Air International 1991-06
-
Airscene
One of six Kubinka Wing MiG-29 ‘Fulcrums’, four ‘Fulcrum As’ and two ‘Fulcrum Bs’, which flew to Reims, France, on 13 May 1991 for a goodwill visit to Mirage F.1 - equipped ECTT.2/30 which flew with the Soviet Air Force during World War Two. The aircraft, which included this example, coded 44, carry the colours of the new Soviet ‘Swifts’ aerobatic team which will fly four of the type. Intake badge depicts the unit insignia, a stylised Swift over an orange disc - an encouraging practice which the Soviets are now considering adopting as standard. A second team, ‘Blue Lightning’ with six Su-27 ‘Flankers’, has also been formed.
Emphasising the integration of the type into the unified Luftwaffe is this photo showing MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ 29+09 lining up for take-off from Bremgarten on 9 April 1991 alongside an AKG51 RF-4E. The ‘Fulcrum’ had made a fuel stop there en route to Decimomannu, Sicily. Note former East German serial 699 still carried on the fin tip.
Prototype Canadair Regional Jet C-FCRJ seen at altitude on its second test flight during which, unlike the first flight, the undercarriage was retracted to test the aircraft in clean configuration.
Seen here at the time of roll-out of the prototype is the second Regional Jet, RJ 7002, already well on the way to completion.
Canadian Airlines International has begun A320 services on domestic routes using aircraft leased from GPA. A new operator of the aircraft, Canadian also has firm orders for 17 Airbus A320s.
Manx Airlines has become the first airline in the world to operate all three of British Aerospace’s current trio of regional airliners - Jetstream 31, ATP and the BAe 146. The airline has also ordered two BAe Jetstream 41s.
Activities at the Soviet air bases in former East Germany continue and an interesting visitor to Sperenberg recently was this Ilyushin Il-20 ‘Coot A’ Elint/reconnaissance aircraft. Coded ‘21’, it appears to retain the various antenna and ventral radar pod carried by others of its type.