Good day all
Rand Airport in Germiston will be the centre of aviation attractions this coming weekend stating on Saturday the 18th with an open day at Central Flying Academy.
As one of the largest flying schools in Southern Africa, Central Flying Academy is able to provide a wide range of training; from ab-initio flight training right through to Commercial Pilots License (CPL), Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Instructor Rating and all related theoretical courses to name just a few.
So, whether you’re an aspiring professional pilot, or a recreational flyer, Central Flying Academy will satisfy your training requirements feel free to visit them.
On Sunday 19th August Rand will be very active with the next instalment of one of South Africa's favourite Airshows The Grand Rand Airshow.
The Rand Airshow makes for a great family day out of the house. You can expect the flying aces of South Africa to descend onto Rand Airport over the weekend for some tricks, stunts and demos! Featuring old warbirds, helicopters, military displays, aerobatics, and much much more...with an amazing kids zone.
Important Information
Tickets are R70 for adults and R30 for kids under 12. Under 6 free.
Tickets can only be purchased at the gates on the day
Card facilities are available for ticket purchasing – please bring cash
Gates open at 7am
The airshow starts at 10am and continues until 4pm
Shuttle for the disabled to the Main entrance will be available
Free Parking off sight
Designated parking for motorcycles
General rules
No access will be granted without a ticket
All private areas require wrist bands to gain access.
Hawkers found will be removed by security and their goods confiscated
No shading e.g. gazebo's or free standing umbrellas will be allowed through the gates
No charcoal or gas braais (including open fires). This includes the car park areas
No fireworks, balloons, self-propelled model aeroplanes, flying toys, kites,Frisbees are allowed as these pose a serious safety hazard to the pilots
No alcohol is allowed. Bags maybe searched .The Harvard and the beer tent will sell alcohol
No littering. Please use the numerous bins that are attached to the crowd barriers for your convenience
No vehicles including motorcycles, bicycles to operate in public areas. This will include scooters, skateboards, etc.
No public are allowed access to the flight line or Control Tower
Other restricted areas include the fuel depot, Fire Services and SAAF aircraft, private hangars and airport management offices
No persons may remain in the car park areas, except for the specially demarcated car park area at the SAA museum
Approved vendors must operate from their demarcated stalls only. They may not move between the public to sell their goods
No refunds will be given, unless the event is cancelled. In such a case refunds will be granted.
ExecuJet welcomes first Pilatus PC-24 to Africa
ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, is announcing that it will be the first business aviation company to operate and manage a Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet in Africa.
The aircraft will be based in South Africa at Cape Town International Airport and ExecuJet will be responsible for its day-to-day management and operations on behalf of the aircraft owner. The PC-24, developed by Swiss OEM Pilatus, has been dubbed the Super Versatile Jet due to its flexibility and ability to operate in and out of very short and unpaved runways.The aircraft received EASA and FAA type certification on 7 December 2017.
The PC-24 will also be available for charter and offers clients the latest in in-flight entertainment and connectivity. With six passengers, departing Cape Town, the aircraft can reach Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Flying from ExecuJet’s FBO at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg, passengers can reach DRC, Tanzania, Kenya and Mauritius, according to Pilatus.
Gavin Kiggen, Vice President Africa, ExecuJet, says: “Africa is the perfect environment for the PC-24, with its testing terrain and challenging runways, and we are honoured to be the first business aviation operator to manage the aircraft in the region. ExecuJet’s worldwide commitment to service excellence makes us industry-leading in our field, which is testament to all the hard work and dedication exhibited by our staff and partners. We are looking forward to welcoming the aircraft when it arrives at our Cape Town facility in October.”
The PC-24’s interior is unmatched in its combined comfort and functionality. Each component has been chosen to enhance the passenger experience: soft leathers and rare hardwood cabinetry create a bespoke interior that reflects the meticulous design of the aircraft as a whole. The generously sized cabin boasts a continuous flat floor, and allows for an exceptional amount of headroom for both passengers and crew.
ExecuJet manages 165 business jets worldwide.
SKP SPITFIRE RESTORATION PROJECT
Spitfire 5518 flew in the SAAF between 1948 and 1953. It became a Gate Guard at Waterkloof and was transferred to the SAAF Museum in 1985. It was restored and painted as 5553, AX@K, which served in 1 Squadron in 1949. It flew again, after restoration, in 1995. In April 2000 it crashed during an air display, and it has been decided that this Spitfire will be restored, AGAIN
The SAAF Museum's Spitfire Restoration Project team is in urgent need of funds to:
1.) Erect a workshop facility (hangar) where Spitfire HF Mk.IXe, TE213, SAAF 5518 can be restored - the last airframe of this mark. The hangar will be based at AFB Swartkop, Centurion, South Africa's oldest air force base and houses the South African Air Force Museum.
The hangar is essential for the project to continue from a restoration perspective plus it will serve as a venue to train young aviation students and enthusiasts with much-needed artisan skills.
2.) The team is looking at raising funds and sponsorship deals to repair significant components within the local aero industry, as well as utilising other companies to carry out smaller tasks. A Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) has been registered to ring-fence the project’s finances, and provide a tax deduction opportunity for anyone who donates to the project.
Short-term goals are to obtain the drawings of support jigs for the wings, fuselage, empennage and engine frame, which will enable the repair of assemblies to commence. The propeller assembly is also a priority.
The association to the Spitfire project does not exclude other current project opportunities from also sharing this space with the Spitfire project.
The SAAF approved workshop facility is to be built with the short to medium term objective of providing the Spitfire Restoration Project with a dedicated facility to restore TE213/5518.
The restoration facility will further promote restoration skills development, training and provision of a facility that would allow aviation apprentices to complete practical study requirements. The facility's importance to the museum and preservation of vintage aircraft will expand over time.
The workshop will also house a Spitfire Simulator which will be used to generate project funds as well as offer the first of its type facility in the world to train pilots on the Spitfire.
The planning phase of the project has been completed and can commence immediately on the construction of the workshop facility.
The Project will require a significant initial investment to construct the workshop and skills development facility. Following the initial investment, over time further funding will be necessary for tooling the facility.
The utilisation of such a facility will immediately support the needs of the Spitfire Restoration Project TE213/5518 and our mandate of skills development. The project currently has insufficient workshop space to commence the necessary restoration activities and upskilling of unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 29.
SA Express, SAA merger underway
The process to merge South African Express (SA Express) with South African Airways (SAA) is underway, public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan said on Wednesday, 15 August 2018.
In his presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, the minister said the first step had already been taken.
“The first step of consolidating SA Express with SAA has just been concluded, which was to place both airlines within one shareholder ministry. SAA has been transferred back to the department,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month transferred the administration of the South African Airways Act and accompanying functions from the Minister of Finance back to the Minister of Public Enterprises. The transfer was signed by the President on 25 July 2018 and gazetted on 1 August 2018. In December 2014, government announced the move of SAA from the Department of Public Enterprises to National Treasury.
In his update, Gordhan said the boards and executive leadership of both airlines have been tasked with identifying quick wins to stabilise the two state-owned airlines. These quick wins include technical, fuel and route rationalisation.He said the SA Express board is expected to submit a bankable business model for commercial recovery and long-term sustainability.
In May, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced the suspension of SA Express’s air operator’s certificate and the certificates of airworthiness (CoA) of nine of the 21 aircraft being operated by the airline.
Domestic flights in South Africa should be back to full complement with the reinstatement of SA Express which offers a feeder network to domestic flight destinations...
The CAA reinstated its Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) certification on 22 June 2018. Subsequently in July, SA Express announced that it was readying itself for take-off.It has undergone a stringent and rigorous process to meet the regulator’s high standards.
On Wednesday, Gordhan said SA Express - with its new interim chief executive officer, Siza Mzimela - would commence operations next week.
“The entity has received an airline operating certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority and will resume a flight schedule shortly,” said the Minister.
At a media briefing in May, Gordhan said government wanted to merge national carrier SAA with SA Express and Mango, as the three airlines fly to the same destinations.
The Minister told Parliament on Wednesday that SA Express continues to face liquidity and solvency challenges. While government has provided the airline with a government guarantee of R1.74bn, the department says immediate recapitalisation is required.
In addition, the airline is in the process of finalising its annual financial statements for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial year due to going concern challenges.
Gordhan said the lack of revenue generation due to the grounding of the airline has exacerbated the challenges of the airline. This is against the backdrop of allegations of high levels of corruption, among other things.
Source: kritchanut ©
