
African Pilot Magazine:
General Aviation & Lifestyle

From Factory to Flight: Corrosion and ESD Protection for Avionics
Protect avionics from corrosion and static during storage and transit. Discover Cortec®’s dual-protection VpCI® packaging and supplementary solutions for reliability.

Turning Practice into Action: How Spot Landings and Rally Flying Prepared Tarryn Myburgh for an In-Flight Emergency
Pilot Tarryn Myburgh shares how rally flying and spot landings equipped her to handle an engine failure mid-flight. Safety is built through practice.

Creating a Safety Toolkit: Lessons from the Cockpit at the Rand Airport Safety Symposium
Pilot Keegan Glanfield shares five core tools for safer flying at the Rand Airport Safety Symposium, urging pilots to build their own safety toolkit.

Africa’s First H125 Virtual Reality Simulator Enhances Pilot Training in Southern Africa
Airbus Helicopters installs Africa’s first H125 virtual reality simulator in Johannesburg to support advanced pilot training and improve regional aviation safety.

CFS Aviation Group Announces Strategic Shareholding Restructure and Brand Evolution
CFS Aviation Group, formerly Comair Flight Services, has restructured its ownership and brand following approval from South Africa’s Competition Commission. The group is now fully independent under Parrot Aviation and CEO Justin Reeves.

Cirrus Invests $13M to Expand Grand Forks Manufacturing Facility
Cirrus is investing $13 million to expand its Grand Forks facility by 30,000 sq ft, supporting increased production of the SR Series and Vision Jet, with new jobs and capabilities coming by 2026.

VoltAero’s HPU 210 Hybrid Power Unit
VoltAero unveils its HPU 210 hybrid power unit at EAA AirVenture, opening reservations for light aircraft propulsion slots. First U.S. appearance announced.

Nigeria: Preliminary Report: Diamond DA 42 Incident at Ilorin Airport
NSIB releases preliminary report on Diamond DA 42 crash at Ilorin Airport involving International Aviation College. Both occupants sustained minor injuries.
TBO Increase to 3600 Hours or 6 Years for the Silent-7 MT Propeller Series
MT-Propeller has increased the TBO of its Silent-7 propeller series to 3,600 hours or 6 years, following outstanding inspection results. This upgrade highlights the durability and performance of MT's 7-bladed composite propellers, used on aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12 and King Air 350.

Injunction to Be Sought as 12-Year Aviation Engine Crisis Brings the Industry to a Halt
The AIC 18.19 Task Team, representing five major aviation bodies in South Africa, is pursuing urgent legal action against the 12-year engine overhaul ruling, which has grounded over 1,400 aircraft and threatens R2 billion in direct losses.
Balancing Regulation and Safety in Aviation
CAASA CEO Kevin Storie outlines a call for balanced, collaborative regulation in African aviation at the AFBAA Safety and Training Workshop during Aero SA.

Redefining Business Aviation in Africa: AfBAA’s Focus on Safety, Standards, and Inclusive Growth
AfBAA highlights inclusive growth, safety, and global standards at the AFBAA Safety & Training Workshop during Aero South Africa 2025.

ECT Aviation Launches Time-Critical Cargo Routes with the BN2T-4S Islander
ECT Aviation launches high-frequency cargo routes to North Africa using the BN2T-4S Islander, targeting underserved regions with STOL capabilities.

Pushback on ADS-B Data Misuse Raises Concerns
A U.S. bill limiting ADS-B data use is sparking global debate, with growing concerns in Africa over surveillance, privacy, and regulatory misuse in aviation.

Aero South Africa 2025 – What the GA Pilot Missed
Aero SA 2025 brought together GA pilots, students, and enthusiasts at Lanseria, showcasing everything from diesel Cessnas to electric aircraft and local innovations.

Egypt and France Strengthen Civil Aviation Cooperation Through New Technical Agreement
Egypt and France sign a civil aviation agreement to boost safety, sustainability and airport development, reinforcing Egypt’s African aviation hub ambitions.

Pretoria Airshow 2025: Airshow Adds “Gees” to the Fees
The Pretoria Fees is held annually over the Easter weekend at Legends Adventure Farm. This year, a touch of spirit and magic was added with the inclusion of a seriously well-planned and executed airshow. Saturday also featured the SAPFA Speed Rally, hosted by David le Roux from Pilot Insure. Overall, the show was a great…

Nigeria Unveils New Insurance Policy to Support Aviation Sector Growth
Nigeria introduces a new insurance policy for leased aircraft, enabling local operators to cede risk internationally and align with global standards. The reform aims to reduce costs, attract investment, and boost aviation sector growth.
AI Takes Flight: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Aviation in Africa
Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the aviation industry—from smart airports and predictive maintenance to enhanced passenger experiences. Explore AI's growing role in Africa and what the future holds.

Supporting the Skies: The Critical Role of Pilot Assistance Programmes
Supporting pilot mental health is vital to aviation safety. Discover how global and African initiatives are shaping a safer sky through Pilot Assistance Programmes.

International Aircraft Dealers Association Reports Strong Q1 Sales Amid Growing Market Caution
The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) reports a 24% year-on-year increase in aircraft sales for Q1 2025, with a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainty and tariff impacts. Explore key market insights, pricing trends, and dealer perspectives in the full IADA Market Report.

Ascend Airways Makes History With First Direct Flight Between UK and Sierra Leone in Over a Decade
Ascend Airways has operated the first direct flight between the UK and Sierra Leone in over a decade, restoring a vital air link with a new London Gatwick–Freetown route and supporting connectivity, tourism, and economic ties.

Aviation Major Driver of Economic Growth and Connectivity in Egypt
IATA’s latest study highlights aviation’s major contribution to Egypt’s economy, supporting 1.4 million jobs and 5.3% of GDP. Key priorities include cost-efficiency, sustainability, and workforce development.
Diamond Aircraft Teams Up with Austrian Research Institutes to Explore Hybrid Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Propulsion
Diamond Aircraft and leading Austrian research institutes are developing a hybrid hydrogen-electric testbed for General Aviation, advancing zero-emission propulsion, digital systems, and sustainable aviation technologies.

The West Coast Saldanha Airshow
The 2025 West Coast Saldanha Airshow, held at Saldanha Airport, featured thrilling displays despite challenging weather. The event also marked a tragic farewell to ZU-IMP, South Africa’s last airworthy ex-SAAF Impala.

Airweek 2025: Where Aviation Passion and Innovation Take Flight
Airweek 2025 at Middelburg Airfield was the hub for South African aviation enthusiasts during the first week of March 2025, showcasing a diverse array of aircraft including a few unique aircraft. The Middelburg Aero Club, Aeroclub of South Africa, EAA Chapter 322, and Air Show South Africa have undoubtedly set the benchmark for the year’s…

Joby Reports Record Certification Progress and Delivery of Second Aircraft to US Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base
Joby Aviation reports record certification progress, delivers a second aircraft to the US Air Force, and secures over $1 billion in funding. The company plans to carry its first passengers by late 2025 or early 2026, marking a major milestone in electric aviation.

Henley Group Holdings Announces Trevor Carver as Manager of Henley Component Repair & Overhaul
Henley Group Holdings appoints Trevor Carver as Manager of Henley Component Repair & Overhaul, enhancing its Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) with specialised helicopter component repair and overhaul services.