Page 40 - World Airnews Magazine December 2019 Edition

NEWS NEWS

CAPTAIN SCULLY FLYING WITH THE ARCH

LEVIN HONOURED Words Jo Lamb and photos Nick Frey MAF

he most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury,
he Honourable Company of Air Pi- Tfearlessly took the co-pilot seat in a Cessna Caravan 208

Tlots, an internati onal Guild founded aircraft to reach Ebola-effected cities in east Democratic Republic
1929 in order to represent pilot and naviga- of Congo recently.
tor interests within all areas of aviation, has Flying with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), the world’s largest

honoured South African pilot Captain Scully humanitarian airline, Welby took an aerial view of two Ebola-effected
Levin with a Master Air Pilot Certificate, an hot zones before landing in Beni and Butembo where the virus is being

award in recognition of long service and contained by an army of health workers and humanitarian NGOs.

consistently high standards in one or more Following strict WHO anti-contamination procedures, the

branches of professional flying. Archbishop toured Beni and Butembo hospitals, which have been

This certificate, signed by HRH The Duke transformed into Ebola treatment facilities.

of York Prince Andrew, the Grand Master of The sites are a hub of medical activity with quarantine units, screen-

the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, was ing centres and blood-testing tents set up to combat the disease.

presented to Captain Levin in London last Welby is an experienced MAF passenger, previously visiting Archbishop Justin Welby sits in the co-pilot seat with

week. It honours the esteemed few within Uganda in 2017 and South Sudan in 2014 to honour those whose MAF, the world’s largest humanitarian airline

the aviation industry globally who, over lives had been devastated by the ongoing civil war.
several years, have displayed those quali- The Archbishop is impressed by MAF’s humanitarian lifeline, and The situation is complex, and with the threat of violence now in-

ties of pilotage, air navigation, airmanship when sensing some nerves before take-off, he said to everyone on creasing in the DRC, MAF is seen as a safe and trusted way to travel

and character which have brought honour the plane, “You have nothing to worry about. MAF fly in the most and transport vital equipment.

and respect to the profession. difficult places in the world, landing at the most difficult runways MAF Pilot Nick Frey was honoured to fly the Archbishop and his

Captain Levin’s nomination for this Levin qualified as a pilot in the South Captain Levin’s achievements in aviation and they do it with the highest safety standards.” team to see first-hand how medical assistance is being sped to the

tribute was unanimously accepted by the African Air Force in 1964 and has since have long been recognised in South Africa Throughout the Ebola crisis, MAF has been on standby to offer heart of the Ebola crisis.

board of Trophies and Awards committee amassed over 29 600 hours of flying time and in 2012 he was awarded The Order emergency evacuation flights, deliver blood samples and fly those “It’s not every day that the Archbishop of Canterbury is your

as meeting the standards of excellence on over 180 different types of aircraft, a of the Baobab in Bronze by the Presiden- working to combat the virus. co-pilot! He is a very kind and energetic man of God, and it was

required for this most deserved accolade. feat met by very few in the aviation indus- cy for his immense contribution to and Thousands of vaccines have been delivered because MAF planes a real honour to fly him to see the lifesaving work taking place in

In congratulating Captain Levin and award- try globally. He was a pilot on SAA’s local, achievement in aviation, both as a pilot can transport them quickly and safely. Beni and Butembo. The medical teams are doing an amazing job,

ing him his certificate, Master of the Honour- regional and international routes for over and trainer, in South Africa and interna- Boxes of scrubs, gloves and oxygen tanks have been flown and and it’s wonderful that MAF can play our part by flying key people

able Company of Air Pilots, Malcolm White 38 years and since his retirement from SAA, tionally. He is also the sole winner thus far the WHO has been able to reach areas in the middle of nowhere. and equipment to help fight this terrible disease,” he said. Q

OBE, said that this was a recognition for his has continued to make a valuable contribu- of SA Flyer Magazine’s “Lifetime Aviation

splendid record as a pilot, reflecting on an avi- tion to the South African airline industry as Achievement Award”, which he received

ation career of achievement and distinction. consultant and display pilot. in 2009. Q

AIRPORTS
HELICOPTERS
SITA TO MANAGE KEY SYSTEMS
LEONARDO SIGNS capacity by enabling airlines to cost-effec- 3, together with their experience across

tively share the same infrastructure. The

numerous African airports, SITA were best
hana Airports Company Limit-
DISTRIBUTORSHIP AGREEMENT Ged has extended its agreement airport will also make use of SITA’s state of placed to support the management of these
the art baggage management technology
vital systems that underpin the smooth

with SITA to manage and support all that will assist airlines in reconciling and operation of Kotoka International Airport.”
tracking bags across the journey.
airport passenger processing, baggage Hani El-Assaad, SITA President, Middle

signed a contract for an AW119Kx and A ten-day demo tour of an AW119Kx management and airport operations On the operational side, SITA’s Airport East, India and Africa said, “With a rapidly

an AW109 Trekker, with a commitment was recently completed at airports systems across Kotoka International Management Solution will simplify plan- expanding economy in Ghana, Kotoka

eonardo has signed a distribu- to purchase further units from the in four different regions in South Airport’s newly commissioned Terminal ning and real-time operational control by International Airport has emerged as one

facilitating collaborative decision-making
of the main and fastest-growing hubs on

Ltorship agreement with Absolute various models in the next couple of Africa to showcase its extraordinary 3 for the next five years. among stakeholders while optimising the the continent. We are pleased to support

Aviation group in South Africa for the years. Deliveries of the two aircraft are capabilities in terms of performance, The technology will be vital in position- use of airport resources. It will also sup- the smooth operation of this important

expected in 2020.
advanced avionics, reliability, and
civil and commercial market. The order marks the entrance of the versatility. ing the airport as the pre-eminent hub in port revenue management with its billing hub. It is an endorsement of SITA’s expe-

The agreement, which has the poten- AW109 Trekker, the newest light twin The demonstrations were said to be a West Africa, leading the way in passenger and reporting functionality. rience and proven technology that today

tial to be extended to other southern model in the Leonardo product range, into significant success by the nearly 50 oper- automation and operational efficiency Over the next five years, SITA will be is used in many airports across Africa.”

African nations in the future, includes the South African market and builds on ators who were given the opportunity to and follows SITA’s deployment of these responsible for the maintenance and Operating in 45 of the 54 African

the AW119Kx single engine, the AW109 the significant, well established success of experience firsthand - its performance systems in October last year in support of operations of these key systems and countries, SITA supports a growing foot-

GrandNew and AW109 Trekker light twins, other AW109 variants in the country for a and power margins, the capability to fly the opening of the new terminal. integration with other airport systems. print of airports across the continent,

the AW169 light intermediate and the variety of roles. This latest AW119Kx order and carry out its mission in demanding These systems include common use Yaw Kwakwa, managing director Ghana including key hubs such as OR Tambo
AW139 intermediate twin types. also grows the presence of the unique windy conditions, in addition to its out- check-in desks and self-service check-in Airports Company said, “Having implement- International in South Africa and Bole

Absolute Aviation Group has also single engine helicopter in the country. standing safety standards. Q kiosks, allowing the airport to maximize its ed many of the solutions in use at Terminal International Airport in Ethiopia. Q

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