Page 25 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021

NEWS AFRICA

ARMCHAIR AURORA UGANDA’S LONGEST

SERVING PILOT RETIRES

uilding on the success of Armchair air- ne of Uganda’s longest-serving
Bshow, Aerobility, the UK’s leading disabled Opilots, Capt Charles Karabarinde,

flying charity, joined by impressionist Jon Culshaw officially retired after 40 years of service.

and astronomer Pete Lawrence, plus a host of as- Capt Karabarinde undertook his final flight

tronomers, scientists, aviators and artists an hour from Mogadishu in Somalia to Entebbe Inter-

long, live-streamed Armchair Aurora event will national Airport yesterday. He retired with a

take place on March 13th at 18:00 (UK time). record of flying for more than 21,600 hours.

The free to attend event will be livestreamed As he shared his career journey, he told how

via armchairaurora.com and will take viewers he had served meticulously not once having
on a journey of wonder from their armchairs registered an accident.
into the skies. Asked what has kept him in the sky that long, elevate these airlines. Work towards a common
Bringing together spectacular Aurora footage, Karabarinde said his was a calling. goal and not being selfish to fail the airlines.

interviews and Q&A with scientists, there will “If you train, acquire skills and apply them He observed that much as the aviation course

be insights on polar aviation and the work- during your day-to-day life, you register is expensive, government had promised to come

ings of the Aurora, all beamed to living rooms boundless success in your career path. If you up with interventions to sponsor some students.

around the UK and worldwide. have a passion for what you are doing, the The Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines,

“This event is just one example of how we journey becomes smooth,’’ Karabarinde said. Cornwell Muleya, commended Karabarinde for

continue to support the disabled community “I am happy that I was part of the formation being an inspiration to his workmates.

and continue to inspire ability through aviation of the airline. Once you have the experience, “His inspiration means a lot to the new gen-

during lockdown, while aircraft are grounded. it is always good to share it with the young eration, who are looking at aviation as a career.

If I were to describe what it will be like, I would generation,” he added. He has been able to travel to different parts

say, think ‘Spring Watch meets the Sky at He said some of the highlights of his career of the world and the young generation should

Night’, said Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith. include ferrying one of the Bombardier CRJ900 seek his services.”
Expert speakers will include: from Mirabel, Canada, to Entebbe airport at the He added that currently, the pilots working

• Pete Lawrence, the British amateur astron- launch of the Uganda Airlines and being awarded on CRJ 900 flight are Ugandans.

omer best known for his popularisation of the pilot’s leadership accolade by members of the “We have 24 pilots and are looking for another

astronomy on the BBC's The Sky at Night Uganda Professional Pilots Association (UPPA). 22 for the A330. Obviously we do not have enough

with Sir Patrick Moore. He challenged the authorities to be innovative Ugandans who have flown the A330 before, so we

• Nigel Meredith: Space Weather Scientist, and work towards the betterment of the airlines. are upgrading and doing training so that they can

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) “Think of the future and how you are going to be able to join that category,” he said. Q
• Rod Arnold: Head of Air Unit, BAS.

Viewers will be invited to submit questions to
the experts during the event. To round off the HELICOPTERS

evening, the event will conclude with a ‘Sounds
of Space’ music extravaganza, delivering 30
minutes of tranquillity and beauty to viewers,
with aurora footage accompanied by appropri- SIKORSKY TO BUILD SIX
ately ambient music.
Miller-Smith said, “Armchair Aurora is part of
our response to the impact of Covid-19. VH-92A
Our hope is that the aviation industry, which

has been fantastic in its support of disabled

flying, along with others, will find a way to step Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 1, Sikorsky

forward again to sponsor and support the event,

so that we can continue to provide disabled S helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft, a will begin deliveries of six VH-92A helicopters in

2021. The remaining production aircraft will be
flying when we come out of lockdown. Other Uunit of Lockheed Marti n, will build six delivered in 2022 and 2023. The contract also

donations during the event will be encouraged provides spares and training support. The VH-

and anyone wishing to support the cause can do additional VH-92A presidential helicopters under 92A will transport the president and vice presi-
so via the website: www.aerobility.com/donate” a (US) $470.8-million contract from the US navy. dent of the United States and other officials.

Culshaw said the event promises to be an According to the US department of defence

The new aircraft will increase performance

escape from lockdown for anybody of any age. contract announcements, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and payload over the current Presidential

“What a great idea to bring the magic of the was awarded a modification to a previous contract helicopters, VH-3D and VH-60N, which have
Aurora in to living-rooms across the country. I’m so from the Naval Air Systems Command for exercis- been serving over 40 years. The VH-92A will

es options for the procurement of five Lot Three

pleased to be involved and to support such a great low rate initial production presidential helicopters provide enhanced crew coordination systems

cause at the same time,” said Pete Lawrence. replacement programme (VH-92A) aircraft, and and communications capabilities, plus improve

A limited number of sponsorship opportuni- associated interim contractor support, two cabin availability and maintainability. The VH-92A

ties are still available. Please contact marcus@ interior reconfiguration kits, support equipment, aircraft is based on Sikorsky’s successful and

aerobility.com for more details or visit www. initial spares, and system parts replenishment. FAA-certified S-92A commercial aircraft, which

Jon Culshaw Pete Lawrence aerobility.com/armchairaurora. Q
Under the terms of the contract, known as recently surpassed one million flight hours. Q
World Airnews | March 2021 World Airnews | March 2021
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