Lowveld Review 2020

LOWVELD

REVIEW

November 2020

AVIATION IN THE LOWVELD Until the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lowveld aviation industry was growing strongly as a gateway to international tourism.

KRUGER MPUMALANGA Pre-Covid-19 the number of scheduled flights operating out of Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) near Nelspruit and White River was steadily increasing.

The KMIA terminal building has its unique charm as one of the largest thatch structures in the country. Tourist cameras come out to capture their first African safari experience before even leaving the terminal to be transported to many world class lodges in the region. A bonus is the wildlife that is kept on the airport property and the abundance of small antelope and monkeys adds to the safari experience at KMIA. KMIA’S location provides an excellent base for international visitors to the Kruger National Park, the Blyde

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Kruger Mpumalanga Airport before Covid-19.

Nelspruit Airfield is home to a number of essential service operators such as Working on Fire.

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Hoedspruit Civil Airfield is growing strongly.

River National Park, upmarket lodges in the

number of Approved Maintenance Organisations

Hazyview area as well as the tourist attractions

(AMOs) that deliver world class service in both the

and waterfalls that the towns of Sabie, Pilgrims

avionics as well as maintenance services.

Rest and Graskop have to offer.

Nelspruit is an airport with a strong sense of community and a visit normally ends in a few

NELSPRUIT AIRFIELD Before KMIA, Nelspruit Airfield was the hub for regional flights to the Lowveld operated by Airlink.

With the move of scheduled carriers to KMIA,

drinks at Lowveld Aero Club. Catching up with old friends and meeting new people is the essence of a flying community.

Kishugu have launched their own ATO and

Nelspruit Airfield management needed to rethink

are training private as well as commercial pilots.

their approach to business and the sustainability.

Nelspruit Airfield is also home to a number of Part

The airfield established itself as the first choice

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for general aviation maintenance , the base for a

and scenic flight services.

number of Approved Training Organisations (ATO) and home to the Kishugu (Working on Fire) group with a large fleet of Huey rotary wing and Cessna fixed wing aircraft. Nelspruit Airfield is home to a

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GENERAL AVIATION Apart from KMIA and Nelspruit Airfields, there is an abundance of general aviation operations.

A strong sense of community - here are the Working on Fire pilots.

Micro Aviation has built an excellent track record building and supporting the large number of Bat Hawk microlights.

much for the growth of the club.

Eastgate Airport has been enjoying steady expansion under the sway of Ms Lente Roode of nearby Kapama Game Lodge. Airlink and

HOEDSPRUIT Further north, Hoedspruit is growing fast.

CemAir are providing scheduled flights across Southern Africa. The terminal drop-off and parking

Almost all the available space on the east side

areas have been substantially enlarged and the

of the Hoedspruit Civil runway has now been

passenger numbers are already putting the small

developed for large hangars. This growth has

facility leased from the military base under strain.

been particularly evident since the Hoedspruit

A further characteristic of the Lowveld GA

Flying Club tarred the Hoedspruit Civil runway

environment is the plethora of private airfields

in 2016. Also, in 2016 well-known AME Ian

that service the game lodges, again testimony to

Greenwood has now established himself as

how strongly the aviation industry is thriving in the

Afritech AMO at Hoedspruit Civil. Having a tarred

Lowveld.

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runway and an AMO plus fuel on hand has done

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LOWVELD REVIEW

Leading Edge Helicopters Air charter at a different level CessZani Aviation is an owner-operated licensed air charter company that offers air charter services to any destination, lodge transfers, adventure packages, helicopter transfers and scenic flights.

Bell 407 Bell 206 A/B 206L /L1 / L3/ L4 Bell 205 UH - 1H Bell 222 UT/SP Robinson R22 / R44 / R66 Airbus AS 350 SERIES

T: +27 (0) 13 741 4651/0 cindy@cesszani.co.za

a/h +27 (0)82 893 5743 www. cesszani.co.za

SA Flyer 2020|11

BELL 206 SERIES COMPONENT OVERHAUL

HOEDSPRUIT

AMO 1184 Ryan: +27 83 233 2057 Mark: +27 82 450 2097 ryan@leheli.co.za | tasha@leheli.co.za Tel: +27 13 741 5582 | Fax: +27 13 741 8188

RAPTOR’S VIEW WILDLIFE ESTATE EXQUISITE PROPERTY

PRICE: R8 300 000

SA Flyer 2019|06

Nestled among the majestic trees on a river bed, be prepared to be engulfed by pure luxury and serenity. In this sought-after wildlife estate of Hoedspruit you’ll have your own hectare of African bush with unparalleled privacy. The house offers 4 spacious bedrooms and an office. The interior epitomes class and space with the main bedroom not only boasting views, outside shower, but also “his and hers” bathrooms. The house further offers superb entertainment areas inside and out, including a modern bar and cosy fire-pit with spectacular views. Privacy for guests are ensured by the three separate suites with en-suite bathrooms and decks. Security features include the estate’s electric fence and guard house, manned 24/7. Truly an entertainers’ dream in an idyllic setting. There is also a registered traverse right onto the adjacent Big Game Estate, giving you the best of both worlds.

Annie vd Berg 082 643 3776 annievandenberg@remax.net 015 793 0181

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November 2020

INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED LEADING ACMI LEASING COMPANY

Specialists in providing ACMI leasing services for the Embraer E120 & ERJ145 Sahara Africa Aviation is a leading, internationally accredited ACMI leasing company who offer exceptional end-to-end services, allowing clients to focus on growing and managing their business

Sahara owns and operates the largest fleet of Embraer E120s in the world and has expanded their fleet to include the Embraer ERJ145 to meet client demand

Sahara has their own AMO and AOC with dedicated engineers, crew and operational support staff, ensuring an unprecedented 99.8% dispatch rate

Contact us to discuss your aviation requirements Trevor Brotherton +27 83 3054508 trevor@flysahara.co.za Lisa Constable +27 81 0107920 lisa@flysahara.co.za November 2020

www.flysahara.co.za

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LOWVELD REVIEW

NORTH EAST AVIONICS CC Established in 1996, North East Avionics has earned a proud reputation as one of the leading avionics service and installation facilities in Southern Africa.

BASED at Nelspruit Airfield, the company is

training and certification with original equipment

based in a large and modern 950 sq metre

suppliers.

hangar and workshop facility. North East Avionics therefore has the space and the facilities to

distributors for all the major avionics

accomodatre all the specialist equipment required

manufacturers including: Garmin, Avidyne, L-3,

to undertake any large or small avionics upgrade

JPI, Insight, Sandel, Bose and David Clarke. In

or repair project.

addition, the numerous compliance requirements

The company prides itself on its institutional

from the South African and other Civil Aviation

skills and experience which are combined with

authorities are zealously maintained. North East

uncompromising professional workmanship and

Avionics is particularly proud of the constructive

backed by excellent customer service.

working relationship, based on mutual respect,

Over the 24 years since the company was

the company has as an Approved Maintenance

established they have earned the trust of many

Organisation holding many licenses and approvals

loyal customers who attest to their reliable service,

from the various Civil Aviation Authorities.

delivered on time and to the agreed cost –

By staying completely up to date, North East

excluding unforeseen additions or variations to the

Avionics is able deliver to its customers a safe,

original job description!

reliable and functional avionics solution to meet

Because the avionics industry is fast moving

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North East Avionics are factory approved

the customer’s precise needs. Thanks to North

and technology driven, aircraft owners and

East Avionics’ experience and skills, all work

operators demand an avionics maintenance

including major and minor avionics upgrades, is

organisation with a highly level of understanding

undertaken completely in-house. The company’s

of modern aircraft instrument and avionic

workshop is one the very few remaining in

installations as well as the latest new equipment

Southern Africa which is still able to repair older

technology. North East Avionics works hard to stay

generation units where replacement is not an

ahead of these challenges, which entails regular

option.

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Congratulations!

The staff at SA Flyer want to congratulate our editor and publisher Guy Leitch on graduating as a Doctor of Philosophy in Management of Technology and Innovation - THESIS: Air connectivity conceptual models to address the allocation of resources to African air transport.

LEADING EDGE HELICOPTERS Leading Edge Helicopters is an SACAA

Vermooten, in partnership with Mark Jackson (AME and Pilot), Mike Rochat (AME and Component Licence) and Tosh Ross (SAA

approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisation

Pilot), all of whom have extensive experience

based at Nelspruit Airfield, Mpumalanga.

in the aviation industry and more specifically

Specialising in helicopter maintenance, they

aircraft maintenance. Together, the team

service the complete Robinson range namely,

ensures that they keep abreast of all the

the R22, R44 and the turbine R66. The Bell

latest relevant technology and innovations,

range, namely the Bell 407, Bell 206 Jet

guaranteeing that your aircraft will always

Ranger and Long Ranger, and Bell 205/UH-1H

receive the highest quality maintenance.

and Bell 222 SP and UT. They also cater for re-builds on the Bell &

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Leading Edge Helicopters is led by Ryan

With Leading Edge Helicopters you are never just a number.

Robinson models, and carry a Category B

Contact Leading Edge Helicopters on:

(component overhaul) licence for the Bell 206

Tel: +27 13Â 741 5582

Jet Ranger and Long Ranger series.

Email: ryan@leheli.co.za

November 2020