Classic Airplanes and Modern Jets Share the Spotlight

Airplanes enthusiasts in New Zealand are in for a treat! The Royal New Zealand Air Force will celebrate its 75^th anniversary with an airshow at Ohakea on the 31^st of March. Airplane models from the “Classics in the Sky” Tauraga air show will mix with the world’s top military aircraft where “modern world will meet history” in an exciting extravaganza.

A number of vintage aircraft from Tauraga City are expected to be displayed at the event. Classic Flyers director Andrew shared that preparations for the classic airplanes to attend the event are under way, but everything is still very dependent on the weather. However, he is looking forward that Boeing Stearman, Hawk Hunter, CT4 and Dragonfly will be at the airshow.

The Royal New Zealan Air Force will display their past, present and future aircraft. They will show their vintage airplane models like the Spitfire and Mustang. The Air Force will also showcase their newest acquisition like the A109 and NH90 helicopters plus the upgraded C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orions among other military aircraft. The Red Checkers, the aerobatic/precision flying team of the RNZAF will also demonstrate their expertise.

RNZAF Air Commodore Steve Moore says, “It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s birthday.”

Air Forces from different nations will also participate in the event. The Royal Australian Air Force will send their F-18 fighter jet, which are very rare in New Zealand, and their C-130J Hercules and a Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.

US Air Force will bring a C-17 Globemaster while the US Marines Corps will display the KC-130 Hercules air-to-air refuelling aircraft. The French Armed Forces of New Caledonia will have the CASA 235 twin-engine transport aircraft at the event while the Singapore Air Force will display one of their C-130.

Seeing the astounding display of modern and classic airplane models will be an incredible experience for every airplane afficionado.

source: http://www.sunlive.co.nz

Military Aircraft Trains for the Olympics

The British Armed Forces are conducting major training exercise in their preparation to secure the 2012 Olympic Games. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Aircrafts are conducting their drills on skies of New Yorkshire.

Fast jets and helicopter pilots participates on this exercise codenamed Exercise taurus Mountain One. They will play a supporting role on the security measures for the Games that will be led by the police.

Wing Commander Paul Godfrey, officer-in-charge at RAF Coningsby, said: “We take great pride in the fact that we have a key role to play in providing airspace security for the Olympics.”

Military aircrafts trains alongside each other in order to hone their operations. Participating aircrafts include two GROB Tutor aircraft from RAF Leeming, Typhoon jets, Puma helicopters, Lynx helicopters, a Sea King SkASACD helicopter, and Sentry E-3D. Some of these aircraft had just retuned from combat operations in Libya.

source: yorkpress.co.uk

Houston TV Station Helicopter Crashes

CONROE, Texas – A Pilot and television camera operator died Monday October 13, when their helicopter crashed near Houston on the way to cover a news story, 2 dead.

KTRK, an affiliate of ABC, reported the helicopter it had leased was flying to the scene of a shooting when it crashed in a state forest near Conroe, on the northern edge of Houston’s suburbs.

Local stations showed video of burning trees and a pile of debris made up of pieces of the helicopter. The station’s SkyEye logo was partially visible on one piece.

The helicopter, Bell 206L4, was owned by Helicopters Inc., the company leases aircrafts to about 70 news organizations around the country.

More helicopter models.