Air International 2017-10
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Airscene
Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara F-16s on the flight line Ngurah Air Force Base in Bali during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2011. TNI-AU Block 15 F-16s will receive an avionics upgrade.
SSgt Brandon Turner (left) and TSgt Shawn Delaware, both aircraft structural maintainers assigned to the 388th Maintenance Squadron, pose beside the Viper Out commemorative F-16 Fighting Falcon tail at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Block 40 F-16C 87-0354 was the last operational F-16 to leave Hill, after 38-years of operations with the resident 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.
The pilot of Namibian Air Force Y-12 NDF97-000 starts the left engine at a dirt strip during Blue Kunene
The dual-control Mi-28UB, seen here in prototype form, was used as a baseline for the Mi-28NE export version delivered to Iraq and Algeria, and the definitive production-standard Mi-28UB due to be delivered to Russian Army Aviation later this year.
The Mi-38 is a 15-tonne helicopter and its militarised derivative will be used for passenger transport, SAR and MEDEVAC.
Etihad Airways is the latest major carrier to phase-out Airbus A340s. Its last A340-500, A6-EHD (msn 783), is pictured here at Teruel Airport, where Etihad’s seven remaining A340-600s will be sent for storage; all will be phased out by the end of October 2017.
Nordica is now operating six of its Bombardier CRJ900s for LOT Polish Airlines, with the jets wearing a dual livery. This aircraft, ES-ACJ (c/n 15250), pictured approaching Palma de Mallorca, is the most recent aircraft to be transferred.
Wittmund Air Base was the venue for Exercise Brilliant Arrow, a multinational event staged to certify Germany’s Luftwaffe as capable to assume the NATO Response Force tasking.
Production of the famous Porter PC-6 utility aircraft is to end in two years.
Two Armee de I’Air SA330 Puma helicopters from ET 0/68 ‘Antilles-Guyane’ participated in the relief efforts after Hurricane Irma. The Puma assigned to this squadron typically carry their entire civil serial in large letters instead of the usual two-letter code.
MD902 Explorer G-BXZK (c/n 900-00057) in the colours of the Hungarian National Police with its Hungarian markings temporarily taped over, seen at Gloucester-Staverton Airport on September 12, 2017 at the Specialist Aviation Services centre. The aircraft, previously in service with Dorset Police, is one of five on order by the Hungarian National Police.
The X-47B moments from touch down on the USS Theodore Roosevelt during a test period in August 2014.
To date, the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System is the only unmanned air vehicle to have operated from a US Navy super carrier.
The first Ka-52s in export configuration were flown in early 2017 and were then used for training of Egyptian aircrews at the AAC Progress plant in Russia's Far East.
Ernest, which flies low-cost services from Italy to Ukraine and Albania, is growing its network with new services from Bergamo, Naples and Venice to Kiev and Lviv. Here A320-233 EI-GCC (msn 2044) in the airline's distinctive livery taxies at Bologna.
The armament of Armee de I’Air MQ-9 Reapers is expected to increase overall efficiency and decrease the demand on fighter and tanker aircraft.
In September 2017, two A400Ms from ET 1/61 ‘Touraine’ flew personnel, equipment and supplies to the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
T-38C 67-14951 is based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas with the 47th Flying Training Wing. The aircraft is assigned to the 87th Flying Training Squadron ‘Red Bulls’ and is currently painted with a 100th squadron anniversary tail.
Future Armee de l’Air A330 MRTT ECT0041 (msn 1735) on final approach to Getafe, Spain after its September 7, 2017 first flight.
A smoke containment test under way on the fourth Mitsubishi Regional Jet flight test aircraft JA24MJ (c/n 10004). The cargo doors successfully met the smoke leakage design limit.
The H135s to be used by NOLAS for air ambulance work in Norway are the first to have the Helionix avionics suite.
The Royal Thai Air Force is one of the last few F-5 operators in the region. Six F-5s from 211 Squadron took part in this year’s Cope Tiger.
The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking funding to upgrade an additional four F-5 Tiger IIs.
The fifth and final G600 flight test aircraft departs Savannah, Georgia on its first flight ahead of the start of cabin testing for the new business jet. The G600 is due for certification and delivery next year.
Fielding of the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle is planned for August 2018.
Airbus has secured another major contract win for its big-selling A321 after the Cathay Pacific Group signed up for 32 A321neos to replace the 15 A320s and eight A321s operated from Hong Kong by its Cathay Dragon regional arm. More than 3,200 A321s in both classic and new engine options have now been sold.
The Botswana Defence Force sent Bell 412 Z21 to Namibia for participation in Blue Kunehe
The second Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (Ahrlac), ZU-PDM, performed its maiden flight from Wonderboom airport on July 14, 2017.