02 November 2011
First time Air Force A109 lands on HMNZS CANTERBURY (photo : Fuseworks)Last week the new Air Force helicopter, the A109, successfully completed its first integration trial with the Navy’s Multi-role Vessel, HMNZS CANTERBURY.
The aim of the trial was to test the A109 with the Ship in non-operational conditions including the ability for the aircraft to operate and be maintained on the Ship.
During the trial the helicopter was landed on the ship and then fully stowed in the ship’s hangar. The second stage of the trial saw the helicopter being removed from the hangar, prepared for flight and flown off the ship, which was tied-up alongside Devonport Naval Base throughout.
The trial was deemed a success with only minor issues to rectify. Further trials will be carried out before the helicopter is able to operate to and from the ship.
HMNZS CANTERBURY is the Navy’s sealift and amphibious support vessel. Depending on the mission type, CANTERBURY can transport a blend of A109 or Navy Seasprite helicopters in support of air and land operations and disaster relief. The ship will also carry the new NH90 helicopter when it comes into service.
Belgrade figures continue to rise
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport recorded strong growth in October 2011 despite a fall in the number of operated flights. The airport handled 272.673 passengers, an increase of 20.6% compared to the same month last year. The figure is even more impressive when it is taken into account that the airport saw a total of 3.750 arrivals and departures compared to 3.849 last year, a decrease of 2.5%. The airport is hoping that the strong figures will continue with SkyWork Airlines inaugurating flights from Bern yesterday while Flydubai will begin services to Belgrade on November 10 with four weekly flights. On the other hand, Tunisair, which was to launch flights from Monastir to the Serbian capital for the winter season has decided against the move and will keep its Tunis - Belgrade service instead. So far this year, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has recorded a total of 2.691.836 passengers and, as a result, should just surpass its goal of three million passengers by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Niš Constantine the Great Airport handled 2.683 passengers in October. With its only scheduled flights being services from Podgorica operated by Montenegro Airlines, Niš welcomed a total of 20.748 passengers so far this year. It is on course to surpass last year’s result when it saw a total of 23.627 passengers.
Construction of the new passenger terminal at Morava Airport in Kraljevo is in full swing with all construction deadlines to be met. Although the airport has been officially opened, it should handle its first flights from April 1, if it manages to attract customers. Work on the extension of the existing runway should begin early next year.
Above : doing a couple of quick circuits was the Phil Meredith Bolkow Bo208C Junior
ZK-CJG (c/n 601). This served with the Middle Districts Aero Club between 1965 and 1969, then spent six years in Samoa before returning to NZ in 1975
Below. The Mountain View Helicopters Robinson R22 Beta
ZK-HFL4 (c/n 2280) was long line training on the south side of the field.A stranger in town: The Robinson R22 Beta
ZK-HCE2 (c/n 1602), currently registered to Back Country Helicopters of Makarora was pounding the circuit.
01 November 2011
Russia’s new AWACS plane enters service (photo : Osdu)
A modernized A-50U airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force on Monday, an AF spokesman said.
The aircraft has an advanced onboard computer, satellite communication and radar systems, Col. Vladimir Drik said.
It now has the capability to detect various types of flying targets, including helicopters, cruise missiles and supersonic aircraft, he said.
The Beriev A-50, based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport, first flew in 1978. It entered service in 1984, with about 40 produced by 1992.
The A-50 can track up to 10 fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions.
(RIA Novosti)
Wellington based Citation 510 Mustang ZK-MUS/2 has been sitting at Ardmore the last couple of days and still looks like brand new after being delivered to the country in May 2010.
It replaced another Mustang that had also worn ZK-MUS and was subsequently re-registered ZK-MOT. It spent almost 12 months in Australia before returning to NZ on 15 March 2011 and is now hangered at Ardmore with Dennis Thompson International.
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| At Ardmore 01/11/11 |
Skopje Airport awaits new winter flights
The Albanian low cost airline Belle Air Europe will commence flights from Skopje to Rome and Dusseldorf. The airline will launch its two weekly service to Rome Fiumicino Airport on December 15. The flights will be in direct competition with Blu-express from Italy, which began services on the same route yesterday. Interestingly, both airlines will operate flights on exactly the same days (Thursdays and Sundays) with only a few hours between them. Return ticket prices on both vary between 150 and 200 Euros. Belle Air will also launch flights from Dusseldorf to the Macedonian capital with a two weekly frequency. Services from Dusseldorf will be inaugurated on December 10.
The Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency, in cooperation with Skopje Airport operator TAV, is looking to fill in the void left by MAT Macedonian Airlines and its successor Mat Airways by finding alternative airlines to operate the same routes, as a result catering for the needs of Macedonian travellers. Tour operators are also confident that the new flights to the Italian capital will attract tourists from both sides. Negotiations are now underway for flights from Amsterdam and Brussels to be launched.
Flight details for the Rome service can be found
here, while information on the Dusseldorf flights can be viewed
here. So far this year, Skopje Airport has seen many new arrivals including Wizz Air, Air Berlin, Blue-express and Pegasus Airlines.
