In this issue

The July edition of African Pilot featuring Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), amateur built aircraft and South African built aircraft has closed and will be released to the world by 30 June 2023. In addition, there were many aviation events scheduled for the month of June including the amazing Maputo airshow (exclusive), the Paris Air Show, Cosford airshow (England – exclusive), an interview with the winners of the PTAR 2023, Parys airshow, EAA’s annual convention, CAASA AGM (exclusive), Children’s Flight Zambia and many more. African Pilot has strived to report on as many of the local and international events as possible.

DID CHINA KICK RUSSIA OFF THE CRAIC CR929 PROGRAMME?

With the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) setting up a booth at the Paris Air Show 2023 and showcasing a COMAC wide-body aircraft as one of its products, was Russia kicked out of the CR929 programme?

2 mins

NASA AND BOEING TO PRODUCE NEW SUSTAINABLE X-PLANE

Last month NASA and Boeing announced a new project, creating a new sustainable X-plane. The aircraft produced through the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project will be designated X-66A by the US Air Force. Boeing was awarded its contract in January, to lead the development and flight testing for a full Transonic Truss-Braced Wing demonstrator airplane.

2 mins

MAPUTO AIRSHOW

Early on Friday morning 16 June, I travelled with Brian Emmenis and his Capital Sounds team to Mozambique to attend the amazing and most successful Maputo airshow. We flew with LAM Express in an Embraer 145 that seats 50 passengers.

8 mins

ROYAL AIR FORCE AIRSHOW RAF COSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM 11 JUNE 2023

The Royal Air Force's premier airshow took place once again at RAF Cosford, United Kingdom in early June. As usual with this event you have access to superb airshow and a major Royal Air Force Museum containing many famous exhibits documenting advances in British military aviation.

2 mins

PARIS AIR SHOW 2023

The 54th edition of the world's largest biennial aviation trade fair, the Paris Air Show opened its doors at Le Bourget Parc des Expositions for the first time in four years on Tuesday 20 June. The week-long fair was brimming with visitors from all around the world, especially Middle Eastern carriers that aim to expand internationally.

10+ mins

PARYS AIRSHOW 2023

Located on the banks of the Vaal River in the Free State, Parys is a town in that is better known as a weekend getaway to de-compress from the pressures of modern life. Parys has an airfield, which is located outside the strictly controlled commercial airspace that is Johannesburg which adds to the attraction of hosting an airshow. In addition, the commute from the economic hub of South Africa is around 90 minutes.

2 mins

HONDA AIRCRAFT TO LAUNCH HONDAJET 2600 LIGHT JET

Honda Aircraft is moving ahead with plans to 'commercialise' the HondaJet 2600 concept light jet that it unveiled at NBAA-BACE 2021. Powered by two Williams International FJ44-4C turbofans and with a Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the 2600 will also share the original HA-420 HondaJet's over-the-wing-engine-mount design. Certification is planned for 2028.

3 mins

CAASA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On behalf of African Pilot, I attended the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa's AGM on Wednesday 31 May at CAASA House, Lanseria International Airport.

10+ mins

FAILURES OF FRACTIONAL AND CHARTER COMPANIES OF CONCERN

On 9 May 2023, Wheels Up founder and CEO, Kenny Dichter resigned in the face of his company's mounting losses and potential bankruptcy.

2 mins

ZAMBIA CHILDRENS FLIGHT 2023

Felix Gosher, along with his gorgeous wife Belinda continue their long-standing project of bringing the joy of aviation to those less privileged. His 'Children's Flight' initiative, which last year included Zambia, had the second running for a day of fun, for the underprivileged children in Zambia. With the support from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), this event continues to be enormous. The ZAF provided the venue, as well as several aircraft to fly the children for their first flight experience.

2 mins

AZERBAIJAN TO PURCHASE A C-27J SPARTAN FROM LEONARDO

On 8 June Leonardo announced that the Azerbaijan Air Force had signed a contract with the company to procure an unknown number of C-27J Spartan multi-role military transport aircraft. According to a statement by the Italian firm, the contract was signed by an Azerbaijani delegation in Italy, in the presence of defence ministers' representatives from the two countries.

1 min

Airbus Says Extra Development Needed for US-made Armed AH-125 Helicopter

Airbus has brought the new helicopters to market in a bid to 'capture advantages of the US export system' and the Foreign Military Sales process, said Scott Tumpak, vice president of military helicopters at Airbus US. Airbus H125M helicopters have inspired the launch of two US manufactured rotorcraft configured for light attack and multirole missions.

2 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.