Aviation – Page 16 – Platformsafrica

Meet Aziz Kountche, African man who turned dreams into drones

April 18, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

From the outside, the house is a typical upmarket residence in Niamey, but inside it looks like no other. Three drones straddle large tables with their albatross wings, amid improvised building materials and tools. Aziz Kountche (pictured), a grandson of Nigerien general and former president Seyni Kountche (1931-87), is an obsessive aeronautical entrepreneur who launched his civilian drone company, Drone Africa Service, in 2016, pledging aircraft that are ‘100 percent Nigerien’. ‘We import products that are not found here such as fibreglass, carbon, but everything else — design, modelling,…

Nigeria’s top Pastor, Adeboye, reacts as authority grounds Private Jet

April 18, 2021April 19, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

“…somebody wanted a bribe. And you know if you are expecting a bribe from me, you have to wait forever,” Pastor Adeboye Popular pastor in Nigeria, the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, has reacted as his private jet was prevented from flying. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the private jet, AgustaWestland AW139 with registration number 5N-EAA, over two weeks ago, following the expiration of some of its papers and spare parts. Adeboye who reacted during a special meeting with all ordained…

Missing NAF fighter Jet’s wreckage found, one pilot body not seen + PHOTO

April 5, 2021April 5, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

The wreckage of the Nigerian Air Force fighter jet that went missing last week may have been found in Bama, Borno State, an authoritative military source told THISDAY on Sunday. The source said it was found with the body of one of the pilots intact. The pilot was Flight Lieutenant Chapele Ebiakpo. He, however, said the body of the other pilot, Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa, is still being searched for, explaining that troops on the ground have been asked to intensify their search. The Air Force had declared…

How Nigeria Air Force Alpha Jet fighting Boko Haram “disappeared”

April 1, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has stormed Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as ongoing Search and Rescue operation is unsuccessful ovet 24 hours after Details have emerged on how a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet in combat operation against Boko Haram “disappeared” in Borno State. Over 24 hours after the aircraft was declared missing, there is still no trace of the Jet, which lost contact with radar while on an interdiction mission in support of ground troops. The loss of radar contact, it was gathered,…

BREAKING: Panic as Nigerian Air Force’s alpha-jet goes missing in Borno

April 1, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops. NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet who disclosed this in a statement Thursday, said the mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. According to him, the loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021. “Details of the whereabout of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but…

‘Why US President Biden Tripped, Fell 3 times While Boarding Air Force One’

March 21, 2021March 22, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that high winds at Joint Base Andrews near Washington may have been a factor that made U.S. President Joe Biden to stumble (trip and fall) on the steps as he climbed aboard Air Force One on Friday. “It’s very windy outside,” said Jean-Pierre when asked about his stumbling. “He is doing 100 percent fine.” She did not say whether Biden had been checked by a traveling physician after the episode, Reuters reported. Boarding a flight to Atlanta, where he was to speak…

JUST IN: How 5 NAF officers, 2 crew died in Abuja plane crash + NAMES

February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

“It is so sad that they were being filmed while dying and being burnt at the scene, and none of those filming them could imagine their relatives will later be exposed to those gory sights.” Details have emerged on how seven men, including five officers of the Nigerian Air force snd two members of crew, died while some people kept filming them in a NAF aircraft crash today, Sunday, February 21. The accident occured around the International Airport in Abuja, the administrative capital of Nigeria. Eye witness account…

How Antonov An-124 Carried 54 Tonne Generator From Ghana To India

February 20, 2021February 21, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

The Antonov An-124 made an interesting journey this week, flying from Accra, Ghana, to Mumbai, India, and back again. The specialized freighter was carrying an oversized power generator which required urgent repairs. As demand for air cargo soars, planes like the An-124 have seen themselves flying missions globally. Urgent operation According to Stat Trade Times, the An-124 was chartered from Antonov Airlines for a special ferry mission by Rhenus Project Logistics USA. The logistics company needed the aircraft to carry a massive power generator with a unique shape, requiring more…

7 toddlers, 55 others on board “disappeared” Boeing 737 Plane – Official

January 10, 2021 ADEOLA YUSUF

Seven toddlers and 55 adults were onboard the Boeing 737 passenger jet which disappeared over the sea in Jakarta, Indonesia Saturday, January 8, 2021, an official has said. The plane was declared missing moments after take-off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Media reports said the plane plummeted 3,048 metres (10,000 feet) shortly after take-off from Jakarta, reports claim. The Sriwijaya Air plane reportedly lost contact with the control room four minutes after take-off, plunging over 3,000 metres in less than 60 seconds. On board the 26-year-old plane were 56 passengers…

How #EndSARS Promoter was arrested at Airport, stopped From Travelling

November 3, 2020 ADEOLA YUSUF

A promoter of the #EndSARS movement, Modupe Odele, has been arrested at the airport by the Nigerian Immigration Service on her way out of Nigeria Odele was also prevented from travelling. Although the officers did not disclose the reason for their action, it is believed that the action was taken because of her alleged role in the #EndSARS protests. Odele, had through her Twitter handle, @Mochievous, mobilised her 219,000 followers during the protests. She had also offered free legal aid to persons who were unjustly arrested during the demonstrations.…