The Sunday News
By Flight Lieutenant Barnabas Sibanda (Retired)
Two weeks ago Sunday Life published an article on the views expressed by American citizens about the Zimbabwe helicopter.
I am sure we all benefited from the contribution of the American “Apache Landing gear funding etc.”
American comments are all about the Zimbabwe helicopter and not about its designer. I am writing this article because the Southern Times published a damming report about the man who built African’s first helicopter in the regional news paper: Southern Times October 2016.
Sadc (and the rest of the world) wants to read about the aircraft contraption of the Zim-helicopter. Sadc does not want to read about a “dejected man”. Sadc has nothing to do with a deranged liberation war criminal whom the paper is marketing. Sadc wants a regional aircraft.
Our journalists should stop entertaining negative reports or comments from ill minded people but concentrate on the project — Zimbabwe helicopter like thin American counterparts. They should write about the encouraged capabilities of the Zimbabwe helicopter, its composition, the power plant, the fuselage, the air frame, central instruments, etecetera, and not about the person who built African helicopter. Only idle minds discuss people, intelligent minds discuss ideas. Does Zimbabwe need expatriate journalists from America?
The Americans equate the Zimbabwe helicopter to the apache attack helicopter, their leading fighter aircraft. The apache is a monument of technology, a new generation helicopter that balances traditional and innovation solutions together.
The apache, a twin engine helicopter has small metal fuselage structure with composite elements. The engine has a digital central ziptem (OEI). Even seeing in the dark is not a problem for thin high tech wonder, it has a hingless, main irater with tension, air bone control system, multifunctional displayer and various versions of cabin layout.
That is the type of helicopter that Sadc needs to read about. This is the helicopter that Zimbabwe shall produce. This is the helicopter for future generations and inheritance for our children’s children. Come you mighty race, you can do what you will. God willing.
