MIDWEEK UPDATE 4 JULY 2018

THIS WEEK IN MIDWEEK UPDATE

Plan Your Weekend……..Forthcoming Events…….Aviation News

Worldwide Incidents and Accidents……This Week in Aviation History



4: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dickie Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: editor@afskies.co.za

6-10: Zim Navex - Prince Charles Airport - Harare. Marion Kalweit - 2017 Air Rally Committee email: zimairrally@gmail.com Tel +263772570009

7 July SAA Museum Society monthly meeting at Rand Airport from 10h00. Bring and Braai Contact E-mail: secretary@saamuseum.co.za

7: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding - Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290

9: MISASA AGM 18h00 at Kroon Airfield





14-16: Nysltroom Vliegklub/EAA Taidraggers Fly in for more information contact: Richard Cell: 082 490 6227 or mail to: Richard.nicholson1963@gmail.com

14: SAC Judges Trophy. Brits Airfield. Contact Annie Boon chunge@mweb.co.za

14: Hoedspruit Fun Rally. Contact Wynand Uys email: wynand@ottersden.co.za or Frank Eckard e-mail: frank.eckard@mweb.co.za cell: 083 269 1516

POSPONED 14: Limpopo Flying School Open Championships for Microlights. Camping facilities at the field. For more information contact Nico at 0828525961 or email vliegskool@hotmail.com

21: Krugersdorp Flying Club Airfield Festival and spot landing competition. Contact
kfc@iafrica.com or phone 082 374 5559


21: Tailwinds fly-in at Microland. Contact Nick Swardt : Nick Swardt 082 441 8011


23 -29: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden E-mail: neil1@telkomsa.net
Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig E-mail:
calvin@designer.co.za


28: CAA Safety Campaign Launch Midrand Conference Centre. RSVP Kgomotso Malema at malema@caa.co.za




1: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dickie Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: editor@afskies.co.za

1-5: SAC SA Nationals Tempe Bloemfontein. Contact Annie Boone chunge@mweb.co.za

4: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding - Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290

4: Thabazimbi Fly-in.

3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341

9: Stellenbosch Flying Club Women's Day Fly in. Contact Alison Navarro 083 728 78386
architecnic1953@gmail.com or Louise Hofmeyer 083 454 1104 louise@airshowsa.org.za


19: Rand Airport Airshow. Contact Stuart Coetzee E-mail: manager@randairport.co.za Tel: 011 827 8884


19: World Helicopter Day. Henley Air Rand Airport.


25: Sheila Taylor Fun Rally - Krugersdorp Airfield. Contact Grant Rousseau Cell: 082 329 3551E-mail: gr@kama.co.za


25 - 25: Bethlehem Airshow Stefan Fourie fouriesj1491@gmail.com 072 344 9678




1: MAF Fly-in Family Fun Day Aviators Paradise, Brits.

5: EAA Chapter 322 meeting. Dickie Fritz Moth Hall Edenvale. Contact: editor@afskies.co.za

8: SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop open practise day. Officer Commanding - Museum oc@saafmuseum.org.za 012 351 2290

8: Grand Central Fun Rally. Contact Rob Jonkers e-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za Cell:082 804 7032

15 to 16: Sport Aerobatics Judges Trophy Tzaneen TBC Contact Annie Boon E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za

3rd Saturday of every month. Microland. Bring and braai. Fires and bykos provided. Fires start from 09h30. Contact person: Nick Swardt 082 441 8011 or Alan Hussey 072 82 2341

19 - 23: 2018 AAD EXPO, Waterkloof Airforce Base Leona Redelinghuys info@aadexpo.co.za 084 840 3215 www.aadexpo.co.za

22: 49th Oudtshoorn Scale Fly in. Cango Flying Club.

21-24: MISASA Africa Cup-Microlight Weekend 2018 at Hotel Numbi



The Aviation Radio Show; get all your questions answered in one place. To listen to a recording of the live broadcast click on the link:

www.debela.co.za/aviation-radio-show


1928 LINCOLN-PAGE LP-3 COMING TO AIRVENTURE 2018



A 1928 Lincoln-Page LP-3 that was restored to flying condition 90 years after it first left the factory is slated to be among the historic vintage aircraft present during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. Courtesy of Greg Heckman.


Greg Heckman, EAA 232210, began the restoration in December 2013. He was only the airplane's third owner in the nine decades since it was manufactured. Greg started with the wings, which had nearly completely deteriorated over time, and eventually completed the restoration.

Through Greg's dedication, the Lincoln-Page got back into the sky on 31 May 2018, 90 years to the day after it was originally completed - a video of that first flight was posted on Facebook. The LP-3's original OX-5 engine ran for the first time in 89 years on 20 April 2018.

Greg said he is excited to bring the rare vintage airplane to Oshkosh this year, as it is truly an only-in-Oshkosh spectacle.

"Where else could you ever see possibly the lowest-time OX-5-powered airplane in the world, with exactly its same original matching engine it came with from the factory," Greg said. "All the instruments are the same that it came with from the factory, and it's been in storage from 1929 until basically now. It's something that the people need to see."

Greg has decades of experience with historical aircraft, and he said he has a simple creed when it comes to which airplanes he enjoys the most: "The older they are, the better I like 'em."

CUBCRAFTERS INCREASES PRODUCTION FOR 2019


CubCrafters will significantly increase production of the line of light two-place tandem aircraft it manufactures in 2019. XCUB photo © Cubcrafters.

CubCrafters' Director of Sales, Brad Damm, says, "Backcountry flying is increasing in popularity and CubCrafters has seen continuous sales growth since the introduction of the Light Sport Carbon Cub in 2009. The launch of the Part 23 Certified XCub in 2016 and the addition of the Garmin G3X glass avionics package for the XCub in 2017 further accelerated sales. Now, with the introduction of the new 3rd generation of the Carbon Cub that includes an advanced engine and constant speed propeller, our order backlog has increased to almost two years."

CubCrafters took deposits for over 100 new factory-built aircraft in 2017, with over 40 of those orders occurring in the fourth quarter alone. Sales were boosted in large part by the introduction of the new Carbon Cub FX-3 and XCub's EFIS panel option. Today, the product line has expanded to include six different production aircraft models. Also contributing to the company's success is their popular "Factory eXperimental" (FX) Builder Assist program, where owners participate in the fabrication and assembly of their own Experimental Amateur Built (E-AB) certified aircraft at the factory. In addition, CubCrafters offers two versions of Carbon Cub kits for owner assembly and certification offsite.

"During development and FAA certification testing of our new XCub, we planned for the contingency of expanded production," explains Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters Vice President of Operations and Product Development. "Increased sales volumes necessitated the execution of our plans. Our manufacturing floor space was increased over 50% through the construction of three new fabrication facilities. Our teams carefully assessed and refined critical fabrication and assembly processes to further minimize waste while optimizing quality and throughput. We are certainly grateful for the market response to the XCub and FX-3." CubCrafters began ramping-up production rates at the end of 2017 and will continue to do so into 2019.

The PAL-V OFF-ROAD GETS A NEW MEANING


The PAL-V Liberty gives 'off-road' an entirely new meaning. It is perfect for those who like going to beautiful and remote places. Who needs roads when you can FlyDrive to your house in the country or to an island? Your favorite remote destination is no longer a challenge, but a joy to reach.

Inspired by nature, engineered by men and evolved over time, the PAL-V Liberty is a groundbreaking product that inaugurates the age of the flying car. The PAL-V Liberty is a marriage between safety and fun, designed to satisfy the most demanding customers.

Don't waste your time. We deliberately designed the PAL-V Liberty to free you from the ties of traffic. Now you are in control of your individual travel schedule. Plan your appointments when it suits you. No more airport parking hassles and no taxi, train, bus or rental car required after landing. A traffic jam? Just fly over it.

FINAL ENGINE TESTS OF FLARIS JET COMPLETED


At the beginning of this month, the last tests of the FJ33-5A engine were finished. Thus Flaris Lar 1 successfully completed all ground tests. The next step are tests in flight. Photo © Flaris.

The location from which Flaris will take off as well as the date of the flight are already known. So far, however, the manufacturers have not revealed these details. But they are ensuring that they are working very hard and will surprise all skeptics. They also encourage everyone to follow their social media profiles and their YouTube channel, where they will post videos of the plane's first flight. Soon afterwards they will invite all fans of the smallest jet to watch demonstration flights.

The company can also boast about their new hangar at Wroclaw Airport.

Engine tests, a hangar at the Wroclaw Airport, preparations for the first flight - the manufacturers of Flaris haven't been loafing around and are consistently approaching their goal, which is the international success of their unique aircraft.

FIRST LANDING ON AN UNPAVED RUNWAY FOR THE PC-24


The PC-24 made its first landing on an unpaved runway. The Super Versatile Jet is currently undergoing a programme of post-certification tests with special emphasis on unpaved runway operations. Pilatus plans on obtaining "Rough Field" certification in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Woodbridge Airfield to the north east of London offers optimum test conditions: Pilatus spends two weeks there testing the PC-24's landing and take-off capabilities on the airfield's unpaved runway for the first time.

From the outset, the PC-24 was designed for "off road" operations. Its outstanding performance on short unpaved runways opens up an incredible degree of flexibility and new opportunities. The PC-24 provides access to almost twice as many airports worldwide compared to other jets currently available on the market.

Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus, is delighted: "What a picture - the PC-24 in the toughest conditions, using an unpaved runway for the first time! This sort of mission would not be conceivable without the PC-24's rugged landing gear, clever flap systems and special wing design. The PC-24 was designed with exactly this sort of operation in mind - that's Swiss engineering at its very best."

Pilatus obtained basic certification for the PC-24 on 7 December 2017. Since that date, five aircraft have been delivered to customers in Europe and the USA. A total of 23 PC-24s are scheduled for delivery in 2018. The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) will use the PC-24 for medevac missions in Australia from 2019, which will obviously involve landing on and taking off from short unpaved runways. The PC-24 order book is closed for the time being. Pilatus plans to accept new orders in 2019.

The PC-24 is the first business jet worldwide designed to take off and land on very short or unpaved runways, and to come with a cargo door as standard. It also boasts an extremely spacious cabin whose interior can easily be adapted to personal requirements. The outstanding flexibility of the PC-24 opens the door on an enviable spectrum of possibilities - whether as a business jet, ambulance aircraft or for other special missions. All this makes it a Super Versatile Jet, an aircraft designed to fulfil a wide variety of individual mission profiles.

INNOVATIVE COMPANIES REPRESENTED AT AIRVENTURE 2018


Attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 will get a glimpse into the possible future of aviation with a number of innovative companies bringing their products or concepts for the world to see. Photo courtesy of Terrafugia.

Terrafugia, Inc., is in the process of producing a practical flying car called the Transition. A folding-wing, two-seat, roadable aircraft, the Transition is designed to fly like a typical light-sport aircraft and drive like a car on the ground, running on premium unleaded auto gas. In the air, the Transition will have cruise range of 400 miles with top speeds of up to 100 mph, while on the ground it will drive at highway speeds. In addition, Terrafugia is also working on an all-electric flying car with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities and computer-controlled flight, called the TF-X. Terrafugia will be exhibiting at the UAV Showcase within Aviation Gateway Park.

Samson Sky is in the midst of creating a kit-built flying car, called the Switchblade - a three-wheel, street-legal vehicle that can be driven from your garage to a nearby local airport. Once at the airport, the wings swing out and the tail extends in less than three minutes. The Switchblade is projected to be capable of flying up to 200 mph and at altitudes up to 13,000, with a range of 450 miles. Samson will be exhibiting near Exhibit Hangar A, directly off of Knapp Street.

Electric Jet Aircraft, Inc., which will be stationed at the Innovation Showcase within Aviation Gateway Park, designs and manufactures personal VTOL electric-ducted fan flying machines. The company already produces the JetPod, which is a personal propulsion device used in towing kite surfers without a kite. Additionally, Electric Jet Aircraft is developing the EJ-1, a personal, electric jetpack.

Another company that will be exhibiting in the Innovation Showcase is Wind Craft Aviation. An experimental aerospace company integrating verge technology into VTOL aircraft, the group is composed of young students and inventors. The company's goal is to advance personal aviation through creativity, engineering, and collaboration. Wind Craft Aviation's design contains technology from Edison Vehicles and is a current entry in the Boeing-sponsored GoFly Prize.

These are just a few of the companies that will be exhibiting in Oshkosh this summer. More innovative aviation technology will be on display throughout the grounds and specifically in Aviation Gateway Park during AirVenture 2018.

DIAMOND AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES GMBH HAS DELIVERED THE FIRST DA62 MPP SPECIAL MISSION AIRCRAFT


The launch customer for the latest MPP generation is DEA Specialised Airborne Operations based at Gamston Airport, UK, a full service provider of airborne sensing solutions including ISR, Aerial Survey and Flight Calibration. Photo © Diamond.

The Diamond DA62 MPP (Multi Purpose Platform) builds on the well proven and successful multi-mission turnkey DA42 MPP, offering increased performance, space and capability.

DEA's new DA62 MPP features two in-house designed components, the light weight maritime search radar NEPTUN and the commercial satellite communication system KOPERNIKUS, an electro-optical and infrared gyro stabilized gimbal camera, the MX15 from Wescam, and an airborne AIS receiver.

The ergonomic operator station in the second row of the aircraft is equipped with two HD operator screens, a mission computer with onboard recording is mounted in the rear mission equipment compartment.

Dicky Patounas, Director Business Development at DEA: "DEA Aviation is very pleased and excited to add the DA62 MPP to our expanding fleet of aircraft. Our growing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations are delivering a first class service to UK Government and European Agencies on long and demanding missions, every day. We are happy that we are able to do this with our very close friends at Diamond.

Equipped with twin turbocharged single lever FADEC controlled Austro Engine AE330 powerplants, the fully composite DA62 MPP burns globally available jet fuel and allows 10 hour non-stop missions with a total fuel consumption of only 7.4 US Gal/hr (28 lt/hr) at loiter.

HUNGARY ORDERS 20 H145MS


The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has ordered 20 H145M military helicopters equipped with the innovative HForce weapon management in the frame of the military modernisation programme Zrinyi 2026. Together with the helicopters, Airbus will provide an extensive training and support package. Photo © Airbus.

"We are honoured to be of service - once more - to the Hungarian Ministry of Defence whom we today welcome as a new customer for our H145M helicopters. With this new order, we are fostering our excellent and trustful relationship with the Hungarian Armed Forces after their acquisition of two A319 military troop transporters last year. Team Airbus is grateful for the continued trust and confidence that the Hungarian government has placed in our products", said Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus.

With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7 tonnes, the H145M can be used for a wide range of tasks, including troop transport, utility, surveillance, air rescue, armed reconnaissance and medical evacuation. The Hungarian fleet will be equipped with a fast roping system, highperformance camera, fire support equipment, ballistic protection as well as an electronic countermeasures system to support the most demanding operational requirements. The HForce system, developed by Airbus Helicopters, will allow Hungary to equip and operate their aircraft with a large set of ballistic or guided air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons.

The H145M is a tried-and-tested light twin-engine helicopter that was first delivered in 2015 to the German Armed Forces and has since been ordered by Thailand and the Republic of Serbia. The programme's maturity allows Airbus Helicopters to execute orders on cost and on schedule. Mission readiness of the H145Ms already in service is above 95 percent.

Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class.



United Kingdom, Aberdeen Airport: An Eastern Airways BAe Jetstream 41 returned to land at Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, following a bird strike. One of the engines was shut down as a precaution. A safe landing was made back at Aberdeen after about 30 minutes.

Canada, Ontario: The Canadian Transportation Safety Board and Northern Skies Air Service are investigating the cause of an incident in which a chartered aircraft landed with its wheels up. No one was injured when a twin-engine Navajo Chieftain PA-31 350 did a belly landing Tuesday afternoon at the Pikangikum airport.

Guinea, Souguéta: A Let L-410 crashed near Souguéta, Kindia, Guinea, killing all four crew members. The aircraft was transporting kerosene to a reserve depot of a mining company at Léro.

Canada, Rice Lake Air Center-Regional Airport: A Cessna 310Q made an emergency landing Sunday at Rice Lake Air Center-Regional Airport after the pilot smelled something burning. No one was injured in the incident.

Indonesia, Kenyam: The copilot of a DHC-6 Twin Otter was injured when she was hit by a bullet that had penetrated the fuselage after landing at Kenyam, Papua, Indonesia. Three days later, on June 25, another DHC-6 Twin Otter was hit by gunfire after landing at Kenyam, this time injuring the captain. The aircraft carried 18 personnel who were to be deployed to guard a local election to be held on 27 June 2018.

India, New Delhi: A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a test flight ahead of its induction into the Indian air force. Both pilots ejected safely from the newly built aircraft, which crashed into a farm near Nasik in western India's Maharasthra State. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is produced under license by India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

India, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai: A Beechcraft C90B King Air operated by UY Aviation crashed into a building site while on approach during a maintenance check flight. All four on board as well as a passer-by died. Two others on the ground were injured.





30 JUNE 1901

At enormous personal risk, Herr Berson and Professor Süring of the Berliner Verein für Luftschiffahrt establish the first ratified altitude record for balloons. Their 8,510-cu. ft. balloon Preussen (Prussia) ascends to 35,435 feet.

Arthur Josef Stanislaus Berson, a German meteorologist and pioneer of aerology was born on 6 August 1859 in of Neu Sandez, Galicia (now Nowy Sacz, Poland).

After visiting the gymnasium in Neu Sandez, Berson studied philology in Vienna. He then studied meteorology and geography in Berlin, where he had as instructors Ferdinand von Richthofen and Wilhelm von Bezold.

During the nineteenth century, balloonists had blazed a trail into the upper air, sometimes with tragic results. In 1862 Henry Coxwell and James Glaisher almost died at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). Sivel and Crocé-Spinelli, who ascended in the balloon Zénith in April 1875 with balloonist Gaston Tissandier, died from oxygen deprivation. The last men of the era of the nineteenth century to dare altitudes over 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) were Herr Berson and Professor Süring of the Prussian Meteorological Institute, who ascended to 35,500 feet (10,820 meters) in 1901, a record that stood until 1931.

The first men to reach 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) did not know what they were facing. It is now known that at an altitude of only 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), the brain loses 10 percent of the oxygen it needs and judgment begins to falter. At 18,000 feet (5,486 feet), there is a 30 percent decrease in oxygen to the brain, and a person can lose consciousness in 30 minutes. At 30,000 feet (9,144 meters), loss of consciousness occurs in less than a minute without extra oxygen.

The last of the manned high-altitude balloon flights occurred at the end of the nineteenth century. On December 4, 1894, Herr Berson rose to 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) in his 92,000-cubic-foot (2,605-cubic-meter) Phoenix from a site in Strasburg, Austria. His improved instruments accurately recorded temperatures that were unaffected by solar radiation. In 1901, Berson and Professor Süring, both of the Prussian Meteorological Institute, ascended in the Preussen (Prussia) to a record height of 35,500 feet (10,820 meters). This record stood until 1931 when Auguste Piccard of Switzerland set a new record.

Berson passed away on 3 December 1942

Midweek Update








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