Contents Airline Pilot
Sport Pilot
8 8 9 10 10
58 59 60 61 62
MC-21-300 maiden flight ANA A380 US airlines shifting focus Virgin Australia Boeing GoAir still crippled
Commercial Pilot 16 18 20 22 24
66
Legally Grey Part 3 Pilatus PC-24 Comet Airvan Maun AERO South Africa
Drone Pilot 30 30
FAA’s drone programme Drone Ambulance
Flying Cars 42 44
Terrafugia Japan E-VTOL
Helicopter Pilot 50 50 51
Bell Helicopter JETcopter Henley Air’s new simulator
Historical 34
68
Singapore Air Force A330 Z-20 Helicopter to be deployed US delivers Chinook to Turkey Contract for SU-57 Modernised Mi-26T2V helicopter
46
Regulars 4 6 26 28 32 79 70 72 74 102 104 105 106 111
Competitions Letters Events Calendar Picture of the Month Fact File Names to Remember Accident Report Medical The Best of the Best Register Update Flying High 2019 Wall Calendar Shop Window Subscription Form
Special Features
Dakota midair
Military Pilot 54 54 55 56 57
Icarus Trophy Cubby SunFlyer Vans Aircraft World Rally Flying Championships Dubnica Slovakia 2018 The Children’s flight at Grand Central Border Aviation Club (BAC)
46 76 81
Rand airshow 2018 Royal International Air Tattoo AMOs & Refurbishment
51
66
Other 36 40 80
Airtankers Bethlehem airshow 2018 Aviation Training
distributed by
Contributors Honiball Aviation Auditing Charlie Hugo Mick Yorke Anthony J. Liberatore Dr Nick Lee
Athol Franz Aidan Owen Charlie Marais David Ferguson
Pete van der Spek Divan Muller Dave Hartmann Marie White
Fiona Hugo Ray Houghton Mary de Klerk Christine Brits
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copyright The views expressed in African Pilot are not necessary those of the editor, publisher, or staff writers. The editors and publishers cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. No part of this magazine may be reproduced including advertisements produced by Wavelengths 10 (Pty) Ltd in any form without permission from the publisher. – South African copyright laws apply. distribution African Pilot is distributed by On the Dot throughout southern African countries to approximately 1 000 retail stores:CNA, Exclusive Books, Pick ‘n Pay, PNA, selected Spar stores, garage convenience shops, Checkers Hypermarkets, 7/11 stores, selected bookshops, Fascination and Incredible Books as well as to neighbourhood convenience shops. Own distribution to specialist pilot shops at airports as well as to key decision makers within the aviation industry. Back editions are distributed free of charge to African countries, airport lounges, charter companies, the South African Air Force and selected flight schools. Altogether 5 500 copies of African Pilot are printed each month. The magazine also has online readers from all over the world. The first ten pages of African Pilot may be downloaded free of charge by visiting www.africanpilot.co.za
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Editorial October editorial African Pilot makes significant advancements in 2018 I am pleased to report that African Pilot and APAnews together are now the most widely read and distributed aviation-specific publications on the African continent. Presently African Pilot is printing more copies of its monthly magazine than any other African aviation publication, whilst APAnews reaches more than 100 000 readers per month. Thanks to the excellent layout and design, as well as attention to detail, specifically the correct use of the English language, the monthly magazine has become more popular than any other African aviation publication. On behalf of our talented team, we would like to thank YOU, our readers for your loyal support.
Capturing moments in time Thanks to several valuable stories and photographs from African Pilot’s regular contributors, this edition features unique articles with superb photographs from our loyal contributors. The October edition is filled with beautiful pictures as well as most interesting features. Pete van der Spek has a wonderful illustrated feature on the annual Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in England (page 76), whilst Charlie Hugo has written the Rand airshow report with some superb pictures (page 46). On the same day, Sunday 19 August, I had been commissioned to travel to Maun, Botswana with some of the most important people within the Mahindra Aerospace Group to report on its ground-breaking Airvan A10, the first of which has been sold to Major Blue Air, a charter company in Maun. I departed Rand Airport at 10h30 to catch a private flight in a King Air 200 from OR Tambo International Airport. I was surprised to learn that there are 31 Airvan 8s operating with various charter companies in Maun,
the largest group of this aircraft type anywhere in the world at one airport. My full report on my Airvan Maun experience in Botswana is published on page 22 of this edition.
Airshows and aviation events in South Africa Unfortunately, present economic conditions, coupled with serious mandatory costs from regulatory bodies, have resulted in a noticeable decline of airshows that some years ago were frequent calendar events. However, this has also had a positive spin-off where many fly-ins and social events are now flourishing in their place. The fact that the regulatory authorities try to ‘regulate’ aviation ‘out of existence’ has ensured that certain committed aviation enthusiasts will find another way to ensure not only the survival of General Aviation, but also the overall growth of one of the most important sectors of South African and African interest. African Pilot was founded on the premise that it would always support aviation events and I believe that the magazine’s track record has certainly shown this commitment over its entire life of 18 years.
Where to next? So what can you expect from African Pilot in the future? Our digital platform has grown considerably over the past few months so that we can provide enrichment to ALL advertisers within African Pilot’s digital magazine. At the same time, African Pilot has taken ownership of ALL its digital publications therefore providing our readers with secure aviation information. Until next month please keep the blue ‘stuff ’ on top. Athol Franz
Editor Athol Franz 082 552 2940 editor@africanpilot.co.za
Publisher / Production Wavelengths 10 (Pty) Ltd
Marketing Lara Bayliss 079 880 4359 marketing@africanpilot.co.za
Durban correspondent Pete van der Spek
Copy reader Gordon Dyne
gdyne@global.co.za
Designers Maria Leader maria@africanpilot.co.za Creshenda Maraba-Haffejee creshenda@africanpilot.co.za Website and digital Johan Botes
johan@africanpilot.co.za
Accounts Manager Helena Kurland
admin@africanpilot.co.za
Admin / Subscriptions Paulinah Motlhabi
subscribe@africanpilot.co.za
Transport Ephraim Ndlovu
Cape Town correspondent Irene McCullagh Printing Business Print
012 843 7600 / 0861 42 42 59
Distribution On the Dot
011 401 5938
African Pilot Local International Fax
0861 00 11 30 +27 11 466 8524 / 6 086 767 4333
P.O. Box 30620, Kyalami, 1684, South Africa
African Pilot House No. 6 Barbeque Heights, Dytchley Road, Barbeque Downs, Kyalami, South Africa
website: www.africanpilot.co.za October 2018
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Competitions Total value of the competition in this edition is R1 655
Cover The Airvan 10
October Cover Competition General Pilot Supplies has generously supplied this month’s cover prize of an ASA CX-3 flight computer valued at R1655. Questions 1) With which international publisher is General Pilot Supplies affiliated? 2) On which date was the MATA open day held? 3) How many Airvan 8s are based at Maun International Airport?
August Cover Competition Winners Congratulations to the following winner, who won a demo flight in a Sling aircraft valued at R1500: Ben Siewele This Month’s Cover Competition Entries to be submitted to the following e-mail only: info@africanpilot.co.za One entry per person please. Entries sent to other African Pilot e-mails will automatically be disqualified.
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This air-to-air picture of the Airvan 10 was taken by David Spurdens a British photographer using his Nikon D4S, ISO 100, lens 150mm, 1/125 sec, f10.
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Hello Athol,
Good day Athol, It was good to meet you again during the 2018 Rand airshow. I was there in the African Pilot show stand to say ‘hello’ to you and your team. I was impressed to see that the airport and toilets were very clean and the security was very tight throughout the day. So I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Rand airport manager Stuart Coetzee, airshow organising committee and sponsors for hosting the awesome airshow. I also like to thank the volunteers, cleaners, security guards, community police forum, Germiston SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police for the great job. Before I forget I would also like to thank all the spectators for attending this awesome airshow. The highlights for me was the De Havilland Dragon Rapide flanked by the De Havilland Chipmunks, Henley Air Bell 222 helicopters, RV Raptor Team, Mango Airlines Boeing 737-800, Nigel Hopkins’ solo display, Goodyear Eagles’ Aero L-29 Delfin jet, Team Extreme, Menno Parsons’ Bell 407 display, Patrick Davidson’s solo display and Springbok Classic Beech 18 flanked by Puma Energy Flying Lions. I’m looking forward to seeing you again during the 2019 Rand airshow. Next year I am hoping to see the helicopter dual between Menno Parsons and Andre Coetzee. Regards, Bongani Radebe Dear Bongani, It is always great to see you at the Rand airshow, but unfortunately I was not able to spend the whole day there this year, because I had to catch a flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Botswana later in the day. However, African Pilot’s wonderful staff and contributors made up for the fact that I missed the major part of the airshow. I must agree with you that Rand Airport’s management certainly went out of its way to ensure that the airfield was kept clean throughout the day. According to Stuart Coetzee, it appears that the Rand airshow attracted a crowd in excess of 22,000, which is excellent. Regards, Athol.
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I received the attached photo from John Illsley, who took it during the Children’s Flight on 1 September at Grand Central Airport. I think it is such a special moment captured on camera, as it shows the feeling of ‘outreach’ which is exactly what the day is all about. In the photo my son Richard Jnr. is helping one of the children down from an aeroplane after a flight. Richard is a member of the Pretoria Boys’ High Aeronautical Society which assists with the Children’s Flight each year. Being privileged to grow up in an aviation community, Richard loves it and sees it at his duty and pleasure to give back whenever and wherever he can! He absolutely loved the day and to be part of the outreach programme. He has already said that he would love to fly some children during next year’s event as he will get his PPL next month! Kind regards, Mariette Nicholson
Dear Mariette, Many thanks for the photograph and for sharing this special moment with African Pilot’s readers. I spent most of the Friday of the Children’s Flight weekend at Grand Central Airport speaking to Felix Gosher and others who organised this special event for underprivileged children. The day was also very special to me and perhaps next year I will also fly my shared Cessna 182 from Rand Airport to assist with flying the children. Felix Gosher is such a special person who cares deeply about those people less fortunate than we are and I have great admiration for his organising skills. It is also great news to hear that Richard Jnr. will achieve his PPL next month. I dare say this is due in the main to Richard Snr’s influence! With good wishes to all the Nicholsons Yours sincerely Athol.
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MC-21-300
performs maiden landing in the dark One of the two MC-21-300 test aircraft performed a maiden night landing whilst undergoing flight tests at the airfield ‘Ramenskoye’ of Flight Research Institute M.M. Gromov (Zhukovsky, Moscow Region). The flight was an opportunity for Irkut Corporation to test the navigation and landing functioning and the external lighting equipment.
During the tests, the aircraft tried several overpasses at different altitudes. “All systems have operated properly,” reports Irkut. Currently, two MC-21-300 test aircraft are undergoing flight tests whilst another aircraft is under static test at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, also situated at Zhukovsky, Moscow. The MC-21 (short for Magistral Aircraft of the 21st Century), is a narrow-body, twin-engine, short-to-medium-haul jetliner. It has the capacity for 132-211 passengers across its MC-21-200 and MC-21-300 configurations, respectively, with the range of up to 3,240 nmi (6,000 km). At the moment, work is proceeding only on the MC-21-300 variant, which will be followed by a shortened MC-21-200. Three more MC-21-300 test samples are under construction at Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut Corporation (part of UAC). Two of them will join the flight tests programme. The third aircraft will be subjected to endurance tests at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.
First All Nippon Airways (ANA) A380 rolls off assembly line in Toulouse
ANA A380 The first A380 for All Nippon Airways (ANA) has rolled off of the final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse. The aircraft has now been moved to an outside station where various ground tests will be undertaken in preparation for first flight in the coming weeks. The aircraft will then be transferred to the Airbus facilities in Hamburg for cabin installation and painting. ANA HOLDINGS INC. placed a firm order for three A380s in 2016, becoming the first customer for the superjumbo in Japan.
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The first delivery is scheduled early in 2019 and the A380 will initially be operated on the popular Tokyo-Honolulu route. Offering more personal space than any other aircraft, the A380 is the most efficient solution to meeting growth on the world’s most heavily travelled routes, carrying more passengers with fewer flights at lower cost and emissions.To date; Airbus has delivered 229 A380s, with the aircraft now in service with 14 airlines worldwide.
US airlines shifting focus from Asia to Europe?
Whilst Asian aviation traffic is booming, it seems that a few United States legacy carriers are shifting their attention from the emerging market to Europe. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are both planning additional routes towards Europe for the summer of 2019. Meanwhile, American also plans to suspend some of its Asian routes, whilst Hawaiian Airlines is cancelling its only destination in China. Europe appears to be a stable seasonal market. Delta, which operates flights between the US and mainland Europe in conjunction with joint venture partners Air France, KLM and Alitalia, is set to launch its first nonstop flight from Tampa Bay (United States) to Amsterdam (the Netherlands). Starting on 23 May it is Delta’s 11th Amsterdam route from the US. The carrier is also expanding its hub-to-hub flying by increasing the frequency of flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle (France). Starting on 16 June 2019, the route is going to be operated daily. From New York-JFK the airline is launching a second daily nonstop flight to Paris and Tel Aviv, Israel. For Paris, the additional flight brings flight frequency to a total of seven per day. According to Vasu Raja, Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, American will add three new destinations from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), as the carrier sees an “increased interest to these markets from the US.” The new destinations are to Tegel Airport (TXL) in Berlin (Germany), Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) in Italy and Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Croatia. These seasonal flights will be operated on Boeing 767 aircraft.In the summer of 2018, American had already launched seasonal service from PHL to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) in Hungary and Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) in the Czech Republic, as well as from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), United States to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) in Italy and from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), United States to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland, all of which are planned for the summer of 2019 as well. With joint business partners British Airways and Finnair, American is also planning to offer service to London Heathrow (LHR), United Kingdom and Helsinki Airport (HEL), Finland. As the company points out, “with the addition of American’s PHX–LHR service, American and British Airways together will operate more than 70 flights per day to London from North America”.
Fuel cost, low demand: reduced operations in Asia Whilst actively adding new flights to Europe, the US carriers are removing routes in Asia. For instance, starting in October 2018, American is ditching a nonstop Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China service. The airline admits that the route is unprofitable and ‘simply not sustainable in this high fuel cost environment,’ but seeks a dormancy waiver from the Department of Transportation to permit a return to the market once conditions improve. The last westbound flight is planned for 26 October 2018 and the last eastbound flight on 27 October 2018.American will also reduce the frequency of its service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Narita International Airport (NRT), Japan, from 8 December 2018. The route should be partly compensated with the help of Japan airlines ( JAL), which is planning to increase its service on the route during the peak season (between June and August). On 21 August 2018, Hawaiian Airlines announced its decision to suspend its thrice-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) upon the completion of the National Day Golden Week holiday in October 2018. The airline, which started the service in April 2014, will re-deploy its 278seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft elsewhere. “These decisions are never easy and this one is especially difficult because we believe in China’s future as a robust market for the Hawaiian vacation experience and we will continue to market one-stop options to Honolulu from cities throughout China on our airline partners,’’ said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian’s president and CEO. October 2018
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Boeing welcomes
Virgin Australia
T
he Virgin Australia Group and Boeing announced the airline is adding the largest and most efficient member of the 737 MAX family to its growing single-aisle fleet. The carrier has converted an order for ten of the 737 MAX 8 to the larger MAX 10 variant.The airline, which has a number of 737 MAX 8s on order, said it saw the value of adding the MAX 10 to the mix as the aircraft will provide additional capacity and flexibility. Virgin Australia Group Chief Financial Officer Geoff Smith said:
as its newest 737 MAX 10 customer
“We are pleased to be welcoming the 737 MAX 10 aircraft into our expanding fleet in 2022. The addition of the 737 MAX 10 will provide us with additional flexibility and capability to support our network and operations. We are proud to become Australia’s first operator of the 737 MAX and we look forward to the opportunities that operating this type of aircraft will open up to us.”
GoAir still crippled by
engine glitches
A
new A320 neo engine shutdown mid-air incident is threatening GoAir’ CEO Cornelis Vrieswijk’ hopes to see all aircraft back in the air soon. Vrieswijk was appointed CEO of GoAir in June 2018, three months after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation grounded three the low-cost carrier’s A320neos (and eight for IndiGo) due to repetitive engine failures. It was discovered that the defect affected PW1100G of the Block B types. Since then, the problem was mostly tackled, according to the company, by using leased engine parts. “We have Block C type engines for most of our aircraft, except one or two that have Block B combustors,” said Vriesjwik. Unlike the previous version, the Block C features a monitoring programme that allow for maintenance before the engine reaches a critical stage of deterioration. The CEO announced that to support its new overseas strategy, GoAir would acquire 13 more A320neos by the end of 2018.
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On 1 September 2018, a GoAir Airbus A320, registered VT-WGJ, was performing flight G8-283 from Bangalore International Airport (BLR), India to Pune Airport (PNQ), India with 169 people on board. While ascending, the flight crew received unusual vibration indication, as well as an oil chip detection alarm, leading to an engine failure. The pilots turned off the engine and turned back to Bangalore. According to the Times of India, Pratt & Whitney denied that the incident was another inflight shutdown (IFSD) of the engine. GoAir reported a ‘technical glitch’. All A320neos in India powered by Pratt & Whitney engines have an ETOPS reduced to 60 minutes, following a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India.
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L’AVIATORE TECH comes to aviation A transparent and online marketplace – L’Aviatore is a simple and effective online sales platform that links buyers and sellers directly, where the deal you negotiate, is the deal you get. From aircraft, parts, accessories, leasing and hour building opportunities. The start of L’Aviatore? The decision to develop the platform was borne out of a frustration with available resources in the aviation market. Fortunately the frustration provided the founder with the inspiration for an online sales platform for aviation in Africa and the site was borne. ‘Live’ since January, the site’s slick and easy to navigate layout has won plaudits in the industry and the number of unique and returning visitors grows daily. “We have worked with leading developers to bring the site to its current usability, but we will continue to make improvements to enhance the experience,” she says.
How does the platform work?
Our platform is easy and transparent what you sell for, we advertise for. How does L’Aviatore earn money? It charges an administrative fee, calculated on a sliding scale and available on the platform with every listing. The higher the sale value, the lower the administrative fee that covers the sale legalities and paperwork. The administrative fee is charged on-top of the final sale value and for the buyers account.
Why use L’Aviatore? •
Transparent: Know what you are buying – advertised at the seller’s asking price
•
Global marketplace: Listings provided globally
•
Exponential growth: Unique users grow every day as more and more tier one aviation companies and owners list or purchase inventory through this platform.
To find out more, visit: www.laviatore.co.za or e-mail sales@laviatore.co.za
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Legally grey
Part III
by Honiball Aviation Auditing
The dilemma of having to know is, but the first step in navigating the quagmire of legal abidance. By now the truth is out; one cannot be legally grey. Well, maybe your hair colour, but definitely not your adherence to the law. Running to the lawyers is not always the mindful path to follow. The question would rather be how we actually landed up in possible or real trouble. Once the trouble has started, escape is costly.
I
never envisaged needing legal representation or for that matter, someone to say nice things on my behalf. I was young and the bush war was at its peak. Well, probably not at the peak of the peak, but hot enough to have bad dreams about bad experiences. The war was on and on a daily basis we either faced the enemy, or we were looking for trouble. Looking for trouble in the day was not enough and after dark when we were not needed for a flight, we were celebrating life with total commitment. To be quite honest, which I normally am and this is no exception, I was taught a lot of theory, but the practical side did not always agree or accept the theory. In theory we are protected by law, but in practice the law found us wanting. There is ‘nice’ naughty and there is ‘nasty’ naughty. There would probably be many more shades of naughty, but in our minds the line between acceptable and unacceptable naughty was not clearly defined. Somehow the amount of beer consumed versus the amount of fearlessness has a close relation and so it became time to get to know the environment and the Boss’ Land Rover, or as we called it ‘Garry’, would take us to the local attractions. The night was not so young, but we were and there was a party in one of the local resident’s houses that clearly shouted for attendance. Garry was manned and the four of us had every intention to go party bashing.
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Well, in the bush in those days, to just enter another man’s house for a drink was not so ill thought of and mostly welcomed as company was a scarce commodity. Without much driving, we arrived and entered the house. We were welcomed with open arms and that was exactly where the problem started. Certain rules are not to be broken and in the remoteness of the place, being welcomed by another’s girlfriend may be a stitch too much, but when you give her all your charm in return, the line was crossed. Rule one was broken. Not really intentionally, but Dick, one of our mates by nature was very friendly and forthcoming, so he behaved as normal. To get into a fight with those that were not declared the enemy was not on and as visitors in the area, we had to do a tactical retreat. That was much easier said than done. There was the front door, the front gate, the pavement and then into Garry. It seemed that our hosts were more ‘beered-up’ than we were and reason had no consideration. Garry responded quite well and within no time we were out and as we accelerated away, empty bottles followed, but luckily never crossed our path. That was until the road decided to make a 90-degree bend to the left. The speed was far in excess and the turn radius was not going to work. Paul, our driver on duty, had only a split second to respond and to the amazement of us all, he did nothing.
He did not even make an attempt to follow the road. The pavement came next and the noises from underneath Garry were quite frankly evil. The fence was next and then the school rugby field with pipes and sprayers and water everywhere. The second law was broken as no man shall interfere with a rugby field, not there or anywhere in the Southern tip of Africa. Garry slid to a halt and the wet field was ruined, scarred and violated. Garry was still functioning and then we made our second escape back to our operational stage. Next morning the Boss was speechless when he saw his Land Rover, scratched, dented, undercarriage ruined and the front windscreen missing. The third law was broken as it has been said that no man shall ruin another man’s Garry. It was not funny then and the next month was dry and dreary as we were all confined to our tents, with no rights at all, but to fight the war. In innocence we thought we were playing the game and never comprehended that things could go pear shaped in such a short space of time. The payment for our crimes was considered just, but we never thought so. The problem is that our aviation law is like that. It is just good fun and no harm intended until things go wrong. Sometimes they go horribly wrong and other times just enough to attract attention. The SACAA worked out a nice system of fining someone which is penned in the CARs, Part 185. Ignorance of the law or for that matter transgressing the law without ill
intent, has very little bearing on the fine system. We will never agree to any punishment, but remember that a mistake is as a rule not punishable, but a transgression must be punished. As prevention is better than cure, especially for the operators out there that stand to lose their licences. To have one’s doors closed or scorned as a transgressor with a target painted on your back is preventable.
Honiball Aviation Auditing makes sure that you are not only ready for audit scrutinisation, but also within the law so as to keep the legal hounds off your back. To negotiate the unexpected turns in the road or transgressing unknowingly are some of the pavements and fences on the road of running a successful aviation business. Nobody can know everything nor keep fingers on all the business pulses when operating in such a seriously regulated environment. Honiball will be there to keep your back clear of targets and your sleep free of Part 185 nightmares.
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Pilatus PC-24 ‘Super Versatile Jet’ ready to challenge Africa
T
he world’s first ‘Super Versatile Jet’ the PC-24 has been engineered to be ‘off-road’ compatible from its inception. Its outstanding short-field performance, even on unpaved runways, opens up an incredible level of mobility. Utilising the PC24, clients will have access to almost 100% more airports worldwide than offered by comparable business jets. That means one can fly closer to one’s final destination, using smaller airports and reducing ground transfer time to an absolute minimum. The Pilatus PC-24 combines the practicality of a turboprop with the cabin size of a Medium Light Jet and the performance of a Light Jet. Features include its flexible spacious interior, comprising continuous flat floor and unique cargo door to enable quick and easy loading. The PC-24 is designed to operate from short, paved and even unpaved surfaces. As with all Pilatus aircraft, the PC-24 is certified for singlepilot operation. An efficient and intuitive cockpit layout, powered by Honeywell ACE, is designed to reduce pilot workload and improve safety whilst providing full situational awareness in all environments. Launch customer - PlaneSense, a US fractional ownership operator, took delivery of the first production PC-24 (serial number 101) in early February and it has amassed over 500 hours to date. Pilatus is pushing ahead with its PC-24 production and aims to deliver 23 new jets this year. With the initial orders for 84 aircraft back in 2014, amounting to three years’ production, the order book is expected to reopen to customers in 2019. Pilatus has been conducting post certification testing which includes steep approach approval as well as a rough field test campaign, operating the PC-24 on unpaved runways for which it was designed. Pilatus PC-12 Centre Southern Africa (PCSA) will be delivering the first Pilatus PC-24 in Africa in October 2018. The aircraft, which will be based in Cape Town and managed by ExecuJet, is the first of five PC-24s sold into the region from the initial production run. PCSA as the Pilatus PC-24 Authorised Sales and Service Centre for Southern Africa has geared up for entry into service support with the required staff training, tooling and spares’ pool to ensure effortless operations for the aircraft. PCSA will soon commence work on a new hangar facility at Rand Airport adjacent to the current hangars 41 & 42, which will serve as the maintenance base for the PC-24 fleet in the region.
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Features: • A 501 cubic-foot pressurised passenger cabin with seating for up to 10 passengers • Pressurised baggage compartment with in-flight access • Single-pilot certification • Forward passenger door and standard large (4ft 3in x 4ft 1in) aft cargo door • Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) avionics developed by Honeywell Performance: • Max cruise speed: 440 knots (815 km/h) • Range: 2,035 nautical miles with four passengers, NBAA IFR fuel reserves • Maximum operating altitude: 45,000 feet(13,716 m) • Take-off distance: balanced field length 2,810 feet (856m) (MTOW, sea level) • Rate of climb: 4,151 fpm (21.10 m/s) • Stall speed (landing configuration): 81 knots (149 km/h) (MLW, sea level) • Landing distance over 50-foot obstacle: 2,355 feet (718m) (MLW, sea level) Weights: • • • •
Maximum take-off: 17,968 lbs (8,150 kg) Usable fuel: 888.5 US Gal. (5,964 lbs) Maximum payload: 2,522 lbs (1,144 kg ) Maximum payload with full fuel: 737 lbs (334 kg)
Pilatus PC-24 is represented by the Pilatus Centre at Rand Airport in Germiston
Tel: 011 383 0800 Raymond Steyn 082 652 3439, Tim Webster 083 251 0318, Gerry Wyss 082 318 5089, Pascal Wyss 082 511 7312 Website: www.pilatuscentre.co.za
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