2nd Edition of The Aero Files

[Aero Club Exco]

2nd Edition for 2012

Approved Persons Seminar 2012
The seminar for all Approved Persons and those interested in becoming Approved Persons will be taking place on the 23 MARCH 2012 at 09h00 at the RAASA offices, Rand Airport.
It is essential that all current and prospective Approved Persons attend. Topics of discussion will include changes to the regulations both for the AP as well as Aircraft maintenance, the AP procedures and administrative arrangements.
For further details please call the office on 011 082 1000. Please complete the attached registration form and e-mail to willem@raasa.co.za or fax back to 011 082 1020

This seminar is fully Hosted and Sponsored by RAASA, in an aid to improve quality and safety in the NTCA environment

Protected Areas Act PAA
The Aero Club is setting up the meetings to go over the Airspace Impact study completed by ATNS. This study highlights the effects that the PAA will have on aviation as a whole. It therefore indicates the impact it will have, as a knock on effect, as changes to CTA’s and TMA’s will be affected. AeCSA will with the assistance of ACSA provide venue’s for meetings to ascertain from members and affected parties the economic and safety impacts that would result. AeCSA is taking an active roll in this.

Aero Club membership cards and 2011 Year Book
Member cards and the 2011 Year Book are being posted as we speak. New member cards will have a barcode to use for future discount structures being developed for members. This is in line with Phase 2 of the projected FundiCRM system rollout.

FAP 64
As many aviators may be aware one of the world’s main producers of medical radioactive isotopes is at Pelindaba. To protect this strategic asset FAP 64 was developed years ago.
A re-assessment had been undertaken and AeCSA among others have been assisting in giving correct statistical aircraft size and movement data, to put in the assessment model.
The previous data used was international which required FAP 64 to be enlarged It would effect recreational aviation. Completion of this model rework should result in no change needed for FAP 64.

Tedderfield Shootout
MISASA Tedderfield Spoilt by Choice (article by Juri Keyter)

Between 7:00 and 8:00, an average of one landing per minute took place during the 'Spoilt by Choice' Aircraft Leader board Shootout organised by MISASA and staged at the Tedderfield Air Park on Saturday the 4 February 2012. MISASA truly lived up to the saying ‘Let's build the aviation industry together’ by inviting all disciplines in aviation to participate during the event. More than 130 aircraft flew in and included microlights, gliders, gyrocopters, fixed wing aircraft, hot air balloons, parachutes, virtual aviation, aircraft distributors and displays by other aviation merchandise suppliers. The day started with a parachute jump from a hot air balloon followed by the mass arrival of all the participating and visiting aircraft. Throughout the day visitors could attend two parallel presentation tracks hosted in the Tedderfield clubhouse and the Airplane Factory showroom. The well planned schedule alternated discussion topics every twenty minutes and the presentations covered different aircraft models, kit building, aircraft hardware, ballooning, search & rescue, EAA of South Africa, Aero Club of South Africa and Aviation photography.

The main attraction of the day was probably the new Arrow-Copter. This is without a doubt the most modern aircraft in South Africa today and the number on the tail says it all. This piece of art is not only built with space-age technology, it also looks like a vehicle from a James Bond movie. The Arrow-Copter was surrounded for most of the day and photographers waited for hours to get a complete view without spectators all over this beauty. However, it was disappointing that the Arrow-Copter was only on static display and we would have loved to see it take to the skies. The JK-05 Junior was another impressive feature at the event. I expect to see many more examples of this fine aircraft based on its comfortable and well-designed interior, impressive looks and specifications, but most of all, its affordability.

Graham Field of Aerial FX and Pierre Laubscher provided many exhilarating moments during the day with regular parachute jumps and it is clear that with their experience it is possible to jump from almost anything that can lift them aloft.

The hospitality demonstrated by the members of Tedderfield Airpark during the event must be commended. Visitors were free to view some very unique and interesting aircraft generally not seen by the public. This KOPKE-GK1 (the only one of its kind) is owned by Carlton Blandford who is probably the biggest KR-2 enthusiast in South Africa. Carlton, builder of the immaculate ZU-BCB, is also in possession of Sakkie Halgreen’s ZS-UKU and we look forward to track this restoration project in the future. A Bucker Jungmann was also parked outside and this classic is always nice to see.

Local aircraft manufacturer and pride of South Africa, The Airplane Factory, had its facilities open throughout the day so that interested visitors could see their absolute pristine workshops and workflow. Owners Mike Blyth and James Pitman flew countless introductory and demonstration flights in their superb Sling 2 and Sling 4 and even after a long day the pleasure of flying the Sling was still evident on their faces. The fact that this event was aimed to attract people from all the different spheres of aviation allowed us all to meet many new pilots and enthusiasts from other disciplines. Everyone enjoyed it and if we are to promote and grow the industry, then this is the way to do it. Good food and laughter was the order of the day and although there were not many refuse containers visible, Tedderfield was left spotlessly clean compared to what we have seen at other events in the past.

After sunset the event was closed with some extraordinary photographic opportunities when Mike flew the sling in line with the moon while the hot air balloons ignited the skies with a ‘night-glow’. For evening entertainment, those that stayed were treated to musical performances which included Dave Abbott of Abbott & Crabb fame.

Thank you to all those that made the effort to attend. To read more about this event, visit the following link: http://www.weboonline.com//MISASA/websi ... p?catID=98

Krugersdorp Breakfast Fly-in (11February 2012)
The members of EAA Chapter 322 surprised us all with their camaraderie and perseverance. Regardless of their plans to fly in from all over, the bad weather did not deter these members and the breakfast fly-in became a breakfast drive-in. More than 30 members drove in to attend the event and this was a true reflection of their commitment to this organization under the leadership of Karl Jensen. Gordon Dyne took his chances by waiting for the weather to clear and arrived with his Piper Arrow an hour later. By 10h00 the weather cleared and we were entertained by the arrival of Dave Shakeshaft with his beautiful North American Navion which he flew in from Stellenbosch. Steve George teamed up with Dave as he entered the circuit and provided a thrilling Navion formation fly past.

For a change, the photographers took to the skies when Willie Bodenstein was flipped by Ricardo De Bonis in his awesome AirCam, Deon Prins had his first RV ride (and grin) while Adam(pie) Barnard was spoilt for an hour in the pristine Piper Cruiser of Leon Meintjies.
The next EAA 322 Monthly Breakfast Fly-in will be on 24 March at Welgelegen (Rietbult airstrip) near Balfour. See you there!

Africa Aerospace Defence AAD 2012
This year’s AAD will be the largest aviation and military showcase event ever staged on the African continent over a five day period between 19 and 23 September at Air Force Base Waterkloof. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be trade days, whilst the Saturday and Sunday will be public days with amazing airshows on both days.

AAD is a very successful partnership between South Africa’s Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industry Association (AMD), ARMSCOR and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), with full support from the Department of Defence and has the active support of the Department of Trade & Industry, the Department of Transport and Department of Science & Technology.

Since Africa Aerospace & Defense’s inception in 2000, the event has grown in leaps and bounds and serves the interests of both civilian and military sectors. It has established itself as a major platform for South Africa’s defense, general aviation, space, homelands security, humanitarian relief, disaster management, freight and forwarding services as well as search and rescue technology industries and stakeholders. It is the largest exhibition of air, land & sea capabilities on the African continent and showcases the most advanced technologies currently available.

The Fun Fly Park – a new addition AeCSA and CAASA have added will bring Recreational Aviation to the event. We will have a display park with slots for fly by’s, a display area for Aero Club sections and an arena for practical displays and crowd involvement.

Grahamstown wind farms
MAKANA Municipality, Rhodes University and wind energy operator InnoWind signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) indicating their support for and commitment to a proposed wind farm on the outskirts of Grahamstown. It is envisaged that the wind power generation facility will utilise unique wind turbines to provide Grahamstown with an alternative, renewable and environmentally friendly source of electricity. Please take caution as these towers may place recreational aviators at risk in this area.

Advertisements in the Aero Files
The possibility for members to advertise in the Aero Files is being looked at. The inserts will have to be small and no pictures will be added to an advertisement. The advertisements will be at the back of the Newsletter at R200 per insert or R1000 for six inserts.

RAASA statement - 21 February 2012 - supported by MISASA, SAGPA and EAA

Three Separate Microlight accidents in the first few weeks of 2012 – ALL INTO POWER LINES!!!

Five (5) Injuries – One (1) serious, Three (3) critical, One (1) Fatal!!

Every accident will be carefully investigated and claims or reasons given for the accidents verified, reports of this type of excessive low flying WILL also be investigated by the Enforcement department!

It is an offence to fly below 500ft AGL away from a build up area or an open air assembly of persons, unless the flight can be conducted without being a nuisance or danger to person or property.
It is also an offence to fly over a built-up area with a NTCA aircraft, unless it is for the purposes of taking off and landing.
Any flight over a built up area shall remain no less than 1000 ft above the highest point of such area.
Any repeated overflights of a built area shall remain no less than 3000 ft above the highest point of such area.

Flying into power lines is clearly flying lower than such minimums require, damaging power lines also constitute a nuisance and danger to property even possibly persons.

In view of these continued and reoccurring accidents further enforcement/legal action is being contemplated against any person not complying with the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Everyone is urged to report low flying or any other contravention of the Regulations.
You could save a life!

Reports can be made confidentially or by way of affidavit to either the SACAA or RAASA.

Reports can be made by visiting the SACAA website at www.caa.co.za for the appropriate form, alternatively, to www.raasa.co.za.
These can also be e-mailed to RAASA on pierre@raasa.co.za

Please assist us in improving flight safety!
RAASA Operations

Pierre Laubscher
RAASA is designated and dedicated to serve the recreational flyer!
SA Auction Group
SA Auction Group is hosting an aircraft auction on the 28th of February 2012 at Grand Central Airport.
For more details please contact:
Marga van Gruting
Financial Department
Tel: 086 011 0851
Fax: 051 445 2031
Web: www.saauctiongroup.co.za


Mind Trick
O lny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.
cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Yours in preserving free flight! AeCSA