Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

Hi,

I've created a new Yahoo Group called the Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

I hope it will allow members to ask queries and questions about light aircraft, microlight aircraft, ULM, gliders and autogyros - for example,


How many PZL 104 Wilga 2000 aircraft were built ?


What is the construction number of FK-12 Comet D-MICI


What happened to the Slovakian Tecnam Sierra S5-PIS ?



Currently discuss Flight Design CT construction numbers / MSN / werknummer on LADEX

I know that many aviation enthusiasts and aircraft historians have a wealth of knowledge about their favourite aircraft types - specialist knowledge that could really help someone with only a passing interest in a particular aircraft type or aircraft manufacturer  - knowledge is a two way street and I hope very much that all members can both learn and share on this group.

If you want to join please visit the link below and briefly tell me your own area of interest with light aircraft - thanks

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LADEX_GROUP/


Steve in UK

New M-28 Skytruck on delivery to the USA

The latest M-28 Skytruck ( Alfa ) for the US AFSOC departed the PZL Mielec factory in Poland on Saturday 25th September 2010.

The aircraft was marked as N322PW - all previous AFSOC M-28 deliveries to the USA have used Polish "SP-D....." aircraft registrations for their delivery flight. 

This latest aircraft is c/n AJE003-22 - it first flew on 14th September 2010 marked as SP-DGT. The American registration N322PW was registered on 23rd September 2010 - the aircraft is painted white/blue.

After departing Mielec the aircraft landed at Copenhagen, Denmark en route to the USA - after this it flew via Keflavik Iceland, Narsarsuaq, Greenland and onto Goose Bay in Canada. On the 28th September 2010 it continued to Sept airport in Quebec, Canada and then onto Bangor, ME, USA - then onto Elmira - Corning airport NY, USA, then Willard, Champaign, IL and then Centennial, Denver, CO.


The link below shows the aircraft at Copenhagen on 25.9.10


http://forum.scramble.nl/viewtopic.php?p=442449


Steve

PW-5 Smyk - c/n 17.08.016 ZK-GES leaves New Zealand

The PW-5 Smyk single seat glider has always been very popular in New Zealand - in fact since 1995 twenty five different examples have been registered on the ZK New ZEalnd aircraft register - second only to Argentina with approx 36 examples.

Smyk ZK-GES c/n 17.08.206 was built at the PZL Swidnik factory in eastern Poland in 1997 and was exported brand new to New Zealand where it became ZK-GES on 4th November 1997. The glider was cancelled from the New Zealand aircraft register on 10th September 2010, cancelled as "exported" - can anyone tell me where this glider has gone please ?

Earlier in 2010 another Smyk was exported from New Zealand - this was ZK-GWN c/n 17.03.004 a 1994 vintage example.

If you can tell where these two PW-5 Smyks have gone then please do get in touch - thanks

UPDATE 1.10.10 - Both these PW-5 Smyks have been exported from New Zealand to Argentina

Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - Summer 2010

The latest UK CAA register shows three "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland -


G-GBLR Reims Cessna F150L c/n 1109  was built in 1974 originally registered as N961L. In 1985 this aircraft was imported into the UK and became G-GBLR.It was cancelled as sold to Poland on 21.7.10


G-LOKM PZL Koliber 160A c/n 04990080 was built in 1999 and test flew at PZL Okecie as SP-WGH. It was imported into the UK in September 1999 and became G-BYSH but was quickly re-registered as G-LOKM in 11.99. The aircraft is white and blue and had flown just 114 flight hours by 31.12.09. G-LOKM was cancelled as sold to Poland on 24.8.10 - I think this aircraft may be in the Krakow region.


G-MTGN CFM Shadow Series B c/n 041 this microlight aircraft was built in the UK in 1988 -  and was cancelled as sold to Poland on 23.9.09


please let me know if you see these aircraft in Poland - thank you.

Steve

Aero AT-4 flying in Malaysia

The FRAS Flying Club at Senai Airport, Johor in Malaysia currently operate an Aero AT-4 ( built by Aero at Mielec in Poland ) registered as 9M-EVA.

The AT-4 arrived in Malaysia in July 2009 and after assembly and local paperwork flew for the first time locally on 11th August 2009.

FRAS Flying Club will take delivery of a second new build Aero AT-4 in September 2010.

For more information about the FRAS Flying Club at Senai Airport, Johor, Malaysiaclick on the WWW link below

http://www.frasflyingclub.com.my/home.php




Steve

Poles at Son Bonet, Mallorca, Spain - August 2010

Noted at Son Bonet airfield ( a few miles North of Palma city ) on the island of Mallorca, Spain on 14th August 2010 were

EC-JUM - PZL Swidnik W-3AM Sokol c/n 370707 - this Sokol helicopter was built in late 1996 and test flew at Swidnik as SP-SYL (2) prior to delivery to South Korea for use by Daewoo as HL9257.

In 2006 it was sold onto Spain and became EC-JUM, owned by Sky Helicopters - it is now operated on behalf of the Govern de les Illes Balears ( the local government for the Ballearic Islands ) and is coded "H01" and is on standby for local emergency use and firefighting duties.

Also seen at Son Bonet was An-2 c/n 1G190-59 - this aircraft was built in 1981 and delivered to the USSR as CCCP-84627. In 1997 it was transferred to the Ukrainian aircraft register as UR-84627.
 

 
During 2005 this An-2 UR-84627 arrived at Son Bonet airfield on the island of Mallorca together with several other Ukraine registered An-2 aircraft. After sitting in the sun withdrawn from use for several years the airport authorities decided to auction these aircraft - today UR-84627 is the only example left. The registration has been overpainted from the fuselage but is still visible under the port wing. Note the "IV" marking - this may be connected with the auction.

The other three former Ukrainian An-2 that were sold off at Son Bonet were

UR-31497 - sold and become SP-OOH
UR-81649 - sold and became SP-FAV
UR-TAS - sold and became SP-AIN


I wonder if UR-84627 will ever fly again.


Steve

Aero AT-4 - Gobosh 700

Aero continue to build and export the AT-4 light sports aircraft at Mielec ( alongside the AT-3 ) - the latest aircraft to be exported to the USA is c/n AT4-025 which was registered as N273CB on 2nd August 2010 to an owner in Virginia, USA - in the USA the type is marketed as the Gobosh 700.

Aero are also busy building AT-4 aircraft for customers in Malaysia and South Korea for delivery in 2010.

If you can supply jpeg photos of these aircraft then please do let me know - thanks.


Steve

Rotorway Exec 162F G-BZXD sold to Poland

G-BZXD Rotorway Exec 162F helicopter was cancelled from the UK CAA "G-..." aircraft register on 3rd August 2010 as sold to Poland.

This small helicopter was built in 2001 but had flown only 17 flight hours by 31.12.09 - it is painted in a very distinctive red/yellow/green colour scheme - more details on the web link below

http://www.rotorway.co.uk/content/view/32/18/

If you see this helicopter in Poland please let me know - thanks


Steve

SP-HAA - FlyLAL Charters - Small Planet Airlines

FlyLAL Charters have registered their first airliner in Poland as SP-HAA. This Boeing 737-322 c/n 24664 was previously registered LY-FLD and is shown below taking off from Katowice.

photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

The aircraft has been seen operating flights to Greece, Spain and Italy since May 2010 and is currently painted in in basic all white colour scheme with FlyLAL Charters titles, operating from Warsaw and Katowice.

On 22nd July 2010 FlyLAL Charters changed their operating name to Small Planet Airlines - the airline now operates from four European countries ( Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Italy ) and wanted a new brand name and image to reflect its pan European operating

It is expected that 737 SP-HAA will be repainted into these new colours by October 2010.

Small Planet Airlines plan to add two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to their Polish operating fleet in summer 2011.

More details about Small Planet Airlines on their website below


http://www.smallplanet.aero/


UPDATE 1.11 - great photo of SP-HAA wearing the new Small Planet colour scheme

photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

 Smart looking crew uniforms too  - good luck Small Planet

 photo supplied by Small Planet Airlines

Steve

SW-4 on display at Farnborough 2010

PZL Swidnik part of the AgustaWestland group are exhibiting a newly built SW-4 light helicopter at Farnborough 2010. The helicopter SP-SST arrived at Farnborough on 16.7.10 - the trade show startsed on Monday 19th July 2010.

The c/n of this helicopter is confirmed as 600402 ( ie Batch 04 aircraft 02 ).

This SW-4 will operate as a demonstrator. 

Another new SW-4 is SP-SSW c/n 600401 - this is currently operating in Arizona, USA for hot and high test trials.


Steve

Aero-Kros MP-02 Czajka - Type Certification - July 2010

Aero-Kros have announced that they have achieved Type Certification for their MP-02 Czajka ultralight aircraft design - congratulations on this success.



http://www.aero-kros.com/images/stories/aktualnosci/wiadectwo_Spe_wymaga_Technicznych.pdf


For more information on the MP-02 Czajka please see the link below

http://www.aero-kros.com/produkcja-i-obsluga-ulm/mp-02-czajka.html


Steve

First flight of S-70i Black Hawk built PZL Mielec

Sikorsky have announced the first test flight of the S-70i Black Hawk helicopter on 1st July 2010.  This helicopter was built at PZL Mielec in Poland and rolled out to the press on 15th March 2010. The helicopter was then shipped to the Sikorsky facility at   in Florida, USA.


More details via the official Sikorsky press release below



http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=71ffc46734e89210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD

TS-11 Iskra - 827 1H-0827 for sale June 2010

Currently being shown for sale on the WWW is former Team Iskry TS-11 Iskra serial 827 c/n 1H-0827.

This aircraft operated with the Polish Air Force display team "Team Iskry" during the 1990's with tail code "10".  By 1999 this code had changed to "6".

The aircraft was withdrawn from use several years ago as "Team Iskry" changed to operate the more modern Block 3 ( 3H-..... ) TS-11 Iskra aircraft. As a result this aircraft was stored at Deblin airbase until recently.

The photo shows the aircraft temporarily stored in a yard in the Praga district of Warsaw in June 2010 - it is up for sale via TDM Electronics.

For more details see the Link below

http://www.moto.allegro.pl/item1085532052_samolot_iskra_ts11.html


Steve

New VIP aircraft for Poland - Embraer 175 SP-LIG

The Polish Prime Minister Mr Tusk flew for the first time on board the new Polish Government VIP jet SP-LIG on 9th June 2010.

After the fatal accident of the Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M serial 101 the Polish Government has leased an Embraer ERJ-175 from LOT Polish Airlines registration SP-LIG c/n 17000283.

This aircraft was delivered brand new to LOT from Embraer in Brazil in October 2009. It was repainted into the Polish Government white/red VIP colour scheme in May 2010 with Republic of Poland titles - note that this aircraft does not carry the Polish Air Force square military symbol as previous VIP jets have. The aircraft is operated with a LOT flight crew.

The Polish Air Force still has one other VIP Tupolev TU-154 which is currently in Russia undergoing deep maintenance. They also still operate several Soviet era Yak-40 jets but these are 30 years old.

A new VIP aircraft type has been under discussion for several years prior to the fatal crash of "101" in April 2010 at Smolensk, Russia.

A second Embraer ERJ-175 is also to be leased too - the lease contract for both aircraft will run until 2013

Mr Tusk flew on the new VIP jet to a European Union meeting in Brussels.

External LINK to photo of SP-LIG in the new VIP colour scheme

Steve

Ekolot KR-030 Topaz - recent delivery

Ekolot have recently delivered a new KR-030 Topaz aircraft to the Czech Republic. Registered as OK-PUS-24 the aircraft is c/n 30-03-07.

  
The aircraft was built in Krosno, Poland and was delivered in May 2010. It was seen at the recent Aero 2010 event at Pribram.  The Topaz has a distinctive shoulder mounted single section wing without support struts.  So far approximatley 30 examples of the Topaz have been built with examples flying in Poland, Czech Republic, Thailand, France and South Africa.


External Link to Ekolot website



Steve

ZS Jezow - PW-6U glider in the UK

The Cotswold Gliding Club are based at Aston Down airfield near Cirencester  - they operate many gliders including a pair of modern PW-6U two seater trainers.

The PW-6U was originally designed by the Politechnic Warszawa ( PW ) in Warsaw, Poland. Serial production was underataken by PZL Swidnik - between 2000 and 2004 approximately 30 PW-6U gliders were built at Swidnik with examples exported to New Zealnd, Japan, USA, France, Germany, Norway, Canada and Egypt.

Production at Swidnik ceased in 2004.  The licence and certificate to build the PW-6U was acquired by Henry Mynarski of Zaklad Szybowcowy Jezow ( ZS Jezow ). Mr Mynarski has a long history of glider construction in Poland.

ZS Jezow completed their first newly built PW-6U in 2007 c/n 78.04.01 - this first example was exported to Canada.  To date nine PW-6U have been built at ZS Jezow including exports to the USA, UK and Australia.

The Cotswold Gliding Club operate two PW-6U,

G-CKRU c/n 78.04.07
G-CKRX c/n 78.04.08

 

Link to Cotswold Gliding Club, UK

Link to ZS Jezow builder of the PW-6U glider



Steve

SP-AVC - Cirrus SR22 fatal accident 31.5.10

SP-AVC Cirrus SR22 G3 GTSX c/n 3260 crashed near the airfield at Bielefeld - Windelsbleiche, Germany EDLI on 31st May 2010 unfortunately killing all four occupants.

This Cirrus SR22 was built in the USA in 2008 - it was delivered to Europe in September 2008 registered as N939PG passing through the airports at Goose Bay, Canada CYYR, Narsarsuaq, Greenland BGBW, Reykjavik, Iceland BIRK, Wick, Scotland EGPC and onto Groningen, Netherlands EHGG.

N939PG was cancelled from the US FAA register on 1st October 2008. On 27th October 2008 it was officially registered in Poland as SP-AVC.

As SP-AVC this modern aircraft was seen visiting the airfields as Rome - Urbe, Italy LIRI in July 2009 and Antwerp, Belgium EBAW in August 2009.

Link to photos of SP-AVC Cirrus SR22

Link to press report on NW News Germany website


Steve

SP-YNZ - SBLim-2 - Mig 15 UTI flies again in Poland

On 26.5.2010 after many years of restoration "006" SBLim-2 ( two seater Mig 15bis ) took to the air again on its first flight post re-build.

"006" c/n 1A-06006 is now registered as SP-YNZ and took to the skies at Deblin air force base. This aircraft was once preserved as a display exhibit at the aircraft museum at Lodz. It arrived at Goraszka for re-build to flying standard by 2001. In May 2006 the aircraft was undergoing engine trials.

Congratulations to the restoration team - it's great to see this aircraft flying once again.

See photo link below for action shots of SP-YNZ at Deblin 26.5.2010

http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/7d_samples/EPDE/2010_05_26/


See video link below of it flying at Deblin, Poland on 26.5.2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVUM7h2pTy8


See another video link below of it flying at Deblin, Poland on 26.5.2010

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XlZU6MWf9n0


Steve

2 new 3xtrim Navigator 600 aircraft to USA

3xtrim have recently delivered two new Navigator 600 light sports aircraft to the USA from the factory at Bielsko Biala in Poland.

The aircraft are c/n E70 now registered as N5057 and c/n E72 now registered as N277MT - both aircraft are currently registered to 3xtrim Inc at Niagara, New York.

photo courtesy Rainbow Sport Aviation of Canada

Both aircraft were registered in May 2010.


Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK - May 2010

The latest UK CAA register shows one "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland -


G-BPHT Cessna 152 II c/n 15282401 was built in 1978 and flew as N961LP.  In 1988 this aircraft was imported into the UK and became G-BPHT in 12.88.

The aircraft had flown 8,268 flight hours by 12.08 - it was cancelled from the UK CAA register on 19.5.10 as "sold to Poland" and should become SP-KFO

please let me know if you see this aircraft in Poland - thank you.

Steve

Aircraft sold to Poland from the UK

The latest UK CAA register shows two "G-reg...." aircraft cancelled as sold to Poland - please let me know if you see these aircraft in Poland - thank you.


G-TENS HOAV DV20 Katana c/n 20148 cancelled from the UK CAA register on 31.3.2010 - this aircraft was built in 1995 and was originally registered as G-BXBW. It is due to become SP-TMK in Poland.


Photo link to G-TENS


G-CCFN Cameron N-105 hot air balloon c/n 10442 cancelled from the UK CAA register on 26.4.2010 - this balloon was built in 2003 and is marked "Clairol"a hair colouring product-the balloon is pink and green - please let me know if you see this in Poland please - thank you.

Photo link to G-CCFN


Steve

Aero-Kros - Rotorway A600 Talon helicopters

Aero-Kros at Krosno in Poland are the import agents for Rotorways helicopters in Poland.

They have recently completed the building of their 3rd A600 Talon helicopter, registered SP-YKG - see below.

photo courtesy of Aero-Kros

photo courtesy of Aero-Kros

The first example was SP-YSZ which was displayed at Aero 2009 at Friedrichshafen, Germany in April 2009.
 
The  three helicopters are


SP-YFW c/n 8045

SP-YKG  c/n 8044

SP-YSZ  c/n 8043


Click here for more images of the Aero-Kros website


Click here for more info on the Rotorway A600 Talon


Steve

Bartolini Air take delivery of first Tecnam P2006T in Poland

Bartolini Air of Lodz, Poland have recently taken delivery of the first twin engined Tecnam P2006T in Poland.

The Italian designed aircraft has four seats and is registered as SP-DZW c/n 033. It is powered by two four cylinder four stroke Rotax 912S engines. It arrived in Poland on 26.4.2010.

The aircraft will be used primarily for multi engine flight training.


More info here about Bartolini Air


More Info here on the Tecnam website

Thanks to Norbert Domińczak of Bartolini Air for his help.

Steve

G-UKAT - Aero AT-3 - Accident 9th May 2010 in UK

Aero AT-3 G-UKAT was destroyed in an accident at North Weald airfield on 9th May 2010.

The aircraft hit a motor car whilst trying to land and caught fire. Thankfully the pilot and car passengers survived the accident.

G-UKAT was the sixth AT-3 to be built by Aero at Krosno in Poland but is unusual as it was delivered to the customer as a factory supplied kit. It arrived in the UK in April 2004 and was allocated the Popular Flying Association kit construction number PFA 327-14107. The aircraft is registered as an Aero AT-3 SK ( ie kit built ).

Aero have since moved their production facility to Mielec in Poland and have built over 50 examples of the AT-3 to date and more than 25 examples of the enhanced AT-4.

This AT-3 was based at North Weald airfield just to the North East of London - North Weald was a major RAF airfield during the Battle of Britain period in 1940.


The photo below was supplied by the Essex County Fire & Rescue Services

G-UKAT had flown 453 flight hours by 31.12.09.


More photos of the accident damage can be seen via the Essex County Fire & Rescue Services link below


http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=5&id=38&folder=658

More news details via the BBC link below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8672152.stm



Steve

SP-NAM - Bell 427

Bell 427 c/n 56076 was reported passing through Amsterdam Schipol in The Netherlands as cargo on 22.1.10.

This helicopter was built by Bell Textron in Canada and was cancelled from the Canadian register on 19.1.09 as C-FXSY.

UPDATE - May 2010

I'd like to thank Jacek Wójcis for supplying the photo of SP-NAM taken at Bydgoszcz in May 2010


Steve

G-BWDF - PZL 104 Wilga 35A - UK Accident 6th May 2010

Today, the 6th May 2010 is General Election day in the UK - people have been voting since 7am this morning.

At about 8am reports came in of a light aircraft plane crash at the airfield at Hinton in the Hedges. On board was Nigel Farage a parliamentary candidate ( for the UKIP party ) and a pilot.

The wreck of Wilga G-BWDF - Photo courtesy Sky News

The crashed aircraft is a PZL 104 Wilga 35A G-BWDF. There are reports that the aircraft was trailing a towing banner promoting the UKIP party and that this might have become caught in the rudder of the aircraft. Both the pilot and Mr Farage have been taken to hospital for treatment. Photos from the accident site show the aircraft inverted with major damage to the cockpit area.

G-BWDF c/n 21950955 is one of the last Wilga to have been built having first flown in July 1995 at the PZL Okecie factory in Warsaw Poland. When it was deliverd in was painted in a two tone green camoflague c/s and was based at White Waltham airfield to the West of London.  For several years it sat parked at White Waltham as the grass grew aound it.

External Link to photo of G-BWDF in its original green colours


By late 1999 it was dismantled and removed from White Waltham by lorry. It underwent a rebuild at Rushett Farm airstrip near Chessington and was back in the air by 2003 ( with just 22 flight hours in total ). In 2004 it was seen at Husbands Bosworth airfield acting as a glider tug.

By 2006 it was operating from the airfield at Dunsfold still painted green but by 2008 it had been repainted dark blue. In recent years the aircraft has been operated by "Sky Banners". The aircraft had flown 239 flight hours by 31.12.2008.

Let's hope the pilot and the passenger make a full recovery.


More info here via the Sky News website news story

More info here via the BBC News website news story


Steve

Aero-Kros MP-02 Czajka at Aero 2010

 
Aero-Kros of Krosno Poland exhibited a new build MP-02 Czajka at the recent Aero 2010 trade show heald at Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The MP-02 is a high wing, T tail composite ultralight aircraft. Aero-Kros displayed the
 

 prototype of the MP-02 at the same show last year, April 2009, this has been test flying  registered as SP-SABD.

The aircraft shown at Aero 2010 was newly built and unregistered ( see above photo ) but will be delivered shortly to the Aero-Kros dealer in Belgium, JMB Aviation.


For more information about th MP-02 Czajka see the web link below



http://www.aero-kros.com/offer/26-mp-02-czajka.html


Steve

PZL Swidnik announces deal to build Pilatus PC-12 fusealges

PZL Swidnik have confirmed that they will start production for Pilatus of fusealges for the PC-12 single engined turboprop aircraft.

Their April 2010 press release states..................

The contract provides for a 10 years production co-operation, with the potential for further extension and development. The first fuselage is scheduled to be delivered to the recipient in September 2011.

More details on this LINK to PZL Swidnik statement




Steve

Fatal Crash - Polish Air Force Tu-154M serial 101 on 10thApril 2010 near Smolensk

On Saturday 10th April 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154M serial 101 crashed during the final approach to the military airfield at Smolensk in Western Russia. The weather conditions at the time were foggy.

The accident killed all 96 people on board including the Polish President Lech Kaczynski.

Tu-154M serial 101 c/n 90A837 was built in 1990 by Tupolev in the then USSR. In the late 1980s the Polish state airline LOT had taken delivery of 13 new build Tu-154M airliners registered as SP-LCA to SP-LCN.

Aircraft 90A837 was origianlly delivered to the Polish Air Force 36 splt ( VIP transport unit ) in Warsaw in the same white/blue colour scheme as the LOT Tu-154M aircraft but with Republic of Poland titles and Polish Air Force roundels and serial as 837.

A second Tu-154M was delivered to the Polish Air Force in 1994 - this aircraft was built in 1990 and was a former LOT aircraft ( ex SP-LCO ) with c/n 90A862. This aircraft was also painted white/blue ( basic ex LOT c/s ) and used the Polish Air Force serial 862.

By the early 1990s both Polish Air Force Tu-154M were re-painted into an attractive white/red colour scheme and the two aircraft were re-serailed as 101 ( c/n 837 ) and 102 ( c/n 862 ).

At the time of the fatal crash of aircraft 101 it was said to have flown 5,004 flight hours and made 1,823 landings.

The second Tu-154M serial 102 is currently believed to be away on overhaul in Russia . 


External Link to Tu-154M c/n 837 with serial 837 in 1994 in white/blue c/s


External Link to Tu-154M c/n 837 with serial 101 in 2008 in white/red c/s

The body of President Lech Kaczynski was flown back to Warsaw, Poland on Sunday 11th April 2010 in Polish Air Force Casa 295M serial 020.

photo of Casa 295M serial 020 arriving at Warsaw 11.4.2010 - by TVP / I Sobieszczuk

Steve

SP-DGS - M28 Skytruck on delivery to USA via Prestwick

On Saturday 3rd April 2010 M28 Skytruck SP-DGS passed through Prestwick airport on the west coast of Scotland on delivery to the USA. The aircraft was built at PZL Mielec and is painted white and blue with the under fuselage luggage carrier.


See photo link below for images of this aircraft at Prestwick


http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=21420



This Skytruck will eventually join the USAF AFSOC - Air Force Special Operations Command.

Update - SP-DGS c/n AJE003-21 was re-registered as N279DH on 28th April 2010 registered to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA.

Others delivered to the USA in 2008 / 2009 have been

SP-DGN c/n AJE 003-10 became N310MV

SP-DGO c/n AJE 003-19 became N319TW

SP-DGP c/n AJE 003-17 became N317JG

SP-DGR c/n AJE 003-20 became N824KD


All were initially registered to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA.

Note that N310MV is now shown as owned by

AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND HQ at Hurlburt Field, Florida.


The M28 Skytruck will operate with the 27 SOW based at Cannon AFB New Mexico - their website shown below suggests they will operate with the 318 SOS alongside their PC-12 aircraft

""The 318th SOS, located at Cannon AFB, N.M., is one of three flying squadrons within the 27th Special Operations Group. The squadron flies the Pilatus PC-12, and will soon acquire light and medium twin engine aircraft variants. The unit utilizes these aircraft to accomplish global special operations taskings as an Air Force component member of United States Special Operations Command""


Link to Cannon AFB website below

http://www.cannon.af.mil/units/index.asp



Good photo of AFSOC Skytruck N310MV on Flickr - see link below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7903090@N06/4151865356/



External Link to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks, Nevada, USA

http://www.sncorp.com/index.shtml




Steve

First S-70i Black Hawk shown at PZL Mielec

The PZL Mielec factory unveiled the first S-70i Black Hawk to be built in Poland on March 15th - Sikorsky bought the PZL mielec factory back in 2007.

The S-70i is an "International" version of the well known Black Hawk helicopter and Sikorsky plan to build 20 airframes per year from 2012.

This first example will be taken to the USA to undergo flight tests at a Sikorsky facility in Florida soon.


More details via the official Sikorsky press release

http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=00de6eb78fa78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextchannel=162f45d57ef68110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&pressvcmid=ec821075c9257210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD



See link below for rollout ceremony photos


http://www.skrzydla.org/showphoto.php?photo_id=21840


Steve

UK "G-..." register - 2 Polish aircraft exported - March 2010

The latest UK CAA "G-...." aircraft register shows one Polish built aircraft has been exported from the UK and one Robinson R44 helicopter has been exported to Poland from the UK.


G-CBGA PZL 110 Koliber 160A c/n 04010086 - cancelled on 1.3.10 as exported to France ( F ). This Koliber was registered in the UK in 11.01 and was previously SP-WGM ( it was displayed at Friedrichshafen trade show in April 2001 as SP-WGM ).

UPDATE - this aircraft was registered in France on 8th April 2010 as F-HAZE

see link below for photo of G-CBGA

http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-CBGA&imgname=G-CBGA001&imgtype=jpg


G-CEVI Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 11993 - cancelled on as exported to Poland ( SP ). This R44 was built in 2007 and was registered as SP-GTD in Poland in June 2010.


If you see SP-GTD in Poland please let me know - thanks.


see link below for photo of G-CEVI

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1084413/



Steve

SP-FDO An-26 crash landed in Estonia - 18.3.10

SP-FDO an An-26 cargo plane operated by Exin Airways on behalf of DHL crashed shortly after departing from Tallinn airport in Estonia en route to Helsinki Finland.

The aircraft came down on a snow covered frozen lake near the airport - the six crew on board all managed to escape - the concern is now to remove fuel and contaminates to prevent water pollution.

SP-FDO is c/n 10503 and was built in 1980 - it was registered in Poland as SP-FDO in 1999 having previously been operating in Russia as RA-26031.

SP-FDO crashed onto a frozen lake - photo courtesy of the Estonian Rescue Service

More details on the link below


http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=24858




http://balticreports.com/?p=13280


Exin Airways


http://www.exin.pl/eng/


Steve

Enter Air - New Polish charter airline

A new Polish airline called Enter Air has recently started as a holiday charter airline in Poland.

They have leased 2 used Boeing 737-400 series aircraft from the leasing firm ILFC.

The first aircraft is registered is SP-ENA and is believed to be c/n 26320 - it has been painted in a white and blue colour scheme.

A second aircraft SP-ENB ( believed to be c/n 26299 ) will follow shortly. Both aircraft previously flew with Asiana Airlines of South Korea.

See link below for a photo of SP-ENA in Enter Air colours - with thanks to the Lotnictwo website

http://lotnictwo.net/foto.php?id=143739


Enter Air website


http://www.enterair.pl/



Steve

SP-HIS Eurocopter EC 120B accident report

SP-HIS EC 120B Colibri c/n 1599 crashed in Poland on 11th January 2010 - the official report into the accident has now been published and includes a Photo Report with images and analysis of the accident - this can be viewed via the link below


http://www.mi.gov.pl/files/0/30675/201025A.pdf




Steve

Sky Rangers land on frozen lake in Poland

I found the following story on the WWW - it has some great photos showing two Sky Ranger ( SP-SKOM and SP-SPOK ) ultralight aircraft after landing on a frozen lake in the in the town of Mikolajki in the lake region of Mazury.


The winter weather has provided these pilots with a most unusual landing opportunity.


Take a look via the link below


http://mazury.info.pl/foto/10-01-31-samolotem-na-lodzie/index.html




Steve

SP-FYB - Pitts S-2 in the UK - November 2009

The one and only Pitts S-2 Special on the Polish civil aircraft register is currently in the UK. The S-2S aircraft was built by Aviat and arrived in Poland back in 1993. It was seen at Modlin in the 1990s marked as SP-FYB although it was not officially registered until 2006.

It arrived at Booker airfield near High Wycombe in England by road transport in November 2009 for some maintenance.

The external link below shows this aircraft in the ATS hanger at Booker in December 2009 - photo by Clive Glaister.


http://www.pbase.com/denham/image/120037138



UPDATE - This aircraft was registered as G-OSZS in the UK on 23-2-10 to an owner in Gloucestershire

LINK to UK CAA register entry for G-OSZS


Steve

Polish Air Force C-130E Hercules hits tree tops in Afghanistan

Polish Air Force C-130E Hercules hits tree tops in Afghanistan


The Polish Air Force managed to damage C-130E Hercules serial 1506 in Afghanistan in early February 2010. The Herc is operated by 14 Eltr based at Powidz.

This particular Hercules is only on loan to the Polish Air Force, it arrived in Poland in
November 2009 from Ramstein airbase in Germany where it was based with the USAF as serial FY 70-1299 c/n 4527 ( ie 40 years old ).

See the link below to Flightglobal for more details and photos showing the substantial damage to the wing root area.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/22/338666/pictures-poland-grounds-hercules-fleet-after-afghan.html


More photos on this Altair report

Success for PZL Swidnik - Phillippines to buy W-3 helicopter

Success for PZL Swidnik - Philippines to buy W-3 helicopter


The Philippine Air Force has placed an order for 8 new W-3 Sokol helicopters to be built at the PZL Swidnik factory in Poland.


More details via the link below


http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/february/13/news2.isx&d=2010/february/13

Polish Air Force video - F-16 and Fench KC-135

The Polish Air Force have posted an official video on to youtube showing Polish F-16s doing air to air refuelling with a French Air Force KC-135 over a snowy Poland on 4th Feb 2010.


Take a look at the video via the link below - enjoy the great view from a two seat F-16D.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPdbRyP-46k



Steve

Polish Army Mil 8P arrives at UK Museum

On the 5th February Mil 8P serial 618 arrived at the Helicopter Museum in Weston Super Mare, Somerset, England.

Photo courtesy of the Helicopter Museum at Weston Super Mare UK

The Mil 8 had travelled by road from the Polish Army airbase at Leznica Wielka. This Mil 8 has square windows and was originally delivered in 1972 to 36 splt as a VIP transport based at Warsaw Okecie airport. It was later passed on to the Polish Army endings its services with 37 Dywizjon Lotnicze ( 37 DL ) at Leznica Wielka in central Poland.

More photos can be found on the link below


http://www.hmfriends.org.uk/mi8polish.htm



Steve

PW-6U LN-GCV - cancelled from "LN" register

Norwegian PW-6U LN-GCV was cancelled from the "LN-" register on 6th January 2010 ( 6.1.10 )

This two seat glider was built at PZL Swidnik with c/n 78.03.09 - it was delivered new to Norway in August 2003 and was operated by the Oslo Seilflyklubb ( Oslo Gliding Club ).

This glider has been exported to a gliding club in Sweden.

The photo of LN-GCV below is courtesy of the Oslo Seilflyklubb


The Oslo Seilflyklubb also operate another PW-6U - LN-GZZ c/n 78.03.06 which has tail code "L6".


UPDATE - this PW-6 was registered in Sweden as SE-UUJ on 18th Feb 2010.


Steve

SZD 21 Kobuz 3 glider - For Sale

An example of the rare SZD 21 Kobuz 3 glider is currently shown "for sale" on a Polish auction website.


The SZD 21 Kobuz 3 has a very distinct appearance like a cross between a tuna and a 1960s space rocket ! The single seat Kobuz 3 was an all wood glider designed for aerobatics competitions.


SP-2480 was built in 1965 at the SZD factory at Wroclaw with c/n W-268. Approximately 25 examples were produced in 1965/1966.




If you wish to see the for sale details click through on the link below


http://www.moto.allegro.pl/item896864291_szybowiec_kobuz3.html



The link below gives more details about the SZD 21 Kobuz 3


http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/pszd212b.htm



Steve

News from Ekolot re JK-05 and KR-30

Ekolot posted the following news about their JK-05 Junior and KR-030 Topaz aircraft today.


02.02.2010 Fulfilment of technical requirements certificate.

After 4 years of testing, researching, preparing technical documentation and various ground and airborne tests The Polish Civil Aviation Office issued approval certificates for construction of our aircraft JK-05 Junior and KR-30 Topaz, placing both aircraft in the register of qualified aircraft types. The certificates have number 1 and 2, which means that we are the first Polish ultralight manufacturer that went successfully through the complicated process of aircraft certification.
Earlier, The Polish Civil Aviation Office granted us the certificate of design, production and operation of the aircraft. Now, on the basis of all the above certificates we will be able to improve the quality of service delivered to our client - it concerns both the process of registration and operation.

More details con be found on their website


http://www.ekolot.pl/en/strona-glowna.html



Steve

PW-5 Smyk - c/n 17.03.004 leaves New Zealand

The PW-5 Smyk single seat glider has been very popular in New Zealand over the past 15 years with over 20 different airframes delivered.

The PW-5 Smyk was originally designed by the Politechnic Warszawa in Warsaw, Poland as a design entry for the FAI World Class glider competition - the Smyk was the winning design and serial production was undertaken by the PZL Swidnik factory from 1993 to 2003.

Smyk c/n 17.03.004 was built in late 1994 and arrived in New Zealand in March 1995 becoming ZK-GWN flying with the Wellington Glider Club at Paraparaumu.




This Smyk was cancelled from the New Zealand aircraft register on 6th January 2010 as "exported"

If you know where is has been sold to then please do let me know - my guess would be Argentina or Australia but I'd like confirmation please.




Steve