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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 17 : Truely International |
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| As the scope and size of the show increases, so does the variety and range of foreign participation. A surprisingly large number of civilian aircraft, including some popular ones which do rounds over Europe and North America, were present this year, although completely ignored by the crowd and photographers. | |
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Not civilian but with it's second consecutive appearance, the Transall C.160D from the German Luftwaffe, is set to become a familiar sight. |
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This C.160D (50 41) is from the 631 Staffel of Lufttransportgeschwader (LTG) 63, based at Hohn. The same wing also operates the UH-1D under 632 Staffel. |
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This shot is a far cry from the miserable picture of the same aircraft, taken in 2003. |
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The construction quality and the maintenance of this aircraft, are both impressive. The German delegation is lead by Major General Reinhart Hoppe who has 3800 hrs on the C.160. |
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This C.160D is configured for the MedEvac role. Three Patient Transport Units (PTUs) can be seen. |
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The Luftwaffe operates four C.160s configured for the MedEvac role. These aircraft come under the AeroMedical Evacuation Control Centre of the Lufttransportkommando Munster. |
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VAT-COT is one of the two Dassault Falcon-2000 bizjets operated by the industrial giant TATA. This example almost turned the jet tail pipe exhaust on the author! Dassault were also using this aircraft from promotional purposes at the show. |
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The example that appeared in 2003 (VT-TAT), performed some incredible aerobatics at low level as a part of the air display but nothing of that sort was to be seen this year, as VT-COT stood immobile for the entire show. |
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It is hard to see how this ATR-42 (VT-ADH) owned by local low cost operator 'Air Deccan' has any place here, especially in consideration that the slot could have potentially been occupied by a military aircraft instead? |
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To be fair, ATR-42/72s have been a regular part of Aero India in the past. |
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The Learjet 60 (N-271L, c/n 271) is quite welcome, unlike common aircraft from local liners. The Learjet is also a frequent visitor, having appeared in 1998 and 2004. The aircraft did'nt stay for long and left after the first few days. |
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Swiss operator TAG Aviation's Gulfstream G200 / IAI-1126 Galaxy (HB-JEB, c/n 032). This aircraft too was a temporary visitor and was quick to leave after a day or two. This particular example is a common sight over Europe. |
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Although given individual and separate display spaces, the two beautiful Beechcraft on display, were completely ignored and went unnoticed. Beech King Air B200 (N-3?79). |
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There are a large number of privately owned Beech King Airs operated in India but some paranoid and strange security laws and rules, complicate photography. It felt good to finally capture one, although this is the last place one would expect to do so. |
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This Beech 390 Premier-1 (ZS-PRM) from South Africa, is the first example to be registered within that country. A rare example indeed. |
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