Category Archives: Get into Aviation

How do I become aircraft maintenance engineer?

June 26, 2019 Get into Aviation, NewsLetter – Other No comments

What is an aircraft maintenance engineer and How do I become one?

Firstly, we need to tell you what an aircraft maintenance engineer is and some of the duties required to be performed.

The job of an aircraft mechanic is to keep aircraft operating safely and efficiently. People’s lives are at stake which makes this job extremely important. Aircraft mechanics service aircraft, overhaul engines and parts and test the every-day smooth running of aeroplanes or helicopters.

What does an aircraft mechanic do?
• Conduct safety inspections
• Service aircraft
• Troubleshoot and solve problems
• Overhaul engines and parts
• Repairs parts/ install new ones
• Tests various aircraft systems and engines
• Order parts
• Keeps strict records
• Commits to lifelong learning

Secondly, it is important to understand the different types of trades available:

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionician):

An aircraft maintenance engineer (avionician) overhauls, repairs, modifies and tests a range of electrical, electronic, instrument and radio communications and navigation system components in a workshop environment, after they have been removed from the aircraft. Examples of these types of systems would be: generator and power distribution systems, protection systems, autopilot and integrated flight systems, environmental control systems, and radar and communication systems.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

An aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical) maintains, services, inspects, tests and undertakes fault diagnosis of airframe, engine (including propellers and rotors) and electrical systems, components and accessories on aircraft. Examples of such components are: landing gears; wheels and brakes; skids; pneumatic and hydraulic systems; fuel systems; flight control systems; environmental control and pressurisation systems; fire detection and prevention systems; oxygen systems; containerised cargo handling systems; doors and windows; lighting systems; and ice and rain protection systems.

Thirdly, what is the minimum admission requirements?

18 years and older.
Grade 12/N3 or Equivalent
Mathematics 50% of higher
English 50% or higher

Maths Literacy 50% + will be considered subject to the below Applicants that do not meet the course acceptance criteria but do possess a Grade 12/N3 or equivalent certificate will be subject to an aptitude test prior to acceptance and admission to MATA.

What is the Duration of the course?

One (1) Year Basic Training (42 weeks) at the MATA Training Academy (Theory and Practical Training)

What Happens after the first year of training?

Once you have completed your first year:

1. You will have fulfilled the TETA requirement.

2. You will be issued with a certificate

3. You will have practical and theoretical knowledge of the field of study you have chosen.

Thereafter MATA liaison officers will assist with placing you as an apprentice with an Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO)

Unemployed learners placed at an AMO are NOT guaranteed that such AMO will employ you! No tertiary education institution can guarantee job placement!

4. You will then be required to obtain a total of 2 880 hours and a minimum of 18 months of practical experience as an apprentice at an AMO.

These hours must be logged in your logbook (downloadable from the TETA Website) as proof of aircraft maintenance experience, in order to qualify to apply for your Trade Test.

5. After you have applied to TETA and the DHET for your trade test (MATA will guide you through the process and help you to apply)

MATA will conduct a Trade Test Preparation Phase with you prior to your Trade Test Examination Days to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the most important exam in your aviation career. MATA is a certified Trade Test Centre.

Mata Apprentice technical training has been recognized to be the best. Not only by providing top quality instructors and training, but by providing the industry with top quality engineers. Not only has MATA had a 98.8 % pass rate but with our newly approved trade test center, MATA students can be proud to be furthering their careers with a trusted brand. MATA is also a European aviation approved training facility.

Contact MATA:
eMail : info@matasa.co.za

Phone: 011-395-4144

Click on photo to enlarge

“The idea was hatched late last year about getting the team to do an international trip . Switzerland being the home of the Pilatus was a no brainer. For us to be able get to view how and where all the current airframes were designed and built. On May the 3rd, Emirates hauled us through Dubai to Zurich, arriving in the cold that afternoon. Then a train ride from Zurich to Lucerne where we stayed for 3 days. For two days lots of walking around or busing around the sites and sounds of Lucerne.”

“It must be said the bus n train network in Switzerland was brutally efficient and effective. On Sunday May the 6th was a special treat with the visit up Mount Pilatus to be greeted by typical winter weather in Europe with tons and tons of snow. Something one would never see in Langebaanweg. The rest of the day was spent visiting the old town of Lucerne.”

“The 6th was the team received special treatment form Pilatus aircraft corporation. The company arranged everything from transport from our mini budget hotel to Stans were the factory is located. Jerome Pörtner played host and guide for and arranged what needed to be needed during our visit. Once at the factory were given two cards, which one was a security clearance and the other a Wi Fi (Switzerland neh ) card.”

“The day began with a presentation about the company and their ethos of how they operate in a niche market, Swiss chocolates were on offer . From there on a factory tour covering everything from how parts are made from scratch to the company latest flagship the pC24 floor. Everything from the paint shop to the tiniest of details.”

“What blew the teams mind away was the special design of the hangers/factory which is made of special wood not the usual mortar n brick or canvas as we are used to back home in RSA. To say one can eat of the floor would not be off the mark. What was not lost to us was how space in general when it comes to aviation is a tricky thing to solve! In all the hangers, airframe after airframe, we squizzed into every corner available (guess the work must continue non the less ) regardless wether it’s the pc24 or pc12 hanger.”

“Then another treat was the special ‘ground instruction ‘ of the PC21 given to the team by Neil ( ot&e pilot ex RAF) & senior sales man and Pascal and Jerome Pörtner. (One can only dream hey). Then it was lunch at the newly refurbished factory canteen which can be best described as a 3-4 start hotel dining hall. It boast views of all the surroundings mountains around the factory.”

“The a very interesting part of the factory is where Central Flying School (CFS) sends their Prat & Whitney engines for overhauling. Where they pull them apart and put them together again. Everyone swelled with pride from the feedback from the engines from the SAAF are always in good condition compared to other users which showcases how the SAAF looks after its equipment.”

“Sadly the day flew by and on Wednesday May the 7th, the team repositioned to Zurich to get ready to fly back home. The evening of the 7th was spent visiting the beautiful city of Zurich with a special dinner held In town in one of the most beautiful part of the city and an age old restaurant which used to be an armory during the times (Zeughauskeller) “

One of the restaurants we visited in Zurich

“Special thanks goes out to the Coves aviation community led by JP Fourie of NAC and Luigi Rossi of Internek engineering and Obviously the SAAF for giving team 82 this opportunity.”

Left to Right
Major Sivu Tangana,Major Musa Dlamini,Major Bheki Shabungu,Major Tiaan Stander,Major Omphile Matloane,Captain Xander Albasani and Major Corne van Deventer.

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June 4, 2019 Get into Aviation No comments

“My name is Little Annie. I am an orphan who was donated from Russia and flown all the way to South Africa. I attend most of the air shows throughout Southern Africa . On the day before the air show I take the orphaned and underprivileged children from the area who have never had the opportunity to experience the joy of flight, to give them hope, encouragement and to share my true life story with them. My hope is to inspire them to achieve the seemingly impossible in attaining their dream commensurate with their natural talent. I have flown more than 3000 children since I was adopted by Mark Hill and his family who founded the Just Love Mission Charity.

I was invited to the Newcastle Air Show on the 1st June for the very first time. This was our first airshow in Kwa-Zulu Natal.My bags were packed, and I was on my way. While flying, I started coughing up oil and my engine made a big bang sound! Fortunately my father and brother were able to land me safely at the Newcastle airport. I was unable to fly in the air show and am too sick to fly back home. The Flying Doctors who work on me and who can get me flying again will need to spend a bit of time and will need to replace a part in my engine. I am invited to the Mozambique air show in Maputo on the 14th and 15th June, where I will be taking the children from the area flying. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend if my Doctors cannot come and fix me. I’d like to ask if there is anyone who will be able to donate towards the medical bills in order to get me up and “running”/flying again.

I will be over the moon if a few ‘Little Annie’ fans can possibly assist me in raising the funds. The good News is that because I am a regustered NPC and PBO that is B-BBEE rated as well as article 18A registered, it can benefit those with corporate social investment responsibilities and you can also claim a sizable percentage of your contribution back from tax. If you would rather not claim from tax, I will be very excited to give you recognition and exposure for your charitable donations! Please contact my family should you be able to assist: 0817770444 or email on info@littleannie.co.za You can also have a look at my website for more info www.littleannie.co.zaI am excited to possibly hearing from you and hoping that this challenge of me being sick, will be able to be sorted out in order for me to carry on with my passion of sharing flight with the children!

Thank you Kindly!

Contact Details for Donations

081 777 0444 or email on info@littleannie.co.za

Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie

Read the story of ‘Little Annie’

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January 29, 2019 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation No comments

A typical summer morning at Rand Airport where most pilots like to take to the skies over Johannesburg and enjoy the beautfual scenary
around the Gauteng Province.

This past weekend we attended the first fun Rally for the year and no better place to have it at a busy airport,with the Harvard Cafe
along side the terminal building, pilots and navigators stocked up on a filling breakfast and coffee, they made their way to the airports terminal building for a sharp briefing at 8.30am.A quick photo of every participant in front of what could be a oasis of palm trees shading Rand Airport Tower!

Once the briefing was over the team memebers made their way to their aircraft making sure all routes and refrences marked out so that the best man or women wins.

The SAPFA Committee, particularly Rob Jonkers and Mary de Klerk, who organised a very thorough workshop recently on Rally Flying, saw their efforts bear fruit at the annual Rand Airport Challenge, when a record 8 teams took part in the Intermediate form of the sport. In previous years most participants preferred to stick to the simplest and easiest form which is Fun Rally, but this year pilots and navigators were encouraged to enter the more difficult category. The reason for this, is to elevate their skills levels, so that they can participate at national level, thereby building up a new breed of South African champion rally pilots and navigators.

The navigators and pilots in the Intermediate category had one hour to plot the entire route, and had to do so in the cockpit, which was a first for most of them. They also had far more photo targets to identify, and these were mixed up instead of being sequential and only one per leg. The pilots had only a 5 second window to get through each turn-point, instead of 15 seconds for Fun.

Organisers Frank and Cally Eckard gave them the task of flying an arc, which is a curved track between two turn-points, and a follow-the-feature, where they have to fly along a road, river or railway line. Every pilot flew the arc perfectly, and really enjoyed the challenge.

The route took them south from Rand Airport, around Suikerbosrand to Heidelberg, then down to two turnpoints on the banks of the Vaal Dam, and back again near Vereeniging to the Finish Point at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.

Rand Airport, who sponsor the Rand Airport Challenge Trophy, also waived landing fees on the days for the participants. The trophy was won by the defending team of Shane Brits and Karen Stroud, who have been putting a lot of effort into their sport.

The full results are:

The Fun Rally section:

Pilot	Navigator	Points
1	RC Shillaw	CJ Shillaw	319
2	Thys van der Merwe	Gerda	870
3	Kim Pratley	Andrew Pratley	1231
4	Piet Meyer	Pieter Kriel	1410

The Intermediate Section:

Pilot	Navigator	Points
1	Shane Britz	Karen Stroud	750
2	Jonty Esser	Jonathan Esser	967
3	Adrian Pilling	Adam Pilling	982
4	Don Lucas	Andre Kluyts	1488
5	Leon Bouttell	Karyn Purchase	1955
6	Mark Clulow	Renee Clulow	2170

Unfortunately the two teams consisting of Phil Wakely and Mary de Klerk, and Jakes Jacobs and Franz Smit did not complete the course due to mechanical problems.

The Unlimited Section:

Pilot	Navigator	Points
1	Rob Jonkers	Martin Meyer	409
2	Hans Schwebel	Ron Stirk	766
3	Antony Russell	Pamela Russell	1344

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this sport, and are all very motivated to take part in the next events:

1-2 Feb – Cape Speed Rally, Morning Star
16 Feb – Training Day in Brits, with the focus on the role of the pilot, and cockpit-management
23 March – Virginia Rally, Durban (with a training course on 22 March)
4 – 6 April – Rally Nationals, Stellenbosch

Please enter online at http://Sapfa.org.za

SAPFA Rally Training Camp

January 21, 2019 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation No comments

SAPFA Rally Training Camp – Aerosud Premises 19 January 2019 – by Rob Jonkers

SAPFA held a very successful training event on Rally Navigation on Saturday 19^th January as the first SAPFA event of the year. Initially planned for a maximum of 30 participants, and at Grand Central, the eventual total participation was 50, and fitting everybody into the Aerosud training hall proved a challenge.

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Alan Evan Hanes – GM of the Aero Club with a short Aero Club Intro

It is great to see the sport being supported so enthusiastically, and the willingness to learn these basic skills of map reading and planning. The GM of the Aero Club Alan Evan Hanes opened the day with a brief overview of the Aero Club and its functions, that the Aero Club has as its mission to protect all forms of Recreational Aviation, and supports Sections of the Aero Club such as SAPFA to be able hold successful events within the procedures governing recreational aviation in SA.

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The Participants – 50 in total

With that Mary de Klerk took charge and laid out the objectives of the day, by initially going through the theory of plotting, and then to practice on an actual plot. With this year of 2019 having a full calendar of events, and the Nationals coming up in April in Stellenbosch, and with SAPFA having won the bid to host the World Rally Flying Championships in 2020 (which is also the Centenary year of the Aero Club), this training event would serve as an excellent platform to entice new members to the sport and to start training for the Internationals and obtain Protea Colours.

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Mary first started off with having everybody introduce themselves, and what they each had as objectives for training, some were there as newbies interested in taking part in the sport, some having takien part previously indicated they needed some formal and expert training, and some others indicated they just wanted to delve more in depth than what a ppl course would give on the art of paper based navigation.

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The Rally Plotting Class of 2019

From there Mary outlined the theory on plotting procedures and described the tools of the trade. Then it was off to plotting an example course which had to be done from basic plotting principles of co-ordinates, bearings (which could be in either true or magnetic) and distances (either in nm of km). Each turning point then had to be found and identified and linked into legs, some of which could be arcs or follow map features.

The goal in getting to National level standard is to be able to plot in the aircraft with a papers time of around 30-40 minutes prior take-off, which means speed is of the essence in doing the plot, so that the navigator can assist with finding and identifying the ground photos.

The morning’s training ended off at around 11 am, and after a short break, everybody got their first route in an envelope, got the laminated transparent tool, which they had to cut out, and proceeded to plot each of the turn points making up the route. It was decided to proceed right through lunch, and most had finished their plot by after 2pm. The course was ended off with an in cockpit video of one of Rob & Martin’s 2012 rally flights to show how the leg photo features match up with the real world outside to give the perspective of what one sees outside the cockpit from the flying height and distance.

Everybody left with some knowledge gained on plotting and techniques of planning & flying a rally, and it is hoped that many will come to the Rand Challenge on the 26^th January and Nationals in April.

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Daniel Ralefeta and his team of Rise Above Aviators getting ready to plot

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Feverously map reading and plotting

The Track shown of Route 2 – an anti-clockwise route

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Martin Meyer assisting Dave Thomas

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Mark and Rene Clulow figuring the plot

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Newbies to the sport, Time Scharf, Conrad van Coller and Daniel Ralefeta

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Mary de Klerk assisting Melika Mohapi with Franz Smit & Ashley Loynes at left

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Kim Pratley and his son Andrew Pratley working their plot

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Protea pilot Adrian Pilling and newly minted ppl pilot son Adam learning from the expert

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Arthur Piercy working his plot

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Michael Stofberg & Bryony Martin from 104 squadron

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Virtual Aviators Johan van Wyk and Freek Stegman

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Shaun Barron with Cally Eckard helping in the background

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Rob Jonkers explaining some flying techniques

Eagle Air’s State-of-the-art Flight Simulator

October 28, 2018 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation, Pilots and Aircraft 1 Comment

Eagle Air’s new State-of-the-art Flight Simulator

SACAA approved Simulator was launched by Eagle Air Academy based at Wonderboom National Airport South Africa.
The Simulator was acquired at a Cost of few million and has four Aircraft modules build in:

Piper Warrior
Piper Arrow
Piper Seneca
Cessna 425 Turbines

Video courtesy of Fly Media team and Eagle air

5 benefits of flight simulator:

Flight simulator allows students to exercise and master specific flight conditions without leaving the ground at all
Training that takes place in a simulator is predictable without the interruption of unforeseen delays such a poor weather or mechanical difficulties.
When comparing costs, plane simulator training can be more affordable than live flight time, saving costs for fuel, wear and tear and aircraft rental.
Student safety is secured during flight simulations allowing flight instructor learners to train under emergency conditions as well as bad weather and technical and mechanical failure.
Flight simulators allow students in training the opportunity to practice until perfect, mastering technique and decision making and various stress factors during flight.

The Simulator arrived at the Eagle air facilities at Wonderboom National Airport on 4th October 2018 followed by assembly, Testing and SACAA testing and certification. The official opening of the new flight simulator was on 25th October 2018 and Percy Rudman that the Rates will soon be announced. South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) certificated the FNTP 2 Flight Device with RNAV and MCC.

Bennie du Plessis, a well-known figure in the South African general aviation industry and a keen aviator checking out Eagle Air’s new Simulator.

Eagle Air also recently add a new Aircraft, a Piper Cherokee registration ZS-KIM to its fleet, This surprising many with the addition of the Simulator shortly after. Read more on How to become a Pilot in South Africa

Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive

October 24, 2018 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation, Radio Controlled, Team AC, Upcoming Aviation events news No comments

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The Spanish Air Force, Ejército del Aire, decided to purchase 24 PC-21s in early 2020. The final PC-21 of this order was delivered to Spain in...
March 10th Reno Air Races to come to an end
It is with heavy hearts that we write this to let you know that, after nearly 60 years of air racing in northern Nevada, 2023 will be the last...
March 10th Africa Sees General Aviation Success with Versatile Bell 429
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the delivery of a Bell 429 and a signed purchase agreement for another Bell 429,...
March 5th Aero Club Air Week Middelburg 2023
by Dian Townsend The Aero Club Of South Africa once again hosted their Air Week at Middelburg Airfield from the 3rd to the 5th of March 2023....
March 5th SAAF Museum Flying Day March 2023
The South African Airforce Museum hosted their monthly flying day at the now known Airforce Mobile Deployment Wing (Air Force Base Swartkop) in...
February 23rd Armed Forces Day Richards Bay 2023
Richards bay in the northern part KwaZulu-Natal, was this years host city to welcome the South African National Defence as part of armed forces day....
February 16th Indian Air force C17 Globemaster fetches South African cheetahs
Twelve more Cheetahs would be flown from South Africa to India on Saturday 18th February 2023 with the help of an Indian Air Force’s (IAF) C-17...
February 16th SANDF offers relief to flood-hit communities in Limpopo under operation chariot
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) continues its support to many flood-strickencommunities and on Wednesday, 15 February 2023 has...
February 15th Armed Forces Day media launch Richards Bay
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is hosting the 2023 Armed Forces Day (AFD)in Richard’s Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, from 15th –...
February 13th Last SAFAIR L100 leaves SA
On a cold and wet Saturday the 11th February saw SAFAIRs last Lockheed L100 Hercules leave South African soil for the very last time. This particular...
January 31st Western Cape AMS Mountain Rescue during International Sailplane Grand Prix
A foreign gliding competition pilot participating in the African leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix was rescued from high up a Western...
January 31st SAAF Prestige Parade 2023
The South African Airforce Prestige Day Parade once again took place at Air Force Base Swartkop in the City Of Tshwane, celebrating 103 years of...
January 22nd Ultimate Aviation Group Agrees To Acquire Offshore Helicopter Services UK Ltd From CHC Helicopter Group
Ultimate Aviation Group is pleased to announce it has finalised an agreement for the purchase of Offshore Helicopter Services UK Limited (OHS UK)...

2022 (53)

December 14th SAPS Johannesburg air support operations receives a boost with new H125 Airbus Helicopter
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has officially handed over a brand new H125 airbus...
December 14th Pilatus Delivers First PC-12 NGX to Tradewind Aviation
Tradewind Aviation accepted delivery of their first PC-12 NGX during a ceremonial handover at the Pilatus US subsidiary in Broomfield, Colorado. The...
December 6th AAD2022 closes on a high note
Working against the clock in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisers of AfricaAerospace and Defence (AAD) stand proud for having delivered...
December 5th ICAD Heidelberg Airshow 2022
The International Civil Aviation Day was celebrated with an airshow at Heidelberg Airfield just to the south of Johannesburg on the 3rd December...
November 28th SANDF Exercise VUK’UHLOME 2022
With Exercise VUK’UHLOME already been on the way for the last month at Combat Training Centre Lohatla in the Northern Cape of South Africa, the...
November 21st The Arrivals and Training week for the 22nd World Rally Flying Championships
The Arrivals and Training week for the 22nd World Rally Flying Championships by Rob Jonkers (photos Rob Jonkers & others) The 22nd World Rally...
November 21st The 22 nd World Rally Flying Championship
The 22nd World Rally Flying Championships by Rob Jonkers (photos Rob Jonkers & others) Also, read The Arrivals and Training week for the 22nd...
November 7th ANGLO AMERICAN PLATINUM DONATES BAT HAWK LIGHT AIRCRAFT TO ASSIST CONSERVATION WORK AT KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Aviation Central recently received an invitation to attend a handover ceremony of four Bat Hawk aircraft to the South African National Parks....
November 3rd Bell Completes U.S. MARINE CORPS Ah-1Z Program of Record
Bell Completes U.S. MARINE CORPS Ah-1Z Program of Record Completes United States Military program of record for H-1 Helicopters Middle East (Nov. 03,...
November 2nd Royal Jordanian Air Force Purchase Bell 505
Royal Jordanian Air Force Agrees to Purchase Bell 505s to Boost Training Capabilities Ten advanced trainers purchased by the RJAF Aqaba, Jordan (Nov....
October 10th EAA Sun and Fun 2022 Rally
EAA Sun and Fun 2022 Rally by Rob Jonkers This year’s EAA Sun and Fun flying event is the 7th in the series of rally events held yearly in...
October 5th Season Finale Speed Navigation Rally ’22
The Holborn Assets Springs Season Finale Speed Navigation Rally – 1 October 2022 by Rob Jonkers (photos by Jaco Pitout, Rob Jonkers) The South...
September 30th Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022
The Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition Trade show and Airshow made a welcome return to Air Force Base Waterkloof in the City of Tshwane from...
September 28th Flippie van Emmenis – #AAD2022
#AAD2022, Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022, After a 4-year absence and the SAAF100 celebrations being missed in 2020, all South Africans were hungry...
September 27th SANParks AIR SERVICES GETS FUEL BOOST FROM TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa Managing Director and CEO, Mariam Kane-Garcia handed a cheque at a symbolic handover to the value of R4, 5...
September 16th Airshow 2022 Program Final
The Airboss for #AAD2022 released the Final Air display program to us.Saturday and Sunday program is almost similar for the two days.Note although...
September 11th AAD 2022 is Ready!
With Africa’s Largest Trade Exhibition and Airshow around the corner that will be taking place at Air force base Waterkloof in the city of...
September 7th The Childrens Flight 2022
Dawn broke on the foot hills of the Magaliesburg mountains, as is it was time for the 2022 edition of the Children’s Flight that was held at...
September 7th The Grand Rand Airshow 2022
The Grand Rand Airshow, one of Johannesburg’s most favourite airshow on the airshow scene for many years now, finally made its way back after a...
September 6th Share your AAD Photos
Use this page to share your photos of Africa Aerospace and Defence all the way back to SAAF75Maximum of two photos per person. By uploading your...
August 29th SAAF Chopper Reunion 2022
The 27th August 2022, hovering into Airforce Base Swartkop, home to 104 Squadron, 17 Squadron, Airspace Control Unit, and the South African...
August 24th The Holborn Assets Groblersdal Speed Navigation Rally – 20 August 2022
by Rob Jonkers This is the 3rd Speed Rally in Season 4 for 2022, which after the weather challenges of the first three in this season turned out with...
August 23rd USAF Aircraft Coming to AAD
Also, see About Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2022) With this year’s Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade and Airshow around the corner. The...
August 21st Sea Rescue in Stilbaai 20th August 2022
A South African Air Force 22 Squadron Oryx was activated for a Air Sea Rescue mission locating the yacht, panacea that has been missing at sea. The...
August 1st Exercise Shared Accord 2022
Exercise Shared Accord 2022 is a Joint and Multinational Peace Support Operation andHumanitarian Relief Exercise with the US Army Southern European...
July 21st About Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2022)
The 14th Edition of Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2022) is set to take place in September 2022. AAD2022 will consist of two parts, 21st to 23rd of...
July 19th 67 Days to AAD 2022 Media Briefing
The countdown to 67 days to Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade exhibition and Airshow which will be held at Airforce Base Waterkloof in the city of...
July 18th AAD 2022 Aircraft list
To be finalized in September 2022 This is a preliminary list of aircraft to be expected to be seen at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022. This is not...
July 12th Aero Expo South Africa 2022
Aero Africa was passionately welcomed back to Wonderboom National Airport in the city of Tshwane, South Africa, this past week and adding Saturday...
July 5th William Reaches his dreams in the SAAF
Second Lieutenant William Bradley Naidoo of the South African Air Force. Is one of sixteen of the SAAF’s Latest Qualified Military Aviator’s of...
June 28th The Middelburg Speed Navigation Rally – 26th June 2022
by Rob Jonkers This is the 2nd Speed Rally in Season 4 for 2022, which has been fraught with challenges to get going, what with a venue...
June 13th SAAF Mach Plus Reunion 2022
The first time a SAAF pilot hit transonic speed was way back in September 1956 when an unauthorised Sabre flight at the then home of the SAAF’s...
June 13th Air Côte d’Ivoire opens new route to South Africa
Air Côte d’Ivoire will be launching the quickest route between Johannesburg and Abidjan, in Côte d’Ivoire, in June. The Johannesburg-Abidjan...
June 7th Newcastle Airshow KZN 2022
What now is the longest running airshow in South Africa, for the last 10 years the KwaZulu-Natal town of Newcastle has managed to have a decade of...
May 31st Parys Airshow 2022
The long awaited Parys Airshow on the banks of the Vaal River was finally here, with legendary airshow veteran Scully Levin as the host of this first...
May 23rd A wet and cold PTAR 2022
A wet and cold PTAR 2022 at New Tempe Bloemfontein – By Rob Jonkers This year’s Presidents Trophy Air Race was held at New Tempe Bloemfontein,...
May 8th SAAF Museum Flying Day May 2022
And so we were already into the May edition of the South African Airforce Museum Flying day at Airforce Base Swartkop in the city of Tshwane. The...
May 6th AAD 2022 Media Launch
We are exactly 137 days to go until AAD 2022 officially opens its doors to the world and it is indeed an exciting occasion to be launching AAD 2022...
April 26th Aero Club Air Week- Middelburg 2022
The Aero Club Airweek held from Friday 22 nd to Sunday 24 th April is an event showcasing all ofGeneral & Recreational Aviation as an annual...
April 20th All Systems go for AAD 2022
It is all systems go for the return of the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) in September 2022. With 22 years since its inception, AAD...
April 18th SAAF & SAPS Airwing in KZN Flood Relief Efforts
15 Squadron “Charlie Flight” based at Airforce Station Port Elizabeth are assisting in the flood relief efforts in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The PE...
April 18th SANDF at the Rand Easter Show 2022
After a two year absence it was the return of the Rand Easter show at Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. One of the big attractions of course would be...
April 18th Sixteen candles for SA’s only Mushshak
The PAC MFI-17 Mushshak is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft used by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force. An improved...
April 13th SAAF BK117s on their way to Durban
In the last couple of days Durban Kwa Zulu Natal has been hit with enormous amounts of rain bringing damage throughout the province. Unfortunately...
April 5th SAAF Museum Flying Day April 2022
The first Saturday of the month means its the annual SAAF Museum Flying day,a day where some of the SAAF Museum inventory get to fly, pilots get...
March 31st SANDF to take Part in Rand Easter Show 2022
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be participating in the 2022 edition of theRand Show in NASREC. The SANDF will once more...
March 30th Meet Elizabeth Mapatle – Flight attendant to Pilot training
Meet Elizabeth Mapatle- who went from Lift Airlines flight attendant to pilot in training Elizabeth Mapatle’s love for aviation started as a little...
March 28th The Witbank Speed Navigation Rally
26 March 2022 by Rob Jonkers This first of the 4th Season Speed Rallies for 2022 has been held at Witbank, organised by SAPFA and hosted by the...
March 18th AERO South Africa confirmed to take place from the 7-9 July 2022, at Wonderboom National Airport, Tshwane
Messe Frankfurt South Africa is excited to announce that the second edition of AERO South Africa, Africa’s premier event for the General Aviation...
February 22nd Armed Forces Day 2022-Mbombela Mpumalanga
After an absence of two years thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Armed Forces day made a welcome return to Mbombela previously Nelspruit on the 21st...
February 8th RHINO POACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2021
8 FEBRUARY 2022 Not Aviation related, But something we carry close at heart and Aviation can play a BIG roll in preventing RHINO POACHING Also see...
February 7th SAAF Prestige Parade 2022- Free the Eagle
The South African Airforce hosted its annual prestige parade at Airforce Base Swartkop last week Friday with both a parade, flypasts and a solo...
January 17th EAA Breakfast Fly-In Kitty Hawk
By Dian Townsend We arrived at a wet and rainy Kitty Hawk Aerodrome early on Saturday morning. Although a low cloud base over Gauteng made for less...

2021 (34)

December 6th THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE AND SAAB GRIPEN CONTRACT
Some good news as received in a press release on 6 December 2021 “After a lengthy discussion between the South African Air Force (SAAF),...
November 27th The Virtual Silver Falcons
The Virtual Silver Falcons were founded in early 2020, initially using the MB-339 which was developed for the Frecce Tricolori Virtuali that was...
November 23rd We’ll sell Mango for you, offers Commerce24 founder to Mango BRP
Cape Town: Business trading platform Commerce24.co.za says that it is willing to assist business rescue practitioner Sipho Sono of Opis...
November 15th Independent Aviation
IndependentAviation would like to introduce itself as a completely new concept in aviation training. Independent Aviation is an innovative, new...
November 6th Helivate HeliOlympics 2021
On 6 November 2021, Helivate Helicopter Services hosted their annual Helicopter Olympics. This year, the event was once again held at their home...
September 16th ROLLS-ROYCE ULTRAFAN POWER GEARBOX TOPS WORLD AEROSPACE RECORD
Rolls-Royce announced today that its UltraFan® power gearbox has set a new world aerospacerecord at its facility in Germany. The gearbox has reached...
September 16th AW109 Trekker-Rugged and Reliable
The AW109 Trekker is the new multi-role helicopter developed to provide the perfect solution for the most challenging missions in a variety of roles....
September 16th The Kittyhawk Van’s RV fly-in 2021
After lasts years event was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this past weekend saw the return of the almost now annual Kitty Hawk RV Fly-in...
September 15th AIRLINK CONFIRMS SELECTION OF ROLLS-ROYCE TOTALCARE FOR ENGINE SERVICING
Rolls-Royce and Airlink have signed a TotalCare® service agreement for the AE3007 engines that power the South African airline’s fleet of Embraer...
September 15th The Spanish Air Force Receives Its First PC-21
The Spanish Ministry of Defence, through the General Directorate ofArmament and Material (DGAM) will deliver to the Spanish Air Force, theEjército...
September 14th Steady Climb Fly-In #3
As the sun rose over the Rhino Park Airfield on a cool September Saturday morning, the air began to fill with the sound of aircraft engines. It was...
September 3rd New careers take flight with CRET
There is exciting fresh talent taking to the skies as five newly qualified drone pilots celebrate at a graduation ceremony hosted by The Academy of...
August 30th The SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally
The SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally – 28 August 2021 by Rob Jonkers This year we have returned again to the birth place of the Speed Rally, being the 4th...
July 15th David Simelane Promoted To Chief Pilot Of SANParks Air Services
South African National Parks (SANParks) is proud to announce that Ndabenhle David Simelane has become the first black Chief Pilot for SANParks Air...
July 13th Airborne patient evacuation at sea with 15 Squadron SAAF
Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 11h32, Sunday, 11 July, 2 NSRI Durban rescue swimmers, 2 Netcare 911 rescue paramedics...
July 12th Bell Delivers First Bell 505 to Ethiopia
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced the delivery of a Bell 505helicopter to W.A. Oil Factory and Distribution PLC in...
June 7th SAAF Change of Command Parade
A cold frosty morning on the 4th June 2021 we made on way to Airforce Base Swartkop in Valhalla. This is has been our home grounds for years for...
May 31st Bell Announces Delivery of 300 th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced todaythe 300th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X delivery to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF)....
May 31st Rolls-Royce officially opens world’s largest and smartest indoor aerospace testbed
Testbed 80 to test the most efficient aero engines of today and the even more sustainable propulsion systems of the future Rolls-Royce has officially...
May 31st Outgoing SANDF General Solly Shoke Parade
The 28th May 2021,saw the outgoing chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Solly Zacharia Shoke during a retreat parade at...
May 24th Springs De Havilland Fly – Inn 22 May 2021
After gracing the skies for 75 years, it was time to celebrate the life of the de Haviland Chipmunk. The Chipmunk was the first post war...
April 30th 2021 Middelburg Speed Rally
The Aircraft Unlimited Middelburg Speed Navigation Rally – 27 April 2021 by Rob Jonkers The South African Power Flying Association held a very...
April 14th Major-General Wiseman Simo Mbambo is appointed as Chief of the South African Air Force
From the President’s media release: Major-General Mbambo began his military career in Umkhonto we Sizwe, where, among other things, he served...
April 14th Air BP scores a hattrick of sustainable aviation fuel projects at three new locations in the UK
Air bp has recently completed projects resulting in SAF supply to three UK locations: London Biggin Hill, Hawarden and Centreline FBO...
April 13th Preparations for SAPFA Nationals Rally
As the final to be held on the 15th, 16th and 17th of April 2021 at Stellenbosch Flying Club are being put in place, it is time to reflect...
April 12th Bell Delivers First Bell 505 to Ugandan Aviation Company
Fort Worth, TX (Apr. 6, 2021) Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced thedelivery of a Bell 505 helicopter equipped with the...
April 12th Denel Cheetah C ‘376’ flies again since 2001
The Atlas Cheetah is a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation. It was developed at...
February 18th TR Eagle Air (Pty) Ltd and COVID-19
TR Eagle Air (PTY) Ltd has been in operation as an approved Training Organization (ATO) for a period of more than 19 years. Before incorporation as a...
February 17th Bell, Rotorcraft, Transforming the Logistics Operations of the African Mining Industry
Transforming the Logistics Operations of the African Mining Industry For centuries, the African continent has been the leading source of natural...
February 17th The Aircraft Unlimted Witbank Speed Navigation Rally
The Aircraft Unlimted Witbank Speed Navigation Rally – 13 February 2021 by Rob Jonkers This first of the 3rd Season Aircraft Unlimited Speed...
February 16th Bell Acquires Response Technologies in Pursuit of Advancing Fuel Cell Technology
Bell Acquires Response Technologies in Pursuit of Advancing Fuel Cell Technology Dubai, UAE (February 15, 2020) – Bell announced its acquisition of...
February 2nd Hercules C130 aka “Flossie”
Hercules C130 Flossie aka “Flossie” A while back, whilst we were running a series on SAAF aircraft, the question arose as to how the Hercules...
February 2nd RAND AIRPORT CHALLENGE 30 JAN 2021
The 17th Rand Airport Challenge was scheduled to take place at Rand Airport on Saturday 30th Jan 2021. However, the weather gods were not playing...
January 24th Birth of the Inspiration Pattern ship “Inspiration 1”
This is the story of a model radio-controlled aircraft, which was designed and built from scratch, during the lockdown in South Africa in 2020. It...

2020 (157)

December 7th Remembering Souths Africa’s only civilian English Electric Canberra T17A
With the birth of Thunder City at Cape Town International airport in South Africa. Thunder City was an aircraft operating and maintenance company, It...
December 7th Zambia Airforce Celebrates 10,000 accident free flying hours!
The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has accrued 10, 000 accident free flying hours in the 2020 calendar year. And ZAF Commander, Lieutenant General David Muma...
December 7th SANParks Celebrates South Africa’s First Black Game Capture Pilot
South African National Parks (SANParks) today celebrates Captain David Simelane, South Africa’s first black game capture rated pilot. Nicknamed...
November 30th Springs Season Finale Speed Navigation Rally – 28 Nov 2020
By Rob Jonkers The South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) together with our main sponsor Aircraft Unlimited organised the 2020 Season finale...
November 26th Gyrocopter Used In Local Crime Fighting
Private security companies, Wierdabrug police and Sector 3 CPF came together to fight a recent increase in street robberies in the Raslouw and...
November 22nd Boeing Responds to FAA Approval to Resume 737 MAX Operations
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today rescinded the order that halted commercial operations of Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737-8s and 737-9s....
November 22nd Pilatus Appoints TAG Maintenance Services as Authorised Service Centre for PC-24
Pilatus has appointed TAG Maintenance Services to support the Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet for comprehensive base and line maintenance in...
November 22nd Rolls-Royce to test 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in next-generation engine demonstrator
The Rolls-Royce Trent engine, housing ALECSys technology, that will be used for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tests Ground tests with 100%...
November 22nd Aerospace and Defence Trade Show 2021 to be showcased at Lanseria International Airport
Aerospace and Defence Trade Show 2021 to be showcased at Lanseria International Airport from 24th to 26th March The organisers of the AAD Expo...
November 8th American Flying Classic’s Cherokee 235
One of many light aircraft come to mind that teaches a student to fly, but Piper itself brought out one of the many of its aircraft types, that being...
November 8th Children’s Flight 2020
On the 6th of November 2020 an army of aviators descended upon OrientAirfield just outside of Magaliesburg. Their mission was to give 30...
November 2nd The Day The Lions Roared Over Heidelberg!
Photographs and text by Jessica Bezuidenhout f you are any kind of an aviation lover you will immediately recognize the powerful sound of a...
October 21st Large Scale Aerobatic Club KZN Event at MMAC
This past Saturday Aviation Central team members from Kwazulu-Natal, Trevor Viljoen and Alan Richert visited the Maritzburg Model Aircraft Club for a...
October 20th Saab strengthens ties to Quebec and Canada through CRIAQ partnership
This collaborative relationship aims to leverage Quebec’s R&D ecosystem’s strengths to encourage the development of collaborative...
October 19th C-390 Millennium receives Aviation Week Grand Laureate in the Defense Segment
São Paulo, Brazil, October 19, 2020 – The Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, manufactured by Embraer, today received the Grand...
October 19th Aviation industry tests a key solution to fly seamlessly and with more efficiency in Europe
The COVID crisis underpins the urgency for Europe’s aviation industry to push ahead with delivering the future Digital European Sky, and building a...
October 19th Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) upgrades continue for US Guard, reserve and active-duty fighters
BALTIMORE – Oct. 15, 2020 – The U.S. Air Force has met Full Operational Capability (FOC) readiness for Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:...
October 19th Joe Ford joins Draken International as Chief Executive Officer
Las Vegas, NV – The Board of Directors of Draken International, LLC has elected Joseph “Joe”Ford as Chief Executive Officer, effective...
October 16th FlySafair,one of few that survived COVID
FlySafair seems to have been one of the few that survived our initial COVID impact… By Niel Swart As South Africa is slowly getting use to the...
October 15th COVID Aviation Trips – Rand Airport
By now most of us have been absolutely deprived of aviation. Unfortunately all airshows for 2020 have been either postponed or cancelled. This leaves...
October 14th SAAF 75 best Airshow in Southern Africa to date?
Pictures by Stefaan Bouwer The flightline at Airforce Base Waterkloof in Pretoria during the early week of October 1995 saw a number of visiting...
October 11th Denel Cheetah C “375” flies again after 18 years!
October 9th 2020,after sitting on the ground for 18 years, Cheetah C “375” took to the skies again over OR Tambo international Airport in...
October 11th Aero Club Celebrates a Centenary of Recreational Flight
By Rob Jonkers There is a sense of achievement on reaching a Century, on all manner of occasions it calls for a celebration, subject for...
October 11th Bell aircraft used to safeguard food and agriculture amid historic locust infestation
In the last 12 months, food security has been under serious threat from devastating swarms of locusts, destroying crops from East Africa to the...
October 7th Aviation Insurance
By DJA – Graham Speller Aviation insurance has become a very different commodity to the one we have been used to over the past 15 years or...
October 4th Retirement Of SAAF Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang
On Wednesday 30 September,members of the South African Air force and members of the media got to witness a series of beautiful flypasts from a number...
October 4th Bell APT 70 Successfully Completes NASA’s Systems Integration and
Fort Worth, Texas (1 October, 2020) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the successful flight of the Bell...
October 4th South African Airways Technical reaches an agreement with its customers and reinstates Aircraft Maintenance Services
Johannesburg, 04 October 2020. South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has reached an agreement with its customers and has begun to reinstate aircraft...
October 1st Chief of The SAAF Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang Retreat Parade
A rather sad day to be at Air force Base Swartkop on the afternoon of the last day of September 2020,cuddled around a number of cumulonimbus clouds...
September 28th Heritage Day Celebrations at AFB Ysterplaat
By Rayno Snyman There was a buzz in the air, excitement of the unknown. We had no idea what was in store for us and what a Heritage Day...
September 27th First Airbus C295 aircraft arrives in Canada
Ottawa, 25 September 2020 – The first Airbus C295 aircraft, purchased by the Government of Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s...
September 27th Cuban South African Airforce Graduates
by Lt Gen F.Z. Msimang, Chief of the South African Air Force Life is indeed cyclical. Many years ago, in the mid-80’s a young soldier by the name...
September 27th COVID Aviation Trips – SAAF Museum Swartkop
By now most of us have been absolutely deprived of aviation. Unfortunately all airshows for 2020 have been either postponed or cancelled. This leaves...
September 27th Africa’s First Aeroplane built in the Free State
In the Free State town of Branford,one can visit the house of the man who built the first aircraft in Africa. He was M.J.L Weston,who was born in a...
September 22nd Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers set new WORLD RECORD for range & duration of non-stop flight
pair of Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers have spent more than 25 hours in the air and covered over 20,000km, setting a new world record for...
September 22nd First Brazilian Saab Gripen E Arrives in Brazil
The first Brazilian Saab Gripen E single-seat fighter aircraft has arrived in Brazil on Sunday, September 20, Saab announced. The aircraft arrived...
September 22nd COVID Aviation Trips – Grand Central
By now most of us have been absolutely deprived of aviation. Unfortunately all airshows for 2020 have been either postponed or cancelled. This leaves...
September 15th Gripen fighter aircraft for Croatia
On 9 September 2020, the Swedish government sent its proposal for twelve new Saab JAS39C and JAS39D Gripen fighter aircraft to Croatia. The Swedish...
September 15th ‘The pilot who saved Buckingham Palace’ September 15th, 1940
The collision between a Dornier and Hurricane over Buckingham Palace on ‘Battle of Britain Day’ is one of the iconic moments of ‘The Battle’....
September 15th The SAPFA Secunda Speed Rally – 12 September 2020
by Rob Jonkers This year we have returned again to the birth place of the Speed Rally, being the 3 rd time this event has been held here, and...
September 15th Royal Australian Airforce to celebrate 100 years in 2021
AMDA Foundation Limited announced that, due to the effects of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 Australian International Airshow and...
September 8th £317m contract awarded to develop next generation radar for the Royal Air Force Typhoon
BAE Systems and Leonardo have been awarded a contract to develop the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), the European Common Radar System...
September 8th Newcastle Airshow KZN Back in 2021
The annual Newcastle Airshow is set to take place in Kwa-Zulu Natal on June 5th 2021 next year.As always Newcastle being one of the great county...
September 7th Rolls-Royce announces breakthroughs In artificial intelligence ethics and trustworthiness
Rolls-Royce has announced two breakthroughs in artificial intelligence ethics, which could help gain society’s trust...
September 1st Satellites, aircraft and helicopters at the forefront of fire safety
In full summer, the fire season is at its peak. The flames are also raging this year, in Italy and throughout the world, creating a real emergency...
September 1st Pilatus Strengthens Its Board of Directors With Two Top Swiss Entrepreneurs
Extraordinary General Meeting saw shareholders elect two new well-known members to the Board of Directors – Hansueli Loosli and Lukas Gähwiler....
August 26th Flying Legends comes to an end at Duxford
By David Harvey It was announced today that the Flying Legends Airshow, a staple of Warbird enthusiasts for the past 25 years or more, will no longer...
August 24th LSA Gauteng Regionals 2020
As South Africa moves to Level 2 of the nationwide lockdown, people can go out and enjoy their outdoor hobbies again. One of these hobbies is RC...
August 18th Future of AHRLAC secured as Business Rescue nears completion
This is in line with the business rescue plans adopted by affected parties in October 2019, pursuant to which Paramount Aerospace Industries...
August 16th OV-10 Bronco Reinvented
Icarus Aerospace, with headquarters in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) and Tampa (Florida, USA), revealed a highly customizable, twin-turboprop which is a...
August 16th U.S. donates COVID-19 protective gear to South African Health Services
The U.S. government and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) delivered approximately $340,000 in personal protective equipment to the South African National...
August 16th The first 15 does it again!
At 14h43, Friday, 14 August, the SA Air Force (SAAF) 15 Squadron, NSRI Durban rescue swimmers and Netcare 911 rescue paramedics were activated to...
August 3rd Largest aircraft to date lands at St Helena Airport
St Helena Island is known for the abundance of life and beauty on this remote South Atlantic Ocean island. It is loved for the opportunities to swim...
July 27th Swedish Medevac PC-24 Completes Successful Maiden Flight
The first of six PC-24s for the Swedish Air Ambulance Organisation took off from Buochs Airport for its maiden flight on 22 July 2020. Sporting the...
July 7th Leonardo: US EMS Operator contracts for first IFR-certified AW119 in the civil market allowing safer operations in challenging weather conditions
Life Link III signed a contract for one helicopter with delivery in 3Q2021, adding to an existing fleet of ten AW119Kx The world’s first fully FAA...
July 7th More aircraft to leave SAA!
Sawubona! For many years South African Airways have been our national carrier connecting South Africans to the world and the world to South Africa....
June 30th Africa Aerospace and Defence postponed till 2022
Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD), Africa’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition and airshow, scheduled to take place 16-20 September 2020,...
June 29th Another Rescue for 15 Squadron and the Mountain Club of SA
The Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) section rescue team was called out on this past Saturday morning to a woman who had sustained a broken leg in the southern...
June 28th Embraer Services & Support completes first Praetor 500 conversion
Embraer Services & Support announced the completion of the first conversion of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 for an undisclosed customer. The...
June 25th SAAF Silver Falcons will be Back Soon!
It is not the end of the Silver Falcons. The Silver Falcons based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg is currently not participating at any Airshows due...
May 27th MD Helicopters Launches Flight Support For COVID-19 Humanitarian Missions
MD Helicopter launches flight support for COVID-19 humanitarian missions Mesa, Ariz., May 14, 2020 – MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) begins flying...
May 27th Airline Debt to Balloon by 28% Heavy New Debt Levels Will Weigh Down Airline Recovery
Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released analysis showing that the airline industry’s global debt could...
May 26th Leonardo AW159 Wildcat helicopter conducts first successful firings of Thales ‘Martlet’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM)
Leonardo and Thales are proud to announce the first successful firings of the Thales ‘Martlet’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) from...
May 26th South African Airways Looks Forward To Resuming Domestic Service
JOHANNESBURG. 26 May 2020. South African Airways (SAA) is currently retaining its domestic schedule, as published between Johannesburg and Cape Town,...
May 26th 2 Squadron Gains Two New Gripen Pilots
Air force Base Makhado situated in the shadows of the Soutpansberg mountain range,is home to fighter town South Africa.Where the South African...
May 20th Lockheed Martin Announces Proactive Measures to Mitigate COVID-19 Impacts to F-35 Production
F-35 Production Employees Will Temporarily Adjust Schedules to Sustain Aircraft Delivery FORT WORTH, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/...
May 19th Raytheon Technologies to train Afghan Air Force pilots
ORLANDO, Fla., May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Army Contracting Command has selected Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a...
May 19th Rolls-Royce Launches First-time Immersive Virtual Reality Training For Business Aviation Customers
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rolls-Royce continues to ensure world-class support for our global customer base. As part of our IntelligentEngine...
May 19th At Cruising Altitude in 2019 and Prepared for Turbulence in the Future-Pilatus
Pilatus reported another very successful business year in 2019, exceeding the one billion mark yet again with turnover of approximately 1.1 billion...
May 12th Gulfstream G700 Development Accelerates
SAVANNAH, Georgia, May 8, 2020 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the second and third all-new Gulfstream G700™ test aircraft...
May 12th M-345: Leonardo’s new jet trainer certified and ready for the global market
The DAAA (Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness), the certification Authority of the Italian Ministry of Defence, has given the initial...
May 6th Another Successful rescue for 15 Squadron
Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 11h57, Wednesday, 06th May, NSRI Durban duty crew and Netcare 911 ambulance services were...
May 5th Leidos, Paramount USA, and Vertex Aerospace team up to pursue U.S. Special Operations Command Armed Overwatch prototype program
(Reston, Va.) May 4, 2020 – Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE® 500 science and technology leader, today announced a teaming agreement with...
May 4th Preparing for a new digital normal: Rolls-Royce opens its Digital Academy for free training
Rolls-Royce is publishing, for free, its world-class digital skills training programme to help people and businesses around the world prepare for a...
May 3rd Two Turkish Airforce Airbus A400Ms Land at Cape Town International Airport
UPDATE: The Turkish Airforce made four appearances delivering medical supplies to Cape Town International in a matter of days! A pair of Turkish...
May 3rd Airbus develops solution for airlines to use their widebody aircraft for pure cargo operations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Toulouse, 30 April 2020 – Airbus is developing a modification for A330 and A350 family aircraft which will enable airlines to install freight...
May 3rd SAAF C-47 77 years and counting!
Originally written by Dean Wingrin in 2015 for the 80th celebration. Edited by Ryno Joubert in 2020 for the 85th anniversary! Known by such names as...
May 3rd Alaska’s North Slope Borough Now Flies a PC-24 Air Ambulance
Operated by the North Slope Borough Search and Rescue Department (SAR) in the northernmost region of the United States, the PC-24 provides basic...
April 30th Safair – An airline during COVID-19 and South African lockdown
Safair – An airline during COVID-19 and South African lockdown Source: FlySafair website By now we are all aware of the devastating impact...
April 27th The first fully modernized Tu-160M missile carrier bomber performs its maiden flight
On February 2, 2020 Tupolev PJSC, as part of the United Aircraft Corporation, announces the maiden flight of the first fully modernized Tu-160M...
April 27th First female pilot of Niger trains at LRAFB, USA
Capt. Ouma Laouali, the first female pilot in the Nigerien air force, and U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Amy Miyajima, C-130 Hercules student pilot, listen...
April 27th SAAF C130 with a Kill
History of the SAAF C-130 with a “kill”: 408 This C-130B was first delivered to the USAF as 58-0731 in 1959, being converted to WC-130B...
April 27th Cessna SkyCourier takes next step toward first flight with ground engine tests
Aviation Inc. announced it has successfully completed initial ground engine tests on the prototype Cessna SkyCourier twin utility...
April 21st Piper Aircraft Steps Up to Help Stop Spread of COVID-19
Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced today that it will be making protective gear to help support the growing needs of the Cleveland Clinic Indian River...
April 21st Fight Against Insurgency : Nigerian Airforce Completes In-Country PDM, Avionics Upgrade Of Alpha Jet Aircraft T As Cas Commissions 2.8KM Road Network In Kainji
In furtherance of its sustained efforts to boost Air Power employment capability against insurgency and other security challenges in the Country, the...
April 21st Boeing Announces Key Organization, Leadership Changes
CHICAGO, April 21, 2020 announced key organization and leadership changes aimed at driving greater cross-company integration and continuous...
April 21st “ZUTEE” Now Flying in the USA
A once familiar Aero L39 Albatross ZU-TEE that was often seen at airshows around South Africa now resides in the United States.The former...
April 17th Sukhoi SSJ100 Production Facility Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary
On 1 February, SCAC Branch in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (KnAF) turned 15. During the official ceremony held to celebrate the anniversary, a jubilee SSJ100...
April 12th Airbus provides update on March commercial aircraft orders & deliveries and adapts production rates in COVID-19 environment
● Business impacted by COVID-19 pandemic ● 21 net orders and 36 deliveries in March 2020 ● 290 net orders and 122 deliveries in Q1 2020 ●...
April 12th SAAF Casa 212s keeping busy during SA Covid-19 lockdown!
The South African Airforce as well as the South African National Defence Force, South African Police Service and other Private Security firms have...
April 12th SAA Cargo Ramped Up capacity using passenger aircraft for cargo only to transport Essential Cargo during COVID-19 Lockdown
For the first time in its history, the Cargo division of South African Airways, SAA Cargo, operated a passenger aircraft for a pure cargo uplift. ...
April 8th Puma Donates Aircraft Fuel to Botswana Police Service Airwing
Puma Energy Botswana has donated Aviation (Jet A1) fuel worth P70 000 to Botswana Police Service in Gaborone. Speaking at the Handing Over Ceremony,...
April 8th PC-24 Rough Field Certification Campaign Brought to a Successful Conclusion
Pilatus obtained certification for take-offs and landings on grass, wet earth and snow, making the PC-24 the world’s most flexible business jet...
April 6th Russian Airforce Antonov A124 lands at JFK International Airport.
A Russian military plane carrying medical supplies arrived in the United States Wednesday last week, the Russian mission to the UN said, as the...
April 6th Denel Joins Local Drive To Develop Ventilators
Denel is mobilising its resources and expertise towards a priority project for the local design and development of medical ventilators in support of...
April 3rd 15 Squadron Extract Patient Off The Queen Mary Two!
Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 17h10, Thursday, 02 April, NSRI Port Elizabeth, NSRI East London and NSRI Durban were...
April 3rd Airforce Base Waterkloof Reaches Out To South African Homeless Citizens!
Following the National Lockdown, as announced by the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force, Mr...
April 3rd Draken International Goes Supersonic Against The U.S Air Force
Draken International, the global leader in advanced adversary air services, has successfully commenced supersonic radar equipped F1M missions in...
April 2nd Airbus to produce 3D-printed hospital visors in fight against Covid-19
Getafe, 1 April 2020 – The majority of Airbus sites in Spain have joined forces to produce 3D printed visor frames, providing healthcare personnel...
April 1st SAA Board And Management Congratulate Crew For Wuhan Repatriation
The board and management of South African Airways (SAA) wishes to thank and congratulate the SAA crew who flew the chartered aircraft which...
March 30th WesBank Botswana International Airshow back in 2021
The organising committee is pleased to announce that the 2021 WesBank Botswana International Airshow will be held on Saturday 29th May, 2021. This...
March 30th 46 Years Ago-The Atlas C4M Kudu took to the skies!
This past February this year 46 years ago, on 16 February 1974, the prototype Atlas AL60-C4M Kudu flew for the first time. The aircraft was...
March 30th Airbus secures new face mask supplies to support Europe’s fight against COVID-19
Getafe, 28 March 2020 – Airbus has deployed a new air-bridge flight between Europe and China to deliver additional face mask supplies to...
March 25th Swiss Air Ambulance Challager 650 Lands at Cape Town International Airport
A lone Swiss Air Ambulance Challager 650 landed at Cape Town International Airport yesterday. The reason is not yet known but some sources indicating...
March 24th Airbus A400M transports masks to Spain in support of COVID-19 crisis efforts
In these times we all need a bit of good news or a nice feel good story and today we can bring such a story that shows humanity standing...
March 24th OG heads for Bloem!
Major Omphile “Biggy” Matloane former leader, soloist and slot pilot for the South African Airforce Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team bids...
March 20th “We take and we give”- Memories of 60 Squadron
60 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is a transport, aerial refuelling and EW/ELINT squadron. It was first formed at...
March 19th South African Airways scales down capacity due to travel disruptions and restrictions caused by Coronavirus
JOHANNESBURG. 18 March 2020. South African Airways (SAA) has scaled down capacity in response to the low demand for air travel. The effects of...
March 18th SA Express announces that it will suspend operations from 18 March 2020 until further notice.
17 March 2020, Johannesburg. In light of adverse recent developments including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, SA Express announces that it will...
March 18th South African Air Force Renders Support At Table Mountain Fires
On Sunday, 15 March 2020, the Fire Fighters from Air Force Base Ysterplaat worked throughout the night following a request to assist with the fire...
March 15th London To Cape Town First Flight 100 Years Celebrations
On the 4th of February 1920 two South African pilots set out to complete the first flight between London and Cape Town. This grueling flight took...
March 14th 15 Squadron Extract Sick Crewman Off Durban Coast
15 Squadron received a call saying there’s a male person on a ship with cerebral malaria. With the ongoing spread of Coronavirus the risk of the...
March 12th SAA Adheres To World Health Organisation And IATA Protocols On COVID-19 Coronavirus
JOHANNESBURG, 12 March 2020 – South African Airways (SAA) assures customers that its operational health and safety procedures adhere to...
March 12th Northwest Regional SAC – Klerksdorp 2020
Northwest Regional Aerobatics Championship – Klerksdorp 2020 Photos By Bennie Henning The Venue needed to be changed on 99 and yet the team...
March 11th Stellenbosch Ready for First Airshow for the Season in South Africa
The South African Airshow Season is ready to fly off with the first airshow for 2020 in Stellenbosh, home of many famous wine farms, the Stellenbosch...
March 8th The 2020 Brakpan Airport Navigation Rally
With the National Rally Flying Championships only two weeks away, most of the existing Protea rally team members took part in the Class 1, or...
March 8th Rolls-Royce Celebrates International Women’s Day By Signing Up For IATA’S 25by2025 Gender Diversity Campaign
As a member of 25by2025 we will deliver on the below commitments: Increasing the number of women in leadership positions to a minimum representation...
March 4th SAA Extends Sale Offering Of Up To 20% Discount Across The Route Network
Johannesburg, 3 March 2020 – South African Airways (SAA) has extended its sale, offering discounts of up to 20% to major destinations across...
March 3rd SAA Joins Fight Against The Illegal Wildlife Trafficking
JOHANNESBURG. 3 MARCH 2020 – As the world commemorated World Wildlife Day on Tuesday, South African Airways said it would help intensify the...
March 3rd Air BP highlights low carbon solutions at Aviation Africa 2020
Air BP focuses on low carbon solutions and sustainability at Aviation Africa 2020 Air BP has been investing in and supporting aviation growth in...
February 29th When NASA sent A U2 Spy plane to South Africa!
Pietersburg now known as Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, An advance team from the American space agency NASA and the first of seven research...
February 29th Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc 2019 Full Year Results
Warren East, Chief Executive commented: “After a challenging first half, we had a good end to 2019, delivering 25% growth in full year underlying...
February 28th South Africa’s Sea Furys- Where are they now?
How fast can you go! Reigning World Champion to set another South African record (Note this was the Durban Virginia Airshow which took place in 2006)...
February 27th SAA Offers Irresistible Fares To Major Destinations
Johannesburg, 27 February 2020 – South African Airways (SAA) is offering irresistible fares to major destinations. “At South African...
February 27th The South African Airforce Involved in a Joint Sea Rescue Mission In Cape Town
The South African Air Force (SAAF) received a request for sea rescue assistance from the South African Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to rescue 13...
February 27th Rolls-Royce BR725 Engine Tops One Million Flying Hours
The Rolls-Royce BR725 engine recently achieved another impressive milestone by reaching one million flying hours. The engine, powering Gulfstream’s...
February 27th SAAF Oryx Helicopter in the Big Apple
The year was 1996,it was a combined exercise with the North Atlantic Fleet, held in the Caribbean, there after a visit to Northfolk, New York and...
February 24th SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – 22 Feb 2020
SAPFA Rally Practical Training Camp – Brakpan 22 February 2020 – by Rob Jonkers After learning the theoretical side of Navigation plotting at the...
February 24th CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) – 4th Quarter Embargo: 21 February 2020
CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) – 4th Quarter Embargo: 21 February 2020 (10:00) Introduction The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern...
February 24th Armed Forces Day Polokwane 2020 Parade
After a quick 20 minute flight form Airforce Base Waterkloof in Pretoria in one of South African Airways Airbus A340-300 aircraft , I’m sure...
February 23rd Address by Commander-In-Chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of Armed Forces Day, Polokwane, Limpopo
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Premier of Limpopo Province, Mr Stanley Mathabatha, Ministers of Defence from...
February 19th Armed Forces Day 2020 Capability Demonstration |Night Shoot- Roodewal Bombing Range
The most anticipated event of the Armed Forces Week taking place in Polokwane had to be the capability demonstration at the Roodewal Bombing Range a...
February 19th Next Lowveld Airshow only in 2021
MEDIA RELEASE 19 February 2020 Lowveld Air Show postponed to 2021 Dear Media Partner On Wednesday, 12 February 2020, the Lowveld Air Show committee...
February 17th Most Powerful Rolls-Royce Business Aviation Engine’s Takes To The Skies For The First Time
Two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines have successfully powered the brand new Gulfstream G700 to the skies for the first time. The purpose-designed...
February 17th 22 Squadron to the Rescue-Toitskloof Western cape
Big wall rescue for Base Jumper this past weekend in the Cape. Rescue 37 of 2020 for the Western Cape teams. A foreigner was critically injured after...
February 13th Virgin Atlantic -to start daily flight service to Cape Town in October 2020
Winter sunseekers can head down to South Africa on our new daily service flying from London Heathrow on a 787-9 aircraft. The new service launches on...
February 12th 2 Squadron Gripens to open SONA 2020
The sharp end of the South African Airforce 2 Squadron flying the SAAB JAS39 C and D variants of the Gripen will be opening the State of the Nation...
February 12th First Rooivalk Flight 11th February 1990-30 Years On!
The Denel Rooivalk is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for “Red Falcon” The...
February 12th SAA Brings Miss Universe back home Aboard New A350-900 Aircraft
JOHANNESBURG, 8 February 2020 – South African Airways (SAA) was honoured to bring Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi back home aboard its...
February 12th Rolls-Royce Starts Manufacture of World’s Largest Fan Blades – Made of Composite Material – For Next Generation Ultra Fan
Rolls-Royce has started manufacture of the world’s largest fan blades, for its UltraFan® demonstrator engine that will set new standards in...
February 11th SR-71 Blackbird once over South African Skies!
August 1977 – East and West Work together to stop South Africa’s Nuclear testing In the mid-afternoon on Saturday, Aug. 6, the acting chief of...
February 3rd The Pilot Insure Witbank Speed Navigation Rally
The Pilot Insure Witbank Speed Navigation Rally – 2 February 2020 by Rob Jonkers (photos by Willie Bodenstein, Rob Jonkers) This first of the Pilot...
February 2nd Prestige Day Parade Address By Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang
Gracious AIR FORCE 2020 Greetings to you Fellow South Africans and our international guests. About 59 years ago, an infant was wrapped in...
February 2nd South African Airforce Prestige Day 2020
The South African Airforce Prestige Day was held at Airforce Base Swartkop, the second oldest operational Airforce Base in the world to date, in...
February 2nd SAAF Museum Flying Day 1 February 2020
The First flight training day for the year 2020 at Airforce Base Swartkop was different this year, it was the South African Airforce’s...
January 30th Armed Forces Day 2020 Media Launch Polokwane
The Peter Mokaba stadium played the role of the venue hosting the 2020 edition of Armed Forces Day media launch, with this year being the first time...
January 27th New Leader for Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team
Major Sivu Tangana has taken over Major Omphile Mutloane who has transferred back to flying helicopters at 87 Helicopter Flying School. Sivu joined...
January 27th The 16th Rand Airport Challenge 2020
By Cally Eckard With the World Rally Flying Championships in sight, a record 8 teams took part in the Class 1, or “Open” category of the sport at...
January 21st A Look back at past and present SAAF Centenary Logo’s!
With the South African Airforce celebrating 100 years of Airpower through 25 years of Democracy, we look back at the previous centenary logos from...
January 21st Public Welcome at Prestige Day 2020
Breaking News-Public welcome at Prestige Day Parade 31 January 2020 Some exciting news for the public of South Africa to join at this year’s...
January 19th Gauteng Regional Aerobatic Competition 2020-01-18
Saturday January 18th saw one of the first flying events in South Africa for 2020 as the Sport Aerobatic Club of South Africa held their first...
January 19th SAPFA Rally Training Camp
SAPFA Rally Training Camp – Aerosud Premises 18 January 2020 – by Rob Jonkers – Photos by Flippie van Emmenis SAPFA held a very successful...
January 17th Look into Armed Forces Day 2020
As Armed Forces Day 2020 approaches us, we can look forward to another action packed week of events being hosted in Polokwane in the...
January 16th SAA SELLS NINE AIRCRAFT TO ACCOMMODATE NEW FLEET
By Niel Swart South African Airways (SAA) has put some of its aircraft up for sale to accommodate the new Airbus A350-900s the airline recently added...
January 8th 15 Squadron Choppers conduct another successful sea rescue off Durban coast!
Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said: At 09h30, Tuesday, 07th January, NSRI Durban, Netcare 911 ambulance services and the SA Air...
January 7th Former Royal Navy Harriers to take to the skies again!
The Harrier, informally referred to as the Harrier Jump Jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing...
January 7th SAA NAMED AS ONE OF THE TOP ON-TIME-PERFORMING AIRLINES
JOHANNESBURG, 7 January 2020 – South African Airways has been named as one of the top performing airlines globally for on-time performance...

2019 (121)

December 17th United Airlines-Touches down in Cape Town for the first time!
The 16th of December for us as South Africans is the Day of Reconciliation. The day where differences are set aside and we all look towards building...
December 16th 2018 vs 2019 Airshow Seasons with a Look into 2020
The 2019 Airshow season has come to end and has been quiet year, yet it was busier than 2018. In 2019 we lost Rand Airshow and has still not...
December 9th South African Airforce Airlifts Citizens Trapped by Flash Floods in Pretoria
On Monday, 09 December 2019 at approximately 12:30, the National Joint Operational Centre (NATJOC) activated two (2) South African Air Force...
December 9th ICAD Polokwane Airshow 2019
International Civil Aviation Day was celebrated with an airshow and aviation career expedition at Polokwane’s Gateway International Airport on...
December 4th ICAD Polokwane Airshow -set for this Saturday 7th December 2019
Saturday 7th December will see the International Civil Aviation Day taking place at Polokwane International Airport in the Limpopo province. This...
December 3rd Denel Cheetah B “Bandit” Flies again!
What was a very common sight over the skies of the Limpopo Province at Airforce Base Makhado was the Denel Cheetah variant’s from both the C...
December 2nd Spitfire Restoration Project – RTR
Spitfire Restoration Project Available to all, Not for Everybody Spitfire #5518 arrived in South Africa in 1947 and served in both the Cape at...
December 1st The Elders Flight 2019-Rand Airport
The second edition of The Elders Flight ,saw 120 elders took to the skies above Johannesburg on the 30th November. Some of the elders have flown in a...
November 26th The Spanish Casa
During the late 1960s, the Spanish Airforce was still operating a number of outdated piston-engine transports, including the three-engine Junkers...
November 26th Pilot Insure 7th Speed Rally-Season 2 Springs 23 November 2019
Season 2 of the Pilots Insure Speed Rally in already upon us for the second edition of the growing flying sport which is becoming an exciting...
November 25th Air BP signs technical services agreement with Angola
25 November 2019 Air BP signs technical services agreement with Sonangol marking new market entry in Angola Air BP enters Angola with the signing of...
November 25th Dreams Come True for the 2019 Newcastle Airshow
Dreams Come True for the 2019 Newcastle Airshow It was a moment of pure elation as the ‘I Can Dream’ 2019 Newcastle airshow was announced as...
November 24th Awards Function – Eagle Air 2019
Awards Function – Eagle Air 2019 Also read Eagle Air-The Fly Away March 2019Eagle Air’s State-of-the-art Flight Simulator Aviation Central...
November 22nd Aero Club Awards 2019
Aero Club Awards 2019 The Aeroclub of South Africa awards evening which normally has their evening event which is usually held at Airforce Base...
November 17th Flying Lions Charity Day – 17 Nov ’19
This was the 18th anniversary of the annual Flying Lions Charity Day, which happens mid-November. The Puma Flying Lions Aerobatic Team treated...
November 15th SAAF Museum Airshow Date set for 9th May 2020
SAAF Museum Airshow Date set for 9th May 2020 Note, This is not the official poster for the 2020 SAAF museum Airshow Join the Facebook event page...
November 7th SANDF SUPPORT TO THE NATIONAL CIVIC REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE AND WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
MEDIA RELEASE DATE: Thursday, 07 November 2019 EMBARGO: None THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE SUPPORT TO THE NATIONAL CIVIC REMEMBRANCE DAY...
November 3rd World Rally Flying Championships Training Session
World Rally Flying Championships Training session – Stellenbosch airfield (By Mary de Klerk – Photos Mary de Klerk & Rob Jonkers) 30th Oct...
October 28th Ladysmith Aviation Career Expo & Airshow 2019
Kwa-Zulu Natal got to see their second airshow in the province this year after Newcastle Airshow during the early period of the South African Airshow...
October 27th Do you want the Russians to return?
During the past week those in Gauteng were treated to some special visitors… the Russians, an African first for the landing of The Tupolev Tu-160...
October 25th Ladysmith Airshow 2019 What to expect
2nd last Airshow for South African Airshow season for 2019 The Ladysmith Airshow is set to take place this Saturday 26th October at the Ladysmith...
October 24th TU-160 Strategic Bombers Land at AFB Waterkloof
A pair of TU-150 Blackjack variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bombers landed at Airforce Base Waterkloof yesterday afternoon after a 13 hour flight...
October 22nd Two Russian TU-160 Bombers to land on South African Soil for the first time
A Pair of TU-160 BlackJacks will for the first time ever be landing on South African soil on the 23rd October 2019 at Airforce Base Waterkloof in the...
September 26th Top Photos
Upload your top photos and we will share them for you for everyone to see! Before uploading your photos please have a look at the T&C’s Only...
September 23rd Eswatini Ligwalagwala Airshow 2019
With the shadows of the different plateaus the Matsapha International airport situated near the town of Mbabane. The Kingdom of Eswatini hosted a...
September 20th SAA A350
SAA A350’s soon to be seen at OR Thambo International as well as Cape Town International! In August 2014 Airbus sent their newly built A350-900,...
September 18th Exercise Cobra Warrior 2019
Exercise Cobra Warrior 2019 By Vincent Hopper Beginning on the 2nd September from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, Exercise Cobra Warrior 2019...
September 16th Grand Central Fun Rally 2019
Grand Central Fun Rally – 14 Sep 2019 by Rob Jonkers This year’s SAPFA Fun navigation rally had its challenges in getting off the ground, the...
September 15th Kitty Hawk RV Fly-In 2019
Kitty Hawk Aerodrome once again held their annual RV Fly-In. The apron was jam-packed with light aircraft of all sorts. Everything from yesteryear...
September 13th 10 Years – Aviation Central 2009 to 2019
Aviation Central celebrates 10 Years Aviation Central was founded in September 2009, just days before the 2009 Swartkop Airshow. The drive behind the...
September 13th ADDRESS BY DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL AAD2020 LAUNCH
Programme Director; Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Solly Shoke; Chief Defence Materiel, Dr Mthobisi Zondi; HE High...
September 11th “Our Collective Heritage” SAAF Museum Airshow 2019
D-Day for the annual South African Airforce Museum Airshow 2019 had finally arrived at the worlds second oldest operational airbase in the world,...
September 10th SAAF Museum Airshow Youth Development Program 6 September 2019
The South African Airforce Museum Airshow 2019 hosted a Youth Development program on the Friday before the show the following day. One of the exhibit...
September 10th The Chief of the South African Airforce Opens the SAAF Museum Airshow 2019
Address by Lieutenant General Fabian ‘Zakes’ Msimang at the opening of the South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum at Air Force Base Swartkop on 7...
September 9th Pegasus Universal Aerospace Signs MoU With Callen-Lenz Group
Pegasus Universal Aerospace signs MoU with Callen-Lenz Group as partner for flight control systems development. Veteran aviator Captain Andrew...
September 6th SAAF Museum Airshow Saturday 7 September 2019 Programme
Please take note that aircraft can withdraw from the program at any point due to serviceability & operational requirements and weather! Please...
September 3rd SAAF Museum Airshow Media Briefing 2019
The morning of Tuesday 3rd September 2019,corrospondents from different media houses were invited for a media briefing presented by the South African...
August 27th Bethlehem Airshow 2019
Noted as one of the coldest airshows on the South African Airshow circuit, this years Bethlehem Airshow was definitely the hottest. The Eastern Free...
August 23rd Excitement is building for the SAAF Museum Airshow
Excitement is building for the South African Air Force YOUTH EXHIBITION day and the SAAF Museum annual Airshow! The the South African Air Force...
August 19th Silver Falcons Ready for Annual Bethlehem Airshow 2019 this weekend
The South African Airforce Silver Falcons Aerobatic team will be making their way to the eastern Free State this Wednesday as they get ready for the...
August 19th Brakpan Aero Club Celebrates Women in Aviation
Saturday the 17th August 2019,Brakpan Aero Club celebrated women in Aviation at the East Rand Airfield this past weekend. Women as pilots,...
August 19th Rostec to unveil latest Russian military aircraft to foreign partners at MAKS 2019
August 19, 2019 Press-release Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) will make presentations of the Russia’s latest combat and...
August 12th A Moment Time Stood Still-Air Force Base Swartkop
Wherever one wonders around aviation museums around the world, you wonder and think how aviation has come this far as we speak in 2019,expecially in...
August 12th Pilot Insure Secunda Navigation Speed Rally
The Pilot Insure Secunda Navigation Speed Rally – 10 August 2019 by Rob Jonkers This Speed Rally held at Secunda on the 10th August was the finale...
August 10th FIRE AT HANGAR NO. 8 AT AIR FORCE BASE SWARTKOP
MEDIA STATEMENT DATE: 10 August 2019 EMBARGO: None SUBJECT: FIRE AT HANGAR NO. 8 AT AIR FORCE BASE SWARTKOP The South African Nation Defence...
August 8th P51D “Mustang Sally” To Return to SAAF Museum Airshow
Well known businessman and airshow display pilot Menno Parsons will be bringing his P51D Mustang to this years SAAF Museum Airshow on the 7th...
August 5th SAAF Museum Training Day 2019-08-03
This past weekend the SAAF Museum once again held their monthly flying day. Being busy with other aviation events this past couple of months, we...
July 30th We Fly the C130B -Botswana Defence Force
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed. Now known as...
July 26th MARITZBURG MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB SCALE DAY 2019
MMAC Scale day Sunday, 21 July 2019, Maritzburg Model Aircraft Club hosted the 2019 edition if the annual Scale Day. The day was a perfect...
July 19th Makgadikgadi Epic 2019-Skydiving Boogie
The Magadikgadi Epic once again took place with some of Africa’s finest scenery along the salt pans of Sowa,which lies in the Central District...
July 18th Krugersdorp Flying Club-Spot Landing and Airfield Festival 2019
By Dian Townsend The Krugersdorp Flying Club (KFC) hosted their annual Spot Landing and Airfield Festival. It was an overall great day with the...
July 8th Aero South Africa 2019
The General Aviation Global show of the world which has been taking place in Lake Constance in Germany for the last 40 years and now the show has...
July 8th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2019-07-06
The first Saturday of July 2019 saw the annual SAAF Museum flying training day take place at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria. Known as the second...
July 1st Breaking News-SAAF Museum Airshow set for 7th September 2019
Days remaining to Swartkop Airshow 2019 The South African Airforce Museum Airshow is set to take place at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria on...
June 26th How do I become aircraft maintenance engineer?
What is an aircraft maintenance engineer and How do I become one? Firstly, we need to tell you what an aircraft maintenance engineer is and some of...
June 25th The Big 5 Fly-in 2019
The Big 5 Fly-in 2019 Many house-hold-name festivals and events started small and are now annual calendar entries in people’s diaries. We have...
June 25th Klerksdorp Airshow 2019
Country Airshows in South Africa definitely make you hungry as you arrive at the smaller airports such as Klerksdorp to the smell of boerie Wors...
June 24th SA National Aerobatic Championships- Klerksdorp 2019
The South African National Aerobatic Championships took place at the P.C Pelser Airport in Klerksdorp Airport in the North West Province. The event...
June 20th Klerksdorp Ready for Aerobatics and Airshow this weekend
Some of South Africa’s local aerobatic Nationals are currently taking place at Klerksdorp Airport in the North West Province of South Africa....
June 19th O Incrível Show Aéreo de Maputo – The Amazing Maputo Airshow
It has become abundantly clear that if you have enough willingness, passion and eagerness then all things are possible. This was the attitude...
June 18th Warbirds Over Swartkop 2019
Warbirds Over Swartkop 2019 By Dian Townsend This year’s annual Warbirds Over Swartkop was held at Air Force Base Swartkop. The event span two...
June 11th Home of Pilatus- Silver Falcons visit Switzerland
“The idea was hatched late last year about getting the team to do an international trip . Switzerland being the home of the Pilatus was a no...
June 10th The Pilot Insure Bethlehem Speed Rally
The Pilot Insure Bethlehem Navigation Speed Rally – 8 June 2019 by Rob Jonkers The South African Power Flying Association held a very successful...
June 9th Closing in fast-The Makgadikgadi Epic
The Makgadikgadi Epic is closing in fast which is set to be another successful skydiving boogie, with skydivers from around the world, are coming see...
June 4th Little Annie Needs Your Help
“My name is Little Annie. I am an orphan who was donated from Russia and flown all the way to South Africa. I attend most of the air shows...
June 3rd I Can Dream – Newcastle Air Show 2019
The Newcastle Air Show in KwaZulu-Natal, which is the only airshow in KZN, was held on Saturday the 1st June 2019, for the ninth year running. With...
May 29th 2019 Presidential Inauguration
The 2019 presidential Inauguration took place at Loftus Verseveld stadium in the city of Tswane. South Africa’s newly appointed president his...
May 29th Botswana Airshow Rocks-Wesbank Botswana Airshow 2019
The African themed Oshkosh type fly-inn and airshow at Matsieng Airfield situated a few kilometeres outisde of the nations capital Gabarone. What...
May 28th Advertising on Aviation Central
Aviation Central 477 Servaas street Pretoria West 0183 www.aviationcentral.co.za www.facebook.com/AviationSA Aviation Central takes great pride in...
May 28th Mafikeng Airshow 2019, a sneak peek
The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show About The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show On 22 June 2019 the skies above Mafikeng will be filled with the sound of aircraft when...
May 23rd Rostec to launch production of the T-500
At CIPR-2019, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, and Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, launched the project...
May 22nd How to Become A Flight Attendant
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How do I become a Flight Attendant?” With S.MAB Training Academy Have you ever asked yourself the...
May 20th I Can Dream – Newcastle Airshow 2019
I Can Dream – Newcastle Airshow 2019 All systems are a go for the 2019 ‘I Can Dream’ Newcastle airshow that will be taking place 1 June 2019 at...
May 18th 2019 Air Show Aircraft attendance list
2019 is not a big year for airshows in Southern Africa as some got cancelled as well as the economic situation in Southern Africa not looking...
May 14th ABSA Lowveld Airshow 2019
Some of the Aviation Central media arrived Friday afternoon from Wonderboom National Airport in Pretoria and others on Saturday morning with some...
May 14th Mango Introduces Split Scimitar Winglets
We were kindly invited by Mango’s Grant Timms to witness the first test flight as Mango (One of South Africa’s low cost airline)...
May 11th New date set for SAAF Museum Airshow 2019
The South African Airforce Museum Airshow is set to take place at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria on Saturday 7th September 2019.The Officer...
May 6th Mercedes Day-Brakpan Airfield
A different type of fraternity, The Mercedes Benz club of South Africa, get together every year with the last event taking place at Brakpan Airfield....
May 6th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2019-05-04
Pretoria residents once again got woken up to the sounds of some of the South African Airforce Museum aircraft as they took to the skies above Air...
May 2nd Rasesa ready for takeoff- WesBank Botswana International Airshow
The WesBank Botswana International Airshow is almost ready for takeoff to give the people of Botswana and other international visitors a day of...
April 30th BOAC -It is 3 out of 3 for South Africa!
It is 3 out of 3 for South Africa! TodMonday 29 April 2019 the third B747 painted in a retro livery, as part of BA’s 100th birthday, touched...
April 30th The EAA Convention 2019- Adventure Rally
The EAA convention this year was held again at Vryheid, which is situated close to the escarpment in very scenic mountainous areas and in the heart...
April 30th L29 ZU-VLL relocates to Tempe Bloemfontein
L29 ZU-VLL has now changed ownership, and will now grace the skies over Tempe Bloemfontein, where th former soviet jet trainer will now reside.We...
April 30th Freedom Day Celebration Flypasts
The sound of thunder of jets rocked Port Elizabeth residents as Gripens, Hawks, The Silver Falcons, two BK117s and Lynx took part in Freedom Flypasts...
April 30th EAA National Convention-Vryheid 2019
The small town of Vryheid in Kwa-Zulu-Natal,was invaded with all types of small aircraft on the South African aircraft register from ultralights to...
April 26th Eagle Air-The Fly Away March 2019
Eagle Air-The Fly Away March 2019 By Marcelle Nienaber – Grade 2 Instructor at Eagle Air. Its early morning Friday, the 27th of March. There is...
April 22nd SANDF Capability Demonstration and Arena Displays- Rand Easter Show 2019
The 125th Rand Easter Show has once again entertained Gauteng residents with raw power of the South African National Defence with the South...
April 18th BLG Wings & Wheels Festival 2019 – Uitenhage
By Conrad Pretorius This past Saturday the 13th of April 2019 saw the annual BLG Wings & Wheels Festival come to life at the Uitenhage Airfield....
April 7th SANDF to wow crowds at this years Rand Easter Show
The South African National Defence force will once again take part and exhibit at this years Rand Easter Show at the Expo Centre Nasrec, south of...
April 7th The Coves Flying Carnival
The Coves Fly-Inn estate which is situated on the western shore of Hartbeespoort Dam west of Pretoria. The Coves is home to many airshow pilots on...
March 27th Stellenbosch warms old and young hearts alike-Stellenbosch Airshow 2019
Stellenbosch is situated in the Western Cape, South Africa. The area is known for its scenery, wine, university and the kindness of the community....
March 22nd Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team Ready for the first Airshow of 2019
The skies over Stellenbosch are getting Busy with the Big airshow this coming Saturday, 23 March at Stellenbosch Flying Club in the Western Cape....
March 18th Stellenbosch Flying club getting busy – Show Time
Skies over Stellenbosch getting Busy with the Big airshow this coming Saturday, 23 March at Stellenbosch Flying ClubBy Niel Swart With the...
March 17th 2019 Airshow Aircraft and Teams
Every year we see Airshows across Southern Africa. Some teams we see at every show and others we don’t see that often. Aircraft we get L29 &...
March 12th Middelburg Airweek & Airshow 2019
The smell of Avgas, Mogas and Jet A1 filled the skies over Middelburg this past weekend with the first of two Mpumalanga Airshows to take place this...
March 12th Middelburg Speed Rally 2019
The Pilot Insure Middelburg Navigation Speed Rally – 9 March 2019 by Rob Jonkers The South African Power Flying Association held a very successful...
March 9th Stellenbosch Update 2019 Update II
For the first time in years, Stellenbosch is having an air show. This is not just an air show, it is an air show that promises to be like...
March 4th MIDDELBURG AIR SHOW PROGRAM 2019
MIDDELBURG AIR SHOW PROGRAM 2019 Although the Airshow is only an Afternoon show, The morning skies will be extremely busy with an Speed Rally, Drone...
March 3rd What to expect for the Aero Club Airweek 2019
Some of the provisional entries on the list for the Aero Club Airweek 2019 that is scheduled for this week that ends with a Stunning High Energy...
March 1st CAASA Index Q4-18
Media statement CAASA Aviation Activity Index (CAAI) – 4th Quarter 2018 Embargo: 1 March 2019 (08:00) Introduction The Commercial Aviation...
March 1st THE SANDF SALUTES CAPETONIANS FOR THEIR PATRIOTIC SUPPORT
THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE (SANDF) SALUTES CAPETONIANS FOR THEIR PATRIOTIC SUPPORT The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) would like to...
February 25th Armed Forces Day 2019 Capability Demonstration
The South African National Defence Force showed off their muscles in the Sunset beach area after a successful parade moments before.A capability...
February 25th Armed Forces Day 2019 Parade
The day finally arrived for the 2019 Armed Forces Day celebrations in the form of a parade and capability demonstration on the shores of Sunset beach...
February 25th Armed Forces Day 2019 Night Shoot
The mother city, Cape Town came to its awareness that the South African National Defence Force were going to be visible in in parts of the city for...
February 22nd Stellenbosch Airshow 2019 What to expect
Stellenbosch Airshow 2019 Dubbed FASHKOSH, a play on Stellenbosch’s official airfield name FASH and OSHKOSH, the single biggest airshow and...
February 18th SAPFA Rally Flying Training Camp – Brits Airfield 16 February 2019
SAPFA Rally Flying Training Camp – Brits Airfield 16 February 2019 – by Rob Jonkers As a follow-on to the Rally Navigation Training events held...
February 18th Road closures for AFD
Road closures for 18, 19, 20 & 21 February 2019 for armed Forces day (AFD) night shooting capability demonstration at Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg...
February 16th TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AIRSPACE AROUND THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN
SUBJECT: DECLARATION OF A TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AIRSPACE AROUND THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN AND THE PROHIBITION OF DRONES, DIRECTING LASER BEAMS AT AIRCRAFT...
February 15th AFD 2019 kicks off with the fan park fanfare opening ceremony at Khayelitsha’s Mandela park stadium
South African National Defence force (SANDF) armed forces day 2019 kicks off with the fan park fanfare opening ceremony at Khayelitsha’s Mandela...
February 15th SANDF ARMED FORCES DAY 2019 PROMISES A LONG LIST OF FUN FESTIVITIES
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is hosting Armed Forces Day (AFD) 2019 in Cape Town from 16 to 21 February 2019. The event is aimed...
February 5th British Airways and the B747 BOAC Liveries
By Niel Swart We all have our special airplane, the one that makes you stop and look when you here the rumbling of an engine but there is only...
February 3rd SAAF Prestige Day Parade
The South African Airforce celebrated 99 years of its historic air force.The SAAF was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force has seen service...
February 2nd SAAF Prestige Evening Awards
The South African Airforce held a Prestige evening awards ceremony at Airforce Base Swartkop on the 31 January 2019.The following day the Airforce...
January 29th AFB Swartkop to host Prestige Day 01 February
The first and oldest South African Air force Base, Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop, will host the South African Air Force Prestige Day Parade on 01...
January 29th Armed Forces Day Media Launch 2019
With the 2019 edition of Armed Forces Day in Cape Town,preparations are well under way what is set to promte and show the best of the capabilities of...
January 29th Rand Airport Challenge 2019
A typical summer morning at Rand Airport where most pilots like to take to the skies over Johannesburg and enjoy the beautfual scenary around the...
January 21st SAPFA Rally Training Camp
SAPFA Rally Training Camp – Aerosud Premises 19 January 2019 – by Rob Jonkers SAPFA held a very successful training event on Rally Navigation on...
January 16th The Work Horse of the SAAF-The Oryx Helicopter
The Oryx Medium transport helicopter, is the upgraded version of the puma helicopter which served the South African Airforce for many years and saw...
January 11th SANDF To Start Year Off With A Bang
Armed Forces Day is the broad term used to describe a day observed by nations around the world to honor their military forces. “Armed Forces Day is...
January 8th 2019 Airshow Season
2018 has come and gone and saw some fantastic airshow displays across Southern Africa. We trust all our followers had a great festive season and some...
January 7th Aviation Events Calendar Orders
2019 Aviation Events Calendar With And We have launched our 1st ever physical Aviation Events calendar for the year 2019. This being the 1st ever...

2018 (103)

December 10th Launch of Ultimate Heli-port Midrand
Ultimate HELI, a well respected operator that flies fixed wing aircraft and helicopters out of Grand Central Airport. Grand Central Airport which is...
December 10th ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield
ICAD 2018 – Nelspruit Airfield #ICADSA2018 International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) was held on Saturday, 08 December 2018 at the Nelspruit...
November 30th Best of 2018
Best of 2018 Best of 2018 submitted by Aviation Central’s followers! This page is dedicated to our Followers giving you the opportunity to...
November 30th Photo upload 2018
Upload your top photos from 2018 and we will share them for you for everyone to see! Before uploading your photos please have a look at the...
November 19th Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards
Aero Club of South Africa 2018 Awards The past weekend the Aero Club of South Africa hosted their annual Awards dinner in a stunning Black-tie event...
November 4th Visit to the SAAF Museum 03 November 2018
Visit to the SAAF museum 03 November 2018 Since 1973 the SA Air Force Museum has been the custodian of South Africa’s military aviation...
October 28th Eagle Air’s State-of-the-art Flight Simulator
Eagle Air’s new State-of-the-art Flight Simulator SACAA approved Simulator was launched by Eagle Air Academy based at Wonderboom National Airport...
October 24th Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive
View all Our previous Articles, Reviews and Stories Archive...
October 23rd Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018
Lindbergh Lodge Fly-in 2018 Friday 19th October 6 aircraft, five From Eagle’s Creek and one from Rand airport flew to Lindbergh lodge for the...
October 15th Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates
Armed Forces Day Celebration 2019 Dates The purpose of the Armed Forces Day is to commemorate the sinking of the SS MENDI, where on 21 February 1917,...
October 10th AAD2018 closes off in a spectacular fashion
AAD2018 closes off in a spectacular fashion The 10th edition of Africa’s premier exhibition of air, land and sea technologies, held 19th-23rd...
October 7th Secunda Spring Festival 2018
Secunda Spring Festival 2018 By Charmaine Oliver The weekend of 5 – 6 October was the end of the annual Secunda Spring Festival. It was...
September 26th Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018
Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow 2018 The 10th edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence trade and airshow has come and gone, what was...
September 21st Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow programme
Africa Aerospace and Defence Airshow programme Click on day below to open! Or ...
September 20th AAD2018 Day 2
AAD2018 Day 2 Thursday day two of AAD2018,saw a bigger influx of trade visitors then day one of the event,the media were kept busy with a number of...
September 19th AAD2018 Day 1
AAD2018 Day 1 The Africa Aerospace and Defence day one of the trade day finally arrived, visitors from across the world have made their way to...
September 19th Air Power Capability Demonstration 2018
Air Power Capability demonstration 2018 One of the more exciting events the SAAF invites media and VIP guests to is the Air Power Capability...
September 19th Official Opening of AAD 2018
Official Opening of AAD 2018 The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade...
September 17th Unlocking Africa’s Aerospace and Defence Potential at AAD2018
Unlocking Africa’s Aerospace and Defence Potential at AAD2018 The annual Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade and Airshow is finally on our...
September 17th AAD2018 Programme 22 Sept 2018
AAD2018 Programme Please note the Program can change at any time! AAD Airshow Programme 22 Sept 2018 ...
September 17th AAD2018 Programme 23 Sept 2018
AAD2018 Programme Please note the Program can change at any time! AAD Airshow Programme 23 Sept...
September 16th AAD2018 Aircraft Arrivals Update
With the build up to AAD2018,the excitement is building with aircraft arrivals. Each day until Tuesday 2018-09-18 we will update on each aircraft...
September 15th Falcon 1 gets his Gold Wings
Falcon 1 gets his Gold Wings Omphile Mutloane who is currently the leader of the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team.The team is the official aerobatic...
September 15th Kitty Hawk RV Fly-In 2018
The now annual Kitty Hawk RV Fly-in was again a huge turnout from both RV aircraft owners and other general aviation aircraft who made the outing to...
September 15th Children’s Flight 2018
Children’s Flight 2018 “The Children’s Flight’s origins lie in a music video called ‘Paper Plane’, which is essentially about a...
September 13th ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days
ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018 Almost 30 Hoërskool Nelspruit (NHS) aviation enthusiasts visited the Kishugu®...
September 13th Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO
Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018 The Kishugu Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) bids farewell to the South...
September 12th 2018 Eswatini Airshow
2018 Eswatini Air show Aviation Central’s Jarryd was not Media for the Weekend, that was done By Flippie. Jarryd was part of the Little Annie...
September 6th AAD 2018 Aircraft List
AAD 2018 Aircraft List For all those airshow Fan’s out there, we are compiling an unofficial list of aircraft to attend AAD2018. Please not that...
September 5th AERO SA set to change aviation exhibitions in South Africa
AERO SA set to change aviation exhibitions in South Africa Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa 4-6 July 2019. As a...
September 3rd SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-09
The South African Air Force Museum houses exhibits and restores material related to the history of the South African Air Force. The museum is...
August 28th SAAF 75 Airshow Program
SAAF 75 Airshow Program As part of the celebrations to commemorate the SAAF’s 75th year of existence, a military airshow and aerospace expo were...
August 28th Bethlehem Free State Airshow 2018
Central South Africa in the town of Bethlehem took to the Dihlabeng skies on August 25th,with their annual airshow.This show is always known as one...
August 27th Free Flight school listing
Attention All Flight schools or Aviation Academies We at Aviation Central are running a campaign to help making young and old wanting to enter the...
August 27th Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018
Media Excursion to the Kruger National Park August 2018 Sunday the 19th August we were kindly invited to join up with SANPARKS officials to embark on...
August 25th World class technology at AAD2018
World class technology returns next month when Africa’s Aerospace and Defence (ADD2018) takes place at the Air Force Base Waterkloof from September...
August 23rd Grand Rand Airshow 2018
Grand Rand Airshow 2018 By Koos Smit Sunday the morning of the 19th August 2018,The Grand Rand Airshow was ready to entertain the crowds of a pure...
August 14th Large Presence of US Air force Aircraft at AAD2018
The United States Airforce have confirmed a number of aircraft that will be attending the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) at Airforce Base...
August 6th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04
SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-08-04 The August winds brought the first flying day of the month of August,we were delighted to be invited to go fly in...
August 5th The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer
The Aero L29 Delfin-The Soviet Trainer(English: Dolphin, NATO reporting name: Maya) is a military jet trainer developed and manufactured by...
August 1st Airforce Base Waterkloof 80th Anniversary Celebration
The 1st August 2018,the South African Airforce celebrated Airforce Base Waterkloof’s 80th Birthday Celebration. The base is home to a number of...
July 27th The Flying Lions, Arnie’s Love story
The flying Lions, Arnie’s Love story The dream of one day owning a Harvard, (or Texan as it is more commonly known in its country of origin)...
July 16th Nylstroom Taildraggers Fly-in 2018
Modimolle, formerly Nylstroom, is a town located near the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is a...
July 9th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-07-07
The first weekend of July, The SAAF museum hosted their annual monthly flying day at Airforce Base Swartkop in Pretoria. Probably one of the colder...
July 4th Border Aviation Open Day 2018
Border Aviation Open Day 2018 By Bradley Rutters My name is Bradley Rutters and I am a aviation photographer in the Eastern Cape. This past weekend...
July 3rd Race for Rhinos 2018
Race for Rhinos 2018 The 2018 edition of Race for Rhinos finally arrived for all the eager competitors taking to the skies of Sua Pan in Botswana...
June 17th Cessna Fly-In Brakapn Airfield
The Brakpan Aeroclubs Social event in June saw the Cessna Fly-in at Brakpan Airfield on the 16th June 2018.As we are definitely in Winter,a cold...
June 11th AAD 2018 Media Launch
With the upcoming Africa Aerospace and Defense show around the corner, excitement is definitely building as we were invited to the 100 day media...
June 4th Air Total Newcastle Airshow 2018
The 8th annual Newcastle Airshow, the only show in Kwazulu-Natal took place on the 2 June 2018 at the Newcastle Airport on the outskirts of the town...
June 3rd Kroon Fly in 2018
Kroon Fly in 2018 8th Annual Fly-in was held at Kroon Airfield this weekend, 02 June and turnout was very good and the Breakfast was just amazing We...
June 1st International Day Of Peacekeepers 29 May 2018
The “International Day Of Peacekeepers“, May 29, is “a day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to...
May 28th Wesbank Botswana International Airshow 2018
The 2018 Botswana International Airshow held at the Matsieng Airfield a few kilometers outside of Gaborone. We arrived the Friday afternoon an...
May 23rd Aero Weather
Aero Event Weather by Aero Weather This page is dedicated to informing you about the weather forecast for a coming weekend, Weather information...
May 15th Kishugu Lowveld Airshow 2018
Kishugu Lowveld Airshow 2018 Friday, Midday our journey to Nelspruit in the Lowveld started by road from Gauteng, the Team for the Weekend was,...
May 7th SAAF Museum Airshow 2018
SAAF Museum Airshow 2018 The long awaited annual SAAF Museum Airshow was held on the 5th May 2018,on some what perfect airshow weather.The show was...
May 4th SAAF Museum Airshow Program
SAAF Museum Airshow Program The Program is divided into two, Morning and Afternoon. The Program can change at any time due to Aircraft and / or Pilot...
April 29th Destruction is our business, 85 Combat Flying School
Destruction is our business, 85 Combat Flying School 85 Combat Flying School located at AFB Makhado (Airforce Base Makhado) in the Northern part of...
April 29th Aerobatics Unlimited-The Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials
Aerobatics Unlimited-The Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials The Goodyear Eagles Aerobatics Team has been in the forefront of bringing aerobatics...
April 28th Aircraft Marshalling
Aircraft Marshaller A person trained to direct by visual or other means the movement of aircraft on the ground, into and out of landing, parking or...
April 27th Team Xtreme Airshows
Team Xtreme Airshows With their high energy aerobatic manvureves, Team Xtreme is surly a display to watch at airshows, Led by SAA Captain Nigel...
April 22nd 2018 Airshow Aircraft, Pilots and Teams
2018 Airshow Aircraft, Pilot and Teams Every year we see Airshows across Southern Africa. Some teams we see at every show and others we don’t see...
April 19th The Noisy Bushbuck,The AM.3C Bosbok
The Noisy Bushbuck, The AM.3C Bosbok The AM.3 used the wing design of the Aermacchi AL-60 utility aircraft, strengthened to incorporate two...
April 16th Mercedes-Benz Club Day at Brakpan Airfield
Mercedes-Benz Club Day at Brakpan Airfield The first car that ever-set wheel on South-African soil was a Benz Velo. Although the “horseless...
April 11th Indian Airforce Museum ,Palam
Hidden away on the far side of Delhi’s International Airport is a significant collection of historic aircraft,The Indian Air force Museum is an...
April 9th Ermelo Airshow 2018
The great Ermelo Airshow has finally returned to the Airshow circuit once again, after an absence since 2011. The show made a welcome return on the...
April 5th From Soloist to Lead-Omphile Mutloane
Omphile Mutloane who is currently the number 5 in the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team, known as the soloist in the team with the call sign...
April 4th WesBank Botswana International Air Show (Matsieng)
WesBank Botswana International Air Show (Matsieng) This is defiantly an must attend airshow, Fly-in, Drive in or Just pop in for the day, Just be...
April 3rd Rand Easter Show 2018
Rand Easter Show 2018 The South African National Defense Force Wrapped up their Capability Demonstration on the Easter Weekend of the 2018 Rand Show...
April 1st EAA 2018 FLY AWAY & CONVENTION
EAA Convention & AGM 2018 at FAVY 27 April – 29 April 2018 Vryheid Airfield, KwaZulu Natal The EAA of SA is pleased to be hosted by Vryheid...
April 1st Updates – Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2018)
17 August...
March 30th Rand Easter Show SANDF Capability Demo Day 1 2018-03-30 Gallery
Rand Easter show 2018 – Day One The Rand Easter Show was officially opened today,Below are some pictures from today’s Capability...
March 29th Rand Easter Show Validation Capibilty Demo 2018-03-29 Gallery
Today was the final day for validations for the SANDF Capability demo, below are some pictures from today! Show starts on Friday 30 May 2018. Come...
March 28th Rand Easter Show 2018 Media Briefing
Rand Easter Show 2018 Media Briefing Once again we were invited by the Rand Show organization team to the 2018 Rand Easter Show Media Briefing, the...
March 26th The FAW Ermelo Airshow 2018 – What to expect
The FAW Ermelo Airshow 2018 The 1st airshow for 2018. This is the 1st Airshow for 2018 and it’s all happening on 07 April at Ermelo Airport. We...
March 20th Airshow photography, the Canon way
Airshow photography, the Canon way. Written by Abri Kriegler – aviation photographer and Canon nut. Airshow photography in South Africa is alive...
March 18th Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick
Maiden flight of The High Flying Maverick From the 1st Phone call we got from Devashini Govender to d-day on the 17th March 2018 was a busy time from...
March 14th Wings Over Howick 2018
Wings Over Howick 2018 On the weekend of the 9th of March Wings Over Howick ( RC Event ) was held at the Howick Glider Club and with a...
March 13th The High Flying Maverick
The High Flying Maverick GET READY FOR TAKE-OFF – CLIMB ON BOARD OUR NEWEST THRILL RIDE #GRCmaverick Johannesburg, February 2018: Excitement is,...
March 13th Aviation Day 2018 – Springs Airport
Aviation Day – Springs Airport Hosted by – MACH 1 AVIATION ACADEMY By: Andre Venter An amazing venue which was held in the Classic...
March 7th The South African Guild of Aviation
Where Artists Soar Where Artists Soar The South African Guild of Aviation, Military and Maritime Artists Text: Juanita Benade Photographs: SA GAMMA...
March 4th SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-03-03
SAAF Museum Flying Day 2018-03-03 Once again the SAAF Museum hosted their monthly flying day at Airforce Base Zwartkop in Pretoria,with the theme...
March 1st Gates Learjet 35 RC Model
Gates Learjet 35 RC Model The Learjet is an iconic plane that made history as the era of Private business jets started in the early 70’s. Aviatix...
February 23rd SANDF De Brug Weapons Capability Demonstration Feb 2018
With the build up to the Armed forces day parade being held in Kimberley, the following day Wednesday the 21 February, much of the public have been...
February 20th Win a Tailor Made Fire Resistant Flight Suit
And our Airwear Flight Suit winner is Tokkie Botes from Skeerpoort…. Congratulation Tokkie form Team Aviation Central. If anyone requires...
February 20th The Aero Club Air Week
Do you love Aviation, like we at Aviation Central do? If there is only a small bit of Yes in your thought now, then The Aero Club Air Week...
February 15th Armed Forces Day Kimberley 2018 Fan Park Launch.
The 21st of February each year, Armed forces day is observed to celebrate the lives of the native labour contingent who died when the...
February 11th Rand Fun Rally 10 February 2018
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ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days

September 13, 2018 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation No comments

ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days

Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018

Almost 30 Hoërskool Nelspruit (NHS) aviation enthusiasts visited the Kishugu® Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) on Friday, 07 September for an opportunity to fly sky high.
NHS was the first of several high schools identified in the Mpumalanga region as part of an aviation career awareness campaign to approach schools directly and address the global pilot shortage.
The aviation industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world due to rapid growth, but it might not have the pilots available to keep up with this growth.

“To become a proficient pilot, ready to offer a valuable contribution to this dynamic field, takes time,” says Head of Kishugu® ATO, Carel van der Merwe. “Amidst an ongoing wave of retirements and a steady supply of experienced crews is unlikely to be depleted. To fill this gap, the industry showed a great need for quality training academies to help train pilots for the future. And this is where Kishugu® ATO, based in Mbombela, plays a vital role,” says Carel.

After the huge success of sponsoring two pupils for the Mr. and Ms. NHS campaign, word quickly spread among the scholars on the possibilities of starting a career in aviation.

During the NHS open day, students and their parents were welcomed by Carel, and his team of flight instructors, and given a quick pre-flight check before taking to the skies in one of our four aircraft available.
After touching down on the ground, Carel presented a quick informative talk on the options of obtaining your Private Pilots Licence (PPL) and the various ways the flight school could assist parents in making their child’s dream a reality.
With adrenaline still spiking through their veins, the scholars were taken to Kishugu® Aviation FFA AMO 1116, where they got the opportunity to view another possible aviation career option as a aviation engineer. Scholars got to see how these aircraft engineers went to work on the various aircraft types while explaining to the learners what school subjects they chose when they started their careers.
Hannes van Zyl, HOD of FFA AMO 1116, elaborated on the various engineer maintenance careers they could specialise in, from avionics to flight test pilots , all possible when choosing a career as a Aeronautical Engineering. Many of the scholars were even interested in doing shadow work at the AMO during the upcoming school holidays. “Shadowing is the perfect opportunity for learners to get a real sense of what it would be to work on aircraft as a possible career,” says Hannes.

Jayden Joubert, a Grade 12 learner could not contain his excitement after his flight during the open day. “It was such an amazing experience. I never thought this was something I wanted to do with my life, but the flying bug has definitely bitten me,” he says. “The AMO was also very nice to see, especially how organised they were, it was very interesting to see them working on the Huey’s,” he concluded.

“Open days like these offer the best opportunity to young learners to experience exactly what flying entails and if it is a career path they would like to follow,” says Carel. “Many scholars are not always sure what they want to do after school, and experiencing this first hand helps them realise if their heart belongs in the sky.”

Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO

September 13, 2018 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation No comments

Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO

Nelspruit, 11 September, 2018

The Kishugu Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) bids farewell to the South African Police Service (SAPS) female students. A delegation from the SAPS training division visiting Kishugu Aviation on Friday, 30 August, for the final debrief on the training of this dynamic group of female pilots.

The nine young ladies were selected by the South African Police Service to become pilots for the SAPS air wing. The cost of their training was met by the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA).

Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO

Tshomarelo Moima (24) from Pretoria, Tebogo Boshielo (22) from Pretoria, Linah Mphanga (25) from Hazyview, Mpumalanga, Happiness Sibiya (22) from Mpumalanga, Lindelwa Mdaki (22) from Durban, Usisipho Fanie (26) from Western Cape, Gloria Banda (21) from Danville Pretoria and Tobeka Shozi (20) from Pietermaritzburg, KZN.

“We are extremely proud of these young ladies and very happy with Kishugu on the sterling job of training these ladies. We will definitely be using Kishugu again to train more pilots, perhaps as early as January 2019,” says Major General Gossmann.

Their success is all the more remarkable since many of them did not have a driver’s license, nor had any of them ever been in light aircraft before their training began.
They were selected as part of a SAPS initiative aimed at skills development and creating jobs. Kishugu ATO won the contract to train the pilots after an extremely tough tender vetting process.

Since arriving at Kishugu ATO in April 2016 these women have been taking to the skies on almost a daily basis building hours and experience. To date the women accumulated over 2,200 hours of flying. Kishugu will now engage further with TETA and the SAPS on possibly recruiting more pilots in the future to be trained.

August 27, 2018 General News and Airshow Reviews, Get into Aviation No comments

Attention All Flight schools or Aviation Academies

We at Aviation Central are running a campaign to help making young and old wanting to enter the Aviation industry life easier by having a list of schools and academies available to them on Facebook and then internet. This will run on our website and shared to our Facebook page.

Flight school listing on Aviation Central

Example of what the listing will look like

We are compiling a list of Flight / Aviation related schools in Southern Africa, to be added to the listing is Completely FREE! We are the perfect platform for this list as we are the Aviation related Facebook page with the most likes and followers in southern Africa (Excluding the Airlines) and most of our audience are the Aviation loving public. This include the Public that wants to enter the Aviation industry. This New Pilots, Cabin crew or any other Aviation related entity. The listing will be on our website, with a pinned link to our Facebook page. (Our Facebook page has the most visibility over our website)

Information we need from you to add you to our listing.

Name:

Province:

City / Airport:

Phone

Email:

Website:

Comments: (Max 20 words)

To add your School to the listing, please email the above information to Flightschools@aviationcentral.co.za

For those requiring more visibility R500pm

We will have 8 advertisement spaces on the directly listing page (On the sides of the listing table) where we will be placing an image adverts (Provided by you) with a routing to your website when someone clicks on the image. We will once a Month post that image on our Facebook page with a link to your website and or Facebook side. You are welcome to send us 50-100 words text to include with the posting of your Advertisement image. For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za

Flight School Event share on Facebook R150 per share (e.g. Open day)

Are your school hosting an event where you want maximum public awareness?
Create an Facebook event page or send us a link to a website containing the event information, send us 50-100 words text to go along with the share and we will share your event for you. For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za

Rent our Facebook cover image R150 per day

For Maximum Facebook exposure

As mentioned earlier, we are the perfect platform for this list as we are the Aviation related Facebook page with the most likes and followers in southern Africa (Excluding the Airlines) and most of our audience are the Aviation loving public. This include the Public that wants to enter the Aviation industry.
Our Facebook page is extremely busy and being official Media Partner to Africa Aerospace and Defense, running the official Airshow pages for Swartkop (SAAF Museum airshow) and Rand Airshow also increases our Facebook page visibility. Aviation Central Facebook book page has a Daily page reach of 40 000+ Facebook users (During peak airshow season this goes up to over 100k per day) We have an active “Likes” of 25 000 + (Aug 2018). For more information please contact Admin@aviationcentral.co.za
*Please note that Aviation Events, e.g. Airshows, Fly-in’s and competitions will get preference on double bookings.

Kind Regards

Flippie van Emmenis
Aviation Central

081 270 4430

flippie@aviationcentral.co.za

Canon SA

DJA-Aviation

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ATO hosts exclusive school Open Days

Kishugu SAPS Students graduate from ATO

Attention All Flight schools or Aviation Academies

Flight school listing on Aviation Central

For those requiring more visibility R500pm

Flight School Event share on Facebook R150 per share (e.g. Open day)

Rent our Facebook cover image R150 per day

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