Grippen Fighters Arrive in S.A.
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: East Rand
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Grippen Fighters Arrive in S.A.
Gripen jet fighters to be tested in Cape Town today
September 14, 2004, 08:58
A South African test pilot and two Swedish counterparts are to perform test flights with two Gripen jet fighters from the Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town today.
The aircraft arrived from Sweden by ship and will be tested ahead of an air show in Pretoria at the weekend. The South African government ordered Gripen fighters under the arms deal.
The jets are said to be the most cost-effective and capable supersonic fighter aircraft in service today. Some fuselage sections, on-board communications and navigation avionics are made in South Africa; it is then shipped to Saab in Sweden for incorporation during the final assembly of the aircraft.
South Africa is to receive its first 28 Gripen aircraft in 2007.
September 14, 2004, 08:58
A South African test pilot and two Swedish counterparts are to perform test flights with two Gripen jet fighters from the Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town today.
The aircraft arrived from Sweden by ship and will be tested ahead of an air show in Pretoria at the weekend. The South African government ordered Gripen fighters under the arms deal.
The jets are said to be the most cost-effective and capable supersonic fighter aircraft in service today. Some fuselage sections, on-board communications and navigation avionics are made in South Africa; it is then shipped to Saab in Sweden for incorporation during the final assembly of the aircraft.
South Africa is to receive its first 28 Gripen aircraft in 2007.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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YeeHa! Interesting though who the Sa test pilot would be. Lets see could it be a SAAF guy, a Denel type or yes maybe one of our Boere Sleepers (you know the type the scorpions exploit when they want to - but generaly these pilots still could do good for our SA!- and maybe are) Yes these guys are alive and well - thank goodness that the state could still call on them in the event of a state of emergency - albeit they might bat for the other team - new SA an all. Sorry just a quick stir.
Look forward to seeing the show an catching up with buddies out there - as usual it should be a crackin good air display
Look forward to seeing the show an catching up with buddies out there - as usual it should be a crackin good air display
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Test Pilot
The S.A. Grippen Test Pilot is Braam Hechter - not sure whether the information is confidential! Got my first flying lesson from him a few years ago. A year thereafter he went over to Switzerland for training as a Grippen Test Pilot.
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The SA pilot flying the Grippen with the 2 Swedes today is Luit Col. Blokkies Joubert, ex SAAF, now in the employ of DENEL as a test pilot. They've been flying around Cape Town, RIV and FALW all morning, and are planning a flight to TFDC this afternoon. The single seat Grippen is parked on the ramp at Ysters right now.
Very impressive piece of kit.
Very impressive piece of kit.
