Pilots and Planes Military by B Vos

Issue 1 | November 2010 | $ 2.49

Tiger Meet 2010 When the big ‘cats’ meet

Tucano Tango Fumaça: brazil’s ambassadors

Grob G120 TP

New kid on the (turbo) block

Colophon Pilots & Planes Military is an independent military aviation magazine which is distributed via the internet for new reading devices like e-readers and the Apple iPad. It also can be obtained on line in pdf format for print on demand purposes. Pilots & Planes Military reports about international military aviation in the broadest sense thinkable: unique, exciting and always stories about the unexpected!

Issue 1 | November 2010 |

Content

www. pilotsandplanesmilitary.com

EDITORIAL Mailing address Pilots & Planes Military Kerkstraat 25 3581 RA Utrecht The Netherlands Chief editor Goof Bakker editor @pilotsandplanesmilitary.com Co-ordination Bastiaan Vos marketing@pilotsandplanesmilitary.com

Jets are Us!

Art director Hans de Vries info@pilotsandplanesmilitary.com

hat is so tremendously fascinating about the machines in this magazine? Kind of hard to explain… Because we are mainly talking fighters here!

me assure you, I've been involved in the illustrious world of military jets for over fifteen years... and I still enjoy watching them almost as much as I do flying them.

CONTRIBUTORS

On the other hand, the laws of aerodynamics have shaped them. No fancy Italian designer has even been close! The spirit of God himsèlf molded these beautiful airplanes, through the hands of their human creators.

My friend Goof and his great staff have put a lot of beauties in this first issue. Mind-bogling pictures and great stories. Enjoy!

I am among the very few who are allowed to fly them. Most people are only watching. But let

F-16 Demo pilot 2007-2009 for the Dutch Royal Air

Martijn Akkermans, Cees-Jan van der Ende, Frank Crébas, Wim Das, Bob Fischer, Cor van Gent, Eric Koeckelberghs, Pieter M. Groenendijk, Kees Otten, Ramon Osdorp, Alberto Pericoli, Martijn de Ridder, Elisabeth Verheij, Bert Vrielink.

Ralph Aarts, Force

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Planes & Facts Tiger Meet 2010 Pilots pride 3D Refueling Planes & Facts Fighter Weapons 2010 Jet S Us Tucano Tango BeHind Czech scenes Pilots pride RIAT 2010 Eye and ear force Windsor Airshow 2010 Planes & Facts Wings of gold Hyres naval gathering Grob 120 TP Planes & Facts Fifty yeaer Frecce Tricolori Next issue

3 5 10 11 13 15 16 18 22 26 27 29 34 37 39 43 47 51 54 57

Coverphoto: Capt. Nicole Malachowski has been selected to fly for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron ‘Thunderbirds’ 2006 season, making history as the first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the team. She is a fighter pilot from the 494th Fighter Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley)

Female Gripen pilot Technical Training Units Russian Helicopters, the Russian helicopter engineering holding company, a part of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, and the Russian Center for Scientific and Technical Services Dinamika (CSTS Dinamika) have signed a cooperation agreement in the marketing, development, production, and delivery of technical training means for flight and engineering personnel operating Russian-made rotorcraft. Under this agreement the parties are planning to jointly create, certify, and run technical training units (TTU) for flight and engineering personnel operating helicopter complexes of various roles. The agreement also envisions joint marketing and the promotion of modern TTU for rotorcraft manufactured by Russian Helicopters on local and international markets within integrated delivery contracts. More facts? www.rus-helicopters.ru

One of the four South African Air Force (SAAF) pilots to successfully complete the first Operational Conversion Course (OCC) instructed by local SAAF pilots is Captain Catherine Labuschagne. She made her solo Gripen flight at the South African airbase Makhado in the Limpopo province of South Africa which will give her a place in the record books as the first female Gripen pilot. Labuschagne previously flew the Impala jet before she qualified on the Hawk Lead-In-Fighter trainer to prepare her for the transition to South Africa’s front line fighter. She did fly in the rear seat of Gripen back in 2004, then making history as the first woman pilot to fly Gripen, this time however, she took to the skies in a single seat Gripen and the instructors at 2 squadron stayed on the ground. The four newly qualified Gripen fighter pilots will strengthen SAAF and the 2 squadron as they will reach operational status sometime next year when their conversion course is completed. The SAAF ordered 26 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft in 1999. More facts? www.gripen.com

Raider X2

Armed Aerial Scout Armed Aerial Scout 72X team prepares for first flight of the initial Technical Demonstration Aircraft (TDA) The EADS North America-led industry team, comprised of Lockheed Martin, Eurocopter and American Eurocopter, is developing three company funded AAS- 72X aircraft to demonstrate the total capability of the aircraft with a fully integrated Mission Equipment Package (MEP). The initial flight of the first demonstrator aircraft is scheduled to occur in December. More facts? www.AAS-72X.com

Sikorsky Aircraft will design, build and fly two prototype light tactical helicopters as the follow-on advancement to the X2 Technology demonstrator aircraft that unofficially shattered the helicopter world speed record here in September 2010 with a flight speed of 250 knots (287 mph). The decision to continue development of the next-generation rotary wing technology will enable Sikorsky and select suppliers to offer the high speed X2 prototype vehicles for flight test and evaluation by U.S. armed forces. In March 2010, Sikorsky submitted an X2 aircraft design to the Army’s Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) program in response to a request for information. The AAS program is currently conducting an analysis of alternatives for the Army’s next armed reconnaissance helicopter. Like the X2 Technology demonstrator that broke the helicopter speed record, the X2 Raider prototypes will feature twin coaxial counter-rotating main rotors (in place of one main rotor and a tail rotor) and a pusher propeller. For the armed reconnaissance mission, the X2 Raider helicopter will have space aft of the two-pilot cockpit for armament and auxiliary fuel. In an assault configuration, the cabin affords space to accommodate up to six troops. More facts? www.sikorsky.com

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Casa C212

Orlik TC-II

AH-1Z Cobra

Airbus Military has been contracted by the Spanish Customs Service (Dirección General de la Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria, DAVA) to undertake the management, operation and support of the service’s fleet of six C212 surveillance aircraft. Following refurbishment, the first of these aircraft will begin operations early next month under the new arrangement. Under the terms of the deal, the six aircraft will be transferred from the military to the civil register. Airbus Military will be responsible for contract management including the upgrading of the aircraft as required, provision of continuing maintenance and spares services and fleet management. INAER will be responsible for providing a dedicated pilot force and operating the aircraft. Under the terms of the contract three aircraft will be constantly maintained at two-hour readiness. The first aircraft will be operated primarily from Alicante. Other operating bases at Santiago de Compostela and Seville will be added next year. The aircraft are used to patrol Spain’s lengthy coastline against smuggling as well as other types of ‘civic’ missions. More facts? www.airbusmilitary.com

PZL Warszawa has unveiled the new PZL-130 Orlik trainer. The aircraft has a Pratt & Whitney PT6-25C instead of the original Walter M601T. The TCII also has new wings and a Garmin avionics suite. Due to the new engine the TC-II not only reaches a higher top speed of 246kts (456km/h), but also burns 20 percent less fuel. The new wings and engine also provide a better climb rate as well as an improved maneuverability. The TC-II will have a service life of approximately 12.000 hours. Poland will upgrade 16 PZL-130s to the TC-II standard. Perhaps the remaining 12 Orlik aircraft will be brought to the news TCIII standard which allows even more synthetic capability training. (Photo © Airbus Military) More facts? www.airbusmilitary.com

The U.S. Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the Bell AH-1Z Cobra, has successfully completed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL). The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performancematched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit. A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019. The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program's goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors. The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters. More facts? www.bellhelicopter.com

Saab 2000 AEW&C

UH-72A Lakota The U.S. Army has awarded EADS North America a million contract for the supply of Mission Equipment Packages (MEP) on UH72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters to be operated by Army National Guard Security and Support Battalions (S&S Battalions). Built at the company’s American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss., these system improvements will be outfitted on UH-72As deployed throughout the United States where the Army National Guard Lakota aircraft are stationed. The packages expand the Lakota’s use in reconnaissance, border protection, command and control and air movement operations that support U.S. homeland defense and security missions. Deliveries of UH-72As with the S&S Battalion Mission Equipment Package are scheduled to begin in 2011. The contract announced today covers EADS North America’s supply of an initial 36 MEPs, with the U.S. Army expected to ultimately acquire systems to outfit a total of 99 Lakota helicopters. The UH-72A S&S Battalion configuration includes a forward centerline-mounted camera system with electro-optical and infrared sensors and laser pointer, a 30 million candlepower searchlight, operator console, cockpit and cabin touch-screen displays with moving map, a video management system, a digital video recorder and data downlink system, plus an external hoist and additional avionics and communications equipment. A total of 345 UH-72As are planned for acquisition by the U.S. Army through 2015, which includes the versions outfitted for operation by the S&S Battalions. To date, EADS North America has delivered a total of 134 UH72A’s. The Lakota surpassed recently the 40,000-flight hour milestone in operational service with the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. More facts? www.eadsnorthamerica.com

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Saab has received an order for the delivery of a Saab 2000 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) system which be equipped with the advanced ERIEYE radar system. The contract also includes ground equipment as well as logistics and support services. The surveillance system in combination with the ground equipment provide a detailed picture of a situation which can be used in connection with, for example, border surveillance, rescue operations as well as in combating terrorism and organized crime. Saab's ERIEYE radar system has been well received by the market. The initial system was provided in a Saab 340 aircraft to the Swedish Air Force. The Saab 340 system was also purchased by Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The radar has been installed in the Embraer 145 as well, which was delivered to Brazil, Mexico and Greece. The latest platform is the Saab 2000 with which the system is being supplied also to Pakistan. Upon customer's request, no further information regarding the customer will be announced. The industry's nature is such that this type of information cannot always be published. More facts? www.saabgroup.com

Tiger Meet 2010

Serious training is the main goal of the event, but contenders also compete to present the most original and fearsome paintjob... Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 5

he NATO Tiger Meet is an annual event held in a different place each year during which flying squadrons that share a tiger or a big cat emblem come together. This year's edition of the large-scale international exercise took place between 4 and 15 October at the Royal Netherlands Air Force air base of Volkel. RNLAF's 313 Squadron, itself a 'tiger unit', was organizing and hosting the event.

sophisticated training event. Through highly varied programs, the exercising units keep their skills up to par and have the opportunity to exchange valuable experience. The NATO Tiger Association brings together units from all over the world that have a tiger or other big cat in their logos or emblems. The Tiger Meet also intends to strengthen the ties between its members. Although its name would lead one to suspect otherwise, the NATO Tiger Meet is not organized by NATO. NATO has included the event in its training schedule, however. The NATO Tiger Meet is organized by a different tiger unit each year. This year it was the 313 F-16 Squadron of Volkel Air Base.

ORGANIZATION

313 SQUADRON

What started in the 1960s as a primarily social gathering developed over the years into a highly

313 Squadron, established in 1953 at Volkel Air Base, began its existence training new pilots for European navigation and weather conditions. After subsequent relocations to Woensdrecht Air Base and Twenthe Air Base, it eventually returned to Volkel in 2006 equipped with F-16s. Its training task had been transferred to 306 Squadron a few years earlier. At present, 313 Squadron is one of five operational F-16 squadrons of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Participating countries in 2010: Austria, Belgium, Tsjech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and Turkey. v Text and photography Bob Fischer

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photography Cor van Gent

Participating aircraft Austria Belgium Czech Republic Czech Republic France France Germany Germany Hungary Italy Netherlands Norway Spain Spain Turkey United Kingdom United Kingdom

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AusAF BAF CzAF CzAF FAF FAF GAF GAF HuAF ItAF RNLAF NoAF SAF SAF TuAF RNavy RAF

Tigerstaffel l2 x Saab 105 31 Smd 6 x F-16 AM 211 Sqn 4 x JAS-39C Gripen 221 Sqn 2 x Mi-24 EC 01/012 4 x Mirage 2000 RDI EC 05-330 3 x Rafale B-C/2 x Mirage 2000-5 AG 51 2 x Tornado IDS JaboG 321 2 x Tornado ECR 59/1 Puma Sqn 2 x JAS-39C Gripen 21째 Gruppo 2 x AB212 313 Sqn 12 x F-16 AM 338 Sqn 6 x F-16AM 142 Escuadron 4 x Mirage F-1 ALA 15 4 x EF-A-18 192 Filo 4x F-16C 814 Sqn 1 x Merlin HM. 1 230 Squadron 2x Puma

photography Cor van Gent

And the winner is: Silver Tiger 2010 Best Flying Best Painted Jet Best Tiger Dress Best Tiger Skit Tiger Games

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211 Squadron 338 Skv 192 Filo 21째 Gruppo Jts 221 Squadron

Czech Republic Norway Turkey Italy Austria Czech Republic

Glycine the Great

ome five years ago, watches started getting bigger and bigger, at an alarming rate. What was going on? A sudden epidemic of hypermetropia? A silent protest against the Miniaturization of Gadgets Worldwide? Scientist and trend watchers were baffled... Whatever the reason: one brand didn't have to enlarge their models. Glycine. Their Incursore (Attacker!) already wĂ s gigantic. Logically so, because the watch had been developed for military use onlyâ&#x20AC;Śand pilots like things to be BIG.v More? www.friederichs.nl.

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3D Refueling The tanker war rages on the political front. Airbus and Boeing are fighting like mad to win the 'defense order of the century'. Even the Russians prepare to enter the fight. In the wake of all this turmoil, the 3-D vision system for air to air refueling of military aircraft, developed by independent Dutch research lab TNO, entered operational use. Bob Fischer was up there at x-thousand feetâ&#x20AC;Ś Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 11

fter a test phase of approximately two years, the Tanker Remote Vision System (TRVS) of TNO was taken into operational use by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu). This vision system, especially developed for the KLu, makes it possible to refuel aircraft three times more accurate than with the bare eye. The development and the production of the two delivered systems was taken care of by TNO, in close cooperation with project partners Arvoo, Adimec, Barco, and Glenair. KLM Engineering & Maintenance at Schiphol Airport was responsible for the assembly and certification into both KDC10 aircraft. However: it is also possible to adapt the system for other tanker aircraft, such as the KC-135, B-767.

KLU The Klu operates two KDC-10 tankers. Both are operated with no. 334 squadron at Eindhoven Air Base. With the above mentioned system, KLu

makes use of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sophisticated vision system for tanker aircraft. Images supplied by the system are shown in 'stereo', and do have a very high resolution and an enormous contrast. The boom operator has a perfect three dimensional sight on the aircraft which are to be refueled , even in complete darkness or when looking into sharp sunlight. The TRVS-system was presented by TNO during the ARSAG-conference (Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group) in Orlando, USA in April 2010. ARSAG is a yearly conference with military and industry partners talking about interoperability and new developments. Tanker Remote Vision Systems are of international interest because of the USAF-tender for the KCX tanker program. A great system, although some may envy the conventional 'gas station attendant', lying on his belly, enjoying the magnificent view through old fashioned glassâ&#x20AC;Ś v Text & Photography Bob Fischer

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N.B. In the next issue of Pilots and Planes Military a special report on the KDC-10 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force!

US Coast Guard orders three CN235 MPA

HC-130J flies for the first time Lockheed Martin recently completed assembly of its 200th C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft is the second HC-130J for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command which flew on Juli 20th for the first time. It is a clear demonstration of the success and continued growth of the C-130J program, which produces the world’s most advanced airlifter. The new HC-130J variant indicates there is still a need for the highly efficient, flexible mission-focused aircraft. The ongoing success of the C-130J program continues to be demonstrated in other ways. This September marks the 50th anniversary celebration of Canada receiving its first C-130. When the time came to replace the existing Canadian C-130 fleet, the C-130J’s proven capabilities far exceeded the new airlift concepts offered. Canada received its first CC-130J in June 2010 and will have a total fleet of 17 CC-130Js. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

Hawk JAT In a move underlining the importance of BAE Systems’ presence in India, the company has secured a new order, worth over £500 million, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to supply products and services to enable a further 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft to be built under licence in India for the Indian Air Force (40 aircraft) and Indian Navy (17 aircraft). The final terms and conditions for the contract were signed by Guy Griffiths Group Managing Director International, BAE Systems, in the presence of British Prime Minister, David Cameron on his historic visit to India and BAE Systems’ Chairman Dick Olver. More facts? www.baesystems.com

P-3 Orion The first P-3 Orion to receive the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications was flown for the first time on July 19 from the Lockheed Martin facility here. This aircraft, without its familiar radar rotodome, was redelivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in ceremonies on July 13. The P-3 MLU program replaces the outer wings, center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer leading edges. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

Israel buys F-35 Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General (Maj. Gen. Ret.) Udi Shani signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of twenty F-35 aircraft. Israel will be the first country to receive the F-35 through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales process. The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

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The US Coast Guard has ordered three additional Airbus Military CN235s through EADS-North America. The US Coast Guard, which holds options for up to six more aircraft over the next four years, is using the CN235s as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), under the designation HC-144A Ocean Sentry. The aircraft achieved initial operational capability in 2009, and has been used in a variety of situations, including the Coast Guard_s responses to the Haiti earthquake and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. HC-144s also have been used to transport rehabilitated wildlife affected by the spill. The Coast Guard currently operates ten Ocean Sentries and will receive another later this year. The newly ordered aircraft are to be delivered from 2011. Plans call for the Coast Guard to acquire a total fleet of 36 Ocean Sentries. The HC-144A is replacing the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of HU-25 Guardian Falcon jets. The HC-144 is based on the CN235 of which more than 250 are in operation in 26 countries. More facts? www.airbusmilitary.com

NEW RELEASES

European Air Power Tango Blue, Pictorial overview of European Union Air Power is a very comprehensive photographic description of the air power capabilities of all 27 European Air Forces. The book contains lots of very impressive air-to-air pictures. The book is written by Peter Stams en Johan Wolfs. Profits go to the Belgian Fonavibel foundation. in French, English and Dutch. Publisher: Flying Penci, ISBN 978907756, Pages : 160, Format: A4, Hardback. Price: € 36.00. Online: http://flashaviation.com

Dutch Air Power This book, written by Stehpan de Bruijn & Frank Crebas, shows in detail in over 300 beautiful pictures the capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF). Although this book is in the Dutch language, the content can be understood by everyone who loves military aviation. Publisher: BlueLife, Pages : 264 Format: A4 flat, Hardback. Price: € 29,95 On line: www.bluelifeaviation.nl

A400M named Grizzly Airbus Military is formally adopting the name Grizzly for its five-strong development fleet of A400M airlifters. The new name is not the product of an expensive marketing study, nor something devised by a team of branding experts, nor the result of months of debate among the sales team. Instead it is the affectionate nickname given to the aircraft by the close-knit group of flighttest pilots and engineers who first saw it safely into the air. When the first aircraft was handed over to the flight-test team in Seville, Spain in November 2009, it was formally known as MSN1 in the time-honoured aviation tradition of referring to the manufacturer’s serial number. But, working at the remotely located flight-test centre at the western end of the lengthy Airbus Military flightline at Seville, the team quickly began hunting for a handier nickname. The highly advanced all-composite wing of the Airbus Military A400M new airlifter has passed the ultimate-load up-bend test the critical static test required for certification. During the test, performed in the presence of two representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the wing was subjected to a load equal to 150% of the maximum bending load (limit load) predicted to be encountered in service. More facts? www.airbusmilitary.com

First India C-130J in Full Color The first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules for India has completed painting at the company's Marietta, Ga., facility. The aircraft now enters flight test in preparation for delivery at the end of the year. The program for India includes six C-130Js, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spare parts, and ground support and test equipment. Also included is India-unique operational equipment designed to increase Special Operations capabilities. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

Tiger Helicopter The EC665 Tiger HAP (combat support) helicopter received its operational certification from NATO for the Afghan theater of operations in August 2009, just seven months after the final operational standard qualification was issued by government agencies in December 2008. The fleet of three EC665 Tiger HAPs, operated by the French Army's 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment, has now logged more than 1,000 flight hours in Afghanistan in less than a year. A key to this success has been the excellent cooperation between the French Army, the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA), the OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armaments Co-operation) and Eurocopter, which has deployed a dedicated work structure since the beginning of the operations. In this framework, Eurocopter has been providing the French Army with nonstop support to meet the specific operational needs of the Afghan theater and guarantee the required availability levels. A team of three Eurocopter technicians is on assignment in Afghanistan to assist the mechanics of the French Army Air Corps (ALAT). In addition, a customized logistics support service has been set up to respond at any time to any request and to quickly supply any necessary spare parts. More facts? www.eurocopter.com

Record!

P-8A Poseidon T3 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft T3 takes off on its first test flight from Boeing Field in Seattle on July 29. T3 is the program’s mission-system and weapon-certification aircraft. It will soon join two other P-8A aircraft at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., where it will complete additional ground and flight testing. More facts? www.boeing.com

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by EADS Defence & Security to deliver inertial measurement units (IMU) for Tranche 3A of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The IMUs will be built by the company's German navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF. More facts? www.northropgrumman.com

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The Naval Air Training Command’s has flown 1 million hours with the T-45 Goshawk, the Navy's premier jet trainer aircraft. For more than 18 years, the twin-seat, single-engine Goshawk has prepared student aviators to transition to front-line Navy and Marine Corps fleet aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6 Prowler, EA-18G Growler and AV-8B Harrier. It is also the only aircraft in the world designed to conduct carrier-based flight training. A total of three Naval Air Training Command wings fly the T-45. More facts? www.boeing.com

D Fighter Weapons Instructor Training 2010

uring training, instructors learned all about the weapon systems and weapons onboard the upgraded, 'Mid Life Updated' F-16, and the required tactics. The successful instructor could afterward share his knowledge with less experienced pilots of his squadron. Taking part in the training were pilots from five countries: the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal.

PRACTICAL The training consists of an ‘Air to Air’ and an ‘Air to Surface' phase. Both have a theoretical and a practical part. The ‘Air to Air’ phase focuses on the use of the F-16 weapons against air targets; that is: enemy planes. During the 'Air to Surface' part, weapons against ground targets are used. The ’Air to Air’ phase takes place at Leeuwarden Air Base. Foreign aircraft act as a practice enemy: RAF Eurofighters, and F-15s flying from Lakenheath. The exercises are for the most part held above the North Sea. The ‘Air to Surface' phase took place at Monte Real, Portugal. The main reasons are noise related issues, combined with the presence of suitable training grounds for the dropping of bombs.v Text & Photography Bob Fischer

The following F16’s took part in the exercise Fifteen participants from various NATO countries are following Fighter Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT), at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands. Experienced F-16 pilots are trained to be a gun instructor. Quite a handful, as we could witness… Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 15

Norwegian Air Force: 276, 295, 682 Portuguese Air Force: 15104, 15110, 15122, 15127 Danish Air Force: E-605, E-606 Volkel: J-003, J-055, J-514, J-637 Belgian Air Force: FA-67, FA-84/FS, FA-104, FA-128

Jets R Us! In real life however they are hard to obtain. And you need big cash and even big hangars to store them once bought. So, why not collect scale models? Different sizes, different prices! Check for more details and prices for example www.herpa.de. This German manufacturer has a huge inventory. Shown on this page are models yet to arrive in the coming months.

Jets R Us!

Airbus A310MRTT For in-air refueling tasks, the MRTTs (Multi Role Transport and Tanker) received hose containers underneath each wing. The aircraft is in real life part of the German Luftwaffe (Flugbereitschaft) inventory which operates four A310-300 MRTTs of which this former D-AIDI was named after flight pioneer August Euler. Scale 1/500.

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter To mark the 25th anniversary of German JaboG 34 squadron as well as the 50th anniversary of Memmingerberg air base in May 1984, this Luftwaffe Starfighter received a special livery and the special registration 25 ✠ 50. Scale 1/200.

US Air Force SR-71

Mikoyan MiG-21bis Hungarian Air Force Aerobatic Team performed air shows with the Mikoyan MiG-21bis. Between 19991 and 1993 the Sky Hussars attended flight shows all over Europe with the Migs . This MiG-21 (registration 1904) with its yellow livery and the shark jaws painted on the fuselage and the auxiliary tanks stood out especially. Scale 1/200.

The aircraft with the registration 61-7956, the original of this model, was immortalized in the 1000th operated flight livery unveiled on January 15, 1982. The SR-71B strategic reconnaissance aircraft with its additional tiered cockpit for the flight instructor was used for the training of pilots. Since April 2003 it has been part of the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in Michigan. Scale 1/200.

McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II The Israeli Air Force is among the most battle experienced air forces worldwide. Work horse and long backbone of the attack units were the McDonnell Douglas Phantoms, at times operated by six squadrons like for instance by the 119th ‘Atalev’ squadron. The over 200 Phantoms of the Israeli Air Force were successful during air to air combat and shot down at least 116 enemy planes. Scale 1/200. Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 16

Tucano Tango It was the beginning of the fifties when the first tanga's, the sensationally shocking bikinis, appeared on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. About the same time in a suburb, at the Air Base of Campos dos Afonsos, four young lieutenants practiced complicated maneuvers as well as synchronized flights far above a local beach. Maybe to impress the girls, stretched out in the hot sand, looking up…

he four pilots flew the North American T-6 Texan, which was the elementary trainer those days. At that time nobody was aware of the fact that in the year 1952 the Brazilian Aerobatic Team Fumaça - the Smoke Squadron - was born!

FAB

Fumaça: Brazil’s ambassadors Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 18

However, even after an official OK by the FAB (Força Aérea Brasileira-Brazilian Air Force) Command, the pilots were only allowed to practice during lunchtime! Under guidance of the first Commander Lt. Mário Sobrinho Domenech a first public demonstration was given on May 14, 1952 at Campos dos Afonsos. Due to lack of identity, Lt. Domenech was inspired by the sight of a plane writing in the sky to adver tise commercial products by means of smoke. Smoke would make the maneuvers of the team more visible. It was submitted and approved by the team’s pilots. A simple device was installed on the Texans, releasing oil through the exhaust. A

system even nowadays still in use by the Tucanos. It was in 1953 that the team was popularly called 'Fumaça'. Only on October 23, 1963, under the command of Arthur Braga (a legend in Brazilian aeronautics) the official Esquadrão Demonstração Aérea was established. Braga enjoyed the job, apparently: he led Fumaça for a stunning seventeen years! The Smokers used the Texan until 1976 however, with a small interruption around 1970. This period saw the introduction of the CM-170/T-24 Fouga Magister. But due to lack of range and the need for paved runways, the Fouga was withdrawn after just about fifty demo's. The day the famous Texan

retired, a total of 1.225 demonstrations were given. In 1977 the squadron was deactivated. But…

EMB-312 TUCANO …the Squadron resumed flying demonstrations in 1980, utilizing the Neiva T-25 Universal of the Air Force Academy at Pirassununga in São Paulo province. Pure coincidence: Pirassununga is also home to the distillery that produces the liquor Cachaça '51', used to prepare the famous Brazilian cocktail: Caiperinha! As the Air Force Demonstration Squadron has always been a very important link between the

military and civil society, the president of the republic re-inaugurated the EDA on October 21st, 1982. A year earlier, the FAB had ordered 118 of the locally developed and produced EMBRAER EMB-312/T-27 Tucano. The first aircraft was delivered to Fumaça on 29 September 1983. Just three months later they performed the first time for new officers graduating the Academy at Pirassununga. The arrival of the new aircraft type saw the introduction of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-25C turboprop engine, generating 750SHP. Plus a comfortable cockpit, equipped with a single throttle for simultaneous control of engine acceleration and

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propeller pitch. Another first for a turboprop at that time were the two ejection seats in stepped-tandem configuration, providing excellent rear cockpit visibility. The Tucano had even more advantages: it can be fitted with under-wing fuel tanks that enable a flight time of about nine hours. Specially equipped for the Team is a button for high-trim of the aircraft control surfaces. This trim gives the Tucano a prolonged time of inverted flight. After many demonstrations over the next fifteen years, fatigue showed up. On at least two occasions one of the wings disintegrated during flight, which resulted in temporary grounding of the team in 2000.

Since the T-27 Tucano was introduced in the EDA Fumaça, over 1.800 flight demonstrations were given over three continents! Today, all except two positions (#1 and #7) are filled by two 'Fumaceiro’s' (Smokers), to enable the team to perform even when one airman is unable to fly. A Smoker flies about 400 hours yearly and will stay with Fumaça for four years. Currently twelve EMB312 operate the EDA and perform around a hundred times each year! Today, Fumaça holds a world record listed in the Guinness Book of Records dating back to October 29, 2006 when the team flew inverted in formation, with all twelve Tucanos!

RIAT

As soon as all aircraft had received a new set of wings and structural problems were resolved, Fumaça resumed operation in 2002 in new fresh colors, that obviously resemble the Brazilian Flag.

Today, Brazil is the third largest growing economy in the world (after China and India) and is considered a super power in Latin America. After having completely recovered from the economical problems of the late ‘90s and the first years of this century, the Brazilian commanders have the funds available and use Fumaça to show Brazilian influence, prosperity and nationalism around the world. By the middle of 2007, the FAB Commander General Juniti Saito ordered Fumaça Commander Lt. Col. Neves Neto to prepare for the July 2008 trip to the United Kingdom where just two performances would be given at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. In advance of this mega-

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trip, all aircraft had a major overhaul where crucial systems were checked, and replaced if necessary. Eight Tucanos of the Smoke Squadron embarked on their UK-trip in julu July 2nd 2008 and returned back home at Pirassununga on July 21st. The first leg of this three week voyage took them via the Brazilian beach resort of Salvador de Bahia, the Island of Fernando de Noronha, the Cape Verde Islands, Gran Canaria, Sintra (Portugal) to RAF Fairford. During this trip the Team was accompanied by a FAB C-130H Hercules with a SAR-team on board, in case of an ejection over sea. Further support was provided by the Brazilian Navy, that made sure to have vessels within a certain distance. On route to the UK, just two days for maintenance were planned. When technical problems would arise, the support team on aboard the C-130H Hercules had all kinds of spare parts, including a PT-6A-25C engine, available. Former Fumaça Commander Neves Neto had his team available for two daily performances per day at RAF Fairford. Unfortunately – due to weather – the 2008 RIAT edition was cancelled and Fumaça was only able to practice. The EDA Fumaça could have been be a colorful addition at the Air Tattoo. Especially because they brought some Brazilian atmosphere with them!

TODAY @ THE SMOKERS… In December 2008 a ceremony was held at BA Pirassuninga’s Air Force Academy overseen by its Commander, General Marco Antonio Carballo

Perez. During the festivities, Fumaça commander Col. Neves Neto was relieved from his task and succeeded by Lt. Col. José Aguinaldo de Moura. In his new task, Lt. Col. Moura commanded two trips to the United States as well as several missions to Central and Latin America. Alas, the Lt. Colonel also was confronted with a mortal incident on April 4, 2010 when Captain Andreson Amaro Fernandes crashed his Tucano after starting his half loop at insufficient altitude. The team was returning via the south of Brazil from a trip to Latin America’s largest commercial international air show, the FIDAE at Santiago de Chile. As always during the FIDAE the aviators of Brazil’s

national team meet-up with their good friends of the FACh (Chilean Air Force) Halcónes. As the show had to continue, Fumaça also did a grand highlight last September when the team deposited their Brazilian smoke over Manhattan when they made a photo flight together with a FAB C-130H Hercules. Looking to the future, as Brazil will grow into a larger and larger economy. And so Fumaça will be sent across the globe to showcase the country’s engineering excellence, together with EMBRAER, constructor of the T-27 Tucano. The Tucano might be replaced in the future, as the airframe grows older and more aerobatic hours are

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being made. Time will tell if the Smokers will ever fly the EMB-314 Super Tucano…

THE SHOW GOES ON AND ON The team has now performed over 4.000 national and international displays. Since 1983 the Smoke Squadron is the proud operator of the EMBRAER EMB-312 (locally designated T-27) Tucano, with which the Squadron has traveled all over Latin and North America. In 2005 they visited Portugal and France and in 2007 Fumaça performed at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.v Text & Photography Cees-Jan van der Ende www.alfakilo.nl

etween 1978 and 1989 61 Mi-24D ‘Hind-D’ and Mi-24V ‘Hind-E’ attack helicopters plus two Mi-24DU training helicopters were delivered to the Czechoslovak Air Force. After Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, the Czech Air Force received a large part of the Hind fleet, consisting of sixteen Mi-24D’s, one Mi-24DU and twenty Mi-24V’s. All Hinds were based at Pr˘erov, in the eastern part of the country, along with the Mi-17 Hips. As part of ongoing Russian debt repayments, an additional seven Mi-24V’s and ten Mi-35’s were delivered to the Czech Air Force between 2003 and 2006. These replaced the old Hind-D’s.

RESIDENT

BeHIND Czech scenes

In 2007, Pr˘erov was scheduled to be closed and all resident helicopters would move to Nám˘ e ˘s t nad Oslavou, some sixty miles to the southwest. However, in late 2007 this decision was reverted and Pr˘erov remained open. Due to infrastructural changes at Nám˘ e ˘s t, it was too late not to relocate helicopters there. After a political decision the Hips remained at Pr˘erov and the Hinds moved to Nám˘ e ˘s t. The Hinds joined the L-39 advanced jet trainers at the 22. Základna letectva (22nd Air Base) and the squadron was subsequently renumbered 221Letka Bitevních Vrtulníku° (221 Attack Helicopter Squadron). Thirteen Mi-24V’s and ten Mi-35’s now form the backbone of the Czech Air Force’s attack helicopter fleet. The single Mi-24DU that was transferred to the Czech Air Force in 1993 remains in service for pilot training. It is the only Hind with dual-stick controls. The main external difference between the Mi-24V and Mi-35 is that the trainer is not equipped with a nose-mounted gun and has a dedicated boom with a DUAS yaw/pitch measurement system protruding from the front windshield frame. Delivered in 1985, it is among the oldest Hinds in the squadron’s inventory.

BASIC

Once feared as an efficient tank killer by the western military, the Mi-24 Hind is now operated by several NATO members. Dirk Jan de Ridder visited NATO’s second largest Hind operator, the Czech Air Force. Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 22

All future military pilots undergo fifty hours of basic flying training on the Zlin 142C-AF at the CLV (Centrum Leteckého Vy`cviku, Air Training Center) at Pardubice airbase. Those destined for helicopters then move for a 150 hour flying course on the Mi-

Its TV3-117VMA engine has better high altitudes characteristics than the TV3-117V of the Mi-24V. The Mi-35s were also delivered with a number of system upgrades including a Garmin 155XL satellite navigation system, Czech-made LUN 1241 electric attitude gyro and an Identification Friend or Foe responder.

2 Hoplite. After graduating from the Mi-2 at Pardubice pilots move to Namest nad Oslavou to fly the Hind. “The first few years will be spent as a co-pilot in the front seat”, says one of the pilots. “The copilot is responsible for firing the guided weapons: the machine gun, radio-guided missiles but he can also drop bombs. The commander in the back seat flies the helicopter and fires unguided rockets and pods with cannons, grenade launchers or machine guns. However, he can also drop bombs or fire the nose-mounted machine gun when it is aligned with the helicopter axis.”

ARMED The Mi-24V and the Mi-35 can be armed equally. Both versions have a nose turret with a four-barrel 9-A-624 machine gun capable of firing 1470 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition. It can be complemented by two wing-mounted UPK-23-250 containers with a GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon, which fires 23mm ammunition of which 250 rounds are carried. Another under wing carried pod is the GUV (9-A-669), which has two armament options. It is designated GUV 9800-0 when it carries a single 12.7mm 9-A-624 machine gun (750 rounds) along

Even though the Mi-35 is just a Russian export designation for the Mi-24V, there are some small differences between both versions of the Hind in service with 221 squadron. The Mi-35 is the only version compatible for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) use, although the seven Mi-24V’s delivered in 2003 also have black cockpits. Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 23

with two 7.62mm 9-A-622 machine guns (3400 rounds). The second option is a single 30mm 9-A-800 Plamya grenade launcher with 300 rounds, in which case the pod is designated GUV 9500-0. On armoured attack missions the Hinds can be equipped with three types of weapons. The semiautomatic radio-guided 9M114 missile of the Shturm-V system (NATO reporting name AT-6 Spiral) is the Hindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main anti-tank weapon. It is a 130mm caliber missile with a range of 800 to 5.000 meters launched from a cylindrical, glass-reinforced tube. Under the wing-end pylons a maximum of four 9M114 missiles can be attached, while another two can be carried under the outer wing weapons pylons, which brings the Hindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maximum capacity to eight guided missiles. The other two anti-armour weapons in use are unguided rockets: 57mm S-5 rockets carried in UB-32A-24 pods (32 rounds), and 80mm S-8 rockets carried in B-8V20A pods (20 rounds). There is also an option to carry LRM-122 pods with four 122mm LR-122 rockets. Either two or four of any pod can be installed, always one or two on each side. The helicopter can also carry four bombs of 100kg (220lb) or 250kg (550lb) under the wing weapon pylons, or a maximum of two 500kg (1100lb) bombs under the inner hard points only. An advan-

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tage of the Hind compared to other attack helicopters is that it has a cargo compartment. This not only allows it to transport up to eight troops, but also an additional load of ammunition. In ferry configuration the external hard points can be fitted with up to four 450 liter fuel tanks. Fully refueled the Hind’s endurance is two hours and each fuel tank adds half an hour. With four fuel tanks the range increases to almost 600 miles (almost 1000km). In 2008 the Czech government donated six Mi-24V’s (and six Mi-17 Hips) to the Afghan National Army (ANA). These comprised 0703, 0812, 0816, 0834, 0836 and 0838, all former Czechoslovak Air Force examples. As part of a US led Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT), several Czech Air Force personnel, including pilots, onboard technicians and ground personnel, have also been deployed to Afghanistan to train and assist local pilots. The training system of the ANA still derives from previous experience gained from Russian mentors. As a rule, it basically means one day of pre-flight instructions is needed before a pilot gets a chance to fly the next day. ANA personnel proved to be not as meticulous in pre-flight inspections as they are restricted to visual checking, so the experience of the Czech technicians came in handy. Cooperation with staff of the Afghan National Army Air Corps was reasonably good as they had studied and trained in Russia. While the Czech instructors provided knowledge of new aviation technologies and international flight regulations, the Afghan pilots shared valuable combat experience. The squadron tries to keep the helicopters flying, but shortage in spare parts is taking its toll. Only about ten of its 24 Hinds are currently airworthy, as several are stripped for spare parts or simply need maintenance. This also affects participation to international exercises. In past Tiger Meet exercises saw up to four Czech Hinds participating, but this has diminished to just two in recent years. Having been an official NATO Tiger Association member since 2001, the squadron has not missed a single Tiger Meet since it joined. The squadron’s participation in international exercises, such as the Tiger Meet, brings its personnel valuable experiences to operate in different climates, diffe-

rent landscapes and even fly missions over sea, not something the pilots are used to in their landlocked home country. Although being the only attack helicopter squadron among the Tiger members, their role is not just confined to Close Air Support (CAS) and antiarmour attack. During the 2009 NATO Tiger Meet Czech Hinds also flew missions in support of the other transport helicopters, special forces insertion and extraction, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and medical evacuation (medevac) in coo-

peration with the other rotary tiger squadrons (Merlin HM1 from Royal Navy’s 814 Sqn and the Italian Air Force’s AB212 from 21 Gruppo). In 2002 defence ministers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia agreed to together upgrade their Mi-24 Hinds to prolong the helicopter’s service life to 35 years. However, when the Polish Army issued a tender for the upgrade of its own Mi-24s, despite the proposed joint upgrade, and when Russia offered new Mi-24s and Mi-35s to

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the Czech Republic this project was cancelled. The oldest Hinds in the inventory of the Czech Air Force, mostly Mi-24Ds, could be retired. Nevertheless an upgrade is still necessary. An upgrade of the Mi-171Sh transport helicopters recently got priority. The Hind upgrade is expected to become much more expensive, mainly due to its weapons systems, but once completed it will allow the Czech Air Force to employ one of the most powerful and lethal Hinds worldwide.v Text & Photography Dirk jan de Ridder

Leatherman R

eady for whàt?’, the skeptic will ask. ‘For almost anything’, the Leatherman addict will reply. Timothy Leatherman got the idea for his famous pliers while on a back pack tour of Europe. With his old pocketknife he tried to keep his VW running, and repair the sink in his shabby hotel room. That won't be necessary any more. He can probably afford to stay in more comfortable resorts, selling thousands of Leathermans a day these More? www.adola.nl. days…v

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Royal International Air Tattoo 2010 The first RIAT was held at North Weald Essex in 1971. During the years, the event outgrew this relatively small airfield and was moved to other airbases. In 2003, more then five hundred (!) aircraft attended the Air Tattoo, which Is officially recognized as the world’s largest military air show by the Guinness World Records. Although not record breaking, '2010' was… awesome!

his year’s edition took place at Fairford in Gloucesterhire, home of USAF’s 420th Air Base Group. It’s a rather large airbase infrequently used by USAF deployments, making it an ideal venue for such a large air show. RIAT is organized by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and therefore raising money and awareness for the Trust. The Air Tattoo has a large support organization of a small group of full time staff assisted by a lot of volunteers and military personnel. The organization receives

support from the Royal Air Force, the USAF, sponsors, and air forces across the world.

SPECTATORS In 2010, the air show attracted more than 155. 000 spectators which saw aircraft from the United States, the United Kingdom and a dozen other European countries as well as Jordan, New Zealand and Oman. In total, more then two hundred fifty aircraft participated in the Air Tattoo, from

thirty air arms, representing seventeen different countries around the world. Looking back at this year’s Air Tattoo, it has to be said that there were less contributions from air forces compared to previous years. But if you take into account the general downturn in defense budgets and increased overseas ongoing military operations the number of participant still was very good . The RIAT biggest draw is the flying display which

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lasts nine hours. The flying display covered a fairly diverse range of displays from historic aircraft to the last generation transport aircraft and fast jets. As every year, the RIAT has a number of themes for the event. This year’s main theme was the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Air Tattoo saluted the multi-national Second World War pilots, who prevented the invasion of Britain in 1940. A large proportion of the scheduled flying was devoted to the anniversary.

The world’s largest military airshow

The show saw some rare performances from very few historic aircraft. Debuting at Fairford was a Me-109 from the Messerschmitt-109 Restoration Company, which flew together with former enemy aircraft. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew their impressive range of historic aircraft as part of the show, including the legendary Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire fighters and Avro Lancaster bomber. To celebrate the 70th anniversary, the organization organized a huge multi-national fly-past of current and historic types. Spitfires, Hawker Hurricanes and Messerschmitts flying in formation brought back memories. These war birds were succeeded by their modern counterparts, including F-15’s, F-16’s, Mirage 2000 and the long winged USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress.

CLASSIC The show also saw appearances of classic jets and cold war era aircraft like the Hawker Hunter

and the legendary Avro Vulcan B2 bomber. The Vulcan, one of the most iconic war birds of the Cold War era, was restored to flying condition in 2008, following a massive seven million pound public campaign. The operators of the world's only airworthy Vulcan XH558 overcame both financial and technical challenges. They won a last-minute battle to have the aircraft airworthy in time for the show season. Vulcan XH558, which was built in 1960, enjoyed a 33-year career in the Royal Air Force, including service during the Falklands War. Its appearance at the Air Tattoo was considered by many to have been the historical highlight of the air show's ninehour flying display. But it wasn´t all about historic aviation. One thing the Air Tattoo is famous for is the number of fast jet displays, from Europe and beyond. Both the Dutch and Belgians showed off their F-16 MLU Fighting Falcons. The Royal Air Force itself participated with the Harrier and the BAE Hawk solo display.

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In addition to these classic fighters, the air display saw performances of several 5th generation fighters like the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon F2/T1a from 29 Squadron, a Swedish Air Force Saab JAS-39 Grippen and a US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. The undisputed star of this year’s Air Tattoo was the performance of the USAF's latest state-of-theart frontline fast jet, the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor, demonstrating its awesome aerial capabilities. The twin engined stealth jets traveled all the way to the United Kingdom from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. The Raptor represents a new generation of fighter aircraft incorporating state-of-the-art stealth technology, vectored thrust and sophisticated weaponry giving it an unrivalled combination of power, responsiveness and maneuverability. With its impressively short take off run and thrust vectoring maneuvers such as the highalpha loop, US Air Force demonstration pilot Major David ‘Zeke’ Skalicky demonstrated in his fifteen

minute display why the F-22 is capable of outperforming any existing fighter aircraft in air-to-air combat. One big draw for many are the international aerobatic display teams. The Royal Air Force Red Arrows made their traditional RIAT appearance with nine BAE System Hawk T1. Further color, noise and smoke came from appearances by the Patrouille de France, flying 8 Dassault Alpha Jet E, the Royal Jordanian Falcons with their four new Extra 300L aircraft as well as the Patrouille

Suisse, flying the Northrop F-5E Tiger II. These aerobatic teams have been regular features of RIAT’s flying displays over the last few years.

CHINOOK Besides from all the noise, there were helicopter displays from the Boeing Chinook HC2/A, which is always a impressive performer and a Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64DN Apache attack-and-battlefield support helicopter. In contrast to the relatively light weight helicopter aircraft, the flying display also included three remarkable displays by heavy aircraft, like a demonstration of the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III which is designed to transport troops and equipment. Making its RIAT debut was the Airbus A400M, the Royal Air Force’s future transport aircraft, flown by British pilot Ed Strongman. Its four powerful turboprop engines allow the aircraft to perform very short take-offs and achieve impressive rates of climb. The aircraft at Fairford was the second prototype built by Airbus in Seville, Spain which flew for the first time in April this year. The most impressive ‘heavy aircraft’ display came from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757-2K2 putting on a display of fighter like performance. Each year, awards are given to participants in both

the flying and static displays. Major David ‘Zeke’ Skalicky won no less than three of the air show’s seven prestigious flying awards in the F-22A Raptor, taking the King Hussein Memorial Sword for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration, the Paul Bowen Trophy for the Best Jet Demonstration and the RIAT Award (the As the Crow Flies Trophy). Commandant Michel ‘Mitch’ Beulen flying the F16AM from 349 Squadron, picked up the Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy for the Best Flying Demonstration by an overseas participant.

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Other winners included Flt Lt Steve Kenworthy, flying the Harrier GR9 from IV(R) Squadron. His display brought him the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy for the Best Individual Flying Display. The RIAT once again showed to be a unique event bringing more nations than any other airshow to celebrate the achievements of aviation. The next Royal International Air Tattoo will be the 16th – 17th July 2011 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the NATO Tigers Association.v Text & Photography Martijn Akkermans

Eye and Ear force

AE AVIATION is often mixed with the Canadian CAE, well known for their simulation and training. But the Luxembourg firm is not active in the simulator field. ‘Our’ CAE in this article is, together with two American companies, authoritative in the world of AGSR-ISR, or Air to Ground Surveillance and Reconnaissance. In fact the Luxembourg boys are leading in Europe in this field. Understandably so, because through their high-quality sensing and data-processing skills they

can accept almost every assignment to search or investigate.

SHOP It all started in the seventies with a small maintenance shop, later expanded into a pilot shop. Although a big market, it was hardly enough to build an existence. So, in 2005 the ‘defense department' was created, which soon became the main activity of the company.

Mr. Luc is the operations manager and also head of ASGR department. He is responsible for all missions, and as a result of this has direct connections to the ministries of defense of several countries. But not only the military calls for support; under the contractors are well-known organizations like UNHCR, FAO, USAID, EUFOR, Frontex and several large oil companies. These organisations request tasks for shorter or longer periods and on short call, so most of the CAE fleet is in the air constantly.

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CAE Aviation is situated on Luxembourg Airport, in a modest building with a relatively small hangar. However, behind the walls of this humble hangar, a secret world prevails, in which 'discretion' is paramount. Pilots & Planes Military provides a rare look inside, though…

The fleet exists of one- and twin engine transport planes of which the six Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan (+ two on order) form the main part. A Britten Norman BN-2T Turbo Islander and a Swearingen SW-3A Merlin III fulfill more or less a comparable role. For heavy transport a Short Skyvan SC-7 and four CASA 212-300 are available, of which one is a maritime version. There are also some light aircrafts, like the Ayres Turbo Thrush for spraying activities, and a

PA-18 Super Cub for mountain-flight training.

GYRO State of the art adaptations are the gyro stabilized 'gimbals', the same type as can be found in the latest version of the United States Navy Orions. These MX-15 WESCAM's with electro-optical and infra-red sensors are mounted on the fuselage of the Cessna and the Islander, while the Merlin has a larger retractable MX-20. These also are equipped with EO scoffer Scope and wide angle laser illuminator. In combination with high definition vertical cameras this gives the aircraft the possibility to collect and provide very detailed images from high altitudes (8.000 ft). The cockpits are equipped with moving digital maps and extended HQ communication sets with UHF-VHF-HF frequencies and SATCOM, and very

precise satellite navigation tools. Essential is the data-link system, which is connected to the digital moving map, making it possible to transfer ‘near real time imaging’ to permanent or mobile receiving-stations. These mobile receiving-stations can also be provided by CAE Aviation together with IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) specialists who can process these images in extended intelligence. The aircraft use their small sound footprint (thanks to special four-bladed propellers) to circle unnoticed above certain areas at high altitudes. The aircrafts also have a low visual and radar profile thanks to special paint. The results were shown in recently declassified videos and pictures made with the MX-15/20. Smuggling and other clandestine activities were recorded, as well as human trafficking at sea. The pictures were that sharp, that they even showed

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how border police was bribed and money was handed over. No surprise the video was accepted as judicial evidence; the officers concerned lost their jobs overnight.

DEFENSE Who are these invisible people in the sky whom see and record literally everything? According Mr. Luc, most of them are recruited from the military. They are specialists, mostly ex-special forces, of the highest level, and selected for their quality and experience. CAE Aviation even trains special forces from countries like France, Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. CAE Aviation also owns a very well equipped airfield somewhere in the middle of France which is less known to the general public! The CASA’s and the Skyvan operate here in their own restricted air-

space of 25 NM up to FL 200. The Dutch AirMobile Brigade, for example, have been trained here in airborne activities in the nocturnal hours. This concerns ‘HALO’ as well as ‘HAHO’ jumps (High Altitude Low Opening or High Altitude High Opening) techniques. In near future the runway will be extended to be able to accommodate a CN-235.

SKYVAN Activities also include humanitarian flights, air-toground reporting (the Skyvan was hired for the ‘Paris-Dakar Rally'). Even the FAO asked CAE Aviation to fight insect plagues in Northern Africa with their Turbo Thrushes. Innovation can also be found on the ground, were avionics-experts design combinations to make systems communicate flawlessly with each other. This way system integration can be achieved by IMINT technology, for the company's own needs or for those of customers. With techniques like LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging), Ground Penetrating Radar and 3D FTG technology (three-dimensional Full Tensor Gradiometer), the department AGG (Geophysical reconnaissance) is able to examine beneath the earth surface, to check the soil conditions. The CAE Cessna’s deliver services for geophysical research, and search for certain elements and raw materials. CAE Aviation even is the only European company with I.A.G.S.A (International Airborne Geophysics Safety

[

Suddenly the whole picture gets a very high ‘James-Bond’ level

Association) recognition. These Cessna’s are painted white, and are equipped with special measuring equipment on the wingtips and tail. Mr. Luc, a qualified PIC, joked that he soon would have a new special mission to a not to be mentioned country, which sometimes is given the name

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]

‘greywater’. This can implicate escort flights, discovering illegal migration or perhaps… a secret intelligence flight after all? Anyhow, in the future we’ll be hearing more of them… or not?v Text and photography Kees Otten and Wim Das

Windsor International Air Show 2010

For decades, Canada was known for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real nice air shows. In the eighties and nineties of the last century, particularly the London Air Show, Ontario, was famous for getting great participants. Remember for instance the 1989 Show, with the attendance of no less than twenty five F-4 Phantoms from various forces. But on nearby Windsor Airport, some great things happened tooâ&#x20AC;Ś Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 34

nfortunately, due to financial viability the London Air show & Balloon Festival did not take place from 2002 on. Fortunately, Windsor airport, close to Detroit, Michigan, shows to be a good alternative. Here, the Windsor International Air Show, also known as 'The Sounds of Freedom II', was held recently.

War II Lancaster bombers are airworthy, one flying with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in the UK, the other flying in Canada. At Windsor, the Lancaster could be visited at the static display but also performed several banked low passes. Other planes from the Canadian Warplane Heritage included the Hawker Hurricane, P-51D Mustang, Lysander, Firefly and C47 Dakota. Most of these planes, which contributed to our freedom in WW II, showed some very nice flying.

KEITH Keith Baxter is the ‘religious father’ of the Windsor International Air Show. He managed to get an international line up of aircraft, including planes from Canada, the USA and Brazil. Despite the fact that the weather didn’t allow for the most extreme stunts, especially on Saturday, the show was a big hit. “It took me two years to get the Brazilian Air Force ‘Smoke Squadron’ over to Windsor”, Keith explained. The team ‘Esquadrilha da Fumaça’ is flying 7 EMB-312 Tucano trainers and shows all the skills of nice formation flying with a great performance, very much appreciated by the crowds. The team, main social communication agent for the Brazilian Air Force, is based at Pirassununga-Campo Fontenelle and performed its first official demonstration on May 14th 1952, flying the North American T-6 Texan. From 1969 till 1972 the ‘Smoke Squadron’ flew the Fouga Magister, but unfortunately this plane did not fulfill the necessary requirements of the team. Again the T-6 was used till 1976. In 1982, the ‘Smoke Squadron’ was reactivated with the T-25 Universal aircraft. In 1983, the T-27 Tucano, the plane the team is still flying today, entered service. Since 2002, the Tucano’s are painted in the Brazilian flag colors and logged over 2.000 demonstrations. Keith managed to get a nice line up at Windsor, including some unique warbirds as well as military

IDAHO In 2009 four F-15’s from Idaho showed up at Windsor, now only one example of this mighty fighter was present. The F-15 Eagle is considered among the most successful modern jet fighters with over a hundred aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights. In service with the US Air Force since 1976, the Eagle is expected to soldier on until 2025 in the USA. Furthermore, the F-15 Eagle is in service in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Israel and South Korea. During an accident in Lethbridge in August, the Canadian CF-18 demo plane was lost. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely just before the jet crashed. Therefore, the official CF-18 demo was cancelled. Two CF-18’s from 425 Sqn were present at Windsor, one of which showed the good flying capacities of this all-weather jet fighter. Only twenty MiG-15’s of the 18.000+ examples

attendance. Like in 2009, the Maine Air National Guard, also known as the 'MAINEiacs' provided a KC-135R Stratotanker for this years Air Show. The KC-135 serves as aerial tanker aircraft with the United States Air Force since 1957 (!) and is one of just six military fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of continuous service. Other aircraft of the six long serving aircraft attended the show also this year like the B-52 and the T-38 jet trainer. The B-52 is nicknamed BUFF, short for Big Ugly Fat Fellow and now enters its six-decade of service as important bomber with the US Air Force. It was the first time this mighty bomber from Barksdale AFB, LA could be viewed at the static display at Windsor. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, based at Hamilton, Ontario showed some of the unique aircraft in its inventory. Worldwide, only two World Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 35

build remain airworthy today, one of them owned by the Viper North Team from Toronto. The Viper North team is relatively new in the warbird circuit and is owned by Richard 'Coop' Cooper and Jeff 'Biscuit' Lewis. Biscuit started flying when he was just ten years old and has logged over 8.000 hours by now. In daily life, he is an Air Canada captain on the Embraer E190. Coop has more than 6.000 flying hours is his books and is also licensed to fly helicopters. At the Windsor Air Show, both Viper North jets were present. The Aero Vodochody L-29 Delphin with the very attracti-

ve color scene and code '29' on the nose was lined up next to the F-16’s, F-15 and T-38 at the static display. On Saturday Coop flew a very short performance in the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI, with tactical designation Red 117 , due to the very bad weather and only burned three hundred liters of gas! Biscuit showed his flying skills in the MiG-15UTI on Sunday during good weather circumstances. His low passes and ‘paddle-only-roll’ were a real hit for the audience. The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team did a nice performance with their three-ship formation. The team is based at Tillsonburg, Ontario with Pete Spence flying as #1 lead pilot. Dave Hewitt is #2 on the right wing and Kent Beckam #3 on the left wing. All are members of the Canadian Harvard

Harvard; build under license in Montreal, Quebec. The Harvard, also known as 'The Pilot Maker', is powered by a 600 HP Pratt & Whitney engine which gives the plane its distinctive roar.

SNOWBIRDS Last day performance was the Snowbirds, the Canadian Air Force display team for many years. The team still flies the CT-114 Tutor, all painted in red and white colors. As Canadian as it gets… v Text and photography Pieter M. Groenendijk

Aircraft Association. North American Aviation in Inglewood, California manufactured both Harvard #1 and #3 while Harvard #2 is a true Canadian

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F-22 Raptor

The Defense Ministers of Brazil and the Czech Republic as well as Argentina have signed a Declaration of Intent regarding the European country’s participation in the development program of the KC-390 military transport jet. The agreement marks the beginning of negotiations for the involvement of Czech industry in the design and manufacture of the new airplane, as well as the future acquisition of 2 KC-390 aircraft by the Czech government. Chile (6) , Colombia (12), and Portugal (6) have already begun discussions to establish the conditions for their participation in the design and manufacture of the new jet. With the Czech Republic and Argentina joining, this could result in the sale of 60 KC-390’s to the air forces of these five countries. Brazilian Air Force (FAB) intends to acquire 28 of the jets. More facts? www.embraer.com

A330 MRTT Airbus Military has obtained certification for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport from Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA). This paves the way for first delivery of the aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) who ordered 5 A330 MRTT’s. One of the aircraft is already painted in the service’s colors , seen here at the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid RAAF. The first two will be delivered later this year and will serve under the designation KC-30A with 33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley. Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have ordered a total of 28 A330 MRTTs. More facts? http://airbusmilitary.com

First flight MRTT RAF After a thorough evaluation of candidate companies, Airbus Military has selected Lufthansa Technik (LHT) to undertake component support for the UK Royal Air Force´s new fleet of 14 A330 MRTT FSTA. The ten-year contract will begin when the FSTA enters service with the RAF towards the end of next year. Hamburg-headquartered LHT is a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)providers and has a close relationship with Airbus as a long-standing member of the Airbus MRO Network. It has long and in-depth expertise in supporting the A330 fleet of Lufthansa. Under the terms of the deal, LHT will be responsible for establishing the initial component stock at the FSTA main operating base of RAF Brize Norton, reprovision of components, expendables and standard aircraft hardware, providing access to a component pool, component repair and overhaul as well as transportation of components. It includes an option for FSTA aircraft to be painted by LHT. More facts? http://airbusmilitary.com

Embraer KC-390

Lockheed Martin continues to meet and exceed the production and delivery schedule for the F-22 Raptor, with 86 straight aircraft delivered on or ahead of schedule to the U.S. Air Force. To date, the company has delivered 166 production F-22s, including 13 this year. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

NEW RELEASE

Academic skills? AC-130 gunship contract Boeing has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide spare servo-actuators for the AC-130U gunship. Between now and July 2011, Boeing will provide 10 servo-actuators for the trainable gun mount systems needed to install 40-millimeter guns on four AC130U’s. The work will be performed by Boeing teams in fort Walton Beach. Boeing has manufactured the AC-130U from existing C130 airframes since 1987. In 2009,the company received its first contract award under the Air Force’s Future Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Tool (F2ASTprogram). More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

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To celebrate the first edition of the Air-to-Air Academy, the Belgian PhotoCrew has published their first hardback photo book, appropriately called ‘Air-to-Air Academy, volume 1’. This high quality photo book is the first one in a series and counts 130 full color pages, all about airborne photography. In different chapters readers are guided through the exciting world of entering a ‘photo ship’ to reach the ultimate level...the sky! The book contains tips and tricks on how to improve photo work. The photo book also pays a lot of attention to the fast jets, the dream for many photographers. Readers learn from the book that it is possible to take good airborne photos with a wide variety of photo ships like the famous Invicta Skyvan. Price: €25 (+ package and posting ). To order this book online: www.ericcoeckelberghs.com

Full mission capable The Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) version of the multi-mission Daher-Socate TBM very fast turboprop aircraft has received a Major Change Approval (MCA) from the European Aviation Safety Authority for all TBM 700 and 850 models. The TBM-MMA demonstrator is a TBM 700B that has been outfitted for its multi-mission aircraft (MMA) role with the Thales AGILE 2 gyro-stabilized multi-sensor turret. Located under the aircraft’s aft fuselage, this electrically-driven turret is fully-retractable, and accommodates up to four latest-generation sensors – including infrared and electro-optical systems, along with a laser rangefinder and a laser designator to mark targets. Control of the TBM MMA’s retractable turret is performed from a operator’s console inside the cabin. This console is configured to display imagery from the turret, as well as handle signal processing. A long-duration digital recording function also is available. The console is designed to perform observation, detection and data-gathering missions. With a removal time of 30 minutes, the TBM MMA can be quickly reconfigured to a passenger transport configuration. More facts? www.tbm850.com

Tail flash

Lockheed Martin’s first production c-5M Super Galaxy sports a newly painted tail flash at the plant here. All c-5M’s will be painted with nose art and tail flash to signify the aircraft a Super Galaxy as it redefines strategic airlift around the globe. This Super Galaxy will be delivered soon and stationed at Dover AFB, Del. The c-5M recently achieved a 96 percent departure reliability rate while delivering critical cargo to troops in Afghanistan. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

Multirole Transport Aircraft A joint venture is being formed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Russian Partners namely United Aircraft Corporation and Rosoboronexport to co-develop and co-produce at least 205 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). The MTA is a 15-20 tonnes payload capacity aircraft which would meet the requirement of the Indian Air Force and the Russian Air Force. The main features of MTA are: maximum takeoff weight 65 tonnes, payload capacity 15-20 tonnes, cruise speed 800 km/h, range 2500-2700 km, service ceiling 12.000 m. The aircraft will have two engines, state of the art features such as fly-by-wire, full authority digital engine control, modern avionics and glass cockpit. The total development cost is around MUSD 600.70 to be equally shared by both the sides. It is planned to manufacture with 50:50 work share between HAL and the Russian partners. More facts? www.uac.com

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Second FSTA Flies The second A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion. Converted from a basic A330-200 by Airbus Military, the aircraft flew for exactly two hours in the evening of 26th October. The aircraft joins the first FSTA, which made its maiden flight on 16th September, in a flighttest programme which will lead to first delivery to the RAF towards the end of 2011. More facts? http://airbusmilitary.com

Third A400M flies MSN 3 joins its sister-ships MSN 1 and MSN 2 which were also in the air during this test flight, meaning that 3 A400M were flying at the same time. During the day this fleet also passed the milestone of 100 test flights and 400 flight hours.The third development aircraft of the new A400M airlifter made its maiden flight today, taking off at 13h 57 local time (GMT +2) from Seville. Experimental Test Pilot Tony Flynn captained the flight, supported by Experimental Test Pilot Francois Barre. The crew also included Flight Test Engineers Laurent Lapierre and Jos Angel Corugedo, and Test Flight Engineer Gérard Maisonneuve. MSN 3 joins its sister-ships MSN 1 and MSN 2 which were also in the air during this test flight, meaning that 3 A400M were flying at the same time. During the day this fleet also passed the milestone of 100 test flights and 400 flight hours. MSN3 is the third of an eventual five aircraft which will conduct the 3,700 hour flight-test programme leading to first delivery. It is the first aircraft to carry a medium flight-test instrumentation load, rather than the heavy fit of the first two, and will be primarily dedicated to auto-flight development, aircraft systems development, and routeproving. More facts? http://airbusmilitary.com

TRAWING 5 Wings of Gold

With today’s world conflicts and wars against terrorism, effective operating military units are needed all over the globe. With a leading role for the US Navy and the Marines during such conflictsm an effective basic training is of great importance. This is accomplished in sunny Florida…

ocated near Milton, in the so called ‘Pan handle’, is one of the busiest training facilities, providing training for the US Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and international students. NAS Whiting Field is one of the Navy's two primary pilot training bases (the other being NAS Corpus Christi, Texas). During normal operations each eight seconds there is a take-off or lan-

ding, and so this is the busiest naval air complex in the world. NAS Whiting Field actually consists of two airfields, sharing a common support base. The NASWF North Field hosts a fleet of more than 150 T-34C Turbo Mentors, and the NASWF South Field supports120 TH-57 Sea Rangers. During our visit we were escorted by Ensign Clark

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to get a good impression of the vast area of this airfield. In the morning we visited the North Field to be welcomed by eight simultaneously starting turbo-prop engines, which was followed by a visit in the control tower. From here an even better view over this big base was visible, and especially the big control tower screens with a large amount of traffic in the air showed that this is one of the

busiest military fields in the world. After lunchtime we visited the South Field, which was first introduced by a safety instructor. Helicopters are flying by from every side and angle, and you still have to keep in mind that most pilots are students, so you have to keep your eyes and ears wide open. Located in between the two main platforms, the crowded flight line could be filled with sometimes up to five helicopters, landing and taking off in a imaginary box of 50 by 50 meters.

HISTORY Once a field of weeds, nowadays the backbone of the US NAVYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet. NAS Whiting Field has a rich history, but always had the primary role of training aviators for the fleet. Officially it was commissioned as training field on 1 July 1943 when training squadron 3-B moved there from Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Saufley Field. Shortly thereafter followed by Squadron 3-A of Chevalier Field to form training Squadron three. On July 16 1943 the Commissioning ceremony was held by Admiral George D. Murray, Commander of the Naval Air Training Center. During this ceremony Mrs. Kenneth Whiting was introduced to the fifteen hundred people present. She is the widow of Naval hero, Captain Kenneth Whiting whose name was given to the airfield. During the early years of NAS Whiting Field, important roles were assigned. After the second World War it was a POW camp for German soldiers. Later, during 1949 and 1950, the field became Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 40

Fixed Wing Instructor Training Unit’ or FITU is present. For the helicopter wing units the ‘Helicopter Instructor Training Unit’ or HITU ‘Blade Runners’.

WEEKS

home of the world famous ‘Blue Angels’. However: the outbreak of the Korean War ended their stay, as the Angels were disbanded and sent into combat. The team's current home is just a couple of miles south of NAS Whiting Field, at NAS Pensacola.

TRAWING As from January 1972 NAS Whiting Field is home to TRAWING 5, or Training Air Wing FIVE, consisting of three primary training squadrons. Later in 1972 HT-8 In April 1977 the T-34C procedure training was accepted into the syllabus, which started the transition from the T-28 Trojan to the T-34C Turbo Mentor. 1983 marked an important year for the training

squadrons as the T-28 Trojan was phased out, and replaced by the T-34C Turbo Mentor. And also the UH-1 Huey was phased out, and replaced by the TH-57 Sea ranger. Elements of the HT-8 and HT-18 formed in may 25, 2007 a third squadron, named Helicopter Training squadron TWENTY-EIGHT. In short, TRAWING 5 is divided into six different squadrons currently, three fixed wing and three rotary wing squadrons. The three fixed wing squadron are VT-2 ‘Doerbirds’, VT-3 ‘Red Knights’ and VT-6 ‘Shooters’. They are all operating the T-34C Turbo Mentor. This aircraft will however be repla-

ced by the T-6B Texan II, with already 18 operational Texan II’s. Training Air Wing 5 anticipates a complete transition at NAS Whiting Field by 2015. The three helicopter squadrons consist of the HT-8 ‘Eightballers’, HT-18 ‘Vigilant Eagles’ and the HT28 ‘Hellions’. All three squadrons are currently operating the TH-57 Sea Ranger, future replacement is still under investigation and/or negotiation with several contractors. Besides the six training squadrons there are also two squadrons located on NAS Whiting Field to train the instructors. For the fixed wing units the’

The students will encounter a 26-week syllabus, which is the first phase of the year-and-a-half to two-year process to become a naval aviator. The T6B Texan II is the newest training aircraft to hit the flight lines replacing the T-34 Turbo mentor. This aircraft has twice the performance of the T-34 and is equipped with a digital display (glass) cockpit, heads-up display, and ejection seats. "The T-6B is a package program which includes sophisticated simulators and capitalizes on simulator training," said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Persky, pipeline training officer. "Its improved capabilities and the glass cockpit make it relevant for the next thirty years." One benefit to this new program is a heavy emphasis on simulator training in the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), which allows the students to gain more experience before taking flight. Additionally, elements of training that have been done exclusively through cockpit hours may now be replaced by simulator training due to the realism of the new tools. "Every skill set is introduced in the OFT, " Persky said. "Daytime visual flight, aerobatics, visual navigation, low level flight, and formation are all first introduced in the simulators." The 26-week program will train students in the basic foundations of aviation. By the time a student completes the phase of training they will have flown 75 aircraft hours, and 37 in the simulator. The program prepares students to move on to advanced aircraft and later into a fleet aircraft. After primary training, students will be selected to one of four pipelines: strike, helicopter, tilt rotor, or maritime. If a student is placed in 'strike' they will remain at Whiting Field to receive an additional 12 hours of flight instruction in formation and singleseat flight. Active, professional, dedicated… this field left a lasting impression on me!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author likes to thank PAO Jay Cope and Ensign Clark, and all squadron members for their much appreciated help, hospitality and assistance.v Text and photography Ramon van Opdorp www.scorpionaviation.com

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Naval gathering at Hyeres T

here was of course an important role for the host, showing their diversity of aircraft both from land-based squadrons and embarked units. No less than three carriers were anchored in the bay of Toulon, including the French Charles de Gaulle (R91), the Spanish Principe d’Asturias (R11) and most surprising the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN75). Sadly the invited British HMS Ark Royal and the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi could not join the festivities. All three carriers sent aircraft to BAN Hyeres for a nice static show and air displays. Aeronavale presented their Dassault Rafale F2 (12F) and Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM) figh-

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To mark the 100 years anniversary of Aeronavale’s naval aviation, the French admiralty decided to organize a celebration at BAN Hyeres. (Base Aero Navale). It did not end up with only a ‘bunch’ of aircraft, but turned out to be a well organized air fete. Good luck was a main factor considering the fact that hardly 24 hours later the air base was flooded by extreme rainfall and floods.

ters (11F & 17F) and Grumman E2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft (4F) from the Charles de Gaulle. Land based units from Hyeres and nearby Nimes Garons showed their helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft such as the AS-565SA Panther (36F), the Sa-319B Alouette III (35F) and Sa-365N Dauphin (35F) helicopters from Hyeres. Other aircraft were EMB 121AN Xingu (28F/EPV) and Breguet Atlantique 2 ASW from Nimes and Falcon 50 SURMAR from 24 F in Brittany. The Lynx helicopters from 31F, normally embarked on frigates flew some rounds but their successor the NH-90 was on the static and from 2010 onwards the Lynx from 31F will gradually be repla-

100 years of Aeronavaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s naval aviation

ced by this helicopter. The NH-90 on the static however is still in use by 10S/CEPA and will later move to 31F. Even aircraft for initial training (MS-880 Rallye from 100S and CAP 10B from 50S) were in Hyeres to complete the collection. Two SEM aircraft performed a buddy-to buddy air refueling, which is seldom seen at air shows. The SEM is still an important aircraft within Aeronavale and will soldier on until 2015. Some aircraft were in

special colours such as a SEM at the static with 1910-2010 prominent on the fuselage and an AS 565 Panther with a decoration of a mythic animal. The Rafale showed in the air its typical moves from a latest generation fighter aircraft. At this moment the Rafale 1 has been replaced with the Rafale 2 which is enabled for both air defence and ground attack duties. The Rafale 1 aircraft will be updated to more capable Rafale 3 aircraft before re-entering service.

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The French did everything to enlighten the show with a fly-past of the Airbus A380 and the Patrouille de France. The Italians showed an EH101 and the Spanish Navy performed with their Harriers from Principe dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Asturias but of course the real treat was the U.S. Navy with no less than four F-18 Hornet aircraft together in the air. Among them a very colourful F-18 with bright green shades in its colour scheme. Carrier-on-board-Delivery (COD) greyhound aircraft flew from carrier to base and back. It was in every aspect a success.

Well organized air fete at BAN Hyeres Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 45

A sad accident happened within the group of warbirds who were at BAN Hyeres to symbolize the early years of Aeronavale. Around 15.00 hours on June 12 2010 heavy sounds of alarm indicated troubles. A replica of a Focke Wulf crashed about 150 meters out of the coastline. The aircraft was rehearsing for the air show when the engine seized in a slow roll and the aircraft ditched. It jumped over the water like a stone. At the place were the movement stopped, it eventually sank. The 63 years old pilot Marc ‘Leon’ Mathis was saved by

people on jet-ski’s who were rapidly on the spot. He was evacuated by them to shore and given in the hands of the fire-brigade. The replica Fw 190 now rests three meters down with a fair bit of structural damage sustained after hitting the water at over 200 km/h according the pilot who has eleven crash landings on his name in his career of 1.600 flying hours. Luckily Mathis was not injured. In spite of this accident the French Aero navale can look back on a well organised 100 years celebration!v Text & Photography Kees Otten and Wim Das

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Grob G120 TP New kid on the (turbo) block

Suppose you are the head of the training department of your Air Force. And suppose you are in need of a new light turboprop trainer. Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much to choose from. Of course thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the superb Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, the agile Korean Aerospace Industries KT-1, the stylish Finmeccanica M-311 and the punctual Pilatus PC-7. All decent and advanced turboprops, but all rather expensive. The price of a new plane will be somewhere around ten million dollars or more. So if you are looking for an alternative this all new composite Grob G120 TP from Germany will meet all your expectations. For a fraction of the price.

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rob Aerospace is well known for it’s rugged light military composite trainers like the G115 TA (fixed gear) which was introduced in 1991 (almost two hundred sold) and the G120 (retractable gear). The latter was introduced in 2000 and ordered by France (18), Israel (17), Canada (11), and Germany (6). And most of them are in active use today.

TURBOPROP Only recently the newly established Grob Aircraft, which succeeded Grob Aerospace bankrupted in

[

August 2008, introduced a new specimen: the G120 TP. This all-new aircraft is airborne since the beginning of 2010. Although the plane looks like a G120A, the TP is some thirty centimeters longer. And instead of a Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 piston engine (260 hp) it has a modernized Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turbo, which delivers 380 shp continuous, and during takeoff 450 shp for a period of five minutes. It gives the aircraft a service ceiling at FL 250 (7.620 m) where it reaches a cruise speed of 237 kts (493 km/h). With a mission range of 580-750 nm (1.074-1.389 km).

'Grob’s are built for heavy abuse'

]

If you want, you can equip the G 120 TP with a lightweight Martin-Baker Mk. 15B ejection seat. Weighing just 36 kg and effective as of 100 km/h ground speed.

VIRTUAL TRAINING The cockpit is state of the art with an impressive Virtual Tactical Training System (VTT). For tactical training purposes there are applications available on the Multi Function Display like a Virtual Radar Warning Receiver, a Tactical Situation Display, Virtual Stores Management and Virtual Avionics Activation. These simulations all enable a wide spectrum of training missions. Each of which is monitored and recorded during an exercise so it can be used during the debriefing when the student's progress is evaluated.

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MAINTENANCE According to Grob, the full aerobatic G120 TP (+6/-4g), can be used for all kinds of training. In fact, they are built for heavy abuse. But there’s more to it: the all-composite aircraft has a structural life of at least15.000 flying hours. And the aircraft needs only 0,44 hour of maintenance for every hour flown. When flying a SF 260 or PC-7 after every flying hour there is a need for 1,2 to 1,8 hour of maintenance…

COMPETITION So, it comes to no surprise that this new kid on the block drew a lot of attention from all over the world. Grob Aerospae has already Requests For Proposal (RFP) for the G120 TP from India (75 aircraft), Indonesia (16 aircraft) and the United Kingdom’s MFTS (16-40 aircraft). This is under-

standable, when looking at the price to be paid. The piston driven G 120A costs for example USD 1.2 million, where as the G 120TP Classic will be discounted as of USD 2.3 million + and the G120 TP with options USD 3.6 million +. Of course prices are always pending on options and support packages, but compared to those of the nearest

competitors they are very modest, so to speak. And the stakes are high. The Indian Air Force (IAF) needs for example 181 new light training aircraft after the grounding of their HPT-32 Deepak aircraft fleet in 2009. The Indian government has already cleared procurement for 75 aircraft off-theshelf, and 106 aircraft to be built under a license

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agreement by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The plan is to include also simulators and computer aided learning system in the basic trainer. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross thumbs it will be Grob Aircraft to win this competition over the other five competitors.v Text Egbert Vrielink - Photography Grob Aero

Tiger HAD Russian Helicopters The Russian industrial holding company Russian Helicopters, a part of the multi-profile industrial group UIC Oboronprom, offers the African aviation markets south of the Sahara, the new light multi-role Ansat. This civil helicopter with an MTOW of 3.3 tons is manufactured by the Kazan Helicopters, JSC , a part of Russian Helicopters, and is designed for the transportation of 9 passengers (+1 crew member). In various modifications the Ansat can be used by transport and cargo companies, medical and rescue services, and police and special forces. The cutting fly-by-wire system and two PW-207K engines by Pratt & Whitney Canada endow this helicopter with formidable performance characteristics. Ease of piloting, flight safety, ecofriendliness, and high fuel efficiency are the main competitive point of the Ansat. More facts? www.rus-helicopters.ru

The first HAD support and attack version of Eurocopter’s Tiger helicopter has initiated its flight test program at the company’s Albacete facility in Spain. During the next 15 months, a full program of tests and development flights will be carried out to obtain the first qualification step (Block 1), which is scheduled for December 2011. These evaluations will include firing campaigns of the Mistral and Spike missiles planned before the end of this year. Over the last four months, Eurocopter’s Albacete facility has adapted the configuration of the aircraft for its HAD version, which is a derivative of the Tiger HAP support and escort helicopter variant. This activity included integration of the new MTR390 turboshaft engines, which have been specially designed for the HAD version, along with installation of new versions of the basic and mission software. New features include a more powerful engine and increased payload-carrying weight, an improved optical sighting system, launchers for Hellfire and Spike air-to-ground missiles, an identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator, optimized ballistic protection, and a new electronic warfare and countermeasures system. The first production Tiger HAD helicopters are schedu-

led for delivery early 2012. Two countries already have placed orders for this version of the Eurocopter Tiger combat helicopter family, 24 ordered by Spain and 40 ordered by France. The HAD version also is being offered for export. More facts? www.eurocopter.com

Beechcraft T-6

Guardian Angel

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) T-6 military trainer recently debuted in Africa as part of a demonstration tour en route to the African Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo in Capetown, South Africa. The trip included stops in Algeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia with demonstration flights in Nigeria and South Africa. From HBC’s headquarters in Wichita to the arrival at AAD in South Africa, the T-6 turboprop covered nearly 9,500 miles. Upon completion of the tour in Africa, the T-6C military trainer will continue on to India to take part in field evaluation trials with India Air Force officials as part of its competition for a new basic trainer. Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in

Britain’s newest guardian of the skies took to the air last month in a salute to those who served in the Battle of Britain, including a poignant visit to the RAF base which for years was its predecessor’s natural home. RAF Nimrod MRA4 PA04 took off from the company’s Lancashire test airfield at Warton, Lancashire before flying the length of the UK visiting air shows ñ as well as performing a flight trial at a key test range - all in a single mission. The 1.600 mile flight took in Guernsey’s Battle of Britain Air Display, Jersey’s International Air Show, and flight trials at the Aberporth Bay test range in Mid-Wales, before conducting a fly-past at RAF Kinloss which, for 40 years, has been the base for the UK’s fleet of Nimrod maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. The new MRA4 can use its radar to scan an area the size of the UK in 10 seconds, detect submerged submarines and conduct long range Search and Rescue missions. More facts? http://www.baesystems.com Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers. The AT6 draws its heritage from HBC’s T-6 A/B Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air support and meet the

demands of the irregular warfare environment, the AT-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of selfprotection mechanisms, multiple secure communications functions and advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. More facts? www.hawkerbeechcraft.com

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F/A-18 & EA-18 Aircraft

Sikorsky S-61 The U.S. State Department has ordered 11 additional upgraded S-61 utility helicopters for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier this year, the State Department entered into a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for up to 110 upgraded S-61 aircraft for passenger and cargo transport missions in support of its worldwide operations. Under the IDIQ agreement, the first four aircraft purchased in February 2010 are currently in completion and are scheduled for deployment in Afghanistan this fall. The upgraded S-61 helicopter incorporates key components including composite main rotor blades (CMRB), a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and modular wiring harness ñ all of which dramatically improve aircraft supportability. Additional features have been incorporated to reduce pilot fatigue and maintenance requirements for increased safety. The first delivery of the 11 upgraded S-61 helicopters for Iraq and Afghanistan is scheduled to occur in mid-2011. More facts: www.sikorsky.com

Boeing has been awarded a new multi-year procurement (MYP) contract from the U.S. Navy for 124 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. Boeing will deliver 66 Super Hornets and 58 Growlers to the Navy from 2012 through 2015. The new contract is the third multi-year agreement between Boeing and the Navy for production of the F/A-18E/F, the Navy’s frontline strike fighter, which delivers forwarddeployed air combat capability around the world from the decks of 11 Navy aircraft carriers. The EA18G delivers advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) missions to support Navy and joint force requirements. The EA-18G is scheduled for its first combat deployment late 2010. Boeing delivered 210 Super Hornets to the Navy during the initial F/A-18E/F MYP from 2000 through 2004 and was then awarded a second MYP that included aircraft procurement during 2005- 2009. Aircraft deliveries under that contract continue through 2011 and total 257 aircraft. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum. Boeing has delivered over 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. The EA-18G Growler is the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum AEA capability along with the targeting and self-defense capabilities derived from the Navy’s frontline fighter, the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet. A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Block II, the EA-18G's design enables war fighters to operate either from an aircraft carrier or from land-based airfields. It is replacing the Navy's current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, which has been in service since 1971. The EA-18G joined the Navy's aircraft fleet in 2008, when it was introduced to fleet training squadron VAQ-129. More facts? www.boeing.com

Saab Gripen NG

C-5M Super Galaxy

The Gripen NG Demo is now flying with new extra large drop-tanks. Instead of the more traditional 300 gallon tanks used by Gripen C/D these new external tanks can carry 450 gallons of fuel each. Combined with added spaces for internal fuel and a more fuel efficient engine Gripen NG will get substantially longer range and more time on station. The new drop-tanks are made by RUAG in Switzerland. (Photo SAAB AB/Stefan Kalm) More facts? www.saab.se

The first production C-5M Super Galaxy is handed over at Air Force Material Command and Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-5M sports the new tail flash and nose art. The C-5M program calls to modernize a total of 52 C-5s: 49 B-, two C- and one A-model aircraft through the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP). It incorporates more than 70 changes and upgrades, including newer, quieter General Electric engines making the C-5M more reliable and 10 percent more fuel efficient than legacy C-5’s. More facts? Lockheedmartin.com

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MRH90 helicopter

Saab Gripen

Leading defence contractor, Australian Aerospace Limited, says it is on track to meet its 2010 schedule for deliveries of NH90 MRH multi-role helicopters to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Australian Aerospace, which produces the MRH90s at its final assembly facility on Brisbane Airport, delivered its 13th MRH90 on 3 September 2010. Another three helicopters are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. A total of 46 MRH90s have been ordered by the Army and Navy to replace existing Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters. These first 13 deliveries comprise aircraft assembled to Product Base Line (PBL) 01 and 02 standard. The remaining 33 aircraft will be assembled to PBL 03 standard incorporating enhanced avionics and other systems designed to ease and lighten crew workload. Eventually, the initial 13 MRH90s will be returned to Australian Aerospace and upgraded to PBL 03 standard. More facts? www.eurocopter.com

Late September the NATO Days were held in Ostrava, the Czech Republic. This is Central Europe's largest event within aviation, military and civil security, were Saab acted as general sponsor. The organizers estimated more than 150,000 participants during the weekend. The were also numerous important delegations and senior representatives from the Czech government, the Air Force and other authorities. The Air Force also gave some examples of how Gripen can be used for peacetime missions. Two Gripen then escorted a Boeing 737 from the Czech airline Central Connect Airlines, CCA, to a safe landing in front of spectators. In June 2010 the Czech Air Force passed 10.000 flying hours with their 14 Gripen aircraft. This equates to more than 140 flying hours annually per aircraft, which is an impressive number of hours for the 5 years they have been operating More facts? www.saab.se Gripen. (Photo SAAB AB/Milan Nykodym)

F/A-18F Super Hornet Boeing has completed production of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet that has the capability to be converted into an electronic attack aircraft. Boeing is pre-wiring the RAAF's second lot of 12 Super Hornets for potential electronic attack capability conversion during production in St. Louis. The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 of the advanced Block II versions of the Super Hornet, all of which are equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Eleven Super Hornets are now operating at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. All 11 aircraft were delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. Boeing will deliver Australia's 24th Super Hornet in 2011. Boeing has already delivered more than 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. More facts? www.boeing.com

Eurocopter EC725 The Mexican Ministry of Defense has signed an agreement with Eurocopter for the purchase of six EC725 helicopters. Together with the same number of rotary-wing aircraft ordered in March 2009, Eurocopter will now be supplying a total of 12 EC725s to Mexico’s SEDENA (SecretarÌa de La Defensa Nacional) beginning in the second quarter of 2011 for use in transport and civil security missions. More facts? www.eurocopter.com

DA42 Guardian Diamond Aircraft Guardian has been successful in civilian-military operation. The aim of the international military exercise „EURAD 10“ was practicing international crisis management with the help of air reconnaissance. As part of a big aircraft squadron, two diesel engine Guardians were integrated in the disaster control scenario as well as in the combat exercise. The Surveillance & Reconnaissance platforms delivered real-time videos and data to the command centre. With this information the ground troops could be optimally operated. The aircraft operation was not only successful but were also very environmentally friendly, because the DA42 has reduced noise and pollutant emissions due to a special motor system developed by Diamond. More facts? www.diamond-sensing.com

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HC-130J Lockheed Martin employees celebrated the delivery of the 200th C-130J Super Hercules. The HC-130J, the first for the US Air Force s Air Combat Command, recorded another significant milestone as the 1500th C-130 delivered to the U.S. Government. More facts? www.lockheedmartin.com

A tricolour long 50 years

The Italian Air Force recalls the history of 50 seasons ‘Frecce Tricolori’ at their home base of Rivolto, with a great air show last September. Over a hundred aircraft in flight, twenty static on display, and fifteen hundred men and women of the Italian Air Force at work. An honour to be present there, and great event to visit, you can imagine…

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he ‘313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico’ or ‘313th Acrobatic Training Group’, internationally known as ‘Frecce Tricolori’, is the official aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force. Taking some steps back, the 'art of aerobatics' was actually born in Italy, or more or less invented, by Colonel Rino Corso Fougier. In the early thirties, in Campoformido, he formed the first aerobatic team the ‘Pattuglia Folle’, based on five Fiat CR20 biplanes. Already in 1930 in Rome, at the first air show, called ‘Giornata dell’Ala’, the formation performed a 'bomb', very similar to the current figure.

REGIA In the years before World War II, this act of the ‘Regia Aeronautica’ participated in various events, employing the Breda Ba.19 in 1932, the Fiat CR30 in 1934 and the Fiat CR32 in 1936. After the inevitable parenthesis of the period 1939-45, the acrobatic team was disbanded and reformed after the war, although not formally qualified as an acrobatic team. The 51st Wing, equipped with the P-51D Mustang and the Spitfire Mk. IX, was in fact the first to perform with three Spitfires, above the airport of Padova in September 1947. The enthusiasm of those pilots inspired their colleagues of the 5th Squadron, which formed another aerobatic team based on Spitfires. In 1950 a new act took to the Itaslian skies, with the birth of the ‘Cavallino Rampante’, consisting of four DH.100 Vampires of the 4° Aerobrigata. At that time a different acrobatic team was formed every single year. This situation went on for over nine years and produced names like ‘Lanceri Neri’, ‘Tigri Bianche’, ‘Getti Tonanti’ and ‘Diavoli Rossi’. Nice, but one can imagine the descision of the General Staff to establish a permanent national group: Frecce!

The 'arrows' were first equipped with the F-86 Sabre, in dark blue with the Italian flag's colours under the wings and a hunting bow on the fuselage. The transition to the Fiat G-91 PAN in 1963 was the next step in the process. In 1982, the Aermacchi MB-339 PAN appreared. With ten aircraft, including one solo, the ‘Frecce Tricolori’ is the most numerous aerobatic team in the world and their flight program, including a dozen of figures, lasts about half an hour.

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OPERATIONAL PART The ‘Frecce Tricolori’ have three standard programs: high, low and flat, depending on weather conditions and characteristics of the exhibition. The high program is the top choice, when the cloud base is above 1,000 m and is characterized by numerous vertical aerobatic maneuvers. The lower programs are preferred, however, when the clouds do not exceed 500 to 600 m and do not include any vertical maneuvres (like looping or

bomb). Finally, the flat program provides various passages at low altitude. Pilots voluntary come from all fighter wings of the Italian Air Force and the selection choice is based on a shortlist of candidates with special characteristics and social skills. Every year two or three pilots are selected, who have more than a thousand flight hours of experience. After they join the training program is followed to ensure a gradual integration. For several years, whenever possible, the air displays are concluded by 'drawing' a five kilometer flag in the sky, accompanied in music by the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The livery of the used Aermacchi MB-339 PAN consists of the characteristic tri-band that crosses the

side of the plane on a blue background, while the belly is light grey. The wingtip tanks, used on the trainers in service with the Italian Air Force, have been removed because they interfere with some of the aerobatic performances. Underwing tanks are used for long-haul flights. The coloured smoke is generated is composed of liquid paraffin, to which pigments are added. The mix is released via a tube, placed in the exhaust rear of the airplane.

ARROWS AND ARROWS At RIAT, in September 2010, a gathering of military aerobatic teams in the world took place: the ‘Red Arrows’, the ‘Patrouille de France’, the ‘Patrouille Aquila’ and the ‘Patrouille Suisse’. But also less well-known teams joined: ‘Krila Oluje’ from Croatia, ‘Bialo-Czerwone Iskry’ from Poland and the ‘Royal Jordanian Falcons’ from Jordan. The team always promotes charity at occasions like this, and this time chose the Italian Association for Cancer Research, selling something like 100.000 gadgets, of with the proceeds going to the support of cancer research and, in particular, the educational path of the most promising young researchers. The air show has been realized through the contributions and collaboration granted by the region Friuli Venezia Giulia, where Rivolto is located, companies and entrepreneurs. The next date is September 2015.v Text and photography Alberto Pericoli

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Next Issue Issue 2 | January 2011 |

Czech training

Albanian caverns

Airbus A330 MRTT A total of 28 A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRRT) aircraft have been ordered by the air forces of Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Aircraft to which the A330 MRTT has already transferred fuel include F-16s and F-18s, the E-3 AWACS and another A330 MRTT during ‘buddy-buddy’ refueling. Time for a closer look at this transporter which will be delivered to the Royal Air Force soon.

With 27 aircraft in their inventory (of six different types) and around 30 instructor pilots assigned, the Centrum Leteckého Vy`cviku (CLV, Centre of Flight Training) at Pardubice provides complete flight training of future Czech Air Force pilots. CLV is operated by LOM Praha, a state-owned company specialized in defence aerospace.

The Albanian air force originally flew Russian style aircraft. The air force also bought Russian designed but in China under licenses produced aircraft. In the time frame 1960-1970 Albania acquired several hundred of these aircraft. Nowadays most of the old Chinese aircraft are stored caverns. Our reporters visited these hidden treasures and returned home with awesome images.

‘Arriverdeci’ Starfighter On July 27 2005 an era ended with the last flight of the famous F-104 Starfighter at Pratica di Mare. Twenty years after the last F-104 Starfighters retired from service in most European NATO air forces and were replaced by the F-16, history repeated itself. With the arrival of the first Italian F-16’s in 2003 the role of the F-104, the legendary ‘Cold War work horse’ finally ended. Time for a flash back. Pilots & Planes Military | #1 | November 2010 | 57