Number 67 – 26 August 2024

“He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” Arabian Proverb

Health update on Athol Franz – Owner / Editor of African Pilot & Future Flight

Athol Franz, the Owner and Editor of African Pilot and Future Flight, was hospitalised and placed in high care a little over two weeks ago. After undergoing tests, it was confirmed last week that his cancer has returned. Due to his current health condition, which includes memory challenges, Athol is unable to visit clients or write articles for his magazines. The future of African Pilot will be discussed internally and a media release will be issued to provide further updates.

Great Train Race at Heidelberg 2023

As Air Traffic Navigation Services crumbles, air safety in South Africa suffers

Recent announcements from Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) have caused significant disruption and financial burdens for airlines and passengers, raising serious concerns about the management of this essential organization. In recent weeks, ATNS has imposed restrictions on aircraft landings and take-offs at various airport runways across South Africa, leading to widespread inconvenience and heightened safety risks. These developments not only threaten the safety of the flying public but have also forced pilots into difficult situations, such as holding patterns or diversions to alternative airports due to poor weather or low visibility.

The ramifications for the airline industry and passengers have been severe, with enormous costs and delays resulting from these operational challenges. The root cause of this disarray lies in the apparent failure of ATNS to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure and follow proper procedures. This situation has not emerged overnight but has been brewing for over a year, as highlighted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) when it raised concerns about ATNS’s adherence to due process. Despite multiple extensions and opportunities to rectify the issues, ATNS has repeatedly missed deadlines, leading to the current crisis.

ATNS’s leadership has offered apologies, claiming efforts to minimize delays and reduce the impact on airlines and passengers. However, these assurances do little to mitigate the fact that this situation was entirely preventable. The responsibility for this mess lies squarely on the shoulders of ATNS management, who allowed the situation to deteriorate through a lack of foresight, planning, and adherence to established protocols. The organization’s failure to effectively manage air traffic navigation has put the entire aviation sector at risk.

Compounding the problem is the increasing trend of outsourcing critical functions traditionally managed by internal ATNS staff to external service providers. This shift has led to the erosion of internal competencies and has opened the door for external providers, some of whom are former ATNS employees, to charge exorbitant fees for their services. This mirrors the mismanagement seen in other state-owned enterprises, where reliance on external contractors has led to inefficiencies and inflated costs, ultimately undermining the organization’s ability to fulfill its mandate.

The parallels with the downfall of South African Airways (SAA) under the leadership of Dudu Myeni are striking. Like SAA, ATNS is now on a path that could lead to its decline if immediate action is not taken. The recent request by ATNS management for significant tariff increases, which will undoubtedly raise the cost of air travel in South Africa, is further evidence of the organization’s financial mismanagement. These increases, coupled with the large bonuses sought by ATNS executives, are unjustifiable given the current state of affairs.

Given the critical role that ATNS plays in ensuring the safety and efficiency of South Africa’s airspace, it is imperative that new Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy initiate a thorough independent investigation into the conduct of the senior management and board. This investigation should focus on the lack of governance, poor management decisions, and the overall decline in operational standards within ATNS. Only through such scrutiny can the organization be held accountable and steered back on course to regain its status as a world-class air traffic navigation service provider.

Calling all Vintage Pilots!

Fly-in to the Heidelberg Airfield

Saturday the 28^th of September 2024

• Pilots of vintage aircraft (and attired in retro aviation gear) get a free breakfast roll from 08h00 to 09h00 at the Vintage VIP Clubhouse
• Rovos Rail “double header” steam train arrives at 10h00 at the Heidelberg Station
• Cavalcade of priceless vintage cars and motorcycles joins the train
• At 10h30 the Cavalcade arrives at the Airfield… passes the VIP Clubhouse
• Threads its way through the parked vintage airplanes
• Each pilot attired in vintage aviation gear, standing proudly next to his airplane
• Poses for photographers. Coffee table book to be launched at The Great Train Race Grand Ball on Saturday 1 March 2025 at the Rand Club
• Each car and motorcycle then parks under the national flag of its country of origin
• This year, everyone in attendance must be dressed up in vintage clothing
• Retro vendors… international cuisine… kids stuff… live music… stationary engines…
• A Vintage Day for the Whole Family!

Please select the appropriate Quicket option to book:

• Your ticket for delicious three-course lunch in the VIP Clubhouse (lunch booking closes 20^th of Sept 2024) @R350.
• Ticket for your friends and family to attend The Great Train Race @R80 adults R40 for kids

Please Note:

• Pilots in modern planes are welcome to pre-book for lunch at the VIP Clubhouse
• But must please be attired in vintage clothing in the spirit of the day

For breakfast catering purposes, please RSVP to Christopher Van chrisvan@rocketmail.com if you would like to attend (weather permitting of course).

31 August
Virginia airshow – Durban
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314

September

2 to 5 September
Egypt International Airshow
Contact Yasmine Nasr E-mail: yasmine.nasr@arabianworldevents.com

3 to 5 September
Commercial UAV Expo Las Vegas, USA
Website: www.expouav.com
Contact Carl Berndtson E-mail: cberndtson@divcom.com

6 September
Children’s Flight at New Tempe airfield, Bloemfontein
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 1919 4603

7 September
RV annual fly-in to Kitty Hawk airfield
Contact Frank van Heerden E-mail: frankvh@mweb.co.za Cell: 082 656 7253

7 September
Bethlehem airshow
Contact Khotso Motsoeneng matsoenegkhotso01@gmail.com Cell: 073 909 5409

7 September
SAA Museum Society Specialised Tour limited to nine adults
Contact E-mail: events@saamuseum.co.za  Cell: 076 879 5044

7 & 8 September
4 X 4 Outdoor Show at Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria.
Contact Alan Carwood E-mail: alan@4X4outdoorshow.co.za

9 to 12 September
ICAO’s first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium ICAO headquarters Montreal, Canada
African Pilot will be attending this symposium as a delegate of the SACAA

10 & 11 September
Aerospace and Test Development Show Toulouse, France.
Contact: Tom Enders: tom.eames@markallengroup.com

14 September
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

14 September
SAPFA Speed Rally finale venue TBA
Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200 

16 and 17 September
Aviation Africa 2024 Sandton Convention Centre 
Contact Email: info@aviationafrica.aero

18 to 22 September
Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition at AFB Waterkloof
Contact Nakedi Phasha E-mail: expodir@aadexpo.co.za

20 & 21 September
EAA Silver Creek breakfast pancake fly-in at Silver Creek Gorge
Contact Sean Cronin E-mail: sean@glutek.co.za

24 & 25 September
DroneX Trade show and Conference at Excel London
Website: https://www.dronexpo.co.uk/

28 September
West Coast airshow at Saldanha airfield
Contact Clive Coetzee Cell 084 614 1675

28 September
Great Train Race at Heidelberg airfield
Contact Christopher Van E-mail: chrisvan@rocketmail.co.za

October

3 to 5 October
Volare International Airshow at Volare International Airport, Italy
Contact: info@airexpo.aero Website: www.volareairshow.com

4 to 6 October
Reno airshow celebrating 60 years of aviation at this venue
Website: www.renoairshow.org

5 October
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

22 to 26 October
SAC National Aerobatics Championships at Stellenbosch airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za

26 October
SAPFA Spot Landings at Brits and Stellenbosch Airfields 
Contact Ron Stirk E-mail: melron@mweb.co.za  Cell: 082 804 445 0373

November

2 November
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

16 November
EAA Chapter 322 breakfast fly-in to Airspan airfield

19 to 21 November
Air Expo Abu Dhabi
Contact: Mr Didier Mary (General Manager) E-mail: didier@airexpo.aero

20 to 24 November
IADE Tunisia Aerospace and Defence exhibition Djerba Zarzis Airport
Contact: IADE Tunisia E-mail: admin@iadeorganiser.com

December

3 December
Wonderboom Airport Safety Symposium at Villa San Giovani
Contact Dave le Roux PilotInsure E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za

7 December
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium awards breakfast
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

7 & 8 December
SAC Ace of Base at Heidelberg airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za

Qatar’s Airlink stake a ‘milestone for African aviation’

Qatar Airways’ strategic investment in Airlink marks a significant milestone in African aviation, offering substantial benefits for South African travelers and the broader continental market. This investment, as highlighted by Euan McNeil, MD of Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa, introduces major global players like Qatar Airways into the African market, which is expected to enhance connectivity, offer more competitive pricing, and create a more integrated travel experience by seamlessly connecting local routes with Qatar’s expansive global network.

The implications of this partnership go beyond mere route expansion; it signifies a strong vote of confidence in South Africa’s aviation sector and the wider African market. This move aligns with a growing trend of international carriers strategically investing in regional airlines, which is expected to drive innovation and elevate service standards across the industry. Qatar Airways’ investment in Airlink will enhance the existing codesharing partnership between the two airlines, further advancing Qatar’s ambitions to expand its operations across the African continent.

Qatar Airways Group CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized that this investment demonstrates the airline’s long-term commitment to Africa, recognizing the continent’s immense potential. Airlink MD and CEO, Rodger Foster, echoed this sentiment, stating that Qatar Airways’ equity stake is a powerful endorsement of Airlink’s resilience and future growth prospects. The partnership is set to align both airlines’ loyalty programs, offering even more value to their customers, while Qatar Airways continues to strengthen its presence in Africa, having recently added several new destinations to its network, including key cities like Abidjan, Abuja, and Accra.

Flights cancelled in Japan after scissors go missing

Thirty-six flights were cancelled and 201 delayed at a Japanese airport on the weekend after a pair of scissors went missing in a store near the boarding gates. Security checks at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport domestic terminal were suspended for about two hours on Saturday morning, leaving hundreds of travellers temporarily stranded. There were huge bottlenecks and queues as passengers in the departure lounge were forced to retake security checks.

Authorities tried to locate the missing scissors, which were found at the same store the following day. Although the scissors weren’t located on Saturday, the day they went missing, security checks and flights eventually resumed that day. Hokkaido Airport, the operator of New Chitose airport, announced on Monday that the scissors had been found by a worker at the store on Sunday. Authorities explained that they held off on making the announcement until they had confirmed that the scissors were the same as the ones that were lost.

Many travellers affected by the cancellations and delays were flying home after Japan’s annual Bon holiday. “I don’t think we have any choice (but to wait),” one traveller told local media at the time. “But I do hope they are bit more careful about it.” Another traveller said there were “So many things to worry about these days… it never ends. And I don’t feel safe until I get home.” The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has asked Hokkaido Airports to investigate the cause and prevent it from happening again.

“We recognise that this occurred as a result of insufficient storage and management systems at the store,” Hokkaido Airport said. “We are aware that this is also an incident that could be linked to hijacking or terrorism, and will once again work to ensure thorough management awareness.” Social media users on X praised the airport’s response to the incident, with several saying it reaffirmed their confidence in Japanese air safety.

“This incident showcased the safety of Japanese aviation and the thoroughness of its manuals!” one user wrote. Another said it “made me realise once again that New Chitose Airport is a safe airport to use.” New Chitose is one of Japan’s busiest airports, serving the world’s second-most travelled domestic air route – between Tokyo and Sapporo – according to aviation analytics company OAG. More than 15 million travellers used the airport in 2022.

Lufthansa is using artificial sharkskin to streamline airplanes

Companies are often caught between wanting to cut emissions but also grow profits. But for airlines, these two different imperatives actually align. Cutting carbon emissions means burning less fuel and spending less money buying fuel. This is why Lufthansa has been copying a trick from the animal kingdom: applying a special film that mimics sharkskin to parts of its aircraft.

When it comes to decarbonization, reducing the emissions of air travel is both a high priority and something of a difficult task. Globally, air traffic accounts for about 2.5 percent of carbon emissions, but since those emissions are emitted at altitude, studies have found that the warming effect may be almost twice as large.

The problem is that it’s extremely difficult to rival the volumetric energy density of jet fuel, which contains almost 50 times as many megajoules per liter than alternatives like hydrogen, ethanol, or lithium-ion batteries. That’s less of a problem for ground or sea transportation, where weight and volume is less important, but it’s a real stumbling block for switching jet airliners to a different fuel source.

Synthetic carbon fuels are obviously of great interest to the aviation sector, but they have their own problems—biofuels can divert cropland away from feeding humans, and the direct air capture of carbon dioxide to turn it into methane (and then more complex hydrocarbon fuels) is massively energy intensive and extremely expensive, costing perhaps five times as much as oil extracted from underground. And we’re yet to see direct air capture working at a proper industrial scale, either.

Lufthansa will fit four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (operated by Austrian Airlines) with the shark skin technology, joining 17 other airframes (a Lufthansa Boeing 747-400, 12 Swiss Boeing 777-200ERs, and four Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777Fs), which already feature the film.

Nearly 9,000 square feet (830 m2) of the planes’ surface—along the fuselage and also the engine nacelles—will be covered with sheets of AeroSHARK film, which mimics the scales on actual sharkskin with 50-micron-thick riblets that reduce friction by minimizing the turbulent boundary layer.

In sharks, it’s calculated this equates to about a 10 percent reduction in drag versus smooth skin, and using this approach has helped Olympic swimmers cut through the water more easily. But that’s for swimming through water; the effect on a plane traveling through the air is more modest, but it should still cut fuel by around 1 percent per flight. (For a longer explanation of how this works, check out this coverage from Ars Senior Reporter Jennifer Ouellette from last week.)

“We take our responsibility seriously and take every possible step to reduce CO2 emissions within our flight operations. At one percent, the sharkskin’s efficiency potential may not sound like much, but in total it will save thousands of tons of CO2 per year on long-haul flights,” said Austrian Airlines COO Francesco Sciortino. “Even though our Boeing 777-200ERs are in their final years of service, we take this investment to get one step closer to our CO₂ reduction targets.”

Lufthansa says the upgrades should be completed by March next year.

LAX receives final cars for automated people mover train

The final four Automated People Mover (APM) train cars have arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), completing the fleet of 44 cars for the airport’s new transportation system. The first cars made their journey from the manufacturer in Pittsburgh, PA, in the summer of 2022, and now, with the entire fleet on-site, testing on the APM’s elevated guideway can proceed in full. LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), the design-build team, is focused on meeting the project’s completion date of December 8, 2025.

John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, emphasized the significance of receiving the final train cars as a major milestone in the airport’s transformation. Ackerman noted that the APM will significantly enhance the travel experience at LAX and set a new benchmark for sustainable transportation. As the project advances, the team remains committed to delivering a state-of-the-art solution that aligns with their dedication to passengers, the community, and environmental stewardship.

LAX will be the first U.S. airport to utilize the INNOVIA 300 APM cars, which boast several sustainable features, including fully recyclable aluminum shells, a regenerative braking system, and a design that eliminates hazardous substances and toxic emissions. The APM project has already been recognized for its environmental focus, earning an Envision Gold Award for Sustainable Infrastructure from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). Additionally, the APM Maintenance and Storage Facility is designed to meet the LEED Gold Standard, with nearly half of its power generated by a photovoltaic system.

Last week, following the Los Angeles City Council’s approval on July 18, the project timeline was officially set for completion by December 8, 2025. The council also approved an additional $550 million for the project to cover previously completed work and the extended construction timeline. Shawn West, a board member of LINXS Constructors, highlighted that the arrival of all APM vehicles marks the beginning of the next phase, shifting the focus from construction to an extensive testing process for each vehicle.

Boeing has so far lost $1.6B on Starliner

Boeing’s latest quarterly earnings report reveals that the company’s losses on the Starliner spacecraft have increased by an additional $125 million, bringing the total losses to approximately $1.6 billion. NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX in 2014 to develop human space transportation systems, awarding Boeing $4.2 billion for the creation of the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner and SpaceX $2.6 billion for the development of Crew Dragon. While SpaceX successfully launched its first crewed mission with the Dragon capsule in 2020, Boeing faced significant delays. It wasn’t until the second quarter of 2022 that Boeing completed an uncrewed orbital flight test with Starliner, following multiple delays and a malfunction during its initial flight test in 2019.

In early June, a crewed Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) finally launched, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams for what was initially planned as a week-long stay. However, as of this report, the astronauts remain on the ISS with no confirmed return date.

NASA and Boeing officials have consistently reassured the public that Wilmore and Williams are safe and could return to Earth at any time. During a teleconference on July 10, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich and Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program Vice President Mark Nappi explained that the Starliner’s troubled propulsion system is designed to detach and burn up upon reentry. They emphasized that mission managers are using this opportunity to keep the capsule attached to the ISS to conduct further testing in the unique environment of space.

Flying cars were science fiction

WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving start-up, has recently secured permission from the California Public Utilities Commission to use passenger-carrying driverless vehicles in its development of flying cars. This significant milestone represents a major step forward for WeRide, showcasing its ambition to expand its presence in the competitive U.S. market. The company’s achievement in obtaining this permit highlights its intention to play a more prominent role in the rapidly evolving global autonomous vehicle industry.

Expanding into California, a state known as a global leader in self-driving cars and AI technologies, presents both opportunities and challenges for WeRide. While the move allows the company to tap into a broader international market, it also comes with inherent risks. California’s reputation as a hub for technological innovation provides WeRide with a platform to refine its technology and demonstrate its commitment to meeting stringent U.S. safety standards, crucial for its future success.

The permit granted to WeRide is more than just a regulatory approval; it’s a strategic advantage in the company’s quest to dominate the global autonomous vehicle market. Although the permit allows testing with passengers in certain districts of San Jose, it stops short of allowing rides for the general public or charging fares, indicating that regulators are cautious. Nevertheless, this approval is a significant step toward WeRide’s long-term goal of launching a commercial robotaxi service, while also boosting the company’s global credibility.

WeRide’s entry into the U.S. market, particularly in California, is a bold move amid rising concerns over Chinese competitors and regulatory scrutiny. The U.S. government’s increasing oversight of Chinese companies in critical industries, such as autonomous driving, poses challenges for WeRide. Additionally, the fragmented regulatory landscape and the generally skeptical attitude toward ride-sharing and autonomous vehicles in the U.S. further complicate the company’s path to commercialization. Addressing these challenges will require WeRide to not only prove the reliability of its technology but also navigate the complex regulatory environment and address data protection concerns.

Despite the hurdles, WeRide’s advancements in California signal a promising future for the global autonomous driving industry. The company’s success in this key market will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, as it could indicate broader shifts in the autonomous vehicle landscape. With its continued focus on development, growth, and expansion in the U.S., WeRide is positioning itself as a major player in the industry, with the potential to influence the future direction of autonomous driving worldwide.

130-Million-Year-Old Navigation Trick Could Transform Space and Drone Tech

An AI sensor accurately measures the orientation of the Milky Way.

A new research study is drawing inspiration from an insect species that evolved 130 million years ago to enhance navigation systems in drones, robots, and orbiting satellites.

The dung beetle is the first known species to use the Milky Way at night to navigate, focusing on the constellation of stars as a reference point to roll balls of dung in a straight line away from their competitors.

Swedish researchers made this discovery in 2013 and a decade later, Australian engineers are modeling the same technique used by the dung beetle to develop an AI sensor that can accurately measure the orientation of the Milky Way in low light.

University of South Australia remote sensing engineer Professor Javaan Chahl and his team of PhD students have used computer vision to demonstrate that the large stripe of light that forms the Milky Way is not affected by motion blur, unlike individual stars.

The Milky Way as a Navigational Tool

“Nocturnal dung beetles move their head and body extensively when rolling balls of manure across a field, needing a fixed orientation point in the night sky to help them steer in a straight line,” Prof Chahl says. “Their tiny compound eyes make it difficult to distinguish individual stars, particularly while in motion, whereas the Milky Way is highly visible.”

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