News

HomeAll PostsNews
13 June 2024

A flight on the wild side

By Chloe Greenbank

As head of Virunga National Park’s Air Wing programme, Anthony Caere is a pilot with a plan – to protect the park and the animals living in it one flight at a time.

t’s not every day you come across a chimpanzee in the cockpit, but for Anthony Caere it’s not that unusual. Head of Virunga National Park’s (VNP’s) Air Wing programme, the 43-year-old Belgian born pilot has been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the last 11 years.

“I came originally to work as a pilot on a television documentary about flying doctors. It was on this trip that I met the conservationist and anthropologist Emmanuel de Merode, the director of VNP, and we donated the Cessna 206 we were using to his project.”

There was one small snag. Merode needed a pilot. “He asked me if I wanted to stay and that was that!” Caere told African Aerospace. “We started up VNP’s Air Wing with one Cessna 206 to help monitor and protect the park and the wildlife living in it. We now have 10 aircraft, thanks in large part to the support of US-based non-profit organisation, Last Chance for Animals (LCA).

In addition to the Cessna 206, Air Wing’s fleet includes a Cessna 182 and Bat Hawk aircraft.

Designed with surveillance and conservation work in mind, the Bat Hawk’s half open cockpit is similar to that of a helicopter and provides excellent forward visibility either side of the cockpit.

Alongside a handful of expats, some of VNP’s rangers have now also been trained as pilots. “Following a rigorous selection process, we currently have three Congolese pilots working for the Air Wing.

“We’re also looking to build additional airstrips and incorporate modern technology in our aerial surveillance work, including the use of Artificial Intelligence to help identify, gather and analyse data on wildlife populations more efficiently.”

As head of the Air Wing, Caere’s typical day involves a fair amount of administration and scheduling of flight operations. He is also tasked with overseeing maintenance of the Bat Hawks and securing spare parts.

Given the Bat Hawks ability to land in remote locations on air strips of just 250-300m long, the aircraft are also used to transport equipment and supplies, as well as for medical evacuations.

Caere noted that medical emergencies can range from rescuing rangers from rebel attacks to injuries from snake bites.

“Time is of the essence when getting these victims to safety, so medevac services are at the core of our work,” he said, revealing he has lost 72 colleagues in the last 11 years.

Some of the aircraft are also equipped with a large DJI – Matrice drone and cameras which are used to take pictures every three to five seconds of the ground below. These thousands of images are then stitched together to provide a crystal-clear, high-definition image of the park.

“We often rescue orphaned infant chimpanzees. They are traumatised, as most if not all of their family will have been killed in order to get just one baby, which if it’s smuggled out of the country can be sold for as much as US$20,000.

“So, before we fly them off to safety, we spend time with them to form a bond and keep them calm.

“They are like human babies, so once you’ve built up that trust, it’s easy to wrap them in a blanket and keep them safe and warm in the cockpit with you,” he said.

Being an Air Wing pilot in VNP is certainly not for the feint hearted. “We operate in extremely challenging and frequently dangerous situations,” said Caere. “Often the airstrips themselves are short and difficult to land on.”

Given his time again, would Caere have pursued a more conventional career as a commercial pilot? “Since I was a child, the only thing I ever wanted was to fly and work with animals. So, for me my work is a dream come true.”

It’s a job he was clearly destined for as he concluded: “Nothing is more enjoyable than flying a Bat Hawk at a low altitude over the VNP with a big herd of elephants below, the sun setting on the horizon and music blasting through my Bose headset!”

https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/general-aviation/a-flight-on-the-wild-side

5 September 2023

Anglo American Platinum donates Bat Hawk aircraft to SANParks

Anglo American Platinum donates Bat Hawk aircraft to SANParks

5 Sep 2023 14:00Publicity 655

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Anglo American Platinum has donated a second Bat Hawk aircraft to assist in anti-poaching efforts across South Africa, which has seen a 78% decrease in rhino poaching. The Bat Hawk will go to SANParks’ Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.

Anglo American Platinum donates Bat Hawk aircraft to SANParks

According to SANParks, this donation builds on 2022’s donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to SANParks to aid surveillance, conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park. 

In addition, a Bat Hawk aircraft will be donated to Mapungubwe National Park, located on the border of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Prakashim Moodliar, Anglo American Platinum’s executive head of projects, says, “I am pleased that our relationship with SANParks is growing from strength to strength with this donation. The Bat Hawks we have donated to Kruger National Park have been put to great use, assisting the SANParks team with rhino dehorning work, ongoing research, aerial visible policing and water point and soil erosion monitoring.”

Moodliar adds, “This work speaks directly to the healthy environment pillar of our sustainable mining plan and our ambition to have a net positive biodiversity impact — an ambition we can only achieve in partnership with key stakeholders such as SANParks.”

Addo Elephant National Park, which spans over 293 000 hectares, is home to one of the densest populations of African elephants in the world and is the only park in the world that can lay claim to the Big 7 (Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Southern right whale and the Great white shark in the Addo Marine Protected Area). 

The Bat Hawk aircraft, assembled in Nelspruit, presents an affordable and safer alternative to helicopters and will assist with the Park’s conservation objectives. Other benefits of the aircraft include the cockpit’s excellent visibility, even during adverse weather conditions and its light undercarriage, which can easily manoeuvre through bush terrain.

SANParks managing executive of parks Property Mokoena says, “We are immensely grateful to Anglo American Platinum for yet another donation to SANParks and to Addo Elephant National Park and Mapungubwe National Park. They join several other international and local corporates and individuals working with SANParks to conserve and protect our natural and cultural heritage and threatened species.”

These Bat Hawk aircraft will go a long way in being a visual deterrent to would-be poachers. These ultra-light aircraft will also assist us in carrying out aerial patrols and monitoring and effectively managing the environment, not just over our terrestrial footprint, but over the Addo Marine Protected Area,” Mokoena adds. 

“We wish to thank Anglo American Platinum for their faith in us yet again to put their donated equipment to good use in protecting our country’s rich and varied biodiversity,” concludes Mokoena. 

For more information, visit www.sanparks.org. You can also follow SANParks on Facebook, X or on Instagram.

https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/publicity/154607/anglo-american-platinum-donates-bat-hawk-aircraft-to-sanparks

4 September 2023

SANParks records a 78% decrease in Rhino poaching

By Tsoku Maela

Building on last year’s donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to South African National Parks (SANParks) to aid surveillance, conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum this morning donated another Bat Hawk that will be going to SANParks’ Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. In addition, a Bat Hawk aircraft will be donated to Mapungubwe National Park, which is located on the border of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The Kruger National Park’s experience with the four Bat Hawks Anglo American Platinum donated last year has been positive.

  • For instance, this time last year, the Malelane section of the Kruger National Park had lost 23 rhinos to poaching. As of today, the number has decreased to 5 rhinos since January this year.
  • Beyond this, the Bat Hawks have further contributed with ongoing research in the park. They are equipped with repeaters that pick up the tracking signals of animals that roam where there is no cell phone coverage. This signal is then relayed to the various research stations.
  • Furthermore, they have been used in locating wounded or snared animals that require medical attention, identifying the entry points that poachers use, providing aerial visible policing, as well as water point and soil erosion monitoring in the park.

Anglo American Platinum strengthens collaboration with SANParks through additional Bat Hawk light aircraft donations

Building on last year’s donation of four Bat Hawk surveillance aircraft to South African National Parks (SANParks) to aid surveillance, conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, Anglo American Platinum this morning donated another Bat Hawk that will be going to SANParks’ Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. In addition, a Bat Hawk aircraft will be donated to Mapungubwe National Park, which is located on the border of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the event to hand over the aircraft to Addo Elephant Park, Anglo American Platinum’s executive head of projects Prakashim Moodliar said, “I am pleased that our relationship with SANParks is growing from strength to strength with this donation. The Bat Hawks we have donated to Kruger National Park has been put to great use, assisting the SANParks team with rhino dehorning work, ongoing research, aerial visible policing, and water point and soil erosion monitoring. This work speaks directly to the healthy environment pillar of our Sustainable Mining Plan and our ambition to have a net positive biodiversity impact – an ambition we can only achieve in partnership with key stakeholders such as SANParks.

Addo Elephant National Park, which spans over 293,000 hectares, is home to one of the densest populations of African elephants in the world and is the only park in the world that can lay claim to the Big 7 (Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Southern right whale and the Great white shark in the Addo Marine Protected Area). The Bat Hawk aircraft, which is assembled in Nelspruit, presents an affordable and safer alternative to helicopters and will go a long way in assisting with the Park’s conservation objectives. Other benefits of the aircraft include the cockpit’s great visibility, even during adverse weather conditions, and their light undercarriage, which can easily manoeuvre through bush terrain.

SANParks Managing Executive of Parks, Property Mokoena said: ‘We are immensely grateful to Anglo American Platinum for yet another donation to SANParks and to Addo Elephant National Park and Mapungubwe National Park. They join a number of other international and local corporations and individuals who work with SANParks to conserve and protect our natural and cultural heritage and our threatened species. These Bat Hawk aircraft will go a long way in being a visual deterrent to would-be poachers. These ultra-light aircraft will also assist us in carrying out aerial patrols as well as monitoring and effectively managing the environment, not just over our terrestrial footprint, but over the Addo Marine Protected Area as well. We wish to thank Anglo American Platinum for their faith in us yet again to put their donated equipment to good use in the protection of our country’s rich and varied biodiversity.’

https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/sanparks-records-a-78-decrease-in-rhino-poaching

1 September 2023

Bat Hawk aircraft to boost Addo conservation efforts

Conservation efforts in the Addo Elephant National Park received a boost on Friday when Anglo American Platinum donated a Bat Hawk light aircraft to the park.

Anglo’s executive head of projects, Prakashim Moodliar, said in a statement that the aircraft donated to Kruger National Park has been assisting SANParks with rhino dehorning work, research, and aerial visible policing, among other functions.

“This work speaks directly to the healthy environment pillar of our Sustainable Mining Plan and our ambition to have a net positive biodiversity impact – an ambition we can only achieve in partnership with key stakeholders such as SANParks, he said.

SANParks Managing Executive of Parks, Property Mokoena said they were “immensely grateful to Anglo American Platinum” who also donated a Bat Hawk light aircraft to the Mapungubwe National Park.

She said they join a number of other international and local corporates and individuals who work with SANParks to conserve and protect our natural and cultural heritage and our threatened species.

“These Bat Hawk aircraft will go a long way in being a visual deterrent to would-be poachers,” she said.

Mokoena said “These ultra-light aircraft will also assist us in carrying out aerial patrols as well as monitoring and effectively managing the environment, not just over our terrestrial footprint, but over the Addo Marine Protected Area as well.

“We wish to thank Anglo American Platinum for their faith in us yet again to put their donated equipment to good use in the protection of our country’s rich and varied biodiversity.”

Addo Elephant National Park spans over 293,000 hectares and is home to one of the densest populations of African elephants in the world. “It is the only park in the world that can lay claim to the Big 7 (Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Southern right whale, and the Great white shark in the Addo Marine Protected Area).”

https://www.algoafm.co.za/local/bat-hawk-aircraft-to-boost-addo-conservation-efforts

5 April 2023

South African aeroplane company credits Brics with helping it win export orders

By: Rebecca Campbell Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

South African light sports aircraft manufacturer Bat Hawk Aircraft has credited South Africa’s membership of the Brics group as helping it win a major export order. Brics is the acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The company is based in Nelspruit in Mpumalanga province.

“While our biggest aircraft importer in the continent is the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by Botswana and Mozambique, we do export outside the continent as well,” explained Bat Hawk MD Terry Pappas. “We have footprints in the US and Australia. But our major breakthrough in the past five years has been with the Brics.”

Bat Hawk Aircraft has designed and manufactures the Bat Hawk two-seat, dual-control, light sports aircraft, for sporting but also training, surveillance and conservation purposes. Its seats are arranged side-by-side. It is a high-wing monoplane design, using conventional control systems – rudder, elevators, and flapperons (combined flaps and ailerons). Its single engine is mounted centrally on the wing leading edge, above and ahead of the pilots. The aircraft is specifically designed for African conditions.

No less than 80% of the material used in the manufacture of a Bat Hawk is sourced in South Africa. The remaining 20% comes from Austria, France and the US. The company employs 18 people and operates from two locations in Nelspruit.

The first, albeit small, export order from another Brics country followed the company’s participation in 2015 in an Outward Selling Mission (OSM) organised by South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). That mission went to China and led to four Bat Hawk aircraft being exported there, basically for trial purposes.

“Our biggest break came in 2019 while we were on another OSM, to India, with the DTIC,” he reported. “We were able to secure a partnership and sign a contract to supply 200 Bat Hawk aircraft to Max-Link Adventure Sports Club that will see both companies benefit from the partnership. The partnership and export contract, which is valued at R50-million, will create over 100 jobs in India once the factory that we will be setting up there has been completed. The less labour-intensive components of the aircraft, that require specialised equipment, will be manufactured in South Africa, while the labour-intensive work will be done in India. Both countries have specialised skills and labour force to make the partnership a reality.”

The first two aircraft in this programme were both entirely assembled in South Africa and then shipped to India to act as prototypes for the factory there. They were sent to India “a few weeks ago”.

Bat Hawks, sponsored by mining house Anglo American Platinum, are currently being used for anti-rhino poaching surveillance patrols by South African National Parks. But the home market accounts for only about 7% of the company’s production, which last year came to more than 30 aircraft – a quantity that Pappas described as “very good”.

“We might in the future embark on a scope mission to Brazil to assess how we can enter that market and form partnerships with other companies there,” he stated. “Brazil has amazing aircraft builders that produce magnificent planes. They certainly do have the capability to supply other markets, but we also want to benefit from their expertise.” 

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/south-african-aeroplane-company-credits-brics-with-helping-it-win-export-orders-2023-04-05

16 March 2022

Bat Hawk South Africa

The new South African Bat Hawk has been designed and developed by Micro Aviation South Africa primarily for surveillance and is the most affordable light sport aircraft on the market.
The Original BantamThe Micro Aviation B22 Bantam is a New Zealand “microlight aircraft” designed and produced by Max Clear in New Zealand.

The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft. The aircraft complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules as well as the United Kingdom BCAR Section ‘S’ regulations. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.

As a conventional 3-axis microlight, the Bantam does not rely on pilot weight shift to affect control. Twin seats are positioned side by side for full dual control and both crew members are well protected from the weather by an aerodynamic fibreglass pod and large wrap-around windshield.

Performance of the Bantam in its multiple options has been widely acclaimed as nothing short of sensational.

In the hands of a learner it remains perfectly balanced for fingertip control and hands off flight, but pushed to the maximum by an experienced pilot the maneuverability is breath-taking.		 Bat Hawk LSA – Big BrotherSeveral major design changes were incorporated into the Bat Hawk, which included a larger six-cylinder Jabiru engine with more substantial cheekplates and engine mountings and increased all up weight to 540 kg, stronger main gear, larger ‘bush’ tyres, improved brakes, increased fuel tank capacity to 80 / 100 liters, zip open / close luggage area, MGL EMS, stronger wing spars and wing struts, re-designed more streamlined nose pod and a much larger windscreen for improved visibility. Perhaps the most obvious visual change is the fact that the new larger windscreen is now positioned forwards of the front no.1 downtube, thereby creating a much roomier cockpit.

There is a big demand for this LSA aircraft in the surveillance and conservation industries and Micro Aviation believes that contrarily to what is published, the Bat Hawk is the only true ‘bush-plane’ on the market. “Other manufacturers advertise ‘bush planes’, but they all have propellers that are far too close to the ground, which are damaged by grass, sticks, stones and sand. On the other hand the Bat Hawk has its engine and propeller installed high up out of the ‘damage area’ and also very importantly,” out of the pilot’s line of sight”. All of the other supposed ‘bush planes’ have high instrument panels which severely limit and restrict outward visibility. The Bat Hawk’s cockpit is very similar to that of a helicopter with excellent forward visibility as well as to both sides. All parts and materials have been sourced in South Africa, fabricated and approved.
Test FlightsDuring flight tests conducted over the weekend of 1 December 2012, test pilot CC Pocock managed to pull 4 Gs during VNE tests, with maximum pull-up and climb testing. He entertained everyone with a magnificent display of loops, barrel rolls and stall turns in the Bat Hawk. All this was recorded on the G-meter, which was installed, as well as on the MGL S/D card. Wing loading tests up to 3000 kg on the Bat Hawk wing have been conducted and she carried it with ease.

The Bat Hawk is a delight to fly and like its ‘baby brother the Bantam’, needing zero rudder input while flying. There are no ‘excess yaw’ tendencies at all. She takes off in 50 metres and climbs out at 1200 feet/min with a 100kg pilot and full tanks at Nelspruit altitude at 3000 feet above mean sea level.

I had the opportunity to fly with Andrew to a nearby farm so that I could conduct the aerial photography from a Kitfox and I was convinced that the Bat Hawk presented similar flight characteristics to the Bantam, but with a more ‘solid feel’ due to the increased power to weight ratio and strengthened structure. Andrew says the Bat Hawk provides a much more solid feel with its thicker cheek plates, whilst the cruise speed has increased to 75 knots from the Bantam’s cruise speed of 65 knots using the same engine. Stall speed remains 35 knots, although with a single pilot and half tanks this comes down to 32 knots.

Multiple Roles

The Bat Hawk airframe is strong and durable, allowing it to be used in many roles. With the second seat available to take significant loads a number of Bat Hawks have been adapted for use in a variety of applications such as:
Game reserve aerial surveillance, where the type is particularly well adapted due to its very slow forward cruising speed, relative silence and stealth characteristicsFence checking and stock mustering on farmsAerial topdressing and sprayingAerial photography and surveyingReconnaissance and surveillanceRegular ranger patrols.Carcass location.Water-point monitoringMonitoring of rare speciesGathering of Scientific data for research purposes. Radio telemetry and chemical immobilization of animals.Anti-poaching and follow-up patrols.Patrolling rivers and gathering valuable data on crocodiles for the Kruger Park Scientific services.Monitoring and mapping burning programs in the Parks , including aerial burning of fire breaks with the Raindance Aerial Incendiary machine.Patrolling the Kruger/Mozambique/ Zimbabwe borders.Vegetation mapping and erosion monitoring.


Side by side seating, dual controls, comprehensive instrumentation and flying characteristics totally free of vices, make the Bat Hawk an ideal flight training aircraft. Due to the conventional 3-axis aircraft controls, the Bat Hawk is ideally suited for initial flight training towards a National Pilot’s Licence (LSA).
16 March 2022

Bat Hawk-the most affordable light sport aircraft on the market

By Photos by Willie Bodenstein

The Bat Hawk, a conventional 3-axis light sport aircraft LSA, the most affordable light sport aircraft on the market, is supplied as a complete ready to fly aircraft. The aircraft complies with the ASTM2245 Build Standard rules and regulations as well as South African Civil Aviation Type Approval.

Designed and developed by Micro Aviation South Africa primarily for surveillance and conservation features for African conditions is a strut-braced high-wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration open cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine aircraft in tractor configuration.


As a conventional 3-axis light sport aircraft LSA, the Bat Hawk does not rely on pilot weight shift to affect control. Twin seats are positioned side by side for full dual control and both crew members are well protected from the weather by an aerodynamic fibreglass pod and large wrap-around windshield.

Performance of the Bat Hawk in its multiple options has been widely acclaimed as nothing short of sensational. In the hands of a learner it remains perfectly balanced for fingertip control and hands off flight, but pushed to the maximum by an experienced pilot the manoeuvrability is breath-taking.

Several important designs are incorporated into the Bat Hawk, which include a 100 hp 4-cylinder Rotax® engine with substantial cheek plates and engine mountings and an all up weight of 540 kg, strong main gear, large ‘bush’ tyres, hydraulic disk brakes, large fuel tank capacity (80 litters), zip open / close luggage area, MGL Engine Monitoring System, strong wing spars and wing struts, streamlined nose pod and a large windscreen for improved visibility.

There is a big demand for this LSA aircraft in the surveillance and conservation industries and with the Bat Hawk’s propeller up and out of the way it reduces the risk of damage by grass, sticks, stones and sand making it a true “Bush Plane”.
 

The Bat Hawk’s cockpit is very similar to that of a helicopter with excellent forward visibility as well as to both sides. All parts and materials are sourced in South Africa, fabricated and approved.


The Bat Hawk air-frame is strong and durable, allowing it to be used in many roles. With the second seat available to take significant loads, a number of Bat Hawks have been adapted for use in a variety of applications such as game reserve aerial surveillance, where the type is particularly well adapted due to its very slow forward cruising speed, relative silence and stealth characteristics.


Other uses are: Fence checking and stock mustering on farms, aerial topdressing and spraying, aerial photography and surveying, reconnaissance and surveillance, regular ranger patrols, carcass location, water-point monitoring, monitoring of rare species, gathering of Scientific data for research purposes, radio telemetry and chemical immobilization of animals, anti-poaching and follow-up patrols, patrolling rivers and gathering valuable data on crocodiles for the Kruger Park Scientific services, monitoring and mapping burning programs in the Parks, including aerial burning of fire breaks with the Raindance Aerial Incendiary machine, patrolling the Kruger/Mozambique/ Zimbabwe borders and vegetation mapping and erosion monitoring.


Side by side seating, dual controls, comprehensive instrumentation and flying characteristics totally free of vices, make the Bat Hawk an ideal flight training aircraft. Due to the conventional 3-axis aircraft controls, the Bat Hawk is ideally suited for initial flight training towards a National Pilot’s Licence (LSA).

From left to right: Bat Hawk’s Terry and Andrew Pappas and Aero Club Chairman Paul Lastruci.

At the 2018 Aero Club of South Africa’s Awards Dinner Bat Hawk South Africa was presented with the PGS Trophy a fitting tribute to a company whose product and reputation has made it a household name in aviation circles not only in South Africa but also in continental Africa.
12 February 2022

Bat Hawk: Well-Established South African Aircraft Lands in America

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 BY DAN JOHNSON 11 COMMENTS

It’s always exciting to welcome a new entry into recreational aviation. Two Bat Hawks are presently inside the USA and will be debuted at Sun ‘n Fun 2022.

Bat Hawk is a well-established, conventional microlight-style light aircraft powered by a Rotax 912 that helps it provide “sensational” performance.“We now have two planes in the country,” said importer and representative Gary Saitowitz, “and we just received our FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate at the end of 2021.” At this time, Bat Hawk is not a Special LSA. As they get started with the new-to-Americans model, both are registered Experimental Exhibition. After Bathawk Aircraft USA can gauge market interest, they may pursue another level of FAA approval.

LSA with a Purpose

“Like a bat outta…” in this case, South Africa not that hotter place. Kidding aside, Bat Hawk is positioning itself as a very capable workhorse. Their website shows a great many activities for which this aircraft is being used, perhaps most notably, as a workhorse for rhino anti-poaching actions.

Such working duties should not surprise anyone since LAMA has (apparently) successfully convinced FAA that these light aircraft are more than capable of certain types of for-hire activities LAMA called “aerial work.” LAMA didn’t call it “commercial use” as that could imply passenger hauling or air freight and those were not included in the request. Instead Bat Hawk in South Africa refers to work such as anti-poaching and follow-up patrols; water-point monitoring; patrolling rivers and gathering valuable data on crocodiles; vegetation mapping and erosion monitoring; and, monitoring and mapping burning programs, to select only a few. Most of these are surveillance of one kind or another and any of us who enjoy aerial sightseeing can comprehend that use easily.

I’m pleased our fun flying aircraft might be pressed into some useful duties. These aircraft are capable and offering manufacturers another potential customer base can help keep them healthy so they keep developing and building recreational aircraft for the majority who simply fly for fun.

What is Bat Hawk?

As the South African describe it, “Bat Hawk is a high-wing monoplane with crew of two seated side by side in an under-slung tubular framed structure surrounded by a glass fiber composite fairing.” Occupants are protected from the elements by “a very large wrap-around windshield.”

Bat Hawk’s engine and prop are mounted in a tractor position at wing level. Its tailplane is conventional in location and layout. Tricycle gear has a steerable nose-wheel. Bat Hawk’s wing is strut- and lift-wire braced. Once common, wire bracing has largely disappeared from fixed wing but it remains a very strong configuration.

Bat Hawk’s wing is built around two larger aluminum tubes forming the spars, one at the leading edge and one at the rear edge of the wing as is very common of aircraft with this construction. Sewn Dacron sailcloth covers all wing and tail surfaces plus the aft cockpit fairing.

Bat Hawk uses full-span flaperons attached to the rear spar; flaperons work independently as ailerons and together as flaps. There is no flap position indicator but approximate settings can be determined from the flap selector angle. Maximum flap movement is restricted by a limit stop mounted on the flap lever quadrant.

Side by side seating offers full dual control based on a center stick that no doubt makes entry a bit easier. Bat Hawk’s rudder is actuated by cables running from the pedals. Ailerons are controlled by cables from a torque tube connected to the central control stick, which has a built-in control stop. The elevator is actuated by a push/pull cable attached directly to the control stick with built-in stops.

Manufacturer Micro Aviation said a wide track undercarriage has the main wheels supported by an inverted ‘V’ shaped glass fiber that provides suspension. Bat Hawk’s nose wheel is supported by two hydraulic shock absorbers that “allows Bat Hawk to operate on rough terrain.” Black Max disc brakes are actuated using a hand lever on the control stick. Differential braking is not available.

Instrumentation is provided by an also South African MGL EMS (sold and serviced in America by Michigan Avionics). The MGL digital instrument is standard equipment and “enables the pilot to monitor dual CHTs and four EGTs plus voltage, oil pressure, oil temperaturem and RPM simultaneously.”

Price? — What will this multi-purpose aircraft set you back? In Experimental Exhibition category for now, the first aircraft is listed for sale at $79,500 plus shipping. Bathawk Aircraft USA is investigating Experimental Amateur Built or Light-Sport Aircraft for the future. More about that as I learn about it.

Bat Hawk
SPECIFICATIONS

All specifications provided by the factory

  • Overall length — nose to rudder trailing edge 18.2 feet (5.5 meters)
  • Length — propeller to rudder 17.0 feet (5.3 meters)
  • Wingspan — 31.2 feet (9.50 meters)
  • Height — 10.5 feet (3.20 meters)
  • Undercarriage wheel track — 5.4 feet (1.7 meters)
  • Main wheel size — 8 x 6 inches
  • Nose wheel size — 4 x 4 inches
  • Powerplant — Rotax 912 100 horsepower 4-cylinder, 4-stroke
  • Maximum weight all-up weight (gross weight) — 1,204 pounds (540 kilograms)
  • Typical empty weight with standard equipment — 573 pounds (260 kilograms)
  • Maximum fuel — 20.5 gallons / 123 pounds (56 kilograms)
  • Minimum solo crew weight — 163 pounds (74 kilograms)
  • Payload with full fuel — 508 pounds (231 kilograms)
  • Cruise speed — 77 knots
  • Stall speed — 36 knots
  • Vne — 92 knots
  • Take-off run — 100-165 feet (30-50 meters)
  • Landing roll — 165-200 feet (50-60 meters

For more info, Bathawk in America is finishing their new website, so email importer, Gary Saitowitz, or call 404-408-0305. You can also check the South African website for Bat Hawk producer Micro Aviation SA.

I’ll be looking for Gary and his two Bat Hawks at Sun ‘n Fun 2022. I’ll report more then. Hope to see many of you in Lakeland!

19 September 2020

Micro Aviation Bat Hawk – Wildlife conservations first choice

Photos by Willie Bodenstein

Mpumalanga based Micro Aviation has been building light sport aircraft since 2013 and the companies’ Bantam and Bat Hawk LSAs have sold in large numbers not only locally, but also throughout the continent.

There is barely an African country where Bat Hawks are not being used in the nature conservation and ant poaching roles. The Bat Hawk’s cockpit is very similar to that of a helicopter and it provides excellent forward visibility on either side of the cockpit.

Micro Aviation’s Terry Pappas has confirmed that they are currently developing a wider body amphibian version to enable parks with extreme wet seasons to be able to access all areas throughout the year that can also be utilised for fisheries management in such areas. The amphibian version, they feel, will also find a market in the USA and Canada.

Bat Hawk are built from scratch in Nelspruit at the company’s factory that has a capacity to build five units a month, with an order usually taking about eight weeks to complete. All the components used to build the Bat Hawk, besides its 100 hp four-cylinder Rotax engine and its propeller, are sourced locally.

Designed for African conditions, the Bat Hawk’s engine is mounted in a tractor position above and ahead of the crew with the propeller positioned up and away to reduce the risk of damage to the aircraft by grass, sticks, stones and sand. The Bat Hawk features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seat in side-by-side configuration open cockpit and fixed-tricycle landing gear. The high-wing has two tubes forming the spars, one at the leading edge and one at the rear edge of the wing. The full span flaperons attached to the rear spar are of similar construction and covering.

All these parts are manufactured from corrosion-resistant aluminium alloy and stainless-steel wires, while the air-frame and wings are covered with tensional Dacron sailcloth. Equipped with substantially tough landing gear for rugged terrain, the aircraft is also ultraviolet light proof and can handle winds of up to 30 knots in flight and a cross wind component of 16 knots.

As a conventional thee-axis light sport aircraft, the Bat Hawk does not rely on pilot weight shift to affect control. Twin seats are positioned side by side for full dual control and both crew members are well protected from the weather by an aerodynamic fibreglass pod and large wrap-around windshield.

Supplied as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft, the Bat Hawk complies with the ASTM2245 Build Standard rules and regulations, as well as has a South African Civil Aviation Type Acceptance Certificate.

8 August 2019

Micro Aviation SA developing wide-body and amphibious Bat Hawk versions

8TH AUGUST 2019 BY: TRACY HANCOCK – CREAMER MEDIA CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Micro Aviation SA developing wide-body and amphibious Bat Hawk versions

Nelspruit-based aircraft manufacturer Micro Aviation SA is developing a wide-body and amphibious version of its Bat Hawk surveillance and conservation aircraft.

The company has been building the light sport aircraft since 2013, owing to the lack of a low-cost observation platform on the market. The company has a conservation background and assembled the Bantam series of planes for ten years.

To date, the company has built more than 200 bantams and 172 Bat Hawks, and is building the eighth and ninth Bat Hawk of the year.

Micro Aviation SA MD Terry Pappas admits that business is a lot quieter than normal, with the company only producing one unit a month.

“We manufacture the Bat Hawk from scratch in Nelspruit and can build five units a month, with an order usually taking about eight weeks to complete.”

All the components used to build the Bat Hawk, besides its 100 hp four-cylinder Rotax engine and its propeller, are sourced locally.

Designed for African conditions, the Bat Hawk’s propeller is positioned up and away to reduce the risk of damage to the aircraft by grass, sticks, stones and sand. Equipped with substantially tough landing gear for rugged terrain, the aircraft is also ultraviolet light proof and can handle winds up to 30 knots in flight and a cross wind component of 16 knots.

The Bat Hawk features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration open cockpit and fixed-tricycle landing gear, with the  propeller and the engine mounted in a tractor position above and ahead of the crew.

The high-wing has two tubes forming the spars, one at the leading edge and one at the rear edge of the wing. All these parts are manufactured from corrosion-resistant aluminium alloy and stainless steel wires, while the air-frame and wings are covered with tensional Dacron sailcloth, explains Pappas.

The full span flaperons attached to the rear spar are of similar construction and covering.

“As a conventional thee-axis light sport aircraft, the Bat Hawk does not rely on pilot weight shift to affect control. Twin seats are positioned side by side for full dual control and both crew members are well protected from the weather by an aerodynamic fibreglass pod and large wrap-around windshield,” explains Pappas.

He says, as the Bat Hawk’s cockpit is very similar to that of a helicopter, it provides excellent forward visibility on either side of the cockpit.

The Bat Hawk is used by surveillance and conservation industries across Africa –  Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and “very soon” Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, because of its significant and well-organised conservation efforts, as well as foresight, Botswana presents the greatest demand for the Bat Hawk.

Supplied as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft, the Bat Hawk complies with the ASTM2245 Build Standard rules and regulations, as well as has a South African Civil Aviation Type Acceptance Certificate.