NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
28 September 2004
Debut appearance for Umbani guided bomb
General
Denel has for the first time displayed a modular guidance and range-extension kit suitable for use with Mk82/83 unguided bombs, which it says will increase the type's operational range to a stand-off distance of up to 120km (65nm).
23 September 2004
Airbus Military dangles carrots for R5bn buy
General
More than 3 160 jobs would be created and sustained and R859 million added to South Africa's gross domestic product annually if the government placed an order for eight Airbus Military A400M aircraft to replace its current military transport flee...
22 September 2004
City woman makes history in Gripen jet
General
A Pretoria woman has flown into world military history as the first woman fighter pilot to fly a Gripen fighter jet.Captain Catherine "Siren" Labuschagne (25), who is stationed at 85 Combat Flying School in Hoedspruit, took to the skies ove...
21 September 2004
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004
General
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004 was held at AFB Waterkloof, with 21 - 23 September being trade days and Friday 24 (a public holiday) and Saturday 25 being the public flying days. Compared to previous AAD shows, the hard core aircraft enthusiast wou...
19 September 2004
Denel shows off Hawks
General
Johannesburg - Production of South Africa's 24 new Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft is well under way at Denel's production facility at Kempton Park. Denel and BAe Systems officials showed journalists nine of the British designed aircraf...
10 September 2004
SANDF Senior appointments
General
According to SANDF Bulletin No 64/04 (dd 27 August 2004), approval has been granted for the appointment and/or promotion of the under-mentioned SAAF related officers in the posts and with effect from the dates indicated:C Dir FD & S (Air Comd), 9...
10 September 2004
First Denel Agusta A109 helicopter takes off
General
History was made yesterday (9 September 2004) when the first locally assembled Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) took to the skies. The helicopter, with tail number 4006, successfully completed a series of acceptance test flights at Denel...
6 September 2004
More news on the disposal of Transall aircraft
General
It was reported on SAAF News that eight ex-SAAF C-160Z Transalls were sold for spares to an overseas based company. The intention was they would never fly again but aircraft spares were the prime reason for purchase. It is not known when the sale too...
1 September 2004
Chile acquires ex-SAAF Cheetahs
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) spokesperson recently confirmed that five Cheetah E strike fighters were recently sold to the Chilean government. After the type was retired from SAAF service with 5 Squadron in 1992, the 14 surviving Cheetah Es (of 1...
23 August 2004
Air force school relocates
General
Hoedspruit - The South African Air Force's command and control school has been moved from Waterkloof in Pretoria to Hoedspruit in Limpopo. The Hoedspruit air base, which used to be a top-secret fighter base, hosted a military ceremony last week t...
20 August 2004
Integration of SA systems into Hawk advances
General
The prototype of the South African Air Force (SAAF) version of the BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer is more than 33% through its flight development programme for the integration of the locally-designed and -manufactured navigation and attack ...
27 July 2004
Daring airlift saves climbers
General
Cape Town - Two climbers marooned on a tiny ledge on a cliff face above Swellendam were rescued in a daring airlift on Monday. The men, trapped on the ledge since Sunday, were physically fit when they were brought down, said rescue organiser Kevin Tr...
20 July 2004
Copter crashes clip SAAF wings
General
The South African air force's wings have been clipped even further after two helicopter crashes in less than a week. The two incidents have again raised the debate about the air force's operational capabilities. On July 1 and July 6, an Oryx ...
19 July 2004
SAA to use SAAF bases in emergencies
General
It has been confirmed that a contract has been signed with SAA to utilise AFB Waterkloof (FAWK) for diversions and training. Other SAAF airfields will soon be used for diversions also and the agreement covers the full range of the SAA fleet.SAAF News...
18 July 2004
Air force backs extra classes to lure matric high-flyers
General
The SA Air Force is subsiding extra classes for matriculants interested in careers as pilots, navigators and air traffic controllers. The project took off at Strelitzia Secondary School in Isipingo this week when 30 pupils were given extra tuition in...
16 July 2004
60 Squadron welcomes new Honoury Colonel
General
A parade was held by 60 Sqn at AFB Waterkloof to welcome the squadron's new Honorary Colonel, Col. I.C. van der Vyver.The event was marked by a low, high-speed flyby of a 60 Sqn B707. The parade also celebrated the Squadron's 18th anniversary...
8 July 2004
Course 103/04 receive their wings!
General
Congratulations to the eleven members of Course 103/04, particularly Darryl Sloan, for receiving their wings at a Wings Parade held at CFS Langebaanweg. Fly safe guys!
2 July 2004
Update to Oryx crash
General
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Oryx which crashed today, number two in a two ship formation, experienced a total tail rotor failure while transitioning into the hover at 40 feet AGL. The helicopter spun and hit the ground hard, causing the air...
1 July 2004
Oryx crash lands
General
Johannesburg - Three crew of an SA Airforce Oryx helicopter escaped unharmed when the aircraft crash-landed in the Kempton Park area on Thursday afternoon. "The helicopter was attempting to land after its flight when it spun out of control and w...
31 May 2004
Rooivalk budget woes
General
The following is an extract from the Defence Ad Hoc Committee Budget Briefing held on 31 May 2004: Adv H Schmidt (DA) said the Rooivalk helicopter programme had not proceeded fast enough and that it would become difficult to market the programme. Mr ...
11 May 2004
Waterkloof navigation beacon stolen
General
Pretoria - Not even navigation beacons on airfields are safe from thieves these days - as personnel at Waterkloof air force base discovered recently after thieves systematically stripped the main beacon on the field. The beacons are vital to pilots d...
9 May 2004
'Mess' after fatal plane crash
General
Erika Gibson Pretoria - The parents of two young fighter pilots who died almost five months ago in an Impala accident are still braving "the bureaucratic mess" of the SANDF's administration. Lieutenants Derik Duvenage, 22, and Andy Mart...
2 May 2004
Air Force commemorates dead
General
The South African Air Force held it's annual memorial service in Pretoria on Sunday, honouring members who died in the line of duty, SABC radio reported. Among those remembered were two young members who died in an accident last November during a...
19 April 2004
SAAF looking to dispose of ex-USN C-130F Hercules
General
It has been confirmed that the SAAF are actively looking to disposs of the three ex-USN C-130F Hercules aircraft that are presently stored at AFB Waterkloof.Spotter news group...
15 April 2004
AFB Waterkloof gets ready for AAD 2004
General
It has been confirmed that the runways and taxiways at the airforce base (FAWK) are being upgraded and resurfaced, at selected times during the day/night, for the Africa Aerospace & Defence 2004 (AAD 2004) exhibition due to take place from 21 to ...
Debut appearance for Umbani guided bomb
General
Denel has for the first time displayed a modular guidance and range-extension kit suitable for use with Mk82/83 unguided bombs, which it says will increase the type's operational range to a stand-off distance of up to 120km (65nm).
Airbus Military dangles carrots for R5bn buy
General
More than 3 160 jobs would be created and sustained and R859 million added to South Africa's gross domestic product annually if the government placed an order for eight Airbus Military A400M aircraft to replace its current military transport flee...
City woman makes history in Gripen jet
General
A Pretoria woman has flown into world military history as the first woman fighter pilot to fly a Gripen fighter jet.Captain Catherine "Siren" Labuschagne (25), who is stationed at 85 Combat Flying School in Hoedspruit, took to the skies ove...
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004
General
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2004 was held at AFB Waterkloof, with 21 - 23 September being trade days and Friday 24 (a public holiday) and Saturday 25 being the public flying days. Compared to previous AAD shows, the hard core aircraft enthusiast wou...
Denel shows off Hawks
General
Johannesburg - Production of South Africa's 24 new Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft is well under way at Denel's production facility at Kempton Park. Denel and BAe Systems officials showed journalists nine of the British designed aircraf...
SANDF Senior appointments
General
According to SANDF Bulletin No 64/04 (dd 27 August 2004), approval has been granted for the appointment and/or promotion of the under-mentioned SAAF related officers in the posts and with effect from the dates indicated:C Dir FD & S (Air Comd), 9...
First Denel Agusta A109 helicopter takes off
General
History was made yesterday (9 September 2004) when the first locally assembled Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) took to the skies. The helicopter, with tail number 4006, successfully completed a series of acceptance test flights at Denel...
More news on the disposal of Transall aircraft
General
It was reported on SAAF News that eight ex-SAAF C-160Z Transalls were sold for spares to an overseas based company. The intention was they would never fly again but aircraft spares were the prime reason for purchase. It is not known when the sale too...
Chile acquires ex-SAAF Cheetahs
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) spokesperson recently confirmed that five Cheetah E strike fighters were recently sold to the Chilean government. After the type was retired from SAAF service with 5 Squadron in 1992, the 14 surviving Cheetah Es (of 1...
Air force school relocates
General
Hoedspruit - The South African Air Force's command and control school has been moved from Waterkloof in Pretoria to Hoedspruit in Limpopo. The Hoedspruit air base, which used to be a top-secret fighter base, hosted a military ceremony last week t...
Integration of SA systems into Hawk advances
General
The prototype of the South African Air Force (SAAF) version of the BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer is more than 33% through its flight development programme for the integration of the locally-designed and -manufactured navigation and attack ...
Daring airlift saves climbers
General
Cape Town - Two climbers marooned on a tiny ledge on a cliff face above Swellendam were rescued in a daring airlift on Monday. The men, trapped on the ledge since Sunday, were physically fit when they were brought down, said rescue organiser Kevin Tr...
Copter crashes clip SAAF wings
General
The South African air force's wings have been clipped even further after two helicopter crashes in less than a week. The two incidents have again raised the debate about the air force's operational capabilities. On July 1 and July 6, an Oryx ...
SAA to use SAAF bases in emergencies
General
It has been confirmed that a contract has been signed with SAA to utilise AFB Waterkloof (FAWK) for diversions and training. Other SAAF airfields will soon be used for diversions also and the agreement covers the full range of the SAA fleet.SAAF News...
Air force backs extra classes to lure matric high-flyers
General
The SA Air Force is subsiding extra classes for matriculants interested in careers as pilots, navigators and air traffic controllers. The project took off at Strelitzia Secondary School in Isipingo this week when 30 pupils were given extra tuition in...
60 Squadron welcomes new Honoury Colonel
General
A parade was held by 60 Sqn at AFB Waterkloof to welcome the squadron's new Honorary Colonel, Col. I.C. van der Vyver.The event was marked by a low, high-speed flyby of a 60 Sqn B707. The parade also celebrated the Squadron's 18th anniversary...
Course 103/04 receive their wings!
General
Congratulations to the eleven members of Course 103/04, particularly Darryl Sloan, for receiving their wings at a Wings Parade held at CFS Langebaanweg. Fly safe guys!
Update to Oryx crash
General
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Oryx which crashed today, number two in a two ship formation, experienced a total tail rotor failure while transitioning into the hover at 40 feet AGL. The helicopter spun and hit the ground hard, causing the air...
Oryx crash lands
General
Johannesburg - Three crew of an SA Airforce Oryx helicopter escaped unharmed when the aircraft crash-landed in the Kempton Park area on Thursday afternoon. "The helicopter was attempting to land after its flight when it spun out of control and w...
Rooivalk budget woes
General
The following is an extract from the Defence Ad Hoc Committee Budget Briefing held on 31 May 2004: Adv H Schmidt (DA) said the Rooivalk helicopter programme had not proceeded fast enough and that it would become difficult to market the programme. Mr ...
Waterkloof navigation beacon stolen
General
Pretoria - Not even navigation beacons on airfields are safe from thieves these days - as personnel at Waterkloof air force base discovered recently after thieves systematically stripped the main beacon on the field. The beacons are vital to pilots d...
'Mess' after fatal plane crash
General
Erika Gibson Pretoria - The parents of two young fighter pilots who died almost five months ago in an Impala accident are still braving "the bureaucratic mess" of the SANDF's administration. Lieutenants Derik Duvenage, 22, and Andy Mart...
Air Force commemorates dead
General
The South African Air Force held it's annual memorial service in Pretoria on Sunday, honouring members who died in the line of duty, SABC radio reported. Among those remembered were two young members who died in an accident last November during a...
SAAF looking to dispose of ex-USN C-130F Hercules
General
It has been confirmed that the SAAF are actively looking to disposs of the three ex-USN C-130F Hercules aircraft that are presently stored at AFB Waterkloof.Spotter news group...
AFB Waterkloof gets ready for AAD 2004
General
It has been confirmed that the runways and taxiways at the airforce base (FAWK) are being upgraded and resurfaced, at selected times during the day/night, for the Africa Aerospace & Defence 2004 (AAD 2004) exhibition due to take place from 21 to ...
