Malta International Airshow 2010 - the participants

The 18th edition of the annual Malta International Airshow, organised by the Malta Aviation Society in collaboration of the Malta International Airport plc, was held this year on the weekend of September 25th and 26th.

• Static display: Apron-2/3 at Malta International Airport

• Aerial display: RWY05/23 at Malta International Airport

- Military/Government Entities

Malta

• Armed Forces of Malta
  • BN-2P Islander 'AS9819' - Unit: Air Wing, AFM (S)
  • Bulldog T.1 'AS0023' - Unit: Air Wing, AFM (S)
  • SA-316B Alouette III 'AS9211' - Unit: Air Wing, AFM (S/F)
  • SA-316B Alouette III 'AS9315' - Unit: Air Wing, AFM (F/S)

Belgium

• Luchtcomponent (Air Component)
  • F-16AM Fighting Falcon 'FA-131' - Unit: F16 Demo Team (S/F*)
  • F-16AM Fighting Falcon 'FA-110' - Unit: F16 Demo Team (S/F**)

France

• Armee de l'Air (Air Force)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E130/1' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E114/2' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E165/3' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E41/4' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E134/5' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E117/6' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E46/7' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E95/8' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E85/9' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E31/0' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S)
  • Alpha Jet E 'E94' - Unit: Patrouille de France (S/F) *as a camera ship
  • C-160R Transall 'R98/61-ZP' (S)

Germany

• Luftwaffe (Air Force)
  • Tornado ECR '4626' - Unit: Jagdbombergeshwader 32 (S)

Italy

• Aeronautica Militare (Air Force)
  • AB-212AM 'MM81154' - Unit: M.I.A.T.M. (S/F)
• Protezione Civile Nazionale (Civil Protection Department) ...opb SOREM srl
  • CL-415 Water Bomber 'I-DFCF/23' (S/F)

Netherlands

• Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force)
  • F-16AM Fighting Falcon 'J-015' - Unit: F16 Demo Team (S/F*)
  • F-16AM Fighting Falcon 'J-144' - Unit: F16 Demo Team (S/F**)
  • KDC-10 'T-235' - Unit: 334 Squadron (S)

United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force
  • Tucano T.1 'ZF317/QJ-F' - Unit: 1 Flying Training School (S/F)
  • Tucano T.1 'ZF171/LZ-R' - Unit: 1 Flying Training School (S)
  • Tucano T.1 'ZF169' - Unit: 1 Flying Training School (S)
  • Hawk T.1 'XX201' - Unit: 4 Flying Training School (S/F)
  • Hawk T.1 'XX307' - Unit: 4 Flying Training School (S)
  • Harrier GR.9 'ZG857/EB-Z' - Unit: 41(R) Squadron (S)
  • Harrier GR.9 'ZG501/EB-Q' - Unit: 41(R) Squadron (S)
  • Tornado GR.4 'ZA611/EB-L' - Unit: 41(R) Squadron (S)
  • Dominie T.1 'XS737/K' - Unit: 55(R) Squadron (S)

United States of America

• Air Force (USAFE)
  • KC-135R Stratotanker '61-0306/D - Unit: 100 Air Refuelling Wing (S)
  • C-21A Learjet '84-0087' - Unit: 86 Airlift Wing (S)
• Navy
  • C-20A Gulfstream III '830500' - Unit: VR-1 ETD Sigonella 'Catbird' (S)
  • C-26D Metroliner '910502' - Unit: AOD Naples (S)
  • C-26D Metroliner '900528' - Unit: AOD Sigonella (S)
  • P-3C Orion '158927/LF' - Unit: VP-16 'Eagles' (S*)

---

- Civil

 

Malta

• Malta School of Flying Co. Ltd.
  • Cessna 172M '9H-ACL' (S)
  • Cessna U206B '9H-ADW' (S)
  • Cessna 152 '9H-AES' (S)
  • Reims/Cessna F172M '9H-AEX' (S)
  • Cessna 152 '9H-AFV' (S)

• European Pilot Academy Ltd./Falcon Aviation Engineering Ltd.
  • Tecnam P92-J '9H-ADU' (S)
  • Piper 28-161 '9H-AEZ' (S)
  • Piper 34-200T '9H-AEB' (S)
  • Piper 34-200T 'no regn, ex 9H-AEA' (S)
  • Ikarus C42B '9H-UNA' (S)
  • Vulcanair P68 'ex S5-CER' (S)
  • Cessna 421C 'ex 5A-DBM' (S)

• Diamond Flight Training Malta Ltd.
  • Diamond DA40 '9H-AGA' (S)
  • Diamond DA20-C1 '9H-AGB' (S)

• Sky People Aviation Training Ltd.
  • Tecnam P2002-JF '9H-SKY' (S)

• Island Microlight Club Malta
  • Tecnam P92-E '9H-UZZ' (S)
  • Raj Hamsa X-Air '9H-UMR' (S/F**)
  • EV-97 Eurostar '9H-UEB' (S^/F**)
  • Raj Hamsa X-Air '9H-UMP' (S^/F**)
  • Raj Hamsa X-Air '9H-UNB' (S^/F**)
  • Raj Hamsa X-Air '9H-UMT' (S^/F**)
  • ICP Savannah '9H-UML' (S^/F**)
  • ICP Savannah '9H-UMM' (S^/F**)
  • FlySynthesis Storch S '9H-UMS' (S^/F**)
  • Skyranger V Max '9H-UMN' (S^)
  • Thruster T.600N '9H-UMD' (S^)

• Medilink International Air Ambulance
  • Gates Learjet 36A 'N70LJ' (S^)

• Malta Aviation Museum
  • DH-82A Tiger Moth '9H-RAF/DE730' (S/F**)

• [Private]
  • Beech 95-C55 'N55AE' (S)
  • Cessna 172M 'N73318' (S)

Austria

• Diamond Aero srl
  • Diamond DA42NG 'OE-FCC' (S)

Italy

• WeFly! Team
  • FlySynthesis Texan ULM 'I-7736/1' (S/F)
  • FlySynthesis Texan ULM 'I-8942/3' (S/F)
  • FlySynthesis Texan ULM 'I-8382/4' (S/F)
  • FlySynthesis Texan ULM 'I-7877' (S)

---

S - static display on both days
S^ - static display on 26th only
F - flying display on both days
F* - flying display on 25th only
F** - flying display on 26th only

Ryanair presses for lower airport fees

Low-cost airline Ryanair has again criticised Malta’s airport taxes, saying they are too high and are actually hindering the tourism industry.

The airline, which predicts it will increase its European traffic by 15 per cent over the coming year, said that Italy and Spain would respectively account for 50 per cent and 35 per cent of this growth simply because they were addressing their airport costs.

Bari and Brindisi have been added to the airline’s list of Italian bases. Additionally, 39 new routes to the Canary Islands have been introduced due to reduced airport costs.

Ryanair urged Malta to follow the lead of these countries in order to boost passenger numbers and generate more jobs. The airline said that if such action was taken, it would immediately help to reverse Malta’s declining tourism trend.

Spokesman Colin Casey said: “High airport costs are preventing increased tourism and jobs for Malta and a reduction in charges will deliver increased tourism and increased jobs”.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Fully-restored Tiger Moth '9H-RAF' takes to the skies

Malta Aviation Museum's fully-restored DeHavilland DH-82A Tiger Moth biplane (9H-RAF, ex G-ANFW, DE730) has taken to the skies for the the first time this evening, around 7 p.m., at the controls of Clive Denney, for a twenty minutes test flight from/to Malta Int'l Airport.

The Tiger Moth (c/n 3737, built in 1942) was bought airworthy by the Malta Aviation Museum in 2000 from the U.K., minus its wings which were bought separately.

Following a complex inhouse restoration process to airworthy condition of the steel and wood structure of the fuselage and wings, as well as the cockpit instrumentation, Vintage Fabrics Ltd. has completed the fabric covering of the fuselage and the four wings.

The Tiger Moth is painted in a typical Royal Air Force colour scheme of the war period (camouflaged top surfaces and trainer yellow under surfaces) and it carries also the original service number 'DE730' on its sides.

Lufthansa Technik Malta wins big aircraft modifications contract

Lufthansa Tecknik Malta is branching out to aircraft modification services, having won a major Lufthansa contract for modifications to its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

The company will be modifying and repairing window skin belts and the aircraft fuselage crown of Boeing 737s in line with a mandatory Airworthiness Directive issued by the Federal Aviation Authority after inspections revealed a number of tiny cracks on the aircraft skin in the 1990s. The modifications are required on all Boeing 737s approaching the 50,000 flight cycle.

The contract awarded to the Maltese company runs until the first quarter of 2014, by which time the company hopes to be carrying out similar work on Boeing 737s operated by other airlines.

Lufthansa Tecknik Malta has developed a customised concept for these modifications. Each aircraft requires over 10,000 man hours of work with downtime of some 30 days working throughout the week.

As a result of the contract, the company has decided to retain its old hangar, despite recently building new hangars.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

AFM intervenes after Libyan boat crew overpowered by passengers

The AFM Operations Centre was informed late last night that a Libyan registered 20m refrigerated transport vessel, the Benghazi 2, was taken over by a number of 'passengers' of various nationalities who happened to be on board the same ship.

In the process, the Libyan captain and his crew were also reported to have been detained in the engine room of the same vessel by the same 'passengers.'

The vessel at that time was located around 20 nautical miles East of Malta.

The AFM dispatched one of its Protector Class offshore patrol boats P51 together with members of the Maritime Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Team.

Upon arrival on location they were tasked to establish contact with the Benghazi 2 with a view to contain and diffuse the situation and report back to the Operations Centre. The Austal Class Patrol boat P24 and Vittoria Class Melita I were also on location to assist.

The AFM On Scene Commander successfully negotiated the disembarkation procedures of the 16 'passengers' before an AFM Security Team boarded and secured the Benghazi 2 to obtain the release of the captain and the two members of his crew.

One of the crew members of the ship Benghazi 2 was found to be suffering injuries which were not life threatening. He was given first aid on the spot by the AFM Rapid Deployment Team and immediately evacuated to Malta on board the Search and Rescue launch Vittoria Class Melita I.

The Benghazi 2 was escorted to Malta by two AFM patrol craft and all passengers and crew were handed over to the Police on land for further investigations.

(www.maltatoday.com.mt)

Malta Register of Aircraft updated

Transport Malta / Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Malta Register of Aircraft.

New additions (since last update of August 8, 2010):

none

Cancellations (since last update of August 8, 2010):

- 9H-AEA - Piper 34-200T Seneca II

AFM to reintroduce the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the Palace Square in Valletta

The AFM is to reintroduce the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the Palace Square in Valletta as from Monday. The ceremony will he held twice a month.

The last regular ceremonial changing of the guard took place in 1971.

The new guard will form up at City Gate preceded by the AFM Band. They will march down Republic Street and take their positions on the Palace square.

The old guard will form up inside the inner courtyard of the Palace and will then march out on to Palace Square escorted by a Leading Drummer.

When both guards take positions facing each other on the square, the drummer rejoins the band. They will then acknowledge each other by Presenting Arms in successive moves.

On a signal, the Sergeants of the old and new guards will march out and halt in the middle of the square. They will Change Arms in successive moves and then the Old Guard Sgt will hand over the key.

During the handing over, the band will play soft ceremonial music.

After the handing over procedure both guards will march in slow time. The new guard will march and halt four paces behind the old guard.

The band and guards will then march out in slow time. The AFM Band and old guard will keep marching up Republic Street while the new guard will enter the Palace.

The changing of the guard ceremonies this year will be held next Monday and on September 24th, on October 1st, 15th and 29th, November 12th and 26th and December 3rd, 17th and 31st.

Monday's ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Ryanair announces new service to Birmingham

Ryanair said today it will operate a flight between Malta and Birmingham twice a week, from December 15th.

The fares will start from £26.99 one way inclusive of taxes.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

AFM rescue 46 people off schooner Fernandes

AFM patrol boats this evening rescued 46 people off the Captain Morgan schooner Fernandes, which hit a reef off Bahar ic-Caghaq.

The incident happened at about 8.45 p.m. close to the Splash and Fun park.

36 passengers were transferred to the AFM rescue launch Melita 1 and taken to the AFM Maritime Base at Hay Wharf while ten were taken to shore on dinghies. An AFM's Austal-class patrol boat was also on the scene.

The crew of the 26-metre schooner remained on board and appeared to have saved the vessel, which was later beached closer to the shore near the caravan site. Pumps were taken on board to control rising water.

A police spokesman said all on board were safe and no one was injured although two were taken to hospital for checks.

Units from the Civil Protection Department gave assistance on shore.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Malta International Airshow 2010

The Malta International Airshow 2010 will be held on September 25th and 26th. Now in its 18th consecutive year, the Malta airshow will feature participation from eight countries, namely Malta, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom and the United States of America.

With the advent of SR Technics setting up base in Malta and the related construction works in progress, the airshow will this year be held on two aircraft parks very near to the familiar Park 4. The road leading to the airshow gate will remain the same Hal Farrug Road. "The new set-up inevitably presented a few organisational challenges but with the sterling cooperation of Malta International Airport plc and the support of OMAS (Office of the Manager Airport Security) and the Armed Forces of Malta, all is now set for yet another thrilling edition of the Malta International Airshow" said J. Ciliberti President of the Malta Aviation Society.

Aircraft expected to participate at the show come in all shapes and sizes from the giant KDC-10 air-to-air refuelling jet from the Royal Netherlands Air Force to the familiar CL-415 fire-fighting machine from Italy, as well as basic training aircraft. This year being the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force is sending a trio of Tucano advanced training aircraft sporting 2nd World War colours and one of the aircraft will also perform in the flying display programme on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

The Malta Aviation Society’s primary aim is to foster interest in aviation especially in the younger generation and the airshow is a yearly invitation to families and friends to spend a day at an international event where many aspects of aviation are exhibited and where pilots mingle with the public offering additional information on the various types of aircraft they themselves fly.

Airshow gates open at 10am and close at 5.30pm on both days. The static display will start at 10am and the flying display at the airport over the shorter runway will commence at 2.15pm .

Entry tickets are at €10 and children under 14 years enter free of charge. Prepaid tickets at €8 are available from MIA’s Information Desks as well as all Mc Donalds outlets in Malta. A direct bus-shuttle service will operate from Valletta City Gate to the airshow gate and vice-versa and the public is encouraged to use this service.

(www.maltairport.com)

More info on the event can be found on the official site: www.maltairshow.com

AFM rescues five German divers off Dwejra in Gozo

Five German divers were rescued by an Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat this morning after finding themselves in difficulty while swimming in rough seas off Dwejra in Gozo.

Police Headquarters alerted the AFM's Operations' centre just after 11 a.m., requesting assistance in the recovery of the five divers who could not make it to shore safely.

The AFM scrambled an Alouette rescue helicopter while patrol boat P-22 proceeded at speed to the area.

The patrol board took the divers on board and landed them at Mgarr.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Ryanair's MLA-TFS flight on Sep. 8th had to divert to Bologna after encourtering severe turbulance

A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-DAD, performing flight RYR3875 from Malta to Venice-Treviso (Italy) - on September 8th - with 170 people on board was enroute at FL360 overhead the Tyrrhenian Sea near Elba about 120nm SSW of Bologna (Italy), when the airplane encountered severe turbulence causing injuries to two flight attendants and one passenger.

The crew diverted to Bologna for a safe landing about 25 minutes later. A flight attendant was taken to hospital, one more flight attendant and four passengers were treated at the airport for minor injuries.

Bologna Airport said, that the airplane experienced two serious upsets within 20 seconds causing injuries to two flight attendants and one passenger.

Passengers reported, that the flight attendant's trolley hit the ceiling of the aircraft, people not buckled in lifted off and contacted the ceiling with their heads, then all came down again and luggage out of the opening overhead compartments joined.

(www.avherald.com)

HNLMS Zeeleeuw in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The Royal Netherlands naval submarine HNLMS Zeeleeuw (S 803) - a Walrus class - has arrived this afternoon in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a courtesy visit.

HNLMS Zeeleeuw is scheduled to sail from Malta on Monday, September 13th, at 1100LT.

Virtu Ferries' new catamaran out-runs pirates

A new Virtu Ferries catamaran managed to out-run pirates as it sailed near Somalia on its delivery trip from Australia to Malta.

Virtu Ferries said the vessel, Jean de la Valette, is currently on the last stage of its trip to Malta from its builders, Austal Ships, in Australia.

The vessel started the 7,700 nautical mile journey on August 26. The crew includes several Maltese.

The vessel made the 3,227 mile journey from Freemantle across the Indian Ocean to Male in 95 hours, despite very heavy seas. It then proceeded to Salalah in Oman and on towards Aden.

Several precautions were taken as the vessel transited the pirate-infested waters.

The departure date from Salalah was kept secret and barbed wire was placed along the ship's sides to make boarding difficult.

Security drills were held for the crew. Similar drills for engine room crews were carried out to isolate the engine rooms in both hulls.

The Jean de la Valette made the journey from Salalah to Aden at full speed, sometimes reaching 42 knots and was in constant contact with warships.

Virtu Ferries said that it was after the vessel entered the Red Sea through Bab El Mandeb that pirate skiffs were sighted and tried to approach the vessel. They, however, gave up due to the vessel's high speed.

Jean de la Valette kept other vessels informed of the position of the skiffs.

The vessel has now entered the Mediterranean and is due to arrive in Malta on Saturday.

Services between Malta and Sicily will start at the end of this month.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for August 2010

Passenger movements at Malta IAP in August reached an all-time record of 427,924. The increase in passenger movements, when compared to the same month last year, is equivalent to 13.4% or 50,641 movements. In August, seat capacity has also hit an all-time record of 536,495 during the same month, i.e. an increase of 10.1% or 49,191 seats.

In August, aircraft movements grew by 8.7% over the corresponding period last year, whilst the average seat load factor also increased by a significant 2.4% to reach 79.8% - up from the 77.4% registered in August 2009. The maximum take-off weight (MTOW) was 9.7% higher than that registered in August last year, whilst cargo and mail was 0.4% lower than that recorded during the same month in 2009.

All the core markets registered increases during the month of August with Spain, Italy and France growing significantly by 31.1%, 28.6% and 13.7% respectively, whereas the United Kingdom and Germany, recorded a more modest increase of 6.8% and 5.3% respectively.

The results for the first eight months of the year, in terms of passenger movements, therefore show an increase of 11.9% when compared to the same period last year, totalling 2,210,695 passenger movements. The strong increase of 9.3% in seat capacity was the main driver of this result, whilst the average seat load factor improved by 1.5% reaching 70.8% for the period January to August 2010.

(www.maltairport.com)

USS Laboon in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The United States naval vessel USS Laboon (DDG 58) - an Arleigh Burke Class (Flight I) Guided-Missile Destroyer - has arrived this afternoon in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a courtesy visit.

USS Laboon is currently alongside at Pinto-4/5 Wharf and she is scheduled to sail from Malta this Saturday, September 4th, at 0900LT.