03 Juni 2011

RAAF's Hornet with AMRAAM and ASRAAM (photo : keypublishing)

WASHINGTON – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Wednesday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of up to 110 AIM-120C-7 Advanced MediumRange Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $202 million.

The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of up to 110 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, 10 AIM-120C-7 Air Vehicle-Instrumented, 16 AIM-120C-7 Captive Air Training Missiles, containers, weapon system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return, warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $202 million.

Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s Government policy places interoperability with US Forces as an important goal and objective for equipment acquisition. Accordingly, and in line with the overall procurement strategy, Australia seeks an acquisition FMS case which supports the procurement, integration and introduction into service of the AIM-120C-7 system for the F/A-18F Australian Super Hornet.

The proposed sale will allow the Australian Defense Force to complete Australia’s F/A-18 program under their Project AIR 5349. Phase I allowed acquisition of F/A-18 Block II aircraft and Phase II is for the acquisition of weapons. This proposed sale will provide standoff weapon capability required for Bridge Air Combat Capability for the Royal Australian Air Force. In addition, the upgrade is being viewed as an important step in maintaining interoperability with the U.S. Air Force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this new capability into its military.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile System Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

(DSCA)

03 Juni 2011

Naresuan class frigates (photo : nipa)

The defence and security company Saab has received two orders from the Royal Thai Navy for the upgrading of combat management and fire control systems on two frigates of the Naresuan class. The total contract amount is MSEK 454.

The contracts involve upgrading the frigates with the latest generation of combat management and fire control systems, 9LV Mk4 and CEROS 200. Saab will also supply data-link equipment to the ships, which will allow communication between the frigates and Thailand’s existing Gripen aircraft and Saab 340s, the latter fitted with the ERIEYE airborne radar system.

Saab 9LVMk4 Combat Management System (photo : Saab)

“Saab will supply an advanced combat management and fire control system which allows interoperability between naval and airborne units, providing more effective use of resources and capabilities,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Security and Defence Solutions.

Saab is the main contractor to the Royal Thai Navy, and as well as supply of its own systems, its tasks will include procurement of third-party systems and responsibility for integration of all existing and new systems.

Saab Ceros 200 fire control system (photo : Nemopan)

“This is Saab’s first major agreement with the Royal Thai Navy and the business strengthens our position in Thailand, which is an important market for Saab,” says Gunilla Fransson.

The contracts mainly concern the Security and Defence Solutions business area as the supplier of the combat management and fire control systems and the Tacticall communication systems. The Electronic Defence Systems business area will supply the Sea Giraffe AMB surveillance radar system as well as data-link equipment for communication with Gripen and the ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning systems.

The contract will run between 2011 and 2014.

(Saab)

Helicopters are one of the most versatile vehicles ever invented. Their unique ability to hover in mid-air, fly sideways, backwards and being able to land in a space no bigger than a tennis court make them uniquely suited to perform a wide variety of tasks.

If you're thinking about a career as a professional helicopter pilot now is the time. Helicopter use is at an all time high and the imminent retirement of many veteran pilots means increased opportunity for those who want to fly helicopters as a career.

These are some of the many professional helicopter pilot positions that are available now and will continue to be available into the foreseeable future.

I. Emergency Medical Services (EMS)- These are the helicopters that respond to life threatening emergencies on our nations interstates, highways, and local roads. EMS helicopter pilots usually fly as a single pilot and sometimes in weather that is less than favorable. The flight time requirements differ but for the most part you will need a minimum of 2000 hrs of pilot in command (PIC) flight time in order to be considered a competitive candidate. As far as who you'll be working for...most EMS helicopters are owned by a company that is separate from the hospital. The company leases out the pilots and the helicopters to the hospital. Notice that I said most. There are hospitals that directly employ EMS helicopters and their pilots.

II. Electronic News Gathering (ENG)- Pilots who fly Electronic News Gathering missions report on traffic conditions, cover local events like parades and festivals and also give us that wonderful coverage of high and low speed police chases. These pilots usually work a split shift that corresponds with the morning and evening rush hours and are on call in case of developing stories.

III. Government Agencies- The federal, state, and local governments offer a wealth of flying opportunities. On the Federal level agencies such as the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), ICE (immigration and customs enforcement), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), DHS (Department of Homeland Security) as well as others offer flying opportunities that are diverse and wide-ranging. On the state levels state departments of transportation and wildlife.

IV. Military- Military flying can be one of the most rewarding types of flying. In government and military flying money is less of an issue. Excellent training is the norm and you could be flying some of the most advanced helicopters on some of the most exciting missions.

V. Law Enforcement- Flying for state and local law enforcement can also be very rewarding. In most law enforcement agencies they hire pilots from within the ranks of ground officers. So, if you want to fly for a state or local law enforcement agency you can expect to be an officer on the ground for a few years

VI. Petroleum Support- Petroleum support pilots fly workers and equipment from on shore locations to off shore oil rigs. They usually stay at bases strategically located near the rigs and will work an extended number of days and than have an extended number of days off. (for example 7 days on and 7 days off). In the United States most of these pilots work along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and some work in Alaska.

These helicopter pilot careers are available to anyone who desires a career as a professional pilot. They all offer challenge, adventure, excitement, and financial rewards. If any of these positions interest you, research what skills you need to acquire the position. Put a plan of action in place and act on that plan.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/686967

It has taken me a while to get back to posting some more from Ardmore last Sunday - busy week!

Another hangar that was open was the one beside the Thunder Mustang hangar, and there were several immaculate aircraft inside, all owned by the Kaipara Aviation Trust of North Shore.
The first was Stearman A 75N 1 ZK-BWR which had probably the cleanest engine I have ever seen. It is ex N 52648 and was first registered in New Zealand on 21/6/07. It was fastidiously rebuilt at Blenhiem by Stuart Tantrum and flew again in January 2009.
And the second was our only Mooney M 20R Ovation, ZK-VBB - a very smooth aircraft.

In the background is a Lockheed L 10 Electra rebuild which is quite advanced. I understand this will become ZK-AWR for Rob Mackley.

The Kaipara Aviation Trust also owns the immaculate red Cessna o1H Bird Dog ZK-DOG.

 Three more Gisborne aircraft as photographed by ZK-DDG

Gulfstream American AA5A Cheetah ZK-JER , c/n AA5A-0764 , is on the line with Air Gisborne, and effectively has been, since being imported and registered on 23-09-1982 via Dennis Thompson International Ltd. I believe this airframe now has over 21,500 hours many being flown by John Reid, the chief pilot for Air Gisborne and A cat instructor, on fish spotting.

**********************************************

Piper PA23-250E Aztec ZK-PIX ,  c/n 27-4738 , reached our shores in March of 1986 for Motueka Air  and then to Commercial Helicopters/Mountain Air from July of 1992. It was listed with Sunair Aviation on 17-12-2008. One of eight such Aztecs on line.

Plinth mounted Fletcher FU24-950M ZK-BWV , c/n 72 , was assembled as an FU24N by Air Parts (NZ) Ltd and registered on 28-03-1960, first flying on 12-07-1960, gaining its C of A on 18-07-1960. It served with Thames Aerial Top Dressing Co Ltd, as fleet number 5, until being listed to Fieldair Ltd of Palmerston North on 19-07-1973. It was upgraded to a 950M along the way. It was damaged after over running into a gully during an aborted take off at Whareora (Whangarei area) on 15-09-1989. Did it ever fly again ?   Its registration was cancelled on 25-08-1997. It replaced the Lodestar ZK-BUV as a gate guardian at Gisborne airport.

Adria applies retro livery for 50th birthday

Slovenia’s national carrier Adria Airways is celebrating 50 years of existence and has applied a special retro livery to one of its Airbus A320s (registration S5-AAT) in that honour. Adria commenced flights 50 years ago as Adria Aviopromet with a DC6 which wore the same livery as the Airbus pictured above. It was the first airline, other than JAT Yugoslav Airlines, to be based in Yugoslavia. Operating as a charter airline, Adria expanded not only out of Ljubljana but out of Zagreb and Sarajevo as well.

After the breakup of Yugoslavia it became the national carrier of Slovenia, operating a modern fleet of short haul aircraft. Today the airline has a base in the Slovenian capital as well as Priština. Adria is a Star Alliance member and has been trying to position itself as a regional leader through a strong regional network.

Adria today faces an uncertain future as the carrier struggles with mounting debt and possible privatisation, however, the airline has achieved a lot in the past 5 decades. This year, Jat Airways will celebrate 84 years of existence on June 17, Croatia Airlines 22 on July 20 with B&H Airlines and Montenegro Airlines celebrating their 17th birthday on August 12 and October 24 respectively.

Viewer ZK-DDG has kindly sent some photographs taken recently at Gisborne.

The Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society (Inc)[GAPS] have several aircraft in their hangar at Gisborne airport.
Check out their website at http://crash.ihug.co.nz/~av8or/GAPS/
Above is the Lockheed 18-56 Lodestar ZK-BUV , c/n 2152. This Lodestar served with the RAF and BOAC during World War 11 followed by a period with the Spanish Air Force. It went to the States  in 1955 as N9930F until being purchased by Fieldair in late December of 1957. It was converted to a top dresser in Sydney. It was withdrawn from use at Palmerston North on 28-11-1972 and ferried into Gisborne on 08-01-1973. It was for some time mounted on a plinth at Gisborne. In May 1998 it was removed and placed in the GAPS hangar.
The top pic was taken at Gisborne on 21-05-2011 by ZK-DDG.
The photo below was at Palmerston North on 08-12-1972 - shortly after being WFU.

Below is the Reims/Cessna F406 Caravan 11 ZK-CEC2  , c/n F406-0012. This is on line for all weather charter with Air Charter East Coast Ltd. Built in 1987 as F-WZDU, it went to Belgium as OO-TIZ, then to the Netherlands as PH-ALE followed by a time in Nigeria as 5Y-WAW. On arrival in NZ it received major attention from Aeromotive and became ZK-CII2 on 10-08-1998. It joined the Vincent Aviation fleet in 1999 and was re-registered as ZK-VAA2 on 08-05-2003. Kiwi Air listed it from 06-12-2007 and then re-registered it again. This time as ZK-XLC on 15-01-2008. It was transferred to Air Charter East Coast Ltd on 01-06-2010 and on the 9th it became ZK-CEC2.