MIDWEEK UPDATE 2 FEBRUARY 2022
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THIS WEEK IN MIDWEEK UPDATE
Aero Club Communique Jan 2022.
Events calendar.
Pipistrel introduces a new aircraft model - the Explorer.
Algeria takes delivery of first of four C-130J Super Hercules.
TQ Avionics has announced an innovative way to make Mode-S transponders more affordable.
Reno Air Racing association announces new director of operations, welcomes new board member.
Bye Aerospace eFlyer 800 Program Advances.
British Army flying new attack helicopters.
ZEVA successfully completes historic first test flight.
Airbus delivers the last ever Dauphin to Spanish Customs.
Defiant executes FLRAA mission profile with unsurpassed speed, manoeuvrability and agility in high-speed, low-level operations and confined area landings.
Wisk Aero secures $450 Million from the Boeing company to advance certified autonomous electric flight.
Worldwide incidents and accidents.
Ths week in history, first non-stop unrefuelled transatlantic crossing by a jet is made by an English Electric Canberra.
AERO CLUB COMMUNIQUE JAN 2022
We are now reaching the 3rd year of the breakout of the pandemic, and the world is still languishing in economic doldrums as a result. There are different standards being applied in various countries, some declaring life as normal, others still on some sort of lockdown, as well as differing rules on airline travel to various destinations with airlines applying their own protocols, especially regarding crew. This leaves the airline and associated industry still depressed at best and under severe cost containment pressures. We really need to get the world back to some consistent normality, as we know there will be further infection waves and at some point, the seriousness of the pandemic has to ease up into an everyday flu.
General & recreational aviation have also been on a slow start this year from the many activities that ended off 2021, but seeing the full 2022 calendar, we hope to have a great year and are looking forward to the return of airshows, the first one being at Stellenbosch, given the crowd limitations that are still in place.
The Aero Club continues to take part in the General Aviation Safety Strategy (GASS) and is making progress on the devolution of powers framework, where at least an agreed way forward should be available by April, from which legislative changes can start to take place, with the objective that more definitive self-regulation is placed within defined industry structures.
The Aero Club is launching an extension to the Membership Support Initiative that was started in 2019, this being that the ATF renewals will now be available as a web based on-line system. Currently the Aero Club collects and submits ATF renewals on behalf of aircraft owners in a very manual, email heavy mechanism. Aero Assist can be found here www.aeroassist.org.za , which will provide Aero Club members access to upload all the required ATF renewal documentation as well as carry out the completion of the form. Once complete, Aero Club staff carry out verification of the submission and advise on shortcomings until the documentation pack is complete, which is then electronically submitted to the CAA. The benefit of this process is to ensure that the CAA receives correct documentation so that turnaround times are improved on, as the to and fro of corrected documents are done within the Aero Assist environment. A further benefit is that future submissions will only require changed documents, as well as alerts of expiry dates of documents and due dates to send in a new renewal. The system has now gone live and anyone may use it. If you are not an Aero Club member, the Aero Club staff will assist, or visit the web site for joining / renewal.
The Aero Club has also started planning for the Aero Club Airweek to be held from 21 - 24 April 2022 at Middelburg. If there are any ideas or volunteers / sponsors / exhibitors that wish to assist or take part at Airweek, they are welcome to contact the Aero Club office. The event will take place under similar conditions as what occurred in 2021 as a Fly-In for all our sector's aviation activities.
If you are not a member and wish to join the Aero Club and any of its sections, feel free to do so on the member-renewals-and-new-memberships button.
www.aeroclub.org.za
THE AER0 CLUB'S YEARBOOK IS NOW ON SALE
WWW.AEROCLUB.ORG.ZA/SHOP
12
SAPFA Committee Bosberaad Venue TBA. Contact Rob Jonkers on E-mail: rob@aerosud.co.za
26 & 27
SAC North-West Regionals at Klerksdorp airfield. Contact Annie Boon: E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
5
SAPFA Speed Rally at Witbank airfield. Contact David le Roux on E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za or Cell: 073 338 5200
18 to 20
SAPFA Rally training weekend Brits Airfield. Contact Tarryn Myburgh on E-mail: tarrynorford@gmail.com or Cell: 074 182 3589
26
Stellenbosch Airshow. Contact Anton Theart E-mail: gm@stelfly.co.za
2
Uitenhage Wings and Wheels. Contact Lourens Kruger on E-mail: lmk@telkomsa.net Cell: 082 320 2615
8 to 10
Sling Aircraft fly-away to Tankwa Tented Camp in the Karoo. Contact Shanelle McKechnie on E-mail: shanelle@slingaircraft.com
9
Steady Climb fly-in at Rhino Park airfield. Contact David Le Roux on E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5300
9 &10
SAC KwaZulu Natal Regionals venue Ladysmith airfield. Contact Annie Boon: E-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
23
Rustenburg Airshow
Contact Lesego Serekwane E-mail: lesego@marakanelo.co.za Cell: 066 256 7302
30
Kuruman Airshow
Contact Lesego Serekwane E-mail: lesego@marakanelo.co.za Cell: 066 256 7302
PIPISTREL INTRODUCES A NEW AIRCRAFT MODEL - THE EXPLORER
Pipistrel is one of the leading light aircraft producers with a global presence and the clear vision of minimizing emissions and decreasing fuel consumption. Courtesy of the design and developing philosophy from conception through to its operations, our customers enjoy very reliable aircraft with class-leading safety records and highly competitive performance, regardless of its propulsion type.
Pipistrel's award-winning design philosophy created an aircraft with best-in-class energy performance, unlocking excellent long-range capabilities that are further enhanced by the high-wing design and excellent view from the cabin through Explorer's oversized transparent doors. The Explorer enables flight schools to substitute their multi-aircraft system with this single platform, removing the need to use at least one aircraft for basic training and another for advanced training. By combining such capabilities into a single airplane, both initial and running costs advantages are clear.
The more adventurous owners will appreciate that the Explorer can easily be dismantled in less than 15 minutes and stored in a dedicated trailer. A normal car can tow the aircraft in the trailer should this be desired and a hangar is not needed.
Since Mode-S transponders work on the same 1090MHz band as land based ADS-B, it is natural to add ADS-B functionality. However, many countries, including South Africa, have not implemented nation-wide ADS-B, so the additional functions are an unnecessary expense at this stage.
So, to make the KTX2-S compact 250w transponder more affordable, customers are offered a big discount on their initial purchase and if they require ADS-B later, they simply purchase a code and unlock that function.
More about the KTX2 transponder series:
Simple to install with only one panel mounting component, the KTX2 is available in a 57mm round hole mounting, or 160mm flat mount. Built in self checking warns of antenna faults; from a faulty installation or damaged during aircraft washing.
The precision digital altitude encoder is built in, rarely ever needing adjustment. All control and set up is through the front panel. The colour display is visible in the brightest sunlit cockpit and current consumption from 9 to 33VDC is the lowest in the industry.
The KTX2 transponder in either format, has a matching VHF-COM, taking up the least panel space, with simple wiring harnesses.
More about TQ Avionics
Some technology companies started in a garage. TQ was born in a Bavarian barn. With their own hands and the help of friends, TQ transformed a dairy barn into its first office and soon after, its first production facility. For a while, cows outnumbered employees - but, no more. Today, TQ has a workforce of more than 1,700 highly skilled engineers, technicians and support staff, with 13 locations around the world, building products that help lead the way in embedded modules, robotics, mobility, automation and aviation.
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In commercial aviation, electronics from TQ are flying aboard virtually every current aircraft from the world's largest manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, as well as thousands of general aviation aircraft in Europe including singles, twins, gliders, homebuilts and balloons. Everywhere, size, weight, efficiency, and simplicity are highly valued.
TQ has come a long way from humble beginnings - but it is those very beginnings that provided the DNA that pervades every product TQ builds and every action taken. Undeniably German.
Written by Guy Martin
The Algerian Air Force has received the first of four C-130J-30 Super Hercules transports ordered from Lockheed Martin in 2018. The US Embassy in Algiers said on 23 January that the first aircraft had been delivered that day. It added that Algeria's contract for four aircraft includes an option for four more.
The first aircraft (7T-WJA/N5013D) was seen undergoing test flights last year. In May, it was observed flying at the Greenville/Donaldson Airport in South Carolina, where Lockheed Martin has a factory. Then on 21 January, it was spotted at Bangor International Airport in Maine on its delivery flight.
Algerian pilots and maintenance personnel are reported to have been training on the type in the US for some time.
The Algerian Air Force already operates C-130H and C-130H-30 Hercules transports, which are in service with the 2ème Escadre de Transport Tactique et Logistique at Boufarik air base. Nine C-130H and four C-130H-30 transports are believed to be operational, along with a single L100-30. They have been in service since the early 1980s but two have been lost in crashes.
Other transports in service include half a dozen C295s, half a dozen Il-76TDs and numerous smaller Beech 1900Ds and Super King Airs.
Algeria is the second C-130J Super Hercules operator in Africa after Tunisia received two aircraft in 2013 and 2014. Twenty other nations around the world operate the type, while Germany, Indonesia and New Zealand will also receive Super Hercules in the near future.
Although unconfirmed, Algeria is believed to have recently ordered four Ilyushin Il-76MD-90 transports.
The 2021 STIHL National Championship Air Races returned with a new face among the department heads. Chris Johnson, General Manager of Indian Hills General Improvement District, joined the Reno Air Racing Association as Director of Operations and successfully oversaw operations for the 2021 event. Johnson brings over 10 years of experience in airport and airshow management at the Minden-Tahoe Airport. Johnson served in the United States Army as a combat engineer for 10 years and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Magna Cum Laude. He also serves as a board member for the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and previously for the Carson Valley Visitors Authority.
The Director of Operations position was handed over to Johnson by Terry Matter. Matter has been involved with the Reno Air Racing Association since 1999, having served on the Board of Directors since 2004, as Chairman in 2010 and 2011 and as Director of Operations since 2016. In his time, Matter was directly responsible for the FAA waiver requirements for the Pylon Racing Seminar and the STIHL National Championship Air Races. Matter will remain on the RARA Board and continue serving as its Vice-Chair.
“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation go out to Terry for his extraordinary service and dedication over the last 22 years,” said Fred Telling, CEO and Chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association. “Terry's continued commitment to remain as our Vice Chairman and unparalleled dedication to volunteering as Director of Operations has been essential to our success. Chris has big shoes to fill, but I know he's up to the task.”
A longtime STIHL National Championship Air Races supporter, Bill Freeman joins the Reno Air Racing Association's Board after serving on the Chairman's Advisory Committee for four years. Freeman has been attending the STIHL National Championship Air Races since the early '80s. He has flown and performed as an airshow pilot and aerobatic competitor in the South Eastern U.S., holding a low-level aerobatic waiver in the P51D, Pitts S2A, S2B, and S2C, as well as the T34.
A Nashville native, Freeman is the Chairman of award-winning Freeman Webb, Inc. a real estate investment, management and brokerage company he co-founded with partner Jimmy Webb in 1979. Freeman is an active volunteer who is no stranger to sharing his expertise on boards.
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“We can't thank Bill enough for his time on the Chairman's Advisory Committee and are delighted to welcome him to the Board,” said Telling. “Bill's extemporary background and service as Chairman of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board of Directors, as a member of the University of Tennessee Alumni Board of Directors as well as on the AOPA Presidents Council, will be a great asset.”
The 58th STIHL National Championship Air Races will return to Northern Nevada Sept. 14-18, 2022. More information about volunteering, donating, attending, scholarship information and more can be found at www.airrace.org.
“The response has been enthusiastically positive since we announced the eFlyer 800 in April of last year,” said George E. Bye, CEO of Bye Aerospace. “We are particularly grateful to our launch customers, Jet It and JetClub, for their endorsement of this ground-breaking program. In addition, Safran continues to be a supportive partner as we continue to assess the most efficient electric powertrain using Safran's dual ENGINeUS™ electric motors and GENeUSGRID™ electric distribution and network protection system.”
Bye Aerospace launched the program in response to growing demands for all-electric regional business airplanes with five-fold reduced operating costs compared to legacy turboprops, high speed and altitude, plus increased capacity and utility. The eight seat eFlyer 800 also has a best-in-class 65-inch-wide cabin for business transportation. A higher density 12-seat configuration is being studied for commuter operators, while an increase in motor rating to balance aircraft and payload weight increases is also being considered.
Vishal Hiremath, Co-founder of Jet It and CEO of JetClub, echoed his support for the eFlyer 800. “We are very serious about this aircraft and are looking forward to putting it into our operations around the world including Europe and Asia,” he said. “It's a very good looking and well-designed plane and George Bye is a very experienced and accomplished aviation engineer. We are confident of the solid engineering behind it and eagerly waiting for entry into service.”
“Jet It and JetClub have made firm commitments to Bye Aerospace for a fleet of aircraft large enough to support the needs of the local travellers in every geographic region we operate currently and in the future,” said Glenn Gonzales, Co-founder of Jet It and JetClub. “This initial commitment for the sleek, ergonomically and wildly efficient eFlyer 800 is just the beginning of our relationship.”
Bye Aerospace is working closely with Safran to determine the most efficient electric powertrain for the eFlyer 800. Hervé Blanc, Executive Vice President & General Manager Power with Safran Electrical & Power added: “After 2 years of testing in Safran lab, we have validated all the key features and demonstrated the unrivalled performance of our ENGINeUS™ 500. This electric motor can deliver 750 kW maximum take-off power, which is the perfect fit for the eFlyer 800. Our GENeUSGRID™ system will further support the eFlyer 800 architecture design with dissimilar distribution components that ensure a full protection against all potential dysfunctional behaviours of a high voltage electrical propulsion system.”
All of Bye Aerospace's current and future families of aircraft feature engineering, research and electric aircraft solutions and are designed to specifically address compelling market needs. Benefits include five-fold lower operating costs, no CO2 emissions and decreased noise. The company estimates eFlyer will eventually eliminate the release of millions of metric tons of CO2 each year as its deliveries begin and the general aviation fleet is replaced.
Bye Aerospace is in the process of obtaining FAA Part-23 certification for the eFlyer 2 for the professional flight training mission and the four-seat eFlyer 4 for air taxi, cargo and advanced training uses. The company currently has nearly 900 airplanes in its production backlog over its three models of eFlyer aircraft.
BRITISH ARMY FLYING NEW ATTACK HELICOPTERS
They are able to detect 256 potential targets at once, prioritizing the most urgent threats within seconds, up to a range of 16km (10 miles) away - a distance 57 times the length of HMS Queen Elizabeth or over twice the length of the Grand National course.
A 20-year agreement has been signed with Boeing Defence UK to maintain and support this new fleet of impressive attack helicopters.
With £288 million confirmed for the first pricing period in place until July 2025, the agreement will create more than 200 jobs in the UK, including 165 for the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop in Hampshire and 45 at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk.
The British Army has been utilizing the world-leading Apache capability since 2005, with the attack helicopters seeing action in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Sir Chris Tickell KBE said: “I am delighted at the introduction of the 4th generation AH-64E into British Army service, signifying our commitment to investing in the right equipment for our people to compete and win against the threats facing the UK.
“Within Future Soldier, we committed to winning the deep battle so that the close battle is as anti-climactic as possible, thereby reducing the risk to our people. The AH-64E is a truly world-beating capability that will, alongside other capabilities we are introducing, ensure we succeed.”
The Long-Term Training and Support Service (LTTSS) will progressively take over from the initial support and conversion training provided by the US-Government under Foreign Military Sale interim arrangements.
The replacement of the MK1 with the AH-64E - built by Boeing and already in service with the US Army - was announced in 2016 as part of a $2.3 billion deal. This new model, which is now being flown in the UK, has improved sensors and avionics as well as greater performance that will enable the army to sustain its battle-winning capabilities in future operations.
This program reinforces the ambition laid out in the Defence Command Paper and recent Future Soldier announcement to transform the Army into a more agile, integrated, lethal, expeditionary force, showing the Army's investment in battle-winning technology.
ZEVA SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES HISTORIC FIRST TEST FLIGHT
The uncrewed ZEVA demonstration aircraft completed four flights, totalling more than four minutes of controlled hovering, simulated taxiing manoeuvres at slow speeds and limited vertical climb manoeuvres. Its compact airframe is designed for a single pilot and is small enough to fit in a standard automobile parking space. The vehicle is projected to cruise at speeds of up to 160mph with a range of up to 50 miles, optimizing point-to-point travel.
“This is a huge inflection point for ZEVA as we join an exclusive set of proven flying eVTOL platforms and a testament to the relentless hard work and ingenuity of our entire team over the past two and half years,” said Stephen Tibbitts, CEO and Chairman of ZEVA. “We are dissecting our learnings from our critical first taxiing flight, which is a direct result of the support we've received from our investors and community, leading us to bring in additional talent to spearhead this historic moment. We are eager to continue to our next stage of hover flight testing on our road to certification and eventual autonomous flight allowing anyone, not just pilots, to access zero-emission point-to-point travel.”
ZEVA experienced tremendous growth this year, with the addition of Gus Meyer as flight control engineer and several other key hires. The team completed more than 50 successful tethered flights, showcased the ZEVA ZERO aircraft at the Dubai Air Show in November and was awarded a grant by Washington's Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) to work with Washington State University on ZEVA Aero's aerodynamic configurations to optimize the vehicle's thrust and controls. ZEVA has also worked with NASA in conjunction with its Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge.
“The ZEVA team has done an incredible job with the design and manufacturing of this aircraft which was evidenced in this exceptionally smooth and successful first flight,” said Gus Meyer, the test pilot controlling the ZERO via a remote radio link. “This achievement is also a testament to the extraordinary talent and experience of the team and the supportive partnerships that helped make this a reality.”
ZEVA will continue hover flight tests and advance to transition flight testing this spring to fine-tune the unique Superman-like trajectory of the aircraft design. The patent-pending design is expected to be available for pre-order for consumers for a $5,000 deposit as early as spring of this year, with an eventual price tag for the first production units estimated at under $250,000.
AIRBUS DELIVERS THE LAST EVER DAUPHIN TO SPANISH CUSTOMS
Airbus has delivered the last Dauphin helicopter, an AS365 N3, to the Spanish Customs Service. This helicopter will reinforce the Customs Surveillance Service's capacity to combat drug trafficking in the Strait of Gibraltar, the Alboran Sea and in Galicia.
The helicopter was customised at Airbus Helicopters' facilities in Albacete and comes equipped with mission equipment such as an electro-optical system, a radar, a tactical communications system and a search light, since most of the patrol flights take place at night. Thanks to its long-range fuel tanks, the Spanish Customs' Dauphin can fly up to 3 hours and 30 minutes and reach a fast cruise speed of 145 kts - an essential asset when it comes to reaching the vessels of drug traffickers.
The Spanish Customs' three Dauphins perform maritime patrol missions to track, chase and intercept high-speed smuggling boats typically transporting contraband. In 2021, the Dauphin helicopters contributed to the seizure of more than 200 tons of illegal drugs in Spain, working with the Custom Service's 45 vessels and land units.
“The Spanish Customs has been a longstanding partner since 1985 and we are very proud of how, since the first Dauphin was handed over to them in 2002, these helicopters have carried out essential tasks for the population such as the fight against drug trafficking in a hostile environment,” said Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain. "Thank you to the women and men at Customs who are taking full advantage of the Dauphin's marine patrol capabilities, flying the outstanding figure of almost 1,000 hours a year with each Dauphin to protect our community".
This is the last helicopter of the legendary Dauphin family that has been manufactured in Marignane by Airbus Helicopters. Over the past forty years, more than 1,100 helicopters have been produced, flying seven million hours in 70 different countries. Among its numerous milestones, the achievement of the world speed record in November 1991 stands out, when the Dauphin reached 201 kts on a 3 km route.
“We fully demonstrated DEFIANT's ability to execute the FLRAA mission profile by flying 236 knots in level flight, then reducing thrust on the propulsor to rapidly decelerate as we approached the confined, and unimproved, landing zone,” said Bill Fell, DEFIANT chief flight test pilot at Sikorsky and a retired U.S. Army Master aviator. “This type of level body deceleration allowed us to maintain situational awareness and view the landing zone throughout the approach and landing without the typical nose-up helicopter deceleration. This confined area was extremely tight, requiring us to delay descent until nearly over the landing spot, followed by a near-vertical drop. We landed DEFIANT precisely on the objective with little effort as we descended into this narrow hole while maintaining clearance on all sides.”
SB>1 DEFIANT is the technology demonstrator proving out transformational capabilities for the DEFIANT X weapon system, the Sikorsky-Boeing team offering for the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition as part of the Army's Future Vertical Lift program. DEFIANT X will enable crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, where Army aviators spend most of their time. It will extend capabilities of Army Aviation on the modern battlefield - and is designed to fit in the same footprint as a BLACK HAWK. With DEFIANT X, the U.S. Army will deliver troops and cargo in future combat at twice the range of the current fleet.
“It's what we call building combat power rapidly and aircraft like the DEFIANT X can do that,” said Tony Crutchfield, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and now vice president of Army Systems at Boeing. “In the Pacific, it's even more important because your lines of operation are going to be dispersed over a wide area; you're going to have these small bases and supply lines that'll be positioned either on ships or on islands. You're going to want to move more assets, manoeuvre in confined terrain and survive to build that combat power faster than your adversary can - so you can win.”
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DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2™ Technology to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities. This critical capability provides pilots with increased manoeuvrability and survivability in high-threat environments, allowing them to penetrate enemy defences while reducing exposure to enemy fire. DEFIANT X's X2 coaxial rotor system and pusher prop allows for a high degree of manoeuvrability in and around the objective which is also directly linked to survivability.
DEFIANT achievements include: Greater than 60-degree banked turns. Demonstrating mission-relevant cargo capacity by lifting a 5,300-pound Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System external load. Exceeding 245 knots in level flight. Demonstrated Level 1 low-speed agility with fly-by-wire controls. Integration of U.S. Army test pilots into the Defiant program. Based on the Collier Award-winning X2 Technology.
This investment will further advance the development of Wisk's 6th generation eVTOL aircraft, a first-ever candidate for certification of an autonomous, all-electric, passenger-carrying aircraft in the U.S. The funding will also support the company as it enters an intensive growth phase over the next year, its preparations for the launch of scale manufacturing and the company's Go-to-Market efforts.
Within five years following the certification of its 6th generation aircraft, Wisk intends to operate one of the industry's largest fleets of AAM eVTOL aircraft. The scale of this fleet is enabled by the company's autonomous technology, a competitive differentiator and industry-recognized key to scaling services and maximizing safety. In this timeframe, Wisk anticipates close to 14M annual flights bringing time savings to over 40 million people across 20 cities - all with zero emissions.
Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk said:
“Wisk is extremely well-positioned to deliver on our long-term strategy and commitment to safe, everyday flight for everyone. We are incredibly fortunate to have Boeing as not only an investor but a strategic partner, which provides us with access to a breadth of resources, industry-leading expertise, a global reach, extensive certification experience and more. As we enter this next stage of our growth, this additional funding provides us with capital while allowing us to remain focused on our core business and our number one priority, safety.”
Marc Allen, Chief Strategy Officer of Boeing said:
“With this investment, we are reconfirming our belief in Wisk's business and the importance of their work in pioneering all-electric, AI-driven, autonomous capability for the aerospace industry. Autonomy is the key to unlocking scale across all AAM applications, from passenger to cargo and beyond. That's why straight-to-autonomy is a core first principle. Boeing and Wisk have been at the forefront of AAM innovation for more than a decade and will continue to lead in the years ahead.”
With its deep expertise in autonomous, electric flight, its extensive flight test history, key knowledge and insights from the development of five generations of aircraft and the strength of its partnerships, Wisk is positioned to maintain its leadership in the AAM and broader mobility space.
Wisk began in 2010 as Zee Aero, with a mission to deliver safe, everyday flight for everyone and later merged with Kitty Hawk Corporation. Upon recognizing the commercial potential of Wisk's 5th generation aircraft, the aircraft and team were spun out to form Wisk, with an investment from The Boeing Company. Over the past decade, Wisk has achieved a number of aviation and industry firsts, most notably, the first flight of an all-electric, autonomous, eVTOL aircraft designed for passenger use, in the U.S.
Previous undisclosed funding rounds were led by The Boeing Company and Kitty Hawk Corporation, through a joint venture, making Wisk one of the only AAM companies to be backed by two aviation leaders. Kitty Hawk remains an investor and has supported the development of Wisk's previous generations of aircraft.
On 24 August 2021, a pilot on-board a R22 Beta II helicopter with registration ZS-ROA was engaged in a game capturing flight at a private farm near Nylsvlei Nature Reserve. The flight was conducted during day light under the provisions of Part 137 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended.
The pilot stated that he was operating at a height of between 50 and 100 metres (m) (164-328ft) above ground level (AGL) and above trees that were approximately 30 metres (98ft) tall. While the pilot was herding the animals towards the boma, the helicopter experienced engine power loss and descended approximately 5m (15 feet).
The pilot stated that he did not observe or hear any power loss indication warning in the cockpit. After descending about 5m, the tail cone struck a tree and damaged the stabiliser assembly, which subsequently separated from the tail section.
The helicopter entered an uncontrollable nose-right yaw and the pilot rolled the throttle to the off position to stop the spin. The helicopter descended towards a clearing in the bushes, impacted the ground hard, rolled slightly over to the right and came to rest in that position.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor, main rotor blades and skids. The pilot was not injured during the accident sequence.
Probable cause:
The helicopter's tail cone struck a tree during a low-level operation, which resulted in the severing
of the stabiliser assembly, as well as loss of tail rotor effectiveness. This caused an uncontrollable yaw and the subsequent crash.
Nigeria, Bauchi Airport: A Nigerian Police Air Wing Bell 429 GlobalRanger with six on board crashed under unknown circumstances at Bauchi Airport (DNBA). Several of the six occupants are said to have been injured.
Brazil, Aeroclube de Manaus, Amazonas: An Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Rec Eurocopter EC 130B4 was set on fire during an attack, when it was parked in an area of the Public Security Department, next to the Aeroclube de Manaus, in the Center-South Zone. Military police said they were called to the incident on Monday morning (24). The aircraft is used in operations by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).
USA, Williams, Coconino County, Arizona: Following a reported loss of engine power, a Beechcraft F33A Bonanza sustained substantial damage subsequent to an impact with open field terrain during the attempted return to the departure point near H.A. Clark Memorial Field (CMR/KCMR) Coconino County, Williams, Arizona. The sole pilot onboard received minor injuries.
Honduras, Esteban: A Beechcraft C90 King Air loaded with illicit narcotics was found on a clandestine airstrip in Quebrachales, San Esteban, Olancho. No persons of interest were found at the scene. The aircraft is said to have originated in Venezuela.
Australia, Grosmont, Western Downs, QLD: A Robinson R22 crashed at Grosmont Western Downs, Queensland, after it struck a power line. The pilot was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
France, Grenoble-Le Versoud airfield (LFLG), Isère: The pilot of a Heli-Sport CH-77 Ranabot ultralight helicopter, which also had a passenger on board, lost control of his aircraft while hovering a few meters above the ground. The pilot, a 50-year-old man, was unhurt and his 43-year-old passenger was slightly injured.
New Zealand, Feilding Aerodrome, near Palmerston North: A gyrocopter crash landed under unknown circumstances at Feilding Aerodrome near Palmerston North. The gyrocopter was destroyed by fire. Both occupants survived the crash.
Russia, Sol'tsy-2 Air Base: A Russian Air Force MiG-31K with two onboard operated by the 929th V.P. Chkalova State Flight Test Centre overshot the runway on take-off and broke in two. The occupants did not survive the accident.
Russia, near Dubki, Ulyanovsk region: A Russian Army Mil Mi-8MTV-5-1 with three occupants crashed after a technical malfunction. One occupant died and two were injured.
21 JANUARY 1951
First non-stop unrefuelled transatlantic crossing by a jet is made by an English Electric Canberra.
Several British aircraft manufacturers submitted proposals to meet the requirement, including English Electric. The firm was among those companies to be short-listed to proceed with development studies. The Air Ministry Specification B.3/45 had requested the production of four prototypes. Ultimately, the first of these prototypes, VN799, conducted its maiden flight on 13 May 1949.
In March 1949, in advance of the maiden flight of the first prototype, English Electric received an instruction to proceed for production.[19] By the time the first prototype had flown, the Air Ministry had placed orders for 132 production aircraft in bomber, reconnaissance and training variants. On 21 April 1950, the first production-standard aircraft, designated as the Canberra B.2, conducted its maiden flight, piloted by Beamont. Proving to be free of problems, this first flight was almost immediately followed by the mainstream manufacturing of production Canberras.
Throughout most of the 1950s, the Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other aircraft in the world and in 1957, a Canberra established a world altitude record of 70,310 feet (21,430 m). Due to its ability to evade the early jet interceptor aircraft and its significant performance advancement over contemporary piston-engined bombers, the Canberra became a popular aircraft on the export market, being procured for service in the air forces of many nations both inside and outside of the Commonwealth of Nations. The type was also licence-produced in Australia by the Government Aircraft Factories and in the US by Martin as the B-57 Canberra. The latter produced both the slightly modified B-57A Canberra and the significantly updated B-57B.
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