Author Archives: safairoperations

Contribution by Chris Betser One thing that’s never changed in aviation is the fact that the profit margins for aircraft operators are wafer-thin, and the same was true for the Herc operations. Every possible effort had to be made to ensure that we reduced operating and maintenance costs without jeopardising the airworthiness of the aircraft.Continue reading “Leaders in Maintenance Innovation”

Contribution by Chris Bester Safair has been involved in humanitarian aid and relief work for a long time and one of the tasks that we’ve often performed using the Hercs is food drops. At one point we were operating these food delivery contracts on behalf of an international agency in support of people in foodContinue reading “Moving the Drop Zone”

Contribution by Chris Bester In the mid 1970`s the Safair Board of Directors decided to expand the fleet of commercial  L382 series from eight to sixteen aircraft. At that time the board had also chosen to modify 4 of the new aircraft such that they were able to perform dual roles as a passenger aircraftContinue reading “Fleet Expansion Program”

Contribution by Chris Bester In the mid-1970s the Safair board had taken the decision to expand the fleet of commercial  L382 series from eight to sixteen aircraft. They had also decided to convert four of these new aircraft from freighters into passenger configurations. At the time, I was working in the United States as theContinue reading “Freighter to Passenger Conversion”

Contribution by Chris Bester During the mid-1980s Safair was requested to provide two passenger Hercs to take part in the World Free Fall sky jumping competition in Quincy Illinois in the United States. A detailed inspection by the US Federal Aviation Authority took place at the airport of entry into the USA to ensure complianceContinue reading “Free Willy Free Fall Flights”