Tag Archives: Avgeek
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 pristine conditions on Saturday morning, albeit very windy later on, giving some good challenging flying conditions to contend with.
For this event the organisers looked at changing the format slightly, where instead of a Friday arrivals with
test flights and an evening briefing with dinner for an early start on Saturday changed to a Saturday &
Sunday event with competitors arriving early Saturday and a mid-morning briefing. As many of the competitor aircraft have previous test flown handicaps or event history, the number of test flights would only be limited to new entrants which could be done in the early morning prior the briefing. The idea was that first take-off would take place around midday with a finish around 2 PM, where after results would be available in the late afternoon with a prize giving and dinner for the Saturday night. This would allow a good opportunity to network and engage with friends and the local club community.
The Groblersdal Club went to great lengths to make the event successful, and also combined the Speed
Rally with a fly in, and prepared an excellent surface taxi-way in this last week to accommodate operation to both ends of the runway. Also some more firsts for the Speed Rally series, previous Race Director Rob
Jonkers passed the baton fully on to Iaan Myburgh to prepare and run the event together with David le Roux as the Race Master, and took the opportunity to fly a race type event for the very first time, prior to this either having been in the back office, route planning and directing since 2016. It was great to be taking a back seat and be on the other side of the fence….
And given this, can now report first hand the experience of flying at speed. SAPFA Chair Leon Bouttell
offered to fly the event in his Sportstar as a late entry, and after some discussion decided fly with him
navigating given my navigation skills being more rusty. At papers time I collected the envelope and had to take a brisk walk to get to the aircraft parked some 200 m away, strap in while Leon started plotting,
essentially I got a map with the route highlighted and he went to prepare the 2 nd map with minute markers to allow us to assess progress along the route.
This was concluded prior start-up and after taxi to the holding position we still had some 5 minutes to go
through the route and discuss altitudes to fly at. Barreling down runway 05 we first had to pick up speed in ground effect and have positive rate of climb prior the first turn after the end of the runway which was a steep left at almost 180 deg (the preferred take-off direction was actually Rwy 23 but changed due to wind conditions favouring 05 and it being downhill).
Not having flown the Sportstar for some time had to get used to the very light controls (compared to a C182), so the first leg was a little skittish in heading and it took most of that leg to get oriented, which resulted in a turn-point miss on turn-point 1, which most competitors found difficult to find. After that we settled down and could get on with finding the next turn-points, checking track position relative to the far field and close in features.
Around half way we sighted the Ercoupe in front of us, and proceeded to haul them in, but not long after that the Cessna 150 with Ron & Von overtook us, just to see them almost miss turn-point 8 having to jinx left and then right to get around the turn-point, this brought them closer to us again before disappearing into the distance. For sure it remains important to not lose energy around turns. Thereafter we overtook first timers Benjamin & Clinton in their Bushcat coming into the home straight, and I started wondering where were the faster aircraft behind us, and then no less than 15 seconds from the finish line the Comanche ZS-NXG, the 235 ZS-FVV and the C210 ZS-CNY came zooming past as if we were standing still, at least it looked like we must have arrived overhead in 5th place.
The wind for sure had an effect on us all, with much turbulence, and even though staying between 3500 & 4000ft, I let the aircraft drift up with thermal / wave lift where it happened, and bled off altitude to pick up speed taking advantage on the conditions. All in all great to fly one of these, and for sure there are strategies to follow, navigation accuracy to be maintained, energy management around turn-points, altitude management, it is not for sure not just a full throttle burn around a track, each element an important ingredient in achieving leader board positions as seconds count, where an average of an hour’s flight is involved.
After everybody was safe on the ground, Iaan and Tarryn got to work with scoring, and concluded this by 4PM, and then awaited the prize-giving at 6PM hosted by David le Roux. A number of competitors were not able to stay over, thus prize giving had a number of winners not being present.
For the Navigation Accuracy category, third place went to Ron Stirk and Von Hamman in their Cessna 150
ZS-NBT, in 2 nd place Willem Kruger & Cris Moolman as first timers in their Alouette 2 ZU-RAH , and in 1 st place Stefan Lombard & Martiens Marais in their Piper Comanche ZS-NXG.
For the Handicap/Speed category, third place went to Phil Wakeley & Mary de Klerk in their C210 ZS-CNY, in 2nd place Stefan Lombard & Martiens Marais in their Piper Comanche ZS-NXG, and in 1 st place Quintin Kruger & Johan Whiteman in their Cherokee 235 ZS-FVV.
Overall Winners in third place went to Phil Wakeley & Mary de Klerk in their C210 ZS-CNY, in 2 nd place
Quintin Kruger & Johan Whiteman in their Cherokee 235 ZS-FVV, and in 1 st place Stefan Lombard &
Martiens Marais in their Piper Comanche ZS-NXG.
Many thanks to the Groblersdal Flying Club for hosting this fantastic event, supporting with logistics and great meals available throughout the day, Iaan Myburgh as Race Director, Nigel Musgrave as the Safety Officer, Shane with his team from Century Avionics for technical scrutineering, David le Roux as Race Master, and all the SAPFA and Grobersdal Club members who supported marshalling and administration.
Also thanks to our headline sponsors Holborn Assets, Pilot Insure, Flying Eyes and our sponsored teams,
Prompt Roofing, Beagle Tracking, Gem Air and Mnandi Signs.
Our next Speed Rally event will be at Springs on the 30th September 2022, which will be the Season 4 finale, with a gala dinner to round it off.
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 yacht has been overdue to reach his destination. The Squadron received initial coordinates from a passing tanker ship where the yacht was last seen.
The tanker, has tried to confirm the presence of life onboard the yacht, but due to heavy sea condtitions and vessel size it could not be established with certainty.
The crew with the the help from the NSRI then flew a SAR pattern and managed to locate the yacht approximately 28 nautical miles South South West of Stilbaai on the South Coast.
An NSRI Airborne rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter into the sea, he swam to and boarded the yacht where he found the sailor deceased below decks.
With limited fuel remaining the rescue swimmer placed a signalling beacon on the yacht before being recovered into the helicopter. The yacht with the deceased sailor had been recovered and towed back to shore by the NSRI rescue vessel.
Special thanks to the ground crew that works behind the scenes for always ensuring safe serviceable helicopters.
The effort by all involved, for their tireless contributions that helped to bring closure in this tragedy, is commended.
Credit to NSRI, MRCC and SAAF.
Photos were taken by Frank Boekkooi
Exercise Shared Accord 2022
Exercise Shared Accord 2022 is a Joint and Multinational Peace Support Operation and
Humanitarian Relief Exercise with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
(SETAF-AF) of the United States (US) Armed Forces, took place over a period 05 -30 July
2022 in and around Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. This came about as a result of bilateral
Defence Force Committee discussions that originated in 2009, and was approved by the
Military Command Council (MCC) in 2010.
The exercise was followed by a capability demonstrations including High Altitude
Low Opening (HALO) techniques by paratroopers, US and RSA Medivac, Chemical Spillage
procedures by SANDF and the disaster management, and demonstrations.
Exercise Shared Accord was the fourth exercise of this
nature to be planned and executed in South Africa, with previous exercises that took place in
2011, 2013 and 2017. The last exercise was conducted in Northern Cape at the SA Army
Combat Training Centre (CTC) Lohatlha, and the following scheduled exercise was to be
executed in 2020, but due to outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all exercises were
suspended in March of that year.
The Aim of Exercise Shared Accord 2022 was to improve bilateral military inter-operability in Air
Support Operations and Peace Support Operations (PSO) for landward forces, and to
exercise the provision of medical assistance and humanitarian relief to own forces and the
local population. The South African Medical Heath Service (SAMHS) together with the New
York Army National Guard personnel from US Armed Forces have been in the forefront with
the community outreach programme in providing medical services, like primary health care,
dental, veterinary and ophthalmic services to residents in a number of local rural clinics
around uMhlathuze Local Municipality and uMfolozi local Municipality to name a few.
Pictures by Hein Beukes
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 Tshwane from 21-25 September 2022.
A media briefing plus a youth development familiarisation to the world of aerospace was held at 28 Squadron “Portamus” (We Carry” home of the Lockheed Martin C130BZ under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Nandi Zama.
The Deputy Chief of the South African Air Force, Major General Innocent Buthelezi welcomed the guests on behalf of the Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo and said that he is happy that an event of this magnitude had been dissected, reinvented, finally comes to life.
“When we started there was still so much uncertainty on whether we would be able to host the 11th edition. The pandemic still was at its worst and we watched and waited as we gathered every pronouncement made by the World Health Organisation and our Department of Health.
The Deputy Chief of the SA Air force mentioned that he personally likes the theme of this year’s AAD which is: exploring new paths, sharing solutions and showcasing innovation and capabilities.
“For the first time in the history of AAD, we have secured the express permission for the presence and use of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) or drones during the show. It is evident that the future is upon us and still coming at us at the speed of light. Innovation is coming from young minds, minds that can still dream big.
Invited guests witnessed the signing of agreements between the AAD and the City of Tshwane, Gautrain and the South African Airways, we are assured of the success of AAD2022,” said Major General Buthelezi
The 67 learners from Mshuluzani Mayisela Primary School from bronkhorstspruit and said, “these learners are fresh, impressionable minds, we aim to ignite the spark of aviation in their minds so that they can always remember that they were part of this august moment,” he said
The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Mr Randal Williams welcomed the AAD team to the City of Tshwane and said, “we are thrilled to be associated with the AAD, what is interesting is that it showcases the latest technological innovations.
Ms Nompaza Ndlovu, the chairperson of AAD said, “this is a new dawn as we slowly recover from the shackles of the pandemic, I am pleased that we are back in action because we will bring all the strategic partners together to realise what we have been looking forward to, the best AAD this year,” she mentioned.
Foreign airforces have been invited to the event with a couple already committing their presence at this year’s AAD.
Obviously we will know closer to the event who’s who that will be at AAD 2022. Ticket sales and vendor applications will also be available in August next month.
Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade exhibition and Airshow will run from 21-25 September 2022.
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 during Africa month as Africa’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition and only one of its kind, which boasts a combined exhibition of air, sea and land technologies, a static aircraft display and an air show.
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AAD 2022 OVERVIEW
The 2018 edition ended on a positive note, and the organisers have been preparing for the 11th edition which was deferred in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the plans and theme for AAD 2022.
The upcoming AAD will be hosted from the 21 – 25 September 2022 at the AFB Waterkloof in Tshwane. The format will again comprise of three trade days and two air show days which will consist of elements:
- Indoor and outdoor exhibitions
- A hospitality chalet line
- Static aircraft park
- Capability demonstrations and displays
- Parallel events with conferences, seminars and B2B meetings.
AAD will once again give exhibitors and trade visitors a unique opportunity to interact directly with various stakeholders over the trade days and allow for the public to witness the spectacular display of the Aviation Sector and Airforce.
The planning for AAD 2022 is well underway, with over 50% of the exhibition space booked. We are happy to announce the following National Pavilions confirmed namely, USA, Turkey, Italy, UK, Belgium, China, India and Pakistan —- and we look forward to announcing more country pavilions.
AAD 2022 THEME
The disruption and resounding impact that covid caused the world was on a large magnitude we never imagined-……….
This was the driving force for the organising team to relook at the strategy for AAD future exhibitions……..
AAD is coming from an era of unlocking the aerospace and defence potential and we are now moving into a new era
Theme for AAD 2022
Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions and Showcasing Innovation and Capabilities.
And as part of our diversification strategy, AAD will expand the Exhibitor, Trade Visitor, Delegation and Stakeholder profiles which focuses on entering new markets and exploring new paths.
We invite new players in the Oil & Gas, Mining and Energy sectors to participate at AAD 2022.
Returning to AAD 2022, is the African Unity Pavilion and we are engaging with our partners in the African Union to make this a reality, with more countries and an improved partnership. The African Unity Pavilion is crucial as we work towards implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which was launched in January last year.
AAD will create significant opportunities for manufacturers to interact and share solutions with potential clients, generate business 2 business linkages and form strategic partnerships between countries, institutions, and stakeholders. As part of the exhibition, we will be hosting three conferences over the three trade days in parallel to the exhibition.
And topics will include:
- Cyber security
- UAVS
- Medical
Lastly we will,
Showcase Innovation and Capabilities…The global aerospace and defence industry has developed cutting edge technology over the years and is Apex to the ecosystem. AAD will afford exhibitors locally and internationally the platform to showcase their innovative capabilities.
And as part of this, AAD will be launching Innovation Hubs.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
AAD 2022 will present a world class Youth Development Programme which supports the strategic intent of AAD in creating awareness about careers in the aerospace and defence sectors to the youth of South Africa. The YDP Chairperson will give an update this morning on the plans for AAD 2022.
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COVID – 19
As more and more people are getting vaccinated globally, with South Africa having passed the 30-million-mark, we welcome the announcement by the President of South Africa to lift the national state of disaster on Covid-19 in April.
— All health and safety standards will remain top priority for the organisers to ensure that we deliver a safe and business conducive environment for exhibitors and stakeholders.
CONCLUSION
We are confident that the 11th edition will allow participants to maximize their potential and bring even more trade visitors and delegations which are a crucial factor in the exhibition’s success.
We anticipate that AAD will contribute over R1 billion to the South African economy and create over 2, 000 new jobs. The 2022 event is expected to kick start the industry’s recovery programme and the recovery will translate into jobs, more opportunities for SMMEs and contribution to the GDP.
Exhibition bookings are open and we invite you,… exhibitors, sponsors and stakeholders to secure your place at Africa’s largest gathering of decision makers, innovators, government, manufacturers and buyers on the African continent.
On behalf of the AAD organisers, we look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful City of Tshwane on the 21st of September to the 11th edition of AAD 2022.