Category Archives: General News and Airshow Reviews
RHINO POACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2021
8 FEBRUARY 2022
Not Aviation related, But something we carry close at heart and Aviation can play a BIG roll in preventing RHINO POACHING
Also see
SANParks Celebrates South Africa’s First Black Game Capture Pilot
Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018
David Simelane Promoted To Chief Pilot Of SANParks Air Services
A total of 451 rhino were poached in South Africa in 2021, 327 within government reserves and 124 on private property. While there is a 24 percent decrease in rhino poaching compared to the pre-Covid period in 2019, there has been an increase in poaching on private properties.
In 2021, 209 rhino were poached for their horns in South African National Parks – all in the Kruger National Park. This was in fact a decrease in comparison to 2020 when 247 rhino were poached within the national parks. It is important to note that none of SANParks’ smaller rhino parks experienced any rhino losses from poaching in 2021, in comparison to the 2 rhino that were poached in 2020.
The steady decline in rhino poaching in Kruger Park is related to an increase in the intensity of anti-poaching activities in the Kruger National Park. A close working relationship between the police’s endangered species unit, the SANParks environmental crimes inspectorate has resulted in increased arrests and convictions.
One of the unintended consequences is that poaching syndicates are looking to other areas for easy prey and this has resulted in their targeting private reserves in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Over the last year conservation and anti-poaching efforts have intensified countrywide as a joint effort is made by state-owned conservation areas, government and private landowners to reduce the poaching of rhino in South Africa. More targeted deployment of resources is being assisted by the roll out of a CSIR-developed situational awareness platform known as CMORE into the integrated wildlife zones. Through this single technology platform all role players are able to collaborate, making use of real-time insights and analytical capability, linking, for example, camera traps and ranger patrols while integrating a range of other systems.
Information collected and communication flows through the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC) which continues to support the teams at both a tactical level and strategic level. Our analysis capabilities have also improved, resulting in the increased identification of those involved in rhino poaching and trafficking and improved and expanded investigations by multi-disciplinary teams.
SANParks, provincial nature reserves and private rhino owners are dehorning rhino to deter poachers, while SANParks is investigating the feasibility of additional actions such as anti-poaching initiatives focused on apprehending poachers and establishing additional founder populations outside the Kruger National Park.
Government continues to work closely with the private sector and non-governmental organisations through the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach and the draft National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) to address rhino poaching.
In 2021 there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities: 77 within the Kruger National Park and 109 outside the Park. This compares with 156 people arrested countrywide in 2020. In the 38 verdicts handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhino poachers/traffickers.
The following are among some of the successful prosecutions during 2021:
- Project Python: Three persons were arrested and several properties seized. The 3 accused were charged with racketeering and money laundering relating to rhino horn trafficking. One of the accused Ping WU was convicted on two money laundering charges in the Tembisa regional court. The case was remanded to 9 February 2022 for sentencing. The racketeering trial against the other two accused, Huang and Chen, continues and was postponed to the 3 March 2022 for the state to lead further evidence.
- S v Arlendo Mhlanga; Hlayisile Adam Hlongwane; Inancio Chauke were sentenced to 85 years’ imprisonment, effective sentence of 35 years imprisonment after being convicted on 10 counts in relation to the killing of three rhinos in the Pilanesberg National Park, the possession, transportation, cutting of 6 rhino horns, theft and the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and trespassing. In addition, the Ford Courier vehicle which was used during the commission of the offences was forfeited to the State.
- S v W Mhangani & and 2 others were convicted for killing 3 rhinos within the Kruger National Park, for being illegally in SA, trespassing, possession of unlicensed firearm and the possession of unlicensed ammunition. Accused 1 was sentenced to an effective 45 years imprisonment and accused 2 and 3 were sentenced to an effective 30 years imprisonment.
- S v GV Tibane and J Matshinga Sithole were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment following a conviction in relation to trespassing in the Kruger National Park, contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal killing of a rhino, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number, possession of silencer, possession of firearm with intent to commit crime, possession of ammunition and possession of an axe.
- S v Emmanuel Mdluli was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment after being convicted on charges of trespassing, possession of firearm with the intention to poach a rhino, possession of firearm with serial number obliterated, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of dangerous weapon, contravening Immigration Act.
On the international front, the following are examples of the important work that is taking place between South Africa and those countries implicated in wildlife crime:
- A Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) process was successfully finalised between SA and Poland, after receipt of a request from Poland relating to rhino horn trophy hunting in South Africa;
- Operation Golden Strike, which relates to the cooperative work done between Southern Africa and South East Asia, has set a platform for better cooperation between these countries with the aim to combat wildlife trafficking at international levels. Several successful operations, bilateral engagements and information sharing sessions were conducted during the reporting period;
- A controlled delivery between South Africa and Vietnam took place in July 2021, resulting from the work between the Hawks and the Vietnamese authorities on a consignment of rhino horns and suspected lion bones that was trafficked to Vietnam. The operation was successfully conducted and 138kg of rhino horns and an estimated 3 tons of suspected lion bones were seized at Da Nang Port in Vietnam. The investigation continues between the two countries;
- Cross border investigations between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China are underway as a result of a joint integrated operation between the Hawks, assisted by DFFE and the transport sector at OR Tambo International Airport in December 2021. A total of 32 rhino horns were seized. The information obtained during this operation was shared with the People’s Republic of China authorities, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect in South Africa and two suspects in China as well as seizure of additional rhino horns.
South Africa remains committed to safeguarding the country’s rhino populations, and will continue to work tirelessly, alongside the private sector, committed NGOs as well as authorities in transit and destination countries, to combat wildlife crime.
** Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
To access a recording of Minister Creecy’s statement, click on: https://we.tl/t-rUwasWlZ7X
SAAF Prestige Parade 2022- Free the Eagle
The South African Airforce hosted its annual prestige parade at Airforce Base Swartkop last week Friday with both a parade, flypasts and a solo display by Hawk MK120!
Lieutenant General W.S Mbambo as chief of the air force introduced a new motto of the air force “Free the Eagle was the theme of this years Prestige Parade.
The South African Air Force is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920.This making 102 years of the South African Air forces existence.
During the week, residents of Pretoria got to hear and see some of the sights and sounds of some of the current SAAF assets leading up to the parade and the Prestige evening that was held at AFB Waterkloof last Thursday evening.
Friday morning the weather was not looking good for both flying and the parade, by 9.30am the weather had cleared at the decision was made to go ahead with the days proceedings .
A skydive drop opened the parade from a Casa 212-300 from members of 1 Parachute Battalion,5 Aircraft Service Unit and SAMHS. Once the final skydiver had landed two Agusta A109LUHs provided a flag flypast during the time of a gun salute below!
The parade started with marching columns and members of the South African Airforce Band engaged in the parade background.
During Lieutenant Genareal W.S Mbambo Speech, he mentioned
“Our Country and the SAAF Cannot be separated. We have a Siamese twins Independency that wasn’t predicted nor planned elsewhere but came about naturally. Was it South Africa’s Geostatic position in the continent and the rest of the world naturally requires strong and reliable air force legs to connect it. In the absence of such connectivity we remain an outpost to the world risking being bypasses by the world by opportunities by globalization and the fourth industrial revolution.”
● THE EAGLE’S LIFE
THE SAAF LIKE MANY OTHER AIR FORCES AROUND THE WORLD HAS ADOPTED THIS MAGICAL BIRD AS
ITS SYMBOL. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE SAAF PAYS KEEN ATTENTION TO THE FASCINATING LIFE
JOURNEY OF THIS POWERFUL BIRD OF THE SKY.
“The time for being comfortable with the consumer mentality in the SAAF is over. We must forge ahead to introspect ourselves in terms of what we can do ourselves and what we can outsource. We must get involved with partners and government departments that will enable us to express our innovation and help relieve too much dependency on the coffers of National Treasury. This requires a different thinking not only within the SAAF and the Department of Defence but beyond so that the constrains in policies must be removed.”
The Flypasts consisted of a mass Helicopter formation with Agusta A109LUHs,BK117s,Rooivalk Attack Helicopters from various Squadrons around South Africa and SAAF Museum Alouette II and Alouette IIIs helicopters based at AFB Swartkop.
Next was the Museum Fixed wing formation made up of Two Harvards, a Cessna C185 and Kudu.
Transport formation was next with a 44 Squadron CASA 212-300 and three 41 Squadron Cessna C208As,a five ship Pilatus PC7MKII formation led by Major Lehlohonolo Malokane.
The final flypast was by three Hawk MK120 Lead in fighter trainers from 85 Combat Flying School from Airforce Base Makahdo in the Limpopo province. A single Hawk then did a solo display flown by Major Rehan “Kaine” Venter.
EAA Breakfast Fly-In Kitty Hawk
By Dian Townsend
We arrived at a wet and rainy Kitty Hawk Aerodrome early on Saturday morning. Although a low cloud base over Gauteng made for less than optimal flying conditions, it was still full speed ahead for the EAA Breakfast Fly-In, the first EAA Social Gathering for 2022!
The first aircraft to grace the skies over Kitty Hawk was the SAPS Pilatus PC-6, although not part of the fly-in attendees, how could we not mention such an awesome aircraft? Upon departure, the PC-6 crew demonstrated the aircraft’s short takeoff capabilities, and rounded off their visit with a nice flyby.
The next aircraft in where two ultralights. And from there on, the skies over Kitty Hawk grew busier. Later in the day we had a Piper Tripacer, RV-8 and a gaggle of R44’s roll in. Quite a few more aircraft took to the skies from there on out, both residents and visitors.
Some of the true highlights of the day were the various helicopter departures. The squadron of three R44’s departed in unison, making a flyby down the runway after they had circled back.
At the end of the day, the two turbine beauties, the Alouette II and Alouette III, flown by Charles Fuller and Rob Osner, also departed the airfield, singing their iconic Alouette song! After flying around the circuit, the two Alouettes lined up with the Kitty Hawk runway, and did a truly spectacular formation flyby. Mighty good way to end off the morning!
This was one of the first events of 2022, a year that will hopefully see the return of many events, and hopefully in September, airshows with AAD at Waterkloof! Let’s hope that this year truly lives up to expectations, being filled with loads of fun and safe aviation adventures!
*All activities were undertaken in respect to current health and safety regulations*
Please browse our event gallery:
THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE AND SAAB GRIPEN CONTRACT
Some good news as received in a press release on 6 December 2021
“After a lengthy discussion between the South African Air Force (SAAF), through Armscor and SAAB on the contract concerning the Gripen, proposals have been presented by both parties and are being reviewed to ensure that the matter is conclusively dealt with by the parties concerned.
It is unfortunate that the discussions took longer than expected as a result, negatively impacting on the Air Defence capability.
The SAAF is confident that a solution will be found to resolve this matter.
Due to the sensitivity around the discussion, the negotiations cannot be made public.
ENDS. “
The Virtual Silver Falcons
The Virtual Silver Falcons were founded in early 2020, initially using the MB-339 which was developed for the Frecce Tricolori Virtuali that was available as a free mod. Later moving on to using the PC-MKII which was purpose made for exclusive use by the team and was spearheaded by Frank Moody from AIR.capetown.
The Virtual Silver Falcons Team are in contact with current and ex-members of the real world team in order to ensure that our displays are accurate and complimentary in displaying them in the virtual world. The team uses Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) as the platform for all display’s.
It is also worth mentioning that we will be the first official South African Virtual Display team to perform for an international Virtual airshow.
The team will be performing their debut airshow at Virtual International Air Festivals (https://virtualairfestivals.com/) on the 11th and 12th of December 2021 alongside the Virtual Blue Angels, The Virtual Red Arrows and the Virtual Swiss PC-7 team just to name a few. It is set to be the largest Virtual Airshow held to date with over 50 teams from around the world performing.
You can stream the show from the comfort of your home! (https://www.twitch.tv/virtualairfestivals)
RYAN “TACTICAL PANDA” NELSON
Falcon 1 – Team Leader
Ryan is the Flight Leader for the Virtual Silver Falcons. In the real world he holds a PPL, currently a CPL student and is a commercial drone operator and video editor. He has 18 years of experience with RC Aircraft as well.
JONATHEN “CHAOS” STOLS
Falcon 2 – Media Officer
Jonathen is our number two, as well as our Media Manager. In the real world, he holds a Commercial Pilots License, is a former Game Ranger and currently co-owns a Flight Academy.
FRANK “PROPHET” MOODY
Falcon 3 – Team Owner
Frank is the Project Manager for AIR.CapeTown, developing the Silver Falcons PC-7MKII Module. In the real world he is a Partner and photographer for TheAIR.Tech, an aerial reconnaissance company.
CLINTON “SPEAR” TROSKIE
Falcon 4
Clint is our Number 4, in the real world he holds a PPL and is the Aircraft Engineer for Royal Horse Aviation, developing a Carbon Fibre Spitfire Replica.
THOMAS “SCORPION” LOFFELMANN
Falcon 5
Thomas is our number 5 and soloist. He holds an ATPL and has real world experience in the PC-7.
RUGENE “FROSTY” FROST
Falcon 6
Rugene holds a PPL and has accumulated time on various different aircraft types. His love for flying started before he can remember and his first solo flight happened when he was just 17 years old in 2005. He Currently works for ExecuJet MRO Services as the Snr QA Auditor. His hobbies include flying model aircraft, drones and Photography.
We’ll sell Mango for you, offers Commerce24 founder to Mango BRP
Cape Town: Business trading platform Commerce24.co.za says that it is willing to assist business rescue practitioner Sipho Sono of Opis Advisory to market and dispose of state-owned airline Mango. The site provides business owners and bulk trading partners with a verified staging window to put anything of commercial value up for sale. Commerce24 estimates that Mango may be worth around R 300 million in total at the top end. The company has written to the business rescue practitioner, offering its assistance.
“While the aviation market is not particularly stable presently,” says Commerce24 chief executive Denny Mo, “it is expected to recover over time. But Mango’s value lies in the route rights it holds.” The airline is believed to hold rights to Mauritius amongst other African regional network points and is presently the only South African airline that can fly between Johannesburg and wildly popular beach holiday destination Zanzibar.
There are likely no other assets of value beyond its potential future revenue and goodwill. “We have not seen its balance sheet but based on public reportage a ‘clean’ Mango that emerges from business rescue, with creditors settled, can be a solid business proposition for investors. The airline’s fleet is leased.
Mo believes that a buyer for Mango should not be a challenge, and that a strategic equity partner or an outright buyer can be found. “At an estimated value of R 300m, an investment of R 150m or more plus a measure of working capital would be required to buy the majority of the business.” Mo suggests that while the industry is crowded and the airline’s reputation is muddied after a disastrous 18-months of stop-starting, it’s got a solid brand and plenty of potential. “Mango was launched in 2006 and it grew on a sustained basis over time. I believe that a restart with the right investor is possible, and may be profitable,” says Mo. “And we will broker the right buyer to the willing seller.”
Commerce24.co.za is a site that enables business trading and leverages its vast business network to facilitate transactions. On sale items include big ticket items such as guest houses, hotels and other hospitality assets along with bulk stock items and “practically anything of value, which can be traded,” says Mo. “The Mango transaction is likely to be our largest yet. But with some offers already circling the R 50m mark, the business is no stranger to high value, long term investment opportunities.”
Commerce24 is an open source and free to use platform that harnesses the power of sharing like social media has done. With a free to use and free to share function, we can reach further and deeper into potential buyers nationwide. It lets the community find you the best buyer and the highest offer.
Independent Aviation
IndependentAviation would like to introduce itself as a completely new concept in aviation training.
Independent Aviation is an innovative, new student-instructor-flight school relationship concept.
We’re for the training Industry:
At www.independentaviation.co.za we know that the relationship between the instructor and student is the most vital aspect of a successful flight training journey. Every person learns differently, which is why it is very important for the student to find an instructor to whom he or she can relate.
We’re for the students:
www.independentaviation.co.za presents a directory of independent flight instruction professionals that you, the student, can browse. This directory of independent flight instructors, enables you make direct contact with professionals of your choice, which helps you decide for yourself whether this person is competent and able to guide the journey upon which you are about to embark.
We’re for the Instructors:
As a flight instructor registering on www.independentaviation.co.za you the have the freedom to choose whom you would like to teach. You decide which flight school you would like to use. You make the arrangements with the flight school, and you are in control of how much you get paid for your services. The idea is to put the instructor back in control of the flight training experience.
We’re for Flight Schools:
The school benefits by receiving students for whom they did not have to do any advertising. The instructor will bring in his/her own students to the flight school and train them under its ATO while maintaining industry best practice and SACAA legal requirements. Ultimately the flight school will still be responsible for ensuring the optimum standard of training that is being done under their ATO.
In this model everyone wins. The student gets to choose a professional instructor with whom they can establish a personal relationship and who can teach them according to the way that they need to learn. Instructors decide how much they would like to earn and determine their own rates. The flight school receives students and income for which it did not have to do any advertising or marketing.
Independent Aviation knows that this will have a tremendously beneficial impact on the South African and worldwide aviation training industry, positively impacting training standards, resulting in a better pilot in the cockpit.
The Website is live and if you’re an instructor you can already start signing up. We are keeping the service free to instructors until 31 March 2022 so hurry and sign up.
You can contact the Independent Aviation Team at:
Name: Carl Kieck
Email: carl@independentaviation.co.za
Website: www.independentaviation.co.za
Lookout for Social Media Channels coming soon!
Helivate HeliOlympics 2021
On 6 November 2021, Helivate Helicopter Services hosted their annual Helicopter Olympics. This year, the event was once again held at their home base, Jack Taylor Airfield, just outside of Krugersdorp.
The 6th installment of this event ensured for good flying fun for both pilots and spectators alike.
The course, that included challenges like, bucket hoisting, egg drops and skid beer bottle opening, thoroughly tested pilot skill.
For the first challenge, navigators had to pick up colour coded buckets with a hook and then have the pilots fly those buckets through a set of obstacles and ending off with placing the bucket on a drum.
Moving on, pilots had to maneuver the helicopter over buckets on the ground, with the navigators dropping eggs into those buckets. Once again, testing both precision flying skills as well as communication between the pilots and their navigators.
Ending off, pilots had to open a beer bottle with a bottle opener fitted to the right skid of the helicopter. The beer bottle was mounted on a post at the end of the course. Sounds simple, but definitely easier said than done. And of course, no beers were harmed in the process!
The weather made things difficult at times. Although we were presented with a clear day, the heat was beating down hard by lunch time. The wind also ensured for some added challenge at times.
At the end of the flying program, an award ceremony was held, followed by a lekker social braai.
All in all, we have to take a moment to commend Helivate Helicopter Services for an outstanding event. The event made for good fun for all involved, all whilst being done safely.
*All flying and reporting done in line with COVID-19 health protocols.
Feel free to browse our event gallery below:
ROLLS-ROYCE ULTRAFAN POWER GEARBOX TOPS WORLD AEROSPACE RECORD
Rolls-Royce announced today that its UltraFan® power gearbox has set a new world aerospace
record at its facility in Germany.
The gearbox has reached 87,000 horsepower or 64 megawatts – enough to power a city the size of
Bath, United Kingdom – on test at Dahlewitz, near Berlin. The power milestone was achieved as build
continues on the power gearbox that will be delivered for the actual UltraFan demonstrator engine,
UF001, later this year.
UltraFan, which is scalable for narrowbody or widebody aircraft, is a key element of Rolls-Royce’s
commitment to making travel more sustainable. Gas turbines will continue to be the bedrock of long-
haul aviation for many years, and UltraFan’s efficiency will help improve the economics of an industry
transition to more sustainable fuels, which are likely to be more expensive in the short-term than
traditional jet fuel. The first test run of the engine will be conducted on 100% Sustainable Aviation
Fuel.
Dr Holger Klinger, Sub-System Executive Power Gearbox, Rolls-Royce, said: “Reaching this record is
another great achievement that showcases the performance and durability of this key component for
our UltraFan programme. The power gearbox technology is central to the success of the next
generation of Rolls-Royce jet engines and I’m proud to see us pushing the engineering boundaries
again.”
The PGB is playing a central role for the UltraFan engine, helping to deliver excellent efficiency
levels over a wide range of thrusts. It has a planetary design, with each ‘planet’ capable of holding
the force of a Trent XWB engine at full throttle. It is designed to allow the turbine at the rear of the
engine to run at a very high speed while the fan at the front runs at a lower speed. This makes the
engine very efficient, making the UltraFan engine 25% more fuel efficient than the first generation
of Rolls-Royce Trent engines.
Development testing of the first prototype gearbox, focused on validation, endurance and reliability,
began in 2017 at the dedicated PGB test facility in Dahlewitz. During a rigorous test regime, the
power gearbox has since accumulated more than 650 testing hours and proven its capability of
managing the equivalent power of an entire grid of Formula 1 cars.
As well as high power testing, the PGB has been undergoing test on the facility’s Attitude Rig, which
simulates the effect of the gearbox being on the wing of an aircraft in flight, through phases such as
take-off, climb, banking and descent.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
- Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. We have
pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations by 2030. We joined
the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020, and have committed to ensuring our new products
will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030, and all products will be compatible with
net zero by 2050. - Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and
leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear
customers. - Annual underlying revenue was £11.76 billion in 2020 and we invested £1.25 billion on
research and development. We also support a global network of 28 University Technology
Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research. - Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE:RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI:
213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).
The Kittyhawk Van’s RV fly-in 2021
After lasts years event was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this past weekend saw the return of the almost now annual Kitty Hawk RV Fly-in with a number of Vans RVs flying in as well as other aircraft fixed wing and rotary.
Kitty Hawk Aerodrome was established as an Aero-Estate in 1995. This project has developed to its exciting status as an Aerodrome. The Kitty Hawk Aerodrome is completely divorced from all other developments and consists of hangar facilities, a small residential flat, clubhouse and a fuel bay.
The Van’s Aircraft, Inc. is an American kit aircraft manufacturer, founded by Richard “Van” VanGrunsven in 1973. Van’s RV series of aircraft, from the single-seat RV-3 to the latest RV-14, are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction.
September 11th as you know was the 20th anniversary of terror attacks in the United States of America. Kitty Hawk held their event with all Covid 19 Regulations in place. Delicious breakfasts and lunches were served at the Kitty Hawk Aerodrome Club house, as well as a total of 79 RVs flying in for the day not counting other aircraft!
We look forward to next years event and hope that where the country stands with Covid 19 numbers the event will allow more victors and aircraft to fly-inn. To end of the day was a spectacular mass formation of RVs. Now this formation is getting bigger by the events that come by. What a treat!
Thanks to Pieter Cronje for the Awesome pictures of the day!