Page 23 - World Airnews Magazine December 2019 Edition

NEWS

43 AIR SCHOOL -

DISTRIBUTOR FOR PIPISTREL

said Attie Niemann, the 43 Air School CEO. Johannesburg and soon Europe, providing

43 has been evaluating many options to re- the industry’s most advanced and respected

3 Air School Pty Ltd has announced
4that they are now the sole distrib-
uters of the full Pipistrel Aircraft range in

South Africa and Portugal.
We looked extensively at what product
we would like to represent and train with
into the future before deciding on Pipistrel.
During a recent visit to the Pipistrel factories

and flying most of these aircraft for evalua-

tion, 43 signed a Sole Distributor agreement

with Pipistrel (Portugal & South Africa).
Our criteria were as follows:
1. Safety
2. Durability
3. Economy
4. Technology

5. Future Sustainability new its fleet in the future and at the same time Airline Pilot Training models with unmatched

facilities and abilities to deliver these

6. Adaptability entering aircraft sales, but only if that solution courses. Delivering a unique value-adding,

7. Support and scale can offer significant savings and benefits best practice and carefully designed and

through technology. In South Africa the poor

8. Market possibilities infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and managed Airline Training Programmes

9. Versati lity stagnant economies will force us to innovate if from selection to Airliner Type rating, 43

10. Simplicity we want to stay relevant, thus newer and more is still the only Pilot Training Organization

economical products are the way to do it. accredited by SACAA to offer the integrated

Pipistrel ticked all those boxes and a few Pipistrel Aircraft represents the best of Airline Pilot Program. Recently 43 Air School
was voted the best Aviation Company

others. For example on Safety, the aircraft what technology has to offer aviation and we and runner up Aviation Safety at the CAIA

are all equipped with ballistic parachutes believe it will make flying affordable again Awards by the South African Civil Aviation

that can save the crews and the aircraft in a to us and private owners. It also aligns with Authority.
real emergency. a programme that addresses the economic,

All Pipistrel aircraft are really precisely environmental, and social needs of our envi- ABOUT PIPISTREL

build. They are designed by 3D printing ronment and aligns with our visionary goals Pipistrel is a world leading small aircraft design-

technology and then produced by the latest for the future with the soon-to-be certified er and producer. With 30 years of experience

composite technology materials, giving first electric aircraft initially confirmed to the Pipistrel has gained significant international

them unmatched strength and aerodynamic traffic pattern. reputation and delivered unique, innovative

drag efficiency that is class leading. On the Running on electricity instead of fossil fuels products to passionate customers on all
economy side the electric versions of the reduces the fuel cost by up to 80% and the continents. First-to-fly an electric two-seater

Alpha 121SW Trainer, which will be the first hourly cost of electricity can be further re- in 2007 and an electric four-seater in 2011,

fully certified electric training plane, has duced if we look into solar and wind projects Pipistrel won the NASA challenge for the »best

economies of operation that is unmatched. of our own in the near future. There will also small aircraft in the world« three times and the

“In my 40 years in the aviation industry, be significant associated savings on mainte- “European Business Award” for Innovation in

I have never seen anything as efficient as nance in the switchover to the products that 2010. Pipistrel has produced more than 1,500

these aircraft. The technology in manufac- Pipistrel offers. aircraft to date. The Pipistrel Vertical Solutions

turing gives these aircraft a major advantage “Dealing with 43 Air School immediately team has designed eight different electric

in efficiency on all fronts. We are proud to felt right. The more I learned about their aircraft since 2007 and has developed aircraft

partner with Pipistrel and 43 will be devel- tradition, values, immense size of operation propulsion systems for NASA and Siemens’s

oping programs to integrate the aircraft into and attention to detail and environment, aircraft. The company holds an EASA Design,

our training programs in the future. human touch, quality, safety and efficiency, Production and Maintenance Organisation

“The Virus SW121, selected for flight train- the more I was convinced that forming this Approvals and has the capability of bringing a

ing by 43 is an aircraft fully EASA Type-cer- partnership is the winning factor for Pipist- new aircraft design concept from a basic idea

tified for day and night VFR and intentional rel’s long term presence in Africa. I look for- into a certified design, ready for production.

spins, running on automotive fuel, giving us ward to introducing exciting novelties and Pipistrel won a tender of Indian Armed

the flexibility to use these aircraft also for our opportunities to Pipistrel enthusiasts in the Forces to supply 194 aircraft to the Indian

expansion plans into Europe and India in the region,” said Ivo Boscarol, founder, owner Air Force, Indian Navy and National Cadet

near future. The follow-on for us to enter air- and president of Pipistrel Group. Corps. Because of all these achievements,

craft sales focused business, to our product ABOUT 43 AIR SCHOOL the president of the Republic of Slovenia
range was inevitable and we believe we have decorated the Pipistrel team with the highest
chosen the best product to represent the 43 Air School, Africa’s leading ATO, has civil award in the country: the Golden Order

future of flight training and general aviation” branches in Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, for services to the Republic of Slovenia. Q
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