Global Aviator
SQUIRRELS on a MISSION
Having lived in South Africa my whole life, I have become used to our amazing road system. It’s normal for me to ride to work on a modern five-lane highway, covering the 40km in no time. I hardly think about it during the short uneventful journey, except when there’s been an accident to foul up the traffic, sometimes for hours. Then I wish I was already in a helicopter zooming overhead to my destination.
7 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
Operation Jericho
On 18 February 1944, three months prior to ‘Operation Overlord’, the proposed Allied landings on occupied Europe, a particularly bold daylight raid was carried out by Mosquito fighter bombers of No.2 Group. Their target was the notorious three-story prison situated on the Amiens/ Albert road to the northeast of Amiens in northern France.
5 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
Mosi oa-Tunya-(the smoke that thunders)
Dramatic landscape, diverse wildlife, ancient ruins and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This is Zimbabwe, a landlocked country that has a place in history as much for the discovery of the magnificent Victoria Falls by David Livingstone, as for the legend of King Solomon’s mines, possible burial site of Paul Kruger’s gold.
10 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
Former MOD gliders to be used by charity to change lives
Motor gliders used to train thousands of RAF Air Cadets will get a new lease of life and bring joy to people with disabilities and injured ex-military personnel.
2 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
Beech Baron 58
Date and time: 17 January 2009 at 1300Z Aircraft registration: A2-AHF Last Point of departure: Private aerodrome north of Thambazimbi, Limpopo Province Next point of intended landing: Wonderboom Airport (FAWB), Gauteng Location of incident site: South-west of Thambazimbi (GPS co-ordinates: S24˚20.361' E027K 05.335' Meteorological information: Visibility good, clouds nil, temperature 28˚C, no wind. Type of operation: Private Persons on board: Pilot + 5 pax No of people killed 0 Pilot age and hours on type: 35 with 65.5 hours on type Total flying hours: 1 670.7 hrs
5 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
AMO's Lifeblood of aviation
An aircraft maintenance organization is on the forefront of importance for any company or person within the aviation industry. To short cut or neglect maintenance on any aircraft is irresponsible and a threat to life. AMO’s are expensive, however taking good care of engines and an aircraft, can assist in extending engine life and ensure the safety of pilots and passengers.
5 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
Allies are not automatically also personal friends
Goma, in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is now a relatively safe town but in 2009 it was said to frequently be an area in turmoil, especially as it was close to the Rwandan border where bands of armed rebels had terrorized the inhabitants for years.
5 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
The Falcon 6X - Business Jet Will Take To The Skies In 2021
Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 6X has completed its critical design review, meaning the plans are set and manufacturing can begin. The first Falcon 6X is on track to be built by early 2020.
2 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
South African 2020 Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is in remembrance of 600 soldiers that died in the sinking of the SS Mendi and all those who have died in armed conflicts representing South Africa
3 min |
April 2020
Global Aviator
RECYCLED
Do you ever wonder what happens when an aircraft – a really big one like a 747 or an S76 reaches the end of its life? We all know that old aeroplanes go somewhere – but where? I was reminded of this question a few weeks ago when I was visiting an aircraft scrapyard.
4 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
PILOT PROFILES
GOOD things come to those who BELIEVE BETTER things to those who are PATIENT BEST things to those who don't give up
6 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Virgin Galactic welcomes SpaceShipTwo Unity to Spaceport America, New Mexico
Virgin Galactic has successfully completed another vital step on its path to commercial service, relocating SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, to its commercial headquarters at Spaceport America’s Gateway to Space building.
2 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Heli Expo a big success despite S-76B crash just days prior to event
Many of the 657 exhibiting companies and 18 000 industry professionals were shocked the news of the accident in which Kobe Brant, US basketball hero, and eight others were killed.
7 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Metallic golden flying car (air taxi) parked on a Drone Port 3D rendering image
US divided over chinese drone bans
2 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Aviation AND Travel IN Botswana
For most international visitors, to set foot in Botswana and leaving without experiencing the awe-inspiring Okavango Delta would be an anticlimax! The destination is the draw card and unique selling point to the country’s tourism industry. Several air charter operators fly into the awe-inspiring delta and areas surrounding this incomparable destination
5 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
David and Goliath
Warneford’s remarkable achievement
5 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Helicopter Traversing Systems
The last mile connectivity problem
6 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
A Favoured Leg
I’m not one for long haul flying yet I work for an airline that operates a few sectors in excess of eleven hours, which is laborious to say the least.
4 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Belgium Says Goodbye To Its Jet Trainers
On 12 January, 2020 the last three Alpha Jet trainers of the Belgian Air Force returned from France to the Beauvechain Air Base in Belgium for the last time. This brings an end to the era of the air force’s successful trainer jet and the joint co-operation with France for advanced jet pilot training. Due to the great success of these aircraft, the Alpha Jet is often called ‘the best trainer jet of Europe’.
4 min |
March 2020
Global Aviator
Understanding Marine Helicopters
“Why can’t the army Chinooks operate from naval ships?”
7 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
The Lithium Challenge
Whatever aircraft type you fly and operate, almost certainly it contains, somewhere, one or more batteries.
5 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
SA's Largest airports amongst top tier in Global Punctuality League
Despite considerable upheaval in the local aviation sector in 2019, South Africa’s three largest airports managed to remain in the top tiers of global on-time performance with rankings of second, ninth and tenth in their respective categories.
2 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
MAD MAX HAS ARRIVED
While it may share a name with the yesteryear cult movie of the same name, this Mad Max is a huge waterbombing helicopter that was deployed to Australia to help fight the devastating bushfires that have engulfed the country since September 2019.
4 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Long March 9 super heavy-lift carrier rocket to begin missions around 2030
Chinese scientists are designing what is expected to be the world's most powerful rocket, according to Li Hong, deputy general manager at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The Long March 9 super heavy-lift carrier rocket will be capable of lifting 140 metric tons of payload into a low-Earth orbit, or a 50-ton spacecraft to a lunar transfer orbit. The giant rocket will also be able to ferry a 44-ton payload to a Mars transfer orbit, he added.
2 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Internationally, memberships are held with the ATAT (Association of French Airline Transporters).
3 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Aviation and Travel in the DRC
Although the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has not fully benefited from its rich resources for various reasons and has a struggling tourist industry, visitors to the country have an abundance of sight-seeing attractions including Virunga National Park, the crown jewel in the country’s tourism industry, home of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the magnificent and active Nyiragongo volcano.
2 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Airbus teams up with Aston Martin to launch the ACH130 Aston Martin edition helicopter
ACH130 Aston Martin Edition is the first offering from the recently-announced partnership between Aston Martin Lagonda and Airbus Corporate Helicopters
2 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Airports Of The Future: 10 Predictions For The Next Decade: What The Future Of Air Travel Means For Africa
SITA, the leading IT provider for the air transport industry, unveiled 10 bold predictions during December last year about the technology shaping how passengers will move through airports of the future, based on unique insights, driving industry forces and emerging technologies.
6 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
Developing 3D Printing Capability For The Defence And Aerospace Sector
BAE Systems and Renishaw have signed an agreement to work together on the development of additive manufacturing capability for the defence and aerospace sector, designed to help improve performance, reduce costs and speed up manufacturing processes on combat aircraft of the future.
1 min |
February 2020
Global Aviator
THALES PRESENTS A NEW SOLUTION TO PROTECT SENSITIVE SITES FROM MALEVOLENT DRONE USAGE
Thales presents EagleSHIELD, the company's new integrated drone countermeasures solution to protect and secure sensitive sites and large-scale events in urban areas.
2 min |