A research collaboration by MVRDV and Airbus to integrate Air Mobility into urban environments Thanks to advances in computing, materials, and electric propulsion technology, one of the most enduring symbols of futurism – flying vehicles – may soon become reality. But in spite of their long presence in the public consciousness, some fundamental questions have not, until now, been addressed: How will these flying vehicles impact our urban environments? How can issues of energy, sound, and safety be approached? What protocols should be established with authorities to guarantee their safe and harmonious integration? More importantly, how could they be leveraged to improve our cities – not only

Boeing, in cooperation with the SAAB, have developed a single-engine advanced jet trainer with a twin tail, tandem seating and retractable tricycle landing gear designated the Boeing T-X. The Boeing T-X demonstration models are powered by a General Electric F404 after-burning turbofan engine. On 16 September 2019, the USAF officially named the aircraft the "T-7A Red Hawk" as a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, who painted their aircraft tails red, and to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, one of the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and training simulators. The T-7A has already accumulated more than 175 hour

Main points Headline loss of R564 million for the six months ending 31 December 2019. R450 million is attributable to the increase in the IFRS9 loss allowance on the SAA damages claim. Earnings per share (EPS) declined by 543% to a loss per share (LPS) of 120.5 cents per share (prior period EPS: 27.2 cents per share). Headline earnings per share (HEPS) decreased by 546% to a headline loss per share (HLPS) of 121.2 cents per share (prior period HEPS: 27,2 cents per share). Revenue continued to perform well, increasing by 3% to R3,8 billion (prior period: R3,7 billion) Comair Limited reported a headline loss of R564 million in its interim results for the six months ending on 31 December 2019.

The South African Airways (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) Siviwe Dongwana and Les Matuson, requested an extension from lenders and creditors to extend the publication of the Business Rescue Plan to 31 March 2020. In terms of Section 150 (5) of the Companies Act, lenders and creditors were requested to agree on an extension by the BRPs’ on 26 February 2020. The emailed letter asked creditors to vote for or against the extension and email their votes by close of business on 27 February 2020. The BRPs confirm that a further extension for publication of the Plan from 28 February to 31 March 2020 has been approved by the requisite majority of creditors holding voting interests in the c

The South African Air Force (SAAF) received a request for sea rescue assistance from the South African Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to rescue 13 people who were on-board a rubber duck boat that capsized between Clifton beach and Oudekraal in Cape Town. The Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant General Zimpande Msimang has since authorised 22 Squadron, based at Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat to join other sea rescue entities involved in the joint sea rescue efforts. A SAAF Oryx helicopter crew (Major Juan-Pierrie du Preez - pilot, Major Tebogo Selepe - Co-pilot and Warrant Officer Gerard Usher - Flight engineer), managed to rescue two survivors and brought them to safety. The remaining people who wer

The U.S. Space Force’s Global Positioning System constellation provides unprecedented position and timing accuracy to the warfighter. Since the inception of GPS, it has become a global utility with commercial use far outweighing military use. Air traffic control, banking, farming and cellular networks all depend on uninterrupted GPS coverage. Set to launch in 2022, Navigation Technology Satellite 3, America’s next experimental navigation satellite, will push the boundary of today’s position, navigation, and timing technology to pave the way for a more flexible, robust, and resilient architecture for satellite navigation technology The Air Force recently announced the Vanguard Program as part

Daher have outlined the primary new features for the Model Year 2020 versions of its TBM 910 and TBM 940, which further enhance the experience for passengers and pilots aboard the company’s very fast turboprop aircraft. The Model Year 2020 TBM 940 will be equipped with HomeSafe™, an emergency autoland system that can guide the aircraft to a landing in the event of pilot incapacitation. Based on Garmin’s Autoland system – and available as a part of the G3000 integrated flight deck – HomeSafe™ integrates weather, traffic and terrain information to select the optimum airport for landing, considering such conditions as fuel range, flight distance and runway length. HomeSafe™ currently is under v

Embraer Executive Jets delivered 51 Phenom 300 and Phenom 300E light jets in 2019, making it the most delivered light jet of the year. This is the eighth consecutive year that the Phenom 300 achieves this mark, having accrued more than 530 deliveries since entering the market in December 2009. The information was released today by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). “Today’s delivery milestone only reinforces the success of this phenomenal aircraft platform, which recently received further performance, comfort and technology enhancements,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “Though it’s already the best-selling light jet in the world, we kick

Photos by Andre Venter and Trevor Cohen Polokwane, the Capital city of the Limpopo Province, was a hive of military activity the last week or so, the annual Armed Forces Celebrations took place in the City from 14 February to 21 February. Armed Forces Day commemorates the sinking of the SS Mendi in the English Channel on February 21 1917, it resulted in the deaths of over 600 soldiers from the South African Native Labour Corps, as well as commemorating all South African soldiers that paid the “ultimate price” to defend freedom‚ peace and justice. Over the years Armed Forces day has been extended to a week of activities hosted by one of the four branches of the SANDF, namely the SA Airforce,

After learning the theoretical side of Navigation plotting at the training camp held at Aerosud on the 18th of January, it was time to put into practice what was learned with a practical flight. The SAPFA national coach Jonty Esser put together a short route in the Brakpan Heidelberg area with 4 turnpoints to be flown by participating teams. The weather however did not play ball at all, restricting participants to arrive by air, however many decided to drive in, to at least do some ground school. At the end there were 9 teams that participated. On hand from the SAPFA Protea members were Jonty Esser, Frank Eckard, Sandi Goddard and Rob Jonkers imparting their knowledge to the teams. The theme

The SACAA today released the Preliminary Report on the crash of their Cessna Citation Calibration Aircraft. #SACAA #AccidentReport

Textron Aviation Inc announced a purchase contract with Pel-Air, based in New South Wales, Australia, for five Beechcraft King Air 350 air ambulance turboprop aircraft. The aircraft, configured for multi-stretcher operations, will be equipped with the aft cargo door and heavy weight options for additional performance capabilities. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year and run through 2021. The five King Air turboprops will be used by Pel-Air to provide contracted air ambulance service to NSW Air Ambulance, a government agency providing emergency services in New South Wales as part of NSW Health Service. The new aircraft, which will be based in Mascot at Sydney Airport, will replac

The Qantas Group has announced temporary reductions to flights across Asia in response to a drop in demand due to Coronavirus. The actions were announced as part of the Group’s Half Year Financial Results, where the net profit impact of Coronavirus was estimated at between $100 million to $150 million for FY20 – a figure softened by lower fuel prices. Reductions of around 5% will be made to Qantas and Jetstar’s flying between Australia and New Zealand. There is no change to other key parts of the Qantas International network, such as the US and UK, which remain unaffected. Reductions of around 2% of total Group domestic Australian flying in the second half are being made to reflect market de

Flying the Formula GT is almost like flying a hard-core aerobatic aircraft but with an extra seat and loads more baggage space. But no, it is not a competition aerobatic aircraft. The GT is more like a luxurious sport aerobatic capable cruiser which makes it an amazing utility aircraft. The six cylinder power under the cowl, combined with the lightweight airframe, is astonishing and the aircraft could easily be classed as a racer. However, the wing designer of this aircraft was way ahead of his class when he created the airfoil. Several high performance experimental aircraft today use the exact same wing. One example is the Turbine Legend, one of the fastest kit-built aircraft in the world.

The mighty Rooivalk AH-2A last week celebrated its thirtieth anniversary since its maiden flight on 11 February 2000 and it has come along way from the initial test flight of the XDM model. The Rooivalk project began in early 1984 under the auspices of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, a predecessor of Denel Aviation. Faced with the increasingly conventional nature of the South African Border War, the South African Defence Force recognised the need for a dedicated attack helicopter and accordingly began the process of developing a suitable aircraft. Specifically, the helicopter was to escort helicopter troop transports, conduct strike missions upon anti-aircraft positions, and effectively coun

In 2003 the Japanese government started a five-year, $420 million research program to study an indigenous regional jet for 30 to 90 passengers, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). In 2004 MHI was focused on a 2m high by 2.8m-wide, four-seat abreast cabin, seating 30 to 50 passengers, and was hoping to fly a prototype in 2007 and deliver the first aircraft in 2010. In 2005 it switched to a larger 70-90 seat category. MHI launched its concept at the 47th Paris Air Show in June 2007, showing a full-scale cabin mock-up and aiming to be the first regional jet all-composite airframe, with certification targeted for 2012. Mitsubishi formally offered the MRJ to airlines in October 2007, the fi

Fuel induction system icing, often referred to as “Carburettor Icing”, is the build-up of ice in the fuel induction system and can affect all types of piston engine aeroplanes, helicopters and gyroplanes. Our current weather conditions in the inland regions of South Africa are the perfect recipe for Carb Icing with falling temperatures and high relative humidity. There are three basic types of fuel induction system icing that may affect piston engines: Impact Ice. This is formed by the impact of moist air at temperatures between -10°C and 0°C on air scoops, throttle plates, heat valves, etc. It usually forms when visible moisture such as rain, snow, sleet, or clouds are present. Most rapid a

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp yesterday announced the all-new Gulfstream G700™ made its first flight, demonstrating the program’s maturity and officially launching the rigorous flight-test program of the most spacious jet in the industry with the longest range at the fastest speeds. The G700 departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 1:19 p.m. and landed 2 hours and 32 minutes later. The aircraft made the flight on a 30/70 blend of sustainable aviation fuel. “The G700’s first flight is a momentous occasion and the next step forward in Gulfstream’s vision for the future, a vision that has been guided by the strategic leadership of our parent company, General Dynamics, and the innovat

The A330-800 has received joint Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft’s certification flight-test campaign was successfully performed by aircraft MSN1888, which completed the programme in 370 flight test hours and 132 flights since its first flight in November 2018. The A330-800, part of a true new-generation A330neo family, is the most efficient, longest-range entry-level widebody and incorporates new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new 3D-optimised wing and new Sharklets using lighter composite materials. Together, these advances bring a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 25% compared with

Frank Losonsky, man considered to be the last surviving Flying Tiger, who joined the First American Volunteer Group in May 1941, passed away from natural causes at the age of 99. “Individuals like Frank Losonsky exemplify our core values,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “Frank was one of the youngest of this group of 311 young Americans who journeyed to Burma in 1941 to help defend freedom. His efforts, along with all of those who flew with the Flying Tigers, will continue to inspire future generations of American Airmen. What a grand life he led – he will be truly missed. ” Originally from Detroit, Losonsky, served as a crew chief maintaining the legendary P-40 Tomah