Tag Archives: AviationGeeks
Platoon Aviation Receives Their Sixth PC-24
Once again Pilatus and Platoon Aviation can celebrate this year the handover of two more PC-24 aircraft. With the handover of Super Versatile Jet, serial number 306, the German charter operator has grown its fleet to six PC-24s within just three years.
At the AERO Friedrichshafen aviation show, Deniz Weissenborn, Managing Director of the Hamburg-based company, emphasised the unbroken demand for fast, direct connections to all European destinations: “Besides business travel, holiday destinations in the south such as Nice, Olbia or Paris are particularly popular in the summer. Our strategy of providing first-class service and the most spacious, most comfortable jet in its class, is a complete success.
“Our customers appreciate the cabin size, otherwise only available in mid-size jets, and the comfortable, individually adjustable seats in the eight-person Executive configuration. The PC-24’s generous cargo hold and large cargo door are a huge plus, especially for holiday travel. They allow cases and sports equipment to be easily and safely stowed in the cabin”.
At the same Aero Friedrichshafen event Ignaz Gretener, VP General Aviation at Pilatus, was looking forward to expanding the business relationship further in the near future: “With its Europe-wide charter operation, Platoon offers a service which only the PC-24 can provide to perfection. The ability to land at small, remote airfields with very short runways means faster, more direct travel and massive time savings for customers. Transfer times to the final destination can be significantly shortened.”
Successful Business Jet Operator
The charter company’s excellently trained and above all young team achieved another important milestone in the company’s as yet brief history when certification as an independent air operator (AOC) was obtained in December 2022. Since its founding in March 2021, the German business jet operator has grown to 50 employees and has 35 pilots under contract.
Cathay Pacific strives for leadership and embraces collaboration as it takes major steps towards its sustainability goals
As the Cathay Pacific Group continues to make important strides towards becoming a sustainability leader, it is pleased to announce the release of its 2022 Sustainable Development Report, which underscores the Group’s ongoing commitments and progress in achieving its sustainability goals. Titled “Greener Together,” the report reflects Cathay Pacific’s belief that driving progress towards a sustainable future requires strong partnerships and collective action.
Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam stated: “As we enter an exciting new phase of rebuilding Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong, one of our key development areas is becoming a leader in sustainability. This means working together with many different stakeholders, partners and corporate customers to reconnect Hong Kong to the world in sustainable ways. The title of this year’s report, ‘Greener Together’, reflects our determination to foster stronger partnerships to help drive the sustainable development agenda and build a more sustainable future for our customers, our people and our communities.
“Despite the very difficult start we had to the year, 2022 saw a number of important milestones achieved in our sustainability journey. These involved yet more important steps towards developing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply chain, reducing single-use plastics in our operations and continuing to advance the agenda of wellness and diversity for our people. Moving people forward is our business and as we look ahead to the future, we are excited to continue contributing to important projects and being a positive driving force towards making aviation more sustainable.”
Key highlights from the 2022 report include:
Driving progress towards decarbonisation: As part of efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and using SAF for 10% of our total fuel consumption by 2030, we launched Asia’s first major Corporate SAF Programme. Garnering support from eight launch customers, the programme sends a strong signal to the SAF supply chain that there is firm interest in the region.
Extending our carbon-offset programme: First launched in 2007, Cathay Pacific’s long-standing voluntary carbon-offset programme, Fly Greener, has now been extended to our cargo operations – an extremely important part of our business. This provides our customers with a more sustainable cargo solution.
Surpassing our target to cut single-use plastics: We have reached a 56% reduction of single-use plastics use on a per passenger level compared to our 2018 baseline and are now in the process of launching a new target.
Driving Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) across our operations: We set a new and more ambitious goal to not have more than 65% of the same gender at senior positions by 2025, and as of April 2023 we will have a 50/50 gender split in our Executive Committee. We also became the first commercial airline to be listed on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index.
Promoting and enabling wellness: COVID-19 has been especially impactful to people’s wellbeing. We introduced a week-long Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival filled with various activities and workshops to promote wellness and support our people.
Western Cape AMS Mountain Rescue during International Sailplane Grand Prix
A foreign gliding competition pilot participating in the African leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix was rescued from high up a Western Cape mountain after his sailplane crashed (Wednesday, 23/1/25). Speaking from his bed in the hospital, he said that he was very fortunate to survive the close call and thanked the professional and efficient rescue coordinated by the South African ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre).
It is understood that the pilot got into difficulties overhead the mountains West of Villiersdorp and was able to put the fixed-wing glider down on a steep slope some distance below the top of the peaks. Fellow pilots (also participating in the competition) that saw the crash raised the alarm with Air Traffic Control, which in turn activated the ARCC. This information and the location sent by the pilots’ onboard satellite tracking device, which pinpointed the exact crash location, assisted in guiding the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter directly to the scene.
With no level terrain to land at the scene, a Provincial EMS paramedic and MSAR Rescue Climber were hoisted down by the helicopter to the wreckage. The pilot (who was conscious and managed to provide additional information via phone) was extracted from the wreckage and hoisted in a stretcher into the helicopter.
He was flown to a Villiersdorp sports field, where Western Cape Metro EMS, SAPS Rescue, Overberg Metro Rescue management, and SAPS Villiersdorp assembled to prepare and secure a landing zone for further treatment and remain available should further resources to support the first team be required.
Several other resources, including SARZA and K9 was also on standby. The pilot was admitted to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital with lower back injuries. He commented, “under the circumstances, I feel surprisingly well; I had what felt like at least 1 million guardian angels helping me”.
He remarked that his survival is in no small part due to the cockpit of the Jonker sailplane that he was flying protecting him during the crash. Jonker Sailplanes is a proudly South African company that designs sailplanes for local and international markets (in fact, all the sailplanes participating in this leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix were manufactured by Jonker manufactured).
The scene has been handed to the SAPS and SACAA AIID (Accident and Incident Investigations Division) for further investigation.
The South African ARCC is the legally mandated function (South African Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue Act No.44 of 2002, as amended) that coordinates all aviation search and rescue-related occurrences in South Africa. The ARCC reports to SASAR and the Department of Transport. Under international aviation agreements and ICAO regulations, the South African ARCC is responsible for aviation incidents extending South of South Africa across the international waters in the Southern Oceans down to the South pole. The Mountain Club of SA, along with many other emergency response organisations, is a dedicated SAR Unit to the ARCC.
Photos: ARCC Supplied, Brent Russell, FAI Sailplane Grand Prix
SANParks Celebrates South Africa’s First Black Game Capture Pilot
South African National Parks (SANParks) today celebrates Captain David Simelane, South Africa’s first black game capture rated pilot. Nicknamed “Blackhawk”, Simelane completed his game capture rating, which is an endorsement on his pilot license, with flying colours on 2 December 2020.
SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni said, “we are extremely proud of Simelane and his achievement. He is an inspiration to many young black aspiring pilots and we hope that his passion will inspire more people to choose this industry as their careers.”
Game capture rating is a very complex pilot endorsement rating where a helicopter pilot needs to take into consideration the environment, animals and the crew all while managing the actual helicopter itself.
Simelane has been a helicopter pilot for 16 years and has flown all over the world including Madagascar and South Sudan. “I have a passion for flying and now I get to combine that with my love for wildlife and nature. I wake up in the morning knowing that every flight I do is to make a difference in nature conservation and in people’s lives.”
Simelane, who started working for SANParks earlier this year, is KNP’s first black helicopter pilot working under SANParks Air Services which provide aerial support for many of the departments within SANParks. He said “working as a pilot for SANParks is a calling, it is tough but I am in a blessed position to say that this is not a job for me, it’s a passion. Couple that with the fact that I am doing it in the same park I first fell in love with wildlife 25 years ago, is just a dream come true for me”
Mketeni emphasised that Simelane’s achievement is a reflection of SANParks’ action to improve employees’ expertise to address inequalities and disparities in staff profiles. SANParks is committed towards the development and implementation of access, equity, and equal employment opportunities within the organisation.
“As a world society has started to realise how important both our natural and cultural heritage is and with a passionate and educated person like Simelane at SANParks we can continue to conserve and leave future generations with the natural beauty and heritage of South Africa. Today is a proud day for SANParks and the SANParks Air Services, we salute David Simelane and wish him well as he goes onwards and upwards” concluded Mketeni.
Denel Cheetah C “375” flies again after 18 years!
October 9th 2020,after sitting on the ground for 18 years, Cheetah C “375” took to the skies again over OR Tambo international Airport in Kempton- Park this past week.
The aircraft was flown by Denel fixed wing test pilot Ivan “Viking” Pentz,who has a number of flying hours on both the Cheetah B,D,D2 and C models.He has also flown the Hawk MK120,Mirage F1,The AHRLAC and many more!
Extremely high quality restoration to flight work by Denel. After a few test flights, it’ll be boxed up and sent to Draken International in Florida as said by African Defence Review Darren Olivier.
“DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL HAS CREATED A NEW STANDARD IN AVIATION SERVICE CAPABILITIES FOR ALL BRANCHES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ALLIED MILITARIES GLOBALLY. WITH A FLEET OF 150 TACTICAL FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, DRAKEN OWNS AND OPERATES THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL FLEET OF TACTICAL EX-MILITARY AIRCRAFT. “
“DRAKEN SUPPORTS MILITARY TRAINING OBJECTIVES AROUND THE GLOBE, PROVIDING TREMENDOUS COST SAVINGS OVER THE USE OF TRADITIONAL MILITARY FIGHTER ASSETS. AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ANSWER THE GROWING DEMAND FOR CONTRACT AIR SUPPORT.“
The Atlas Cheetah was a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation now known as Denel Aeronautics. It was developed at the behest of, and principally operated by, the South African Air Force until the aircraft were retired from SAAF service to be replaced by the SAAB Gripen in 2008.
Pictures by Casper van Zyl
The SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally – 12 September 2020
by Rob Jonkers
This year we have returned again to the birth place of the Speed Rally, being the 3 rd time this event has been held here, and appropriate that our Speed Rally event during these unprecedented times has come
back to its roots, with 8 months having passed from the last one held in Witbank. Although this would have been the season finale, SAPFA had decided to extend this 2nd season up to the end of the year to also
include Springs which will be held on the 28th November, this will then at least have had 2020 with 3 events, then we can start afresh with a new season in 2021.
Once after lockdown level 3 we were granted the means to hold events, planning started for Secunda, with competitors having snapped up the open spots of 23 teams within days, given the popularity of this
event. At least under Level 2 Covid guidelines, overnighting could also be done, with arrivals and test flights on Friday the 11th , as well as the extended briefing on steroids with the race number handouts.
Our host club with Chairman Johan van Niekerk went all out to support the event, making arrangements for food on site, and contacts for accommodation, and the use of club facilities. Arrivals started coming in
from just before midday with flight tests commencing in good conditions under the guidance of Mark Clulow and Sean Cronin, the wind however started to pick up with gusty conditions, which at least settled
down in the late afternoon.
Thereafter at 18h30, Jonty Esser as the MC introduced Rob Jonkers who took to the stage and provided a briefing on what to expect for the next day in terms of the planned route, how many turn-points, distance,
departure and arrivals protocol, and also how the scoring system would world work and the expected weather conditions.
Jonty Esser then took to the stage in his signature competing crew introductory theme song videos and race number handouts, and also including introductions to the event and team sponsors, which has
unfortunately reduced over this last period, but was great to see that some sponsors were able to maintain their support for their teams. A scrumptious braai was laid on by the club to end the evening with around
the fire stories on a high note.
For Saturday the briefing started at 08h30, which was a shortened version just to cover the basics of the route, radio procedures and weather, which turned out to be pristine conditions with very little wind.
With the briefing over, teams prepared their aircraft, while the organisers got the papers ready. Each team would then receive an envelope with a map, turn-point photos, a minute marker and a GPS logger to
record their track. Aircraft were then also scrutineered with all portable electronic devices sealed up in bags. For this event Mark & Shane from Century Avionics were on hand to also block off / seal Aircraft
GPS and autopilot systems.
Scrutineers Chareen, Lizelle and Sean were on hand to seal up all portable GPS capable devices,handing out papers at the allotted time, and also checking the fuel tanks were full. Chief Marshall Adrian
Cronje and Starter Mark Clulow set up at the starting line adjacent the threshold of Runway 29, who would release each aircraft at their allotted time slot. Each team then received their envelopes with their loggers
at 20 minutes prior take-off time, taxi to the starting line within 10 minutes of brake release. 1 st take-off was at 10h10 for the slowest aircraft and last take-off at 10h40, with planned arrival at 11h30.
With all the competitors off towards the north west, the route had a mix of easy and challenging turn points. In general the competitors found the course easy enough this time round, with the photographs now in
larger format to identify the ground features more prominently, which can be seen in the results where many had a clear round in their tracks. At just before 11h30, the first aircraft over the line was a little early,and then followed by at least three quarters of the field within 1 minute, with tail enders after that.
After all teams having returned, the scoring team got to work to analyse the results, completing the individual scores by 13:30, with prize giving at 14:00. MC Jonty Esser thanked everybody in the Speed Rally series for their contributions, this was followed by Rob Jonkers showing some interesting tracks for the day.
Thereafter trophies were handed out to firstly the host club for hosting the event, their club house now sporting 3 of these trophies, the most interesting track flown which went to Hilton Wolff and Rob Osner
and the best crew spirit going to Lourence Matthee and Christo Erasmus.
The winners in the handicap category were father and son Hendrik & Jandre Loots in their Sling ZU-IHK, in second place Eugene van Staden & Manaf Mubarak in their Sling ZU-IBH and in third place Leon Joubert & Sandi Goddard in their Lancair ZU-LNC. The first thirteen placings were the only crews who managed a clean penalty free round.
The winners in the accuracy category were again father and son Hendrik & Jandre Loots in their Sling ZU-IHK, in second place also father and son Johan Whiteman & Quintin Kruger in their Cherokee 235 ZS-FVV, and in third place Phil Wakeley & Mary de Klerk in their C210 ZS-CNY.
Many thanks to the Secunda Aero Club for hosting this fantastic event, the SAPFA team of Adrian Cronje as the Chief Marshall, Nigel Musgrave as the Safety Officer, Dirk de Vos doing the scoring, Mark Clulow & Sean Cronin doing test flights and starting, Marc & Shane for Century Avionics for Scrutineering, Chareen Shillaw, Lizelle Kruger handing out competition papers to the crews as well as Scrutineering, Jonty & Lizelle & Sandy for putting together an awesome Friday evening launch event, and the ATNS team for managing the ATC for the weekend.
Two Turkish Airforce Airbus A400Ms Land at Cape Town International Airport
UPDATE: The Turkish Airforce made four appearances delivering medical supplies to Cape Town International in a matter of days!
A pair of Turkish Airforce Airbus A400M landed this afternoon at Cape Town International Airport South Africa.This isn’t the first time a Airbus A400M has landed in the Mother city, previous years have seen both Royal Airforce A400Ms as well as the German Airforce.
The A400Ms of the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) arrived at Cape Town International Airport this afternoon 30 April 2020 bringing in donated medical supplies for the war against Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
“This is a gesture of the Turkish government to South Africa. The consignment has been prepared upon the instruction of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Turkish Ambassador Elif Comoglu Ulgen had said.
She said the consignment comprises medical equipment and personal protection gear including surgical masks, medical-grade N95 masks, and protective suits ect.
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine military turboprop cargo aircraft . It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space ) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.