March 2006

In 2005 the regional airline VLM reported a pre-tax profit of €2.0 m for the full year. The company returned better profits than 2004, posting a net profit of €1.4 million, despite fierce competition and challenges such a high fuel prices and the dramatic events in London in July 2005. Source: De Standaard and VLM.

Last April SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express were put under the common ownership of SN Airholding. Since then the two airlines have been working together but each with different brands and products. On March 31st, the Chief executive of both SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, Neil Burrows said the new brand of the combined airline group will be announced "towards the end of the summer". The merged group will become operational by April 2007. Both airlines said they decided to become a single brand because the market is too small for two home airlines and intense competition is affecting profitability. The new airline will be positioned in the 'modified traditional' segment of carriers offering two types of classes and ticket pricing - 'comfort 1' and 'comfort 2'. Each category will be presented under different product brands, yet to be announced. Burrows said the group will look to expand its operations to Africa, with local African networks 'being evaluated'. The group said it is also evaluating opportunities to fly to other long-haul regions, such as the North Atlantic, in order to balance its current dependence on the African network. There will also be an updated aircraft fleet for the new group. For short-haul flights, new 100 seat aircraft will replace the current fleet of 32 RJs aircraft from 2010. For medium-haul, 13-16 B737 or A319 aircraft will replace the current fleet of 10 B737 and three A319 in the next three years. For long-haul, 5-6 220 seat aircraft will replace 3 A330 with 280 seats. Sources: Forbes and SNBA. 

EADS Military Air Systems (MAS) handed over the first A400M heavy transport aircraft rear fuselage section shells to Airbus Bremen on March 31st at Lechfeld/Augsburg. The seven A400M ordered by Belgium are intended to replace from 2018 onwards the eleven C-130H Hercules of Air Component's N°15 Transport Wing/Tactical Transport Flight (TTF or ex-20 Squadron). Source: EADS  

On March 31st, the Council of Ministers authorised the Ministry of Defence to purchase a total of 72.000 cubic meters of F35 jet engine fuel. So 3000 cubic meters less than in 2005 (see BAHA News of April 15th, 2005). This order should cover the Air Component 2005 flying programme as well as the refuelling of third party visiting aircraft, like those of the NATO partners. Source the Presscenter NL and FR.

On Friday March 31st, the Council of Ministers approved Belgium’s participation in the SALIS agreement with a German company which operates Antonov 124-100 heavy lift aircraft. The SALIS (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution) programme is a partnership between 16 NATO member countries (Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom) intended to compensate for the shortfall of strategic transport aircraft in many European countries. It is an interim solution pending the availability of the future Airbus A-400M heavy transport aircraft, whose first delivery to Belgium is scheduled for 2018. Participating countries have committed to leasing a minimum number of flight hours per year, which allows the German contractor to guarantee the permanent availability of two Antonov AN-124-100 heavy transport aircraft on very short notice. Two additional aircraft can be made available on six days' notice. By joining this partnership, Belgium  gains a substantially larger transport capability to support its troops deployed in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Africa. Source in French FR-01 and FR-02 or Dutch: NL-01 and NL-02 .  More on SALIS programme: here.

The Council of Ministers has approved the acquisition of 8 new generation Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control SNIPER targeting pods to equip the Air Component’s F-16AM/BM fighters. The Sniper target designators will complement the 10 or so AN-AAQ-14 Lantirn pods already in use with the Air Force.  Source: Presscenter in NL and FR.

On March 30th, 2006, Minister Marc Vewilghen responsible for a.o. Foreign Trade has met with the Chinese ambassador Mrs. Zhang Qiyue to discus the possibility of a direct air-link between China and Belgium.  From this meeting it was clear that the final decision by Hainan Airlines is only a formality. It is expected that the inaugural flight will take place at the end of June 2006. Source: http://www.marcverwilghen.be/

SN Brussels Airlines has leased Boeing 767-300ER CS-TLQ from Portuguese airline EuroAtlantic Airways for the next three months, because of a refurbishing of one of its own three Airbus A330-300s. The Boeing 767 will be scheduled on the Brussels-Dakar route from the 6^th of April onward. The cabin crew of SN Brussels Airlines has trained to work on the 767. " Source: Luchtzak and BAHA. Picture on Airliners.net.

On March 28th, Agusta A-109BA Hirundo H-18 arrived back at Zutendaal after having been "cocooned" at Bierset air base (see BAHA News of February 8th, 2005) while H-13 left Zutendaal to undergo the same treatment at the 255 Maintenance Group of Heli Wing. Source: E-Baha Forum  

On March 27th 2006 the fuselage and the wings of the Cessna 500 Citation (s/n 036) OO-LCM were transported from the Abelag hangar to the training site of the Zaventem airport fire-brigade near the South fire-station. The 10.000 hours airframe will only be used for evacuation exercises and not for fire-extinguishing. The engines of the Citation and some valuable spare parts were sold to an American company. The „LCM", constructed in 1972, was one of the oldest flying Citations. Source: BAHA

The Belgian Air and Land Components have conducted a low level flying exercise over the Province of Luxembourg and Namur under code name Poppy 02/2006 between 27 and 31 March. The purpose of Poppys type exercise is to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. All the Poppy 02/2006 targets and Low Level Flying Areas (LLFA) were located between villages of Eprave-Aye-Nassogne and Tellin (East Area) and Bauraing-Focant-Voneche-Wellin (West Area). Source on Mil.be in FR and NL and the Baha special feature.  

For the occasion of the 9th annual happening “Nacht van Exclusief” organised at the Knokke casino not less then 18 helicopters turned up on the beach in front of the casino. On top of that Belgian Air Component Seaking helicopter RS-01 presented a short winching demonstration. Herewith the list of the participants. Log and pictures by Kristof Vandermoere. Source: http://www.westwings.be/index-nl.html

Aérospatiale AS.350 Ecureuil: OO-TTD, OO-LKV

Aérospatiale AS.355F1 Ecureuil II: G-OHCP

Bell 206B Jetranger III: OO-RDN

Eurocopter EC.120B Colibri: N263CP, OO-AMD, OO-HPP, OO-WER

MD.369E: OO-LTH, OO-SOO

Robinson R-22 Beta II: OO-RWC, OO-RWD, OO-RWE

Robinson R-44: OO-GOW, OO-HEY, OO-NKM, OO-RBB, OO-TOR

Westland Seaking Mk.48 RS-01 of 40 Sqn

The integration of Belgian student-pilots in the French Pilot Training schools at Cazaux (Ajets) and Avord (EAT) has led to an increased interest by other European partners. A Portuguese delegation has been visiting Cazaux for a week while this month (April) the first German fighter pilots having followed instruction at the EAC at Tours will join the courses at Cazaux. The transport pilot school of Avord from its side will welcome the first Royal Netherlands Air Force student pilots and, although not confirmed up to now, possibly also Italian transport pilots. Source: Air & Cosmos   

Rwandese airline Silverback Cargo Freighters' DC-8-62F 9XR-SC (c/n 46068/463) impounded in Brussels since 6 months has left Brussels' Zaventem airport on Friday 24 March at 08.06hrs local time. The airline was put on the European blacklist and was allowed  to take off from Zaventem before the implementation date of the blacklist on Saturday. Urgent upgrading work had taking place in one of the hangars of Brussels airport and the aircraft was subject of serious controls before it was allowed to take off. Rwanda wants its plane back to make it fly out of Europe in countries where it is not banned. The move will facilitate the discussions between SN Brussels Airlines and the Rwandese authorities on the authorisation for SN to land again in Kigali. Source:  Luchtzak & BAHA. Picture on Airliners.net here.

24 > 27/03 - HMS Westminster in Antwerp port courtesy visit displays Merlin helicopter on board

The Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster (F237) which paid a courtesy visit to the port of Antwerp between 24 and 27 March displayed  EH-101 Merlin HM1 ZH850 WM-462  helicopter on its deck belonging to N° 829 Squadron Royal Navy. Still a rare bird around here. Picture by Dirk Geerts.

The European Union issued on Wednesday a blacklist banning 92 airlines from operating across the region. Most of the airlines are based in Africa or Asia and fail to meet international safety standards, the EU said. The list of banned airlines is available on the European Commission's website and will be updated at least every three months. It includes 50 carriers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 14 from Sierra Leone and seven airlines from Swaziland. The list was compiled on recommendations from the 25 EU member states after a series of crashes last summer left 500 people dead. In future, companies banned in one member state will be banned across the entire EU. Airlines can apply to be taken off the list, BBC reported. "The European Union now has a coherent approach to banning airlines," the vice-president of the commission for transport, Jacques Barrot, said. "This blacklist will keep dubious airlines out of Europe. It will also make sure that all airlines operating in Europe¹s sky meet the highest safety standards. "Besides the punitive effect, the EU said its blacklist will encourage all airlines operating in Europe to comply fully with safety standards and dissuade unscrupulous airlines from starting up services in Europe. "It will avoid discrepancies between national flight bans and restrictions. Through its wide publication the list will have an impact worldwide," a commission statement said. Source: Expatica

Belgian Air Component Commander Major General Gérard Van Caelenberge and General Klein, Commander of the French Armée de l’Air’s “Force Aérienne de Projection” (CFAP) have visited at Evreux the “Base Aérienne 105 –Commandant Viot”. This visit of the Belgian commander accentuate the good relations between both Air Forces which have resulted in 2004 in a mutual pilot training scheme for both transport and fighter pilots with the creation of the “Aviation European Jet Training” (AEJT) at Cazaux (F.). Source:  Armée de l’Air website

In this last year of operations of the Fouga Magister two aircraft are to receive a special commemorative paint scheme. On 22/03/2006, MT-26 made its first flight in the new scheme while the MT-48 roll-out is foreseen in the next days.  Source: E-BAHA, Thanks Wim Houquet for the great pictures.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Comair from South Africa, Kenyan Airways and SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) have been pre-selected among ten candidates to take a majority shareholding in the « new Camair » by the government of Cameroon. The national airline Cameroon Airlines (Camair) has been offered for privatisation since more than one year with the assistance of a subsidiary of the World Bank.  A part of the assets of Camair, its traffic on national and international routes and ground handling equipment will go to the new company. The new owner of Camair will be known in May. Source: De Standaard

During construction works in the vicinity of the Gent railway station a Second World War bomb was discovered. The Belgian Defence bomb disposal unit had to stop all train traffic on the major railway line between Brussels and Oostende in order to disarm the trigger mechanism and remove the dangerous souvenir of the last war. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws

The budget airlines are to start offering services from Zaventem Airport near Brussels in the coming months. The airlines are from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany. They will offer low-cost flights to Prague (Czech Republic), Krakow (Poland) and Munich (Germany). The Slovakian airline will start offering flights to Krakow from Zaventem at the end of this month. The two other airlines will start operating soon after. European budget airlines Ryanair and Easyjet have reported enormous growth in recent years. Amid rising profits, more low-cost routes have been added to their services. Other low-cost airlines are now trying to squeeze into the market. However, there have been few budget airlines operating at Zaventem, due in part to high airport taxes. Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, for example, opted to fly from Charleroi instead of Brussels. And consultancy bureau Arthur D. Little has recently said that budget airlines have already reached their peak. Despite the negative forecast, three low-cost airlines will soon launch services from Zaventem in a development expected to have an impact on existing carriers. Traditional airlines are expected to cost personnel costs, service and distribution costs and seek more passengers. Traditional airlines are increasingly looking to last-minute travellers searching for a cheap ticket. Competition is also increasing among budget airlines. Irish low-cost carrier Aer Arann, for example, will start flying from April at the Liège-Bierset Airport in Belgium. Source: Expatica

From 19 till 24 March 2006 the Belgian Defence held a major national exercise aimed at testing its capabilities to rescue non-combatant military or civil compatriots abroad from an escalating dangerous political or military situation, the so-called Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO). In two separate settings, Exercise Crazy Trip field-tested the amphibian and airborne personnel extraction procedures of the Belgian Defence’s Immediate Reaction Capability (IRC). More in the BAHA Special Feature by Jos Schoofs "Exercise Crazy Trip"

The Brussels Regional Government has finally signed the permit to demolish the two historical important “Haren airfield Aérogares” in order to make way for the new NATO headquarters. (See the BAHA Special Feature here). This is another waypoint in the 420 million Euro construction programme which is to start in 2008. In the meantime a number of Belgian Defence units now housed in the King Albert barracks will move to Peutie. The new NATO headquarters should be ready by 2013. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws.

According to Belgian Defence Minister André Flahaut, the Heli Wing is not to move from its actual location at Bierset airbase to Beauvechain (which incidentally lies in the minister’s electoral region). Military personnel at Bierset were getting afraid that they would have to move again after they already returned from their bases in Germany in the nineties. The unrest amongst the members of the Heli Wing was reinforced by the delay in construction works which have been foreseen to move the military part of Bierset somewhat to the North of the airport to make room for the booming civil aviation activities at Bierset Airport.  

The Ostend Air College has acquired a brand new Austrian build Diamond DA-42 TDI Twin Star which has been registered OO-TLA. The futuristic looking Twin Star is powered by two turbo diesel engines and is intended to replace the actual twin engined Piper PA-44 G-BGJB. This aircraft will be re-engined and repainted and will receive a completely new interior and state of the art avionics. Source: http://www.westwings.be/index-nl.html & picture link.

SN Brussels Airlines said it is 'too early' to speculate on a possible merger with low-cost carrier Virgin Express Holdings PLC, following earlier reports that a tie-up is close. Cedric Leurquin, manager of external communications at SN Brussels said: 'It is too early to say, all options are still available. No decision has been taken on a joint commercial approach.' Leurquin said that a strategic plan will be presented to the board around the end of March or the beginning of April. SN Airholding is the holding company of both airlines. Earlier, Belgian daily La Libre Belgique said, citing anonymous sources, that an agreement would probably result in the creation of a single group. The comments come after the two airlines combined their communications departments. Leurquin said the move to create a common department was a logical one. 'We have a common shareholder,' he said. Source: Forbes 

The Belgian Defence has 11 Bravo type Siai Marchetti SF260M wings for sale. These wings are not in flyable condition and have never been certified by a civilian organisation; moreover many parts are to be considered as scrap. The items are stored at Beauvechain airbase. Source and more information at Mil.be: in NL and in FR

A German base dating from World War II has been inaugurated as a tourist attraction at Houhulst. The base was constructed in 1944 by Russian prisoners of war with the aim of launching V-1 guided bombs to London. Fortunately the rapid allied advance in France and Belgium prevented the base to become operational and not a single V-1 was fired from Houthulst.  For over 60 years the base remained hidden under a thick layer of humus but can now be explored revealing the several launching ports in the concrete construction. Source: VRT

An SN Brussels Airlines RJ 85 (reg. OO-DJN) made an emergency landing at Gothenburg, Sweden after a problem with the nose-gear. The emergency slides had to be used to evacuate the 28 passengers and 4 crew but everyone got out unharmed. Sources: Luchtzak & Aftonbladet

Air Technology Belgium (ATB) the largest helicopter centre in Belgium will move from its present location at Walem, near Mechelen, to a new ly constructed site at Wevelgem airport. ATB is dealer for the complete Robinson line of helicopters as well as the Bell Jetranger, Longranger and the 407. The company is responsible for the maintenance of no less than 80 helicopters registered in Belgium, Holland, England and the United States. Source: Freddy Ceulemans  and  http://www.westwings.be/index-nl.html

In order to make room for the soon to be expected Westland Seaking RS-01, the rare MiG-21F-13 has been removed from the Aeronautical Department of the Royal Army Museum at Brussels. On long term loan from the American authorities the MiG-21 has been identified as ex-F2157 of the Indonesian Air Force. With the fall of Indonesian president Sukarno's in 1967 all Russian equipment was replaced by Western hardware and some Russian equipment headed in Western direction. It is suspected that this was also the case with MiG 21 F2157. The rest of the story is obscured by Nevada dessert sand. Pictures here.

The Belgian intelligence services have conducted only cursory investigations into whether secret CIA flights carrying terror suspects passed through Belgium. Moreover, the federal government never instructed the nation's intelligence services to conduct investigations, news agency Belga claimed. The news agency cited a classified report from the security service's supervisory body, Committee “I”. The report indicates that Belgium's intelligence services have barely bothered to conduct investigations because they were never officially commissioned to do so. The former chief of the security service VS-SE, Koen Dassen, is reported to have lodged cursory questions with the CIA, but was never given a "no comment" answer. The lack of inquiries comes despite explicit requests from the Council of Europe for member states to investigate claims of secret CIA flights. And the federal government is adamant that that it did ask the security services to investigate the matter. The government informed the Council of Europe late February that — with current knowledge (investigations are continuing) no CIA flights took place via Belgium. However some sources claim that two suspicious flights took place in 2002 via Deurne Airport at Antwerpen. Further investigations must be conducted to determine whether they were CIA flights. The results of these inquiries are expected in a couple of weeks. Sources: Expatica, Le Soir & Het Laatste Nieuws.

Brussels’ Zaventem Airport was awarded “Best Airport in Europe” for 2005, at the occasion of the Airport Service Quality Conference of the Airport Council International (ACI), held in Abu Dhabi. Zaventem shares the first place with the airport of Copenhagen. The Brussels airport was also ranked "3rd best airport worldwide" in its category (airports with 15 to 25 million passengers per year), behind the airports of Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. The annual awards are based on surveys on passenger satisfaction with airport facilities and services. They are done on a quarterly basis among over 100,000 passengers at 66 airports worldwide.. BIAC's CEO Wilfried Van Assche is very pleased with the award. Since 2003 Zaventem Airport ranks amongst the Top 5 airports in Europe.

With the call for tender published on 8 March 2006 the Ministry of Defence has finally killed all hope to save two of the most valuable aeronautical constructions in Belgium. Both buildings have to make way for the new NATO headquarters. Many associations including BAHA have tried in vain to safe these historical building, but unfortunately the political decisions were taken silently a long time ago. See also BAHA news of October 10th & December 28th, 2005 and the BAHA special feature: The endangered HAREN terminal/aérogare buildings 

On Wednesday 8 March the 1st Wing at Beauvechain airbase organised a ceremony to commemorate Cpt. Jean Marie Paul who unfortunately died in the crash of his F-16A fighter on 12 March 1981. N° 350 Squadron pilot Jean Marie Paul was flying F-16A FA-11 near Ville-du-Bois when around 09h10Z he was victim of an asymmetric slat extension caused by a technical problem. Source: Mil.be NL & FR

The Air and Land Components have conducted a low level flying exercise over the Ardennes code named Green Hill 2005/1 between March 6th and 10th. The two Green Hill 01/2006 targets and Low level flying areas (LLFA) were located at Champlon-Hubermont-Lavacherie-Warempagne (North Area) and Bonnerue-Remagne-Ste Marie Chevigny-Blanchipont (South Area). The purpose of such type of exercise is to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. This exercise ended a six weeks FAC training course. After six successful missions the FAC trainees are declared Limited Combat Ready. The training of the Belgian FACs is carried out - in common with their Dutch colleagues - at the School Grond-Lucht Samenwerking (SGLS) of Schaarsbergen near Arnhem in the Netherlands. More: http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/News/popy_red_jos_shoofs.htm.  Source: Mil.be FR & NL

According to the Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu), a Belgian C-130H Hercules transport aircraft will be involved in some test-flight on 6, 7, 20 and 21st March 2006 from De Peel airbase in the Netherlands. The unspecified test-flights are made for the benefit of ten C-130 user countries including Belgium, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands and the USA. Source: Koninklijke Luchtmacht website.  

A 40 Squadron Seaking helicopter discovered an oil-slick at the Westhinder sand bank near Oostende. According to the “Maritiem Reddings- en Coördinatiecentrum (MRCC)” (Maritime Rescue and Coördination Center) the slick was some 1 km long and 100 meters wide at 12 km out to sea. Samples were taken in order to retrace any ship that would have illeagaly cleaned its tanks. Source; Het Nieuwsblad

SN Brussels Airlines has announced that Ursula Silling has been appointed Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at SNBA. Ursula was already responsible for the marketing and sales activities of sister company Virgin Express. (See also BAHA News of 6 October 2005). Source: SNBA.

Koen Geerts was nominated as Flying Hero of VLM Airlines and named his own aircraft in the presence of the Luxembourg press and VLM colleagues. Flying Hero‚ is a unique incentive scheme, offering all employees the chance to nominate a colleague within the company who has recently achieved something or has gone that extra mile and so, deserves a special reward. The nomination is based on a number of proven qualities such as teamwork and motivation and customer service excellence. The scheme aims to encourage high staff performance for years to come, nominating a new employee every 6 months. The Flying Hero receives the ultimate reward for someone working in the airline industry: their own name on a VLM aircraft. Koen, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, has been working for VLM Airlines for more than 12 years now as Technical Engineer. He has worked at various VLM stations, such as Antwerp and Manchester and has been based in Luxembourg for nearly two years now. Last week, when he received the phone call from Human Resources at VLM Airlines announcing that he was nominated as the next Flying Hero, Koen was pleasantly surprised. Bernard Triest, Human Resources Manager at VLM Airlines comments: „Koen is a fine example of an employee who does his job with a lot of dedication and motivation. The fact that his colleagues have nominated him reflects their respect and collegiality. Source: VLM

After being shipped from Koksijde to the United States, former Belgian Air Force Lockheed F-104G FX-84 has been seen at several locations in Texas, California and filially at Hillsboro Airport near Portland (Oregon). Once intended to be restored to flying condition the Starfighter received the US civil registration N104PJ but the actual owners now have put the sleek machine up for sale or trade. If you are interested, please contact Roger Kelsay at 503-640-2927 or email him at rbkelsay@premierjets.com.  Follow this link to see pictures of the airplane as acquired, during restoration, and in its current storage location: http://www.classicaircraft.org/Buy%20Sell.htm.  

Ex-Belgian Air Force "Rode Duivels" Fouga Magister MT-31 was transported by Comopasair to the 1st Wing Historical center at Beauvechain airbase from its previous owner at Meerhout. Unfortunately the aircraft our rather wreck has been stripped of all its  usefull parts but on the brighter side this machine brings the total number of Fouga's at Beauvechain at a "lucky" thirteen. Source:  E-BAHA forum and picture here.

The Belgian Air Component N ° 40 Squadron Seaking helicopters have had the following scrambles (emergency missions) over the month of February 2005:

* Wounded crew member winched of the "Armuiden 44" and flown to hospital at Veurne

* H-462 with control problems at Brussels. No intervention

* Wounded crew member winched of the "Vlissingen 25" and flown to hospital at Veurne.

Source: Mil.be NL & FR

Belga Defence specialist, Gerard Gaudin, has been informed by the Belgian Ministry of Defence that a South African Air Force (SAAF) C-130 pilot could come to Belgium to reinforce the 15th Wing at Melsbroek which suffers from a shortage of captains. Formal approval has still to be obtained from both the SAAF and Belgian Air Component sides. This was confirmed by Belgian Air Component Chief Major Gérard Van  Caelenberghe, who also stated that a major effort is underway to improve the maintenance of the C-130’s. The 11 remaining Hercules transport aircraft were acquired in the seventies and are foreseen to remain operational until after 2017, when they will be replaced by the all new Airbus A-400M. Source: Het Belang Van Limburg

Choice of aircraft  and bases to slip until end of decade. Fifteen months after an outline proposal was rejected by the European Air Chiefs group for lacking definition, the proposed 11-nation Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT), or Eurotraining, program-me remains dogged by disparate nation-al priorities and has yet to implement even a management structure. Programme officials expect the initiative to make its first steps with the agreement of a European Staff Requirement (ESR) during a meeting in June, but concede that aircraft and training site selections are unlikely to follow before late 2009 and that an integrated training system could take until 2020 to fully implement. “The [AEJPT] advisory group is now moving into defining detailed requirements,” says Spanish air force Col Francisco Rincon, newly-appointed head of the programme’s steering committee. Partner nations Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland should approve the ESR during June, he says, clearing the way for an initial memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the project’s structure and commercial arrangements to be signed by year-end. A Phase 2 MoU will determine the programme’s procurement and delivery aspects. Rincon told IQPC’s Military Flight Training conference in London last week that a request for quotations should be issued to potential suppliers by the end of 2007, with selections to be confirmed within around a further two years. However, he confirms that the preparatory ESR “contains no detailed syllabi, since a platform selection has to be done before this can be developed”. Eurotraining seeks to select two aircraft types: one to satisfy primary and basic training requirements and the other to meet advanced and lead-in fighter pilot training needs. Aermacchi is promoting its M346 for the latter requirement, facing competition from designs including the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 Golden Eagle, which could also receive further support in Europe under a potential agreement with EADS. Original plans called for Eurotraining services to begin in 2010, but Rincon said the current timetable is for instructor training to begin in 2013, initial operating capability in 2015, full operating capability in 2018 and all system elements to be in place by 2020. Source: Flight Global  

As from March 26th, Belgian low cost airline Virgin Express is adding three new Italian destinations to its European network. The three new routes are: Brussels - Bari, Brussels - Naples and Brussels - Palermo. The Brussels-Palermo route will be flown three times weekly (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays). Bari will also be served three times per week (increasing to four times per week in July and August). Naples will welcome four Virgin Express flights per week and five during July and August. All flights will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. Source: Virgin Express & Het Nieuwsblad

February 2006

Airbus Military has achieved its fifth contractual milestone on schedule with the successful demonstration run of the first engine with Propeller for the A400M military airlifter. The demonstration to the customer, which took place at the Snecma engine test facility at Istres in southern France under the technical responsibility of the engine and propeller suppliers, Europrop International (EPI) and Ratier-Figeac respectively, was the most spectacular event yet in the on-going A400M aircraft development programme. The powerplant consists of EPI’s TP400-D6 engine fitted with Ratier-Figeac’s FH386 propeller. The three-shaft, high-performance gas turbine engine and the 5.3 metre diameter, eight-bladed, composite propeller, give a combined power output of some 11,000 shaft-horsepower. The TP400-D6 / FH386 combination constitutes the most powerful turboprop power plant in the western world and will enable the A400M to attain cruising speeds and altitudes equivalent to today’s jet powered aircraft. The choice of a turboprop engine design to power the A400M was made on the basis of providing optimum performance and fuel economy across the wide spectrum of operational tasks that the aircraft will be required to carry out. These range from low speed, low altitude aerial delivery to high speed, high altitude refuelling of fast jets whilst retaining the capability for autonomous ground manoeuvres as well as fast, intercontinental logistic deployment. The A400M programme was launched in May 2003 with a single order for 180 aircraft for seven European NATO nations. South Africa joined the programme in April 2005 with an order for eight aircraft and Malaysia followed in December 2005 by ordering four aircraft, bringing the total order book to date to 192. The A400M will first fly in early 2008 with deliveries beginning in 2009. Europrop International GmbH is a consortium of European engine manufacturers comprising ITP, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma, who are jointly developing the TP400-D6 engine for the A400M. (Source: Airbus Military)  

On February 27th, 2006 former Belgian Army BN2A-21 Islander B02/OT-ALB was registered OO-MMM (CofA 10036) to Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique. The official base of the aircraft is quoted as Antwerp, although it is expected that the aircraft will operate from Koksijde. Source: BCARG Newsletter March 2006

SN Brussels Airlines has decided against flying to the Rwandan capital Kigali until further notice due to last week's grounding for three days of one of its planes by the Rwandan aviation authorities, initially under the guise of an administrative investigation. SNBA had extended its full co-operation on this investigation and strongly emphasises that there are no safety problems with the Airbus 330-300 OO-SFM that was subject of this grounding. This incident is believed to be linked to a Rwandan cargo plane left stranded at Zaventem Airport in Brussels, as it was put on an EU blacklist for safety reasons. The decision against landing at Kigali should not impact on any of SNBA’s other flights to Africa. Source: Expatica 

Most probably in 2007 works will start to shrink the well known coastal airbase of Koksijde to on third of its actual size including cutting 2 km off its runway (see BAHA News of 13/02). Because of that, the base would not be able to receive jet aircraft which also means that it will be impossible to organise the famous annual Koksijde airshow in its present form.  According to base commander Colonel Rudy Theys (himself former F-16 display pilot) this year the airshow will be organised on the 1st and 2nd of July, but next year, Belgian Defence will have to revise its concept to some kind of helicopter show.  Source: Het Nieuwsblad.

The A400M military airlifter has taken another leap forward as wing manufacturing has begun at Airbus' Filton, Bristol site with machining of the first wing rib for the first production aircraft. The three metre long aluminium alloy block or 'billet' will become 'wing rib ten' following two further machining sessions and a number of other processes carried out over the coming weeks. Charles Paterson, Head of A400M Wing at Airbus said: "Partners and suppliers worldwide are working on the production and delivery of various components for the first A400M. Start of the rib machining is a significant milestone and the result of substantial dedication and teamwork." The Airbus Filton site, which leads the wing design for A400M, is manufacturing 20 of the 48 ribs in a set of A400M wings (the other 28 being supplied by Mecachrome of France). The machining at Filton is carried out in a dedicated rib cell on high-speed 5-axis machines supplied by Makino of Japan. Other than the ribs, the A400M wings are essentially being constructed from composite materials (carbon fibre reinforced plastic - CFRP). Filton will be also be carrying out the wing final assembly and delivering the completed wings to the aircraft final assembly line in Seville, Spain. New facilities are currently being completed and commissioned in preparation for wing final assembly to begin shortly and first wing deliveries are scheduled for around year end.  Firm orders for A400M now stand at 192 aircraft - 180 in the original order for seven European NATO nations through OCCAR (60 for Germany; 50 for France; 27 for Spain; 25 for the UK; 10 for Turkey; 7 for Belgium and 1 for Luxembourg); plus 12 aircraft ordered by two further customers (8 for South Africa and 4 for Malaysia). The A400M, the world¹s most modern military transport aircraft, will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning from 2009. Designed specifically to meet the demanding conditions of the European Staff Requirement, (ESR), the A400M is providing the world's air forces with a much-needed replacement for the ageing fleets of C-160 Transalls and C-130 Hercules and will provide the rapid reaction capability that is essential in responding to crisis situations. With its high cruise speed, intercontinental range and voluminous cargo hold, the A400M will significantly increase the load-carrying capacity of the aircraft it will replace, whilst retaining their essential tactical, short and soft field operating characteristics.  A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems. Source: Defense-aerospace.com

On 15 December 2005 the newest glider of the Belgian Air Cadets was registered PL-78. The Grob G 102 Astir CS Jeans (c/n 2070) was formerly D-7584 on the German civil register and later OO-ZQM in Belgium and operated by het Vlaamse Zweefvliegcentrum Phoenix from Geeraardsbergen. The glider was stricken off the Belgian civil register on January 11th, 2006. Sources: Luc Wittemans and Laurent Heylighen on the E-BAHA forum.

The Belgian state is to lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland against Swissair, a former shareholder of bankrupt Belgian airline Sabena. Trustee Christian Van Buggenhout claims the Swiss airline took EUR 740 million away from its Belgian subsidiary, leading to Sabena's bankruptcy on 7 November 2001. The trustee also lodged a complaint against Swissair in Zurich in 2004, Belgian financial newspaper 'De Tijd' reported. The Belgian state's complaint will be lodged at the end of March in the court of Zurich, a spokesman for Public Enterprises Minister Bruno Tuybens said. Tuybens has been authorised by the federal government to launch the procedure. The complaint is targeted against Swissair and "every person who made errors". The spokesman said the aim is to prove that several Swissair board members made personal mistakes. Trustee Van Buggenhout said it is rare for a state to launch criminal proceedings against a company or individuals in another country. Shortly before Sabena's bankruptcy, Swissair also went belly up in 2001. Van Buggenhout said the demise of the Swiss flag carrier led to the bankruptcy of Sabena. With a controlling stake of 49.7 percent in Sabena, Swissair is accused of milking the Belgian airline dry between 1995 and 2001. Van Buggenhout accused Swissair of appropriating EUR 740 million away from Sabena. That figure is also mentioned in a complaint lodged with the Brussels appeals court where a civil procedure launched by the Belgian state is proceeding. Together with the trustee, the Belgian state is demanding EUR 2.4 billion in compensation, a figure which equates to Sabena's full liabilities. Source: Expatica, Het Nieuwsblad

Contrary to some rumours, Minister of Defence, André Flahaut has confirmed in the Kamer/Chambre (House of Representatives) that the 80° Squadron UAV is to remain based at its actual Elsenborn (air) base. In order to execute some pollution-control missions over the North Sea (see BAHA news of 06/12/2005) crews and equipment will be detached to Koksijde airbase for some short periods. Source: De Kamer/La Chambre 

Visualization specialist Barco announced that it has been selected by L-3 Communications, through its Display Systems division (L-3 display Systems), to provide technology for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD). Under the terms of the agreement, Barco will join the International Integrated Product Development Team (I-IPDT) led by L-3 Display Systems, under a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics contract. The Barco PCD contract content holds a potential value of over $15 million over the life of the JSF program. It was also revealed that Barco has been selected by Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Systems Sector's Navigation Systems Division, Woodland Hills, CA, for the delivery of advanced Multi-purpose Control Display Units (MCDU). The units will be delivered together with MOSART, Barco's Modular Open System development platform. Northrop Grumman will integrate Barco¹s custom developed MCDUs into the cockpit and rear operator stations of the U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is now in development. The Advanced Hawkeye will provide the enhanced airborne command and control and expanded surveillance umbrella that will be a foundation of the U.S. Navy¹s Sea Power 21. Source: BARCO

Former Belgian Air Force Fairchild Swearingen Merlin IIIA CF-06, now registered LX-PIX,  has been seen in a new smart looking civilian colour scheme while visiting Antwerpen Deurne International airport on the 6th of February 2006. Its owner Aerodata International Surveys is specialised in data acquisition for photo metrical applications, digital image processing and remote sensing. More info here. Picture of LX-PIX

Around 13.00 hrs local time an AN/ALQ-131 (V) Block 2  Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) pod weighting some 325 kg was lost by Kleine Brogel based Lockheed Martin F-16BM FB-24 while flying near the town of Charleroi. Fortunately nobody on the ground was hurt and the only some parked cars suffered some damage. The aircraft itself was not damaged either and landed safely at Beauvechain airbase. Sources RTL and VRT

Belgium's Reaction Forces (High Readiness Forces or HRF and NATO Response Forces or NRF) training exercise is to be organised at Beauvechain air base - acting as Foreign Operating Base (FOB) - between February 20th and 23rd under code name Deployed Falcon. This exercise - the second of the name (see BAHA News of November 21st-24th, 2005) - is a preparation for a NATO evaluation to be held in June 2006. this exercise will involve several hundreds of people, fourteen F-16 fighters (8 from Kleine Brogel’s N°10 and 6 from Florennes’ N°2 Tactical Wings) as well as four A-109BA Hirundo and one SA-318C Alouette II from Wing Heli. A third and last training exercise of the same type is foreseen at Beauvechain air base in April 2006, before the final evaluation of June. Source on Mil.be in  NL and FR.

After the discovery of damage to 2 main spars of the cabin near the mountings of Seaking RS-05 this helicopter went to the maintenance group in early January 2005.  A specialist team of British engineers came over to replace the affected spars but later on it was found that the electrical wiring was in need for replacement and this was replaced as well. Last week moth this beautifully painted Air Component helicopter took to the air again after almost one year absence. It’s good to see her back in the air. (Source and pictures at Spotting Group Koksijde Forum.

Exactly 45 years ago, 73 people were killed after a Boeing 707 jet airliner crashed at Berg, near Zaventem airport, just before it was due to land. The Sabena Airlines plane exploded as it hit the ground. The 73 victims included 11 crew members and a man working in a field where the plane came down. Most of the passengers were American. They included 17 members of the United States figure-skating team who were on their way to Prague, Czechoslovakia, to take part in the world championships the week after the accident. The aircraft crashed into a field near farms, tearing into electric cables before hitting the ground. The pilot tried to land the plane but overshot the runway and turned round to make a second approach. Then something strange seemed to have happened. The aircraft spiralled down in small circles before it finally crashed. There was a terrific bang and smoke mushroomed sky-high. An investigation into the cause of the crash began the following day. American FBI officers flew in from New York to work with Belgian detectives and experts on aircraft construction. The world figure skating championships due to have been held in Prague the following week were cancelled. A final report into the crash was inconclusive. It said the most likely cause was the failure of the plane's flying controls. The Federal Aviation Authority concluded the aircraft's stabiliser mechanism could have failed, causing the plane to bank too steeply and lose control. A memorial fund was set up in memory of the US figure-skating team. In 2001, a skating tribute was held at Madison Gardens in New York in memory of those killed in the crash. Source: BBC Cick here for a picture of the ill fated aircraft

The 90 years old Royal Air Force photographer/navigator Stanley Hope is looking for two of its Belgian rescuers. On December 8th, 1942 his de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito went down following engine troubles in the area of Ninove-Halle-Enghien. He escaped the crash in parachute. On his way to Brussels he received the support of two still unidentified farmers before being taken in charge by Alex and Denise Geeraerts of Lettelingen. Who where these two farmers? Do you have information that could permit the identification of these people, contact Greta van den Akker. Dienst voor Toerisme van Edingen, tel: +32/(0)2/397.10.22 Source: Het Nieuwsblad 

The dismantling and scrapping process of several old Belgian F-16 at the Arsenal of Rocourt (near Liège) has come to an end on February 14th. A total of thirty-one non-MLU F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (FA-02, FA-09, FA-10, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18, FA-19, FA-20, FA-21, FA-23, FA-26, FA-27, FA-28, FA-30, FA-31,  FA-32, FA-34, FA-36, FA-37, FA-40, FA-43, FA-45, FA-46, FA-47, FA-48, FA-49, FA-50, FA-51, FA-53, FA-55 & FB-07) were transferred in three batches to the Centre de Compétence du Matériel Roulant et Armement (CCR&A) / Competentiecentrum van het Rijdend Materiaal en de Bewapening (CCR&B) of Rocourt between November 2004 and February 2005 (see BAHA Special Feature "Rocourt: where Falcons go to die". All the useful parts were stripped off the aircraft and were put up for sale on the second hand spare parts market on last August (see BAHA News of August 12, 2005). The remains of the fuselage of these old iron birds were ignominiously cut in five parts in front of US representatives. Source on Mil.be in FR and NL. More on the same subject see BAHA News of November 22nd, December 2nd and 22nd, 2004 - and BAHA News of January 13th, March 20th, June 21st, August 12th, October 6th 2005.

Every day of the year some two Westland Seaking Mk.48 helicopters are on stand-by to take-off within 15 minutes. During night time this is only slightly reduced to one helicopters and the possibility to have a second one in the air within an hour. The Seaking has a crew of six comprising: pilot, co-pilot, mechanic, radar-operator, diver and medic. This service towards the population is very expensive to maintain but incredible efficient and continuingly proves to be more than necessary (se BAHA News of January 16th, 2006). The Air Component homepage provides details over the 40 Squadron SAR Seaking helicopters scrambles of January 2006.

- Search of a disappeared sailor of ship NCC Yamamah - without result;

- Search of a missing small ship with a crew of two - search/alert aborted;

- Winching up and air evacuation to Veurne hospital of a wounded sailor of Loodsboot 7;

- Alert following the emergency call of a DC-10 experiencing fuel pressure troubles - no assistance provided.

- Alert for a N°15 Wing Falcon 20 emergency landing at Melsbroek (see BAHA News of January 19th, 2006) - alert aborted;

Source on Mil. Be in NL and FR 

Air and Land Components has conducted low level flying exercise over the Province of Luxembourg under code name Poppy 01 /2006 between 13th and 17th February. The purpose of Poppys type exercise is to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. All the Poppy 01/2006 targets and Low Level Flying Areas (LLFA) were located between villages of Maissin - Libin - Recogne - Fays-Les-Veneurs (North Area) and Offagne ­ Tournay ­ Grapfontaine - Fays-Les-Veneurs (South Area). Source on Mil.be in FR and NL and the Baha special feature.  

In its annual speech to the personnel, the Base Commander of Koksijde, Colonel Rudy Theys, has given some details about the Air Component's current projects for the air base. By late 2007 the Koksijde air base should be reduced to one third of its current size (see BAHA News of December 6th, 2005) the remaining main runway length being just 1000 meters. This means that the eventual 2007 Koksijde Airshow would be the last of its type leaving probably place to something like Koksijde Helidays. The first of the ten new - still to order - NH Industries NH90 multirole helicopters (see BAHA News of December 9th, 2005) should be delivered in 2008, the second in 2009, the next three in 2010 and the five remaining later while the base should also host a semi permanent detachment of 80 UAV Squadron dedicated to the coastal waters patrol (see BAHA News of December 05th-09th, 2005). Source: VRT Nieuws

The president of the Flemish Socialist Party, Johan Vande Lanotte, believes that in 10 years time the number of Belgian troops should be cut from 40,000 to 20,000, with the remaining soldiers integrated into a still-to-be-created European army at a later date. The money saved, around $1.2 billion, would be channelled into development aid, most of the Belgian newspapers reported. 'That is much more important than NATO commitments,' said Vande Lanotte. Most political parties, with the exception of the Greens, ridiculed Vande Lanotte`s proposal. Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut, a fellow socialist, dismissed the idea as not on the government's agenda. Source: "Does Belgium Need an Army"  Part 1 and part 2  

Seriously damaged by snowfall last November (see BAHA News of November 26th, 2005), the Aerobrussels (link http://www.aerobrussels.be/eng/index_en.htm) seasonal captive balloon might move to Marrakech in Morocco. The commercial contract with its current supporting company, Belgacom Group (the leading telecommunications company in Belgium), expires in March 2006 and alternative location closer to the city centre or near the European Union headquarter (projected in the in the framework of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1957 Rome Treaty) were rejected for aesthetical as security matters. Nonetheless before its eventual resale to Morocco the "Aerophile" (5500 m3) should first be repaired in Germany. Sources:  La Libre Belgique and Het Nieuwsblad

The Virgin Express Boeing B-737-400 of flight TV802 Brussels-Barcelona made an emergency landing at Brussels' Zaventem airport on February 13th after experiencing a cabin pressurisation problem while above Paris. As an immediate landing was not mandatory, the pilot elected to return to Brussels. Source: Het Nieuwsblad.

On Saturday February 11th, SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) has revealed an Avro RJ 100 aircraft (OO-DWD - once the "75 years Sabena" flagship) decorated with the Atomium design. This partnership not only promotes the Atomium but also Brussels as an interesting city trip destination throughout Europe. On 18 February, the Atomium has reopened its doors to the public offering an interesting tour through the some of its spheres. The modernisation of this Belgian monument, built for the 1958 Brussels World Exposition, was an immense challenge from a technical, artistic and financial point of view. The Atomium is one of the most famous construction works in Europe and symbolises Belgium (Brussels) abroad. The strong international image of the Atomium has persuaded SN to cooperate with NPO Atomium. Source: SNBA and BAHA  picture.

Two people were killed and 11 others were injured when a hot-air balloon crashed in the Kenyan Masai Mara national game reserve. Among the dead was a man from Belgium and the 60-year-old British-Kenyan pilot. Another Belgian was among the injured people who were airlifted to Nairobi Hospital for treatment of injuries that police described as serious. A statement from state-run Kenya Tourism Board blamed Friday's crash on unusually strong winds. A board representative said Balloon Safaris Ltd. was a reputable company that has flown more than 100,000 tourists in its balloons over the game reserve without incident since 1976. Source: Het Belang van Limburg.

In 2005, SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) and Virgin Express (VEX) were reported by the Association of European Airlines (AEA) amongst the most punctual airlines in Europe. According to the official statistics, 86 % of all SNBA flights took off on time. This puts SNBA second in the punctuality list of European airlines. Over the last years SN has permanently been present in this top 3. In 2005, 88.6 % of Virgin Express flights left on time and 87.6 % of the 16,345 operated flights arrived at the scheduled arrival time. For the fourth consecutive year, the Belgian low cost airline is amongst the most punctual airlines in Europe. There are several reasons why flights are delayed. Most delays are caused by external factors and beyond the control of the airline. Although improving, Air Traffic Control (ATC) congestion remains the most likely reason for delay. Other factors that keep flights waiting on the ground are adverse weather conditions and increased security checks. Sources: SNBA and Virgin Express.

Preparing its 60th anniversary, Florennes airbase is looking for original documents and testimonies. Entitled "Florennes Air Base 60 Years" the future exhibition will take place between June 1st and July 21st 2007 and will cover the Spitfire, F-84E/G Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, Mirage 5 and F-16 Fighting Falcon eras as well as the history of the USAFE 485th Missile Wing and the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP). All the lend documents will be immediately duplicated and returned to their owners. Do not hesitate to contact N°2 Tactical Wing - Tel:  +.32/(0)71/68.22.50 or +32/(0)71/68.25.14. Mil.be source in FR and NL.

The Geraardsbergen based gliding club "Phoenix" has received a new environmental permit despite strong opposition of the local wild life protection association. However, the permit limits the number of movements by motorized aircraft to a maximum of ten take off a day during the breeding period. Source: VRT Nieuws . The Club also announced that on 19 & 20 august 2006 they will organise at Geraardsbergen an "Tailwheel Meet". More information at the Vlaams Zweefvliegcentrum Phoenix.

On Wednesday 2 February a NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW & C F) Boeing E-3A AWACS (LX-N90446) performed some touch and go's at Oostende airport. Source: Nicolas Janssen http://www.ebos-spotting.be and picture on Airliners .be

On 7 February Agusta A-109BA Hirundo H-10 arrived at Zutendaal after having been “cocooned” at Bierset airbase (see BAHA news of 20 December 2005) while H-18 left Zutendaal to undergo the same treatment at Bierset. SA-318C Alouette II helicopters A-43 (back to Zutendaal where it arrived for the first time on November 8th 2005 - see BAHA News), A-44 and A-77 have all arrived at Zutendaal on February 8th to be stored.

Minister of Defence André Flahaut is prepared to revise the programme to redeploy the military base at Bierset in function of the needs expressed by the Walloon Region and Sowair (Socèté Wallone des Aéroports). His administration will look into the redeployment to examine if renovation work will have a realistic future in view of the ever expanding civilian part of the airport. In the meantime military activity will be “compressed” in order to liberate space for further civilian airport development. Source:  Report of the Defence Commission N° 0849 of the Parliament of 8 February 2006. Link here.  (See also BAHA News of January 12th, 2006)

When, last year,  the local authorities unveiled a commemorative monument for wartime pilots at the Bloso-domain at Hofstade, they sincerely promised to organise an annual remembrance event. This promise has now been fulfilled as, to the day on February 5^th, a remembrance ceremony was held at the monument which honours the crews of a B25 Mitchel and a Halifax bomber which both crashed nearby during World War II. Source: Het Nieuwsblad

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs C-130H Hercules transport aircraft was hit by a lightning during a transit flight between Kinshasa and Kikwit in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on February 4th. The aircraft sustained no damage. N°15 Wing Tactical Transport Flight (TTF) are regularly deployed to DRC (see BAHA News of September 2nd & 28th, 2005) for supporting the Belgian Congolese military partnership programmes (like the FCC: Formation Continuée de Cadres of the new Congolese Army). Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Karel De Gucht led a 70 people strong delegation to DRC including Belgian politicians and businessmen that travelled to different DRC provinces to assess investment possibilities. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws  

On 3 February the Belgian Monitor published the list of the Air Component (Air Force & Light Aviation) officers promotions with effect on 26 March 2006. Source: Le Moniteur Belge/ Het Belgische Staatsblad

Flying personnel: Major G. Franchomme and P. Gremez to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel; Commandant T. Closset, K. De Winter, J. Poesen and D. Verbiest (Lt Avn) to be promoted Major. Non Flying personnel: Major L. Awouters, P. Delmouzée, M. Galant (Lt Avn), G. Muller and C. Wttrwulghe to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel; Commandant G. Devriendt, E. Focke, T. Gilles, T. Heyninck, P. Pira, J. Van Belle and P. Van Daele to be promoted Major. 

For the first time four Belgian Air Component pilots have gained their military transport licence at the École d¹Aviation de Transport 319 (EAT-319) of the Armée de l'Air at Avord (France) on February 3rd. Major or best student of this promotion of 21 pilots (16 French, 4 Belgian, 1 Moroccan) was Air Component's Captain Denis Gochel. This "Macaronage" (graduation in French) is the result of an agreement of 2004 by which the Belgian Air Component and the French Armée de l¹Air decided to merge pilot training; in this particular case transport-pilot training (See Baha News of March 7th and April 12th 2005). Present at this graduation ceremony were not only the French and Belgian Components Commanders, General Wolsztynski and Van Caelenberge, but also several representatives from the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Croatia Turkey and Hungary, all countries interested in the French-Belgian training agreement. Source: Mil.be in FR and NL;  other link here. 

Regional Minister in charge of Airport Policy, Mr. André Antoine, has extended Cerfontaine airfield (EBCN) call for operation project until the end of February 2006. This brand new airfield is for sale since the bankruptcy of its operator the Société de Gestion de l'Aérodrome de Cerfontaine (Sogelac) on last July (see BAHA News July 6th 2005). This bankruptcy is the consequence of the dismissing on appeal of the Société Wallonne des Aéroports (Sowaer) against the use of the Cerfontaine hangars by Limair Industry, a small private aviation company specialised in the light aircraft business. On July 8th, 2005 Mr. Antoine, has asked the Sowaer to put up Cerfontaine airfield for sale. Source: La Libre Belgique  and BAHA special feature: Winter pictures of Cerfontaine airfield

Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (NHV) recently  took delivery of a new Eurocopter EC-145 helicopter which is the first of its kind in Belgium. Registered OO-NHB, the helicopter will be used as an air-ambulance  operating from Bra-sur Lienne. The new machine is to replace the  AS.365N2 Dauphin OO-NHZ. Picture and source: Westwings.be

On February 1st, flights to and from Brussels’ Zaventem International Airport were disrupted by heavy fog. A total of five flights were cancelled and seven were diverted to other airports. Several other flights were delayed by up to one hour. Despite most modern aircraft are equipped to land under bad visibility conditions it took more time as the spacing between landings was increased. Sources: Het Laatste Nieuws & Het Nieuwsblad

Irish budget airline Aer Arann (link: http://www.aerarann.com/) will start operating three new flights from Liège Airport. The low-cost airline will fly from the city’s Bierset airport to Luton and Birmingham in the UK and Lorient in western France. The UK flights will operate twice daily from April with one flight daily to Lorient. Aer Arann will base two aircraft at the Walloon airport and the move is being seen as another step in the rebuilding of Liège Bierset following the opening of new passenger facilities (see BAHA News of March 30th & April 25th, 2005). Aer Arann is already active in the UK and Ireland and has announced that it is to purchase €150 million worth of planes this year. Aer Arann is in advanced discussions with two airline manufacturers, Bombardier and ATR, to replace its existing aircraft so that it can develop its network across the UK and Europe. Sources: Cheapflights.com, l'Echo & Het Nieuwsblad

From May 1st, 2006, the low cost airline Wizz Air (link: http://www.wizzair.com) will operate three flights a week (on Monday – Wednesday – Friday, using an Airbus A320) between Brussels South-Charleroi Airport and Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Operating at Charleroi since July 2004, Wizz Air currently offers two destinations: Budapest (6 flights/week) and Warsaw (6 flights/week). In 2005, the airline recorded more than 120,000 passengers at Charleroi Airport. Source: Brussels South Charleroi Airport 

A Boeing B737 from Jetairfly (Picture) made an emergency landing at Brussels’ Zaventem airport at 13h49 local on Wednesday February 1st after pilots noticed smoke in the cockpit. The plane had taken off on from Oostende with 168 passengers and several crew members on board. The aircraft and its passengers headed toward their final destination Las Palmas airport at Tenerife at 17h12. During de-icing operations at Oostende prior take off some of the liquid got into the tail rudder and caused smoke in the cabin. Sources: Het Nieuwsblad

January 2006

On January 30th, Airbus A310 CA-02 of N°15 Transport Wing/Liaison & Long Haul Flight (LLHF) has delivered humanitarian aid to UNICEF at Islamabad (Pakistan) for the victims of the earthquake of October 8th, 2005. It was the last of a series of five flights in which the Belgian Government delivered 64 tonnes of equipment including 7.000 blankets, 614 health kits and 300.000 bags of rehydration salt for Unicef in Pakistan. This cooperation again accentuates the involvement in humanitarian operations of the Belgian Defence (also BAHA News of January 6th and 16th, 2006). Source FR and NL

On Friday January 27th, the Irish low-cost airlines Ryanair has welcomed its 8,000,000th passenger at its Belgian HUB of Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), a lady travelling from Pisa. As commercial celebration of this event Ryanair is offering 8,000 flights at 8 eurocents to 8 destinations from Charleroi. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws

The Sabena Old Timers Foundation (SOT) has to leave hangar 8 of Brussels Airport by the end of June 2006. The well known Foundation is anxiously looking for an alternative aircraft hangar to store their two Westland Lysanders and the Lockheed Lodestar L-18.  The main problems are the new hangar insurance premiums which are much too expensive for a volunteer restoration society and the strict aviation liability laws. SOT still hopes to keep their precious old-timers and their technical workshop at Zaventem Airport but chances that they can stay in hangar 8 are very slim. (Source: Baha)

The highest court in Belgium has ruled at the end of 2005 that the Court of Appeals of Brussels was right in invalidating the 19 January 2004 decision of the Brussels Court of Commerce declaring the bankruptcy of Sobelair. It means that technically Sobelair is no longer bankrupt, but in judicial liquidation. Aldo Vastapane, the last owner of Sobelair, looks at the possibility of a court action against the Belgian state in order to get funds for his former employees. He said «We have been declared bankrupt while we did not own money to anybody. Our situation was not very bright, but we had no debt, except towards Sabena. An agreement with Sabena receiver Christian Van Buggenhout allowed us to reimburse him as soon as we could. I had asked the court for a judicial liquidation. I would then have concluded discussions with SN Brussels Airlines and Jetair - our largest customer - and we could have found an agreement. But after the bankruptcy, the planes were sold at a cheap price and the business has gone».  Source: Luchtzak and La Libre Belgique.

VLM Airlines has been named Air Transport World magazine's, (the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry) Regional Airline of the Year. Based in Antwerp, Belgium, "VLM is a rarity among Regionals today. It is independently owned, flying in its own livery without business links to a larger carrier, connecting busy business centers in Western Europe with a fleet of Fokker 50s and staying profitable for seven consecutive years". Source: Luchtzak.

On Friday January 27th the MoD has put up for sale its seven remaining Fairey Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander and their annex material, currently stored at Brasschaat air base. The type was officially withdrawn from use on January 1st, 2005 (see BAHA News of February 14th and March 9th, 2005). Two of the nine available aircraft (B-02 & B-09) were taken over by the MUMM.
Another two aircraft were kept airworthy until July (B-01) and August 2005 (B-08) to allow maintaining BN-2 qualification for military pilots. For more info on MUMM’s B-02 and B-09 see BAHA News of February 20th, June 10th and July 12th, 2005.

Sales Procedure Sdv 2005 1008 - or Public sale - is composed of 9 parcels incl. six parcels of one airplane (B-01, B-04, B-07, B-08, B-10 & B-12), one parcel of spare parts and interior sets, one parcel of main items and tools and B-03 wreck, one parcel with the flight simulator (see details below). All six complete Fairey Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander are reported not airworthy.

• Parcel Nr 01: B-01 OT-ALA c/n C466 wfu 07/07/2005 TT 6186h  landings 6852
• Parcel Nr 02: B-04 OT-ALD c/n C498 wfu ??/06/2004 TT 6100h  landings 5460
• Parcel Nr 03: B-07 OT-ALG c/n C523 wfu 24/07/2003 TT 5093h  landings 7451
• Parcel Nr 04: B-08 OT-ALH c/n C531 wfu 29/08/2005 TT 5390h  landings 2637
• Parcel Nr 05: B-10 OT-ALJ  c/n C541 wfu ???             TT 5995h  landings 7100
• Parcel Nr 06: B-12 OT-ALL c/n C553 wfu ??/05/2004  TT 5040h  landings 6813
• Parcel Nr 07: Spare parts and interior sets
• Parcel Nr 08: B-03 OT-ALC c/n C476 w/o 14/02/2003 Brasschaat (B) TT6277h20' landings 6410 + Main items, tools
• Parcel Nr 09: Flight Simulator ACEC 301-BN-2

Sabena Technics SA, part of the TAT Industries Group (see BAHA News of June 16th & July 8th, 2005), has announced that Lockheed AMS has renewed its C-130 Hercules Service Agreement. Sabena Technics is a Lockheed Service Centre since 1977. This renewal is of major importance for the further development of the military MRO services on C-130 transport aircraft. In the framework of this agreement Sabena Technics has delivered on January 17th the last of the eight Swedish Air Force C-130 (locally designated Tp84 and stationed at Skaraborg Wing, F7 - link: http://www.f7.mil.se/index.php?lang=E&c=news&id=27293) new Loadmaster Seat installation. The squadron leader Bertil Höglund of Swedish AF Transportflygenheten, came over to Brussels to fly back the last aircraft (serial 848) in person. Source: Sabena Technics

Belgocontrol, the autonomous public company in charge of the safety of air navigation in the Belgian civil airspace and at the Belgian public airports, presented its results for the year 2005 with respect to the controlled movements at Zaventem Airport as well as at the regional airports and for overflights (CANAC).In 2005, Belgocontrol managed a total of 1,046,166 movements, which is a decrease of 24,269 movements (-2.27 %) compared to last year (1,070,435 movements). The number of air traffic at Brussels National Airport and controlled by CANAC remains nearly the same, but the four regional airports (Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Antwerpen-Deurne, Oostende and Liège-Bierset) with the exception of Liège, show a noticeable fall. More details at: www.belgocontrol.be

The Zaventem Airport operator BIAC (Brussels International Airport Company) released its unaudited annual results, reporting 2005 revenues amounting to Euro 324,6 million, a growth of 6,9% compared to 2004. Operating costs decreased by 2,6% while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization increased by 18,7% amounting to Euro 161,3 million. These results were driven by management focus on operational efficiencies, introduction of new and improved retails, and the record numbers of local passengers and cargo volumes (see BAHA News of January 20th). Source: BIAC & Het Laatste Nieuws

Some years ago the cockpit section of Republic F-84F Thunderstreak FU-181, which for many years acted as a realistic target at the Pampa range at Helchteren, had been removed. It is now known to be stored near Vught in The Netherlands still in its original state. It will reportedly be restored in Koninklijke Luchtmacht colours. Picture: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/955473/L/

Airbus will ramp up resources for the A400M aircraft this year, with major sections of the military transport plane due to be shipped to the Seville, Spain, plant at the end of 2006 for final assembly, Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert said. The A400M program is “firmly on track,” Humbert said at a Jan. 17 news conference. “All milestones have been met on or are ahead of schedule and completion of the first airlifter is due in November 2007”. Some 5,000 people are working on the A400M across Europe, at Airbus and its EADS parent. Some analysts view the A400M as a critical program for Airbus, and fear the company might be overstretched as it works on bringing the A380 jumbo airliner to market this year and developing the new A350 jet. Airbus Military’s marketing vice president, David Jennings, said the company has increased resources in line with program needs. “We are near the peak in engineering resources,” he said. Airbus is drawing on EADS’ military systems division at Ulm, Germany, to meet its military requirement. Tom Williams, head of programs at Airbus, said the company is looking at an aerial refueling variant for the Spanish Air Force, among the various applications. Humbert said Airbus will seize all opportunities in military tanker and surveillance markets to help stabilize production rates in the future. Source: Defense News. The seven A400M ordered by Belgium are intended to replace from 2018 onwards the eleven C-130H Hercules of Air Component's N°15 Transport Wing/Tactical Transport Flight. Baha picture link.

Socialist Party (SP.A) president Johan Vande Lanotte wishes to privatise the management of the international airport of Oostende so that it can be operated by a limited sister-company of the Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Haven Oostende (AGHO) (the communal port authority of Oostende). This could in long term ease the expansion of Oostende International Airport. Source: Het Nieuwsblad  

From the beginning of February till mid April, SN Brussels Airlines will be forced to cancel its direct flights between Brussels and Florence. During this period the city airport of Florence Amerigo Vespucci will be closed for all air traffic as a result of the runway works. The daily shuttle service to the airport of Bologna is the recommended alternative. Source: SNBA

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) has recuperated the ground equipment that had been seized in the beginning of January at Kinshasa by the Congolese justice officials. "The issue is not yet resolved. The complicated negotiations with authorities of the Democratic republic of Congo are not over yet" said Geert Sciot, spokesman of SNBA. A Congolese court had ordered on 6 January to seize the ground equipment used by three airlines (Air France, SNBA and Ethiopian Airlines) at Kinshasa-N'Djili airport, because they allegedly did not pay for the ground services provided by Lignes aériennes congolaises (LAC) since 2002. LAC has a monopoly on ground maintenance and collects royalties on all airlines operating in the DRC, LAC said that the three airlines owed 300,000 dollars each and asked for an additional 150,000 dollars in damages and interest. SNBA had explained that it was carrying out ground handling itself for its own planes and for Cargolux, as well as for the Belgian military planes stopping over in N'Djili. SNBA does not need the services of LAC, said Mr. Sciot. Meanwhile the flights to Kinshasa continued and SNBA rented equipment from another company. Source: l'Echo.

Between January 22nd & 28th, 16 Sqn MRH pilots and Wing Heli support personnel deployed to the French Army training camp and firing range of Canjuers (near Draguignan-Var / southern of France) for a live firing exercise - rocket & missiles - with four A-109BA Hirundos (H-26, H28 +2) (Picture on the BAHA site and another taken at Lyon-Bron on the Foxalpha forum)  

A Kalitta Air Boeing 747 freighter made a successful emergency landing at Liège/Bierset airport after the pilot had requested air traffic control for assistance as smoke entered the cockpit and was noticed coming out of N° 3 engine of the aircraft. The airport's firefighters and a second brigade from Liège put out the fire and no one was injured. The smoke was the result of a problem with the plane’s air conditioning system. Source: Expatcica & picture of a Kalitta Air 747 on Airliners.net.

Alouette II A37, best known for the last couple of years as a static attraction on the Bierset Helidays, has been transported by road to the storage depot at Zutendaal. The helicopter will more than probably  be replaced in its role as Heli-Wing eye-catcher by Agusta A-109 H-16. (See also  E-BAHA forum). Photo link to the Spotting Group Koksijde.

Former Finnish Air Force Fouga CM.170R FM-18 , c/n 256 (ex N805DM) now registered C-FHGD is on display at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada painted as a Belgian Air Force aerobatic team "Red Devils" aircraft. Click here for a picture on www.planepictures.net.

Passenger and cargo volumes have continued to grow through 2005, establishing new records, whereas the number of movements remained stable. Nearly 16.2 million passengers have used Brussels’ Zaventem Airport in 2005, an increase of 3.5% compared to the previous year. The cargo volume carried in 2005 amounted to 702,819 tonnes, a 5.8% growth compared to the year 2004 in the course of which the previous record was established. This result confirms the sustained growth of cargo activity at Zaventem Airport during the last few years. With a total of 253,255 movements, the number of takeoffs and landings remained stable (+ 0.5%) compared to 2004.  Despite a steady increase since 2002, these figures remain way below the 2000 record, when the now bankrupted national carrier Sabena was still alive. Source: BIAC .

Most probably for safety as well as security reasons BIAC, the Brussels' Zaventem airport operator, has erected a fence around the Steenokerzeel highest soundwall hill, closing access to what has become through the years one of the most popular and best spotting place of the Runway 25R approach. Sad news for all the aircraft enthusiasts and photographers that will definitely not improve the image of this gate to Belgium already gained by the nearby unnameable "Detention Centre for illegal refugees" (established along RWY 25L).

Due to unrest in the Ivory Coast capital city, SN Brussels Airlines cancelled its flight (SN239) of Thursday January 19th to Abidjan's Houphouët Boigny International Airport. SNBA operates two weekly flights to Abidjan and will resume its normal flight operations as soon as the circumstances will allow it. Similar situation occurred in late 2004 (see BAHA News of November 26th, 2004).

On January 19th, at 13h37 local time, a Dassault Falcon 20E V.I.P. bizz jet of the N°15 Wing /Liaison & Long Haul Flight made an emergency landing at its home base of Melsbroek. While preparing to land the plane after a training mission the crew of four noticed that the cockpit instruments indicated a problem with the noose landing gear. They issued an emergency alert that was incidentally relayed by some observers to the press. The emergency landing passed without incident on Melsbroek/Zaventem RWY 25R but with an incredible media coverage for what appeared quickly to be just a wrong gear indication. Sources: E-BAHA forum  and picture VRT.

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) lowers its fares to 32 destinations for customers who book their ticket at least two months before the departure date. Price reductions up to 45% will be implemented. With this new pricing strategy, SNBA targets mainly the early bookers. More and more tourism companies (hotel chains, touroperators, train operators) reward clients who book their hotel rooms or holiday well in advance with extra discounts. Source: SN Brussels Airlines.

France has launched on January 17th a tender for a private-sector contract for initial pilot training at its Army Aviation Helicopter School of Dax (EA-ALAT - École d'Application / Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre). It is still unclear whether this outsourcing decision will affect the French-Belgian pilot training agreement as, after the closure of the School of Light Aviation (Sch Lt Avn) of Brasschaat (see BAHA News of March 9th, 2005) programmed for this year, the Belgian Defense trainee pilots are supposed to join the EA-ALAT of Dax for their Basic Rotary Wing Training (BRWT). Europe's EADS and French systems house Thales as well as foreign companies are expected to bid for the French contract. The winning contractor should invest about 400 million euros in the deal, will own the helicopters and offer training to other operators (incl. Belgium?). Under the new system, trainee pilots will not fly French Army helicopters, but instead civil aircraft. Thales and EADS won a German contract last year for simulator-based training for the NH Industries NH90 transport helicopter. France would have liked to have been included in that effort from the outset, but industry omitted pitching that training system to the French. The German training center is open to other countries. This is something that might also interest the Belgian Defence after last December decision to purchase a batch of ten NH90 Multi-Role Helicopters. Source: DefenseNews.com

The surviving relatives of the Oostende air show crash in 1997 will be paid damages of about EUR 700,000. Brugge Court ruled on January 16th that the Flemish Region and three insurance firms were civilly liable for the air crash. The plane of Jordanian stunt pilot Omar Bilal crashed into spectators at the Oostende air show at the Oostende-Brugge Regional Airport on 26 July 1997. Besides the pilot, nine others were killed and 55 people were injured. In an earlier-held criminal court trial and appeal, the flight director and safety observer of the organising firm, Aviation Promotion Team, were acquitted of all charges. However, Brugge Court dismissed on Monday the defence arguments of the Oostende City Council, Flemish region, aviation authority Belgocontrol, the Aviation Promotion Team and their insurers. However, only the Flemish region was declared liable based on legislation dating back to 30 July 1979, which governs liability in cases of fire and explosions in public places. The court dismissed the charges laid against the Royal Jordanian Falcons stunt team, the city of Oostende and the organisers of the event. Damages with 5 percent interest were awarded to the relatives of the victims, but how the damages will be divided between the insurers will be decided at a later date. Sources: Expatica.

On January 16th, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) Boeing 737-500 CN-RNH of flight AT856, from Oujda (Morocco) to Amsterdam, diverted to Zaventem Airport after a woman gave birth to a baby. A kind of delivery flight! Sources: http://www.luchtzak.be/article10913.html  and http://www.luchtzak.be/postp129160.html#129160

Air and Land Components conducted low level flying exercise over Elsenborn area under code name Ringo 52/1 between January 16th and 20th. The purpose of Ringo Range 52/1 exercise was to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. Ringo Range is also the code name of the Elsenborn training/shooting range. Sources in FR  and in NL.

The annual Defense report 2005 (downloadable in NL and in FR) provides some interesting details on the activity of the Air Component's scramble sections. The SAR Sea King helicopters of 40 Squadron which are on continues standby were scrambled 84 times during 2005 and have rescued a total of 29 people (previous years records and statistics can be found at: http://www.seaking-koksijde.be/scramblestot.htm see also BAHA News of January 12th, 2005). For their part the Belgian Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighters intercepted and identified in 2005 a total of 11 airliners experiencing communication problems. They also escorted Hellenic (link: here) and Portuguese presidential flights to Brussels Zaventem airport (see BAHA News of February 1st and October 18th, 2005). The Air Component maintains two F-16 fighters in around the clock air-defence alert. This commitment is organised on a rotational base by the two combat Wings of Florennes (N°2 Tactical Wing) and Kleine Brogel (N°10 Tactical Wing).

As announced a month ago (see BAHA News of December 20th, 2005), the shooting of the movie "Windkracht 10" ("Gale Force 10") related to the life of the Koksijde Rescue team and their Sea King helicopters started on January 16th. On this occasion one of the flying stars of the film, a Sea King of 40 Squadron, was observed chasing a truck above the coastline dunes area between Koksijde and Oostduinkerke (for those knowing the place, near the brick boat alike hotels La Péniche and Normandie). "Windkracht 10" should be in Belgian theatres by the end of 2006. Sources in Dutch: http://forum.seaking-koksijde.be/viewtopic.php?t=144 and Het Nieuwsblad.   

On January 16th, two Air Component, MLU upgraded, two-seats F-16BM Fighting Falcon were transferred from SABCA Charleroi-Gosselies plants - with a stop at Florennes AB - to Weelde AB Deposit Centre to be put on long term protective storage (Link to BAHA photographic report: http://www.baha.be/weelde_jan_06.htm). As it is usually the case for such a ferry flight, this operation was supported by a 5th Squadron SF-260D Marchetti (ST-48) picking up the F-16s pilots and returning them to their home base. A total of 14 withdrawn from use MLU upgraded F-16s (twelve F-16AM: FA-58, FA-60, FA-61, FA-65, FA-66, FA-73, FA-74, FA-75, FA-76, FA-78, FA-88, FA90 and two F-16BM: FB-01 & FB-08) are currently stored at Weelde and proposed for sale by the MoD (see BAHA News of December 7th, 2005 and BAHA special feature on the fate of the F-16’s).

On Sunday January 15th, the four Air Component F-16AM (FA-98, FA-116, FA-121 & FA-125) of the first Netherlands/Belgian European Expeditionary Air Wing F-16 Detachment to International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (or 1 NLD/BEL EEAW F-16 DET ISAF) flown back home with the support of a French C-135FR Stratotanker (Baha Special Tanker Feature). The four fighters landed at Kleine Brogel air base at about 19h30 local time after a seven hours ferry flight conducted above Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany! Code named Eastern Eagle, this fighter deployment to the international airport of Afghanistan capital city Kabul (KAIA) started early July 2005 (see BAHA News of July 6th, 12th, & 23rd, 2005 and BAHA Special Feature. Between July 15th, 2005 and January 14th, 2006 the Belgian F-16s, were available 24/7 for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions and, in addition to regular "force demonstration flights", they were also requested for Close Air Support for the NATO troops and Provincial Reconstruction Teams present in the Western part of Afghanistan (see BAHA News of October 5th, 2005) and reconnaissance flights. During their six months in Afghanistan the Belgian fighters and their crews had executed some 450 missions and flown a total of 715 hours.  Air Component Commander Major General Gérard Van Caelenberge doesn’t exclude any new similar missions in order to relieve the Norwegian and Danish F-16’s now to be deployed to Afghanistan. NATO wants to establish permanent combat-fighter coverage over Afghanistan as it plans to extend its theatre of operations to the much more troubled South of the country. In total some 29 pilots representing 40 % of all Belgian F-16 combat pilots were able on a rotational basis to benefit from this inestimable experience in the field. Source: Belga and Mil.be in FR and in NL. See also the BAHA Special Feature on the end of the Afghan mission.

Established at Florennes air base since 1989, the Allied Command Operations Tactical Leadership Programme (ACO TLP) Flying Branch organises each year six Flying Course (FC), each lasting 20 working days over a period of four weeks. Usually five of the annual Flying Courses are held at Florennes while the sixth is a so-called off theatre or Deployed Flying Course (DFC). These regular large-scale multi-national air exercises attract about 40 aircraft from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America but also provide one of the few remaining chances for European aviation enthusiasts to see and photograph a wide range of active military aircraft. More info: Scramble or Florennes Aviation Society

Participants TLP Flying Course 2006 - 1
Belgium: 5x F-16AM/BM (FA-71, FA-83, FA-84, FA-86, FA-92, FB-18)
France: 2x Mirage 2000C (79/12-KS, 102/12KR)
Germany: 3x Tornado IDS (45+65, 45+88, 45+96); 6x F-4F Phantom II (38+07, 38+26, 38+33, 38+44, 38+50, 38+53, 38+54)
Italy: 2x F-16ADF (MM7246, MM7264)
Spain: 4x EF-18A Hornet (C.15-18/15-05, C.15-23/15-10, C.15-28/15-15, C.15-36/15-23)
United Kingdom: 4x Tornado GR.4 (ZE116/X, ZD848/V, ZG711/O, ZG727/L ); 2x Hawk T.1A (XX331/CP, XX351/CQ) 
United States: 2x F-16CG (87-0350, 88-0443, 89-2026, 89-2044)

On January 13th the Council of Ministers has decided the extension of the Belgian Defence technical support to the F-16 European Expeditionary Air Wing (EEAW) to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan until mid-January 2007. Despite the withdrawal from Kabul International Airport (KAIA) of the Belgian F-16 detachment (see BAHA News of January 15th, 2006) the Belgian defence will provide the EEAW three specialists, a mobile aircraft arresting cable system, a 4200l Liquid Oxygen Container as well as its periodic refuel by the Air Component C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. Source in NL and in FR.

Major construction works (estimated cost: 52 million Euro) aimed at renewing the military infrastructure of Bierset airbase which was expected to start in January 2006 seem to have been postponed. The agreement fixing the move of the military base some 400 meters to the North-West while guaranteeing a permanent access to Bierset runway for the military helicopters and also specifying the financing of the operation (50% in charge of the Walloon Region) was signed in December 2002 but since then nothing much has been heard about it. To be continued….   Source: Le Soir

VLM Airlines, the Antwerpen-Deurne based company, has announced that it transported a total of 625,300 passengers in 2005 - an increase of 13% in passengers transported and an overall increase of 12% compared to 2004 (see BAHA News of January 12th, 2005). The strategy of this fast growing regional business airlines is based on offering time-saving travel solutions to business people focusing mainly on flights between Benelux airports (Antwerpen, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam Luxembourg) and London City Airport as well as flights between Manchester, Liverpool, the Isle of Man, Jersey and London City Airport. The company operates a fleet of 14 Fokker 50 aircraft. Source and more details: VLM

On January tenth, Techspace Aero sent the low pressure compressor for the GEnx-1B engine to General Electric in Evendale (Ohio). The compressor was assembled and fully instrumented and will serve in the first engine to test. The GEnx-1B engine will have a thrust of around 70.000lbs and will equip the Boeing 787. Its certification is expected in September 2007. Techspace Aero is also participating in the development of the GEnx-2B for the Boeing 747-8 and the GEnx-1A which will equip the Airbus A350.  Source: Techspace-Aero.  (see BAHA News of December 15th, 2004 & June 16th, 2005)

A few days after his installation as Commander of the Belgian Air Component (see BAHA News of December 22nd, 2005), On January 10^th,Major General Gérard van Caelenberge (link: http://www.euroairgroup.org/CV_van_caelenberge.htm) became the new Director of the European Air Group. Established in 1995 to build on close collaboration between the British and French air forces in the first Gulf War and the subsequent Balkans operations, the European Air Group (EAG) consists today of 7 member nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, UK & Spain) working together to stimulate change and to collectively enhance the tactical capabilities of the Group¹s air forces through better cooperation. The Director EAG (or DEAG) is a 3-star or 2-star dual-hated appointment. The Director post is normally held by a senior officer of the nations' Air Combat Command, or equivalent. The Director, although head of the permanent staff, remains in his national post. The EAG HQ is at High Wycombe (UK). Sources in FR  and in NL. European Air Group: http://www.euroairgroup.org/index.htm

Over 2005, 1.873.349 passengers were recorded at Brussels-South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), a drop of 8% compared to 2004 (the record year of BSCA with 2.034.797 passengers). This reduction in traffic is mainly due to the stop of the London flights in April 2004, a reduction in the frequency to certain destinations decided by the airport main customer, the Irish low cost airlines Ryanair, a series foggy days and snowfall in late 2005 (see BAHA News of November 18th and December 30th, 2005) as well as strike actions on last October. Regarding the total number of flights at the airport, a 7% fall has been recorded to 61,182 movements. Source: BSCA

The pilot and a passenger of paramotor crashed while performing a shallow dive at the village of Kortemark near Hooglede. Johan Bossuyt, the pilot was one of the most experienced paramotor pilots in the world, he even participated in the Paramotor World Championships in France last year. The paramotor is a motorized parachute where the engine is worn on the back. More on paramotors here. Source: Het Nieuwsblad.

Between 6 and 9 January Airbus A-310 transport aircraft of the Belgian Air Component have delivered over 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Islamabad (Pakistan) for the victims of the earthquake of 8 October 2005. The aid mainly consisted mainly of blankets and health care kits. Source: Mil.be

TNT Airways currently employs 357 persons including 250 pilots and has a fleet comprising 11 BAe146s, 4 Airbus A300s and 6 Boeing 737s. In 2006 two BAe 146s and three Boeing 737s, will be added and, last but not least, in December 2006 TNT will lease a Boeing 747-400F for routes to Asia. To handle this fleet expansion TNT will hire up to 100 new pilots in 2006. Source: Luchtzak (By the way, congrats with the 51cm long "Luchtzakske" Xabi).

On 9 September 2005, Cdt. Fabrice Massaux lost his life during an exercise with his F-16 fighter over the North Sea. (See Baha News item of 09/09/2005). The Schools for Non-Commissioned Officers at Dinant and Zedelgem wanting to honour this pilot have adopted the name "Cdt. Fabrice Massaux" for their 60th promotion. Massaux himself was a student at the School of Dinant before becoming a fighter pilot. Source on Mil.be: NL and FR.

Flying Group is starting this month with the construction of a new hangar at Antwerpen-Deurne Airport to house its expanded fleet of high-end business jets. The company’s fleet is composed of 10 Cessna Citations, two Dassault Falcon 900's and a Challenger while a Falcon 900DX will be added to the fleet next April. Source: Flying Group and Het Nieuwsblad