Phetogo Molawa

Last updated

Phetogo Molawa is South Africa's first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force and the South African National Defence Force. [1] [2] She is currently a captain in the South African Air Force. [3] In 2018 she became the first woman and the first black person to take command of a South African Air Force installation; specifically, she became the new commanding officer of the South African Air Force base in Port Elizabeth. [4]

She was born at Thaba Nchu near Bloemfontein in 1986 [5] and joined the South African Air Force after leaving school. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk</span> Series of military utility transport helicopters

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition in 1972. The Army designated the prototype as the YUH-60A and selected the Black Hawk as the winner of the program in 1976, after a fly-off competition with the Boeing Vertol YUH-61.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk</span> American medium-lift military helicopter

The Sikorsky MH-60/HH-60 Pave Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The HH-60 Pave Hawk and its successor the HH-60W Jolly Green II are combat rescue helicopters, though in practice they often serve humanitarian and peacetime disaster rescue. It is a derivative of the UH-60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program. The HH-60/MH-60 is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mil Mi-24</span> Family of assault and attack helicopters

The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and was introduced by the Soviet Air Force in 1972. The helicopter is currently in use by 58 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Air Force</span> Branch of the South African National Defence Force

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force saw service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low-intensity Border War in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased, until in the late 1980s when the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighbouring states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Rooivalk</span> Attack helicopter by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, later Denel Aviation

The Denel Rooivalk is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel. Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aérospatiale Alouette III</span> Light helicopter family by Sud Aviation, later Aerospatiale

The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by French aircraft company Sud Aviation. During its production life, it proved to be a relatively popular rotorcraft; including multiple licensed manufacturers, more than 2,000 units were built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">87 Helicopter Flying School SAAF</span> Military unit

87 Helicopter Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a helicopter flight training school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mil Mi-8</span> Family of transport helicopters

The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) in the 1960s and introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1968. Russian production of the aircraft model still continues as of 2024. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African National Defence Force</span> Military of South Africa

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Defence Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mil Mi-17</span> Family of Russian military transport helicopters

The Mil Mi-17 is a Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter family introduced in 1975 (Mi-8M), continuing in production as of 2024 at two factories, in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. The helicopter is mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version.

The South African National Defence Force's rank system is largely based on the British system, with the Air Force sharing the Army rank titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter pilot</span> Military combat aviator

A fighter pilot or combat pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting. A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of Sri Lankas military forces

The Sri Lanka Air Force is the air arm and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SLAF played a major role throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War. The SLAF operates more than 160 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in warfare and the military (2000–present)</span> Aspect of womens history

This article is about women in warfare and the military (2000–present) throughout the world outside the United States. For women in warfare and the military in the United States since 2000, please see: Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2000–2010 and Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2011–present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Base Durban</span> Airport in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

AFB Durban is an airbase of the South African Air Force, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The runway is shared with the Durban International Airport. The airbase is at the northern end of the runway.

Fabian Zimpande "Zakes" Msimang is a retired South African Air Force officer who served as the Chief of the South African Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Leavitt</span> US Air Force general and first female fighter pilot in USAF

Jeannie Marie Leavitt is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general officer. She became the U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot in 1993, and was the first woman to command a USAF combat fighter wing. In April 2021, she was appointed to replace Major General John T. Rauch as Chief of Safety of the United States Air Force, and assumed office on August 13, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2011–present</span>

This article lists events involving Women in warfare and the military in the United States since 2011. For the previous decade, see Timeline of women in warfare and the military in the United States, 2000–2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of women in aviation</span>

This is a timeline of women in aviation which describes many of the firsts and achievements of women as pilots and other roles in aviation. Women who are part of this list have piloted vehicles, including hot-air balloons, gliders, airplanes, dirigibles and helicopters. Some women have been instrumental in support roles. Others have made a name for themselves as parachutists and other forms of flight-related activities. This list encompasses women's achievements from around the globe.

References

  1. "Black female pilot achievement". Af.mil.za. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  2. "Africa | SA gets first black female pilot". BBC News. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  3. "Saaf News". Af.mil.za. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  4. "Phetogo Molawa Makes SA Airforce History... Again". Huffingtonpost.co.za. 9 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  5. Pale, Lt Col Francis (2007). "First Black female helicopter pilot" (PDF). Ad Astra. 27 (4): 5.
  6. Greebe, Hanrie (August 2007). "Outsourcing of helicopter flying training" (PDF). SA Soldier. 14 (8): 20.