CATEGORIES

EMBRAER'S PHENOM 300
African Pilot

EMBRAER'S PHENOM 300

The Phenom leads the business jet industry in twinjet deliveries and is the world's best-selling light jet for 12 consecutive years

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1 min  |
April 2024
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES to expand widebody fleet with up to 20 Boeing 777X airliners
African Pilot

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES to expand widebody fleet with up to 20 Boeing 777X airliners

With commitment for eight 777-9s and up to 12 more, Ethiopian Airlines is the first African customer for highly fuel-efficient 777X passenger jet.

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3 mins  |
April 2024
GLOBAL HELICOPTER SALES IN 2023
African Pilot

GLOBAL HELICOPTER SALES IN 2023

Deliveries in the rotorcraft segment rose by nearly 10 percent last year compared to 2022. The turbinepowered category showed even better performance with its 753 deliveries equating to a 10.4 percent boost.

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1 min  |
April 2024
VEKTOR AVIATION'S insight into the SOUTH AFRICAN AVIATION industry
African Pilot

VEKTOR AVIATION'S insight into the SOUTH AFRICAN AVIATION industry

During the first week of March it was all engines firing for Vektor Aviation as the company hosted a team of Lockton and London-based underwriters. This was the first time that some of these brokers and London-based underwriters have been hosted by Vektor to geta better insight into the South African aviation industry. Their exposure to the South African aviation industry included visits to various clients in Gauteng and North West as well as to Lanseria and Wonderboom airports.

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3 mins  |
April 2024
STELLENBOSCH AIRSHOW 2024
African Pilot

STELLENBOSCH AIRSHOW 2024

The Stellenbosch Airfield, home for the Stellenbosch Flying Club SFC) is widely regarded as one of the finest airfields in South Africa. Located amongst the vineyards of the region's wine lands and having the Hottentots Hollands mountains as a backdrop verifies this view. With this picturesque environment the SFC airshow is also considered as one of the must attend’ airshows. With a strong support from the SFC membership who display their varied and seldom seen outside the region, personal aircraft adds to the variety of aircraft adds to this statement.

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3 mins  |
April 2024
WHO IS TO BLAME FOR SAA'S FAILED PRIVATISATION?
African Pilot

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR SAA'S FAILED PRIVATISATION?

Following the announcement on Wednesday 12 March 2024 by Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan that the Takatso transaction had been cancelled, several pertinent questions arise: Who is to blame? What does it mean for SAA? What does it mean for future privatisations?

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6 mins  |
April 2024
AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 2024
African Pilot

AERO CLUB of South Africa AIRWEEK 2024

Once again, the annual Aero Club of South Africa’s AeCSA) Airweek 2024 was hosted by the Middelburg Aero Club from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March. AeCSA’s annual Airweek was staged earlier this year in anticipation of fine weather, which turned out to be the case throughout the weekend. Without doubt Airweek is the most important General Aviation event on the South African calendar because this event brings all the sections of the AeCSA together on one airfield over a two-day period, whilst the Experimental Aircraft Association EAA) South Africa hosts its national convention at the same time.

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5 mins  |
April 2024
EAA Young Aviators March meeting
African Pilot

EAA Young Aviators March meeting

On Saturday 2 March I witnessed firsthand the incredible rej Jyenation of General Aviation where younger people, mostly studying for their pilot's licences that has also brought considerable diversity to the membership of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) and specifically Johannesburg Chapter 322.

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2 mins  |
April 2024
HAI HELI-EXPO 20024 EXPERIENCES RECORD-BREAKIING ATTENDANCE
African Pilot

HAI HELI-EXPO 20024 EXPERIENCES RECORD-BREAKIING ATTENDANCE

This year’s event staged between 26 and 29 February included the announcement that the show's producer, Helicopter Association International HAI), was rebranding as Vertical Aviation International VAI). VAI is the world’s leading membership association dedicated to the vertical aviation industry, which encompasses all aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing.

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10+ mins  |
April 2024
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
African Pilot

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. It has maintained a presence in South Africa since 1994. Airbus Southern Africa Pty) Ltd is a one-roof entity shared services), incorporating Airbus Commercial, Helicopters and Defence Space and has its South African headquarters at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, South Africa.

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7 mins  |
April 2024
B-1 LANCER CREWS PREPPING FOR 2 FEBRUARY MIDDLE EAST STRIKES
African Pilot

B-1 LANCER CREWS PREPPING FOR 2 FEBRUARY MIDDLE EAST STRIKES

Last month the US Air Force published a batch of photos and videosshowing B-1Bbomber crews preparing for the CONUS-to-CONUS mission that included strikes targeting Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria on 2 February

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2 mins  |
March 2024
NAMESTO REMEMBER
African Pilot

NAMESTO REMEMBER

TEST PILOT RECOUNTS FLYING BOTH'HAVE BLUE' AND 'TACIT BLUE' EXPERIMENTAL STEALTH JETS

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4 mins  |
March 2024
SLING TSI with ROTAX 916iS engine flight test
African Pilot

SLING TSI with ROTAX 916iS engine flight test

As pilots rise through the ranks and fly aircraft of everincreasing sophistication, one question remains constant: What is next? One answer will always resonate: More speed. More capability. More power. More capacity. The Sling TSi encompasses all of these qualities and has become an aircraft with an uncompromising mission: To offer unrivalled performance, safety, comfort and reliability to any pilot, no matter the mission. The Sling TSi is not simply more aircraft, it is more of all the reasons you fly.

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5 mins  |
March 2024
TIME TO TAKE STOCK REFERENCED MATERIAL (CAA 202
African Pilot

TIME TO TAKE STOCK REFERENCED MATERIAL (CAA 202

Looking back on 2023 with an analytical mind must teach us something. The information as always makes horrible reading and again shows us where the main accidents occur and they are not on airlines and all the ICAO-induced rules and regulations, training focuses and special interventions, is undoubtedly not doing its job as intended. The statistics are somewhat contaminated by the addition of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the mix. I do understand the dilemma, as the RPA air vehicles, although void of human presence, are all, or let us rather say those registered, carry an official tail number and therefore must make part of the statistics.

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10 mins  |
March 2024
WHISPER X350 GENERATION II
African Pilot

WHISPER X350 GENERATION II

The X350 Gen Il is a two seat, cross-country sport aircraft, well priced for the South African market. Complete kit prices start at only R495,000, with options to purchase the kit in sections.

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3 mins  |
March 2024
TECNAM AIRCRAFT
African Pilot

TECNAM AIRCRAFT

Tecnam is committed to the production of innovative, stylish, reliable and affordable aircraft, whilst the company has firmly established itself as the second largest manufacturer of General Aviation and Light Sport Aircraft. Its extensive range of models have proved popular with both flight training organisations and private owners alike.

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2 mins  |
March 2024
SLING AIRCRAFT
African Pilot

SLING AIRCRAFT

Sling Aircraft is a South African success story. 100% South African designed and manufactured, these aircraft are selling out faster than they can be manufactured. Based in Johannesburg, Sling Aircraft isa Manufacturing Organisation which designs, manufactures and markets the highly acclaimed Sling range of light aircraft and light aircraft construction kits.

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3 mins  |
March 2024
PIPISTREL PANTHERA
African Pilot

PIPISTREL PANTHERA

My first encounter with the Pipistrel Panthera was when visited AERO Friedrichshafen about four years ago where the first prototype was on display. Whilst admiring the sleek shape of the Panthera, my thoughts were that this aircraft is fast very fast, even whilst it was standing on its undercarriage legs on display.

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4 mins  |
March 2024
PIPER PISTON AIRCRAFT 2024
African Pilot

PIPER PISTON AIRCRAFT 2024

About Piper Aircraft With its headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida, Piper Aircraft Inc. offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable singleand twin-engine aircraft and was the first General Aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland.

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3 mins  |
March 2024
JABIRU J430 STANDARD
African Pilot

JABIRU J430 STANDARD

Due to its unrivalled entry level pricing, low maintenance and excellent flying performance for a four-seat aircraft when compared with the equivalent available aircraft in its class, the composite Jabiru J430 four-seat aircraft has been steadily growing in popularity. The J430 is now powered by the fourth generation reputable Jabiru 3300cc 120hp air-cooled six-cylinder piston engine.

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3 mins  |
March 2024
EXTRA AIRCRAFT INTRODUCES NEW EXTRA 330SX
African Pilot

EXTRA AIRCRAFT INTRODUCES NEW EXTRA 330SX

The Extra Aircraft company was established in 1980 as Extra Flugzeugbau in Germany by Walter Extra, an aerobatic pilot, to design and develop his own aerobatic aircraft. The company is located at Dinslaken airfield in Hiinxe, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Worldwide production of aircraft is about three units per month with a six-month backlog.

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1 min  |
March 2024
DIAMOND DA40 SERIES
African Pilot

DIAMOND DA40 SERIES

The DA40 NG comes standard with a choice of stylish and hard-wearing interior materials. For luxurious comfort and style, available features include premium leather interiors in several designs and colours, adjustable pilot seatbacks and lumbar support, electrically adjustable rudder pedals, electric air conditioning and much more.

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6 mins  |
March 2024
CIRRUS UNVEILS NEW SR SERIES G7 AIRCRAFT
African Pilot

CIRRUS UNVEILS NEW SR SERIES G7 AIRCRAFT

On Thursday 11 January Cirrus Aircraft unveiled the new SR Series G7 aircraft. With the latest in technology and a sleek design, the G7 will redefine personal aviation.

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4 mins  |
March 2024
TEXTRON AVIATION
African Pilot

TEXTRON AVIATION

Textron Aviation is committed to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for its customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops and high-performance pistons to special mission, military trainer and defence products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all General Aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on the legendary performance, reliability and versatility of the brands, along with the company’s trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight.

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4 mins  |
March 2024
TEXTRON AVIATION
African Pilot

TEXTRON AVIATION

Textron Aviation is committed to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for its customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops and high-performance pistons to special mission, military trainer and defence products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all General Aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on the legendary performance, reliability and versatility of the brands, along with the company’s trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight.

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2 mins  |
March 2024
AVIAT AIRCRAFT
African Pilot

AVIAT AIRCRAFT

Get behind the stick in an Aviat Aircraft and you will experience the difference. When you own an Aviat Aircraft, you will notice the superior quality and the pride of craftsmanship that is built into every part of the plane and you will feel it every time you take to the air. Made in the USA handcrafted in beautiful wild Wyoming, the Equality State, Aviat Aircraft are exceptional.

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2 mins  |
March 2024
INTRODUCTION to PISTON AIRCRAFT TYPES 2024
African Pilot

INTRODUCTION to PISTON AIRCRAFT TYPES 2024

Piston performers from singles to twins, there is an airplane for everyone

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4 mins  |
March 2024
SINGASPORE AIRSHOW 2024
African Pilot

SINGASPORE AIRSHOW 2024

Bounces back to full strength

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6 mins  |
March 2024
AIRBUS RACER
African Pilot

AIRBUS RACER

On 20 June 2017 at the Paris air show, Airbus Helicopters revealed a high-speed demonstrator configuration based on the X3 developed within the Clean Sky 2 research programme. Its aerodynamic configuration was validated in 2017.

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3 mins  |
March 2024
CAASA AGM and AWARDS
African Pilot

CAASA AGM and AWARDS

The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and awards ceremony took place at CAASA House at Lanseria International Airport on Friday 9 February.

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7 mins  |
March 2024