IN MEMORY OF VIRGIN ORBIT

On 9 January 2023, as Spain’s Canary Islands settled into the darkness and quiet of the Western European midnight hour, a camera operated by the Spanish Meteor Network captured a spectacular fireball descending through Earth’s atmosphere. Notwithstanding its uncanny resemblance to a meteor, the phenomenon was, in fact, a doomed Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket and its payload of nine satellites, plunging as one toward the North Atlantic and a watery mass grave.

EXTRA AIRCRAFT INTRODUCES NEW 330SX MODEL

On 10 July 2023, Walter Extra announced his company's lineup of industry-leading aerobatic machines is to be supplemented by the imminent addition of the 330SX.

EAA TAILDRAGGERS AT WARMBATHS 2023

On Saturday 1 July Charlie and Fiona Hugo accompanied Christine and I on the nearly two-hour drive to the Warmbaths airfield to attend the annual EAA Taildraggers fly-in. Under clear blue skies with almost no wind more than 100 aircraft and helicopters arrived through the day.

CHINA'S J-20 FIGHTER APPEARS TO HAVE A NEW HOMEGROWN ENGINE

The People's Republic of China's military aerospace sector has established a pattern of achieving technological milestones, but then keeping completely silent about those advancements during the kind of major international expositions when a newsworthy development is normally announced with great fanfare.

US BOEING KC-46A VERSES AIRBUS MRTT

From cargo to cockpit: A KC-46A crew's thoughts about the plane's potential tanker rival. Speaking after a fresh off a tour of a French MRTT, a KC-46A Pegasus pilot and boom operator discussed some of the pros and cons between the plane that is the basis for Lockheed's LMXT and their own Pegasus tanker.

INDIA'S DEFENCE MINISTRY APPROVES AN ORDER FOR 26 RAFALE MARINE JETS

The Indian government has given its agreement in principle for the acquisition of 26 of the carrier-borne variant of Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France. The announcement came a day before the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris as the guest of honour for France's national holiday on 14 July 2023. It was approved during a meeting of India's Defence Acquisition Council.

GCAP FIGHTER DESIGN TO FLY WITHIN FIVE YEARS, AS BAE EYES POTENTIAL EXPORT MARKET

Last month BAE Systems executives expressed confidence that the Global Combat Air Platform (GCAP), currently in development with Italy and Japan, will achieve its projected in-service date of 2035, with a 'manned, supersonic and low observable jet' demonstrator taking flight within the next five years. In addition, company leaders believe they can find an export market of 'several hundred' jets globally.

BOEING'S T-7 FLIES FOR ITS FIRST OFFICIAL USAF FLIGHT

A US Air Force pilot departed Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri facilities at the controls of a T-7A Red Hawk, thereby occasioning the commencement of USAF flight-testing of the service’s new, supersonic, advanced jet trainer.

Aeronautical Aviation (AMO 1033)

Based at Lanseria International Airport, Aeronautical Aviation was founded in 2005, and has been supporting and offering specialised services within the General Aviation industry with the repair, overhaul and installation of aircraft instrumentation, avionics, electrical and pilot accessories.

Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle are ready for retrofit market

At AirVenture Garmin reported that imminent FAA certification to bring Garmin Autoland and Garmin Autothrottle to the retrofit market, starting with King Airs. The approval will first be for select G1000 NXi-equipped King Air 200 series aircraft and, soon after, select King Air 300 series aircraft.

AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTATION FEATURE

Until recently, most General Aviation aircraft were equipped with individual instruments utilised collectively to safely operate and maneuverer the aircraft.

A HELICOPTER OF HOPE: BELL AIRCRAFT HELPING ROCKET EMS

Having a fully equipped aircraft could not be more critical than when it comes to Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) missions. In many emergency scenarios, especially in remote locations, helicopters often remain the sole method of quickly transporting patients to hospitals.

MITSUI BUSSAN AEROSPACE H160 SIGNS FOR TWO AW169 HELICOPTERS

Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the authorised distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, announced new orders for two Leonardo AW169 light intermediate twin helicopters.

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS H160 GRANTED FAA TYPE CERTIFICATION

Airbus Helicopters has received FAA type-certification for its H160 medium utility helicopter, thereby marking a milestone in the aircraft's development and heralding its imminent entry into the US market.

CLOSING SPEED VERSUS DEPTH PERCEPTION

Description of events (SACAA) Preliminary Accident Report

Record breaker set to take on a Guinness world record

Lola Odujinrin is no stranger to world firsts. In 2017, he completed a barrier breaking round-the-world odyssey. Supported by Spidertracks, he became the first African Pilot to fly around the world!

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SELECTS CIRRUS AIRCRAFT FOR ITS TRAINING FLEET

Last month Cirrus Aircraft announced that Western Michigan University has purchased thirty-two (32) TRAC SR Series aircraft as it prepares to expand its College of Aviation. As a long-time collegiate partner, Western Michigan University has leveraged Cirrus Aircraft's technology and sophistication for advanced student flight training.

RECENT ALSIM SALES INTO THE PILOT TRAINING MARKET

In June and July 2023 ALSIM announced several world-wide acquisitions of various models from the ALSIM range of procedural simulators to flying school operations.

THE WORLD'S FIRST SEVEN-BLADE PROPELLER INSTALLED ON 75 PILATUS PC-12 AIRCRAFT

The installation of The Silent 7 MT-Propeller on the Pilatus PC-12 sets new limits for certain applications, exceeding the performance of five-blade propellers.

FIRST EUROPEAN DELIVERY OF CHALLENGER 3500

So eager was Bombardier to unveil its Challenger 3500 super-midsize jet that it jumped the gun, debuting the model one month prior to 2021's NBAA-BACE event.

EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION AIRVENTURE 2023 BY THE NUMBERS

By all accounts EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh set new records. The official attendance announcement from EAA on 1 August states that approximately 677,000 people attended eclipsing last year's tally of 650,000. According to EAA CEO and president Jack Pelton, \"We had record-setting totals of campers, exhibitors, volunteers and more. It was also a challenging year at times with weather, logistics and other factors, which makes me even more proud of the efforts by our volunteers and staff to organise an outstanding event.\"

THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO, RAF FAIRFORD UNITED KINGDOM

The Royal International Air Tattoo triumphs again with its most successful show ever.

AERO SOUTH AFRICA 2023

The third edition of AERO South Africa aviation trade show at Wonderboom National Airport that was staged from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 July was an outstanding event that provided the opportunity for aviation professionals from all walks of the business to get together showcasing their businesses.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AIRBUS A340-600: 6 NOVEMBER 2018 LOSS OF CONTROL REPORT

On 17 July 2023 the final Board of Inquiry report by the German authorities into the loss-of-control experienced by an SAA South African Airways Airbus A340-600, registration ZS-SNF performing flight SA-260 from Johannesburg to Frankfurt, on 6 November 2018, which was enroute at FL380 climbing to FL390 over Switzerland, about 40nm south-south-east of Zurich, when the aircraft encountered overspeed and the subsequent actions by the crew (notably the PIC) led to a loss of control.

LABOUR SHORTAGE AND MATERIAL COSTS THREATEN MRO INDDUSTRY'S GROWTH

Ever since the start of the pandemic, the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) industry has faced many challenges that had an impact on many industry players. According to Anca Gosling, Director of Training Content and Development at Aeroclass, an aviation digital learning platform, despite hurdles, the industry is expected to reach new heights in the coming years.

HAVE YOU FACED FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND FLIGHT DELAYS?

In the wake of thousands of cancelled flights and the extensive flight delays travellers are facing, Jonathan Merry, CEO of MoneyTransfers.com has put together some of his key recommendations to navigate the upcoming flight delays.

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.

APIE AND FREDRICK KOTZEE WIN THE 2023 PTAR

Over the past few years whilst covering South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) speed rallies and the annual President's Trophy Air Race (PTAR) I have become acquainted with father and son team of Apie and Fredrick Kotzee.

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.

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.