In May, Russia's Ministry of Defence ordered a large batch of Mi-28N, Mi-35M and Mi-26 helicopters. The Rostvertol plant at Rostov-on-Don will build the aircraft. 'Yellow 50' in the foreground is the prototype of the Mi-35M in Russian Air Force configuration.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turk Hava Kuwetleri (Turkish Air Force) the service has painted an F-16C Block 40 (91-0011) as its F-16 Demo Team display aircraft, known as the Solo Turk. The machine belongs to 182 Filo 'Atmaca' (Hawk) based at the 8 AJU (main jet base) Diyarbakir Air Base. Flown by Flight Major Murat Keles, the aircraft made its public debut at Akinci Air Base, Ankara, on April 15, 2011, and will take part in airshows in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK, as well as Turkey during 2011. It is seen here on June 5 at Izmir-Qigli.
F-16D 07-1015 is the initial Advanced Block 50+ aircraft for the Turk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force) produced under Peace Onyx IV. It was assembled by Turkish Aerospace Industries and unveiled during a ceremony at its facility near Ankara on May 25, 2011 before being handed over to the air force. By December 2012 Turkey will receive 30 Block 50s (14 F-16Cs and 16 F-16Ds) equipped with conformal fuel tanks and AN/ALQ-178(v)5+ SPEWS-III electronic countermeasures, and able to carry indigenous laser guided bombs and GPS/INS stand-off weapons. The initial delivery was due in July 2011, but was brought forward two months so that the aircraft could participate in the Turkish Air Force's 100th anniversary celebrations held at Izmir-Qigli in early June. The aircraft is seen departing that event on June 6.
CVW-8 has four Strike Fighter Squadrons, operating F/A-18A+ and F/A-18C Hornets, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
Mirage F1CT 278/'112-SG' of ER.02.033 departing Reims on April 18, 2011. The fleet has begun the move from Reims to Mont-de-Marsan, which will result in its codes changing to '118-**'.
NH90 NFH N195 seen on May 26, 2011 at its home base, Maritime Air Station De Kooy, is the latest addition to the growing Dutch NH90 fleet. It is the sixth Dutch NH90 built and became the fourth example to be handed over on March 25.
On May 23, 2011 Nimrod R1 XV249 of No.51 Squadron arrived back at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, at the conclusion of what could be its last flight. The electronic intelligence gathering aircraft had been conducting sorties from RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus to monitor the Libyan electronic order of battle in support of the ongoing NATO missions over the North African nation. It is possible that the aircraft may fly occasionally for crew training from RAF Waddington to provide reserves to man XW664, which will be the last operational Nimrod in RAF service.
В 2011 году Таиланд получил три S-92A, которые используется в ВВС Таиланда для перевозок членов королевской семьи. Салоны двух S-92A сконфигурированы для перевозки 12 VIP-пассажиров, третий вертолет оснащен медицинским оборудованием.
Two of the three Sikorsky S-92As recently delivered to the Royal Thai Air Force at Don Muang Air Base.
MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawks on deck during the visit to Portsmouth.
An interesting visitor to Stansted Airport, Essex, on May 28, 2011 was this Russian Tupolev Tu-204-300A business jet, which is believed to be the first of its kind to cal in at the airport. The aircraft (RA-64010, c/n 1450743164010) was on a flight from Moscow-Vnukovo and has recently been repainted in a new colour scheme, having previously been all white. It was converted into an 18-seat VIP aircraft for Biznes-Aero (Business Aero) of Moscow-Vnukovo.
The main advantage the Mi-38 has over its Mi-8/Mi-17 predecessor is an additional two tonnes of capacity. The developers promise that it will be 'much cheaper' than its direct Western counterpart, the AW101.
OP-2, the second Mi-38 prototype, is fitted with the new IBKV-38 integrated avionics suite. The first prototype, OP-1, had a analogue cockpit.
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124) has four E-2C+ Hawkeyes embarked as part of CVW-8.
24 мая 2011г. авиакомпания Korean Air приняла в эксплуатацию первый из 10 заказанных сверхбольших пассажирских самолетов A380-800, став шестой авиакомпанией в мире, эксплуатирующей самолеты этого типа. Новые лайнеры планируется использовать на беспосадочных маршрутах из Сеула в столицы Европы и в Северную Америку.
The first A380 for Korean Air seen prior to delivery.
Noted at Palma de Mallorca on June 5, 2011 for a night-stop during its delivery flight was the last of three Embraer ERJ-135ERs for Air Namibia. The aircraft (V5-ANH, c/n 145347, ex F-GOHF) was previously operated by the French carrier Regional, which was also the source of V5-ANF (c/n 145243, ex F-GOHC) and V5-ANG (c/n 145335, ex F-GOHE) delivered earlier.
Embraer ERJ-145LR UR-DPA (c/n 145330, ex F-WKXM) of the Dniproavia National Aircompany is seen at Glasgow International Airport on May 28, 2011. The aircraft travelled to Scotland during a charter flight. It has been painted in a scheme celebrating the 80th anniversary of the company's formation as Dnipropetrovsk Integrated Air Squad as part of Aeroflot in 1933. On the port side the titles are in the Cyrillic alphabet and Roman on the starboard. The regional airliner joined the Dniproavia fleet in March 2011.
The MiG-29UPG was presented to an Indian Air Force delegation in May 2011.
Lockheed L100-30 N3867X (c/n 4684) is registered to T3D&H LLC of Delaware, which is believed to be one of the US Central Intelligence Agency's front companies, a so-called 'Delaware Corporation'. The transport has previously been associated with Tepper Aviation of Crestview, Florida, which has proven links with the Agency. It is seen on April 14, 2011 departing after a brief stop over on Malta. The aircraft's appearance on the Mediterranean island while fighting continues in Libya may not be a coincidence.
On May 25, 2011 BAE Systems announced that it had delivered the 100th Typhoon produced at its assembly facility at Warton, Lancashire. The aircraft, Typhoon FGR4 ZK315 (BS072), is a Tranche 2 Block 8 example and first flew in primer on February 24. It will be delivered RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, prior to being issued to a squadron. In addition to the aircraft for the RAF, Warton has also assembled the aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force. Over 260 Typhoons have been delivered from the four assembly lines in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, to six customers.
In late May 2011 Spanish budget-carrier Vueling Airlines unveiled its latest special scheme airliner, Airbus A320-214 EC-KDG (msn 3095). The aircraft has 'Fly Me - I'm Famous' titles and artwork to reflect the lifestyle of David Guetta, a DJ and music producer well known in Ibiza. The aircraft is seen at Madrid-Barajas Airport on June 4.
Airbus is seeing considerable success with the corporate ACJ versions of its A318, A319 and A320. This ACJ320 has just been delivered to the Paris-based charter operator, Masterjet.
Airbus A320-211 JY-JAC (msn 029, ex SX-BLX) is seen climbing away from Runway 19L at Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport in Sweden on May 20, 2011. The airliner was being used to undertaken scheduled flight MKH215 to Baghdad via Malmo-Sturup. Based at Amman in Jordan, the carrier operates scheduled and charter services, as well as providing wet-leases.
RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 20 04-2020 about to touch down at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
Shorts Tucano T1 ZF378 is No. 1 Flight Training School's 2011 display aircraft and has been painted in this attractive silver scheme, with a red, white and blue 'sunburst' on the upper surfaces and blue undersides. The aircraft made its public debut at the Duxford Spring Airshow in Cambridgeshire (seen here) on May 22, 2011. The 2011 display pilot is Flt Lt Dan Hayes.
General view of the HeliRussia 2011 exhibition.
African start-up airline Starbow was due to take delivery of its first aircraft, British Aerospace BAe 146-300 9G-SBA (c/n E3125, ex G-UKSC), in June 2011. The aircraft will be based at Accra in Ghana and operate services within Central Africa. It was painted at Southend, Essex, and was pushed out of the Air Livery hangar for the first time in its new colours and markings on May 18, before passing to Inflite Engineering to receive its interior fit. A second BAe 146 (c/n E3123, ex G-UKHP) was due to be ferried to Southend from storage at Bacau in Romania during June for preparation work. Both aircraft are on lease from BAE Systems.
Citation TEN. Перспективная модель TEN - усовершенствованный вариант X, его особенности - приборное оборудование кабины нового поколения с тремя большими 14-дюймовыми многофункциональными LCD-индикаторами и сенсорными панелями, а также более вместительный салон. Специально для TEN созданы двигатели Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2.
Cessna is busy upgrading its Citation X to a new configuration as the Citation TEN with a larger cabin and improved performance.
EBACE attracts visiting business jets from Europe, the Middle East and beyond. This Bombardier Challenger 605 was one of several aircraft from the United Arab Emirates.
Dassault announced their new Falcon 2000S at EBACE. It is a new entry-level Falcon, priced to compete with the Hawker 4000, Challenger 300 and Gulfstream G250.
Seen departing from EBACE is a British-registered Falcon 7X. This intercontinental business jet is Dassault's flagship model and more than 130 have been built.
British Aerospace Hawk T1 XX244 is the 2011 display aircraft from RAF Valley on Anglesey. The trainer carries marking to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the base. The display pilot for this year is Flt Lt Juliette Fleming, a Qualified Flying Instructor with No.208(R) Squadron, which celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2011. The display made its public debut at the 12th International Airshow at Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and the aircraft is seen here at Southend, Essex, on May 29.
Boeing 757-256 TF-LLX (c/n 29311, ex A6-RKA) in Sun Air colours - named The Heart of Africa - is seen at Budapest Ferihegy Airport in Hungary on May 29, 2011, where it had arrived three days earlier. The airliner was on lease to Sun Air by RAK Airways until returned in December 2010, and was on its way to join Icelandair Airlines when photographed. RAK Airways is the national carrier of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the states that make up the United Arab Emirates. The airliner had previously been leased by RAK Airways to Atlasjet and Ariana Afghan Airlines.
The MIG-29K prototype '941' is now being tested for compliance with Russian naval requirements.
KC-30A A39-003 touching down at its new home of RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, for the first time shortly after 1400hrs on May 30, 2011.
From left to right, Javier Matallanos-Martin, Senior Vice President and Head of Programs Airbus Military; Air Vice-Marshal Colin Thorne, AM Head Aerospace Systems Division; and Air Commodore Gary Martin AM, CSC, Defence Material Organisation and Commander Air Lift Group, sign the certificate of delivery for the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft on June 1, 2011.
The redeveloped, seven-tonne class Kamov Ka-62 features Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines, a five-blade main rotor and other new systems.
Eurocopter Vostok, Eurocopter's agent for the Russian market, displayed an EC135 light helicopter, one of seven currently operated by Gazprom Avia. In compliance with Russian requirements, the helicopters are fitted with the TTA-12H terrain awareness and warning system and a TTS satellite navigation receiver compatible with the Russian Glonass system. Both units are manufactured by Transas. The company's avionics will also be fitted to other Eurocopter helicopters delivered into Russia, including the EC175, which UTair will receive in 2013. The Russian operator ordered 15 EC175s in 2008, with options on 15 more.
Beech King Air B200 D-IMPB (c/n BB-1018) is seen at Glasgow Airport on June 2, 2011. The aircraft is the second destined for the Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing and was en route from the manufacturer's facility at Wichita, Kansas, to Braunschweig in Germany. There it will be equipped for the maritime patrol role by Aerodata AG, before it is handed over to Malta in approximately nine months. The first aircraft (AS1126, c/n BB-2016, ex D-IMPA) was formally handed over to the Armed Forces of Malta on April 5, although it was delivered from Aerodata on February 25.
A brief visitor to RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, on May 24, 2011 was Gulfstream III N992NA (c/n 309 ex N803NA) using the callsign NASA 02. The aircraft was transporting NASA flight engineer Catherine Coleman and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli back to Houston, Texas, following their return from the International Space Station. The aircraft departed Mildenhall for the Johnson Space Center in Houston on the same day.
First time in the UK. The EA-18G Growlers of VAQ-141 'Shadowhawks' flew dozens of sorties in Exercise Saxon Warrior.
The mock-up of the SKYe SH09 helicopter, developed by the Swiss Marenco Swisshelicopter Company, made its European debut at HeliRussia 2011. The first airworthy example of the machine is due to fly in early 2012. The helicopter has a take-off weight of 2.5 tonnes, carries up to seven passengers and is powered by a single Honeywell HTS900-2 engine. The manufacturer promises a cruise speed of 270km/h (168mph) and a range of 800km (497 miles) with standard fuel.
PZL Mielec M28-05 Skytruck N279DH (c/n AJE003-21, ex SP-DGS) is seen departing Nellis AFB, Nevada, on May 20, 2011. The aircraft is one of a small number of the type used by the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) from Cannon AFB in New Mexico with the 318th Special Operations Squadron, 27th Special Operations Wing. It was delivered to the Sierra Nevada Corporation in April 2010 and registered as N279DH on the 28th of that month, before passing to AFSOC. At least four other M28s have been delivered to AFSOC, including N310MV (c/n AJE003-10, ex SP-DGN),N319TW (c/n AJE003-19, ex SP-DGO), N317JG (c/n AJE003-17, ex SP-DGP) and N824KD (c/n AJE003-20, ex SP-DGR). The latter aircraft is based at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Indian low-fare airline SpiceJet, a subsidiary of Royal Airways Ltd, will soon receive the first of 15 Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 NextGens (DHC-8-402 C-GJJU, c/n 4373). The aircraft is seen undergoing engine tuning at the Bombardier factory at Downsview Airport, Toronto, on May 29, 2011, soon after leaving the paint shop. The contract for the Q400s was announced on December 9, 2010 and included 15 firm orders and 15 options. The Q400s will give SpiceJet access to over 60 airports that cannot be served by the Boeing 737-800 and -900s in its fleet. SpiceJet currently serves 22 destinations in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The latest Boeing 737 destined for Russian carrier S7 Airlines (Siberia Airlines) has had OneWorld alliance titles applied prior to delivery. S7 joined the alliance on November 15, 2010, becoming the second Russian airline to enter such an organisation (after Aeroflot joined SkyTeam in 2006). Boeing 737-8ZS VQ-BKW (c/n 37085) is seen at Boeing Field/King County International Airport, Washington, in mid-May 2011. The airline's group ordered ten 737-800s on November 15, 2006, with the first delivered on April 27, 2011.
Boeing 737-85P EC-JHK (c/n 33975) is seen on approach to Palma de Mallorca Airport on the evening of May 23, 2011. The Air Europa airliner is the first in the carrier's fleet to wear the colours of the SkyTeam alliance. It is seen arriving back at its base after being repainted by Air Livery at East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire.
Italian Air Force KC-767A MM.62229/14-04 seen at Pratica di Mare AB was the first of its type to be accepted on behalf of the Italian Air Force on December 29, 2010.
Avenger ZZ501 (c/n FL-618, ex G-MFTB) at Bournemouth International Airport on June 9, 2011, when it was handed over to Ascent by Cobham. The aircraft was cancelled from the UK civil aircraft register on March 22.
