GRIPEN INTERNATIONAL2006-09-19 20:36:56
Gripen tops star-studded lineup of aircraft at AAD 2006
South Africa's first new generation Gripen fighter jet, which arrived in the country just two months ago, is to be the star of this year's Africa Aerospace and Defence show at Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town.
The aircraft (SA01), the first Gripen to bear South Africa Air Force livery and the national flag, will be on display during the showSome of the test pilots who are preparing the aircraft for its comprehensive flight test programme at TFDC in Bredasdorp will take to the air over Cape Town with the Gripen on the Press, opening and public days.
The Gripen's AAD 2006 flight programme will not include any aerobatics because this particular aircraft is heavily instrumented for its test flight and development program, designed to validate equipment specific to the South African version of the aircraft. Gripen (SA01) will also be on view at the AAD static display area, where visitors can meet the pilots and the rest of the Gripen team. A full-scale replica of the aircraft, in which visitors can sit in the cockpit to really get up close and personal with the Gripen, will also be on display at the show.
Over and above the aircraft flying, this year's AAD has two further superlatives on offer: the largest number of commercial aircraft ever seen at an aerospace exhibition in Africa, and the biggest maritime offering ever. Cape Town's Waterfront will be host not only to the new South African frigate, the SAS Isandlwana, which was commissioned into service just two months ago, but also her Indian counterpart, the IS Mumbai.
Besides the Gripen, several other civilian and military aircraft will thrill visitors to AAD, which is being held in Cape Town for the first time. More commercial aircraft than ever before - 46 at last colunt - will be on show at AAD 2006, with manufacturers of large and small jet and propellor-driven aircraft, from airliners to twin seater "hobby craft� and microlights showing their wares. Many of the aircraft will also fly during the daily aerial displays, alongside aerobatics teams, fighters, and vintage supersonic jets from Cape Town' Thunder City.
Private pilots, charterers, and company aviation divisions will have a greater choice of aircraft to see and discuss than ever before at AAD. This year, there are no fewer than 46 commercial aircraft on display, up from 29 two years ago in Pretoria.
Plans to set a world record at the AAD 2006 airshow are on track as Thunder City attempts to make history once again -- this time as the first ever civilian organisation to launch 4 supersonic Lightning interceptor jets simultaneously.
"We will launch all four of our supersonic English Electric Lightnings in what will be one of the most spectacular formation displays since the end of the Cold War� says Thunder City CEO Mike Beachy Head. "It will also be a chance for our fourth Lightning, Royal Air Force serial number XP693, to make her public debut in South Africa.�
That aircraft, the last flyable English Electric Lightning supersonic interceptor, recently underwent a four-year complete restoration.
Beachy Head's plan is for the Lightning formation to end its display with a spectacular ‘bomb-burst' when all four machines will light their afterburners and separate at high speed. "Spectators are advised to wear ear protectors,� warns Beachy Head. When the Lightnings go into full power each aircraft will be burning 500 litres of Shell fuel per minute. "That's the equivalent of 34 car tanks of petrol per minute,� says Beachy Head.
This year's show supports the South African government's strategy for strengthening, growing and forging worldwide alliances for its domestic aerospace, air transport, maritime, land systems, security and space industries. As part of this, the Department of Trade and Industry's Aerospace Industry Support Initiative has almost doubled its space at the show. And most of the additional space will be used to draw SMME players in the aerospace industry into the spotlight.
Exhibitors from industrialised countries as well as the emerging markets will ensure an unparalleled diversity of product systems and a vast array of newly developed technologies. South Africa's high-tech capacity will be showcased by many local exhibitors.
All of the major suppliers of civil and military aerospace, defence, and security equipment to the South African Police Service, the SANDF, the Department of Environment, and provincial and local government emergency and disaster management services will be represented in Cape Town by top ranking executives. Companies including Denel, NAC, Execujet, ATE, Airbus, Boeing, Saab, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, BAE Systems, EADS and many others have confirmed their participation. This year, China and India have joined the ranks of nations hoping to stake a claim to the burgeoning African market.
AAD 2006 will feature three trade days and two public days. The last show, AAD 2004 in Pretoria, drew more than 22 000 professional trade visitors from Africa and beyond. The public days with the air show featuring some of the world's most advanced aircraft drew 120 000 people in 2004.
The weekend airshow will be open to the public. Tickets cost R30 for adults and R20 for children and pensioners and can be bought in advance from Cape Town Tourism offices or from the Air Force Museum at AFB Ysterplaat.
South Africa's first new generation Gripen fighter jet, which arrived in the country just two months ago, is to be the star of this year's Africa Aerospace and Defence show at Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town.
The aircraft (SA01), the first Gripen to bear South Africa Air Force livery and the national flag, will be on display during the showSome of the test pilots who are preparing the aircraft for its comprehensive flight test programme at TFDC in Bredasdorp will take to the air over Cape Town with the Gripen on the Press, opening and public days.
The Gripen's AAD 2006 flight programme will not include any aerobatics because this particular aircraft is heavily instrumented for its test flight and development program, designed to validate equipment specific to the South African version of the aircraft. Gripen (SA01) will also be on view at the AAD static display area, where visitors can meet the pilots and the rest of the Gripen team. A full-scale replica of the aircraft, in which visitors can sit in the cockpit to really get up close and personal with the Gripen, will also be on display at the show.
Over and above the aircraft flying, this year's AAD has two further superlatives on offer: the largest number of commercial aircraft ever seen at an aerospace exhibition in Africa, and the biggest maritime offering ever. Cape Town's Waterfront will be host not only to the new South African frigate, the SAS Isandlwana, which was commissioned into service just two months ago, but also her Indian counterpart, the IS Mumbai.
Besides the Gripen, several other civilian and military aircraft will thrill visitors to AAD, which is being held in Cape Town for the first time. More commercial aircraft than ever before - 46 at last colunt - will be on show at AAD 2006, with manufacturers of large and small jet and propellor-driven aircraft, from airliners to twin seater "hobby craft� and microlights showing their wares. Many of the aircraft will also fly during the daily aerial displays, alongside aerobatics teams, fighters, and vintage supersonic jets from Cape Town' Thunder City.
Private pilots, charterers, and company aviation divisions will have a greater choice of aircraft to see and discuss than ever before at AAD. This year, there are no fewer than 46 commercial aircraft on display, up from 29 two years ago in Pretoria.
Plans to set a world record at the AAD 2006 airshow are on track as Thunder City attempts to make history once again -- this time as the first ever civilian organisation to launch 4 supersonic Lightning interceptor jets simultaneously.
"We will launch all four of our supersonic English Electric Lightnings in what will be one of the most spectacular formation displays since the end of the Cold War� says Thunder City CEO Mike Beachy Head. "It will also be a chance for our fourth Lightning, Royal Air Force serial number XP693, to make her public debut in South Africa.�
That aircraft, the last flyable English Electric Lightning supersonic interceptor, recently underwent a four-year complete restoration.
Beachy Head's plan is for the Lightning formation to end its display with a spectacular ‘bomb-burst' when all four machines will light their afterburners and separate at high speed. "Spectators are advised to wear ear protectors,� warns Beachy Head. When the Lightnings go into full power each aircraft will be burning 500 litres of Shell fuel per minute. "That's the equivalent of 34 car tanks of petrol per minute,� says Beachy Head.
This year's show supports the South African government's strategy for strengthening, growing and forging worldwide alliances for its domestic aerospace, air transport, maritime, land systems, security and space industries. As part of this, the Department of Trade and Industry's Aerospace Industry Support Initiative has almost doubled its space at the show. And most of the additional space will be used to draw SMME players in the aerospace industry into the spotlight.
Exhibitors from industrialised countries as well as the emerging markets will ensure an unparalleled diversity of product systems and a vast array of newly developed technologies. South Africa's high-tech capacity will be showcased by many local exhibitors.
All of the major suppliers of civil and military aerospace, defence, and security equipment to the South African Police Service, the SANDF, the Department of Environment, and provincial and local government emergency and disaster management services will be represented in Cape Town by top ranking executives. Companies including Denel, NAC, Execujet, ATE, Airbus, Boeing, Saab, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, BAE Systems, EADS and many others have confirmed their participation. This year, China and India have joined the ranks of nations hoping to stake a claim to the burgeoning African market.
AAD 2006 will feature three trade days and two public days. The last show, AAD 2004 in Pretoria, drew more than 22 000 professional trade visitors from Africa and beyond. The public days with the air show featuring some of the world's most advanced aircraft drew 120 000 people in 2004.
The weekend airshow will be open to the public. Tickets cost R30 for adults and R20 for children and pensioners and can be bought in advance from Cape Town Tourism offices or from the Air Force Museum at AFB Ysterplaat.
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