Tag Archives: AviationNews
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 National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. While we knew this day might come, we had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. Citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority has made the decision to sunset the event. For so many around the world, Reno has become synonymous with air racing and it is hard to imagine the National Championship Air Races gracing any other skies than those in the Sierra Nevada.
However, we are confident the event will continue. In fact, we are currently exploring several other possible locations to host the event in the future but it starts with making this year’s event the biggest and most successful it can be. In essence, the future of the National Championship Air Races starts now. And, we need your help.
As we take off for one last time in Reno, we are inviting the community and race fans from all over the world to join to send off the National Championship Air Races in style. Consider it a celebration of six decades of thrills, history, pageantry, camaraderie and family. Reno has been the event’s home for the last 59 years, and we could not leave without recognizing the community that has embraced our event and helped make it one of our region’s signature events. We look forward to seeing the many faces the Air Races have brought joy to over the years, as well as new ones who will get the chance to see the only racing event of its kind for the first time this year.
While we discuss the future of the Air Races, we are grateful for our time at the Reno-Stead Airport and our partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority. Our event has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy, while instilling a love for flying in the community and becoming a valued partner to many charities and non-profits. We have always been so thrilled to show off the beautiful Reno Tahoe area to the tens of thousands that flew in just for our event and we’re looking forward to doing that again this year. The support from both our community and visitors has been overwhelming, and the impact they helped us make in Reno is immeasurable.
The last National Championship Air Races will take place from September 13-17. The 2023 event is set to return with more than 150 planes and pilots as well as several ‘hands-on’ displays and experiences including the GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, heritage displays, military demonstrations and static displays and more. The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag which has become a phenomenon in the skies. While this is our last year at this location, the Reno Air Racing Association is committed to preserving and growing this great event and developing the next generation of Air Race fans. We look forward to seeing you in September. You can save your spot now by purchasing tickets at www.AirRace.org
With much appreciation and love,
The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors
RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION
14501 MT. ANDERSON ST.
RENO, NV 89506
USA
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, both to customers in Africa.
The Bell 429 is a popular choice for the African market and continues to demonstrate important qualities such as safety, reliability, and performance. The aircraft also offers a smooth, peaceful ride as well as a spacious and customizable cabin depending on mission type.
“We are proud to support our customers in Africa with the Bell 429. With two now operating in South Africa and a third one soon to be operating in West Africa, the aircraft continues to excel across the many market segments for which it was designed. Featuring state-of-the-art technology to provide enhanced safety, comfort, performance and most importantly reliability, we are confident that these aircraft will help support on whatever their missions entail,” said Sameer Rehman, managing director, Africa and the Middle East, Bell.
Caverton Helicopters Limited in Cameroon signed a purchase agreement for the first oil and gas configured Bell 429 in West Africa. Caverton Helicopters is a subsidiary of the Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc (COSG), which is a fully integrated offshore support company providing aviation and marine logistics services to businesses operating in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and across West Africa.
“Having operated a variety of Bell products across our operations over the years, we are excited to continue with this brand, which is synonymous with safety and excellent performance,” said Captain Bello Ibrahim, managing director, Caverton Helicopters. “Introducing the Bell 429 into our fleet is an exciting milestone for us and will enable us to provide the best support for our oil and gas clients across the continent.”
The newly delivered 429 will be used for corporate transportation. Thanks to its large cabin, impressive speed, and modern technology, proving critical to its operators, there are a variety of configurations available, enabling the platform to perform numerous missions ranging from energy to law enforcement and public safety.
With more than 602,000 global flight hours, there are now 430 Bell 429 in operation, more than 20 of which are in the Middle East and Africa.
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 L100 will join the fleet of Lynden Air Cargo. Lynden Air Cargo is an American cargo airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. It operates scheduled services and on demand charter, international and domestic flights, including services for the US military. Its main base is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
(SAFAIR) Safair Operations as it is known today was established in 1965. At the time it was known as Tropair (Pty) Ltd and was a general aviation charter company. In 1970 the company name changed to Safair Freighters (Pty) Ltd when the company was purchased by Safmarine and the new entity began operations on 18 March 1970. Its primary client in the 1980s was the South African Defence Force.
The company operated the largest fleet of L100 aircraft in the world. Humanitarian Aid and Relief operations has always been Safair’s “niche” market. Safair assisted aid and relief agencies such as the United Nations, World Food Programme, and the International Committee of the Red Cross in delivering much needed humanitarian aid to stricken regions on the African continent as well as other areas in the world where such assistance was required.
The L100-30 left with the new November registration of N411LC and its previous South African registration was ZS-OPS. She was built in 1978 as a Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules (L-382G) C/N 382-4799).
Lockheed L100 Speculations
Aircraft Configuration Possibilities/Operation
Flat floor/wooden floor
Roller system
Fuel Burn : ± 2700 litres per hour
300 kts maximum cruise speed
Seating capacity of up to 90 passengers on airline type seats *
Bulk liquid transport – up to 24 000 litres (fuel)
20 000 kg for more than 1 200 nautical miles
Short field landing and take-off capability
Aerial delivery of food and medicine (Air drops)
Transportation of sea containers, large vehicles/trucks, oversized cargo
External fuel tanks for increased range
Combination of freight and passengers
Wingspan 40.41m (132 ft 7″)
Length 34.37m (112 ft 9″)
Height 11.66m (38 ft 2″)
Maximum certified take-off weight 70 307kg (155 000lbs)
Maximum certified landing weight 61 235kg (135 000lbs)
Maximum certified zero fuel weight 57 727kg (127 000lbs)
Basic empty weight 34 545kg (76 000lbs)
Average APS weight 35 000kg (77 000lbs)
Landing Requirements
The maximum landing weight for the Hercules L100-30 is 135 000 lbs (61 235kg). At this weight the following landing distances are required.
Airfield Elevation Runway Length (zero wind)
Sea Level 4 800 ft
1 000 ft 5 000 ft
2 000 ft 5 200 ft
3 000 ft 5 300 ft
4 000 ft 5 500 ft
5 000 ft 5 700 ft
[02/11, 20:46] Neil Swart: Cargo compartment…
[02/11, 20:46] Neil Swart: Length 17.07m (54 ft)
Width 3.02m (10 ft 3″)
Height 2.74m (9 ft 3″)
Cubic capacity 140 cubic meter (excluding ramp)
Floor height (above ground) 0.99-1.04m (3 ft 3″-3 ft 5″)
Cargo floor Aircraft can be supplied with either a flat metal floor, a wooden floor or an adjustable roller system
In 2013, Safair created a low-cost carrier subsidiary called FlySafair. They currently operational with the first flight having taken place on 16th October 2014. FlySafair operates passenger flights between Cape Town, George, Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Lanseria, Durban and East London. This is the companies primary focus now and moved away from cargo operations!
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) from CHC Helicopter Group (CHC).
OHS UK have provided world-class transportation for the UK’s offshore Oil and Gas industry for more than 40 years. They operate a modern fleet of Airbus H175, Sikorsky S92 and Leonardo AW139 helicopters from their main operating bases in Aberdeen and Sumburgh for various customers in the North Sea.
OHS UK was acquired by CHC from FTSE 250 company Babcock International Group plc in 2021, along with Babcock’s offshore oil and gas operations in Denmark and Australia. Following a Phase 2 investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the CMA determined in August 2022 that CHC would be required to divest OHS UK, and an auction process was undertaken for this purpose. A sale and purchase agreement was signed on 30 December 2022 under which CHC agreed to sell OHS UK to Ultimate Aviation Group.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including the final approval of the sale by the CMA, and is expected to complete in the first calendar quarter of 2023.
Shaun Roseveare, Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Aviation, said: “ The acquisition is set for final closure shortly, and the integration of OHS UK into Ultimate Aviation will be seamless for customers and they can expect the same high level of service they have come to expect from both companies. This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Ultimate Aviation and we are looking forward to continue offering our customers the best services possible and expanding our reach to new regions.”
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 delivery marks the first of twenty PC-12 NGXs to be delivered to Tradewind’s headquarters in Oxford, Connecticut, over the next five years.
Pilatus and Tradewind Aviation executives gathered to celebrate the milestone at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. David Zipkin, Tradewind co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, shared: “We’re thrilled to take delivery of the first of twenty brand-new PC-12 NGX aircraft. Tradewind is the largest US operator of Pilatus PC-12s for private charter, and these new aircraft will further expand our ability to grow and serve our clients with the very best flight experience. The PC-12 NGX provides the perfect balance of efficiency, comfort and superior performance for shorter flights and hard-to-reach destinations, allowing our clients to save precious time and focus on what’s most important to them.”
Pilatus’ most advanced single-engine turboprop, the PC-12 NGX, will join Tradewind’s fleet of PC-12s, further expanding their private charter options throughout North America and the remote islands of the Caribbean.
Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd’s President & CEO, Thomas Bosshard stated: “The PC-12 continues to lead the industry as the global fleet approaches 2,000 aircraft and ten million flight hours. The demand remains very strong among new and returning customers looking to upgrade. Our customers, especially fleet and charter operators, value the PC-12 NGX’s reliability, performance and elevated passenger experience. We are pleased to celebrate this ceremonial delivery with Tradewind, and look forward to commemorating their future growth and success.”
Eric Zipkin, Tradewind Aviation co-founder & President, added: “I am proud of all that the team at Tradewind have been able to accomplish in the past 20 years. From humble beginnings with a single plane, we have grown to a fleet of 23 and a team of over 220, firmly establishing Tradewind as the leader in so many premium markets, including the Northeast and Caribbean. The continued investment in, and expansion of, our Pilatus fleet is evidence of Tradewind’s continued growth and increased demand for private charter and we are thankful to our loyal guests and team for making this possible.”