Good day All
The airshow season has well and truly begun with the first three shows done and so far it looks like we in for an amazing year. This weekend there is a break in the airshows with the next being Botswana International Airshow next Saturday. The Aerobatic guys will be on their way to Bloemfontein for the Free State Regionals which will be held on Saturday and Sunday at New Tempe Airfield.
For those who prefer more relaxed flying there will be a breakfast fly in to Panorama Airfield on Saturday.
Denel CEO resigns
Denel group chief executive officer‚ Zwelakhe Ntshepe‚ has resigned with immediate effect after being with the company for 20 years.
Denel is a state-owned commercially-driven company and strategic partner for defence, security, and related technology solutions. It groups together several defence and aerospace divisions and associated companies.
Ntshepe was appointed as the group’s chief executive officer six months ago‚ following a two-year-acting period‚ the board said in a statement. He reportedly cited personal reasons for leaving the company in his resignation letter.
In the interim, the board has appointed the chief executive of Denel Aeronautics‚ Michael Kgobe‚ as the acting group chief executive.
Kgobe has an aeronautical engineering background and has been with the company since May 2000 growing up the management ranks and was appointed chief executive of Denel Aviation, the precursor to Denel Aeronautics, in 2010.
He is credited with overseeing the successful turnaround and diversification of the division and its rapid growth into being one of the best performing divisions within the Denel Group.
In September 2016, Kgobe was tasked with the consolidation of Denel Aerostructures (SOC) Ltd and Denel Aviation into a single operating division, which became what is now known as Denel Aeronautics which reported a consolidated R1.6bn revenue in 2016/17 with a staff complement of 952 employees.
Kgobe has a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Production and Maintenance from Toulouse, France; and successfully completed the UNISA Executive Leadership Programme and the Henley Business School Executive Development Programme.
Chairman of the board, Monhla Hlahla, says the board wishes to thank the outgoing Ntshepe for the contribution he has made to the group over the years.
Hlahla further wishes to assure employees, suppliers, customers and all stakeholders that the board is focused on a turnaround that will deal with the current liquidity and performance issues in the company.
Gulfstream's New Twins Log Record Transpacific Flights
Gulfstream G500 and G600
In late April, the Gulfstream G500 and G600 established new flight records in their weight classes from Shanghai to Honolulu and also from Honolulu to Gulfstream Aerospace's headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The soon-to-be-certified twinjets each flew at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
As the Gulfstream G500 and G600 close in on expected FAA approvals—midyear for the former and by year-end for the latter—the twinjets have each racked up transpacific flight records in their respective weight classes, Gulfstream Aerospace announced today.
On April 20, the G500 and G600 flew from Shanghai to Honolulu at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
The G500 made the flight in 8 hours and 34 minutes, with the G600 taking just one minute longer. The following day, the sister airplanes flew from Honolulu to Gulfstream's headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. At an average speed of Mach 0.90, the G500 accomplished the flight in 7 hours and 44 minutes. The G600 clocked in at 7 hours and 49 minutes.
“Gulfstream customers are accustomed to flying practically anywhere in the world at record speeds, and the G500 and G600 have been doing just that as they near certification,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “These records showcase the real-world capabilities of these impressive aircraft.”
The city-pair records are pending confirmation with the National Aeronautic Association, Gulfstream said.
