NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
17 March 2006
Repair work make aircraft 'time bombs'
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Die Burger:It is cause for concern that airforce technicians are required to make repairs to aircraft for which they are not qualified. This means that not only ma...
10 March 2006
Concern stops flying training at Langebaan
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Die Burger:Flying instructors at the airforces Central Flying School Langebaanweg have stopped all practical flying instruction this week due to an instruction fro...
9 March 2006
Third extension to upgrade of the Falcon 50 VIP aircraft
General
Further to the news item of 8 December 2005, 10 November 2005 and 15 September 2005, Armscor has revealed that it had awarded another extension of the previous contract with Duncan Aviation Inc of the USA to the value of R3 186 846.00.The total value...
2 March 2006
SAAF C-130 pilot to be seconded to Belgium?
General
In an exclusive to The South African Air Force website, our Belgian correspondent, Gerard Gaudin, has been informed by the Belgian Ministry of Defence that a SAAF C-130 pilot could come to Belgium to reinforce the 15th Wing at Melsbroek which suffers...
1 March 2006
German Tornados arrive at AFB Overberg
General
In what has become an annual event, six German Air Force Tornados arrived at AFB Overberg in the southern Cape at the end of February. The route included three stops, including Accession Island. Air-to-air refuelling support was proved by KC-135s of ...
24 February 2006
Air-to-air missile deal only weeks away from full consummation
General
Although the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has released $52-million for investment in South Africa's A-Darter air-to-air missile (AAM) project, Brazilian sources have confirmed that the actual contract to cover this investment has not yet been signed...
21 February 2006
Head of airforce Gym removed from post
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:The Commanding Officer of the Airforce Gym at Valhalla, Pretoria, has been removed from his post and allegations of bad conduct against him are being conduct...
20 February 2006
Exercise Good Hope II
General
Exercise Good Hope II, the month-long war games between South Africa and Germany from 20 February and 17 March 2006, involved naval and air forces in the Atlantic off the Southern Cape. The mission was to protect a virtual Berlin from attack. In what...
31 January 2006
AAD 2006 to be held at AFB Ysterplaat
General
After two months of rumour, the following press release was issued on 31 January 2006 by the AAD organisers:AAD Venue: Decision PendingMuch speculation and rumour has surrounded the availability of Air Force Base Waterkloof for the hosting of Africa ...
30 January 2006
Brazil plans to invest $52m in A-Darter missile
General
Brazil has agreed to join the A-Darter IR-guided air-to-air missile program. Initially, the FAB (Brazilian Air Force) will inject $52 million into the development process, while Brazil's Mectron becomes a development partner. It's estimated t...
27 January 2006
Support to crew and ground support personnel after emergency landing
General
Gerrit & Marentia Immelman, a farmer & his wife near Sutherland gave invaluable support and showed wonderful hospitality towards the crew and ground support personnel of Oryx 1200 on 12 & 13 October 2005.Pilot: Lt Col Kobus MeyerCo-Pilot:...
25 January 2006
Instructors must make way for Zimbabweans
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:South African Air Force flying instructors who were transfered to and live at the Central Flying School at AFB Langebaanweg since the beginning of the year m...
9 January 2006
Award of Oryx engine life extension contract
General
Armscor announced that a R249 620 000.00 contract had been awarded to Turbomeca Africa (Pty) Ltd for Oryx life extension: Engine....
1 January 2006
SAAF aircraft donated to Sudan
General
According to recent local press reports, the government of South Africa has donated three unspecified military aircraft to Sudan, including one for VIP transport.No further details were provided in the report, but at least one of the two South Africa...
14 December 2005
Nepotism claims beset Mbeki's pilot
General
By Eleanor MombergThe South African Air Force has denied that political pressure had anything to do with the appointment of the new pilot of the presidential jet, Inkwazi. Lieutenant-Colonel Nhlanhla Dube - a relative of the director-general in the P...
9 December 2005
SAAF says skills drain prompted Zim deal
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has dismissed criticism of its decision to invite Zimbabwean Air Force instructors to help train local pilots, saying there is "nothing sinister or insincere" in the arrangement. Speaking at a "wings&...
8 December 2005
Second extension to upgrade of the two Falcon 50 VIP aircraft
General
Further to the news item of 15 September 2005 and 10 November 2005, Armscor has revealed that it had awarded another extension of the previous contract with Duncan Aviation Inc of the USA to the value of R825 000.00....
8 December 2005
Oryx upgrade news
General
Armscor has revealed that a request for a quotation for the 'Oryx medium transport helicopter communications system upgrade, obsolence study and avionic upgrade' was issued to Denel Aviation....
8 December 2005
Storm over pilot on Mbeki-jet
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:Airforce pilots are angry over the part time appointment of a SAA pilot as co-pilot on Presdient Mbeki's jet, Inkwazi, expecially over what they describe...
8 December 2005
SAAF C-130 Upgrade back on track
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 Hercules upgrade programme is said to be back on track after being plagued by delays and infighting between contractors. The last of nine aircraft (two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence A...
7 December 2005
SAAF operational outputs for the financial year 2004/2005
General
I have, finally, had a quick glimpse at the Department of Defence (DoD) Annual Report 2004/2005, which details the activities of the Department for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.The following is a summary of the hours flown by the SAAF dur...
7 December 2005
Boeing 707 contract extension
General
Armscor has revealed that Isreal Aircraft Industries (IAI) has been awarded a contract extension for 'Design Authoroty Support for the SA Air Force B-707 aircarft'....
3 December 2005
Treasured letter of love led pilot's daughter to his final resting place
General
After more than 60 years divers find the wreckage of a bomber in an Italian lakeANNE STORM was only a year old when the birthday letter from her father arrived.Written on the eve of a mission in wartime Italy, it was the last that she would ever hear...
3 December 2005
Ysterplaat Airshow
General
The 2005 Ysterplaat Airshow was held on Saturday 3 December 2005. The day dawned warm, with a beautiful clear blue sky and a light breeze. What a great day for an airshow in the Mother City!The Ysterplaat show has built a reputation amongst both loca...
2 December 2005
SAAF's C-130 upgrade gets back on track
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 Hercules upgrade programme is largely back on track after being plagued by delays. The last of nine aircraft (two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence Articles [EDA] programme and seven SAAF...
Repair work make aircraft 'time bombs'
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Die Burger:It is cause for concern that airforce technicians are required to make repairs to aircraft for which they are not qualified. This means that not only ma...
Concern stops flying training at Langebaan
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Die Burger:Flying instructors at the airforces Central Flying School Langebaanweg have stopped all practical flying instruction this week due to an instruction fro...
Third extension to upgrade of the Falcon 50 VIP aircraft
General
Further to the news item of 8 December 2005, 10 November 2005 and 15 September 2005, Armscor has revealed that it had awarded another extension of the previous contract with Duncan Aviation Inc of the USA to the value of R3 186 846.00.The total value...
SAAF C-130 pilot to be seconded to Belgium?
General
In an exclusive to The South African Air Force website, our Belgian correspondent, Gerard Gaudin, has been informed by the Belgian Ministry of Defence that a SAAF C-130 pilot could come to Belgium to reinforce the 15th Wing at Melsbroek which suffers...
German Tornados arrive at AFB Overberg
General
In what has become an annual event, six German Air Force Tornados arrived at AFB Overberg in the southern Cape at the end of February. The route included three stops, including Accession Island. Air-to-air refuelling support was proved by KC-135s of ...
Air-to-air missile deal only weeks away from full consummation
General
Although the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has released $52-million for investment in South Africa's A-Darter air-to-air missile (AAM) project, Brazilian sources have confirmed that the actual contract to cover this investment has not yet been signed...
Head of airforce Gym removed from post
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:The Commanding Officer of the Airforce Gym at Valhalla, Pretoria, has been removed from his post and allegations of bad conduct against him are being conduct...
Exercise Good Hope II
General
Exercise Good Hope II, the month-long war games between South Africa and Germany from 20 February and 17 March 2006, involved naval and air forces in the Atlantic off the Southern Cape. The mission was to protect a virtual Berlin from attack. In what...
AAD 2006 to be held at AFB Ysterplaat
General
After two months of rumour, the following press release was issued on 31 January 2006 by the AAD organisers:AAD Venue: Decision PendingMuch speculation and rumour has surrounded the availability of Air Force Base Waterkloof for the hosting of Africa ...
Brazil plans to invest $52m in A-Darter missile
General
Brazil has agreed to join the A-Darter IR-guided air-to-air missile program. Initially, the FAB (Brazilian Air Force) will inject $52 million into the development process, while Brazil's Mectron becomes a development partner. It's estimated t...
Support to crew and ground support personnel after emergency landing
General
Gerrit & Marentia Immelman, a farmer & his wife near Sutherland gave invaluable support and showed wonderful hospitality towards the crew and ground support personnel of Oryx 1200 on 12 & 13 October 2005.Pilot: Lt Col Kobus MeyerCo-Pilot:...
Instructors must make way for Zimbabweans
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:South African Air Force flying instructors who were transfered to and live at the Central Flying School at AFB Langebaanweg since the beginning of the year m...
Award of Oryx engine life extension contract
General
Armscor announced that a R249 620 000.00 contract had been awarded to Turbomeca Africa (Pty) Ltd for Oryx life extension: Engine....
SAAF aircraft donated to Sudan
General
According to recent local press reports, the government of South Africa has donated three unspecified military aircraft to Sudan, including one for VIP transport.No further details were provided in the report, but at least one of the two South Africa...
Nepotism claims beset Mbeki's pilot
General
By Eleanor MombergThe South African Air Force has denied that political pressure had anything to do with the appointment of the new pilot of the presidential jet, Inkwazi. Lieutenant-Colonel Nhlanhla Dube - a relative of the director-general in the P...
SAAF says skills drain prompted Zim deal
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has dismissed criticism of its decision to invite Zimbabwean Air Force instructors to help train local pilots, saying there is "nothing sinister or insincere" in the arrangement. Speaking at a "wings&...
Second extension to upgrade of the two Falcon 50 VIP aircraft
General
Further to the news item of 15 September 2005 and 10 November 2005, Armscor has revealed that it had awarded another extension of the previous contract with Duncan Aviation Inc of the USA to the value of R825 000.00....
Oryx upgrade news
General
Armscor has revealed that a request for a quotation for the 'Oryx medium transport helicopter communications system upgrade, obsolence study and avionic upgrade' was issued to Denel Aviation....
Storm over pilot on Mbeki-jet
General
The following is a (very) rough translation from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:Airforce pilots are angry over the part time appointment of a SAA pilot as co-pilot on Presdient Mbeki's jet, Inkwazi, expecially over what they describe...
SAAF C-130 Upgrade back on track
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 Hercules upgrade programme is said to be back on track after being plagued by delays and infighting between contractors. The last of nine aircraft (two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence A...
SAAF operational outputs for the financial year 2004/2005
General
I have, finally, had a quick glimpse at the Department of Defence (DoD) Annual Report 2004/2005, which details the activities of the Department for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.The following is a summary of the hours flown by the SAAF dur...
Boeing 707 contract extension
General
Armscor has revealed that Isreal Aircraft Industries (IAI) has been awarded a contract extension for 'Design Authoroty Support for the SA Air Force B-707 aircarft'....
Treasured letter of love led pilot's daughter to his final resting place
General
After more than 60 years divers find the wreckage of a bomber in an Italian lakeANNE STORM was only a year old when the birthday letter from her father arrived.Written on the eve of a mission in wartime Italy, it was the last that she would ever hear...
Ysterplaat Airshow
General
The 2005 Ysterplaat Airshow was held on Saturday 3 December 2005. The day dawned warm, with a beautiful clear blue sky and a light breeze. What a great day for an airshow in the Mother City!The Ysterplaat show has built a reputation amongst both loca...
SAAF's C-130 upgrade gets back on track
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 Hercules upgrade programme is largely back on track after being plagued by delays. The last of nine aircraft (two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs received via the Excess Defence Articles [EDA] programme and seven SAAF...
