Hello all,

I was looking forward to the annual open door days of the RNLAF, this year at the Gilze-Rijen base. First of all as the first airshow for me in 2010, and besides that a great line-up of participants. However occurred a lot of last minute changes for me, I had to cancel my visit on Friday, which means a 50% drop of photographs. And the weather gods did also not cooperate very much on Saturday, which also downsized the amount of “challenging” photographs.

A great list of participants, and overall a great job by the RNLAF, if you take in account the difficult times they have to operate in. Anyway, I hope you like the selection of photographs now present in the gallery.

RNLAF Open Door Days: Gallery Link

Hello,

The second photo report for 2010 can now be found online, with the SAR Meet “Search & Rescue” meet at Koksijde, Belgium. Each year a different country hosts this event, with each year a interesting line-up. This year the 40 Squadron moved heaven and earth to gather some very interesting participants, which was in my humble opinion more than successful. Highlights were present in the shape of a Sikorsky S-61R / HH-3F Pelican, belonging to the  83° CENTRO CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) based at Rimini, Italy. Furthermore was the SA.330J Puma, belonging to the Escuadron “801 Salvamento” based at Mallorca, Spain a long way from home. For me personal the most interesting helicopter was a MIL Mi-8RL HIP, belonging to the “3. Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza” based at Krakow, Poland. 

All reviewed, a great event to see such dedicated teams working together with the highest precision and camaraderie. They deserve much more exposure and appreciation, as you take in account the calculated risks they take each day.

Special thanks goes to 40 Squadron & Stephane Lowagie for their hospitality, efforts and generous assistance in making this feature possible. Keep up the great work…   

The photo report can be found here: Link

Regards, Ramon

Hello,

The first photoreport for 2010 can be found in the gallery. At the Zoersel-OostMalle airfield in Belgium the yearly returning Chipmunk Meeting was held. This year with a larger amount of other interesting participants, like for example four Boeing Stearmans, two Yak-18′s, one OV-10 Bronco and a T-6 Harvard to name just a few.

Have a look here: Link

Regards, Ramon