15-Jun-2012
The last of eleven upgraded Rooivalk attack helicopters will be delivered to the South African Air Force at the end of August (see full story)... Read more
8-Jun-2012Source: Engineering News
Denel Aerostructures has produced rotor blades and rotor heads for the AgustaWestland A109 and A119 helicopters and manufactures drop tanks for the Rooivalk attack helicopter. (see full story)... Read more
5-Jun-2012Source: 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
30-May-2012Source: Thales
Thales has been successfully selected by the South African Department of Defence, South African Air Force and ARMSCOR (Armaments Corporation of South Africa Ltd) for a five years Through Life Support [TLS] of all Thales avionics equipment on-board several fleets of aircrafts. Under the terms of the multi-year contract signed with Armscor, Thales will support... Read more
27-May-2012
Crashed shortly after take off from Grand Central Airport, coming to rest against a concrete fence. The two occupants were severely injured – see photos here and here... Read more
25-May-2012
An AW119 belonging to alleged underworld tycoon and businessman Frikkie Lutzkie mysteriously crashed near the border with Botswana. The crash is being investigated by the Northern Cape Organised Crime Unit (see full story and three photos). HeliHub.com editor note – a photo in happier times (taken December 2010) can be found here... Read more
24-May-2012
One person was killed and another critically injured when the R44 crashed on Thursday into the veld. Helicopter ended up on its port side. Fatality named in online forum as Riaan Van Brakel... Read more
21-May-2012
Unclear what happened. Owner Frikkie Lutzkie decided to cut skids off “for ease of ground transportation”, cut blades off and remove the boom. Helicopter was then smeared with mud and camouflaged with copious amounts of foliage. Helicopter uninsured. Date is approximate, but likely within a week of the correct date. Read reports at the three links... Read more
22-Feb-2012Source: Unofficial SAAF Website
The SAAF Museum has acquired two new exhibits that symbolise the technological prowess of the South African aeronautical industry in the late twentieth century. First to arrive at the Museum at Zwartkop, Centurion, on Friday 11 February was an Aerospatiale SA-330L Puma (serial 190). The medium-transport Puma was a stalewart of the airforce from the... Read more
16-Feb-2012
Heavy landing close to airport due to mechanical issues on climb out... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: defenceWeb
The three A109 Light Utility Helicopter crashes were caused by mechanical failure and pilot error, but all technical problems have been resolved, the chief of the South African Air Force has said. (see full story)... Read more
23-Dec-2011
Training accident from low level, helicopter ended up on its starboard side. Instructor and pupil light injuries only and walked away.... Read more
20-Dec-2011
Helicopter caught zip wire cable, causing it to crash. Sole occupant fatal, later named as businessman Arie Neven. Was reported as inbound from Wonderboom to pick up one person and then planned outbound to Bakubunt... Read more
19-Dec-2011
The shareholder and creditors of aerospace company Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE) are headed for court on a business rescue plan which would see Eurocopter take a 99.99% stake. The plan was adopted by 99.72% of creditors but crucially the shareholders voted against it. (see full story)... Read more
17-Dec-2011
Two male occupants were treated for superficial wounds and bruises... Read more
30-Nov-2011
Eurocopter Southern Africa has moved to a new and bigger base at Grand Central Airport, close to Johannesburg and Pretoria. The company’s previous base was spread across four buildings at Lanseria Airport, (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011
Crashed while giving an 80-year-old her birthday present flight. Ended up on its starboard side with the tail boom apparently separated midway down its length.... Read more
25-Nov-2011
Rolled over in run-on landing.... Read more
23-Nov-2011
Helicopter ended up on its port side with the tail boom sliced. 23-Nov-11 is assumed date – the first reference we can find is in the evening of that date.... Read more
9-Nov-2011
Eurocopter has confirmed that it is willing to contribute to the attempt to save South African aerospace and defence company Advanced Technologies & Engineering (ATE), which is in serious financial difficulties. Eurocopter is a major creditor of ATE (Full story) Photo from Eurocopter brochure shows EC635 destined for Iraqi Air Force on test flight with... Read more
20-Sep-2011Source: 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
20-Sep-2011
“There was a severe vibration, and then we lost power. I made an emergency landing and executed a hard landing followed. “ Boom broken and cabwhich boom became bent and detached. Skids and cabin appear... Read more
13-Sep-2011
All six occupants – Eskom CEO Brian Dames and colleagues Steve Lennon, Louis Maleka, and Kerseri Pather plsu the two pilots (Hilton Atherstone plus one) – suffered minor injuries in the crash and managed to get clear of the wreckage before it caught fire and burnt out... Read more
31-Aug-2011Source: South African Police Service
A helicopter pilot has appeared in the Pretoria magistrate court for flying and crashing a helicopter while his license was suspended. It is alleged that on the 2rd of December last year Rainier Prinsloo, whose license was suspended by the SA Civil Aviation Authority got involved in a helicopter crash at Baltimore in Limpopo. He,... Read more
3-Aug-2011Source: 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
3-Aug-2011
R44 ends up on its port side on University of Cape Town’s Middle Campus. Light injuries to the four occupants. Contacted trees, but as yet unclear whether that was cause or result of situation. Photo of scene here... Read more
20-Jul-2011
Wire strike during low level flying... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: DeBeers
The idea, which ensures that South Africans in the remotest regions of the country will have access to an emergency helicopter service without equal, is the brainchild of Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers and an intrepid young doctor, Dr Anchen Laubscher, Medical Director of Netcare 911. Dr Laubscher, who was a flying doctor at the... Read more
13-May-2011Source: SAPS
Our fallen colleagues – “At the setting of the sun and in the morning, we will remember themâ€. The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Bheki Cele, is greatly saddened to confirm the death of one of our respected and experienced pilots, Colonel Shabir Khan. Khan, together with a colleague from the... Read more
6-May-2011Source: 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
6-May-2011Source: 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
21-Apr-2011Source: DefenceWeb
Concerns locally in South Africa as support costs rise and rise.... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: Denel
The upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force for operational duties. The helicopter, designed and manufactured in South Africa, was received by the Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano. The Chief Executive Officer of Denel, Talib Sadik, says the handover is the culmination... Read more
21-Mar-2011Source: 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
17-Mar-2011Source: 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
25-Feb-2011
Landed on its port side with floats deployed. Two people medevac to hospital by MedCopter “Chopper 2”... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: DefenceWeb
The SAAF required the type to take pressure off its Denel Oryx medium utility fleet. The Air Force has long had the need for a platform more capable than the Alouette III but less expensive and more efficient than the Oryx for the bulk of taskings. The A109 was expected to fill that niche.... Read more
29-Jan-2011Source: ARMSCOR
Reference No:   ELGS/2010/28 Requirements:   On demand support for the SAAF Aircraft 109 light utility helicopter ARGOS-410 A4 observation system Awarded Date:   27 Jan 2011 Contract Value:   R3 000 000,00 Classification:   Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Carl Zeiss Optronics (Pty) Ltd   P O Box 8859 Centurion 0046... Read more
29-Jan-2011Source: IOL
Lt.Col Shabir Khan was discharged on Thursday but de Lt.Col Kosie de Villiers’s recovery is expected to take a little longer, though the enthusiastic pilot was in good spirits in the Unitas Hospital on Thursday. See accident page at 21-Jan-11 ZS-HWX MD Helicopters 369D Wonderboompoort, South Africa... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Times Live
Denel Dynamics says the Mokopa is a precision-strike, multi-purpose 10 km plus surface-target missile, that can be fired from the ground, helicopter and fighter jet.... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Eyewitness News
The Pretoria News has reported that CCTV footage and Global Positioning System (GPS) data has been sent overseas for forensic analysis. See HeliHub.com accident page at 23-Jul-10 ZS-HMY Eurocopter BK117 Witbank, South Africa (7F) [File photo]... Read more
21-Jan-2011
The pilot, Lt Col. Koosie De Villiers, and his crewman Lt Col. Shabir Khan, were both seriously injured in the crash. Eyesitness described the aircraft as being a “total mangled wreck”, with no windows left as it “was all smashed up”.... Read more
13-Jan-2011Source: The New Age
More than R180m is being spent on upgrading the Rooivalk helicopter to make it “a modern, sophisticated combat support helicopter ready for use by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in any of its deploymentsâ€... Read more
10-Jan-2011Source: 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
7-Jan-2011Source: 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-Dec-2010Source: Armscor
South African military procurement organisation Armscor has recently announced the following contract placement Reference No:   EHEL/2010/297 Requirements:   Operational product supply support for 11 Rooivalk aircraft Awarded Date:   10 Dec 2010 Contract Value:   R86 312 502,00 Classification:   Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Aviation   P O Box 7246 Bonaero Park 1622 HeliHub.com editor... Read more
15-Dec-2010Source: Armscor
South African military procurement organisation Armscor has recently announced the following contract placement Reference No:   EVLI/2010/97 Requirements:   Oryx life extension: Upgrade and overhaul of Makila 1A1 engines Awarded Date:   9 Dec 2010 Contract Value:   R66 140 000,00 Classification:   Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Turbomeca Africa (Pty) Ltd   P O Box 7005 Bonaero Park 1622 HeliHub.com editor... Read more
15-Dec-2010
Suggested tail rotor problem after helicopter observed to be “spinning wildly”... Read more
26-Nov-2010Source: Armscor
CONTRACT DETAIL FOR ACQUISITION/LOGISTICS (LGS) – ELGS/2010/336 Reference No: ELGS/2010/336 Requirements: Procurement of two Arrius 2K2 engines for the SAAF A109 light utility helicopter, inclusive of electronic engine control unit subsystem and long term storage container Awarded Date: 25 Nov 2010 Contract Value: R8 206 191,68 Classification: Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Agusta Westland Via del... Read more
26-Nov-2010Source: Armscor
CONTRACT DETAIL FOR ACQUISITION/LOGISTICS (LGS) – LGS/2010/4511 Reference No: LGS/2010/4511 Requirements: Product support for the Oryx helicopter fleet – extension of ELGS/2002/594 Awarded Date: 25 Nov 2010 Contract Value: R390 682 957,61 Classification: Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Aviation P O Box 11 KEMPTON PARK 1620 HeliHub.com editor note – 390,682,957.61... Read more
24-Nov-2010
Hard landing incident during a scheduled military exercise involving the SA Army and the SA Air Force... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: Vector Aerospace
Summerside, PE, Canada – Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services is pleased to announce the grand opening of Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic’s newest engine repair, overhaul and test facility, located in Lanseria, South Africa. “Vector’s expansion into the South African marketplace has... Read more
2-Nov-2010Source: 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
2-Nov-2010Source: Vector Aerospace
Summerside, PE, Canada – Members of the media are invited to attend the Grand Opening of Vector Aerospace Corporation’s (Vector) newest Overhaul facility; Vector Aerospace – Africa (Pty) Ltd. This latest addition to Vector’s fixed and rotary-wing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organization offers a variety of specialized services for the Pratt & Whitney Canada... Read more
2-Nov-2010
The two fatalities on a licence re-validation flight were owner Bevan Bertholdt (39) and flight instructor Boeta Austin... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Through 2010, HeliHub.com has become known for its range of official register updates, where we list new helicopter registrations, cancellations, changes of owner etc for a range of countries – Australia, Austria, Ireland, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland and UK. We are now very pleased to report that, in association with AMCAR, we... Read more
21-Oct-2010Source: defenceWeb
The South African Air Force is building up its spares inventory for the AgustaWestland SuperLynx Mk64 maritime helicopters... Read more
17-Oct-2010Source: Engineering News
I’m not happy with the likely budgeting for flying hours for the next financial year,†affirms Lt-Gen Carlo Gagiano. “To operate all the systems in the SAAF optimally, I need a bigger budget. But we must never stop exploring ways of doing things better and cheaper.â€... Read more
17-Oct-2010Source: JNC Helicopters
Durban-Based JNC helicopter had two very good reasons to celebrate recently when it held a gala dinner at its Virginia Airport headquarters for about a hundred specially-invited guests to mark the tenth anniversary of its formation and the delivery of the first Enstrom F28C-2 in its fleet. The helicopter is also the first of its... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: Business Day
State-owned arms manufacturer Denel has completed the requirements for the certification of the Rooivalk attack helicopter but would require a further cash injection by the Department of Defence to make it fully operational, CEO Talib Sadiq said yesterday.... Read more
4-Oct-2010Source: defenceWeb
It takes 130 modifications on the Denel AH2A Rooivalk to turn the current fleet of 11 rotorcraft into a “Block 1F†standard aircraft and a further nine modifications to the aircraft’s ground support equipment... Read more
4-Oct-2010Source: 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
1-Oct-2010Source: defenseWeb
Support and other post-acquisition capital costs for the South African Air Force’s 29 AgustaWestland A109M light utility helicopters acquired for R2.451 billion as part of the 1999 strategic defence package has topped R120.5 million since December 2006... Read more
1-Oct-2010Source: defenceWeb
Grintek Ewation has been awarded a R23 859 454 contract to maintain its electronic warfare (EW) and communication intelligence systems aboard the Denel Oryx medium utility helicopter and Douglas C47TP Dhttps://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-admin/post-new.phpakota aircraft.... Read more
24-Sep-2010Source: Defence Web
Denel Aviation has received the green light from the South African Civil Aviation Authority to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul work on Eurocopter Bo105s... Read more
22-Sep-2010Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter, the world’s leading supplier of civil, law enforcement, emergency response, military and utility helicopters, has experienced a 35 per cent increase in its Southern African business as countries in the region invest in airborne law-enforcement and civic emergency response capabilities. The company’s regional subsidiary, Eurocopter Southern Africa Ltd, supports an ever-expanding Southern African customer... Read more
22-Sep-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) of South Africa is expanding its emergency medical services operational capabilities  by introducing into service a fourth AW119Ke single engine helicopter and one Grand light twin helicopter. These aircraft will be used for EMS and rescue tasks from bases... Read more
22-Sep-2010
Low RPM on take off, rolled over onto starboard side... Read more
18-Sep-2010
Denel Aviation is embarking on an aggressive marketing strategy to pursue markets beyond South Africa’s borders.  Markets and air forces in North Africa are a particular focus.... Read more
12-Sep-2010Source: Engineering News
Cash-strapped South African electricity utility Eskom has denied suggestions that it is on the verge of acquiring a new fleet of helicopters.... Read more
5-Sep-2010Source: 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
31-Aug-2010Source: HeilHub.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
16-Aug-2010Source: UPI
Questions are being asked in Parliament as to why 12 Denel AH-2 Rooivalks in the South African’s Air Force 16 squadron have been put in storage rather than remaining operational... Read more