Wednesday 11 November 2009

Yeovil - Wed 11th November 2009

A visit to the Agustawestland airfield at Yeovil today found some new helicopters on the flight line.

G-17-610 Merlin being towed to the western apron - this is the first of six AW-101 Merlins for the Algerian Navy - the "G-17-...." Type B registration prefix is used by Westlands. The "610" may refer to EH-101 sub model 610. I understand this helicopter first flew last week. Note radome underneath the forward cabin.




At the opposite end of the delivery pipeline is EH-101 Merlin ZK165 - this is the last of six purchased by the MOD on behalf of Denmark to replace the six Danish Merlins supplied in haste to the RAF in 2007. This aircraft should become M-520 upon delivery.


Also outside today was the first AW-159 Lynx Wildcat painted in an olive drab colour scheme and wearing Army titles, serial ZZ400 - this was ground running. Flight Global suggest that the first flight of this new type is due on 13.11.09

Saturday 7 November 2009

Blackbushe - 27.10.09

Blackbushe airport offers good views for aviation enthusiasts with low fencing and wide views across the aprons

Cabair operate a flight training school here and operate a mixture of Pa-28, Robin HR200/120 and AA-5 aircraft.



G-FNPT Piper Pa-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III c/n 2842163 was built in 2002 and delivered to the UK as N5346Y becoming G-FNPT in October 2002. Cabair have bases at several UK airfields with a home base at Elstree.

G-WAVN Robin HR200/120B c/n 344 was built in 2000 by Robin Aviation at Dijon, France and originally delivered new to the UK as G-VECA. It joined the Cabair fleet in 2007 having previously operated with a flight training school at Wellsbourne ( G-WAVN - Welsbourne Aviation ).

The type was first built in 1971 - production ceased at Dijon in 2004 after approx 370 aircraft had been built. Production rights and jigs were subsequently sold to Alpha Aviation of New Zealand.


External LINK to Cabair website




G-FBKB Cessna 510 Citation Mustang c/n 510-0126 is operated by Blink Ltd at Blackbushe. This new bizjet was built in 2008 as N826CM and became G-FBKB in August 2009. Todate Blink operate a fleet of 7 Cessna 510 jets.

Blink operate as an air taxi company across Europe. The Citation Mustang offers seating for 4 passengers in 2 + 2 seating.

To read more about Blink visit their website via


http://www.flyblink.com/