In this issue

African Pilot’s 341-page November edition includes 19 videos and 12 picture galleries embedded into the digital magazine was completed on Friday and will be sent to the world today Monday 31 October 2022. This edition features African Airlines and Gifts for Pilots as well as a Grand Central Airport feature since the airport celebrated its 85th birthday during October.

BOEING 737-MAX CERTIFICATION DEADLINE LOOMS

In a high-level letter, the FAA has warned Boeing that documents the plane-maker provided for certification of its 737 MAX-7 model are woefully inadequate. The agency further advised the Chicago-based aerospace titan that certification of the MAX-7 is unlikely to be completed by a Congressionallyspecified year-end deadline.

2 mins

FLYSAFAIR REFRESHES SA RUNWAYS

On 30 September low-cost carrier FlySafair revealed a refreshed logo and new aircraft paint scheme at the airline's OR Tambo hangars as the airline welcomed its 25th aircraft into the fleet.

3 mins

HIGH DEMAND FOR THE PC-12 NGX AND PC-24

Exhibiting both the PC-12 NGX and the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet at the world's premier business aviation show, the National Business Aviation Association & Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), Pilatus confirms very high demand for both aircraft.

2 mins

WORLD'S FIRST 11-BLADED PROPELLER FOR TURBINE AIRCRAFT

Installed on a PA31T1 equipped with two P&W PT6A-135A turbines, the World's first 11-bladed propeller took the sky with an impressive noise and sound signature.

1 min

TECNAM UNVEILS P2012 STOL

Last month Tecnam unveiled a short take-off and landing (STOL) variant of its twin-engine P2012 Traveller. The P2012 STOL has a 16.6-meter (54.5-foot) wingspan, 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) wider than the standard P2012 and swaps the Traveller's Lycoming TEO-540-C1As for Continental GTSIO-520-S engines.

2 mins

BLACKHAWK DELIVERS 100TH XP67A ENGINE UPGRADE

Blackhawk Aerospace's XP67A engine upgrade delivers much faster climb and cruise speeds to the Beechcraft King Air 350.

2 mins

DEMOCRATISATION OF LUXURY COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE AVIATION

The aviation industry continues to evolve and proliferate, with new trends becoming increasingly prevalent in commercial and private aviation. However, a notable phenomenon in private aviation entails the democratisation of luxury travel, characterised by changing perceptions among air travellers about private flying as a domain exclusively reserved for the ultra-wealthy and increased utilisation of private air travel services.

3 mins

GARMIN G5000 INTEGRATED FLIGHT DECK TO RECEIVE EASA APPROVAL

Last month Garmin announced imminent European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of the G5000® flight deck for the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS aircraft.

2 mins

IS A PROPELLER UPGRADE RIGHT FOR YOU?

There are many good reasons to consider replacing and upgrading your airplane propeller. Many aircraft owners and operators choose to swap their legacy propeller with a next-generation design when the propeller is nearing overhaul time. Others opt to do an engine and propeller conversion all at once. Whatever the reason, a propeller conversion is one of the smartest investments you can make for your aircraft.

2 mins

Alton Aero Engineering cc

Emric airlines and Alton Aero Engineering were established in 1972 at Empangeni airfield by Boet Voges, Merwyn Wallace and the late Cyril Johnson to provide a service to the local aviation industry.

1 min

MULTIPLICITY OF ACCIDENT CAUSATION Synopsis (SACAA)

On Friday, 8 April 2022 at approximately 09h40, a flight instructor and a student pilot on-board a Piper PA-38-112 (Tomahawk) aircraft with registration ZS-AXE took-off on a training flight from Cape Town International Airport (FACT) in the Western Cape province, to Diemerskraal Aerodrome in the same province.

10+ mins

BELL'S V-280 VALOR IS THE STANDALONE CHOICE FOR FLRAA

To deter the threat from near-peer competitors, the Army's air assault mission demands a revolution in capability that only a tiltrotor can provide, not just a faster helicopter.

5 mins

African Airlines 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the passenger numbers and revenues of African Airlines plummeted, but there have still been success stories in Africa's aviation industry over the past year.

10+ mins

GRAND CENTRAL AIRPORT

Situated in Midrand, between Pretoria and Johannesburg, Grand Central is a boutique airport offering visitors a range of services from aviation retail and car rental to chartered flights, flight schools, aviation maintenance operations, excellent restaurant and corporate rental facilities.

10+ mins

BOEING FLOATS 'MODERNISED APACHE' CONCEPT FOR US ARMY'S FUTURE ATTACK HELICOPTER

The Apache is going to be the US Army's principal attack helicopter for the next 25 to 30 years. There is nothing right now that is on the books that is going to replace the Apache.

1 min

TACTICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME 2022

In September African Pilot was invited to cover the TLP 2022 course at Albacete Airbase in Spain. This course is similar to the Red Flag exercise in the USA, but of course takes place in Europe.

6 mins

HOLBORN ASSETS SPRINGS AIRFIELD SEASON FINALE SPEED NAVIGATION RALLY

The South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) organised the 2022 Season finale Speed Navigation Rally on Saturday 1 October 2022 at the Springs airfield. This was the fourth event of Season four of the Speed Rally series.

4 mins

EAA CHAPTER 322's ANNUAL SUN 'N FUN FLY-IN TO BRITS AIRFIELD

Early on Saturday morning 9 October we drove to Brits airfield to attend EAA's Sun 'n Fun weekend. Although rather windy with a cross wind from the east, somewhere in the region of 60 aircraft attended the fly-in.

2 mins

EAA SUN 'N FUN 2022 RALLY

This year's EAA Sun 'n Fun flying event provided the opportunity to stage the seventh fun rally event staged annually in support of EAA.

1 min

TEN EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS YOU MAY NOT HAVE ENCOUNTERED

When it comes to European aircraft manufacturers, Airbus is the undisputed king. However, there are still many smaller and perhaps lesser-known aircraft makers on the continent, including ATR, Dassault, Fokker, Saab and Piaggio.

2 mins

BEST OF THE BEST: ND WWII VETERAN REFLECTS ON A LIFELONG LOVE OF AVIATION

World War II Army Air Corps pilot Ernest 'Hod' Hutson stands in his Grafton, N.D. home on Thursday, 17 May 2018

3 mins

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ELVIS PRESLEY'S FLEET OF PRIVATE JETS?

As a new biopic about Elvis Presley, directed by Baz Lurhmann, hits the silver screen, there has been a renewed interest in the life of the man dubbed the 'King of Rock and Roll'. Recognised as the best-selling solo artist of all time by Guinness World Records, with one million billion sales worldwide, it is safe to say that Elvis Presley is one of the most recognizable faces and voices in music history.

3 mins

NAMESTO REMEMBER: World War II veteran takes to the air in SBD Dive Bomber 80 years later

World War II veteran Dick Miralles slid into the gunner's seat of the SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber almost as easily as he did 80 years ago in the South Pacific. Miralles (98) was reliving his wartime experience in a restored SBD operated by CAF Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, Georgia.

2 mins

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR AIRPLANE'S OIL?

Recently I was talking to an engine rebuilder about oil change intervals for aircraft engines. He related an experience with a plane owner who was having him do an annual inspection on his aircraft. A problem came up when the mechanic listed an oil change as part of the inspection, even though the aircraft had been flown just 12 hours in the last 12 months.

3 mins

SIX BRAKING TIPS FOR EVERY LANDING

GIVE YOUR BRAKES A BREAK!

2 mins

SIX WAYS PILOTS BECOME CONFUSED IN CLOUDS AND HOW TO PREVENT THIS

The rain season is coming and there is no shortage of clouds requiring IFR days flying. This is an important fact to consider, because 5-10% of all General Aviation accidents result from spatial disorientation and of these accidents, 90% are fatal.

4 mins

Read all stories from African Pilot

African Pilot Magazine Description:

African Pilot is a niche market specialist aviation magazine that has been publishing uninterrupted for the past eighteen years. Subscribers to the magazine can expect glossy layouts with a modern ‘coffee table’ look featuring South African, African and world aviation events, interesting facts about aviation, historical features and general news within aviation. African Pilot is the only South African aviation magazine that strives and is most successful at covering most southern African aviation events. The magazine provides a platform for the organizers of airshows and specific aviation events to market their particular event to members of the public.