A_P_2015_04

8 African Pilot April 2015

Aviation Business

AIRBUS A400M REFUELS TWO F-18 FIGHTERS SIMULTANEOUSLY

The Airbus A400M new generation airlifter has further proved its credentials

as a tanker by successfully demonstrating simultaneous air-to-air refuelling

of two F/A-18 fi ghters. In the course of four fl ights, the A400M performed 74

contacts and dispensed 27.2 tonnes of fuel to the Spanish Air Force aircraft.

Refuelling was conducted at altitudes of 20,000 - 33,000feet and airspeeds

of 180 to 300knots, the preferred refuelling envelope for fi ghters.

With a basic fuel capacity of 50.8 tonnes which can be increased by the

use of extra cargo hold tanks, the A400M is the most capable tactical

tanker in the market. The standard A400M aircraft has full provisions for

air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations already installed and only requires the

rapid installation of the optional air-to-air refuelling kit to become a tanker.

Designed from the outset to be a dual-role transport and tanker aircraft, the

A400M provides air forces with a cost-effective way to acquire an air-to-air

refuelling capability in addition to a versatile logistic and tactical airlifter.

EXECUJET INCREASES MANAGED FLEET IN AFRICA

ExecuJet Aviation Group is expanding the company’s managed fl eet in Africa with

the addition of a Falcon 900B, a Hawker 800 and Bombardier Challenger 604.

The newly refurbished Falcon 900B will be based in Luanda, Angola, a fi rst for

ExecuJet, whilst the other two aircraft will be located at Lanseria International

Airport, Johannesburg. The Hawker 800 and Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft

will both be available for charter. Gavin Kiggen, Director: Flight Operations for

Africa, ExecuJet Aviation Group, says: “We are pleased to be increasing our fl eet in

Africa and expanding our aircraft management services across the continent. We

expect the Challenger 604 to be extremely popular, as the aircraft is capable of non-

stop fl ights to a variety of destinations in Africa. The Hawker 800 will provide our

customers a charter aircraft for non-stop fl ights to most sub-Saharan destinations.”

ExecuJet’s aircraft management services allow all the benefi ts of aircraft

ownership, with none of the time-consuming management responsibilities

involved in aircraft operations. ExecuJet’s African fl ight operations are accredited

by IS-BAO which refl ects its commitment to operators’ best practices. ExecuJet

has its own MRO facilities as well as agreements with third-party maintenance

centres around the world to ensure fast and effi cient support.

THE ROYAL THAI ARMY ACQUIRES SIX EC145 T2AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

The Royal Thai Army signed for six EC145 T2s with a VIP installation, under

the Light Utility Helicopter Type II requirement, to be deployed principally on

offi cial passenger transport duties, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016.

Airbus A400M

EC145 T2 helicopter