GREEK AVIATION NEWS
Last update June 4, 2009
June 4, 2009 H.A.F. F-16C Block 50 CRASHES IN MOUNTAINOUS AREA
A H.A.F F-16C Block 50 has crashed 8 n.m S.E. of Ioannina city in Epirus region, during a training flight at around 10.33 hrs local time.
The aircraft serialled 059 ( 93-1059) belonged to 347 Sqn/ 111 CW, based at Nea Anhialos.The pilot ejected safely and was taken to the 251H.A.F. hospital for a check-up.Early reports suggest that the aircraft crashed due to its engine suffering bird ingestion.
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| Ceremonies
were held today at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, to commemorate
the F-16 Peace Xenia IV program for Greece. The ceremony marks an
important production milestone, demonstrating that the program is on
schedule and on budget. This F-16 acquisition is the fourth for the
Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and the nation of Greece. Lt. Gen. Ioannis Giagos, chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, accepted the first Peace Xenia IV F-16 Block 52 advanced aircraft on behalf of his nation and expressed satisfaction with its timely delivery. The Peace Xenia IV purchase program raises the total fighters ordered by the HAF to 170. The aircraft rolled out today is the first of 30 Block 52 Advanced F-16s being produced in the newest lot. The HAF received the F-16 Block 30 version starting in 1988, the Block 50 version starting in 1997 and the Block 52+ version in 2003. Greece has been a Lockheed Martin customer since 1943, when it acquired its first squadron of Martin A-30 Baltimore Mk III, IV and Vs. The Peace Xenia IV program includes 20 F-16Cs and 10 F-16Ds, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. This first aircraft - a single-seat F-16C model - was accepted by the U.S. government (as agent for Greece in the Foreign Military Sales process) in January 2009, one month ahead of schedule. The U.S. government also accepted the first two-seat F-16D version in January. The first four aircraft will be ferried to Greece in May with the remainder following in 2009 and 2010.(Emphasis added—Ed.) |
NOVEMBER 05, 2008 HELLENIC ARMY AVIATION AH-64A ATTACK HELICOPTER CRASHES
The Hellenic Army Headquarters has announced that on Wednesday November 5 at around 20.15 hrs local time an AH-64A attack helicopter (ser. No 1015) crashed in an area NW. of Kymi town in Evia. The helicopter was participating in an exercise and had taken-off from Tanagra Air Force base. Both crew (Major Skouras Dimitrios aged 36 and captain Kakabakos Athanasios aged 33) were killed in the accident.
JUNE 06 2008 H.A.F McDD RF-4E DAMAGED IN EMERGENCY LANDING
A McD-D RF-4E Phantom II of 348 Rec. Sqn. of the Hellenic Air Force (ser.no 71763) made an emergency landing on the island of Santorini, after a hydraulics failure.The aircraft was taking part in an exercise.During landing the aircraft skidded off the runway and ended-up in a nearby vineyard.The crew abandoned the aircraft safely and was taken to the Air Force hospital for examination.
MARCH 18 2008 HELLENIC ARMY AVIATION UH-1H HELICOPTER CRASHES
A Bell UH-1H "Huey"helicopter with the code ΕΣ 822 (66-16487, c/n 8681) of Hellenic Army Aviation crashed today in northern Greece close to
Thessaloniki , killing three officers on board, in an accident
authorities are attributing to mechanical failure.
The
helicopter, crashed in a wheat field around 30
kilometers east of Thessaloniki, close to the village of Vassiloudi.
The helicopter was on a flight to the military base of Rentina and had nearly reached its destination, police said.
Firefighters found the bodies of the three officers, aged 24, 28 and 33, in the charred remains of the helicopter.
In
2006, four Greek army staff died when their Bell UH-1H Huey
crashed in a field in the north of the country while on a training
flight.
Multipurpose helicopters, Hueys are among the oldest
aircraft used by Greek forces.
DECEMBER 05 2007 H.A.F. F-16C Block 52+ CRASHES INTO THE SEA
A H.A.F F-16C Block 52+ has crashed into the sea during night-time exercises 20 n.m. south of Mt.Athos, near the firing range of Psathoura.The aircraft serialled 99-1516 piloted by 35 year old captain Athanasios Batsaras, disappeared from radar screens at 19.41 hrs.A search and rescue operation was launched, in which 3 Super Puma helicopters, a C-130H aircraft and Coast-Guard and naval vessels took part.
Later the body of the pilot was recovered by a Turkish Navy frigate which was assisting in the S.A.R. operation.At 22.31 hrs a H.A.F. Super Puma helicopter landed on the Turkish vessel and received the body of the pilot.
The F-16C was built on August 29, 2003 , had entered service with the H.A.F. on October 2, 2003 and had logged 442 flying hrs.
JULY 23, 2007 H.A.F. CANADAIR CL-415MP CRASHES
A H.A.F CL-415MP firefighting aircraft crashed on Monday July 23d near Styra town, in Evia.The aircraft was taking part in the fight against a big fire in the area, among other aircraft, helicopters and ground forces.
The pilot Captain D.Stoilidis and co-pilot Lieutenant I.Hatzoudis were both killed.There are no indications as for the cause of the crash.
Loss of engine power or stalling are suspected.
MARCH 23, 2007 RECOVERY OF PART OF A GERMAN JUNKERS 88
“66 years after being shot down, the tail of a Ju-88 is retrieved for the HAF Museum”
According to the Hellenic Air Force official site (www.haf.gr), on 23 March 2007, a trawler dragged a WW II historical aircraft along the sea floor off Larissa Bay at a depth of 120 metres. Its captain attempted to raise the wreck with the boat’s crane albeit most of it was cut and separated. As a result, only the tail eventually emerged leaving the rest of it at the bottom.
Upon arrival at Salonica harbour the captain handed the wreck to the Hellenic Air Force Museum personnel, who had already rushed there. Immediately after the plane’s tail came ashore, HAF museum technicians began to treat and clean it in order to prevent deterioration due to its exposure to the atmospheric air. The wreck has been transported to the HAF Museum at Dekhelia Air Base, Athens, where restoration has already commenced.
A preliminary inspection suggested that the tail belonged to a Luftwaffe twin engined, 4-seater, bomber Junkers 88. The unexpected discovery of a “crash tag” located on the trailing edge of the right horizontal (which reads: Junkers 4051 888…) duly confirmed the initial guestimate.
According to the “Hugo Junkers Homepage”, the prototype Ju-88 performed its first flight in 1936. Line production commenced in 1938 and mass production in 1940. During the following 6 years a total of 15.000 Ju-88s were built. The standard bomber version of the Ju-88 was built as the “A”-series, in which possibly the recovered Ju-88 belongs to.
According to initial information, the aircraft was probably shot down in April 1941 during the air operations of the German invasion to Greece. By that time the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF), having fought gallantly during the Hellenic-Italian War and left with only very few aircraft, was called to face the overwhelming superiority of the Luftwaffe, which had at its disposal over 1.000 aircraft for this campaign. According to “Hellenic Wings: An Illustrated history of the HAF and its Precursors” (G.J. Beldecos, 1999), the RHAF, during the three-week war against the German Air Force undertook a total of 180 missions focussing on air attacks on enemy ground forces in support of the Hellenic Army. RHAF pilots claimed shooting down two German Henschel 126s and a Dornier 17. Alongside the RHAF fought seven bomber and fighter Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, which contributed a great deal by undertaking hundreds of reconnaissance and strategic bombing sorties aiming at destroying enemy’s ports of disembarkation and communication lines in order to delay Wehrmacht’s rapid advance to the Eastern Front.
Based on available historical sources, the recovered part of the JU-88 belonged either to no 30 Bomber Wing (KG30), 51 Bomber Wing (KG 51) or 1 Training Wing (LG1) being either (Wreknr 8135, 4D+JR), (Wreknr 6322) or (Wreknr 3291, L1+UH). Initial information suggests that the Ju-88 in question was most probably shot down between 11-16 April by RAF no. 33 Squadron Hurricanes. It should be stressed at this point that the aforementioned are only indicative. Full verification of the aircraft subtype, the names of the crew and their fate will only become possible if the aircraft’s tactical or construction numbers (Wreknr) are ever revealed.
According to the “Hugo Junker Homepage”, only 35 Ju-88 wreckages have survived worldwide, of which 13 belong to aircraft which have suffered massive damages during their emergency landing or crash. Some of them have been recovered from their crash sites and their parts are stored or exhibited at various Air Force Museums. Only two complete Junkers 88s are currently on display wordwide: at the RAF Museum, Hendon, and the USAF Museum, Dayton. The Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin has the wreckage of two Ju-88s, which are currently under restoration. Other Air Force Museums worldwide exhibit only parts of original aircraft or have built replicas incorporating available genuine parts. Taken into account the above, it becomes evident that even the recovered tail per se is considered of significant historical importance.
Within the wider programme of salvage of important historical aircraft, the HAF Museum is currently evaluating all available information in order to determine the feasibility of its salvage and subsequent restoration with view to become one of the few Museums in the world exhibiting three versions of Junkers: a Ju-52/3m, a Ju-87 STUKA and a Ju-88 bomber.
FEBRUARY 27, 2007 HAF MIRAGE 2000CG CRASHES
A H.A.F. Mirage 2000CG fighter belonging to 332 Sq/114 Wing at Tanagra, crashed into Mount Chtypas near the Gulf of Evia, today at 13.22 hrs. The pilot Lieutenant Vasilios Doukas, managed to eject safely from the aircraft before the the crash. The aircraft, which was on a training flight, took off from Tanagra air base. The pilot reported engine trouble almost immediately after takeoff and despite his efforts, he lost control of the aircraft which crashed soon after.
for the Hellenic Army in Greece.
The aircraft are part of a combined Foreign Military Sales agreement with the U.S. Army and direct commercial agreement with Boeing.
All of Greece's next-generation Apaches will be delivered this year.
In addition to its new Apache Longbows, the Hellenic Army operates a fleet of AH-64A Apaches, which have been in service in Greece
for the past decade.
OCTOBER 13, 2006 CO-TRAINING OF HAF PARATROOPERS WITH 31 LUFTLANDE BRIGADE
Between 9-13 Οctober 2006 HAF paratroopers (Underwater Operations Team/ΚΟΣΥΘΕ) co-trained with 272 Airmobile Support Battalion of 31 Luftlande Brigade at Wildeshausen, Germany.
The co-training included T-10 static line descents from C-160 Τransall, free-fall training and shooting with the Brigades light arms: G-36, MG-3 and P-8.
As it is customary and according to the German Army’s regulations, HAF paratroopers were awarded German parachute wings in various classes (including one in gold) by the Commander of the “Division Spezielle Operationen”. Following the successful fulfilment of relevant requirements, HAF personnel were also awarded the German Army Shooting Badge (Schützenschnur) in Gold and Silver.
OCTOBER 20, 2006 337 ALL WEATHER SQUADRON RE-ACTIVATED
The Hellenic Air Force has announced the re-activation of 337 Squadron which was temporarily disbanded and its aircraft (McDD F-4E SRA) withdrawn from service, in December 2005.A ceremony took place in 110 CW at Larissa AF base to commemorate the event.The leadership of the HAF was present at the event.The newly re-activated Squadron has received F-16 Block 52+ aircraft.
OCTOBER 11, 2006 THE REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION ON THE HELIOS AIRWAYS AIRLINER CRASH IS PUBLISHED
A series of human errors on the ground and inside the cabin led to the August 2005 crash of a Cypriot Helios Airways airliner that killed all 121 people on board, a commission investigating the accident has said in its final report.
It said the pilots did not realise that the cabin's pressurisation selector had been left in manual position during pre-flight inspection, and failed to identify an automatic warning of the problem in the cockpit of the Boeing 737.
But the Greek investigators also apportioned blame to the airline, the Cypriot regulatory authorities and to Boeing.
The plane manufacturer had taken "ineffective" measures in response to previous pressurization incidents in the particular type of aircraft, the report said.
It said Helios was found to have "deficiencies" in its organisation, while the Cypriot regulatory authority was accused of "inadequate execution of its safety oversight responsibilities."
The airliner crashed near Athens on August 14, 2005 during a flight from Larnaca to Prague, in the worst air accident recorded in Greece.
The international air industry had been eagerly awaiting the report into the accident as the Helios disaster is one of the most puzzling in aviation history.
The plane flew on auto-pilot for nearly two hours before running out of fuel, with the two pilots somehow incapacitated soon after the aircraft departed from Larnaca airport in Cyprus.
The full report in PDF format (9Mb large file, opens in separate window)
OCTOBER 5, 2006 A JUNKERS JU-87 "STUKA" IS RAISED FROM THE THE SEA NEAR RHODOS ISLAND
On October
5, 2006, the HAF Underwater Operations Team (KΟΣΥΘΕ)
successfully carried out the salvage of a Luftwaffe Ju87D-3/Trop Stuka,
from a depth of 15 metres, half a mile off the coast of Prassonisi at
Rodos (Rhodes) island.
According to a combination of available historical data, it appears
that the aircraft is most probably S7+GM (100375), crewed by Lt. Rolf
Metzger & Uffz. Hans Sopnemann - both MIA), which was shot down on
9 October 1943.
On that very day the II/St.G. 3 lost a total of nine Ju 87D-3/Trop
when they were intercepted during their mission against Royal Navy and
Hellenic Navy ships in the Aegean. Of these nine, seven crashed into
the sea and two made emergency landings on Rodos. A week before, German
troops had landed on the island of Kos, which fell the next day. On 9
October 1943, HMS cruiser "Carlisle" and other destroyers, returning
from a sweep west of Kos, were dive-bombed SW of Rodos Island by a
formation of Ju-87 Stukas. "Carlisle" was seriously damaged and HMS
destroyer "Panther" was sunk. Most of her crew were saved by the RHN
destroyer "Miaoulis", which has also claimed firing against the Ju-87
formation and probably hit a couple of them.
According to information supplied by HAF Museum experts, from a
first inspection of the fuselage, it is suggested that the aircraft has
most probably been hit by aircraft fire. In this case, a plausible
explanation is that it was downed by P-38s (Ligtning) belonging to
USAAF 37th Fighter Squadron, led by the famous double Ace Major William
Leverette. On that same day, seven P-38s on a mission to protect RN
warships in the Mediterranean sighted a formation of 30 German Ju-87
dive bombers. Following fierce dogfights, 37th Sq has claimed downing
several Luftwaffe Stukas and a Ju-88.
Almost sixty years after her loss, in October 2004, the wreck was
caught to the net of the fishing boat "Konstantinos" belonging to
Captain Spyros Varvaris from Kalymnos Island, seven miles off the
southern cape of Rodos. It was then dragged all the way to shallow
waters and the incident was reported to the Hellenic Coast Authorities.
Given the historical importance of the aircraft, the HAF General Staff
decided to proceed to its salvage. The precise position of the wreck
was pointed out by diver Yannis Glinatsis, resident of Rodos. Following
this, the aircraft was videotaped by the HAF divers in order to
determine the optimum salvage method. Technical drawings were made
available by the HAF Museum,
while HAF experts suggested the strongest points, from which the
aircraft could safely be suspended and lifted. All these were taken
into consideration by the HAF diving engineers, who have more than 20
years accumulated experience in salvage and deep submergence
operations, including the successful salvage of a RAF Blenheim in 1996
at Crete (and another one at Prespes Lake), a Ju-52/3m off Leros
Island, not to mention several modern fighters, fire-fighters and
helicopters (including a CH 47/D from the unprecedented depth of 960
metres!). All the above led to an exceptionally precise weighing of the
A/C, which was smoothly lifted from the seabed intact.
Soon after the aircraft was brought to the surface, the HAF Museum
technicians took care of her. The plane was washed with water and
special chemicals were applied in order to avoid corrosion due to
exposure to the atmospheric air. Following this, the aircraft will be
taken to the local airfield of Maritsa, where first degree restoration
will be applied. The outer parts of the wings will properly be
dismantled and the plane will be shipped to the HAF Museum at Dekeleia
Air Base, Tatoi, where a full restoration programme will be carried
out. It is anticipated that the Stuka will be available for viewing
during the HAF Celebration Day on 8 November 2006 which this year is
dedicated to the participation of HAF in WWII.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 HAF A-7E CORSAIR II CRASHES
A HAF A-7E Corsair II aircraft crashed soon after take-off from 116 CW airbase at Araxos at 13.30 hrs. Wednesday September 20. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Petros Hatziris ejected safely. There were no injuries on the ground.The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but is investigated.
MAY 23, 2006 HAF
F-16C COLLIDES IN MID-AIR WITH TURKISH AIRCRAFT OF SAME TYPE
On
Tuesday May 23 at 12.45 hrs, a HAF F-16CBlk52+ (No 514) of 343
Sq./115CW, collided with an
F-16C of THK, during an interception of the latter by the former, 8 n.m
off
APRIL 25, 2006 HAF RF-4E
CRASHES
Α Hellenic Air Force RF-4Ε
Phantom crashed shortly before 11:00,on Tuesday April 25, 5 nm
from the runway of 110 CW
airfield near Larisa.
The aircraft developed problems in its hydraulics
and the two crew successfully used their ejection seats.The causes of
the crash are being investigated by a committee of experts.
APRIL 15, 2006 HAF MIRAGE
2000CG CRASHES
Soon after takeoff, the pilot reported a failure in the aircraft’s computer. A sea, land and air operation was launched to locate the aircraft, the search mainly concentrating in the Yliki-Elikonas-Galaxidi area.Three helicopters, a C-130 aircraft, a Navy surveillance ship, a torpedo boat and coast-guard craft were assisting in the operation. The two aircraft were en route to Italy, where they were to take part in exercises.
The Mirage jet, was located crashed, by foot troops with trained dogs 20 miles northwest of the Tanagra military airport on Saturday April 15, after overnight searches. The pilot's (Flight Lieutenant Pantelis Gelis) body was found inside the aircraft. Land Search and Rescue teams located at 09:08 CET small parts of the aircraft at an area west of lake Paralimni at an altitude of 1,000 feet.An Investigation Committee is looking into the exact causes and conditions of the crash.
FEBRUARY 20, 2006 GREEK ARMY HUEY CRASHES KILLING FOUR
A Greek Army UH-1H Huey military helicoptert crashed in the northern prefecture of Pella on Monday night, February 20, killing all four army staff on board.The helicopter had taken off from a military base at Alexandria, in the prefecture of Imathia, at 7.30 p.m. on Monday and had disappeared from radar screens shortly after 8 p.m., according to authorities, who said that the helicopter crew had not reported any problems during their last communication a few minutes before the crash.Experts said the likeliest cause of the accident was mechanical failure, as weather conditions had been good and there had been no visibility problems.A coroner confirmed that all four armed forces staff aboard the doomed helicopter, which had been on a night-time training exercise, had died instantly, apparently from injuries sustained during impact. The crash victims were identified as army air force captain Christos Karypidis and three non-commissioned officers, Ilias Karabas, Adam Adamopoulos and Constantinos Fotiadis. Karypidis and Karabas had logged 2,939 and 2,273 flight hours respectively.
The Hellenic Air Force has decided the temporary de-activation of 337th all-weather squadron and the retirement of the last F-4E SRA (Southeastern Regional Agreement) aircraft.The Squadron will be again operational when it starts to receive its new F-16C/D Blk 52+ aircraft
during 2006.The event was marked by a ceremony held at Larissa Air Force Base and with a four-ship overflight in which the Minister of defence and former F-4 pilot, S.Spiliotopoulos took part.
DECEMBER 14, 2005 GREECE DECIDES TO BUY MORE F-16s
The deal, which also provides for offset benefits on an operational level that include contracts for the domestic defence industry, was unanimously approved during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.
Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said that the total cost of the programme will come to €1.625 billion and also cover support needs of 60 aircraft of the same type purchased under a previous programme under a contract signed in 2000.
The minister stressed, meanwhile, that the necessary bank guarantees had been obtained for the first time.
KYSEA's decision on Tuesday ensured the absence of middlemen from the specific contract and reaffirmed the government's commitment to transparency in armed forces' procurements, he added, while noting that the additional aircraft would preserve the balance of forces in the region.
Breaking down the cost of the programme, Spiliotopoulos said that €1.1 billion represented the cost of the 30 aircraft, while the cost of supporting these and the other 60 aircraft purchased under the previous programme would come to €525 million.
The new aircraft are due to be delivered in 2009 and will immediately enter full operational use and be equipped with a self-protection system.
Spiliotopoulos said that the cost per aircraft under the current programme was €36.7 million, whereas the cost per aircraft in updated prices under the previous programme was €41.4 million.
Additional offset benefits came to 132 pct, compared with 120 pct under the previous programme and would benefit the Greek defence industry, particulary the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), he said.
The minister also noted that the support programme included spare parts and consumables on each aircraft, which will increase their availability and that a downpayment for the order was due to be paid as soon as the contract was signed.
According to alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, meanwhile, Greece would not be activating an option to purchase an additional 10 aircraft of the same type that was originally included in the deal.
In response to questions, meanwhile, he told reporters that payments for the aircraft will be recorded in the budget as they occurred.
The spokesman also claimed that Greece was saving a further €118 million by promptly placing the order for the aircraft before the production line for the specific model was closed.
In a ceremony held at 112 CW in Eleusis Air Base, 354 Tactical Transport Squadron “Pegasus” was re-activated after 23 years.The squadron had been de-activated in July 1982 after its last Nord 2501 Noratlas aircraft were retired.The squadron’s new aircraft the Lockheed-Alenia C-27J “Spartan” started to arrive on August 8 when the first aircraft (c/n 4117) touched down on Eleusis.
AUGUST 14, 2005 CYPRIOT AIRLINER CRASHES NEAR ATHENS
A Cypriot airliner with 121 people on board crashed north of Athens on Sunday, and rescuers said they had found no survivors.
The Helios Airways flight HCY 522 was headed from Larnaca, Cyprus to Athens International Airport when it crashed at 12:20 p.m. near the town of Grammatiko, about 25 miles north of the Greek capital, leaving flaming debris and luggage strewn across a ravine and surrounding hills.
The Boeing 737, with 115 passengers and six crew members aboard, was due to fly onto Prague, Czech Republic after stopping in Athens.
The cause of the crash was unclear, but first indications were that there was a technical problem — possibly decompression or lack of oxygen in the cabin_ and not terrorism.
The only piece of the plane that remained intact was the tail section. Bits of human flesh, clothing and luggage were scattered around the wreckage, which also started brush fires around the area.
Rescue helicopters flew overhead and firefighting planes swooped low to extinguish some of the fires. Ambulances crowded the roads near the crash site and dark black smoke could be seen rising from various sites around the crash.
Rescue workers and residents on the scene said they had not found any survivors.
The head of the Greek airline safety committee, Akrivos Tsolakis, described it as the "worst accident we've ever had."
He speculated that there may have been a problem with the cabin pressure.
"There apparently was a lack of oxygen which is usually the case when the cabin is de-pressurized," Tsolakis said.
Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled shortly after the plane entered Greek air space over the Aegean Sea and did not respond to radio calls. It is standard Greek air force procedure to intercept any aircraft entering the country's airspace that do not respond to radio calls.
Greek radio and television stations reported that the air force pilots saw no movement in the cockpit of the plane before the crash. There were some reports the two pilots seemed to be unconscious.
"The plane crashed around 400 meters (437 yards) from homes in the area," said Miltiadis Merkouris, a spokesman for the Grammatiko municipality.
Helios Airways, a privately owned airline founded in 1999, is Cyprus' first independent airline. It operates a fleet of Boeing 737 jets between Cyprus and London; Athens; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dublin, Ireland; and Strasbourg, France.
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JULY 19,
2005 HAF TO BUY 30 MORE F-16s
Greece will purchase 30 F-16/Block 52 fighter aircraft
in a direct deal with the United States government
for about 1.1
billion euros (1.32 billion dollars), Greek Defense Minister Spilios
Spiliotopoulos said.
Athens will also sign an option to obtain 10 more aircraft of the same
type for operational needs as part of a four-year
arms programme
extending to 2010, the minister said following a meeting of the Greek
state council of foreign
affairs and defense (KYSEA).
The final cost of the contract will depend on the offer tendered by the
US government, Spiliotopoulos said.
The Greek defense ministry will request the provision of maintenance
support for the F-16 planes as part of the offset deal, he added.
In April, the government said it would reexamine a deal sealed by its
socialist predecessors for the purchase of
60 Eurofighter aircraft from
European consortium EADS at an estimated cost of 1.7 billion euros.
The state council will decide at a later meeting whether to buy a
further 30 fighter planes, with an option for another 10, the minister
said.
JULY 13, 2005 FIRST NH90 PRODUCTION
HELICOPTER FOR HELLENIC ARMY FLIES
The first Hellenic serial production NH90 successfully took to the air
on july 13th for a 95 minutes flight at the Eurocopter Marignane
facility. The aircraft was flown by Boniface Jean-Pierre ROLDAN,
experimental test pilot, Dominique FOURNIER, flight test engineer and
Jean-Claude Rabany flight engineer.On 29 August 2003, Greece ordered 20
NH90 firm for a contract total amount of € 657 million, including a
consistent offset agreement involving Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI).
Hellenic NH90s will be operated by the Army, 16 NH90 Tactical Transport
in service with the Army Aviation and 4 NH90 with the Special Operation
Forces (SOF); both configurations being equipped with Rolls-Royce
Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 engines.The first NH90 Tactical Transport will be
delivered to Greece by late 2005 and the whole firm series will be
completed within the year 2010 (including options).
A HAF A-7H Corsair II aircraft crashed yesterday morning in the uninhabited area of Sperhiada, northwest of Lamia, central Greece, during a training flight. The pilot, 27-year-old Pilot Officer Nikos Danias, ejected safely and was rescued by helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution. There were no injuries on the ground. The plane had taken off from 116 Combat Wing base in Araxos. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but is investigated.
A Hellenic Air force F-16 fighter pilot had to make a forced landing at an airbase on the northeastern Aegean island of Lemnos yesterday, after suffering engine failure during a mission to intercept Turkish fighters.
An air force statement said the pilot managed to bring his aircraft down safely on the Lemnos runway, two and a half minutes after his engine cut out, probably due to a fuel feed problem, 10 miles off the island at an altitude of 12,000 feet.
“He effectively flew the jet like a glider,” an air force source said. The plane had taken off from 111 Combat Wing base at Nea Anchialos, in central Greece to chase off a pair of Turkish military aircraft.
DECEMBER 15, 2004 FIRST C-27J SPARTAN FOR HELLENIC AIR FORCE COMPLETES FIRST FLIGHT
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The
first
C-27J Spartan, to be delivered to Hellenic Air Force in January
2005,
successfully completed its first flight on December 15, 2004 in
Caselle, Italy
following final integration at Alenia Aeronautica's plant.The Italian
and
Hellenic Air Forces have both ordered twelve (12) C-27Js, and a range
of other
potential American, European and Asian customers have also shown keen
interest
in the aircraft. Formal evaluations have been conducted by the Air
Forces of
Australia, After take-off at 10:00 a.m. on December 15th from Alenia Aeronautica's flight test field, piloted by Commanders Agostino Frediani and Gianluca Evangelisti (also on-board, Commander Mario Mutti), the C-27J performed a series of manoeuvres and flight figures for 83 minutes. The success of the first flight will enable the Italian company to respect its contractual time schedule with the Hellenic Air Force and deliver the first of the twelve (12) aircraft ordered by the end of January 2005 |
OCTOBER 14,
2004
TWO F-16Ds CRASH ON MT PELION
Two F-16D Block 30 two-seat fighters went down in the Pilion area on Thursday afternoon, upon returning to the Nea Anchialos air base
following a training exercise.
At
Later in
the afternoon the first wreckage was located near the
The rescue
teams located human parts in the wreckage and later on found the second
aircraft where the pilots were found burned.
The crew
members were:
Squadron
leader Ioannis Kommatas aged 37,
Flight
lieutenant Athanasios Sioutas aged 33,
and Flight
officers
Giorgos
Andonopoulos and
Giorgos
Likoudis, both aged 28.
A Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter has crashed in the sea near Mt Athos in Northern Greece. On board the helicopter was Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All of Africa. The Chinook helicopter had departed from Megara, near Athens carrying the Patriarch to Karies in the monastic
community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, where a reception was underway in his honor.
The last time the helicopter was seen on
the
radar screens was 15 miles south of Karies and its pilot had said that
he will gain altitude from the 2,500 feet to 4,000 feet. A total
of 16
people were on board, among them, 4 crewmembers and 12 passengers.
Wreckage of the Chinook were found in the sea
region, 5 miles east of Cape Akras
Ampelou in Sithonia, in Chalkidiki northern Greece.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 MIRAGE 2000 CRASHES
A Hellenic Air Force single-seater “Mirage 2000” fighter jet crashed in the sea region north of the island of Skyros today.
According to initial information, the pilot used the automatic ejection system and was able to abandon the plane before it crashed.
The accident occured during a simulated dogfight between three aircraft of the same type.The crashed aircraft was involved in a mid-air
collision with a second aircraft which although damaged was able to land in Skyros island airfield.
JUNE 15, 2004 F-4E
CRASHED IN MT PARNASSOS
Both crew:
Sqn Ldr Konstantinos Karathanos
and F/O Emmanouil Sevastakis,
were killed.
The aircraft was part of a two ship formation, taking part in an
one-on-one air combat exercise.
The Hellenic Air Force is investigating the causes of the crash.
DECEMBER 22, 2003 DEFENCE MINISTRY SIGNS
CONTRACTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF MISSILES
Contracts
have been signed with the French company MBDA FRANCE for the
procurement of 100 MICA air-to-air missiles, 50 launcher pads for
these, 34
SCALP air-to-surface missiles and additional materiel and services, the
national defense ministry announced on Monday.
This procurement will cover the operational requirements of the Air Force General Staff. The procurement was awarded directly to the MBDA FRANCE company and the sum amounts to about 220.5 million euros.
The delivery of the MICA missiles will begin in February 2006 and of the SCALP missiles in October 2007.
With the above-mentioned procurements, the MBDA FRANCE company offers to the defense ministry offset benefits amounting to 115 per cent of the value of the procurement.
NOVEMBER 27, 2003 MIRAGE 2000BG CRASHES INTO SEA
At about 11.55 hrs on Thursday 27 Nov., a two-seat Mirage-2000BG fighter (203), crashed into the Aegean Sea west of Chios island, while on a training flight, and its two pilots captain Kyriakos Dimitrakoulas and Flying officer Ioannis Hatzoudis, ejected safely. They were picked-up by HAF SAR helicopter and flown to HAF hospital.
The accident is believed to have been caused by an engine malfunction.
NOVEMBER 26, 2003 A-7H CORSAIR II CRASHED IN ANDRAVIDA
An A-7H Corsair II (ser.No159918) of HAF, crashed on Wednesday Nov.26 at 11.00 hrs, near the 117 CW base at Andravida.
The pilot reported fuel loss, when flying over the sea between Zakynthos island and the Peloponese.He was instructed to fly to Andravida and land immediately.When the aircraft was in the final approach and in view of the runway, the loss of fuel increased and the engine stopped.
The pilot, wing commander Konstantinos Mitsopoulos c/o of SOT (Scholio Oplon Taktikis) tried to avoid residental areas up to the last moment, when the aircraft stalled and had to eject.He landed safely and later was taken to HAF hospital for check-up.
The A-7H hit the ground and skidded for some 500 m, coming to a stop by a ditch, very near a warehouse, 800 m from Andravida runway.
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the accident.
OCTOBER 9, 2003 TA-7C
CORSAIR II CRASHED IN ARAXOS
According
to information, the two pilots ejected from the aircraft and were
collected uninjured, in an area two miles south of the Araxos airport.
They
were taken to the 251 General Air Force Hospital as a precaution.
The
aircraft was on a training mission and the incident is attributed to a
mechanical failure.
OCTOBER 3, 2003 GERMAN JU-52 WAS PULLED UP FROM THE BOTTOM
OF THE SEA NEAR LEROS
A Ju-
52 German transport plane shot down during WWII, was pulled up from the
bottom
of the sea near the Aegean
The salvage operation was undertaken by the Greek Air Force and the
aircraft
was found to be in a relatively good condition given the fact that it
remained
at the bottom of the sea for a total of 60 years. It will be taken to
Leros to
be cleaned up and become one of the exhibits in the island's war museum.
A human skeleton was found inside the aircraft and the German Embassy
in
AUGUST 28, 2003 GREECE BUYS HELICOPTERS
The Ministry of defence has signed a contract for 12 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters from Boeing,with an option for four more, valued at $675 million. Deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2007.
Another contract was signed on August 29, for 20 NH90 helicopters from European aerospace group EADS for 657.523.069 €.Deliveries are expected to begin in 2006 and to be completed in 2009.
JUNE 30 2003 HAF RETIRES ITS Mirage F-1CGs
In a ceremony held at the 114CW in Tanagra, on Monday June 30, the last Mirage F-1CGs of the HAF were officially withdrawn from service.Among those present were the HAF leadership, the commander of 114 CW and notably,the president of the manufacturer Dassault Aviation, Mr Serge Dassault.Two aircraft were painted in special colours:one each for the 334 and 342 Squadrons which flew the Mirage F-1CG since entering service in 1975.
JUNE 2, 2003 ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RECEIVES 2003 IATA EAGLE AWARD
In recognition of its contribution to the aviation industry and its support towards airlines, Athens International Airport has been honoured with the 2003 Eagle Award of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 280 airlines around the world.
The award ceremony took place on June 2nd in Washington, within the framework of IATA's 59th Annual General Assembly, and the 100th anniversary since the Wright brothers' first flight. On behalf of Athens International Airport, the award was received by AIA's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yiannis Paraschis.
ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ACHIEVES TOP WORLD RANKING FOR 2002
Athens International Airport is the new leader in the world in its category, according to the annual results of IATA’s independent survey "Global Airport Monitor" for 2002.
In the airport size category up to 15 million passengers per annum, "Eleftherios Venizelos" moved up not only to the 1st position in Europe, but also to the 1st position in the world. AIA scored highest for Overall Passengers Satisfaction, climbing from 2nd in Europe and 3rd in the world in 2001.
JUNE 2 2003 HELLENIC AIR FORCE F-16 CRASHES
An F-16 fighter of the Hellenic Air Force crashed, soon after taking off from Nea Anhialos AFB.The aircraft came down 3 n.miles from the base.The pilot, captain Pliatsikas Theodoros ejected safely and was airlifted to the HAF 251 hospital for check-up.
It is suspected that the crash was caused by a bird ingested into the engine.
MΑΥ 19 2003 TURKISH GENERAL ADMITS F-16 SHOT DOWN BY H.A.F MIRAGE 2000 IN 1996
A former Turkish general on Monday said Ankara should ask for compensation for an unprecedented incident in which Greece shot down a Turkish fighter aircraft over the Aegean Sea in 1996.
The Turkish newspaper Milliyet said former general Ahmet Corekci, who was Turkish air force chief at the time of the incident, confirmed press reports about the clash to the paper.
A Turkish airforce F-16 was lost over the Aegean Sea during a training mission in October 1996 in what Ankara said was international airspace north of the Greek island of Samos, close to Turkish mainland.
One of the pilots managed to eject after the plane was hit by a missile but his co-pilot, Captain Nail Erdogan, was killed.
MΑΥ 19 2003 355 TACTICAL TRANSPORT SQUADRON DIVIDED INTO THREE SEPARATE SQUADRONS
The structure of 355 Tactical Transport Squadron based at 112 Battle Wing at Elefsis is changing. Specifically, it will be divided into three squadrons: 355 Tactical Transport Squadron with CL 215 and Do 28 aircraft, commanded by Colonel Marugas. The 383 Special Fire Fighting Operations Squadron commanded by Colonel Papaglymis, and the Maintenance Squadron commanded by Major Christodoulidis. 355 Squadron received the first five CL 215 fire-fighting aircraft in December 1975. By 1985, the Squadron had received all of its CL-215 fleet. In 1999, the Squadron received the first of 10 CL 415s. In August of that year, the squadron helped put out a fire using a CL 415 at the Tupas oil works at Izmit, Turkey. During the fire fighting seasons of 2000 and 2001, the Squadron operated against fires on Cyprus. Up until now 355 Squadron inventory included 14 CL 215, 9 (of 10 ordered) CL 415 and 9 Do 28 aircraft.
MΑΥ 14 2003 "HOSTILE ACTIONS" IN AEGEAN BY TURKISH AIR FORCE
New violations of Athens FIR and Greek airspace were committed by the Turkish Air Force yesterday, harassing Greek fighter jets during scheduled maneuvers. Such an incident of clear and direct obstruction of Greek military exercises has never before been recorded.
This action was characterized as “hostile” by circles of the Ministry of Defense, because it violates all rules of international law and there is a great chance of an accident occurring. The incident was noted at 11am yesterday, when two armed Turkish F-16 fighters illegally entered the Athens FIR and harassed three Phantom aircraft participating in small scale aeronautic military drill codenamed “Triena” (trident).
The Turkish F-16s followed the Greek F-4s to a very low altitude of 1000ft, obstructing the procedure of attacking a target in the sea. The specific target had been towed by the “Doxa” gunboat, while the shots fired by the Greek F-4s were carried out with training ammo.
The specific region within the Athens FIR had been committed in time with a NOTAM issued by the Air Force. The Turkish fighters, equipped with air-to-air missiles, were intercepted by Greek fighters. The Ministry of National Defense will send an electronic depiction of the incident to NATO, while the Foreign Ministry has been informed, so that the Greek Ambassador to Ankara can carry out an official diplomatic protest.
Yesterday, approximately 34 Turkish fighters in 14 formations carried out 15 violations of the Athens FIR and 44 violations of Greek national air space.
In nine cases there were intense dogfights, since the Turkish pilots refused to leave the Athens FIR, even though they had been “intercepted”.
MΑΥ 14 2003 HELLAS SAT LAUNCHED
US satellite Atlas V was launched at midnight from Cape Canaveral, carrying with it the first Greek telecommunications satellite, Hellas SAT. Hellas SAT will cover the needs of Greece and Cyprus for the next 15 years, while it will be put on operational standby approximately a week later. Shortly after that it will begin normal transmission, covering the larger part of Europe.
MAY 2, 2003 FIRST F-16 Block 52+ LAND AT SOUDA HAF BASE
The first 6 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52+ for the Hellenic Air Force were delivered today, at the 115 CW base in Souda, Crete.
These were four F-16Cs serialled 501,502,503 and 504 and two F-16Ds serialled 602 and 603.Initially the new aircraft will equip two Squadrons: 340 and 343.Later, one more Squadron will be activated (probably 334) to receive the remaining of the aircraft on order.
MARCH 13 2003 GREEK P-3 ORION INTERCEPTED BY U.S F-18s WITHIN ATHENS F.I.R!
A Greek P-3 ORION maritime patrol aircraft operating under NATO command was intercepted by two USN F-18 Hornet fighters. The incident took place 90 miles south of the Peloponnese. The US carrier-based aircraft forced the Greek plane to leave the area. The leaking of the matter to the press reveals the extent of the displeasure existing among Hellenic Armed Forces personnel, while a government response is still forthcoming. According to a NOTAM (Notice-to-Airmen), issued a month ago by the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, aircraft flying in the vicinity should alert it as to their projected movements.
In the mean time, the Turkish violations of Greek air space continued.
MARCH 8 2003 FIRST GREEK WOMEN AIR FORCE PILOTS FLY THEIR FIRST "SOLO"
Five out of the nine women who originally entered the flying school of the Hellenic Air Force's Academy, continue their studies and had recently their first "solo" flight.Their training will continue with flights in the brand new T-6 Texan II in 361 Training Squadron,
and T-2 Buckeyes in 362 Squadron.
FEBRUARY 11 2003 HELICOPTER CRASH
An Agusta-Bell A109 air-ambulance helicopter of EKAV with four crew on board , was lost in a flight to transfer a seriously ill person from the island of Ikaria.The helicopter came down 4 miles southwest of the island.This is the third accident in two years involving helicopters of this organization.
FEBRUARY 4 THE TURKISH PROVOCATIONS CONTINUE
A Greek Air Force P-3B Orion aircraft was harassed at noon today by two Turkish F-16s, while flying 40 miles southeast of the Aegean island of Rhodes inside the Athens FIR.One of the Turkish jets flew repeatedly just 150 meters above the Greek aircraft with full afterburner creating dangerous turbulence.
Greek fighter jets rushed on the scene and intercepted the Turkish aircraft. For the record, the Greek airspace violations by Turkish aircraft have increased notably during the past few weeks.
JANUARY 29 2003 CONTRACT SIGNED FOR 12 C-27Js
Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) today signed a contract with the government of Greece for the acquisition of 12 C-27J Spartan medium transport aircraft plus an option for three additional aircraft. The contract to LMATTS joint venture has a value of $272.72 million, excluding the three aircraft option. LMATTS is a joint venture company formed by Alenia and Lockheed Martin.
DECEMBER 18 2002 DELIVERY OF THE FIRST MODERNIZED F-4E PEACE ICARUS 2000
Today at the installations of Greek Aviation Industry (EAV) in Tanagra, the delivery of the first Peace Icarus 2000 Phantom II , took place .
The program concerns in the modification of 35 planes of the type that gives them multi role capabilities. Main contractor of program is the German EADS which undertook the program after competition and the EAV undertook the manufacture of collections of modification (group-A Kits) and the final installation and trial of new system.
NOVEMBER 25 GREECE TO BUY HELICOPTERS
The Greek government decided to order 52 helicopters for the Army.
12 of these will be AH-64 Apache attack helicopters (possibly of the Longbow version), with an option for 4 more and a cost of 683m €.
42 NH-90 (32 utility +4 options, 4 MEDEVAC and 6 special operations),with a cost of 651m €..
NOVEMBER 10 OLYMPIC AIRWAYS ENDS FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA
The last scheduled Olympic Airways passenger flight from Australia to Athens took off on October 30. The state-owned airline has flown from Greece to Australia for a quarter of a century. According to OA's management, it was a loss-making route, costing the airline some 25 million euros each year.OA sources anounced the national carrier was forced to end its flights to Australia in order to cut costs.
According to members of Australia's 700,000-strong Greek community and thousands of Greek-Australians living here, the decision to stop the twice-weekly flights to Melbourne and Sydney is irrational and absurd. They claim OA is overlooking the growing Asian and Australian travel market and its opportunity to position itself as an airline of choice by Europeans via Athens to Asia and Australia. They also argue that the cancellation of the route will dissuade many Greek-Australians from coming to Greece during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
NOVEMBER 7 NEW TURKISH PROVOCATIONS IN GREEK AIR SPACE
Turkish war-planes on Thursday harassed two civilian aircraft in the air corridor connecting Greece with Cyprus, at the border of the Larnaca and Athens Fight Information Region (FIR).
According to sources, 18 Turkish F16s in six formations infringed on Greek airspace over the islands of Samos and Hios, while in ten different instances they violated the Athens FIR.
Specifically, two Turkish F 16s harassed the Olympic Airways flight 332 that took off from Larnaca and was bound for Athens, about 30 nautical miles west of Rhodes and at an altitude of 34,000 feet.
Ten minutes later, quite possibly the same pair of aircraft harassed Cyprus Airways flight 323 that took off from Athens and was bound for Larnaca, about 35 nautical miles west of Rhodes and at an altitude of 33,000 feet.
NOVEMBER 4 FIRST F16D BLOCK 52 DELIVERED
The first aircraft in the latest buy of 60 F-16s for Greece has been delivered. The aircraft is an advanced Block 52 two-seat model with enhanced capabilities over previous F-16s. The aircraft was delivered in record span time considering the development requirements. The aircraft will remain in the United States for maintenance training and evaluation purposes until mid next year, then receive final paint prior to ferry to Greece.
OCTOBER 16 TURKISH F-16s HARASS GREEK AIRLINERTurkish jet fighters harassed a small Greek passenger plane within Greece’s airspace on Wednesday evening.
According to a report a Hellenic Star Airways turboprop carrying 36 passengers from the eastern Aegean island of Chios to Athens was approached over the central Aegean by the Turkish jets, which proceeded to fly close to it on either side, inside the Athens Flight Information Region and, at one point, within Greek airspace. “It was an unacceptable act during a particularly sensitive period,” government spokesman Christos Protopappas said yesterday, adding that the Foreign Ministry has issued a demarche.
OCTOBER 7 HAF T-37s RETIRE
After 38 years of service with the Hellenic Air Force the last T-37s were officially retired on October 7.
SEPTEMBER 13 NATO EXERCISE CANCELLED
Following a disagreement between Athens and Ankara over the process whereby Turkish fighter aircraft would fly over the Aegean to participate in a NATO exercise in Greece, the Greek section of the maneuvers code-named Destined Glory 2002 has been canceled.The Ministry of Defense yesterday issued a statement saying that the war games in western Greece “will not take place as there was no agreement in the planning of the exercise between Greece and NATO’s Southern Central Command on procedures regarding coordination of air force matters.”
Destined Glory will take place from October 5-18 in the central Mediterranean and Italy, and initially involved eight Turkish F-16 fighters being based for a few days at the Nea Anchialos military airport. From there, they would participate in flights between Preveza and Kyparissia. Ankara insisted — backed by NATO officials — that its jets should not submit flight plans before entering the Athens Flight Information Region. As a result, the Ministry of Defense canceled the Greek section of the exercise, after consultations with the Foreign Ministry.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE CYPRIOT Mi 35 HIND ATTACK HELICOPTERS
Τhe long rumo red presence of the Cypriot National Guard Mil Mi 35 Hind helicopters was confirmed on the occasion of the funeral of the recently killed Chief of the CNG general Florakis.Two Mi 35s made a low pass over Pafos during the ceremony.
It is still not known how many machines have been ordered or how many have been delivered so far.
JULY 10 CYPRUS NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER CRASHES
Cypriot National Guard Bell 206L Long Ranger II helicopter crashed near Pafos airport during a night flight.
All occupants killed, among them National Guard Chief General Evangelos Florakis, Commander of National Guard Air Arm Commodore Stelios Demenagas (both from Greece,) the Chief's Adjutant Lieutenant Commander Nikolas Georgiou, and the helicopter's crew Flight Lieutenant Paris Athanasiadis and Flying officer Mihalis Siakalis (Cypriots).Initial information points to the helicopter crashing after attempting an emergency landing due to possible malfunction.
JUNE 27 HAF F-4E CRASHES
An F-4E (68-438) of the Hellenic Air Force crashed on Mt Dirfys during a training flight.Both crew killed.
JUNE 17 HELICOPTER CRASHES
FIVE people lost their lives on board an Agusta A109 medical airlift helicopter which crashed early on June 17 on the Cycladic island of Anafi.Ιn January 2001 an identical helicopter was lost in a storm near Cape Sounion.
The Agusta A109 hit a hillside after a pre-dawn takeoff from Anafi destined for a state hospital facility in the eastern Aegean island of Rhodes, where a woman who had suffered a thrombosis could get the urgent medical treatment she required. The 62-year-old heart patient was killed in the crash, together with two pilots and two medical personnel.
The bodies were recovered by an EKAV unit, assisted by crews deployed by the defence ministry, which also launched an investigation into the causes of the crash. No SOS was issued by the helicopter before the accident and no explosion was heard at the time of the crash, a minute and a half after take-off.
JUNE 11 FIRST CL-415GR C-SAR ARRIVES
THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS OF GREEK AIR SPACE CONTINUE THIS SUMMER
The first of two specially equipped CL-415 amphibians (ninth out of a total 10 aircraft ordered) landed in Elefsis Air Force base on June 11.
The aircraft with the serial 2056 (C-GIFE) started fire-fighting operations with th 355 Sq, before it flies to HAI facilities to receive the additional equipment and modifications.
Friday June 14
Eighteen (18) Turkish fighters violated the Athens F.I.R, and the Greek air space over Lesvos island.These included flying over the island itself!
The violations were made by three groups of six F-16s between 13.05 and 14.45 hrs.
Around the same time there were more intrusions in an area south of Rhodes involving armed aircraft.In all cases HAF aircraft responded by intercepting the intruders and escorting them out of Greek air space.
Thursday June 13
Two Turkish F-16s overflew the Rhodes international Airport at very low altitude.
Here are the aircraft:ΚΝ 575 c.n 4476866 ( scheduled to withdraw October 2002 )
432622 ( scheduled to withdraw beginning of 2004 )
KP255 c.n 4477225 ( sheduled to withdraw after the 2004
Olympic Games )
ΚΚ 156 ( scheduled to withdraw beginning of 2005 )
In the HAF is circulating an idea that one of the above aircraft should take part in the celebretions of the 2004 Olympiad, carrying a special paint scheme!!
