Monthly Archives: August 2024
Excitement Soars at the Pietermaritzburg Airshow
The skies over Pietermaritzburg roared to life on Saturday 10th August 2024, as the FUZE Pietermaritzburg Airshow 2024 delivered a thrilling spectacle of aerial acrobatics and precision flying. Despite the sweltering heat, the event was a resounding success, with enthusiastic spectators enjoying a seamless entry experience thanks to the efficient ticketing system managed by TicketPro.
From the very start, the crowd was kept entertained and informed by the dynamic commentary provided by Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds. His deep knowledge of the pilots and aircraft, combined with his engaging delivery, added an extra layer of excitement to the day’s events. Assisting him was Thamsanqa Elvis Manene, also from Capital Sounds, who did a fantastic job of providing commentary in isiZulu for the spectators, ensuring that everyone could fully enjoy and understand the show.
The event kicked off in spectacular fashion with the skydivers from the Durban Skydive Centre making a dramatic entrance. Leaping from the Aerospatiale SA-341F2 Gazelle, expertly piloted by Jubba Joubert, the skydivers painted the early morning sky with their colorful chutes, setting the tone for the day. The sight of these fearless jumpers descending from the heavens was a breathtaking start that had the crowd cheering in admiration.
Following this thrilling opening, a mass formation flypast brought together seven aircraft in a coordinated aerial ballet. The pilots executed intricate maneuvers in perfect sync, showcasing both their individual skills and their ability to work as a cohesive unit. The formation ended with a spectacular break, leaving the spectators in awe of the precision and timing on display.
The excitement continued with the Marksmen Aerobatics Team taking to the skies. They wowed the crowd with thrilling maneuvers such as the switchblade and knife-edge crossovers, demonstrating their extraordinary control and daring. The crowd’s gasps of awe echoed across the airfield as the Marksmen performed these gravity-defying stunts with razor-sharp precision.
Next up was Andrew Blackwood-Murray in the Nashua Extra 300 EA 300LP. His display was nothing short of spectacular as he pushed the aircraft to its limits, executing loops, rolls, and spins with breathtaking finesse. The Nashua Extra 300’s agility was on full display, leaving spectators mesmerized by the sheer power and grace of the aircraft.
Following Andrew’s performance, Jubba Joubert returned to the skies, this time showcasing the incredible capabilities of the Gazelle helicopter. His gravity-defying moves left the audience in awe as he maneuvered the Gazelle with an ease that belied the complexity of the stunts. The crowd watched in amazement as Jubba put the Gazelle through its paces, proving that helicopters can be just as thrilling as their fixed-wing counterparts.
Just as the show seemed to be settling into its rhythm, it was suddenly interrupted for a seemingly impromptu flight to celebrate a local man’s 100th birthday. The elderly man, strapped into a Piper J-3C-65 Cub, was ready for a simple joyride. However, as the pilot was checking the aircraft and had just started the engine, the plane began to move—with the centenarian at the controls! To the shock of the crowd, the old man managed to take off, with paramedics and security services chasing after the runaway aircraft.
What followed was a nerve-wracking series of low-altitude flypasts, the Cub wobbling precariously as it skimmed the ground. Officials frantically tried to talk the birthday boy through the landing process over the radio, the tension mounting with each attempt. Finally, after several shaky passes, the old man managed to bring the Cub down safely, only to be tackled by security as he exited the plane.
It was at that moment that the big reveal was made: the entire scenario had been a masterfully executed stunt. The “100-year-old man” was none other than Scully Levin, one of South Africa’s most experienced pilots, with over 30,000 hours of flying time. The crowd erupted in applause and laughter as Levin waved, having expertly piloted the Cub through its paces, demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities in a brilliantly staged act of showmanship.
The show continued with the Navion Formation, a stunning display by aircraft built by North American Aviation, the same company that made the famous P-51 Mustangs. The Navion Formation delivered a powerful performance, showcasing the durability and grace of these classic aircraft in a series of elegant maneuvers that honored their storied legacy.
After the Navions, the Aermacchi AM3-C “Bosbok” took to the skies. These aircraft, used in conflict situations in the 70s and 80s in multiple roles such as target marking (using smoke-rockets) and reconnaissance, proved their versatility once again. Piloted by Grant Timms, the Bosbok delivered a fantastic display, demonstrating the aircraft’s agility and adaptability in various situations.
Following the Bosbok’s impressive performance, Scully Levin and his daughter Sally Fleck returned to perform in a Van’s RV-6. Their coordinated maneuvers in the RV-6 highlighted the aircraft’s capabilities, charming the crowd with a beautiful display of precision flying and familial teamwork.
After the Van’s RV-6 display, the show paused for a lunch break. During this time, the pilots gathered at the “Smoke on Go” stand, where spectators had the opportunity to meet their aviation heroes and collect autographs. This interaction was widely welcomed and supported by the crowd, adding a personal touch to the day’s events.
Following the lunch break, the skydivers took to the skies once again, delighting the audience with their precision jumps and colorful parachutes. The Marksmen team followed with another round of thrilling aerobatics, leaving the crowd in awe of their skill and daring. As the airshow continued, the routine was briefly interrupted by the arrival of an Airlink Embraer ERJ-135, a reminder that the airport was still operating commercial flights amidst the excitement of the airshow.
The show then continued with more spectacular performances from the Bosbok, Navions, and the Gazelle, each aircraft showcasing its unique capabilities in breathtaking displays. As the airshow progressed, there was a brief pause to allow the Airlink jet to take off, seamlessly blending the ongoing commercial operations with the day’s thrilling events.
Adding to the day’s excitement, Andrew Blackwood-Murray returned to the skies in the Nashua Extra 300 for another adrenaline-pumping performance. Pushing the aircraft to its limits once more, Andrew executed a series of complex maneuvers with unmatched precision and flair, leaving the audience cheering and craving more.
Bringing the event to a memorable close, the FUZE Aviation Academy took center stage with a remarkable display showcasing their exceptional training skills. The academy’s pilots performed a series of coordinated maneuvers and formations, demonstrating the high level of proficiency and professionalism that FUZE Aviation Academy instills in its trainees. The performance served as an inspiring testament to the future of aviation talent being nurtured by the academy.
As the sun set on the airfield, the FUZE Airshow 2024 concluded. It was especially great to see the Pietermaritzburg Airshow back after a 10-year gap, soaring to great heights and delivering a day full of excitement, skill, and breathtaking aerial displays that will be cherished by all who attended. The seamless blend of entertainment, community engagement, and professional aviation showcased the best of Pietermaritzburg’s aviation spirit, leaving spectators eagerly anticipating a bigger and better spectacle next year.
A special thank you goes out to all the organizers, vendors, and everyone involved who contributed to making the show a great success. This includes, but is not limited to, FUZE Aviation Academy, Creative Space Media, Smoke On Go, Capital Sounds, ALS Paramedics, local authorities, and Air Show South Africa officials who kept the show running smoothly and safely.
Please enjoy the full gallery of photos from the show below.
Irene Radio Flyers SAMAA Fly-In Festival 2024
Irene Radio Flyers SAMAA Fly-In Festival 2024: A Thrilling Day for
Aviation Enthusiasts
It’s been a while since we at Aviation Central attended a truly
exciting aviation event on the radio-controlled side, commonly known
as RC. The South African Model Aircraft Association (SAMAA) hosted the
highly anticipated Fly-In Festival 2024 at Irene Radio Flyers, located
on the southern outskirts of Pretoria, South Africa. Since its
establishment in 2007, Irene Radio Flyers has continued to grow, and
this event was a testament to their dedication.
SAMAA members, along with the passionate team from Irene Radio Flyers,
worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. They set up a Joint
Operations Centre (JOC) and coordinated with all the necessary
authorities to ensure the event ran smoothly. This included
coordinating with medical teams, the South African Civil Aviation
Authority (SACAA), the South African Police Service, and ensuring that
ATNS Notams were properly issued. Safety was the top priority, and the
event concluded without any major incidents, much to the satisfaction
of the designated safety officer.
The festival featured a variety of vendors offering everything from
delicious food and refreshing drinks to toys and novelties. Some of
South Africa’s top hobby shops also set up stalls, adding to the
excitement of the day.
The event was brought to life with engaging commentary from two
enthusiastic announcers who kept the crowd entertained throughout.
The flying displays were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing a
wide range of aircraft. From high-speed pylon racers to graceful
gliders, powerful jets to pre-World War I replicas, and everything in
between. There were scale models, the quirky “ugly sticks,” and even
super slow, vintage aircraft. The crowd was treated to an impressive
array of RC skydivers, thrilling FPV micro drone races, and 3D
helicopter displays that left everyone in awe. One of the standout
moments was a controlled aircraft that appeared to be flown by someone
who couldn’t fly, creating some heart-stopping close calls as part of
the show. It was a cleverly executed stunt that had everyone on edge.
Seth Martins, I youngster Living on a farm from the MPUMALANGA province who is a self-taught RC pilot and is from a poorer background was a special guest for the day. The story of Seth spread like wildfire and on that day he got some special gifts that included several RC Aircraft, Transmeters, and other accessories. He truly has a passion for Aviation.
For myself, the highlight of the day was the Jets, Pylon racers, and the Old timeers. Waiman Chan flow and mazing F-18 and PC-21. He flew the two aircraft to perfection.
The fast Jet was flown by Dean Grobbelaar and his Ultra Lightning. Daniel Ralefeta flew his Airobatic T1 Sport Jet and Steve Joubert flew his EX BAE Hawk.
Ivan van der Schaar, well-known Airshow pilot son, Jeandre van der Schaar gave a stunning display in his Extra. The Day had so many good displays by amazing Aircraft and experienced pilots. Just too much to name them all.
Unfortunately, many aviation lovers are unaware of just how incredible
these events are, often dismissing RC aircraft as mere “toys.” But
those who attended the Fly-In Festival were treated to an
unforgettable experience. For the younger attendees, there were two
exciting “sweety drops,” where kids and their moms eagerly scrambled
to catch the falling treats. Another crowd favorite was the egg drop
contest, where participants placed paper plates on the runway, and RC
aircraft dropped eggs from above. The person whose plate was closest
to the egg won a cash prize of R1000. Drones and other prizes were
also up for grabs in this fun-filled competition.
The festival was packed with talented pilots and stunning aircraft,
each display more impressive than the last. There were simply too many
highlights to mention, but we’ll let the photos tell the rest of the
story.
Aviation fans, mark your calendars for next year—this is one event you
won’t want to miss!
Click on a photo below to enlarge
Bell Completes Delivery of Full Bell 505 Fleet to Royal Jordanian Air Force
Milestone celebrated at RJAF pilot graduation ceremony with the Crown Prince of Jordan
Amman, Jordan (July 25, 2024) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, proudly announces the successful delivery of the remaining five Bell 505 aircraft to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), completing the 10 Bell 505 fleet order. This significant milestone coincided with the graduation of the latest cohort of pilot cadets in a ceremony attended by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, underlining the RJAF’s ongoing commitment to excellence in aviation training and operational readiness.
“We are thrilled to have completed the delivery of the Bell 505 fleet to the Royal Jordanian Air Force,” said Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer, Bell. “This partnership underscores our commitment to providing advanced, reliable, and efficient training solutions to our military partners in the region and serves as a true testament to the Bell 505’s capabilities as a military training platform.”
In a landmark event, presided over by the Crown Prince, the RJAF celebrated the graduation of its cadets, showcasing the Bell 505 aircraft that will be instrumental to the training of future generation of Jordanian pilots.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad F. Hiyasat, Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, expressed his satisfaction with the completed fleet and the successful training of the new pilots: “The delivery of the final Bell 505 helicopters represents a major milestone in our training program. These aircraft provide our cadets with the best possible training platform, ensuring they are well-prepared for future challenges. I congratulate our cadets on their graduation and commend their dedication and hard work.”
On July 6, 2022, the RJAF signed a purchase agreement for 10 Bell 505 helicopters, aimed at enhancing the RJAF’s training capabilities. Bell worked closely with regional partner, BGS, to support this initiative with RJAF and feels grateful for their collaboration in expanding Bell’s fleet in the Middle East. The first five helicopters were delivered in November 2023, marking the beginning of a new era in rotorcraft training at the King Hussein Air College in Mafraq, Jordan.
As part of the program, later this year the customer will receive a flight training device and a comprehensive computer-based training package to support both basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training.
The Bell 505 is a versatile, five-seat aircraft designed for reliability and efficiency, equipped with the latest technology to meet the demands of modern flight training. The aircraft features a fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and a Safran Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel FADEC, making it an ideal platform for military and commercial training.
To find out more about the Bell 505, please visit the Bell product page.
ABOUT BELL
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.
Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
ABOUT TEXTRON INC.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.
Airline roundtable delivered by UWE and the RAeS explores gender inequality in the pilot and pilot trainer workforce
A roundtable discussion was held at the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), on the 19 June 2024. This was a collaboration between the RAeS and the University of the West (UWE) of England, led by Professor Susan Durbin FRAeS, Stella Warren and Captain Marnie Munns FRAeS, ATS Human Factors, with the participation of several UK and European airlines. The roundtable was a further reflection on the findings of this global study on the gender inequality in the pilot and pilot trainer workforce and was run in partnership with the Society’s Flight Training Specialist Group.
The findings from this report were published in 2022 by the Royal Aeronautical Society with the main themes from the report being presented at the roundtable, including the lack of part-time working opportunities for female pilots at senior levels, a lack of transparency in the recruitment and selection process for pilots and pilot trainers and discussion over sexual harassment and bullying. The updated republished paper can be viewed below.
RAeS Paper – Gender diversity in the pilot trainer role
The session was opened with a message from Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, who emphasised the importance of diversifying access to the aviation and aerospace industry and the creation of the right environment to enable this. The roundtable was an opportunity to open a dialogue with airlines and consider next steps in addressing the issues highlighted in the report.
RAeS Chief Executive, David Edwards FRAeS said:
“Whilst the UK aviation industry is slowly becoming more representative of the world around us, we still only see an average of 6% female pilots. Much work has been done to promote these careers to everyone, yet the figure remains far, far too low. There are successful examples in other countries around the world, who have increased the number of female pilots, though even the most successful still only represents 15% of the pilot workforce.
The paper that the Society and UWE delivered in 2022 was eye-opening and demonstrated the clear need to provide robust measures to remove challenges and barriers to any employee, regardless of their background, gender or ethnicity. We must support better opportunities for female pilots at senior levels to work part time, and to ensure transparency within the recruitment and selection process for pilots and pilot trainers to encourage women to join and remain in the industry. Sexual harassment and bullying across the industry is completely unacceptable, this roundtable was a great opportunity for airlines to understand the less talked about challenges for female pilots.”
NOTES TO EDITOR
- A copy of the position paper is available to download here https://www.aerosociety.com/media/17924/pilot-training_gender-diversity-june-2024-v2.pdf
- David Edwards, FRAeS has served as Chief Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society since September 2021.
- RAeS recent reports and publications include Greener by Design, Contrails and Contrail
Management, Mental Health, and Civil Aviation Safety, Air Traffic/Air Space Management Net Zero and Climate Change, and GNSS Services Supporting Civil Aviation. The RAeS monthly AEROSPACE publication features the very latest developments.
About the Royal Aeronautical Society
The Society is the only global organisation serving the entire aviation, aerospace, and space communities as both a learned society and a professional engineering institution. As such, the RAeS is independent, evidence-based and authoritative, relying on a body of knowledge going back more than 150 years. We play a leading role in influencing opinion on aviation and aerospace matters through various means including our publications, social media profile, interaction with government and an extensive events programme.
For more information about the Royal Aeronautical Society visit www.aerosociety.com, or follow RAeS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Euroairlines consolidates its presence in the African market with a partnership with Tarco Aviation
The Sudanese airline, which flies to the Middle East, Egypt and Ethiopia, will have access to aggregators, consolidators and travel agencies from the network of more than 50 BSPs in which the Spanish airline is present.
Madrid, August 7, 2024. African airline Tarco Aviation has selected Euroairlines to manage the distribution of all its domestic and international routes following the signing of a partnership agreement between the two companies. Through this partnership, Tarco Aviation will access an extensive network of travel agencies, OTAs, aggregators and consolidators in more than 60 countries provided by Euroairlines through its IATA Q4-291 plate.
Tarco Aviation currently operates flights to key destinations in East Africa, such as Uganda, Egypt and South Sudan. It also offers different weekly routes from Port Sudan to major cities in the Persian Gulf such as Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait.
The company was founded in Khartoum (Sudan) in 2009 with the aim of offering passengers different travel options to suit their needs. It offers scheduled flights, charter services and aircraft leasing to other companies. It is currently one of the most important airlines in Sudan.
Antonio López-Lázaro, CEO of Euroairlines, said the agreement will strengthen the significant growth that the Spanish company has experienced in recent years. ‘We are very excited about this partnership, as it will allow us to join forces and expand our presence in the African market,’ explains López-Lazaro. Guillermo López-Lázaro, Market, Channels & Cargo Managing Director at Euroairlines, said that thanks to this new alliance, the company can offer new destinations. ‘The extensive connections that Tarco offers from Port Sudan allow us to expand our offer of destinations for our customers with Euroairlines quality standards’, adds Market, Channels & Cargo Managing Director of the Spanish company.
‘We are so glad for this agreement. Tarco always consider the travel agents as success partners and this partnership will help us to reach more success partners especially in the countries that we don’t have direct point of sales and this will also allow more passengers to explore the Sudanese hospitality on our flights’, adds Saad Babiker Ahmed, General Manager of Tarco Aviation.
About Euroairlines
Euroairlines (www.euroairlines.es) was founded in Spain in 2000 as a commercial air transport operator. Today it is an airline that distinguishes itself by also offering distribution services to other airlines through its IATA Q4-291 plate with the support of leading travel agencies and GDS in more than 60 markets. Euroairlines is headquartered in Madrid (Spain) and has offices in New York, Miami, Cancun, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Lima, Sao Paulo and Santiago de Chile, as well as other European capitals.
About Tarco Aviation
Tarco Aviation (https://www.tarcoaviation.com) was established in Sudan in 2009 as a domestic and charter airline. It currently flies to more than 20 destinations in Africa and the Middle East and offers charter and charter services. It has positioned itself as one of the largest airlines in Sudan. It is based in Khartoum, the country’s capital, and has offices in all the destinations it serves.
