This aviation sports event attracted many aircrafts and helicopters manufacturers for both military and general aviation as below find the real story,

SKA Takes Off With Fokker 70

Dubai based SKA Air Logistics took delivery of a Fokker 70 at AAD from Fokker Services which it will use on services in the Middle East .SKA is a world-class service provider of aviation and logistics solutions, typically in unsecured and hostile environments, particularly in the Middle East and Africa .SKAs track record boasts a full spectrum of projects in support of various governments, NGOs and humanitarian operations.

The carrier had previously leased Fokker F-28 -4000s from AirQuarrius but this aircraft, appropriately registered as ZS-SKA, will be operated by SKA SA Aircraft Leasing Pty Ltd. This company is a subsidiary operating under a South African AOC and in partnership with AirQuarrius, who have been a long term partner with SKA.

The aircraft has had a full heavy maintenance inspection and has been configured with 75 seats.

The program with SKA is part of the FLY Fokker program. It will be fully supported with the FLY Fokker take-off solution including comprehensive training, logistics, and MRO and engineering services. As such it enables SKA to serve its customers with the highest aircraft reliability.

Fokker is also confidant that this will be the first of many in the Middle East and Africa.

Interjet Agreements

Lanseria based avionics and aircraft maintenance specialists, interjet announced agreements with three American companies that promise to significantly expand the activities of the company.

Interjet will represent LoPresti Aviation on the Hawker,Citation,King Air and Caravan landing and taxi light upgrades.Thecompanys High Intensity Discharge Boom Beams landing and taxi light retrofit package provides increased safety and visibility ,reduces maintenance costs and is longer lasting . Interjet describes this package as providing aircraft with “a fresh pair of eyes” which greatly enhances pilot visibility in dark and adverse weather conditions.

Interjet now also represents Aero Twin in Africa on the Caravan 208/208B Honeywell TPE331 950hp engine upgrade.This provides operators of this popular workhorse improved take-off and climb performance; allows the aircraft to fly farther with the same fuel and comes with a five-year or 2,500-hour warranty.TBO intervals for commercial operators are now at 7,000 hours.

Interjet will also enter the very light jet (VLJ) market representing the Total Eclipse 500, a twin jet engine aircraft which has full EFIS avionics and is single-pilot certified for up to five passengers in single pilot operations. The factory-certified Total Eclipse 500 is ready for delivery within 30-60 days.

Interjet CEO, Paul Ludick, said,”We are very pleased to have been selected to promote the Eclipse 500 aircraft, which brings the benefits of VLJs to Africa at a very affordable price. The Eclipse 500 is well positioned to represent the needs of private and corporate operators and with Interjets strong maintenance and avionics support ability, will naturally support any Eclipse 500 customer throughout Africa.

Euro copter

Euro copter South Africa Ltd was bullish in its market outlook, fore-casting continued growth on the back of a 35% increase in its South African business, driven primarily by countries in the region investing in airborne law-enforcement and civic emergency response capabilities.

Addressing media at AAD, Euro copter Southern Africa Ltd CEO, Fabrice Cagnat said that despite the recession, which has affected the global aerospace industry and rotorcraft sector, Eurocopter has maintained its position as the leading manufacturer with 42.4 per cent of the total market.”The proven suitability of our various civil and military products places Euro copter in the prime position to take advantage of the global and African markets resurgence. While corporate and utility sectors have followed the low trend of 2009, demand for helicopters has remained strong in the para-public domain for law enforcement, public safety and environmental protection”, added Cagnat.

Euro copter currently supports a fleet of about 240 helicopters operating throughout Southern Africa. Most of these aircraft are in service with the police services in the region, emergency medical rescue organizations, VIP/Corporate operations and utility missions where they are used, for example, in geo-seismic missions, game counting and power line inspection. A number of helicopters are also flown in the tourism/charter market. The company can also count on its recently established Training Academy at Lanseria, near Johannesburg, to further develop business. This Academy provides type rating and technical training for helicopter pilots and engineers form customers across the region. To meet the increased training demand, Eurocopter Southern Africa will employ an additional instructor from 2011. To date, more than 150 pilots and 220 engineering personnel have undergone training at the Academy.

Euro copter Southern Africa continues to provide technical support to customers in the region, having deployed its engineers on more than 80 missions in the past year.”Because our helicopters deliver superior performance and are easy to maintain, they are first choice for tough missions, often far from their home base. We are committed to supporting these aircraft and in honoring that commitment, our technical teams often have to service aircraft in some challenging and remote locations, such as the jungles in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Cagnat.

Euro copter has also demonstrated the 12 seat EC 145 light twin IFR helicopter at AAD as part of a multi-country demonstration tour in the region. Shown in the “Stylence” configuration for VIP, Corporate and business applications, Eurocopter describes the type as the most versatile helicopters in its class and in service around the world in a multitude of missions such as law enforcement, EMS, utility harbor piloting, offshore oils and gas services and VIP/Corporate services. The first African customer, the Gendarmie Royale Maroc took delivery of two EC 145s which are used for a large variety of law enforcement and public service missions such as surveillance, rescue and medical evacuation.

Euro copter Delivers New AS350 B3 Helicopter to Namibia’s Police Air wing at AAD

Euro copter delivered an AS350 B3 “Squirrel” to Namibia’s fledgling Police Airwing during a ceremony at AAD. This is the Namibian Police Air wings second helicopter to be delivered since its inception in 2009. The helicopter is equipped with advanced crime combating equipment and aids including a stabilized camera and FLIR system, public address system, spotlight, winch and platforms on the skids for intervention unit personnel.

Inspector-General of the Namibia Police Force, Lt –Gen Sebastian Haitota Ndeitunga said: “Namibians like millions of people in other countries around the world, are reaping the benefits of this investment in modern, versatile, reliable and efficient crime-fighting assets such as our AS350 helicopter. We need the right tools and equipment and methods; we fight them with technology. Air support is essential in a country with vast areas where the helicopters are used for rescue and pursuit operations as well as supporting the activities of other ministries such as health and education.

In addition, Eurocopter Southern Africa Ltd has facilitated rotary-wing flight training for two Namibia Police Air wing pilots as Starlight Aviation in Durban and conducted type conversion training for two experienced pilots in Namibia. Euro copter has also sponsored training by Carl Zeiss Optronics for two LEO system operators. The LEO system incorporates a set of day and night optical sensors and cameras, enabling the helicopter crew to conduct surveillance and track and intercept suspects in daylight and in the dark.

NAC Bell 429

Local Bell Helicopter distributors National Airways Corporation (NAC) showed off the new Bell 429 light twin IFR helicopter which the manufacturer claims to be the most advanced of its type available on the market. The helicopter has been on an intensive demonstration tour, having flown 48 flights with 150 people from South Africa and the region. With orders in the triple figures, including from African customers, NAC is confident of securing even more following the type’s local debut.

Bells regional managers, sales and marketing, Arnie Easterly said the type is well suited for the aerial law enforcement, EMS and corporate VIP markets.

The Bell 429 was designed to meet the latest in customer requirements. It seats up to eight passengers in a number of spacious and luxury configurations.

NAC and HBC

National Airways Corporation showed off a number of the Hawker Beech craft Corporation (HBC) aircraft for which it is the regional distributor.

The Hawker 400 made its show debut, having been in service with several regional clients for more than a year. With a maximum range of 3,300nm at Mach 0.75 and seating up to nine passengers in a spacious, stand-up cabin, NAC feels the type is the ideal solution for government and private corporate transport needs.

The King Air 350i ER was on display and NAC says this is the “greenest” aircraft in its class offering excellent fuel ecomony and efficiency for environmentally conscious clients. The new types extended range is the “ultimate solution “to both civilian and military users.

NAC has also entered the military product market with the advanced HBC T-C turboprop trainer. Already ordered by the Royal Moroccan Air Force, the type has been on an African demonstration tour including Algeria, Angola, Gabon, Namimbia and South Africa.

NAC is confident the T-6C meets and exceeds customer requirements and HBC is geared for purpose built solutions and the aircraft is ideally suited to the modern, net-centric ISR, light precision attack and training operations. Former commanding officer of the US Navy Blue Angels demonstration team was also on hand to give potential clients his personal insights into the T-6Cs capabilities.

NAC ALSO DISPLAYED THE Pacific Aerospace P-750 XSTOL extreme short take –off and landing aircraft equipped with the proven Carl Zeiss Optronics stabilized electro- optical airborne surveillance system. This system, along with a powerful searchlight, is fitted in a belly pod manufactured by Pretoria based Global Composite Solutions. NAC believes the aircraft is ideally suited to border control duties, as well as combating the poaching of natural resources.

EXECUJET NEWS

The Execujet Group was at AAD showcasing the aviation specialist’s full range of services including aircraft sales, operations, management and maintenance.A Bombardier Challenger 300 Corporate jet was also an display as part of the company’s Bombardier sales efforts.

Execujet announced its maintenance department, in partnership with its avionics shop, had recently completed a complete retrofit of a customer Cessna Citation 1SP,replacing the analogue instrumentation with a full digital Universal Glass Cockpit, a Meggit instrument upgrade and glare shield modification. The aircraft was completely stripped down and a new interior fitted along with a modern air-conditioning system and exterior repainted. The company has also recently sold its first Honeywell /Bendix King KFD840 primary flight display unit which replaces six primary analogue instruments.

This system interfaces with most autopilots, GPS receivers and navigation radios. An SD card slot on the side of the unit allows rapid upgrades of software.

Agusta Westland

Italian manufacturer Finmeccanica Agusta Westland has achieved significant sales success recently on the African continent. The latest sales include an A109 Grand and AW139 TO THE Rwandan Government. These helicopters will be used for EMS and VIP transport respectively. Algeria has also ordered several Lynx and EH101 helicopters for its Navy. The company has completed delivery of the 30 A109 Light Utility Helicopters to the SAAF while the Super Lynx is providing sterling service to the South African Navy. The company is hopeful of follow-on orders for both types from the SAAF. Further on the horizon is the replacement of the Oryx transport helicopter for which Agusta Westland considers their new AW149 model ideal. Civil sales of the type in South Africa have also increased with the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service(AMS) having taken delivery of a fourth A119Ke Koala and having placed an order for a single A109 Grand for EMS operations.

ExecuJet Concludes Biggest BEE Deal In South Africa’s General Aviation Industry

ExecuJet announced the conclusion of an agreement with the Guma Group, headed by IT Billionaire Robert Gumede, to buy a 26% black empowerment stake in ExecuJet South Africa, and in what is billed as the biggest BEE deal to date in the country’s general aviation industry. The negotiations to strike the deal took over two years.

ExecuJet South Africa MD Ettore Poggi says that it regards transformation as fundamental to the long-term development and stability of the South Africa economy and its business in the entire Africa continent.” It was imperative that we select the right partner for this transaction, and that our selected partner ascribes to similar business principles. Robert Gumede and the Guma Group provided significant comfort in this regard. I am excited about working with Robert and his management team in the future. We can now get down to the business of flying our clients, “he added, saying the Guma Group has a track record in assisting companies with business growth and transformation strategies.”

The ExecuJet Aviation Group, headquartered in Switzerland, has a fleet of over 150 aircraft and its South African market leader in this industry.ExecuJet South Africa has over 40 aircraft ranging from turboprops to intercontinental jets under management and available for charter  and has facilities at Lanseria International and Cape Town International airports.

The Guma Group of companies, which has over 12000 employees, was founded by Robert Matana Gumede, and is a black owned, hands-on operations and investing powerhouse focused on adding value and imitating growth by means of operations and managerial participation .Guma  has operations in key African countries such as Nigeria,Namibia,Zimbambwe,Uganda,Botswana,Tanzania,Kenya,Gabon,,the Republic of Congo, Canada, the Caribbean,Turkey,Chile,Indonesia,Australia,the Middle East, China and United Kingdom.

The Guma Group of companies has interests in a wide range of sectors including information communication technology, smartcard manufacturing, energy, mining resources, real estate, tourism and hospitality, infrastructure development and construction.”Through our vast entrepreneurial acumen, impeccable empowerment credentials, highly skilled management, respect for and adherence to sound corporate governance, fervent attention to detail and hands-on value-add,Guma is perfectly positioned within the African continent to grow the business of ExecuJet further,” said Gumede.

“Given Gumas investments in tourism through Africa’s largest integrated tourism company, Tourvest, we needed to be involved in the aviation industry for the benefit of our private and public sector clients who fly private.

ExecuJet gives us just that. Both Guma and ExecuJet are committed to real black participation and transformation of the aviation sector throughout Africa”.

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