwane
R80 (Adults)
R30 Age groups between (12 -16)
Under 12 free
Tickets available at Computicket