This week in Midweek Updates
Media Release No. 6. Date 11 July 2025 aviation response and actions since our last media statement against engine ruling.
Sonex Highwing update: first flight.
Entering retirement: The RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6.
De Havilland Canada announces sale of Twin Otter Classic 300-G to United States Air Force.
Bell to build X-Plane for Phase 2 of DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane Program.
SAAF readying for Exercise Eagle Dawn.
New AMD leadership announced.
SAAF looking to Pakistan for training and aircraft maintenance.
This Week in History - 6 June 1966 - Gemini 9 landed in the Pacific after 45 orbits of Earth during the 72 h 20 min flight.
World Wide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus Video- Allo III and II Brakpan to Orient
Media Release No. 6. Date 11 July 2025 Aviation Response and Actions Since Our Last Media Statement Against Engine Ruling
Issued by the AIC 18. 19 Task Team under the collective auspices of the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa (CAASA), the Aeroclub of South Africa, the Aviation Watch Action Committee, the Aviation Action Group and Concerned Aircraft Owners, Pilots, Engineers and Operators.
1. Virtual Meeting with the Minister (26 June 2025)
While the Aero event was underway, Minister Barbara Creecy convened a virtual follow-up meeting to address outstanding issues, notably our letter on AIC 18.19. Task Team members and SACAA's full executive were present. This was our final bid for a negotiated solution.
2. Minister's Directive & Our Submission
At Minister Creecy's request, the Task Team submitted a detailed letter of concerns-by the extended deadline of 28 June-and tendered our draft urgent-interdict application to demonstrate both our sincerity and readiness to litigate if necessary. We made clear that we would withhold filing should SACAA show genuine intent to amend or rescind the flawed regulation.
3. Silence & Legal Counter preparation
Despite the Minister's and SACAA commitment to respond by 1st July 2025, no communication was received. The decision to file was after there was no response.
4. Filing for Relief & SACAA's After-the-Fact Forum
Following our agreed course of action, the Task Team's amended urgent-interdict application was formally filed at 13:10:14 SAST on 9th July 2025. Only thereafter did SACAA convene an “industry forum” on CATS 43 interpretation-far too late and symptomatic of their poor communication processes.
On the 10th July, when SACAA's attorneys (Mfinci Bahlmann Inc.) issued a letter to our legal team, notably after filing our matter. SACAA also sought a separate meeting with AeCSA-declined in deference to the agreed multi-party process-even though their legal position was already crystallized. The regulator should have called a meeting with all the parties.
5. Call for Lasting Resolution
The AIC 18.19 framework has safely governed engines beyond 12 years of calendar life for 19 years, validated by modern engineering tests and statistical analyses. Its unmodified integration into Part 43 would secure another two decades of predictable, cost-effective airworthiness oversight. Until SACAA provides pertinent safety data and engages in bona fide consultation, general aviation remains under existential threat.
6. Next Steps & Solidarity
We await the court's scheduling of our interdict hearing and will announce the date in due course. In the meantime, the Task Team stands united: “United we stand; divided, the industry will be irreparably harmed.” We call on all stakeholders to intervene and restore a regulatory environment that safeguards both safety and the livelihoods of thousands of South African aviators.
A progress virtual meeting by the AIC 18.19 Task Team will be held at 9am on the 16th July 2025.
A link will be sent out early next week via the usual channels. Please contact your club, association or organisation for details to become involved or contribute:
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Johan Lottering +2782-550-3665 / info@jclpublications.co.za
Kevin Storie, CEO of CAASA, kev@caasa.co.za
Sonex Highwing Update: First Flight
Sonex is excited to announce first flight of the Sonex Highwing! The flight took place on the evening of Monday, June 30 2025, piloted by Sonex Advisory Board member Joe Norris. The flight was kept brief due to a passenger-side door latch issue, however, all engine temperatures were in the green and the aircraft handled as-expected with only slight rigging adjustments needed. Weight & balance for the prototype is on-target with the aircraft currently at 816 lbs. empty.
Since we know you, all are dying to know, here are some preliminary numbers from flight test of the Sonex Highwing! After last week's brief first flight, we took some time to make door latch and control rigging adjustments, installed the wheel pants and gear leg fairings, waited for some weather, enjoyed the 4th of July 3-day weekend, and made the second flight of N225SH this morning. Test pilot Joe Norris orbited Wittman Regional Airport at 2500 feet for approximately 20 minutes, logging an extremely successful flight. Limited to 80% Throttle for the first 15 hours per UL Power break-in instructions, the aircraft still climbed extremely well and showed impressive speeds in level flight.
More flights will take place soon (with wheel pants and gear leg fairings installed) and we will be collecting and reporting performance numbers in the coming weeks.
Entering Retirement: The RV-3, RV-4, And RV-6
After decades of offering the RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6 to the builder community, we are preparing to retire these models from active kit production.
These aircraft represent the earliest chapters of Van's Aircraft and are the foundation of Total Performance. As kit orders for these models have declined, and as we focus on streamlining operations and bringing new designs into production, we've decided to end active kit production for these RV models.
The last day to order kits for the RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6 is September 30th, 2025. After that date, we will no longer manufacture empennage, fuselage, wing, or finish kits for these aircraft.
To order a new RV-3, RV-4, or RV-6 kit - or to order kit portions you need to finish an ongoing project - please call 503-678-6545 or email us at kits@vansaircraft.com.
Support continues: We will continue offering replacement parts and technical assistance.
While this chapter is closing, the RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6 remain a lasting part of the Van's story and a testament to the joy of building and flying an RV.
De Havilland Canada Announces Sale of Twin Otter Classic 300-G to United States Air Force
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is pleased to announce the sale of one Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to the United States Air Force (USAF) for the Guatemala Air Force. This acquisition underscores the enduring reputation of the Twin Otter as the world's most versatile and rugged utility aircraft, trusted by governments and operators in the most challenging environments.
The Twin Otter Classic 300-G, the latest generation of the legendary aircraft, combines advanced avionics, enhanced payload capacity, and modern safety systems with the proven short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance that has made the Twin Otter a global leader in utility aviation.
“The Twin Otter Classic 300-G offers unmatched performance, versatility, and reliability for a wide range of missions-from humanitarian assistance and medical evacuation to troop transport and border surveillance,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at De Havilland Canada.” “We are proud to support and strengthen regional connectivity through this aircraft.
The aircraft will play a key role in delivering essential services to remote and underserved regions, improve disaster response, and contribute to regional stability.
The Twin Otter continues to serve more than 60 military and government operators worldwide and has accumulated over 160 million flight hours since its introduction. With the new 300-G, De Havilland Canada reaffirms its commitment to delivering dependable and modern aviation solutions for both civil and defence applications.
Bell To Build X-Plane for Phase 2 Of DARPA Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane Program
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been down-selected for Phase 2 of Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with the objective to complete design, construction, ground testing and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.
“Bell is honoured to have been selected for the next phase of DARPA's SPRINT program and is excited to demonstrate a brand-new aircraft with the first-ever stop/fold technology,” said Jason Hurst, senior vice president, Engineering. “This is an achievement we've been working towards for over 10 years, as we've leveraged our nearly 90-year history of X-plane development to bring new technology to our warfighters.”
The goal of the program is to provide these aircraft with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments from unprepared surfaces. In Phase 1A and 1B, Bell completed conceptual and preliminary design efforts for the SPRINT X-plane. Phase 2 includes detailed design and build culminating in flight test during Phase 3.
In preparation for X-plane development, Bell has completed significant risk reduction activities including demonstrating folding rotor, integrated propulsion, and flight control technologies at Holloman Air Force Base as well as wind tunnel testing at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University. Bell has a rich history of breaking barriers and high-speed vertical lift technology development, pioneering innovative VTOL configurations like the X-14, X-22, XV-3 and XV-15 for NASA, the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and continues to build on the legacy of the Bell X-1.
SAAF Readying for Exercise Eagle Dawn www.defenceweb.co.za
SA Air Force (SAAF) bases and facilities in Gauteng and Limpopo are preparing for Exercise Eagle Dawn to test capabilities and align the airborne service with deployment requirements.
The exercise is headed by Brigadier General Alex Kitley, who is as far as this publication knows, is Director Helicopter Systems, and will take place from 21 July to 6 August. Sergeant Tshimolloyabotshelo Matsha, in-house journalist for the SAAF publication Ad Astra, reports the two SAAF bases in Limpopo - Hoedspruit and Makhado - “together with Pretoria bases” will be part of what appears to be a first for Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo's service.
Another reported focus for Eagle Dawn is “regaining the force preparations needed to make the SAAF proficient again. We will be testing air defence capabilities and that requires other arms of service to rope along”.
Sites selected for Eagle Dawn are said to be “practical” as the “northern provinces” offer space to manoeuvre and with the SA Army nearby on the border protection tasking the SAAF will be “activated” in Operation Corona.
Lieutenant Colonel Shuping Sephadi, responsible for Doctrine and Exercises, a section reporting to the Chief Director Force Preparation, is on record as saying: “Our [the SAAF] role is to make sure that the exercise is conducted with the relevant military regulatory instructions and the doctrine itself. So far, so good with the planning sessions, the exercise is set to detail and tighten SAAF doctrines”.
The involvement of elements from Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha's landward force saw Chief Director Force Preparation, Major General, Carl Moatshe tell Ad Astra: “As the SA Air Force we need to test our SA Air Force unique doctrines and we need to align ourselves with the processes of deployment and required operations. The exercise will come across as a SAAF unique force exercise because we will be including other elements outside the SA Air Force. The objectives of the Exercise Eagle Dawn 2025 are specifically for SAAF personnel to get combat ready”.
At the end of June, defenceWeb asked the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Directorate Corporate Communication (DCC) if the airborne service would be staging Exercise Winter Solstice. Previous and not regular iterations of Winter Solstice had force preparation as a priority. At the time of publication, no response was forthcoming on the Winter Solstice exercise as well as two other SAAF related questions.
New AMD Leadership Announced www.defenceweb.co.za
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) has announced a new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson following the departure of former SA Air Force Chief Fabian Msimang.
Msimang was elected as the Chairperson of AMD earlier this year, but left with effect from 5 June following “a change in personal circumstances”. He was no longer eligible to serve on the AMD board after he stopped representing Swatek Aerospace and Defence and was therefore no longer part of the defence industry.
In a letter to all AMD members and stakeholders on 7 July, AMD Executive Director Sandile Ndlovu announced the appointment of Nico Troostheide and Isaac Motale as the new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively, of the Board of Directors.
Troostheide previously served as the Deputy (and Acting) Chairperson of AMD, “during which time he demonstrated steady and visionary leadership in guiding the Association through a critical period of transition. He is currently the Regional Executive at GAC Laser, a leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider, where he plays a strategic role in supporting defence and aerospace clients across Southern Africa and abroad,” AMD stated.
“With vast industry knowledge and over two decades of experience in logistics, defence operations, and supply chain integration, Mr Troosheide brings a wealth of expertise to the AMD Board.”
Motale is the current Chief Executive Officer of ILC Lerumo, and “also brings an impressive portfolio of experience, having operated at the intersection of defence innovation, military logistics, engineering services, and technology-based solutions. Under his leadership, ILC Lerumo has grown to become a notable player in the defence and security ecosystem, particularly in offering indigenous solutions aligned with national defence imperatives,” AMD said.
Motale also serves on the SAAMDEC Board, and has also previously led this Board as its Chairperson. He also serves as the Chairperson the AMD NCACC (National Conventional Arms Control Committee) Task Team, where he is charged with leading South African defence industry interactions with the NCACC and DCAC (Directorate Conventional Arms Control). He was instrumental in working, as part of the collective, on the unlocking of SADI exports to the Middle East, AMD highlighted.
“Mr Motale is a passionate advocate for SME empowerment, skills development, and inclusive industrial participation. His appointment as Deputy Chairperson reflects AMD's commitment to drawing on diverse perspectives that combine technical knowledge, business innovation, and transformation imperatives. His active participation in AMD structures over the years has been critical in shaping policy submissions, industry advocacy, and market access initiatives,” the AMD notice read.
“Both Mr Troostheide and Mr Motale, are well-positioned to lead the Association in delivering on its mandate of advocacy, market development, stakeholder coordination, and export support. Their complimentary skills and expertise will serve them well, as they lead AMD into a new strategic direction.”
The new AMD leadership “will be critical in navigating complex defence policy landscapes, growing member participation in export opportunities, and building a globally competitive South African defence industrial base,” the organisation said, describing their appointment as an “exciting new chapter.”
SAAF Looking to Pakistan for Training and Aircraft Maintenance www.defenceweb.co.za
SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was in Pakistan earlier this month (July) where, reports have it, “revamping” of the South African airborne service's training regime was an agenda item.
The South African three-star expressed his “desire” for support from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to develop a modern and comprehensive training framework, beginning at academy level. During his meeting with PAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Mbambo requested the participation of SAAF officers as observers in major PAF operational exercises to enhance learning and foster collaboration, according to Pakistan Armed Forces ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations).
Also, on the agenda was increased technical collaboration between the two air forces, with aircraft maintenance a high priority. “Acknowledging the technical excellence and cost-effective maintenance capabilities offered by PAF's engineering infrastructure, he also conveyed the intent of the South African Air Force to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan,” the ISPR department said of Mbambo.
Defence and aviation expert Dean Wingrin noted that Pakistan operates a fleet of five elderly C-130B Hercules transports, similar to what the SAAF operates. The PAF also has nine C-130E and four C-130H. India, on the other hand, operates 12 of the much more modern C-130J variant. “So, there is some commonality between South Africa and Pakistan,” he stated.
During the 2 July meeting, the South African air boss “lauded” the PAF's operational readiness, commending its multi-domain warfare capabilities and success in maintaining a credible deterrence posture. He acknowledged the high standards maintained by the PAF and expressed his admiration for its technical excellence, according to ISPR.
In turn, Sidhu highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Pakistan and South Africa, emphasising shared values and aspirations underpinning the two nations' “deep-rooted friendship”. He reiterated the PAF commitment to strengthening SAAF aerial combat capabilities through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives, ISPR reported.
Pakistan and South Africa hold regular military engagements - for example in August 2024 Sidhu spent six days visiting his counterpart in South Africa, and in October, South African Special Forces were in Pakistan for a two-week long exercise with their Pakistani counterparts, with a focus on counter-terrorism.
South African and Pakistani military representatives have made numerous visits to each other's respective countries over the years - notably, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, visited Pakistan in July 2021.
In March 2017, South Africa and Pakistan signed a government-to-government defence co-operation agreement which included industrial co-operation. The Pakistani military has sent students to the Army College in South Africa while Pakistan accepted South African officers for staff college training. Pakistan has also trained South African personnel in special forces roles. In 2019 the SANDF said around 40 South African commanders were trained in Pakistan. This included counter-terrorism training.
Gemini 9A was a 1966 crewed spaceflight in NASA's Gemini program. It was the seventh crewed Gemini flight, the 15th crewed American flight and the 23rd spaceflight of all time (includes X-15 flights over 100 kilometres (62 mi; 54 nmi)).
The original crew for Gemini 9, command pilot Elliot See and pilot Charles Bassett, were killed in a crash on 28 February 1966, while flying a T-38 jet trainer to the McDonnell Aircraft plant in St. Louis, Missouri to inspect their spacecraft. Their deaths promoted the backup crew, Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene Cernan, to the prime crew.
The mission was renamed Gemini 9A after the original May 17 launch was scrubbed when the mission's Agena Target Vehicle was destroyed after a launch failure. The mission was flown 3 to 6 June 1966, after launch of the backup Augmented Target Docking Adaptor (ATDA). Stafford and Cernan rendezvoused with the ATDA, but were unable to dock with it because the nose fairing had failed to eject from the docking target due to a launch preparation error.
Italy, Bergamo-Orio Al Serio Airport (BGY/LIME): At approximately 10:20 AM, a man, neither a passenger nor an airport employee, entered the parking area of Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo by driving the wrong way through a designated bus lane. After abandoning his vehicle, he proceeded on foot toward the terminal's arrivals area. Upon reaching the arrivals hall, he began running, drawing the attention of two border police officers, who immediately initiated a pursuit. Taking advantage of the crowded arrivals area, the man slipped through an exit-only sliding door and entered the baggage claim section. There, he breached a secure door, gaining unauthorized access to the airport's airside operations area. Once on the taxiway, he approached a Volotea aircraft preparing for departure to Oviedo, Spain. Pursued by law enforcement officers, airport staff, and baggage handlers, he reached the right engine, which was shut down, and attempted to climb it but failed. He then dashed beneath the fuselage to the left engine, which was still running, and jumped headfirst into it. The man, identified as Andrea Russo, was pronounced dead on scene.
Canada, South of Steinbach, MB: A Cessna 152 and a Cessna 172 Skyhawk were destroyed when they were involved in a mid-air collision while on approach to Steinbach (South) Airport (CKK7), Steinbach, Manitoba. The sole pilot onboard each airplane sustained fatal injuries.
USA, Nighthawks Nest Airport (TT45), Marion, TX: An engine of a Stinson 108 was idling while the pilot was refuelling the aircraft when the propeller struck the pilot, severing his arm. The aircraft moved unoccupied across the taxiway and crashed.
