African Pilot Aviation News 34 2014 • Monday 25 August 2014 An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. - Author unknown Connecting with learners to address skills shortage in the Aerospace Industry The premier exhibition of air, sea and land technologies on the African continent and also what has now come to be known as the biggest aviation event in the Southern hemisphere, Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) continues to engage with South Africa’s learners through the Africa Aerospace & Defence Youth Development Programme (AAD YDP) Introduced in 2002. The AAD YDP’s key focus is to create awareness around various career opportunities in the defence and aviation sectors, while also promoting mathematics, science and technology in SA’s schools. Speaking at a sponsor’s event hosted by Airbus Defence & Space in Irene, Chairperson of the AAD YDP Mr Kholisile Khumalo highlighted the need and importance of creating awareness of the Aerospace industry and the careers that can be pursued to ensure that the skills required in this industry are promoted and maintained. The 8th edition of AAD will take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof Centurion; City of Tshwane, from 17 to 21 September 2014. This year’s presentation of the AAD Youth Development Programme consists of two categories: Trade Days –17-19 September Public Days (Airshow) – 20-21 September For information regarding school participation in the programme as well as other event related requirements, contact the YDP’s chairperson. YDP Committee Mr Kholisile Khumalo (Chairperson) Email: [email protected] Web: aadexpo.co.za The C130 Hercules is 60 years old On 23 August 1954 the first Hercules C130 flew for the first time at Burbank, California and 28 Squadron based at AFB Waterkloof is part of the world-wide family. Last year 28 Squadron celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Hercules, better known in South Africa as Flossie. 28 Squadron operates C-130BZs and looks set to do so for another six years at least before new airlift capacity becomes a reality for the airborne arm of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). To mark the 50th anniversary of service with the second oldest air force in the world, the BZs carrying the tail numbers 402 and 406 were adorned with special artwork “50 Years of Service” in painted in black on the front section of the fuselage. The Hercules is operated by 70 countries and South Africa ranks number five on the list of operators. As of July this year Lockheed Martin has delivered 2 471 production models of the C-130. With more than 300 already delivered production of the latest model C-130J now exceeds total production of the C-130B (230 built) and the C-130A (231 built). Probably one of the best remembered C-130 flights was the one undertaken by four Israeli Defence Force aircraft from Entebbe Airport in Uganda on 4 July 1976. The aircraft carried crack soldiers on a raid to rescue 90 hostages flown safely back to Israel. The most number of people ever crammed into a C-130 was an amazing 452. This happened on the last flight out of Saigon before that city fell to North Vietnamese forces on April 30, 1975. The aircraft is designed to carry 90 paratroopers with their gear. From 1957 to 1960 there was a dedicated C-130 aerial demonstration team called The Four Horsemen. Lockheed Martin maintains the team was the only one in the world ever to fly transport aircraft. The C-130 has the longest, continuous military aircraft production run in history and is one of the top three longest, continuous aircraft production lines of any type. The Hercules has been everywhere and is known for its ability to tackle any mission, anywhere, at any time. Aircrews have flown it to both poles, landed or airdropped military supplies to combat hot spots and performed countless relief operations around the globe. From the highest air strips in the Himalayas to landing on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean, the C-130 regularly defies expectations. What is scheduled for the next few weeks? 28 – 31 August Race of Champions CANCELLED – the KZN government has cancelled all further aviation events, therefore the highly successful KZN Winter Air Tour that had a three-year run will not be on the aviation calendar in 2015. Saturday SAAF Museum flying training and open days 6 September Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 e-mail: [email protected] 12 to 14 EAA Chapter 322 Sun ‘n Fun at Brits airfield Postponed September Contact Karl Jensen e-mail: [email protected] or 082 331 4652 13 & 14 SAC Gauteng regionals and Judges Trophy - Vereeniging September Contact Annie Boon e-mail: [email protected] 17 to 21 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2014) AFB Waterkloof, September City of Tshwane. South Africa e-mail: [email protected] Million dollar damages to Aero Commander An Aero commander plane belonging to a local Namibian aviation and charter company, Desert Air, suffered major damages on the runway of the Sesfontein airport on Friday. Three boys aged between nine and 12 broke into the aircraft, in the process stealing a number of electronic goods such as iPads and other valuable items. According to the company’s managing director Thys Rall, it will cost the company over a million dollars to repair the aircraft which will be out of service for up to a month while repairs are carried out. The front window alone is estimated to cost over US$43 000 (N$430 000). The culprits were apprehended and handed over to the Namibian police at Sesfontein. Aviation humour Koos Van der Merwe was flying down the freeway when one of those dreaded municipal cops came up behind with siren on and pulled him over. The cop came to the window and said “Do you realise that your wife fell out of the passenger door round that last big bend” “Thank God for that” said Van, “I thought that I had gone deaf.” Weekly News from African Pilot Should you happen to miss out on any edition of African Pilot’s weekly aviation news briefs, please visit the website: africanpilot.co.za and click on the Aviation News link on the front page. All past weekly African Pilot Aviation News briefs are archived on the website. Until next week, please be ‘Serious about flying’. Athol Franz (Editor) African Pilot ‘Serious about flying’.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:04:14 +0000
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