USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) anchored in Cape Town South Africa

The USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71)- in port. 4 October 2008. CVN 71, a US Navy super aircraft carrier anchored in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa at approximately 07:30AM local time this morning.

She lies anchored at approx S33 52 11 E018 26 58 between Robben Island and Milnerton beach.

The USS Monterey (CG61) missile cruiser will be open to the public on Sunday and Monday, from 10am to 3pm.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71)is not open to the public.

More photos of USS Theodore Roosevelt's(CVN 71) arrival can be viewed at www.skycam.co.za

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Visits Cape Town, South Africa

On 8 September 2008, USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71 left Naval Station Norfolk (her home base) for a 6-7 month deployment to the Middle East.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is currently at sea and sailing for Cape Town at this time, she will anchor here in Table Bay tomorrow, Saturday 4th October 2008.

This is the first time in South African history that an aircraft carrier of this size visits Table Bay; making her visit a truly historic event for any aviation or naval enthusiast or historian. The weather in Cape Town promises to be fine and CVN 71 will be clearly visible from shore.

CVN 71 has extensive combat experience from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm flying more operational sorties than any other aircraft carrier of the US Navy.

Her Officer Commanding is Captain (USN) Ladd Wheeler who himself is a qualified Naval Flight Officer.

Capt.Wheeler assumed command of USS Theodore Roosevelt on 11 January 2008.

During his career he has accumulated more than 3300 flight hours in 28 different aircraft and has 750 carrier arrested landings to his name.

Construction of CVN 71 began on 31 October 1981. On 25 October 1986, the USS Theodore Roosevelt was placed in active service.

She is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier with a displacement of approx 97000 short tons (88,000 MT) and she is longer than 3 rugby fields.

CVN 71's company: 3200 Air wing: 2480

She typically carries the following aircraft compliment:
90 fixed wing and helicopters

Carrier Air Wing 8:

Strike fighter squadrons:

VFA-15 Valions
VFA-31 Tomcatters
VFA-87 Golden Warriors
VFA-213 Black Lions

Tactical EW Squadron VAQ-141 Shadowhawks (EA6B Prowlers)
Carrier AEW Squadron VAW-124 Bear Aces flying the E-2Cs
Helicopter ASW Squadron HS-3 Tridents

A 2nm NO FLY zone (GND to 2500FT MSL) has been imposed around USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for the duration of her stay.

Local pilots are encouraged to read their NOTAMS is this regard and avoid this no-fly zone. Contact Air Force ATC at AFB Ysterplaat on tel 021-5086151/6249 for more details.

She is accompanied in Table Bay by USS Monterey(CG 61)which has already docked in Cape Town harbour today.

The USS Monterey(CG 61) is the 15th Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser of the USN, similar to the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) which visited Cape Town in 1994. Her marked the first visit to South African ports in 27 years by a U.S. Navy warship.

Photo: SH-60 Seahawk no 494 from CG64 en-route to AFB Ysterplatt during her 1994 visit...the days before digital.

CVN 71 visit photos to follow tomorrow.

Stellenbosch Flying Club Celebrate 35th Anniversary

The foundation of the Stellenbosch Flying Club was laid 1971, when a group of pilots got together to promote private/recreational flying in the Stellenbosch / Somerset West area.

In 1974, Alan Stuart and Artur Albertyn succeeded in obtaining a lease for Louw Se Bos from Stellenbosch Municipality; a pine tree plantation situated alongside the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. By mid winter they started clearing part of the forest and levelling the area for a runway. A grass runway was cleared 18/36.

Alan Stuart assumed the role of CFI, while Artur Albertyn became the first chairman of Stellenbosch Vliegklub.

In 1974, The University of Stellenbosch started an aviation division on campus under the umbrella of their Sports Faculty; called Die Universiteit van Stellenbosch Vliegklub, chaired by Martin Louw until 1977.

The lecture room and base of the US flying club was located in the Civil Engineering building at the University, and flying was done at D.F. Malan Airport (now Cape Town International Airport)using a C152 (ZS-UCT) owned by the University of Cape Town.

In 1976 the University decided to move their flying club to Fisantekraal (an old SAAF airfield North of Durbanville) where they flew three Cherokee 140’s. The instructors of USV were Fay Bool (the SFC training centre was named after Fay) and Martin Winter. The club also made use of a Cessna C177 Cardinal, ZS-FXT, which was used as the basis for the club logo.

In 1978, die Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub moved to the airfield at Louw Se Bos; Stellenbosch Flying Club, but remained a separate entity. The two clubs used the same airfield and facilities but operated independently, still having two different logos.

Stellenbosch Flying club used a white and red Grumman ZS- IXM and a C172, ZS-CZD, while Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub used a Cessna 152, ZS-JYU. The chairman of Universiteit Stellenbosch Vliegklub was Prof. Rudi Du Preez (1978 – 1980).

Members of the two clubs formed the Stellenbosch Vliegveld Maatskappy to manage the operation, maintenance, fuel and hangarage at the airfield.

Up to 1983 both clubs shared prefab clubhouse of Stellenbosch Flying Club. In July the same year, Universiteit van Stellenbosch Vliegklub started construction of the log cabin club house structure after obtaining a subsidy from Stellenbosch University to pay for half the costs, the remainder of contributions came from members,the deck and dining area was only added in 1991. The log cabin kit was erected by club members who volunteered their time.

By 1984 the clubs merged as Universiteit / Stellenbosch Flying Club, and it was agreed that the US logo would be maintained, as it already had the U.S. displayed on it.

The log cabin clubhouse of US was used as the social centre on the field at the time, while the prefab clubhouse of SFC was utilised by the skydiving club. The club members were like family, having a special camaraderie amongst themselves and continuous efforts where made to improve facilities and promote aviation in the region.

On Saturday 13 September 2008 Stellenbosch Flying Club celebrated its 35th Birthday with a fun day at the airfield and has now grown to one of the biggest Flying Clubs in South Africa.

Numerous pilots who where trained at Stellenbosch Flying Club over the span of 35 years are senior airline pilots or commercial pilots who are still making a valuable contribution to aviation across the globe today.

The day's celebrations included a spot landing competition, a toilet roll cutting competition, veterans where invited to share in the day and a classic car collection added to the flair of the days activities.

The days celebrations was ended off with a traditional South African braai and a dance.

Goshawk 350 airborne surveillance system

In 2006 the SAPS Air Wing helicopters where fitted with a Goshawk 350 gyro-stabilized airborne surveillance system just prior to AAD 2006.

The suite includes Denel’s Kenis continuous zoom thermal imager, daylight TV camera and auto tracking system and a digital microwave downlink system.

The surveillance system allows the SAPS Air Wing the capability to deploy their helicopters for day /night crime prevention, law enforcement and border surveillance operations.

Goshawk-350 E/O and IR (with optional laser range finder) is also a payload option for the Bateleur Surveillance UAV offered by Denel Dynamics enabling this UAV with a compact light weight real-time day and night (E/O and IR) surveillance capability.

Visit Carl Zeiss Optronics stall and the SAPS Air Wing exhibit at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008 (AAD 2008)in September (Trade days 17-19 September) for more information on the GOSHAWK 350 Airborne Observation System.

Applications include:

Law enforcement
Search and rescue
Paramilitary /military reconnaissance
Border /coastal patrol
Public safety (fire & rescue)

Photo(top): Goshawk 350 operationally deployed on a Boelkow - Blohm (MBB) B105 helicopter of the SAPS Air Wing in South Africa - September 2008

AAD 2008 International Airshow Ysterplaat Air Force Base Cape Town

Its Spring and the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008 Expo and Air Show is back in Cape Town.

Preparations are well on the way at Air Force Base Ysterplaat as Cape Town welcomes visitors and exhibitors from across the globe who will be exhibiting and attending this international expo of aerospace technology in the Mother City.

The expo will showcase the leading edge in aviation technology and related services available to Africa.

Exhibitors include companies from the general aviation, commercial aviation and military aviation sectors.

20-21 September 2008 are public open days and will offer the public to view the technology on show and they will be entertained by a show stopper of an air show spanning these two days.

An event not to be missed this September.

The Public Information telephone number is 021 508 6414
or e-mail aad2008@ysterplaat.org.za for any additional Information

For more information on the flying program etc visit www.aadexpo.co.za

Earthrounders Luncheon at FASH

The Stellenbosch Flying Club hosted the Earthrounders at a club luncheon on Saturday 10 March 2008.

The luncheon was arranged by the Hettlich-family, who lost their husband and father, Dr. Frank Hettlich, a year ago in a aircraft accident.

Earthrounders is a spirited group; all being pilots who have a unique achievement in common. All of them have flown around the globe in a light aircraft.

Earthrounders was conceived to unite these adventurous pilots whom have crossed vast expanses of land and ocean in a full circumnavigation of the Earth. Since the dawn of aviation only a small number of pilots have embarked on these challenging voyages across the globe.

The Stellenbosch airfield is one of the largest GA airfields in South Africa. The airfield plays an important role in the economic development of the Cape Winelands, providing an light aircraft access for business men and high profile visitors who frequent this region.

WOF fighting fire against Helderberg

A MI-8-MTV-1 helicopter and a Cessna Spotter aircraft (based Stellenbosch airfield), where dispatched today to fight a fire on the Western slopes of the Helderberg.

Photo depict a ZS-RIX from Working On Fire, dropping water onto the fire line close to residential property high up on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain in Somerset West this morning.

The heat wave experienced in the Cape Peninsula and the strong winds doesn't help ...winds are pretty strong higher up against the mountain), but it looks like WOF and the local fire services on the ground pretty much have this one contained.

The Cessna and Mi-8 where still at the scene at 13:00B today.