Global Aviator
Boeing Delivers 2 500th AH-64 Apache Helicopter
The AH-64A Apache was first delivered to the U.S. Army in 1984 and the helicopter fired the first shots of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, was called into service for Homeland Defense following the September 11, 2001 tragedies, and later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
2 min |
August 2020
Global Aviator
From Atom Bombs To Nuclear Aircraft
A nuclear-powered aircraft is not a new concept – during the Cold War the rivalry between USA and Russia drove much of the interest in nuclear-powered flight, especially during the late 1950s and early ’60s as both conducted research into nuclear-powered bomber aircraft, the greater endurance of which could enhance nuclear deterrence, but neither country created any such operational aircraft. The intention was to produce a jet engine that would heat compressed air with heat from fission, instead of heat.
6 min |
August 2020
Global Aviator
My learning-to-fly nightmare
I didn’t find flying easy in the beginning; in fact, I found it extraordinarily difficult.
7 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
The mysterious Boeing X-37B
Built by Boeing’s Phantom Works division, the X-37 program was originally started by NASA in 1999 but was transferred to DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in 2004 when it officially became a classified project.
3 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
AIRBUS' MAVERIC
Airbus blended wing aircraft
3 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
South Africa Pays Little Tribute To Aviation Heroes
South Africa has had a number of aviation firsts and heroes in its day but for some reason, little recognition has been given to these pilots – in days gone past maybe because their feats were as part of the British forces and nowadays because they were during ‘çolonial’ times.
2 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Meet New Player On General Aviation Arena: Tecnam P2010TDI
Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam introduced a liquidcooled 170-horsepower Continental Aerospace Technologies CD-170 Jet A engine into its four-place P2010 TDI single for greater range and improved efficiency.
2 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Namibia - A Land Of Dry, Vast, Empty Spaces
An apt description of a land inhabited by just some two million people. People who show toughness and resilience that is necessary to survive and hopefully prosper in a country that is distinguished by the Namib Desert along its Atlantic Ocean coast.
6 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Walter Mmari Makes It To The Left Hand Seat
Walter Mmari is a man who has made it into the left-hand seat of an airliner - yes with a lot of help from Airlink’s CEO Rodger Foster who saw his potential at an early stage of his career - this is his amazing story.
4 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Back To The Moon? Russia To Send Its First Spacecraft To The Moon In 45 Years
Russia hasn't been to the moon since 1976, but the country hopes to soon pick up where it left off
4 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Gediminas Ziemelis: New IFRS For Airlines With Provisions For Virus Impact?
Over the last 10 years, the world has faced two viruses with a great many deaths, consumer panic, and a huge impact on airline industries and the global economy.
4 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
Respon Drone: Three Year Response Project
When disasters happen, it is the first responders who may mean the difference between life and death for many people yet just being able to reach a scene or provide essential support can be very difficult.
4 min |
July 2020
Global Aviator
D-2 Narodovolets
One of first submarines to be built by the Soviet Union
7 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Viking Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Twin Otter 400 series
The presence of major aircraft manufacturers dotted around the globe is a key drivers of regional economies and proud benefactors of engineering excellence stimulating the pride of a nation.
3 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
The multi-versatile Bell 407 GX
In the Swiss town of Buochs there is a small airfield which houses a Bell 407 GX operated by Aplinlift Helikopter AG established in 2005 and based at Buochs Airport ever since.
4 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Auterion Skynode: Internet, onboard
Jump-start your development process with Skynode, the fastest way to power drones with the software, payloads and workflow integrations that enterprise customers demand. By connecting you to the Auterion platform, Skynode dramatically reduces the time and cost of designing, integrating and maintaining your own hardware and software, so you can focus on developing an excellent product.
2 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Coral reefs, great fishing, pristine beaches and the “Çrown Jewels” of the Western Indian Ocean
Mozambique has so much to offer but for many years the war that caused so much death and destruction nearly decimated the country although it has over time, become a getaway destination for other countries in the region.
9 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
"RIETBOK" AIR ACCIDENT
South African Airways Flight 406
7 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Impact Of Space Weather On Aviation
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) charged to monitor the Space Weather Regional Warning facility for Africa, functions from Hermanus in the Western Cape under the auspices of the International Space Environment Service (ISES)
2 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Heavier Loads
So in light of this COVID issue, Kung Flu or Wuhan Virus, term it what you will, the company I work for has been carrying some alarmingly large loads around the World.
3 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Sabrewing Unveils Prototype ‘Rhaegal-A' Air Cargo Like No Other
The Rhaegal is a new generation of regional cargo UAV that offers high-efficiency, all-weather operation with vertical landing and take-off (VTOL) capabilities. It carries a payload of up to 1 000lbs/54 kg over a distance of 1 000nm/1 850km with a cruise speed of 180 knots / 330 kph.
3 min |
June 2020
Global Aviator
Travails of a touring offshore pilot
In an earlier column I had narrated, rather lightly, the life of an offshore pilot. At that time, my transition from naval aviator to the offshore pilot was complete. But it was still early days to weigh-in on which side the grass was greener. Today, with the benefit of hindsight and experience, both good and bad, I have some more insights to share with you.
9 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
PIPER Super Cub
Back in 1930 CG Taylor had orders from the Piper company treasurer to design an aircraft that would be inexpensive to buy, cheap to maintain, and easy to fly. The Piper Taylor E-2 Cub was born.
2 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
Dawn of a new era
The revolutionary Ion engine that took spacecraft to Ceres
4 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
BUILT TO RACE
Warbirds, fighter aircraft with no real purpose post-World War 2, proved that they were definitely not ready to be sent to obscurity. Collectors had snapped up many of them but some a new career as competitors in the Reno Air Races when they started up again in 1964. However, there was a downside to this for collectors as warbirds cannot fly without spare parts and the Reno racers were using them all.
3 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
Aviation in the age of pestilence – a reminiscence
Now is not the time for people like me to start pontificating about the impact of COVID-19 on aviation, because the situation is simply too new, and too fast-moving. It’s incredibly important of-course, but things need to settle down before academics like me should be publishing on it.
5 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
COVID-19 Brings Aviation To Its Knees
The rapid and global spread of the Covid-19 virus has dealt a stunning and destructive global blow to the airline and aerospace industries.
2 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
Wildlife, Waterfalls, Witchcraft Zambia Has It All!
There is only one place in the world where four countries meet at a single frontier, - a landlocked country with the largest man-made lake in the world, national parks, Africa’s fourth-largest river and a lake where the water temperature never drops below three degrees.
6 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
Russian Cruiser Aurora
On the night of 7-8 November, 1917, a salvo was fired giving the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace bringing the Bolsheviks to power in a coup that changed world history. That blank shot came from the protected cruiser Aurora, symbol of the Russian Revolution and the oldest surviving ship of the Russian Navy, having fought during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 1905, WWI and the Great Patriotic War when her cannons were used to defend Leningrad.
7 min |
May 2020
Global Aviator
When is a Skylark not a Skylark?
Jeff Whiteley, who then ask a friend to help him restore the disused Skylark
4 min |