SA Flyer Magazine
PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS
THE FUTURE IS HERE!
10 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
CHINA CERTIFIES FIRST COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC PLANE
China has certified a four-place electric aircraft under Part 23 regulations making it the first to qualify for commercial operations beyond flight training.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
SUPERMARINE Mk.26 - Spitfire
Due to the huge value and the irreplaceable nature of a real Spitfire, very few select pilots will ever get the opportunity to pilot a real Spitfire.
10 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
PIAGGIO SOLD TO TURKISH UAV BUILDER
Baykar, a Turkish company specializing in unmanned aircraft, has received approval from the Italian Ministry of Enterprises to acquire Piaggio Aerospace, manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti turboprop.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
SLING REPORTS BEST EVER YEAR
Sling Aircraft says 2024 has been its best year ever, with more planes sold and delivered than ever before.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
NEW SEARCH FOR MH370
Ten years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished, the Malaysian government has approved yet another search for the missing aircraft.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
FLIGHT DESIGN INSOLVENT
The very successful Light Sport Aircraft manufacturer Flight Design has filed for insolvency. The aircraft builder says it has run out of cash because a major customer hasn't paid its bill.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
DECEMBER 2024
This month's column closes off 2024. The year has flown by quickly and by the time you are reading this column you will already be well through the first month of the New Year!
4 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
SOUTH AFRICA STILL CONSIDERING C-390
Defenceweb reports that South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation given a tour of Embraer's facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
3 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
SACAA WINS TOP EMPLOYER AWARD
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has been recognised as a Top Employer for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
INTRODUCING BIG WATER AERO
The Gariep Dam Airport has changed hands. The new owners are rsa.Aero Winelands Airport.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
BOEING VS AIRBUS 2024
In 2024 Boeing delivered 180 fewer commercial aircraft than 2023 after a year which began with the door plug failure on an Alaska Airline 737-9 Max.
2 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
PLETTENBERG BAY AIRPORT
The ambitious plans to 'save' Plettenberg Bay Airport from the neglect of its local city council are fast unravelling.
1 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
USE IT OR LOSE IT!
Wilbur Wright said, 'It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.
6 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 26 SPINNING
I have been doing some long-range mentoring of a new instructor. I called her the other night to find out how she was getting on with her patter and preparation for the flight test.
9 min |
February 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
MAKE AVIATION GREAT AGAIN - IT'S TIME TO TURN BACK.
How wonderful it is to have an incoming president who is, by his own admission, a leading, if not the leading, world authority on most subjects.
4 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
FLYING THE HAWKER HUNTER
Flying a Hunter starts hours before actually walking out to the aircraft. This machine is a legend, but it is first of all about the highest performance machine that it is feasible for a civilian to fly. Flying it is not to be taken lightly.
10+ min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
RON WHEELDON'S HUNTERS
RON WHEELDON is a Johannesburg based trademark and IP attorney. He writes, \"My love affair with Hawker Hunter jet fighters started in approximately 1963 when the Rhodesian parliament opening was marked by a fly-by of nine recently acquired Hawker Hunters in diamond formation.
1 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
2024 - Winners and losers
In South Africa it’s been another bleak year. As write this in early December, many people seem to be shaking their heads and wondering what the hell is going on. But in the rest of the world, things are literally going bananas.
7 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
QUEEN AIR TALES
In the early seventies Esquire Airways acquired a pre-owned Beechcraft Queen Air. This top of the range 8,800 lb MAUW model had nine forward facing commuter seats and I flew it as a single pilot operation for several months.
10 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
CC POCOCK MAKES HISTORY IN THE USA
In strong contrast to the South African Civil Aviation Authority's obstructionism, aviation history was made when veteran South African airshow performer Milne “CC” Pocock received FAA-approval for the first-ever laser show from an aircraft.
2 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
LARGEST EVER RHINO RELOCATION
Specialist air cargo operator ACS mobilised all its skills to successfully complete a very challenging project – the translocation of 39 White Rhino from Namibia to the USA.
1 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
TWINCO FUEL
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
6 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
RIGHT SEAT RULES NO. 25 SLOW FLIGHT
Most of us feel a bit edgy when the ASI creeps down within 10 KIAS of the stall. Jim Davis has some hints on how to be comfortable and in control - even when the airspeed is 20 KIAS below the stall.
10 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
HELICOPTER PILOTS SHOULD UNIONISE
Helicopter pilots are stuck in a 12-month flying cycle. While they will have periods of rest and active rest (performing ground-based tasks and planning ventures) within their work source campaigns, it's not a good situation. They need programmed periods to catch their breath.
2 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
AFTERMATH of the Engine Fire
Iris McCallum continues her stories about her early years with Air Kenya. This month she tells us about the immediate aftermath of her dramatic engine fire and crash, and her subsequent 'getting back onto the saddle'.
4 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
NOVEMBER 2024
November sees strong growth in aircraft registrations with 16 additions, but 10 aircraft are cancelled as exported. The Type Certified additions are a mixed bag.
4 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
LIVING THE DREAM Part 2: Planning and Pax
Part 2: Planning and Pax
5 min |
January 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
AERO CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA AWARDS: 2024
General aviation is a dynamic and multifaceted pursuit that celebrates the freedom and exhilaration of flight. From piloting aeroplanes and helicopters to soaring with eagles in a glider, it offers a rich tapestry of experiences.
5 min |
December 2024
SA Flyer Magazine
FRENCH FLIES
Like it or not, the French know how to make great planes - even if their cars are funny. So imagine what you get when you take French flair to the world's best-selling plane.
4 min |