African Pilot Weekly Magazine 29:2025
The Children’s Flight 2025: A Decade of Inspiration
General Aviation & LifestyleOn 25 July 2025, the 10th edition of The Children’s Flight, organised by Felix Gosher, took place at Wonderboom Airport. Guided by the powerful motto “Fly, Feed, Love, Inspire”, the event brought together an exceptional network of generosity, community spirit and aviation commitment.
This year’s event featured 111 aircraft, comprising both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, flying continuous circuits to give 1,000 children their very first experience of flight. The children came from registered charities, including orphanages and organisations supporting youngsters with disabilities or life-threatening conditions.
With backing from 175 sponsors covering costs such as fuel, meals, tents, sanitation and transport, the day ran with remarkable precision. Volunteers, pilots, aviation companies and brands of all sizes gave their time and resources freely, demonstrating a shared belief in the value of giving back.
While African Pilot magazine has supported this initiative in the past, this was the first time under the new ownership and editorial team. We were proud to witness this remarkable event and look forward to seeing the joy and inspiration it brings again in 2026.
EMAS: The Runway Safety Net Pilots Still Aren’t Using
Airport: Runway Pilot Safety
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.
Patrick Gonzenbach on Keeping Planes in the Air and the Imminent Arrival of RwandAir’s Fourth Airbus A330
African AirlineRwandAir’s Director of Flight Operations, Patrick Gonzenbach, discusses operational leadership, pilot retention, and the arrival of the airline’s fourth Airbus A330.
Airbus Expands its Footprint in Africa with a New Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg
Company News: AirbusAirbus opens a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, reinforcing its nearly 50-year partnership with Africa’s aviation sector and expanding support for regional operators.
Gabriel Semelas Reaffirms Airbus Commitment to Africa as New Support Centre Opens in Johannesburg
African Business Aviation: HelicopterAirbus opens a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg as Gabriel Semelas highlights the company’s long-term commitment to Africa’s aviation, defence, and innovation sectors.
Africa’s First H125 Virtual Reality Simulator Enhances Pilot Training in Southern Africa
General Aviation: Helicopter Pilot TrainingAirbus Helicopters installs Africa’s first H125 virtual reality simulator in Johannesburg to support advanced pilot training and improve regional aviation safety.
Angola and Ethiopia Sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement
African Airline: Air Services AgreementAngola and Ethiopia have signed an Air Services Agreement to enhance aviation cooperation, enabling improved connectivity, safety, and commercial operations.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Inaugurates Major MRO Expansion with New Component Workshop, Central Warehouse, and Two Hangars
African Airline: MROEthiopian Airlines inaugurates new MRO facilities—component workshop, warehouse, and hangars—boosting Africa’s aircraft maintenance capacity.
IFALPA Warns of Safety Risks at Underprepared Alternate Airports
Pilots: Alternate Airports Safety RisksIFALPA calls for urgent improvements to safety standards at alternate aerodromes worldwide. This article examines key incidents and infrastructure challenges, with a focus on African airports, highlighting the need for coordinated investment in navigation, emergency services, and passenger facilities.
Startical Achieves First-Ever VHF Voice Communication Between Pilot and Air Traffic Controller via Satellite
Civil Aviation: Air Traffic ControlStartical has made aviation history by achieving the first-ever real-time VHF voice communication between a pilot and air traffic controller via satellite, using standard aeronautical signals under the EU-backed ECHOES project.
Simandou 2040: Expansion of Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport Progresses Under Presidential Oversight
African Infrastructure & Projects: AirportGuinea progresses on Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport expansion in Conakry as part of the Simandou 2040 Program, with 95% of Phase 1 completed.
TotalEnergies, a Pioneer in Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Committed to the Decarbonisation of Air Transport
Aviation: Decarbonisation / FuelTotal Energies is advancing sustainable aviation by expanding its SAF production across Europe and partnering with key industry players like Airbus and Safran. With plans to produce over 500,000 tonnes of SAF annually by 2028, the company is leading efforts to decarbonise air transport and meet future regulatory mandates.
Business Aviation Leader Luxaviation and Haffner Energy Join Forces to Accelerate SAF Production and Promotion
Aviation: Decarbonisation / FuelLuxaviation and Haffner Energy announced a strategic collaboration to support the development of SAF Zero, an initiative accelerating sustainable aviation fuel production through innovative technology and industry partnerships.
Concept Formulation to Develop Rwanda’s Capital into East African Air Connectivity Hub Receives MCDF Grant Support
Africa: Air Connectivity HubThe MCDF has approved a USD105,000 grant to support concept development for Kigali’s New International Airport City, aiming to position Rwanda’s capital as a key East African air connectivity hub through high-quality infrastructure planning.
Navigating Discrete Manufacturing in South Africa Through Digitalisation
Aerospace: ManufacturingDiscover how South Africa’s discrete manufacturing sector is embracing digitalisation to overcome infrastructure challenges, improve supply chain visibility, and drive resilience, with insights from RS South Africa.
Runway to Resilience: How Long-Term Commitment, Local Leadership, and Engineering Innovation Kept Tuvalu Connected to the World
International: Runway EngineeringTuvalu's Funafuti Airport overcomes rare subsurface failures with porous asphalt, securing vital air access through engineering innovation and persistence.
Creating a Safety Toolkit: Lessons from the Cockpit at the Rand Airport Safety Symposium
General Aviation: Pilot SafetyPilot Keegan Glanfield shares five core tools for safer flying at the Rand Airport Safety Symposium, urging pilots to build their own safety toolkit.
Continental Innovation Tender Launched Under Africa–EU Space Partnership Programme
Aerospace: Space Innovation TenderESA launches the Continental Innovation tender under the Africa–EU Space Partnership to boost EO training, start-ups, and EU–Africa space collaboration.
NASA Welcomes Senegal as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
Space Exploration: NASASenegal joins NASA’s Artemis Accords, committing to peaceful, transparent space exploration. The agreement marks a milestone in international space diplomacy.
Thales Recognised for Aviation Innovation With the Successful Deployment of an Approach Spacing Tool (AST) in Hong Kong, China
International: Air Traffic ControlThales and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong have successfully deployed the Approach Spacing Tool (AST), optimising aircraft arrival sequences to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, enhancing safety and sustainability in air traffic management.
FAA Study Led by Embry-Riddle Warns of Drone Risks to Aircraft
International: DronesAn FAA-backed study by Embry-Riddle warns that drones are often flown above 400 feet, raising safety risks near manned aircraft and heliports.
CCAA and GIZ BSB Yamoussa Formalise Commitment to Drone Pilot Training
Civil Aviation: DronesThe CCAA and GIZ BSB Yamoussa have formalised a partnership to train drone pilots in Cameroon, supporting safe and regulated UAV operations.
FAA Greenlights First Electric Engine Propeller, A Leap Forward with Global Implications
International: eVTOLThe FAA has certified the first electric aircraft propeller—here's what it means for global aviation and how Africa could benefit from the shift to clean flight.
Gauteng Strengthens Crime-Fighting Capacity with Drone Pilot Graduates
General Aviation: Drones20 Gauteng traffic officers graduate as certified drone pilots, advancing e-Policing in the province's fight against crime through technology.
Turkish Airlines and Airlink Sign Codeshare Agreement to Expand African Connectivity
African Airline: Codeshare AgreementTurkish Airlines and Airlink have entered into a codeshare agreement to enhance air connectivity across Southern Africa, effective 1 August 2025.
Nigeria, Arab Republic of Egypt Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Aviation and Aerospace Development
Air Connectivity: Bilateral Aviation AgreementsNigeria and Egypt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance aviation sector cooperation, expand routes, and promote regional integration across Africa.
AIAAN Cargo Terminal Receives Qatar Airways Cargo Aircraft for the First Time
Air Cargo & Air Freight: AngolaQatar Airways Cargo makes its first landing at AIAAN, delivering 97 tonnes of oil industry cargo from Shanghai, strengthening Angola's logistics hub.
Air Transport: Côte d’Ivoire Aims to Become a Sub-Regional Hub and Competitive Global Player
African Aviation: Côte d’Ivoire GrowthCôte d'Ivoire is advancing its air transport sector with strategic reforms and investments to become a leading West African aviation hub, driven by growing passenger traffic and the expansion of Air Côte d'Ivoire.
TAAG Angola Airlines Advances Fleet Modernisation with US EXIM Bank Support
African Airline: New AircraftTAAG Angola Airlines advances its fleet modernisation with $297M EXIM Bank financing for Boeing 787-10 aircraft and GE engines, boosting efficiency and sustainability.
Egis Signs Long-Term Contract with Steven VERHASSELT to Enhance Its Cargo Commercial Strategy
Air CargoSteven Verhasselt joins Egis under a long-term consultancy agreement to support cargo strategy across airports in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.
Royal Air Maroc and Al Barid Bank Group Reinvent the Passenger Experience
African Airline: PaymentRoyal Air Maroc and Al Barid Bank have introduced a digital, contactless passenger service at Casablanca Airport, enhancing check-in, transit, and boarding with NFC technology.
FuelCo’s Mobile Aviation Refuelling Solutions for Africa
African Business Aviation | FuelFuelCo presents innovative mobile aviation refuelling systems at Aero South Africa 2025, including self-bunded tanks and rapid-deployment fuel storage tailored for remote African airstrips.
Air Du Cap On-Demand Charter Flights in South Africa
General Aviation & Lifestyle | Air CharterAir Du Cap is redefining private aviation in South Africa with on-demand charter flights, digital booking, and premium Beechcraft Baron 58 aircraft based in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
