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Diamond Aircraft Revives the Iconic DA20i Katana for European Market
Back by popular demand, Diamond Aircraft has announced that the iconic DA20i Katana will once again be produced at its European facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The order books are now open. In response to increased demand from flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners, Diamond Aircraft is restarting production of this two-seater, single-engine piston aircraft, renowned for its performance, reliability and value in training. The DA20i Katana, constructed in Europe
Garth Calitz
Oct 28, 20252 min read


Flying in Thunderstorms – Safety, Science and Sound Judgement
By Garth Calitz Flying light aircraft offers an incredible sense of freedom and mastery over the skies. Yet, that same sky can turn from tranquil to terrifying when thunderstorms appear, which is very common in the inland provinces of South Africa. For pilots of smaller aircraft, few weather phenomena are more dangerous, or less forgiving, than a mature cumulonimbus cloud. Avoidance, preparation, and sound judgment are the keys to survival. Understanding how thunderstorms for
Garth Calitz
Oct 21, 20255 min read


Sun ’n Fun 2025 – Revisiting Airspan Airfield
By Garth Calitz Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Magaliesburg foothills, between Olifantsnek Pass and Buffelspoort Dam, Airspan Airfield once again came alive for the Sun ’n Fun 2025 Fly-In. With its 900-meter tar runway, friendly atmosphere, excellent facilities and scenic surroundings, Airspan provided the perfect venue for a weekend celebrating the spirit of aviation. Many of the attendees were planning on making a weekend of it, camping under their wing, but
Garth Calitz
Oct 14, 20255 min read


South Africa’s “12-Year Engine” Rule: What, Why and What Comes Next
By Garth Calitz If you've been following South African general aviation, even just casually, the last few months might have felt like...
Garth Calitz
Oct 7, 20257 min read


Heidelberg Speed Rally – Season Finale
By Garth Calitz Arriving at Heidelberg on Saturday, the final Speed Rally of the 2025 season looked rather doubtful due to the nasty...
Garth Calitz
Oct 1, 20255 min read


South Africans Flying the Flag at World Rally Flying Championships
The Aero Club d’Italia hosted the 24th FAI World Rally Flying Championships in the town of Ferrara, 20nm northeast of Bologna. This was...
Garth Calitz
Oct 1, 20256 min read


RV Rendezvous 2025 – Mossel Bay
By Ian Beaton This was to be the first truly long cross-country in our fantastic machine. Theo and I spent a long time building our RV-10...
Garth Calitz
Oct 1, 20254 min read


Celebrating 70 Years of Innovation with the Cessna 182 Skylane
The Cessna Skylane, renowned for its exceptional performance and robust durability, is a favourite among pilots worldwide. With a perfect...
Garth Calitz
Sep 23, 20253 min read


Silver Creek Gorge Estate Annual Pancake Fly-in and Camp-over
By Garth Calitz Silver Creek Gorge Estate's EAA Pancake Day has become a hit fly-in event for pilots from Gauteng, Northwest, and...
Garth Calitz
Sep 17, 20253 min read


Bristell B23 Achieves FAA Certification
BRM AERO, the manufacturer of Bristell Aircraft, announced that the two-seat Bristell B23 has obtained Type Certification from the...
Garth Calitz
Sep 17, 20252 min read
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