Tag Archives: SafAir
Last SAFAIR L100 leaves SA
On a cold and wet Saturday the 11th February saw SAFAIRs last Lockheed L100 Hercules leave South African soil for the very last time. This particular L100 will join the fleet of Lynden Air Cargo. Lynden Air Cargo is an American cargo airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. It operates scheduled services and on demand charter, international and domestic flights, including services for the US military. Its main base is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
(SAFAIR) Safair Operations as it is known today was established in 1965. At the time it was known as Tropair (Pty) Ltd and was a general aviation charter company. In 1970 the company name changed to Safair Freighters (Pty) Ltd when the company was purchased by Safmarine and the new entity began operations on 18 March 1970. Its primary client in the 1980s was the South African Defence Force.
The company operated the largest fleet of L100 aircraft in the world. Humanitarian Aid and Relief operations has always been Safair’s “niche” market. Safair assisted aid and relief agencies such as the United Nations, World Food Programme, and the International Committee of the Red Cross in delivering much needed humanitarian aid to stricken regions on the African continent as well as other areas in the world where such assistance was required.
The L100-30 left with the new November registration of N411LC and its previous South African registration was ZS-OPS. She was built in 1978 as a Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules (L-382G) C/N 382-4799).
Lockheed L100 Speculations
Aircraft Configuration Possibilities/Operation
Flat floor/wooden floor
Roller system
Fuel Burn : ± 2700 litres per hour
300 kts maximum cruise speed
Seating capacity of up to 90 passengers on airline type seats *
Bulk liquid transport – up to 24 000 litres (fuel)
20 000 kg for more than 1 200 nautical miles
Short field landing and take-off capability
Aerial delivery of food and medicine (Air drops)
Transportation of sea containers, large vehicles/trucks, oversized cargo
External fuel tanks for increased range
Combination of freight and passengers
Wingspan 40.41m (132 ft 7″)
Length 34.37m (112 ft 9″)
Height 11.66m (38 ft 2″)
Maximum certified take-off weight 70 307kg (155 000lbs)
Maximum certified landing weight 61 235kg (135 000lbs)
Maximum certified zero fuel weight 57 727kg (127 000lbs)
Basic empty weight 34 545kg (76 000lbs)
Average APS weight 35 000kg (77 000lbs)
Landing Requirements
The maximum landing weight for the Hercules L100-30 is 135 000 lbs (61 235kg). At this weight the following landing distances are required.
Airfield Elevation Runway Length (zero wind)
Sea Level 4 800 ft
1 000 ft 5 000 ft
2 000 ft 5 200 ft
3 000 ft 5 300 ft
4 000 ft 5 500 ft
5 000 ft 5 700 ft
[02/11, 20:46] Neil Swart: Cargo compartment…
[02/11, 20:46] Neil Swart: Length 17.07m (54 ft)
Width 3.02m (10 ft 3″)
Height 2.74m (9 ft 3″)
Cubic capacity 140 cubic meter (excluding ramp)
Floor height (above ground) 0.99-1.04m (3 ft 3″-3 ft 5″)
Cargo floor Aircraft can be supplied with either a flat metal floor, a wooden floor or an adjustable roller system
In 2013, Safair created a low-cost carrier subsidiary called FlySafair. They currently operational with the first flight having taken place on 16th October 2014. FlySafair operates passenger flights between Cape Town, George, Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Lanseria, Durban and East London. This is the companies primary focus now and moved away from cargo operations!
Flippie van Emmenis – #AAD2022
#AAD2022, Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022, After a 4-year absence and the SAAF100 celebrations being missed in 2020, all South Africans were hungry for a good Airshow. With tight finances, Fuel costs, COVID, and war in Ukraine everyone, including myself was skeptical if AAD2022 was going to happen, but even with all these major negative impacts AAD2022 did take place, and what a good show it was. The crowd was just amazing, the most cheerful and cheering crowd I ever witnessed at an Airshow, The Airboss did a fantastic job putting together and flight program like that we saw, Was just wow. The Static display and exhibition halls could have been fuller, but again, no one has the budget for that now! From end to end I will give 7/10 (9/10 Airshow and 5/10 exhibition side)
Woza #AAD2024 and we at Aviation Central will once again be sharing you all with information regarding the buildup to Africa Aerospace and Defence 2024. Our next focus will be the SAAF Museum 50th Birthday celebrations at Swartkop Air Force base in 2023.
Photos by Flippie van Emmenis, Click to enlarge photos
AAD 2022 is Ready!
With Africa’s Largest Trade Exhibition and Airshow around the corner that will be taking place at Air force base Waterkloof in the city of Tshwane, South Africa.Its officially show time!
Aviation Enthusiasts will be treated to a world class airshow after the last AAD that was due to take place in 2020,but got cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic which obviously put a hold to many other events not just AAD.
This year’s show will include a number of favorites with the recently returned to airworthy status, 2 Squadron Gripens that’s will definitely ensure pure air power growl to the general public flown by veteran Gripen display pilots.
85 Combat Flying School will be flying a singleton Hawk MK120 display. 15 Squadron “Charlie” Flight will also be a welcome return to the display scene after a few years absence in their BK117s,based at Air Force Station Gqeberha.
The cockpit ambassadors of the South African Airforce will fly a four ship display of Pilatus PC-7MKIIs, based at the Central Flying School, Langebaanweg on the Capes West coast.
Always a great crowd pleaser will see 16 Squadron in the form of a Rooivalk Attack helicopter will also put through its paces.
A few more surprises and assests will also be on display especially in the SANDF mini war.
The South African Airforce Museum will also give a number of aircraft to be put on display including, Harvards, Cessna C185s, Alouette II, Alouette III and the Aerospatiale Puma and much more.
From the civilian side it will be the first airshow appearance of Flysafair’s Boeing 737-800 and joining in will be a SAFAIR Lockheed L100-30 (known as the civilian C130 Hercules)
Hangar 51 also doing their first show on the Highveld with the Aero L29 Delphin and YAK 52. Coming all the way from Port Elizabeth.
The United States Air Force (USAF) will have a large contingent of aircraft flying in. Two C17 Globemasters, KC135R, KC46 Pegasus, C130J, MQ-9 Reaper drone and a UH-60 Blackhawk which will fly in the show.
From our neighbouring countries we will welcome back AAD past performers that being the Airforce of Zimbabwe with a K-8 jet trainer in a display and a Casa 212 as static.
More civilian acts that are expected will be Menno Parsons in his P51D “Mustang Sally”, a privately owned L39 Albatross, Two different Pitts Special Teams, Puma Flying Lions, Extra 330s and much more. There will be surprises so make sure you buy your tickets and get to AAD2022!
Aviation Central will bring your live coverage from the event. Days leading up from arrivals to updates ect.
The Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade exhibition and Airshow will run as follows
21-23 September (Trade Days)
24-25th September (Airshow Days)
AFB Waterkloof, City of Tshwane
South Africa
Tickets available at Computicket!
Safair – An airline during COVID-19 and South African lockdown
Safair – An airline during COVID-19 and South African lockdown
Source: FlySafair website
By now we are all aware of the devastating impact COVID-19 has on all our lives but ever wondered how this will impact an airline? Also, now that South Africa is on the brink of level 4 (instead of level 5) restrictions, how will the airlines start operations again?
Aviation Central approached one of the great success stories within the South African aviation, Safair or FlySafair for most, and asked them a few questions. A big thank you to Elmar Conradie, CEO at Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd and Kirby Gordon Executive Manager & CMO at Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd for taking the time and making effort to answer our questions.
Elmar Conradie – Source: FlySafair website Kirby Gordon – Source: FlySafair website
COVID-19 is having a huge impact on many industries, aviation being one of them. We know the entire FlySafair fleet is in hibernation but Safair is in fact still operating, few knowing of this, and earing money and helping others by flying cargo. Can you please tell us a bit more about this?
“Yes, our ACMI division (Aircraft. Crew. Maintenance. Insurance) is still in operation. We have five aircraft currently operating in different parts of Africa doing the Humanitarian Aid and Relief work that we usually do. That part of the business continues.”
Many do not know that Safair has L100-30’s. How many are there currently within the fleet, where do they mostly operate and what does the future hold for these ladies?
“Yes we have 5 in the fleet currently. Four are in operation with one in maintenance. These aircraft operate in various parts of Africa on long-term contracts for our humanitarian aid and relief clients. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work these clients do, I can’t be more specific about their whereabouts upon the request of our clients. As it stands we see this work continuing for now – this business which is essential in its nature, has not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Source: FlySafair website
When South Africa beats COVID-19, and we will, what would be the process for getting operational again? What steps will need to be taken to wake up the fleet from a practical and technical perspective? How long will this take and when do you foresee the first flight departing?
“Our aircraft have been placed into a 30-day storage program as per manufacturer instruction, and are parked at their various home bases at OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International. At the end of their 30 days they’ll have the necessary procedures run on them to either further their storage, or prep them for a more active state of rest during which they would need engines runs performed etc. The process doesn’t take too long, we imagine that we would be able to “wake” everything we’ll need for the first day of flying in about 1 working day.”
Will the general public see a full schedule on start up again?
“No, we will start off with a reduced schedule and increase as demand grows which we hope will be quickly.”
Follow up to last, if a reduced schedule is to be implemented how long will it take before the full schedule is implemented?
“We wish we knew to be honest. It’s all dependent on the market demand factors.”
What measures have been put into place to ensure the fleet and staff stay current in terms of laws and regulations? Any relaxations from SACAA side?
“No relaxations, no. We’ve had to ensure that we continue with the essentials during this period in that regard including an SACAA audit, which went smoothly.”
We see in the UK and other countries that cabin crew are joining with medical forces as they have basic first aid training. If there is a need for additional hands within the medical field, is this something Safair may also consider?
“Yes. We’ve reached out to see what benefit our crew can offer and while their first aid training is useful, they still fall into a “non-medical” volunteer category. Several of them have signed up with the various volunteer networks and will be called on if help is needed in their local areas.”
What steps were taken to ensure the fleet is safe in terms of sanitizing them before lock down? To prevent any bacteria etc from harbouring inside the aircraft?
“The manufacturer recommendations for the 30-day program include a number of sanitation and cleaning measures, but in addition we’ve secured some excellent anti-bacterial and anti-viral cleaning agents that are aviation approved. So cabins and decks were thoroughly cleaned and then treated with these compounds using an electrostatic spraying application.”
We do not hope we have another COVID-19 but in preparing for the future, with the measures implemented with COVID-19 which one of these will you consider making a permanent procedure going forward?
“We’ve developed a great new offer, which was in the pipeline anyway, but now has a new lease on life, in the form of a “block the middle seat” option. It was to be sold as a business class style upgrade which customers could purchase to ensure space and privacy during their journey, but we’ve developed the tech and are going to launch it at a reduced rate as a social distancing option for now.”
Seeing we are on the future: what are the FlySafair plans for the current fleet?
“We want to fly it! Before this we had a full domestic schedule which we were very excited to execute and we want to work back up to that.”
Will we maybe see a full service like business class on FlySafair?
“No, not a full service business class with different seating – but perhaps an augmentation on the “build-it-yourself” solution as described above.”
And any international plans?
“Not at this stage, no.”
Everyone has their favourite favourite and FlySafair is this favourite for many including us at Aviation Central. One thing is for sure… we all want to see airlines flying again and it is great knowing that airlines like Safair is indeed keeping an eye on the future and still want to bring the best to their clients, while looking at their employees as far as possible.
We cannot wait to see you again as you are vital to that dream weekend away, our holidays taking us to that wedding/event and more importantly to seeing our families and loved ones.
Blue skies to all Safair and other aviation industry related employees!
