Garth Calitz
- Jan 26
- 3 min
SAAF 41 Squadron “Count On Us”
The historical heritage of 41 Squadron has seen it serve as an Army co-operation unit, a fighter squadron, light reconnaissance, light air transport, VIP/IP and routine air transport unit. Originally founded on the 16 October 1940 at AFB Waterkloof as an army co-operation unit flying Hawker Hartbees biplanes, it was soon involved in the serious business of supporting the South African Forces during the Italian East Africa campaign. The initial involvement was cantered in Soma
1,393 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 26
- 1 min
The Bell 412 Surpasses 40 Years of Flight
To date, there have been more than 1,100 Bell 412s delivered across the globe, logging over 6.5 million flight hours. Since the introduction of the Bell 412 in 1981, Bell has developed 11 different variants, the latest being the recently unveiled Subaru Bell 412 EPX. The evolution of the Bell 412 is a testament to the incredible flexibility and durability of the aircraft, a utility helicopter with designs originating from the world-renowned and venerable Huey. Customers conti
1,078 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 26
- 5 min
Airbus E-Fan The future of electric aircraft
The development of the Airbus' E-Fan family accelerates the journey toward environmentally-friendly aviation. The E-Fan is bringing more-electric propulsion to the aviation industry. Developed in an Airbus-led European programme, the E-Fan’s history-making first version was designed specifically for electric power – an important stepping stone on Airbus’s electric aircraft roadmap and toward the future of electric and hybrid flight. In a second step, E-Fan was transformed int
1,081 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 26
- 6 min
Drones - Definitely not Child's Play
Are you hoping to receive a drone as your next birthday present? Don’t be fooled. Even if you easily pick one up in the toy aisle, they are not child’s play. Licensed operators report hearing of several cases in which drones were being used in public spaces, there was someone operating one at the recently held Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo which contravenes almost every conceivable law governing the operation of drones. Any person who purchases a drone, even if it’s a toy
1,409 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 19
- 9 min
Ongoing International Interest in the Denel Rooivalk
Denel has long been promoting the upgrade of the existing Rooivalk Helicopters, which are operational in the South African Air-force as well as the development of a next-generation Rooivalk Mk II for foreign clients. Foreign interest in the Rooivalk reignited once the helicopter was battle-tested with the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2013. Denel believes they could release the Rooivalk Mk II into service in four years,
1,985 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 19
- 2 min
All Nippon Helicopter’s Airbus H160 Maiden Flight
All Nippon Helicopter’s Airbus H160 has performed its first flight test, a 95-minute flight at the Marseille Provence Airport. This successful maiden flight paves the way for the aircraft’s entry into service in Japan. ANH deploys a helicopter fleet comprising six AS365s and five H135s for electronic newsgathering for the TV stations across Japan. This H160 will replace one of its AS365s. “We are delighted to see the successful inaugural flight of Japan’s very first H160, and
1,036 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 19
- 3 min
The RAF remembers the beginning of Operation Granby
The British military contribution to the Allied Coalition to remove the Iraqis from Kuwait was codenamed, Operation Granby. The 17th January marks the 30th anniversary of the first British airstrikes carried out by RAF Tornado’s against the Iraqi Air Force as part of the US-led Multi-national Coalition’s actions to liberate Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion on 2nd August 1990. The air campaign was to last for 43 days until the ceasefire on 28th February. The Coalition fiel
1,070 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 19
- 2 min
Bell Certify QuantiFLY - Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Device
Bell Helicopters recently announced that a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been issued for the Installation of QuantiFLY, a new aircraft communication unit (ACU) powered by Truth Data, offering a true low-cost, lightweight, and fully automatic flight data monitoring (FDM) solution currently available for the Bell 407GXi and Bell 429. Bell developed QuantiFLY with Appareo and FDM analytics to enable operators to affordable use the data from QuantiFLY to be actionable a
972 views
Garth Calitz
- Jan 19
- 2 min
Ozires Silva - The Flight of the Impossible
Ozires Silva, engineer and a pioneer in the Brazilian aviation industry as well as the leader of the group of visionaries who created Embraer. The company recently released an animated short film to celebrate the Brazilian aviation legend 90th birthday. The 14-minute-long 3D film reveals Ozires Silva's life starting with his childhood alongside his inseparable friend nicknamed Zico and progressing to his career as a military pilot and aeronautic engineer at Brazilian Air Forc
1,195 views
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