
African Pilot Magazine:
Pilot

Supporting the Unsung Heroes of Aviation – The Story of Mayday-SA
Discover how Mayday-SA is leading the way in aviation mental health support, helping pilots and frontline staff stay safe, resilient, and heard.

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.

The Hidden Turbulence Pilots Face Beyond the Skies
Beyond the cockpit, pilots face hidden pressures—fatigue, fear of reporting, and environmental change—raising urgent questions about aviation safety culture.

Proflight Zambia Champions a Connected Continent
Proflight Zambia calls for aligned policies, infrastructure upgrades, and PPPs to drive air connectivity and unlock Africa’s regional aviation potential.

Angola and Côte d’Ivoire Sign Air Services Agreement, Enabling TAAG Route Between Luanda and Abidjan
Angola and Côte d’Ivoire sign an open skies air services agreement, enabling TAAG’s planned Luanda–Abidjan route and advancing African aviation integration.

EMAS: The Runway Safety Net Pilots Still Aren’t Using
Why are pilots avoiding EMAS during runway overruns? Explore how Africa can lead the way in safety innovation with proper pilot training and local solutions.

Single-Pilot Concept Stalls on Safety Grounds – For Now
EASA halts progress on single-pilot flights, citing unresolved safety risks. Two-pilot crews remain

Angolan Ministry of Transport and Boeing Sign Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation to Strengthen Angola’s Aviation Sector
The Angolan Ministry of Transport has signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Boeing to modernise the national aviation sector. This partnership, involving TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola, focuses on fleet development, technical capabilities, and long-term industry growth.

Hanwha Systems and Milkor Aerospace and Defence Sign Strategic MoU to Integrate AESA SAR Radar on Milkor 380 UAV for Global Export
Hanwha Systems and Milkor Aerospace and Defence signed an MoU at the Paris Air Show 2025 to integrate AESA SAR radar on the Milkor 380 UAV, creating a globally exportable ISR solution with advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
EGYPTAIR Discloses Order for an Additional Six Airbus A350 Aircraft
EGYPTAIR has placed a firm order for six additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, expanding its total order to 16 as part of its long-haul network and fleet modernisation strategy. The move supports sustainability goals and reinforces the airline’s partnership with Airbus.

Embraer Celebrates A-29 Super Tucano 600,000 Flight Hours
Embraer celebrates 600,000 flight hours for the A-29 Super Tucano, a globally proven light attack and training aircraft selected by 22 air forces. The A-29N variant offers NATO interoperability and cost-effective, multi-role capabilities.

Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Kigali, Rwanda, Increasing Its Network in Africa to 30 Destinations
Qatar Airways resumes Doha–Kigali flights, expanding its Africa network to 30 destinations and reinforcing partnerships with RwandAir and Bugesera Airport.

First Airbus SIRTAP Prototype Ready to Start Ground Tests
Airbus has completed assembly of the first SIRTAP tactical uncrewed aerial system, now entering ground tests in Spain. The aircraft is set for its maiden flight by the end of 2025, with delivery to the Spanish Armed Forces expected in 2027.

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.
Safran Arriel Engine Selected to Power New Robinson R88 Helicopter
Safran Helicopter Engines partners with Robinson Helicopter Company to power the new R88 with the Arriel 2W engine. This collaboration enhances performance, reliability, and maintenance support for light helicopters worldwide.

Robinson Helicopters has Launched its First Design in 15 Years and It’s the Biggest Ever
Robinson Helicopters unveils the R88, its first new design in 15 years and its largest helicopter ever. Designed for executive transport, firefighting, and utility operations, the R88 challenges industry norms with a powerful Safran Arriel 2W engine, advanced avionics, and an adaptable 10-seat configuration.

JCAB Issues G-1 Certification Basis for SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft
SkyDrive has received G-1 certification basis approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for its three-seater eVTOL aircraft. The company is progressing towards aircraft certification and commercial operations, with flight tests underway ahead of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Jet Systems and Volocopter to Partner in eVTOL Operations in France
Volocopter and Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have partnered to introduce eVTOL air taxi services in France, starting in Paris. With certified VoloCity aircraft and established flight routes, this partnership aims to revolutionise urban air mobility and expand across the country.

Eve Air Mobility and JetSetGo to Explore Urban ATM Implementation in India
Eve Air Mobility and JetSetGo partner to explore the implementation of Eve’s Vector Urban ATM software in India, enhancing air traffic management and paving the way for efficient and sustainable Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

Rotortrade Achieves Record Growth in 2024 with Surge in Offshore and APAC Markets
Rotortrade achieved record growth in 2024, with a 20% increase in transactions and a surge in offshore helicopter sales. Discover how demand for medium and light twin-engine helicopters, including the AW139, AW109, H145, and Bell 429, drove market expansion, particularly in Asia-Pacific.

Simuflight’s PC-12 Simulator: A New Era in Advanced Flight Training
Simuflight is revolutionising aviation training with its new PC-12 flight simulator, designed and built in South Africa. The state-of-the-art simulator will provide pilots with realistic, high-quality training, with full system integration and Civil Aviation Authority certification expected by Q3 2025.

French Air and Space Force buys 22 PC-7 MKX Aircraft for Basic Military Pilot Training
The French Air and Space Force has selected the Pilatus PC-7 MKX as its new basic military pilot training system. With 22 aircraft on order, advanced avionics, and a state-of-the-art Ground-Based Training System, this move reinforces France’s commitment to cutting-edge flight training.

Redefining Long-Endurance Surveillance Tasks with the DA62 MPP
The Diamond Aircraft DA62 MPP has completed a 9-hour, 20-minute surveillance mission, showcasing its long-endurance performance, fuel efficiency, and advanced ISR capabilities. With cutting-edge surveillance technology and multi-role adaptability, it is redefining cost-effective aerial surveillance.

Safran and GAL Partner to Ensure Fleet Readiness for UAE Mirage 2000 Aircraft
Safran Aircraft Engines and Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) have partnered to ensure fleet readiness for the UAE Mirage 2000 aircraft, providing world-class maintenance and operational support for M53 engines.
Grey Wolf Tested for US Air Force Mission
The US Air Force’s MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters have undergone Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flights, demonstrating their capabilities in simulated emergency response scenarios. Learn how this new aircraft enhances nuclear security and replaces the UH-1N Huey.

Air Cargo Demand up 3.2% in January
The latest IATA report shows global air cargo demand increased by 3.2% in January 2025, marking 18 consecutive months of growth. Explore key insights on freight capacity, regional performance, and trade lane trends.

Zambia Air Force’s Operation Sungulula Concludes as Life Returns to the Kafue River
The Zambia Air Force successfully concludes Operation Sungulula, neutralising an acid spill in the Kafue River. The aerial response effort safeguarded aquatic life, protected downstream communities, and reinforced ZAF’s disaster response capabilities.

From Disks to Digital: Trainer Updates Cut Apache Downtime
Discover how the Apache Longbow Crew Trainers' software updates have transformed from a time-consuming manual process to an efficient automated system. Learn how automation reduces downtime, enhances performance, and improves training reliability.
