Good day All
It has been yet another sad week for general aviation in South Africa with the fatal crash of Rego Burger in Port Elizabeth and the disappearance of Johan Fourie during a flight from Newcastle to the St Lucia, please guys be safe out there.
This coming weekend, Youth Day, promises to be a busy one for the Aviation fraternity with a few really interesting events on the cards.
Canard- Afirk will be hosting a Canard Conference at Wonderboom Airport everyone will be getting together at Sport Plane Builders Hangar 58, Unit C, Wonderboom Airport early on Saturday morning 16 June.
Benoni Airport will become a Cessna Haven on Saturday 16 June as Brackpan Aero Club attempts to set a new record for the most Cessna’s on an airfield at a single time, so if you fly a Cessna please make your way across to Benoni and join this attempt, all other aircraft are welcome too.
Race for Rhinos is almost upon us and it is gearing up to be on for the record books if you haven’t booked yet please don’t hesitate time is running out quickly.
THE AIRPLANE FACTORY UNVEILS ITS EAGERLY ANTICIPATED SLING TSI
The eagerly anticipated Sling TSi test article recently made its public debut in South Africa and will be unveiled at the upcoming EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA in July 2018. The Sling TSi, like its predecessors, has received critical acclaim for its capabilities, effortless handling and all-round functionality. The name ‘TSi’ is a homage to its Rotax 915 iS engine and marks a new chapter in TAF’s vision to build the world’s most loved light aircraft. Mike Blyth, founder of The Airplane Factory had this to say of their latest development; “The brand-new Sling TSi stands out as the new standard for 4-seat experimental aircraft. It outperforms most others in every way. Compared to previous models it has increased speed, increased rate of climb, longer range, increased carrying capacity, more space and greater comfort all whilst flying the best handling aircraft in its class!” The Sling TSi is powered by a 141hp Rotax 915 iS Fuel Injected Turbo Charged Engine burning just 8 gph (31 lt/hr) in the cruise. During test flights, the aircraft reached a maximum straight and level speed of 155 KTAS and has a range of 800 Nm. With its luxurious cabin, low fuel burn and Garmin avionics, it will please private pilots and flight-training organisations alike. This 4-place aircraft comes standard with a bespoke 3 blade Airmaster constant speed propeller, Garmin 10 inch G3X touch EFIS, Garmin G5 backup EFIS, Garmin GTR 200 COM radio, Garmin GTX 35R remote transponder, Garmin autopilot system with GMC 307 autopilot controller and PM 1000 II 4-place intercom. The completely redesigned exterior features high quality materials and design integrity, as well as great practicality and a range of technologies to improve comfort, convenience and safety. Enhancements include:
• New flush rivet forward fuselage, wings and empennage.
• New canopy design with improved doors, bonded windscreen and redesigned larger rear window area.
• New dash with larger instrument panel.
• New low drag airfoil shaped main gear leg.
• New larger low drag wheel spats.
• New cowling design.
• New interior upholstery and seat design.
• New vertical stabiliser fairing design.
The result is an aircraft with an uncompromising mission: To offer unrivalled performance, safety and reliability in the hands of all pilots no matter the mission.
For more information on the Sling TSi, contact The Airplane Factory on +27 11 948 9898 or email us at sales@airplanefactory.co.za.
Star Alliance confident that SAA will pull through
Although South African Airways has challenges in terms of its turnaround, its global airline partner alliance Star Alliance is confident that the airline will manage to pull through.
SAA plays a very important role for Star Alliance, Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Star Alliance said at the recent 74th annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) in Sydney.
"SAA is a long standing member of Star Alliance, with its 28 airline members across the world. Yes, SAA has challenges in terms of its turnaround, but I am confident that under its new leadership, SAA will succeed."Goh said Star Alliance always looks at ways to support SAA in its attempts to meet challenges. "SAA’s new leadership also seems focused on the customer experience, which aligns with the Star Alliance strategy," said Goh.
He said digitisation was a big focus for Star Alliance, and the airline alliance is looking into how to leverage technology to enhance the customer experience, including regarding loyalty programmes.
He said currently Star Alliance is putting the emphasis more on customer experience than on expanding the membership of the alliance even more.
"Generally, Star Alliance has grown to a certain size, and our executive board feels our membership provides sufficient coverage to provide global service. At the moment there really are no more airlines we feel we should add to our alliance which could add more value. That is why we are not just chasing more airline membership," said Goh.
The airport experience of passengers is an important area of focus. This includes the experience of customers when on their way to the airport.
Another way digitisation could be used to enhance the passenger experience would be the introduction of a virtual digital assistant to help passengers get from one flight to the next, or to check in on any of the member airlines using the member airline’s website or app of choice.
Star Alliance wants to think long-term, while delivering short-term.
Some aspects to enhance the customer experience include the ability to track baggage even among different Star Alliance member airlines and throughout the whole journey. Star Alliance is also aiming to develop the ability to reserve seats among its various members at the booking stage, despite some challenges in making this a reality.
100 days countdown to Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition
Delegates and stakeholders met at the South African Air Force base in Waterkloof to witness the official launch of the 100 days countdown for the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition.
Chairman of Africa Association and Defence 2018 (AAD2018) and chief executive of Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa, Leon Dillman, will sign a memorandum of understanding between Africa aerospace and strategic partners.
This event marks the official countdown towards the 10th edition of the exhibition expected to attract at least 90 000 people between September 19 and 23.
This year's exhibition was themed: "Unlocking Africa's Aerospace and Defence Potential". It will showcase why the AAD expo is deemed the only expo of its kind in Africa and why it rightfully competes with other aero expos in the world
The show was designed to be an important barometer of the growth potential of the defence and aviation sector on the continent.
Chairperson of AAD Youth Development, Kholisile khumalo, was proud to highlight that AAD was the first aerospace expo that had a young programme in the world. He said the exhibition offered guests and delegates opportunities and space to engage with other industry role players.
At the event the official AAD 2018 Mobile App was launched and is now available free for download from Google Play and the App Store. The #AAD2018 Mobile App is fitted with features that include exhibition layouts, stand and exhibitor information, live alerts and product launches, news, events and more.
Download it now – free from data usage across leading SA mobile operators!
Please click Picture to download
