In this issue

The March edition of African Pilot featuring Piston Engine Aircraft, Piston Engine Propellers, Piston Engines and Piston Aircraft Maintenance. This edition also features the new Cirrus G7, Singapore Airshow, test flight in the Sling TSi, Turbulence at SAA, CAASA AGM and Awards, SAAF Prestige Day and Is Flight Training becoming Safer?

AMADEUS acquires Vision-Box for biometrics

Amadeus announced the company would be acquiring Vision-Box, a provider of biometric solutions for airports, airlines and border control customers. The acquisition of Vision-Box will bring new capabilities around biometrics hardware and software, adding border control solutions to the Amadeus portfolio.

2 mins

ETIHAD to enable pilots to fly both A350 and A380 aircraft

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has achieved another key milestone in pilot training and flight operations. After rigorous regulatory approval and extensive training at Etihad Airways, highly qualified Etihad flight crews are now authorised to fly both aircraft types interchangeably.

6 mins

How and why has premium economy become such an airline success story?

Although a concept that many people still regard as relatively 'new' in terms of passenger air travel, the phenomenon of premium economy has actually been with us for more than thirty years. In this article, we examine the origins of premium economy cabins, how the concept came about, who the early adopters were, how offering premium economy works for airlines and how it has flourished into the enormous success story it is today.

6 mins

Why the past few years have been turbulent for SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

South African Airways (SAA) faced turbulence due to the pandemic, going into business rescue halting operations and struggling to resume flights. Increased competition from low-cost carriers and other airlines resuming flights during the pandemic has also affected the carrier. SAA underwent internal changes, including business rescue, leadership transitions and plans for semi-privatisation to ensure its relaunch and stability.

6 mins

PIPER CHIEFTAIN AVIONICS UPGRADE

The avionics refurbishment industry is presently experiencing a significant trend back to piston twin engine market where aircraft owners require the installation of 21st century avionics, especially as many of these aircraft are being used for single pilot IFR operations.

2 mins

Test flying the new CIRRUS SR22T G7

In January 2024 Cirrus Aircraft, the company that brought you the personal aircraft with the parachute and the Vision Jet that lands itself with the touch of a button, announced the newest generation of the world’s best-selling, high-performance, single-engine piston aircraft, the SR Series G7.

4 mins

IS FLIGHT TRAINING BECOMING SAFER?

One of the first questions people ask before they begin flight training is 'how safe is this career?\" If a study recently compiled by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute and Liberty University School of Aeronautics is any indication, flight training is becoming safer.

4 mins

CAASA AGM and AWARDS

The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and awards ceremony took place at CAASA House at Lanseria International Airport on Friday 9 February.

7 mins

AIRBUS RACER

On 20 June 2017 at the Paris air show, Airbus Helicopters revealed a high-speed demonstrator configuration based on the X3 developed within the Clean Sky 2 research programme. Its aerodynamic configuration was validated in 2017.

3 mins

SINGASPORE AIRSHOW 2024

Bounces back to full strength

6 mins

INTRODUCTION to PISTON AIRCRAFT TYPES 2024

Piston performers from singles to twins, there is an airplane for everyone

4 mins

AVIAT AIRCRAFT

Get behind the stick in an Aviat Aircraft and you will experience the difference. When you own an Aviat Aircraft, you will notice the superior quality and the pride of craftsmanship that is built into every part of the plane and you will feel it every time you take to the air. Made in the USA handcrafted in beautiful wild Wyoming, the Equality State, Aviat Aircraft are exceptional.

2 mins

TEXTRON AVIATION

Textron Aviation is committed to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for its customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops and high-performance pistons to special mission, military trainer and defence products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all General Aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on the legendary performance, reliability and versatility of the brands, along with the company’s trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight.

2 mins

TEXTRON AVIATION

Textron Aviation is committed to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for its customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops and high-performance pistons to special mission, military trainer and defence products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all General Aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on the legendary performance, reliability and versatility of the brands, along with the company’s trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight.

4 mins

CIRRUS UNVEILS NEW SR SERIES G7 AIRCRAFT

On Thursday 11 January Cirrus Aircraft unveiled the new SR Series G7 aircraft. With the latest in technology and a sleek design, the G7 will redefine personal aviation.

4 mins

DIAMOND DA40 SERIES

The DA40 NG comes standard with a choice of stylish and hard-wearing interior materials. For luxurious comfort and style, available features include premium leather interiors in several designs and colours, adjustable pilot seatbacks and lumbar support, electrically adjustable rudder pedals, electric air conditioning and much more.

6 mins

EXTRA AIRCRAFT INTRODUCES NEW EXTRA 330SX

The Extra Aircraft company was established in 1980 as Extra Flugzeugbau in Germany by Walter Extra, an aerobatic pilot, to design and develop his own aerobatic aircraft. The company is located at Dinslaken airfield in Hiinxe, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Worldwide production of aircraft is about three units per month with a six-month backlog.

1 min

JABIRU J430 STANDARD

Due to its unrivalled entry level pricing, low maintenance and excellent flying performance for a four-seat aircraft when compared with the equivalent available aircraft in its class, the composite Jabiru J430 four-seat aircraft has been steadily growing in popularity. The J430 is now powered by the fourth generation reputable Jabiru 3300cc 120hp air-cooled six-cylinder piston engine.

3 mins

PIPER PISTON AIRCRAFT 2024

About Piper Aircraft With its headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida, Piper Aircraft Inc. offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable singleand twin-engine aircraft and was the first General Aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland.

3 mins

PIPISTREL PANTHERA

My first encounter with the Pipistrel Panthera was when visited AERO Friedrichshafen about four years ago where the first prototype was on display. Whilst admiring the sleek shape of the Panthera, my thoughts were that this aircraft is fast very fast, even whilst it was standing on its undercarriage legs on display.

4 mins

SLING AIRCRAFT

Sling Aircraft is a South African success story. 100% South African designed and manufactured, these aircraft are selling out faster than they can be manufactured. Based in Johannesburg, Sling Aircraft isa Manufacturing Organisation which designs, manufactures and markets the highly acclaimed Sling range of light aircraft and light aircraft construction kits.

3 mins

TECNAM AIRCRAFT

Tecnam is committed to the production of innovative, stylish, reliable and affordable aircraft, whilst the company has firmly established itself as the second largest manufacturer of General Aviation and Light Sport Aircraft. Its extensive range of models have proved popular with both flight training organisations and private owners alike.

2 mins

WHISPER X350 GENERATION II

The X350 Gen Il is a two seat, cross-country sport aircraft, well priced for the South African market. Complete kit prices start at only R495,000, with options to purchase the kit in sections.

3 mins

TIME TO TAKE STOCK REFERENCED MATERIAL (CAA 202

Looking back on 2023 with an analytical mind must teach us something. The information as always makes horrible reading and again shows us where the main accidents occur and they are not on airlines and all the ICAO-induced rules and regulations, training focuses and special interventions, is undoubtedly not doing its job as intended. The statistics are somewhat contaminated by the addition of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the mix. I do understand the dilemma, as the RPA air vehicles, although void of human presence, are all, or let us rather say those registered, carry an official tail number and therefore must make part of the statistics.

10 mins

SLING TSI with ROTAX 916iS engine flight test

As pilots rise through the ranks and fly aircraft of everincreasing sophistication, one question remains constant: What is next? One answer will always resonate: More speed. More capability. More power. More capacity. The Sling TSi encompasses all of these qualities and has become an aircraft with an uncompromising mission: To offer unrivalled performance, safety, comfort and reliability to any pilot, no matter the mission. The Sling TSi is not simply more aircraft, it is more of all the reasons you fly.

5 mins

NAMESTO REMEMBER

TEST PILOT RECOUNTS FLYING BOTH'HAVE BLUE' AND 'TACIT BLUE' EXPERIMENTAL STEALTH JETS

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.