ILA 2016

Check out our ILA highlights:

 

Takin´ care of business...

...all night long!

In case of Emergency...

...you better push the button

Aviation: "From Dusk Till Dawn"

One of those days on the APRON...

I´m thirsty!

Do you know this? You had a long day and now you are thirsty. The same goes for this pictured pilots F-16 jet. You can see the KC-135 Stratotanker in the visor of the pilot as he is closing in to get some fuel. Please also note the details on the oxygen mask!
Cheers!

Minesweepers

Some of you may now the little Windows Game "Minesweeper". You find this hard to play? Then flying with the HM-14 crews may not be the right job decision for you. Their job is (besides other important tasks like humanitarian relief) too keep the sea routes clear of mines and other hazards. The Vanguards "workhorse" is the old but still agile CH-53 (at the time the improved "Echo" version).
If you like to learn more about HM-14 you can check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGcthQE4lR4

Good flight Ladies and Gentleman!

In Dizzy Heights...

Many may know the Aérospatiale SA.319 Alouette III. Especially the pilots of the Swiss Air Force are familiar with this old work horse. High mountains make it hard for this helicopter to keep up with newer aircraft. Nevertheless this helicopter executed his mission reliable over four decades.

From Test Pilots...

Do you know this? You want to finish something, but you don´t really have the time for doing it perfect.
Well, when I worked on this Sikorsky helicopter I really had not much time, it was late and the next day I was about to leave to Berlin for the ILA. Nevertheless I finished this one - and I didn´t regret it. When I came along the US display I met two Sikorsky test pilots, Leszek Pawula and Michael Skaggs standing by the US Army Black Hawk displayed. Of course they signed my drawing and after I gave them my card they didn´t hesitate and gave me theirs in reward. They are two very nice and calm guys. Their flight display was incredible, you wouldn´t believe what a Black Hawk is capable of doing.
I wish you two always a save flight!

"Gimme a ride, buddy!"

You asked yourself it it is possible for a plane to carry another? I mean, a helicopter - yes. But a plane? In fact the impressive Airbus Beluga can! This jet can open the section above the cockpit by clapping it upwords. This way a fuselage section of another plane can be loaded.
Impressive, isn´t it?

Phantoms Phorever

When the german F-4 Phantoms were retired in 2013 another chapter of german aviation closed phorever. This drawing was signed by three Phantom pilots in 2012 also on the wing of a real F-4 that was on duty at that time. Phly on!


(For those of you who are not familiar with the "Phantom-slang", a lot of people tend to write "Ph" instead of "F" in  Phantom related articles/patches/texts)