Monthly Archives: February 2020
When NASA sent A U2 Spy plane to South Africa!
Pietersburg now known as Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, An advance team from the American space agency NASA and the first of seven research planes arrived at the Pietersburg International Airport in preparation for the SAFARI 2000 science initiative to monitor the earth’s environment and atmosphere.
Airport corporate relations the then manager Howard Khosa said the Washington University Convair 580 transport plane that arrived, is expected to be joined by two more hi-tech research planes on that week the aircraft took part in the survey and the famous cold war U2 spy plane,was also part of the survey fleet of aircraft.
The NASA U2 Spy planes also made a series of low level passes at the then DEXSA International Airshow at Waterkloof in that very same year of 2000.
Safari 2000 used the U2, officially the ER2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft, as its main tool to monitor the relationships between antopogenic (the influence of topography on atmospheric conditions), physical and biological processes that create the land and atmospheric systems of the sub-continent.
The study is intended to set international scientific standards for measuring atmospheric pollution, global warming and ecological processes and will include the ecology of the Kruger National Park and cloud physics off the Namibian coast.
The NASA programme is was Pietersburg’s first big commercial project since the airport was commercialised in a 50-year, R5-billion concession to a Malaysian consortium.
There was also a C-141B Starlifter as additional support aircraft. But it and the KC-135R returned to the States the following day.
Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc 2019 Full Year Results
Warren East, Chief Executive commented: “After a challenging first half, we had a good end to 2019, delivering 25% growth in full year underlying operating profit and an encouraging level of free cash flow. Our restructuring efforts gained momentum, with run-rate cost savings of £269m. Civil Aerospace improved its underlying profit significantly, with record engine deliveries, good aftermarket performance and improved OE unit losses. We made further progress on the Trent 1000; cash costs are in line with guidance. We remain on target to reduce aircraft on ground to single digits by the end of Q2 2020.
We continued to invest significantly in R&D and took important steps towards becoming a leader in low carbon technologies.
We grew our electrical capabilities with the acquisitions of Siemens’ eAircraft business and a majority stake in Qinous, as well as developing new in-house hybrid-electric solutions.”
- Strong 2019 underlying operating profit driving FCF; reinforcing our confidence for 2020
- Good end to 2019: strong Civil Aerospace aftermarket; better Power Systems trading in Q4
- Underlying core operating profit up 25% to £810m; reported group operating loss £(852)m
- Core FCF £911m led by higher profit and reflecting £173m Trent 1000 insurance receipts
- £0.5bn improvement in net cash* position to £1.4bn; gross debt reduced by £1.1bn
- Trent 1000 in-service cash costs £578m; £1.4bn exceptional charge in 2019 results
- Trent 1000 guidance unchanged from November trading update
- Record widebody engine deliveries; 14% lower OE unit loss; 64% share of new orders
- Defence: record £5.3bn order intake driving 26% order book growth and healthy cash flow
- Power Systems: revenue up 4% & operating margin +90bps despite market challenges
- 2020: underlying operating profit up ~15%; at least £1bn FCF; excl. any material COVID-19 impact
- Remain confident in mid-term target of at least £1 per share of FCF (>£1.9bn FCF)
COMMENTING ON ROLLS-ROYCE PLC’S ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA, PATRICK REGIS, PRESIDENT FOR AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST, SAID:
“Africa is entering a new era buoyed by the promise of free trade, open skies and resilient growth. Home to the world’s fastest-growing aviation market and set to influence the shape of global energy trends, Africa is in a unique position to pursue innovative clean energy technologies. As we enter this new decade, we are focused on growing our presence across the continent and partnering with Africa’s dynamic and forward-looking policymakers, investors and industry leaders to help close the deficit in electrification and support a more sustainable industry powered by innovation and collaboration.”
ROLL-ROYCE CIVIL AEROSPACE DIVISION – AFRICA – OPERATIONAL UPDATE
In 2019:
· We delivered 17 aircraft, with entry into service:
o Air Senegal – 2x A330neo
o Air Mauritius – 2x A330neo
o Egyptair – 6x Boeing 787 Dreamliners
o SAA – 2 x A350
• We have 75 aircraft in service and 35 on order
• Our average fleet age is 5.2 year in service
• Total number of Customers: 20 in 14 countries
• Market share of widebody passenger aircraft in service is 50%
• Market share of widebody passenger aircraft backlog is 100%
What to expect in 2020
• Entry into Service:
o Uganda Airlines x2 A330neo
o Ethiopian x 2 A350
o Rwandair x 2 A330neo
2019 FULL YEAR GROUP HIGHLIGHTS
Financial:
- Both Group and core underlying operating profit increased 25% to £808m and £810m respectively; led by a £195m organic improvement in Civil Aerospace underlying operating profit to £44m and underlying profit growth in Power Systems of 15% following better Q4 trading
- Strong Group free cash flow (FCF) of £873m (2018: £568m) and core FCF £911m (2018: £648m), driven by improved underlying operating profit and Civil aftermarket cash margin; £578m Trent 1000 in-service cash costs partly offset by £173m insurance receipt
- FCF before working capital movement (inventory, receivables & payables), insurance receipts and Trent 1000 costs was £747m, 79% higher than the prior year (2018: £418m)
- Trent 1000 exceptional programme charge of £1,361m consistent with our November trading statement, driving reported operating loss of £(852)m (2018: £(1,161)m)
- Core R&D cash spend increased modestly to £1,108m; good progress on electrical strategy including acquisition of Siemens’ eAircraft business and strengthening of hybrid capabilities in Power Systems; small modular reactor (SMR) development progressing following UK Government matched funding; investment in future opportunities in Defence (Tempest, Future Vertical Lift, B-52)
- Net cash excluding lease liabilities improved to £1,361m (2018: £840m); gross debt £1.1bn lower
Operational:
- Civil Aerospace: record 510 widebody engines delivered; further progress in reducing average widebody OE loss, down 14% to £1.2m; 6% growth in large engine installed fleet to 5,029 with engine flying hour growth of 7%. Widebody market share of 64% achieved on new orders in 2019
- Power Systems: revenues up 4%; strong power generation growth and market share gains in Asia; increased services penetration; underlying operating profit margin up 90bps to 10.1%
- Defence: excellent performance in 2019 on both orders and cash flow; record order intake of £5.3bn and book-to-bill ratio of 1.6x driving healthy cash flow; 499 aero engines delivered
- ITP Aero: good underlying revenue growth of 21% and strong profit growth to £111m
- Restructuring plan on track; 2,900 cumulative headcount reduction with run rate cost savings of £269m achieved since the programme commenced in June 2018
Civil Aerospace in-service performance:
- Trent XWB now our second largest installed fleet; leading engines now in their fifth year in service. Fleet leader has flown over 22,000 hours without a shop visit; Trent XWB-84 OE deficit reduced by over 20% in 2019 and remains on track to reach breakeven by the end of 2020
- Trent 1000: roll-out of technical fixes progressing well, further actions underway to reduce customer disruption; in-service cash costs unchanged at £2.4bn across 2017-23. AOG reduction to single-digit by end of Q2 2020, unchanged since November update
- Design progressing on track for the improved Trent 1000 TEN high pressure turbine (HPT) blade, the last major issue to resolve; certification of this component still expected in the first half of 2021
Market environment: mid-term ambition of £1 FCF per share remains supported
- Updated widebody engine delivery expectations of 450 in 2020 and 400-450 per year over the mid-term, following previously announced airframer build rate reductions
- Despite challenges in certain Power Systems end markets, growth expected to continue led by mission-critical power generation, rising services penetration and further geographical expansion
- Defence targeting a number of attractive mid-term growth opportunities, particularly in the US where we are well positioned
- The outbreak of COVID-19 represents a macro risk and is likely to have an impact on air traffic growth in the near term; however long term growth trends remain intact
South Africa’s Sea Furys- Where are they now?
How fast can you go!
Reigning World Champion to set another South African record (Note this was the Durban Virginia Airshow which took place in 2006)
Glen Dell(RIP) , current Advanced World Aerobatic Champion, South African Airways Captain and Red Bull sponsored pilot, is set to establish a South African airspeed record on Friday the 7th July by flying a point to point distance of 400km or more in the shortest possible time recorded.
Glen will take off from Rand Airport in Johannesburg in a Hawker Sea Fury flying via Heidelberg to Virginia Airport in Durban. Glen anticipates flying the route in about 53 minutes, similar to that of a Boeing 737 Jet aircraft.
The Hawker Sea Fury is the fastest piston engined aircraft ever built. This magnificent machine has impressive statistics such as a 2550hp, 18 cylinder, 57 litre Bristol Centaurus Engine, a height of 4.9 metres (16.1ft) and a maximum flying speed of 740km per hour.
Picture by Malcom Reid
Not only has Glen logged an impressive amount of over 22 000 flying hours on various aircraft and helicopters but in addition Glen holds another record, that of being the only South African to ever win the Advanced World Aerobatic Championship title.
Glen’s deep passion for flying and specially that of aerobatics shows not only in his utter enjoyment of being in the “drivers” seat of an aerobatic aircraft, performing breathtaking manoeuvres, but also in his skilful handling of a commercial Boeing Jetliner flying people of all walks of life to various destinations.
Visitors to this years Durban Airshow will truly enjoy the awesome, precise displays by Glen, one of the most talented pilots in the world.
The Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Hawker Aircraft. It was the last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, and one of the fastest production single reciprocating engine aircraft ever built.
During the glory days when warbirds we a many in South Africa at the time, there were two airworthy flying Sea Fury flying in South African Skies, one aircraft that belonged to John Sayers and the other being based down in Port Elizabeth flown by Stu Davidson.
Picture by Malcom Reid
Picture by Pete van Der Spek
Today the only flying example of the Hawker Sea Fury is Stu Davidsons second Sea Fury after selling his previous Sea Fury overseas.
Before that John Sayers also sold his Sea Fury, but has still got a good collection of aircraft at his private Airfield near Brits, including a T28 Trojan, Beechcraft Staggerwing and many more exotic aircraft in his possession!
The Ex Pat Sea Furys are regulars on the airshow circuit in Europe and Australia as we believe.
What a treat it will be to see the last surviving Sea Fury roar through the skies at a airshow in South Africa. George and Stellenbosch Airshow, maybe you will be in luck!
SAA Offers Irresistible Fares To Major Destinations
Johannesburg, 27 February 2020 – South African Airways (SAA) is offering irresistible fares to major destinations.
“At South African Airways, the time for change has come. Change that sets a new flight path and prepares our business for take-off. We’re changing our route network to be smarter and more efficient whilst ensuring our best customer service. Most importantly though, is that we’re changing to keep you flying,” SAA said in its first advertising campaign since the business rescue process began in December 2019.
SAA is offering customers three days to take advantage of competitive fares to New York, London, Washington DC, Perth, Frankfurt, Blantyre, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa, Harare, Lilongwe, Lagos, Lusaka, Livingstone, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Victoria Falls and Windhoek. The fare deals are available in Economy Class as well as for travel in Business Class.
From Wednesday, February 26, to Friday, February 28, travellers can book all-inclusive return flights to a number of regional and international destinations including New York and London from R8999, and Lagos and Lusaka from R4554. Customers can book on www.flysaa.com or contact their nearest travel agent. T’s and C’s apply.
The airline’s revised route network – which comprises of its most successful routes, will ensure customers keep reaching their destinations while enjoying SAA’s 4-star experience along the way.
The South African Airforce Involved in a Joint Sea Rescue Mission In Cape Town
The South African Air Force (SAAF) received a request for sea rescue assistance from the South African Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to rescue 13 people who were on-board a rubber duck boat that capsized between Clifton beach and Oudekraal in Cape Town.
The Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant General Zimpande Msimang has since authorised 22 Squadron, based at Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat to join other sea rescue entities involved in the joint sea rescue efforts.
A SAAF Oryx helicopter crew (Major Juan-Pierrie du Preez – pilot, Major Tebogo Selepe – Co-pilot and Warrant Officer Gerard Usher – Flight engineer), managed to rescue two (2) survivors and brought them to safety. The remaining people who were on-board the ill-fated inflatable boat are still unaccounted for and a joint sea and land rescue mission is ongoing to locate them.
Rolls-Royce BR725 Engine Tops One Million Flying Hours
The Rolls-Royce BR725 engine recently achieved another impressive milestone by reaching one million flying hours. The engine, powering Gulfstream’s highly successful ultra-long-range G650™ business aircraft family, has established a reputation for excellent reliability, efficiency and speed, combined with outstanding environmental performance.
The performance of the BR725 enabled the Gulfstream G650ER™ and its sister aircraft G650 to revolutionise the business aviation market, flying faster and further than any other ultra-long-range corporate aircraft before. Since entry into service in 2012, the aircraft has achieved more than 100 city pair records, among those the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona. There are more than 800 BR725 engines in service today, with many of these supported by Rolls-Royce’s market leading CorporateCare® and CorporateCare Enhanced.
The BR725-powered G650 family can fly up to 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. The G650 and the G650ER are capable of a near-supersonic maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 and have a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet/15,545 metres.
Nuno Taborda, Programme Director Business Aviation, Rolls-Royce, said: “Seeing the BR725 reach one million flying hours is an impressive milestone and we are very proud of this achievement. With one speed record after another broken by the G650, it sets the standard for performance in business aviation – you simply can’t fly farther faster. All this comes with superb levels of availability and reliability, powering the BR725 into a class of its own.”
With more than 3,200 Rolls-Royce powered business jets in service worldwide, the company is the leading business aviation engine supplier. More than 2,000 of those aircraft are covered by CorporateCare and CorporateCare Enhanced; about 70 per cent of new delivery Rolls-Royce powered aircraft are enrolled in the programme.
CorporateCare Enhanced, the comprehensive, fixed-cost engine maintenance management plan, provides customers with a global support infrastructure which includes: Engine Health Monitoring, a worldwide network of Authorised Service Centres and globally distributed spare parts and engines, all managed by our dedicated 24/7 Business Aircraft Availability Centre.
CorporateCare Enhanced offers substantial financial and operational benefits to customers, such as increased asset value and liquidity, mitigating maintenance cost risk and protection against unforeseen costs and unscheduled events anywhere in the world. Increased aircraft availability, reduced management burden, full risk transfer, direct priority access to the Rolls-Royce services infrastructure and remote site assistance are further benefits for our customers.
SAAF Oryx Helicopter in the Big Apple
The year was 1996,it was a combined exercise with the North Atlantic Fleet, held in the Caribbean, there after a visit to Northfolk, New York and Newport R.I.
Who would ever think the SAAF would have an oryx flying over the statue of liberty. Well that is now one of the memories of the crew of Oryx 1238 can remember for times to come!
In 1996, Drakensberg became the first SAN vessel in over 20 years to visit the United States, when it called at the ports of Norfolk, Newport and New York City, which followed a naval exercise with over 25 other vessels at the US Navy’s base at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
In 1996 the Navy’s most respected grey diplomat, SAS Drakensberg would return to the USA.
The Drakensberg left Simon’s Town on 14 June 1996 and participated with approximately 25 other warships from seventeen countries in naval manoeuvres, referred to as “Operation Unitas”, the ship visited the large US naval base at Norfolk, Virginia, as well as New York and Newport. Here she is seen alongside Staten Island in 1996.
Oryx 1238 was onboard SAS Drakensberg as she sailed the seas and played a vital role in the combined exercise with other navy vessals.
22 Squadron is a helicopter Squadron based at Airforce Base Ysterplaat in the Western Cape. The squadron has operated the Oryx Helicopter for many years now, and recently took delivery of the four Westland Super Lynx Mk64s helicopters for use aboard the South African Navy’s new Valour Class Frigates that were delivered on 13 July 2007.
The squadron was formed in Durban on 1 July 1942 by renaming 31 Flight to 22 (Torpedo-Bomber-Reconnaissance) Squadron. It was equipped with ex-SAA Ju52 Junkers as well as a number of Avro Ansons and was assigned to anti-submarine, coastal reconnaissance and convoy support duties
SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – 22 Feb 2020
SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – Brakpan 22 February 2020 – by Rob Jonkers
After learning the theoretical side of Navigation plotting at the training camp held at Aerosud on the 18th of January, it was time to put into practice what was learned with a practical flight. The SAPFA national coach Jonty Esser put together a short route in the Brakpan Heidelberg area with 4 turnpoints to be flown by participating teams.
The weather however did not play ball at all, restricting participants to arrive by air, however many decided to drive in, to at least do some ground school. At the end there were 9 teams that participated. On hand from the SAPFA Protea members were Jonty Esser, Frank Eckard, Sandi Goddard and Rob Jonkers imparting their knowledge to the teams.
The theme of the morning was to gain knowledge on practical flying, how to accurately bingo each turn point in time, how to approach the start, this always being the most difficult part of any rally, firstly to find it, and then to get there at the start time. Then the dynamics of keeping on time on each leg, approaching the next turn point and identifying the photo being correct or incorrect. First up was Frank Eckard who explained all the required strategies of flying, explaining that you have to be in the right frame of mind to take part in this sport, extreme focus and concentration will get one to the winning post.
Frank Eckard – Strategies of Flying a Rally
Thereafter Jonty provided an outline to the planned flight route for the day – which could not be flown, but an explanation of how to set up the aircraft to fly the route, to get to the nominated 1000 ft altitude, set the flaps and power setting, then to adjust timing by changing the aircraft’s attitude to speed up or slow down, rather than utilize power changes as power changes disturb the fundamental speed set up.
Jonty Esser – How to set up your aircraft in flight
After Jonty, Rob showed a short video of a practical flight demonstrating what photos look like on the ground and the visual angles and distances to be able to recognize them, and from what altitude these would be best visible.
A practical out of the cockpit view of en-route photo recognition
After a short break, it was decided to carry out a real plotting exercise of the Rand Rally Challenge against the clock with a 30 minute deadline, essentially 2 minutes per plotting point. It gave everybody an incentive to attempt to beat the clock. With new teams this proved daunting, thus more focus was provided on techniques of using the tools and developing the skills to use them.
Clarissa & Kerry busy with their plot
Clarissa & Kerry busy with their plot
Milan, Caroline & Andy busy with their plots
Karyn & Leon happy they have aced their plot in the allotted time
The Track shown of Route 2 – an anti-clockwise route
CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) – 4th Quarter Embargo: 21 February 2020
CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) – 4th Quarter
Embargo: 21 February 2020 (10:00)
Introduction
The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) is proud to announce the results of its composite index of aviation activity for the 4th quarter of 2019.
The CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) is based on 26 different indicators and
provides an objective & balanced gauge of economic activity in the commercial aviation industry. Due to the short-term volatility inherent in purchasing and selling aircraft, where
units are small, but the currency values are very high, the CAAI includes a trend that is based on a 4-quarter moving average, as illustrated by the graph.
Summary of key trends depicted by the CAAI for the 4th quarter of 2019:
- The index value increased substantially from the 3rd quarter to reach a level of
130.7, which represents a 31% increase in commercial aviation activity since the
base period (1st quarter of 2014). This is, however, considerably lower than the
all-time record that was attained in the 4th quarter of 2018, namely 204. One of
the reasons for the sound recovery of both the index value and the trend is
related to the highly successful 2018 Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD)
exhibition, which was the first AAD since the election of a new executive
administration in South Africa, which is committed to pragmatic policies to
encourage economic growth, whilst also combating the scourge of corruption.
An encouraging feature of the latest CAAI results is the fact that, after adjustment
for inflationary effects, the commercial aviation industry has outperformed the
South African economy over the past six years.
- It is also apparent that the slump in aviation activity that lasted for eleven
quarters (until the 3rd quarter of 2018) has been reversed. Aviation remains a
highly capital intensive sector and it has been under some strain as a result of
policy uncertainty, low levels of business confidence, lethargic economic growth
and high interest rates. - Unfortunately, the recovery in the trend of activity since the 3rd quarter of 2018
has been accompanied by a higher level of volatility, with only ten of the 26
different indicators recording gains over the 4th quarter of 2014. - A particular point of concern is the poor performance of air traffic movements
(ATMs) at most of the airports managed by the Airports Company of South Africa
(ACSA). All nine of these airports recorded lower ATMs in the 4th quarter of 2019,
compared to the 4th quarter of 2016. - In contrast, the six non-ACSA airports included in the CAAI, recorded consistent
growth in ATMs until the first quarter of 2019, but a noticeable slump has since
set in. It is quite clear that the stringent visa regulations that were introduced in
2015 by the Department of Home Affairs under then Minister Malusi Gigaba have
taken their toll on both the South African tourism industry and the commercial
aviation industry. - In the 4th quarter of 2019, the value of aircraft spares imports reached its second
highest level on record, namely more than R1.1 billion.
Total aircraft imports (unladen mass of under 15 tonnes) amounted to R487
million in the 4th quarter, slightly lower than the export figure of R554 million.
Armed Forces Day Polokwane 2020 Parade
After a quick 20 minute flight form Airforce Base Waterkloof in Pretoria in one of South African Airways Airbus A340-300 aircraft , I’m sure the local plane spotters don’t see a Airbus A340 land at Polokwane Gateway International Airport everyday, I think that was a treat for them to see us land both on the 18th February and 21 February.
After arriving we arrived near the podium for the parade and flypasts with formations of different aircraft from the South African Airforce, the flag flypasts was up first with an Agusta A109LUH, 22 Squadron Lynx and a Oryx helicopter.
The chopper formation was then next to open the mass flypasts columns, that formation consisted of four Agusta A109s, 3 Oryx Helicopters from various squadrons from around South Africa, a single Lynx Maritime helicopter and a Rooivalk keeping a safe look on the formations six o clock position!
Next was the transport formation made up of a 44 Squadron Casa 212, two aircraft form 41 Squadron that being a Cessna 208A Caravan and a KingAir 200.Jumbo formation was up next with a 28 Squadron C130BZ leading the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team from the Central Flying School from Airforce Base Langabaanweg along the Western Cape West coast led by Major Sivu Tangana.
The much awaited fighter formations were followed by the lead in Fighter trainer of the South African Airforce of 85 Combat Flying School with five Hawk MK120s. The flying cheetahs better known as 2 Squadron was then followed by five JAS39s Gripens.
After the flypasts moved off Major Geoffrey “Spartan” Cooper provided a solo display with a JAS39C Gripen, tearing up the Polokwane skies with the epic roar of the sound of freedom as our Commander in chief witnessed one of the best Gripen displays one can see on the South African Airshow circuit.
The formation of four Hawk Mk120s then ended the flying proceedings of the day with a formation break overhead the podium.The parade continued with mechnised coloums, and all other forms of arms on parade!
All images without watermarks are courtesy of the SANDF. We would like to thanks General Fabian Msimang for waiting with us media and invited guests on Friday 21 February until our other SAA aircraft arrived after a snag on the A340 that we flew to Polokwane in broke down. Your company was highly appreciated Sir!