26-Sep-2024Source: Enstrom
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation representatives traveled to Tshwane, South Africa this month to take part in this year’s African Aerospace & Defence Conference. Held from September 18-20 at Air Force Base Waterkloof, the event focused on adapting to the future of warfare, addressing maritime security against piracy, and highlighting the South African Defence Industry. Enstrom President Todd... Read more
16-Feb-2024Source: AEM
Canadian avionics manufacturer, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. (AEM), is proud to announce a new distribution agreement with South Africa-based Safomar Technologies. The two companies join forces to bring AEM’s special mission communication products to Africa and to better serve customers in the region by providing best-in-class avionics systems and solutions. The deal makes Safomar Technologies... Read more
22-Oct-2023Source: HeliHub.com
The maintenance situation of the South African Air Force (SAAF) fleet is woeful, and has been highlighted in a recent parliamentary Written Response by the Minister of Defence to a Question to a question posed by S J F Marais of the Democratic Alliance party. Mr Marais is a member of both the Joint Standing... Read more
26-Jan-2023Source: SAPS
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has officially handed over a brand new H125 airbus helicopter to the Division: Visible Policing and Operations to bolster the organisation’s crime combatting efforts. The newly procured H125 airbus adds to the SAPS existing fleet of helicopter’s across the country whose aim... Read more
17-Jan-2023Source: HeliHub.com
CHC have sold Offshore Helicopter Services (the old Babcock MCS Offshore business) to Ultimate Aviation. The financial aspects are expected to be completed in the first quarter of this year. This only involves the UK aspects of Offshore Helicopter Services, while CHC will retain the Danish and Australian businesses. Ultimate Aviation Group operates a... Read more
2-Nov-2022Source: Pacific AirHub
Pacific AirHub has nailed the proverbial nail in the helicopter sales leaderboard by expanding its team once more. Joining Pacific AirHub in October 2022 are Simon Larsen (New Zealand), Nico Grobbelaar (South Africa) and Debra Buckley (South Africa). Nico and Simon are coveted helicopter experts and pilots. They bring years of experience and a deep-seated... Read more
17-Dec-2021Source: HeliHub.com
Hill Helicopters yesterday held their first Global Meetup & Discover Event at their Development Centre in the UK. Hosted by Dr Jason Hill, the event brought together around 100 people in person – mostly existing owners/customers – and over 1000 online. Jason Hill announced that the company’s current order book for their HX50 model –... Read more
11-Dec-2021
Helicopter appeared to lose power on final approach and landed very heavily just short of the helipad. Location was adjacent to an earth bank, which the main blades hit. Fuselage creased on aft starboard side, and images show oil as having leaked from the engine – but it is not known whether this was prior... Read more
30-Nov-2021Source: SAF Aerogroup
SAF announced the acquisition of Starlite Aviation Group, and consequently the formation of a global aviation group: SAF Aerogroup. SAF Aerogroup, whose main shareholders are Oaktree Capital Management and BPI France, is changing its business model to consolidate its position as the French leader and a major player in the helicopter and fixed wing service... Read more
27-May-2021Source: Bell
Long-standing Bell customer, Henley Air, has launched its very own Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in South Africa, utilizing six Bell products. With over 22 years of experience, Henley Air is a family-owned and managed helicopter company that has provided safe and reliable helicopter-related services to the South African market. The company has demonstrated and... Read more
30-Jan-2021
Hit the ground and rolled over during low level training flight Student pilot was named as professional boxer Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena Facebook... Read more
21-Jan-2021
Crashed and caught fire, killing all five POB. The deceased were named here as Dr Kgopotso Rudolph Mononyane, an anaesthetist, Dr Curnick Siyabonga (Sia) Mahlangu a cardiothoracic surgeon and Mpho Xaba, a specialist theatre nurse for cardiothoracic and transplant, all from Netcare Milpark Hospital; Sinjin Joshua Farrance, an advanced life support paramedic at Netcare 911,... Read more
19-Jan-2021
Helicopter involved in low level agricultural work. Struck wires and crashed to the ground. Pilot suffered fatal injuries... Read more
10-Jan-2021
Helicopter ended up submerged in a river, reasons currently unclear Pilot freed himself, swam to river bank and called for help. Male passenger freed, but female passenger trapped and declared dead at scene... Read more
2-Jan-2021
Damaged after losing control during take off from Cape Town International Airport. Helicopter ended up on its starboard side on the apron outside a hangar. The pilot was flying alone and only suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.... Read more
14-Dec-2020Source: SA National Parks
South African National Parks (SANParks) today celebrates Captain David Simelane, South Africa’s first black game capture rated pilot. Nicknamed “Blackhawk”, Simelane completed his game capture rating, which is an endorsement on his pilot license, with flying colours on 2 December 2020. SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni said, “we are extremely proud of Simelane and his achievement.... Read more
3-Dec-2020Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, a leading air medical service in the U.S., announced today that it has donated an Airbus AS350B2 helicopter to southern Africa-based humanitarian relief organization, Mercy Air Africa. The nonprofit was founded in 1991 to provide private flight support for nongovernmental organizations serving in the southern region of Africa. Matthias Reuter, Director of Mercy... Read more
20-Nov-2020Source: defenceWeb
Recent recipients of the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) highest operational honour – the Sword of Peace – are largely confined to the force’s helicopter squadrons. See Full Story.... Read more
30-Oct-2020Source: SIMAERO
SIMAERO, a global and independent provider of pilot training services, is proud to announce the acquisition of the Airbus Helicopter – Super Puma AS332 M 1 Full Flight Simulator which will complete the existing fleet in SIMAERO Johannesburg Training Centre. The simulator, manufactured by Thomson CSF, was initially set up in Switzerland and moved to... Read more
21-Oct-2020Source: BAC Helicopters
During March 2020, as the global Covid-19 pandemic began building momentum and South Africa went into Level 5 Lockdown, BAC Helicopters was requested by an NGO to send two Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger helicopters to Kenya to carry out an Emergency Desert Locust Survey. East Africa has recently been plagued by a Desert Locust invasion, wreaking... Read more
24-Aug-2020Source: Leonardo
Leonardo is strengthening the level of support and maintenance services offered to its customer base in South Africa with a new service centre following the recent acquisition of Precision Aviation Services (Pty) Ltd. This is located at Wonderboom Airport – Pretoria and comprises 2275 m2 of floor space, 450 m2 of workshop and store, and... Read more
30-Jul-2020Source: Bell
In July 2020, a long-standing and loyal Bell customer, Henley Air, launched its very own ROCKET (Rapid On Call Emergency Transport) Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operating six Bell 222 UT helicopters. ROCKET offers the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry in South Africa a neutral and independent helicopter ambulance service of unmatched quality. The service... Read more
7-Nov-2019Source: Armscor
The SAAF Rooivalk Combat Support Helicopter (CSH) employs a chin mounted 20mm cannon. The helicopter main rotor blades kick up a lot of dust as a result of downwash during take-off and landing. Some of this dust is then ingested into the chin mounted cannon. As a result, the cannon has proven unreliable due to... Read more
25-Oct-2019
Crashed while on a training flight, thee occupants reported as uninjured... Read more
24-Oct-2019Source: Leonardo
Leonardo announced today the signing of a Distributorship Agreement with Absolute Aviation Group in South Africa for the civil and commercial market. The Agreement, which has the potential to be extended to other Southern African nations in the future, includes the AW119Kx single engine, the AW109 GrandNew and AW109 Trekker light twins, the AW169 light... Read more
27-Sep-2019Source: what3words
Sharing a 3 word address in an emergency gives callers a simple way to describe precisely where they are and enables ER24 to find them faster. Identifying precisely where help is needed in an emergency can be critical to saving lives, from an incident outside Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town, to a road accident... Read more
7-Jun-2019Source: Bell
This year marks a special anniversary for both Bell and Bell Independent Representative, National Airways Corporation (NAC). Thirty years ago, in 1989, we teamed up to offer helicopter solutions to go above and beyond flight in the southern part of Africa. One of the most prominent markets on the African continent is South Africa. With... Read more
3-Jun-2019Source: Transnet
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken the decision to introduce a helicopter service at its Port of Cape Town to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels. This would make the port one of three within the South African port landlord’s complementary port system that offer the service, the others being Durban and... Read more
3-Jun-2019Source: Great North Air Ambulance
Techniques and equipment developed by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) are being adopted by South African doctors to benefit patients on the other side of the world. The GNAAS team hosted Neville Vlok, chief medical officer at HALO air ambulance, based near Johannesburg, who visited the UK on a fact-finding mission. Dr Vlok,... Read more
26-Apr-2019Source: HeliHub.com
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently attended a signing ceremony at Leonardo’s plant at Vergiate, for the acceptance of two new helicopters. The aircraft will be used to transfer marine pilots at the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa and are expected to be delivered to TNPA by June 2019. The aircraft are... Read more
3-Feb-2019
Helicopter ended on its starboard side. Indications of main blades contacting tail boom. All four on board exited without serious injury Aircraft was originally built by the Soko factory in the former Yugoslavia... Read more
5-Dec-2018Source: HeliHub.com
The Pretoria High Court has set side a four-year tender that was awarded to Ultimate Heli after it was discovered that Indwe Aviation was unfairly excluded from the bidding process. The tender was for helicopter support to the Environmental Affairs Department’s yearly research and resupply expeditions to Antarctica. Ultimate Heli has already spent two years,... Read more
27-Sep-2018Source: Kopter
Kopter is proud to announce the deepening of its partnership with Safomar Aviation (PTY) LTD of South Africa, which has placed an order of two SH09 helicopters earlier this year. Safomar Aviation has been appointed distributor of the single engine SH09 helicopter for South Africa during an event that took place at the AAD (Africa... Read more
21-Sep-2018Source: Bell Flight
This week, National Airways Corporation (NAC) celebrated the entry into market of Bell’s newest commercial aircraft, the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Guests were invited to attend an exclusive unveiling event organized at the NAC Lanseria airport facility in South Africa showcasing a pair of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters recently delivered to a couple, who are... Read more
3-Mar-2018Source: Kopter
On Day 2 of HeliExpo 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kopter Group AG is proud to announce that Safomar Aviation (PTY) LTD of South Africa has signed an order of two (2) units of the SH09 single turbine helicopter. Safomar is currently in advanced stage discussions with Kopter of a representation agreement for its products... Read more
21-Feb-2018Source: HeliHub.com
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a R250 million contract with AgustaWestland for the manufacture, supply and delivery of two new AW109 helicopters. These helicopters will be used in Durban and Richards Bay, in their Helicopter Marine Pilotage Service. South Africa is one of the three countries in the world that offer this service.... Read more
1-Jan-2018
Police helicopter ended up on its side during a search operation. The pilot and crew‚ who included a search and rescue unit operator and his search dog‚ survived the crash. Photos suggest the subject helicopter is ZS-RDL (msn 4170) or ZS-RPL (msn 3468)... Read more
13-Dec-2017Source: HeliHub.com
After a meeting with Denel CEO Zwelakhe Ntshepe, CFO Odwa Mhlwana and trade unions, National Union of Metalworkers, Uasa and Solidarity, it has come to light that Denel does not have the funds to pay December salaries to its 4000 employees. The company has been experiencing extreme liquidity issues, so much so that South African... Read more
2-Oct-2017Source: Metro Aviation
Aerios Global is the first South African company to train at the Helicopter Flight Training Center (HFTC) in Shreveport, Louisiana, and says they will be back annually. The offshore and land-based helicopter services company, stationed in Cape Town, currently operates a variety of aircraft including an EC120, AS350, AS365 and the newest addition, the EC145. ... Read more
26-Sep-2017
Denel Group received approval to acquire Turbomeca Africa (TMA) in May which is now underway. During this acquisition; TMA’s manufacturing division will be closed down as Denel wants to focus on special processes, maintenance, overhauls and repairs, reports Defence Web.... Read more
19-May-2017
two farmers and their sons were returning home from the Nampo Harvest Day on Bothaville in the Free State when the accident occurred. One farmer, Douw Wentzel Snr, and the other farmer’s son Andre Deale suffered fatal injuries.... Read more
10-Mar-2017Source: Waypoint Leasing
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced that it has signed an agreement to lease an Airbus H145 helicopter to Acher Aviation (“Acher”), a leading operator in South Africa, supporting offshore oil and gas operations. Con Barber, Director of Middle East & Africa Sales and Relationship Management at... Read more
19-Jan-2017Source: Poynting Group
The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation is the largest ideal membership organization with nearly 700,000 members. The goal is to save lives by strengthening air ambulance service throughout Norway. This is done through thorough research, development and cooperation with other emergency services. One of the main challenges are the weather patterns in secluded areas. In the... Read more
15-Dec-2016Source: Execujet
ExecuJet Africa is announcing the arrival of its first charter helicopter, a VIP configured Bell 407 helicopter, available for charter from today, 12 December 2016, from ExecuJet’s Cape Town FBO facility. ExecuJet will offer commercial helicopter charters for various scenic flights to surrounding vineyards and other tourist attractions. While ExecuJet’s focus for helicopters charters will... Read more
21-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
At the biennial African Aerospace and Defence show in Waterkloof, Airbus Helicopters and Denel Aviation announced their partnership in the plan to upgrade and modernise the Rooivalk attack helicopter. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reports IT Web, which outlines the steps in the enhancement programme. Such steps include advancing the supportability of the fleet,... Read more
21-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The South African air force is giving their 39 Oryx helicopters a full upgrade. The upgrade, which will be a multi-million Rand project, includes avionic and engine upgrades with a general renovation of all systems. The Oryx helicopters have been in use for the past 15 years. These helicopters are much needed as they are... Read more
20-Sep-2016Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, in collaboration with its authorized Independent Representative National Airways Corporation, is delighted to announce the delivery of the fourth corporate Bell 407GXP into South Africa. “We are seeing success and opportunities for the Bell 407GXP platform across Africa,” said Steve Suttles, Bell Helicopter vice president of sales, Middle... Read more
19-Sep-2016Source: Bell
Rhino911’s goal is to stop the poachers long before they reach their targets. Unlike any other active anti-poaching effort, Rhino911 benefits from tactical air assets and support groups flying the specially equipped Bell 407 helicopter. Operators will find and intercept poachers of Rhinos and other endangered species from extended ranges with advanced night vision (NV)... Read more
18-Aug-2016Source: GES
The GES Africa Conservation Fund (GACF) today announced the launch of a $500,000 fund raise to support anti-poaching helicopter operations in South Africa. GACF is sponsored by the GES Group, which operates the leading Wildlife Management operation in South Africa and protects the largest private Rhino population in the world with over 1,500 Rhinos under... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce it will be performing an Airbus Helicopters AS350 BA to B2 conversion for humanitarian aid aviation service provider Mercy Air South Africa. The conversion will be undertaken by Vector at its facility in Andalusia, AL. “Upgrading... Read more
16-Feb-2016Source: Waypoint Leasing
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced the opening of two new regional offices, covering the company’s operations in Australia and Africa/The Middle East, respectively. Waypoint’s Australia office, located in Brisbane, will be launched in April 2016 and led by Waypoint executive Chris Wakefield. Establishing the office will... Read more
4-Feb-2016Source: Defence Web
16 Squadron, based at AFB Bloemspruit and the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) only combat support rotary wing unit, has been awarded the Sword of Peace. See Full story... Read more
2-Dec-2015
Both occupants suffered fatal injuries when this R44 went down in the Limpopo region of South Africa. The pair were named as De Klerk van Heerden and Roxanne van der Bank... Read more
28-Oct-2015Source: Schiebel
Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) continues its successful shipboard trials when demonstrating its outstanding capabilities to the South African Navy from 20 to 23 October 2015 at False Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. The maritime environment holds unique demands for situational awareness and timely communications. The CAMCOPTER® S-100 is a much needed asset... Read more
22-Oct-2015Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland announced today that the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) of South Africa has signed a contract for three AW119Kx EMS-equipped helicopters to expand their existing fleet of five AW119Ke aircraft. The contract also includes an option to acquire five additional units. The initial three aircraft will be delivered from AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia... Read more
16-Oct-2015
Pilot had completed a 360° turn to the right and was commencing with the same exercise to the left, approximately 90° through the turn the skid gear impacted with the ground, the helicopter continue to rotate to the left and tail rotor stinger and lower fenestron fin assembly impacted with the ground, which had caused... Read more
7-Oct-2015
Helicopter crashed, injuring vet Niel Kriel and game keeper Dirk Uys... Read more
5-Oct-2015
Helicopter was involved in installing an antenna, when it crashed and completely burnt out. Most reports say it hit a pole, but not clear if that was before or after it “experienced difficulties”. Two fatalities and three serious injuries, including those on the ground hit by debris. The two fatalities were named as pilot David... Read more
1-Oct-2015Source: DefenceWeb
The SA Navy Type 209 submarine SAS Queen Modjadji last week took part in a deep water training exercise with a Royal Navy frigate carrying the new Wildcat maritime helicopter. See full story... Read more
24-Sep-2015
The pilot was engaged in a private flight, and was accompanied by his wife. After activating the air-conditioning unit during their return flight to FAGC smoke started entering the cockpit/cabin area. The pilot, who had identified an open area below entered into auto-rotational flight in order to land as soon as possible. As they neared... Read more
11-Sep-2015Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the sale and delivery of a new MD 500ER single-engine helicopter to Bushveld Game Capture, Vryburg, South Africa. As South Africa’s premier provider of wildlife capture, purchasing, selling, transport, veterinary services, and the darting and counting of game by helicopter, Bushveld is expanding their helicopter fleet to more effectively... Read more
4-Aug-2015Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. . Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although... Read more
20-Jul-2015Source: South African Civil Aviation Authority
As of Tuesday, 14 July 2015, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has suspended the Part 127 (Helicopter) and Part 135 (Air Transport Operations: Small Aircraft) Air Operating Certificates (AOC) of Working on Fire, trading as FFA Aviation (Pty)Ltd, for failure to comply with the legislative requirements applicable to AOC holders. Following a recent spate... Read more
15-Jun-2015Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
15-Jun-2015Source: EFA
Airwork NZ Ltd announced at EFA Prague, the sale of a BK117-850D2 to South African operator Mr. Ivan Pienaar of Aeronautic Solutions. Mr Stephen Green of Airwork NZ said “We couldn’t be happier to see this aircraft go to a good home in South Africa, this will be Mr Pienaar’s second BK117-850D2”. Airwork acquired the... Read more
30-May-2015
Pilot Apie Reyneke died in a helicopter crash in unknown circumstances, while his passengers – wife Yolande and son Abraham were taken to hospital with serious injuries.... Read more
14-May-2015Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
22-Apr-2015
Firefighting helicopter crashes with two fatalities – named later as pilot Darrell Rea and crew Jastin Visagie. Further details to follow and registration awaiting final confirmation – another source is quoting ZS-HBU (4491)... Read more
13-Apr-2015Source: The Citizen
The owners of a helicopter which crashed into high-voltage power lines in the Queenstown area in 2011 have lost their claim against both their insurers and the pilot responsible for the crash. See Full Story... Read more
3-Apr-2015
Very heavy autorotation landing resulted in skids being ripped off and helicopter coming to rest on its starboard side. Owner reported in his own Facebook post that this was after the “newly fitted Lycoming Engine had just 15 minutes of flight time and lost power on its second flight approx 10 minutes after take off”,... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: SANP
South African National Parks (SANParks) is a proud recipient of a brand new Airbus AS-350B3e helicopter with night flying capability, made available with funding from the US based Howard G Buffet Foundation (HGBF). SANParks Board Chairperson, Mr Kuseni Dlamini, stated that SANParks had received an initial grant funding of R254.8 million in 2014 to support... Read more
17-Mar-2015Source: VA
Swiss-based Vertis Aviation, part of the independently owned aviation company 28 East Group, has opened its first aviation charter branch in South Africa at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORT), Johannesburg, to support growing demand in the region. Located in a prime office location at the new state-of-the-art Fireblade Aviation FBO, the premises fittingly reflect the... Read more
8-Mar-2015
The helicopter went down in mountainous terrain while water bombing the area, killing the pilot – named later here as Hendrik Marais... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: Safe Flight
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation of White Plains, NY announced that Skyhorse Aviation of Pretoria, South Africa is the launch customer of Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System (PDS) for the Airbus Helicopters AS350. Safe Flight’s PDS has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). ... Read more
23-Feb-2015
Emergency landing on golf course... Read more
