Air International 2013-01
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News
Sukhoi Su-30SM '02' is seen taking-off from Irkutsk on November 22, 2012, after handover to the VVS.
The two Eurocopter AS365N3+ Dauphin IIs recently handed over to the Bangladesh Army. Both of the helicopters wear their test serials on the engine nacelles, although F-WTCD (right) also carries a crossed-out Bangladesh serial above the Fenestron.
QF-16C Block 30 85-1569/'QF-005' arrives at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on November 19, 2012.
F-16A-15OCU Fighting Falcon B.Kh19-26/38/'40308/90021' at Thai Aviation Industries' facility at Takhli Nakhonsawan, prior to the induction ceremony on November 13, 2012.
The last F-16B Fighting Falcon delivered to Belgium - since upgraded as an F-16BM - has received a special scheme to mark the 25th anniversary of the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). The markings was designed by Johan Wolfs and applied in early November, 2012.
HAL-built Jaguar M JM255 is the trials aircraft for the DARIN III upgrade. The aircraft is seen taking off from HAL Bangalore International Airport on November 28, 2012.
A Lynx AH9A of No.847 NAS being prepared for its next mission at NAF El Centro, California, with US Marine Corps Boeing F/A-18C Hornets of VMFA-211 'Silver Eagles' in the background.
The last Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed AP-3C Orion returned to RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia, on November 29, 2012, from the final deployment at Al Minhad AB in Dubai. No. 92 Wing has maintained the detachment for ten years as part of Operation Slipper, flying more than 2,400 sorties. The flights included conducting overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks in Afghanistan and Iraq, maritime patrols over the Arabian Gulf and North Arabian Sea and, more recently, counter-piracy missions close to Somalia. During the last operational sortie in the region the aircraft passed over HMAS Anzac and dispensed flares as a farewell gesture.
Tornado GR4 ZA472/'031' in No.31 Squadron colours departs Albacete AB in Spain during Tactical Leadership Programme 2012-6.
The Dassault Rafales of EC2/30 were among those involved in the first joint armament practice in November, 2012.
Air New Zealand Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKP (c/n 39041) arrives at London-Heathrow on November 25, 2012, from Los Angeles in California. The airliner was carrying members of the crew and cast of Sir Peter Jackson's new film The Hobbit: An Expected Journey, based on J R R Tolkien's book, to the premiere held three days later in New Zealand.
Antonov An-12BP UR-CKL (c/n 01348005, ex EX-169) at Liege Airport in Belgium on December 3, 2012. The transport wears the new colours of Cavok Air, based at Chisinau International Airport in Moldova, and is pictured during a cargo charter to the Isle of Man. It was previously owned by Click Airways before being flown to Byelaya Tserkov, Ukraine, for maintenance in April 2012, prior to being sold.
Noted on approach to Dubai International Airport on November 20, 2012, was Lockheed L100-30 Hercules 311 (c/n 382-4834, ex A6-QFY) of the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence. It now operates in this civilian scheme following a period in service with the UAE Government.
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZJ932/'DB' arrived back at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on November 23, 2012, following upgrade to R2 standard by BAE Systems at Warton, Lancashire.
This anonymous-looking Let L410-UVP-E20 is one of the new examples for the Voyenno-vozdushnye Sily (VVS, Russian Air Force) - which has ordered 11 of the light transports in three batches, the first of which was delivered in February 2011. An option for a further four is held.
Seen on approach to London-Heathrow on November 15, 2012, was Boeing 767-3YOER FAC 985 (c/n 26205) of the Fuerza Aerea de Chile (Chilean Air Force). It carried the President of Chile, Sebastian Pinero, and Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno to meetings in the UK and departed the following day. The aircraft was delivered in August 2008 as a strategic and presidential transport for the Escuadrilla Presidencial and is based at Santiago-Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.
Rockwell OV-10E Bronco 7970 of the Venezuelan Military Aviation was one of two lost during practice for a military parade on November 22, 2012. The aircraft featured a non-standard extended nose and four-blade propellers.
14 ноября 2012г. в аэропорт Варшавы прибыл первый из восьми заказанных лайнеров Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Таким образом, национальная польская авиакомпания LOT стала первым европейским получателем самолетов этого типа. С декабря текущего го/ja LOT будет использовать "Лайнеры мечты" на коротких рейсах внутри Европы, а в дальнейшем - на дальних рейсах в Нью-Йорк, Торонто и Пекин. Прибытие в Польшу второго самолета ожидается в начале следующего года
LOT Polish Airlines became the first European carrier to receive a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner following the delivery of SP-LRA (c/n 35938, ex N1026G). The airliner was handed over on November 9, 2012, and departed Seattle in Washington five days later, arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport in Poland on November 15. It began flying routes within Europe in December and flights are planned from Warsaw to Chicago O'Hare, Illinois, on January 16; Toronto, Canada on February 1; New York - John F Kennedy on February 3 and Beijing in the People's Republic of China on March 3. LOT has eight Dreamliners on order, which will be configured for 18 business-, 21 premium economy- and 213 economy-class passengers.
The arrival of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner A7-BCB (c/n 38320, ex N1003W) at Doha International Airport, Qatar, on November 14, 2012, marked the service entry of the type with the flag carrier airline. The aircraft arrived from Seattle in Washington, carrying the Chief Executive Officer of the carrier, Akbar Al Baker, and invited guests. It was officially handed over two days earlier and completed its first revenue-earning flight between Doha and Dubai International Airport on November 20. The airliner is seen on approach to Dubai, at the end of its initial service. Dreamliners will be used on services to London-Heathrow and later on long-haul flights to Zurich, Switzerland; Frankfurt in Germany and Delhi, India. Qatar Airways currently has 112 airliners in service and commitments for 60 787-8s. The fleet will be configured for 22 business- and 232 economy-class passengers.
The Dassault nEUROn low-observable, full-scale unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator during its maiden flight from Istres on December 1, 2012.
Maximus Air Cargo is applying this scheme to its fleet of Airbus A300 freighters. A300B4-622R(F) A6-NIN (msn 797, ex JA012D) - the first to receive the new colours - approaches Liege Airport in Belgium on November 25, 2012, for a charter transporting horses to race in Abu Dhabi. The aircraft was operated by Japan Airlines until sold to Maximus in July 2011 and converted as a freighter at Dresden Airport in Germany. The airline operates five of the type, plus a single Antonov An-124.
Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B PK-ECL (c/n 95022) undergoing pre-delivery inspection at Ulyanovsk, Russia, prior to handover to Sky Aviation of Indonesia. Interior installation and painting was completed in late November. The aircraft is due to be delivered before the end of 2012, one of 12 that will join the airline by 2015. Eight Sky Aviation pilots had been trained on the airliner by late November, 18 cabin crew were due to be qualified by the end of the year and 12 mechanics in January 2013.
The first Global 6000 Signature Series business jet was handed over to NetJets on November 29, 2012.
The prototype Embraer Legacy 500 making its maiden flight on November 27, 2012.
Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar Mk I HU27-04/'ET-671' destined for the UME is seen at Albacete on November 16, 2012.
The first Airbus Military C295M for the Kazakhstan Air Defence Force is currently undergoing flight tests at the manufacturer's facility at San Pablo near Seville, Spain. C295M '01' red (c/n S-093) is seen at San Pablo on November 20, 2012. Kazakhstan announced it had ordered two of the medium transports on February 29, 2012, and placed options for six others to be exercised progressively over the coming years; all eight are due to be acquired by 2018. Initial deliveries are due in April.
Airbus Military KC-30A A39-005 (msn 1183, ex EC-336) is seen at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on November 30, 2012, during its delivery flight to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The aircraft arrived from Cetafe in Spain and departed on December 1 for Travis AFB, California, finally arriving at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland for No.33 Squadron two days later. The aircraft is the last of five A330-203 Multi-Role Tanker Transports for the RAAF; the first three were received during 2011 (June 1, June 22 and November 22) and the fourth on January 31, 2012.
Flight tests of the third Airbus Military A330-243 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence should be under way. The aircraft is seen on November 11, 2012, at the manufacturer's facility at Getafe in Spain following conversion from a 'green' airframe, having received the flight test identification MRTT015 (msn 1250, ex EC-332).
С 13 по 18 ноября 2012г. на проходившей в г. Чжухае (КНР) авиационно-космической выставке Airshow China-2012 были впервые представлены китайские ударные вертолеты. WZ-10 (на фото) предназначен для огневой поддержки сухопутных войск на поле боя, обладает высокой маневренностью, может оснащаться высокоточным оружием классов "воздух-воздух" и "воздух-поверхность", выполнять полеты в дневных и ночных условиях.
The Changhe WZ-10 fire support and anti-tank helicopter made its public debut at Airshow China held at Zhuhai in Guangdong province in November 2012. The type is currently the primary attack helicopter of the People's Liberation Army Aviation Corps, having first entered service with the 5th Army Aviation Regiment at Huzhou in the Nanjing Military Region. A second unit has recently received the helicopter, possibly the 9th Army Aviation Regiment at Shenyang-Dongta. WZ- 10s and Z-19s from a unit based in the Shenyang Military Region conducted air-to-ground missile firing over a range in the south of Liaoning province on November 12. LH95102, seen here, is either a pre-production or early production aircraft.
The first Embraer Phenom 300 assembled at Melbourne in Florida, takes off for its maiden flight on December 5, 2012.
With hook deployed, Shenyang J-15 552 is about to touch down on the Liaoning during the initial series of flight trials from the aircraft carrier during November 2012.
The third prototype AgustaWestland AW169 completed its maiden flight in November 2012.
Martin WB-57F N926NA is seen on approach to RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, on December 2, 2012, on its journey back to Texas from Afghanistan.
Lockheed Martin HC-130J Combat King II 09-5707 was the first of the type delivered to the 79th Rescue Squadron, 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The aircraft is seen departing Marietta, Georgia, on its delivery flight on November 15, 2012.
Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II 09-5710 (c/n 5710) making its maiden flight from Marietta, Georgia, on November 29, 2012. The aircraft will be the first to be converted as an AC-130J gunship with a modular Precision Strike Package, flying as such in 2014. US Air Force Special Operations Command initially plans to acquire 16 AC-130Js to replace its AC-130H Spectres, but has a stated requirement for a total fo 37.
The Harbin Z-19 armed reconnaissance and scout helicopter made its public debut at Airshow China at Zhuhai in Guangdong province between November 13 and 18, 2012. While some poor-quality images of the helicopter had previously been released on Chinese websites, the show provided the first clear view of the design. The Z-19 is based on the Harbin H425, a development of the Z-9, which itself is a copy of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II. A new fuselage with a tandem cockpit, revised landing gear and other changes have been incorporated. The dynamic components, including the WZ-8A turboshafts, are believed to have come straight from the Z-9. A small number of prototype and/or pre-production Z-19s have been delivered to the People's Liberation Army Aviation Corps.
The Yi Long medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle was displayed for the first time during Airshow China, at Zhuhai in China on November 13, 2012. The UAV was designed by Chengdu from 2005 and first flew in 2008, although it previously only appeared in model form at trade shows. It has a wingspan of 14m (45ft 11in), a length of 9.34m (30ft 8in) and can fly to 17,388ft (5,300m) with an endurance of up to 20 hours. China claims that the Yi Long has already been exported, but has not identified the customer.
As part of the drawdown of the Luftwaffe's McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom fleet the service is in the process of preparing four of the fighters with special colours. The first to be painted at Jever in Lower Saxony, northern Germany was 38+10, which has been resprayed in the Norm 72 scheme worn be the fleet during the 1970s and into the early 1980s. The aircraft is seen shortly after roll-out on November 22. The three other aircraft will have the Norm 90J (the current scheme, on 37+22) and Norm 81AJB (the grey/grey scheme, on 38+33), while 37+01 will receive 'Phlyout Special' colours. Germany will hold a retirement ceremony for its Phantom at Wittmund, also in Lower Saxony, on June 29, 2013.
The Northrop Grumman RO2 Firebird prototype is a largest variant of the original aircraft unveiled in May 2011.
Airbus A319-111 VP-BDY (msn 2442, ex G-EZID) is one of two currently operated by RusLine of Moscow. The airliner has been leased by the carrier from RBS Aviation Capital since April 2012, and is seen at Dubai International Airport on November 30, 2012.
Airbus A319-111 G-EZIO (msn 2512, ex D-AVWP) of easyJet was rolled out at Southend on November 18, 2012 after being painted with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) titles on its rear fuselage. The budget airline partnered with UNICEF during the summer and winter seasons of 2012 to collect donations from passengers on behalf of the organisation.
Making its maiden flight in Air Niugini colours, at Budapest Airport on November 28, 2012, was Boeing 737-86Q(WL) EC-ISE (c/n 30290). The airliner was repainted from Air Europa colours at the airport and will become P2-PXC upon delivery. It joins a single 737-7L9 WL) and three 767-300ERs flown by the airline, as well as 12 Dash-8s and six Fokker 100s.
Boeing 737-9F2ER(WL) TC-JYI (c/n 40985) is the 200th aircraft to enter service with Turkish Airlines. Delivered on November 8, 2012, it carries markings on its front fuselage highlighting its significance to the carrier, while 'We cover more countries than any other airline' appears aft of the wings. A ceremony was held five days later, attended by the carrier's Chairman Hamdi Topgu and CEO Dr Temel Kotil, along with the Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, to welcome the aircraft into the fleet. It is seen arriving at Manchester Airport at the end of its second revenue-earning service on November 16.
Thompson Airways is repainting its fleet in the new 'wave' scheme. New Boeing 737-8K5(WL) G-TAWK (c/n 37239) was delivered in the fresh colours on November 19, 2012. It is seen being pushed back from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport, one week later at the start of its second revenue-earning flight with the airline. The first 737 in the new scheme (G-FDZA, c/n 35134) arrived back at Manchester after painting at Norwich, Norfolk, on November 11.
Typhoon ZJ699 lifts off on December 4, 2012, carrying a live MBDA Meteor missile. The modified fuel tanks under the wings contain cameras to record the weapon's separation from the aircraft.
The first Sikorsky CH-53K prototype is the Ground Test Vehicle that has recently been delivered to West Palm Beach in Florida.