Author Archives: Jarryd Sinovich
SAAF Prestige Evening Awards
The South African Airforce held a Prestige evening awards ceremony at Airforce Base Swartkop on the 31 January 2019.The following day the Airforce was to celebrate 99 years of air power excellence.
The aim of the Prestige Evening is to showcase the service excellence by bestowing honours and eminence to the sterling work the done by the different SAAF entities and individuals in their varied stations.
Invited guests were treated to a mini flying display by various aircraft in the South African Airforce inventory, that being the Silver Falcons led by Major Omphile Matloane ,an Oryx helicopter and the SAAF Museums De Haviland Vampire flown by Lt Col Glen ‘Gringo’ Warden.
Unfortunately there was no Rooivalk display due to the helicopter picking up a snag during its validation flight earlier in the afternoon. The Weather gods also didn’t agree with the evenings proceeding’s and rather made everyone move into Hanger 5 where supper and speeches took place due to the heavy rain downpour.
Once everyone had run for shelter due to the rain in hangar five “The Centre of Aviation Awareness Hanger ” where the to the choir entertained us until the awards ceremony began.
The Chief of the South African Airforce and MCs for the evening congratulated each of the following units for the outstanding contribution to making the organisation a successful team in their different roles they’re play in the SAAF.
For the rest of the evening we got to listen to the South African Airforce Band, with a special musician who joined us for the evening, Mr
Jonas Gwangwa. He has been an important figure in South African jazz for over 40 years.
Mr Jonas Gwangwa
We would like to say thank you to the South African Airforce for their hospitality and to the Chief of the SAAF for welcoming us to the event personally.We wish the SAAF a great and safe year ahead. The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display.
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AFB Swartkop to host Prestige Day 01 February
The first and oldest South African Air force Base, Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop, will host the South African Air Force Prestige Day Parade on 01 February 2019. The parade is scheduled to commence at 10h00.
Previously known as Air Force Day Parade, the parade commander is expected to get the proceedings underway by leading the troops and a Colour-Party in a form of a Ceremonial Wing-In-Review on the parade during which Chief of the Air Force (CAF), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Zimpande Msimang will acknowledge a salute from members on the parade as the Review Officer.
The Chief of the South African Airforce is expected to bestow trophies to deserving Directorates, Bases, Squadrons and Units for distinguishing themselves in various performances in different categories such as flying unit, support unit to mention but a few.
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On a yearly basis, the SA Air Force sets aside the 31st January and 01st February to celebrate top achievers within its ranks. Aviation enthusiasts who continue to offer resolute support to the SA Air Force will bear witness to the deafening roaring sounds of the SAAF fighter jets, transport and helicopter fleets, as well as Silver Falcons when they perform an aerial display.
Known by many as the host of old SAAF hardware, the SAAF Museum will make its presence felt when it deploys its assets such as Puma, Alouette and Harvard to form part of the mass flypast.
Please note that no public will be allowed to enter the base for this event, only invited guested will gain entry.
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Armed Forces Day Media Launch 2019
With the 2019 edition of Armed Forces Day in Cape Town,preparations are well under way what is set to promte and show
the best of the capabilities of the South African National Defence Force.
This year as said before in previous reviews, the SA Navy will be hosting Armed Forces Day in their home waters of Cape Town where most assets are based as well as personnel.
On the morning of the 28th January 2019,Aviation Central were invited to attended the Armed Forces Day media briefing which took place in Cape Town onboard the SAS Amatola is the first of four Valour-class frigates for the South African Navy by the European South African Corvette Consortium, and one of the few big warships the SA Navy have in their inventory.
Our flight from AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria with 28 Squadron in one of the mighty C130BZs, left for our 2 and a half hour journey to AFB Ysterplaat home of 22 Squadron and 35 Squadron.
Our arrival we had a military escort towards the V&A Waterfront where the Amatola was docked. The briefing proceedings started with a welcome sound of the Navy’s Band and the beginning of
the weeks activities building up to the parade on the 21st February 2019.
AFD co-ordinator Rear Admiral Matshimane said: “There will be 8 500 military men and women deployed, utilising 160 vehicles, a number of aircraft will also be displayed during the various exercises and events building up to the 21st February 2019″
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General Glen Gibson former 2 Squadron Gripen pilot mentioned “that we will see all types of South African Airforce Aircraft, the list being Gripen and Hawk fighter aircraft from AFB Makhado in the Limpopo Province,C130BZ,Casa212, and all helicopter types from around the country that including the Rooivalk,Oryx,AgustaA109LUH,BK117 and the Super Lynx 300.”
The 16th February will see the official opening of the SANDF fan park at the Nelson Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha. Two frigates will be open to the public at the V&A Waterfront.
Keep an eye on our webpage and Facebook on more updates on Armed forces day 2019.
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Rand Airport Challenge 2019
A typical summer morning at Rand Airport where most pilots like to take to the skies over Johannesburg and enjoy the beautfual scenary
around the Gauteng Province.
This past weekend we attended the first fun Rally for the year and no better place to have it at a busy airport,with the Harvard Cafe
along side the terminal building, pilots and navigators stocked up on a filling breakfast and coffee, they made their way to the airports terminal building for a sharp briefing at 8.30am.A quick photo of every participant in front of what could be a oasis of palm trees shading Rand Airport Tower!
Once the briefing was over the team memebers made their way to their aircraft making sure all routes and refrences marked out so that the best man or women wins.
The SAPFA Committee, particularly Rob Jonkers and Mary de Klerk, who organised a very thorough workshop recently on Rally Flying, saw their efforts bear fruit at the annual Rand Airport Challenge, when a record 8 teams took part in the Intermediate form of the sport. In previous years most participants preferred to stick to the simplest and easiest form which is Fun Rally, but this year pilots and navigators were encouraged to enter the more difficult category. The reason for this, is to elevate their skills levels, so that they can participate at national level, thereby building up a new breed of South African champion rally pilots and navigators.
The navigators and pilots in the Intermediate category had one hour to plot the entire route, and had to do so in the cockpit, which was a first for most of them. They also had far more photo targets to identify, and these were mixed up instead of being sequential and only one per leg. The pilots had only a 5 second window to get through each turn-point, instead of 15 seconds for Fun.
Organisers Frank and Cally Eckard gave them the task of flying an arc, which is a curved track between two turn-points, and a follow-the-feature, where they have to fly along a road, river or railway line. Every pilot flew the arc perfectly, and really enjoyed the challenge.
The route took them south from Rand Airport, around Suikerbosrand to Heidelberg, then down to two turnpoints on the banks of the Vaal Dam, and back again near Vereeniging to the Finish Point at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.
Rand Airport, who sponsor the Rand Airport Challenge Trophy, also waived landing fees on the days for the participants. The trophy was won by the defending team of Shane Brits and Karen Stroud, who have been putting a lot of effort into their sport.
The full results are:
The Fun Rally section:
| Pilot | Navigator | Points | |
| 1 | RC Shillaw | CJ Shillaw | 319 |
| 2 | Thys van der Merwe | Gerda | 870 |
| 3 | Kim Pratley | Andrew Pratley | 1231 |
| 4 | Piet Meyer | Pieter Kriel | 1410 |
The Intermediate Section:
| Pilot | Navigator | Points | |
| 1 | Shane Britz | Karen Stroud | 750 |
| 2 | Jonty Esser | Jonathan Esser | 967 |
| 3 | Adrian Pilling | Adam Pilling | 982 |
| 4 | Don Lucas | Andre Kluyts | 1488 |
| 5 | Leon Bouttell | Karyn Purchase | 1955 |
| 6 | Mark Clulow | Renee Clulow | 2170 |
Unfortunately the two teams consisting of Phil Wakely and Mary de Klerk, and Jakes Jacobs and Franz Smit did not complete the course due to mechanical problems.
The Unlimited Section:
| Pilot | Navigator | Points | |
| 1 | Rob Jonkers | Martin Meyer | 409 |
| 2 | Hans Schwebel | Ron Stirk | 766 |
| 3 | Antony Russell | Pamela Russell | 1344 |
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this sport, and are all very motivated to take part in the next events:
- 1-2 Feb – Cape Speed Rally, Morning Star
- 16 Feb – Training Day in Brits, with the focus on the role of the pilot, and cockpit-management
- 23 March – Virginia Rally, Durban (with a training course on 22 March)
- 4 – 6 April – Rally Nationals, Stellenbosch
Please enter online at http://Sapfa.org.za
The Work Horse of the SAAF-The Oryx Helicopter
The Oryx Medium transport helicopter, is the upgraded version of the puma helicopter which served the South African Airforce for many years and saw the helicopter take part in the Angola border war. The SAAF were the largest operator of the then Aerospatiale SA330 Puma. The Oryx Helicopter named after the Oryx antelope or Gemsbok in Afrikaans. The first flight of the Oryx helicopter was in
1986 .
A 330L Puma, no. 177, was converted to Oryx configuration and used as a prototype and as the results exceeded all expectations the Oryx programme was launched. The sanctions era encouraged the local aviation industry to become self-sufficient in producing helicopter components and, with the knowledge to assemble pre-manufactured helicopters, led to the technical skill for producing complete Puma helicopters, should the need arise. This included complete airframes and dynamic components such as gearboxes, rotor blades and turbines and hot section parts. The engine intakes are fitted with locally produced dust filters and ensure higher efficiency and reliability.
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The Oryx is an upgraded and remanufactured version of the SA 330 Puma equivalent to the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma now known as Airbus Helicopters, and offers a performance improvement over the original, in addition to cutting the operating costs by 25 to 30%. First examples were fitted with the latest dust filters as were then in use on the SAAF Puma. These units had a moveable auxiliary air intake on the front. A newly designed dust filter was later fitted without the auxiliary air intake. Should one of the engines fail, the remaining powerplant has sufficient power for the Oryx to complete its mission. If an engine fails in flight, the management system automatically advances the power setting on the remaining engine. This ensures the Oryx sustains flight with very little crew input, during such an emergency.
The basic airframe is still that of the original Puma, but the structure was modernized by extensive use of locally produced carbon-composite materials. These materials result in an airframe that is lighter and more rugged, which increases the Oryx’s endurance and maneuverability. The obvious external difference is the new modified tailboom which is slightly longer (50 cm), than the Puma.
The Oryx is a multi-role helicopter. Its main uses in the SAAF are: medium to heavy transport and communications flights, task force rapid deployment operations, fire fighting, and search & rescue missions. It can carry up to 20 fully equipped troops, or 6 wounded on stretchers with 4 attendants, or 3,000 kg freight carried in the cabin, or 4,500 kg freight on an external sling. Tasks for the South African Navy include transport, replenishment at sea, force multiplication, reconnaissance, search & rescue, etc.
Most Oryx are equipped with a 50m hydraulic hoist, rated for up to 2 personnel, for use in rescue operations. Additionally a large metal A-frame structure can be fitted in the cargo bay which allows up to 4 personnel to rappel or abseil from the aircraft simultaneously. Oryx operating from coastal squadrons are fitted with emergency flotation gear on the sponsons and nose.
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The Oryx offers a number of advantages and this was further developed from an early stage in the program. With the Denel Rooivalk of 16 Squadron now in service, this combat helicopter will escort the Oryx in a high threat environment. However, as an interim measure an Oryx with door mounted machine guns did appear. Oryx helicopters are constantly refined and updated. A full glass cockpit is planned for a future update. The latest addition is the fitting of flare dispensers and the update of the Threat Warning Receivers.
Photo Credit Marriane Eksteen
There is an electronic warfare (stand-off communications jamming/radar jamming) version of the Oryx that is equipped with the Grinaker Systems Technologies (GST) GSY 1501 jamming system, among others. The first Oryx variant with a large log periodic antenna on the starboard side was regarded as quite an effective EW platform. This platform is capable of disrupting key communications during various stages of modern, air-, land-, and sea battles. In addition it is used as an effective training aid to the SANDF, to test their function as an effective fighting force, despite any EW methods employed against the SA Forces. A further advantage is, EW equipment in use by the SA Forces can be effectively evaluated and calibrated under simulated battlefield scenarios. One variant has its main cabin doors replaced by dome shaped antennas.
Oryx Helicopters have flown many rescue missions over the past couple of years including The 2000 Mozambique flood which was a natural disaster that occurred in February and March 2000.Other rescue missions include offshore tanker vessels to mountain rescues in the Drakensberg.
Operational Flying of the Oryx in the DRC
During the Burundi conflict the SAAFs Oryx’s and Alouette III Helicopters were deployed on peace keeping missions. As times have changed the SAAF are now in the DRC on peace keeping missions!
The Oryx has come under small arms fire since it has been deployed to the DRC. All incidents have been minor and helicopter crews have managed to get the aircraft back to base.
Since the end of October 2013, the South African Air Force has deployed three Rooivalk combat helicopters to the DRC, and these have also been shot at by rebel groups in the restive country. However, the aircraft have not sustained serious damage.
“The Oryx and Rooivalk also supply armed air escorts, fire support, search and rescue and extraction operations. The unit is on standby 24/7 and boasts a reaction time of 45 minutes.”
General characteristics
- Crew: Three
- Capacity: 20 fully equipped troops
- Length: 15.45 m (50 ft 8 in)
- Height: 5.14 m (16 ft 10 in)
- Empty weight: 3,600 kg (7,937 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,000 kg (17,637 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila IA1 turboshaft engines, 1,400 kW (1,900 hp) each
- Main rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
- Main rotor area: 191 m2 (2,060 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph; 165 kn)
- Combat range: 303 km (188 mi; 164 nmi)
- Ferry range: 2,000 km (1,243 mi; 1,080 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,162 m (23,497 ft)
- Rate of climb: 15.25 m/s (3,002 ft./min)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × door-mounted 7.62 mm machine guns (optional; either the FNMAG or Denel SS-77
The Oryx AS32 operates with the following Squadrons in the South African Airforce:
87 Helicopter Flying School-AFB Bloemspruit
22 Squadron-AFB Ysterplaat
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17 Squadron-AFB Swartkop
15 Squadron-AFB Durban
19 Squadron-AFB Hoedspruit
Test Flight and Development Centre-AFB Overberg
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SANDF To Start Year Off With A Bang
Armed Forces Day is the broad term used to describe a day observed by nations around the world to honor their military forces.
“Armed Forces Day is a day on which the South African population honours men and women of the SANDF by affirming its support and gratitude to them for upholding the constitution of the Republic and defending the territorial integrity of the Republic and protecting its people,” the DoD said in its statement.
This year Cape Town will host Armed Forces Day, The South African Navy will be a major attraction this year with Simons Town being the home port of the SA Navy. Its the SA Navy’s turn to host and plan this years Armed Forces Day as last year in Kimberly saw the SA Airforce host the event.
The week leading up to the main parade on Thursday 21 February at the Table Bay Beach. These include the opening of a fan park at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha; an inter-faith church service, a wreath laying ceremony at the University of Cape Town and to top it all off with a capability demonstration night shoot at Muizenberg’s Sunrise Beach on February 19.
See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_qgpoWJ11g
The South African Navy is the naval warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force, which has a number of assets protecting the South African coastline for some years now.
Previous Armed Forces days parades have taken place in Bloemfontein in the Free State, Potchefstroom in the North West Province, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Kimberly in the Northern Cape and Finally Cape Town will have hosted Armed Forces Day.
See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRX0KwJFFn8
More information will be available for the public as we get closer to the event. The City of Cape Town will first have the State of the nation address (SONA) where their will be a flypast for the opening of the event.
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2019 Airshow Season
2018 has come and gone and saw some fantastic airshow displays across Southern Africa. We trust all our followers had a great festive season and some well spent time with loved ones!
We would like to wish all our followers a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones,2019 we should have a busier year with some action packed return events on the airshow circuit this year.
2018 Season
A quick recap on lasts years airshow season saw the welcome return of the Ermelo Airshow in Mpumalanga. The show had a great turnout and many of South Africa’s top airshow performers
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/tag/ermelo-airshow-2018/
Armed Forces Day which was held in Kimberly Northern Cape had a major SANDF presence, we were lucky enough to be invited to the Weapons Demo at De Brug Weapons Range in Bloemfontein. We got to witness all forms of Fire Power from all the South African National Defence Force.
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/tag/de-brug/
Race for Rhinos saw our team make way to Sua Pan in Botswana, we made our 3 hour journey up from Wonderboom Airport onboard Little Annie AN2.And got to witness the worlds biggest air race, with all funds raised going to supporting Africa’s Endangered Rhino!
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/race-for-rhinos-2018/
The Africa Aerospace and Defence show at AFB Waterkloof was a major success and I’m sure we all waiting for the 2020 edition of the show.
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/africa-aerospace-and-defence-airshow-2018/
Before any airshows take place the boys and girls in the Cape must get ready for Armed Forces Day which will be taking place in Bloubergstrand. Many types of SAAF aircraft will be keeping Capetonians eyes to the sky.
2019 airshow season will be kicking off with the Middelburg Airshow and Aeroclub-Air Week at Middelburg Airfield in Mpumalanga from 7-10 March 2019. The country airshows are always a favourite and access to aircraft and pilots is always a guarantee among the crowds.
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Some news for 2019
Get your own Airshow and Aviation Events Desktop calendar here
Aviation Centrals Newest Member
We would like to introduce one of our newest members to the Aviation Central Team, Mr Alan Richert who hails from Hilcrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
He will be covering the Natal Aviation events with our Aviation Centrals Trevor Viljoen. We look forward to your beautiful pictures and reviews Alan!
Some pictures from some RC Flying along the coast this past weekend Alan took, while Trevor Viljoen at the controls of the RC Aircraft!
Seen at Virginia Airport (FAVG) January 2019
See also https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/the-aero-l29-delfin-the-soviet-trainer/#more-4211
Silver Falcons Team 82
The Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team introduced a new team member to the team, Major Tian Stander became the number two. We would like to wish Major Omphile Matloane and the rest of the team a safe 2019 airshow season.
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/the-pride-of-the-nationthe-silver-falcons/#more-477
https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/from-soloist-to-lead-omphile-mutloane/#more-1436
Falcon 2
Silver Falcons Team 82
Falcon 1-Major Omphile “Biggy” Matloane (Flown the Pc7MKII,A109LUH and Oryx Helicopters)
Falcon 2-Major Tiaan “Excell” Stander (Flown the PC7MKII,Alouette III,A109LUH and Oryx Helicopters)
Falcon 3-Major Corne “Stilbo” van Deventer (Flown the PC7MKII,HawkMK120)
Falcon 4-Major Bheki “SwaziBoy”Shabungu (Flown the PC7MKII,Cessna 208 Caravan)
Falcon 5-Major Sivu “Sivuple” Tangana (Flown the PC7MKII,AgustaA109LUH and Oryx Helicopters)
Falcon 6 GLO- Major Musa Dlamini (Flown the PC7MKII)
Falcon 7 PRO- Captain Xander Albasani (Flown the PC7MKII)
Falcon 8- Commentator Brian Emmenis
The 2019 Airshow season is set to be exciting and a number of shows will be there to entertain the South African Aviation Fanatics. Keep a good eye on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/AviationSA/ And also our website https://www.aviationcentral.co.za/
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Launch of Ultimate Heli-port Midrand
Ultimate HELI, a well respected operator that flies fixed wing aircraft and helicopters out of Grand Central Airport. Grand Central Airport which is just up the road from the heli- port, located near the Alan dale off ramp in Midrand.
Sunday the 9th December 2018 saw the official opening of the heli port with conjunction with National Airways Corporation (NAC).The gloomy Sunday morning saw invited guests and media being shown around the world class facility.
Agusta A109 Grand ZS-BAX (Photo by Vincent Nagel)
A number of helicopters visited the facility during the course of the day, while others have now taken up as residents at the heli port. Some of the helicopters that one could see was a number of Robinson R44s,Bell206 Jet Ranger, a Airbus H125, an Agusta A109,A119,Bell 430 and a Huey belonging to airshow performer Menno Parsons.
Photo by Camry De Lorme
Photo by Vincent Nagel 
Bell 430 (Photo by Vincent Nagel)
The heliport will have space for about 30 choppers and, since Ultimate HELI currently has 12 of its own, that leaves plenty of room for those that are corporately or privately owned. Roseveare knows that at least six or seven property owners within Waterfall own a helicopter, so they can now negotiate convenient storage space with the company.
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Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018
Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018
The 10th edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence trade and airshow has come and gone, what was definitely the most exciting show we all looked forward to panned out to be a great success once again. The event took place over the 19th-23 September 2018 at Air force Base Waterkloof, Centurion, City of Tshwane.
Static Park
The apron was full of aircraft and most of the hangers were full of all different companies showing off their technology to the world. The crowds were kept busy with all the walking through the halls and interacting with aircraft and pilots.
Crowds flocked to the gates around the base from the 22-23 September to get the best seat along the crowd line,this to insure they don’t miss any part of the exiting program Colonel Keith Fryer(flight director) and Keith Andrews and their team put together to excite and show off air capabilities of the South African Airforce (SAAF). The Saturday show started off with the Sound of Freedom, that been the sound of jets, six Gripens from 2 Squadron and 3 Hawks from 85 Combat Flying School took to the skies and put a formation flypast over the crowds.What a way to start a airshow!
With Airforce Base Swartkop down the road from Airforce Base Waterkloof, Swartkop was used as a second base for aircraft including the new microlight display team known as the Misasa Aerial Display-MAD Team. The team is made up of Adrienne Visser as lead, Pieter Kriel at the number two, Gary Heyenreich at number three, Gavin Van Der Berg at four and number five Marius Nel. It was great to see a microlight display team after the absence at airshows for some years now,we hope to see them on the regular airshow circuit in the future. There was a Airplane Factory Sling 4 and a Raven 500 formation Flypast.A mass Bathawk display was put on show, and is shown why its a great aircraft for Anti-Poaching missions.A light sky jeep was also thrown into the formation as well as the wagtail gyrocopter, all aircraft not shy to the African bush!
Raven 500
Wagtail
Capital Sounds once again had their ever hard working team at the event and this has to be the longest line of speakers that Capital has at a airshow in South Africa. Brian Emmenis and Leon Du Plessis informed the crowd of each aircraft taking to the skies and brought a lot of the airshow vibe to Waterkloof.
Capital Sounds
Lieutenant colonel Craig “Shark” Lesson once again did 85 Combat Flying School proud,as he put the Hawk Mk120 through its paces.The Officer Commanding 85 Combat Flying School displayed both one of the Flag Hawks’271′ and one of the grey aircraft during the course of AAD2018.Andrew Blackwood Murray flew his Nashua Extra 300 and Neville Ferriria flew his Slick 540 with a combined aerobatic sequence with high energy aerobatics and low knife edge passes so the crowd could capture the sleek lines on both aircraft. Neville Ferreria had just returned from Hungry where he is flying the Geneavation Aerobatic aircraft for the country. He is surely doing South Africa proud!
Hawk MK120 ‘Vlaggie’
Hawk MK120 ‘262’
Andrew Blackwood Murray Extra 300
Slick 540 Neville Ferreira
Paramount Groups AHRLAC aircraft did some tight formation flying and was defiantly a way to show it off to the worlds market of defence. Staying with the locally manufactured aircraft the 16 Squadron Rooivalk was put through its paces in the UN white livery by Major Paul ‘Raccoon’ Kempthorn, at the end of his display he released a large amount of flares,a great end to a display!
Paramount Group AHRLACs
Paramount Group AHRLACs
16 Squadron Rooivalk
16 Squadron Rooivalk
The Rand Airport based Puma Flying Lions Harvards and Taillifts Cows Pitts Specials flew their usual display infront of the 45 000+ crowds.The SAAF Museum and Harvard Club Harvards and a single Douglas DC4 did a couple of formation Flypasts over the crowd and brought back many memory’s of the former SAAF trainer before the Harvard was replaced by the Pilatus PC7MKII. The DC4 then went onto doing a solo display flown by Captain Bill Good.
Puma Flying Lions Harvards
Taillifts Cows Aerobatic Pitts Team
Mass Radial Display
Harvard Club
Harvard Club
Douglas DC4
Douglas DC4
The cockpit ambassadors of the South African Airforce The Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team 82,put on a great display led by Major Omphile Matloane who received his Golden Wings a couple of days before the start of AAD2018.Lt Colonel Glen Wraden flew the Aero L29 from AFB Swartkop, The Airforce of Zimbabwe K8 was also flown with a support CASA 212 on static display.
Silver Falcons
Silver Falcons PC7MKIIs
Falcon 5 Sivu Tangana
L29
L29
K8
K8
There were two mini-wars on the day of the show,both from the SAAF Museum and from the current SAAF inventory of aircraft.A vast amount of pyrotechnics and armored vehicles were used during the show.
SAAF Museum Bosbok and Cessna C185
Ratels
Oryx Helicopters
Top Cover Rooivalk and Hawks
Ivan van Der Schaar and Jon-Marc Hill, Juba Jourbet flew the Bi-plane formation that being a Boeing Stearman and Antonov 2 ‘Little Annie’.Later in the day Little Annie escorted by the Stearman dropped a large amount of Manhattan Marshmellows for the crowds.
AN2 and Boeing Stearman
AN2 ‘Little Annie’
AN2 marshmallow drop
2 Squadron was well represented at the show once again,we were able to see six Gripens in formation,two Gripens in the mini-war and a solo gripen display flown by Major Geoffrey ‘Spartan’ Cooper and a 2v1 combat routine.
2 Squadron Gripens
Gripen JAS39D flown by ‘Midnite’ and ‘Bluebird’
Gripens being flown by ‘Cipher’ and ‘Doberman’
28 Squadron was busy during the mini-war delivering troops into the simulated battle-zone, Lt Col Clint Hawtrey also gave one of the best C130BZ displays to date. What a display it was to witness!
C130BZ
C130BZ dropping flares
C130BZ during the mini-war
A huge of congrats must go to the organisers of AAD2018
Florence Musengi-AAD Chairperson
Simphiwe Hamilton-Excutive Director
Leon Dillman-CEO CAASA
Leona Redelinghuys-Exhibition Director
Marketing and Public Relations-Nakedi Phasha
Youth Development Program-Kholisile Khumalo
General Fabian Zimpande “Zakes” Msimang-Chief of the South African Airforce
The 11th Edition of Africa Aerospace and Defence, AAD2020, will take place 16 – 20 September 2020. 2020 SAAF and the Aero Club of South Africa will be celebrating their centenary birthdays and this creating lots of expectations among young and old to see a Super Show. All we can do is wait and see what they deliver and how many Countries except the invite to join South Africa on this centenary celebrations.
Click to enlarge photos below
AAD2018 Day 2
AAD2018 Day 2
Thursday day two of AAD2018,saw a bigger influx of trade visitors then day one of the event,the media were kept busy with a number of briefings and different subjects to photograph and report on.Much of the morning,we spent going through each of the halls and seeing the different defence industry’s showing off their products to the world.
A visit to the western side of the base,we had the opportunity to capture pilots and ground crew as they made their way to aircraft for the validation flights for the weekends Airshow.Most impressive capture today was six Gripens on the apron. A sight you don’t see to often at South African Airshows.The rest of the validations were spot on and some great pictures and airmanship was seen!
Rostec suggests using automobile leasing scheme to renew Russian helicopter fleet
The Russian fleet of civilian helicopters numbers about 1,800 helicopters, over 60–70% of which have been operated for 25 years and longer. Most of those helicopters were put into operation as early as at the beginning of the post-soviet period, and a considerable part of the aircraft was purchased by air carriers in early 1990s. According to the aircraft register, the Russian fleet mostly consists of Mi-8 helicopters. Due to the long-standing need to replace a part of the Russian helicopter fleet, Rostec suggests measures that would facilitate purchase of new aircraft for air carriers.
“We are expecting that renewal of the helicopter fleet will be supported by the state program to facilitate purchase of new aircraft for air carriers, similar to the one implemented in the auto industry,” said Director of the Aviation Cluster of Rostec Anatoly Serdyukov. “A take-back program can be developed, and a leasing scheme may be used. For instance, an old helicopter will be taken in as the first payment, and an air carrier will receive a new helicopter in return.”
Canon AAD2018 to Aviation Photography
We joined the Canon team at the Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre near AFB Swartkop, Pretoria. This workshop included the way of Aviation Photography with Justin de Reuck, South Africa’s top Aviation Photographer. The workshop was well attended and we as a team learnt so much and can improve our skills to Aviation Photography. Thanks to Canon and Abri Kriegler
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on the final trade day tomorrow!