Flying-Aviation
SA Flyer Magazine
Taildraggers Warmbaths 2025
South Africans are known worldwide for their hospitality, and none more so than the farmers and aviators of the vast Springbok Flats, stretching from Pretoria to the Waterberg.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
Register Review June 2025
June was a bit slower than the past few months with just ten additions and eight cancellations from the register.
3 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
THE CONCRETE TRAWLER
The Mussandam peninsular, on the southern side of the straights of Hormuz, is impressive for its barrenness.
4 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
THE TIGER SAGA
It's been a while since I put pen to paper (or finger to screen) about flying. And considering my rollercoaster career as a helicopter pilot-equal parts Top Gun and Mr. Bean—I thought it a crime not to share some recent escapades from the wild blue yonder.
3 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
PEOPLE: VUYO WAKABA
Against huge odds, Vuyo Wakaba fulfilled his dream of becoming an SAA Captain
6 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
PIGGYBACKS & PARASITES
One good aeroplane deserves another.
5 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
AIRBUS CELEBRATES AND OPENS NEW CUSTOMER SUPPORT BASE
In a high-level celebration in July, Airbus celebrated 30 years of helicopter sales and support, and at the same time launched a key fixed wing aircraft support hub.
2 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
OPENING LOHS
Duran de Villiers flies everything from paragliders to a Bell 204 'Huey' and he has been a prolific supplier of magnificent Opening Shots.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
The Children's Flight 2025
The indomitable Felix Gosher has done it again. In July, Felix organised his tenth Children's Flight, sharing the thrill of flight with over 1000 deserving children under the banner of: Fly, Feed, Love & Inspire.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
THE FABULOUS CHIPMUNK My favourite plane
I have been privileged to have flown the most fantastic variety of planes - from the Denel Cheetah for an air-to-air refuelling mission, to a ninety-year-old Tiger Moth. So I suppose it's natural that I occasionally get asked an impossible question by a young bright-eyed aviation enthusiast: What's your favourite plane?
10 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
AERO EXPO 25 ROUNDUP
The 2025 edition of the AERO Expo South Africa took place from 25 – 27 June 2025 at Lanseria Airport.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
RIGHT SEAT RULES #32
ARE REAL FORCED LANDINGS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT? JIM HAS OVER A DOZEN OF THEM WITHOUT SCRATCHING AN AEROPLANE SO HE HAS A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT WORKS ON THE DAY.
7 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
WHAT DOES THAT BUTTON DO?
This report is to advance safety - not to assign fault or liability
6 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
AIRLINER SALES: BOEING STILL LAGS
Boeing received 116 new aircraft orders in June 2025, significantly less than its European rival Airbus, which secured 203 orders during the same period – many of which were announced during the Paris Air Show.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
ANYONE CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE
As aviators, we often make the mistake of thinking that we will be coming home at the end of the day.
4 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
VAN'S ENDS RV-3, RV-4, & RV-6
Van's Aircraft has announced the retirement of its legacy models—the RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6—from active kit production.
1 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
FLYING PURPOSEFULLY
In July I wrote a 1000 word oped for the general media (Why is the CAA grounding planes) on the CAA’s resurrection of the idiotic 12 year rule. In it I felt I had to note that general aviation is not just a hobby for the rich.
5 min |
August 2025
SA Flyer Magazine
PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS
THE FUTURE IS HERE!
10 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
LIVING THE DREAM-HEADING OFFSHORE
I dearly miss the mountains of the Western Cape, but I'm soon reminded that my \"office\" offers one of the best views, regardless of where I happen to be located on this planet. Today is no different, as ocean, clouds, and sunrise all conspire to produce a breathtaking vista while we settle down in the rhythmic gallop of the big Sikorsky.
3 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
CANADIAN C152 spin
Jim’s Note: The SACAA seem to have lost all but the newest and oldest accident reports. This is not a bad thing because I have found Canadian reports are excellent and have selected this one, because it deals with issues very relevant to South Africa – particularly density altitude, spinning, and post maintenance test flight
6 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
SPECIAL RULES AREA CHARTS
Imagine a chart that doesn’t rely on batteries that unexpectedly let you down. Imagine one that covers a large area in detail, yet that weighs a few grams.
2 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
FLIES ON THE CEILING
Allow me for a moment to explore one of the great mysteries of aviation with a subject that has been around ever since Immelman rolled his Fokker rightway up at the top of a loop over the shell-holed killing fields of World War 1.
4 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
INTERESTING AVIATORS I HAVE MET
I remember back in 1960 being in Nairobi West (where Wilson Airport is situated) standing with my mother watching a train pass by, filled with refugees from the Belgian Congo. The train was full, with many of the people dressed in pyjamas, or whatever they could find to wear in their haste to leave.
3 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
EVACUATOR
I have had a lot of fun during this past few years of flying. I have sneaked a Twin Otter out of Algeria, over Libya, to Tripoli and thence, across the Mediterranean, to the historic twinkling jewel box of Malta, at night.
5 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
WHY AIR POWER IS KEY in the Ukraine War
There is evidence that with 'borrowed' F-16s and the recent arrival of French Mirage 2000s, improved Ukrainian air superiority may be the deciding factor that brings the Russians to the peace talks table.
5 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
JANUARY 2025
The new year is off to a good start with 15 aircraft having been registered.
3 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS
In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.
5 min |
March Edition
SA Flyer Magazine
YOU WILL NEVER Understand Lift
Forget it. You haven't got a chance. So I muttered to myself as I closed a fascinating book called, The Enigma of the Aerofoil.
6 min |
March Edition
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
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 |