Antonov Leaves PG Following Delay
Saturday, July 14, 2012 @ 3:13 PM
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Prince George, B.C. – Following an unexpected delay, the world’s third largest transport aircraft has left Prince George, bound for the east coast and, eventually, Angola.(click on photo for a video of the take off, courtesy FlightSource Aviation (www.flightsource.ca )
The Russian-built Antonov 124 is contracted to transport 7 helicopters, owned by Vancouver Island Helicopters, to the African nation to fly officials, supplies and equipment around during that country’s upcoming elections. However just when the Antonov and its cargo will be able to get into Angola remains to be seen. The plane was supposed to leave Prince George around 10:30 this morning, but then came word that civil strife has broken out in Angola and the country’s government is denying aircraft entry into its air space. That dilemma will have to be worked out at much higher levels of officialdom.
Meanwhile several residents with not much to do on a bright, sunny day showed up at the north end of the airport runway for what was supposed to be departure time this morning. They left disappointed at not seeing big bird take off, but many people showed up at the ball fields at the south end of the runway for this afternoon’s departure shortly after 1:30pm.
The Antonov will be back in the city in about three months when it brings the choppers home.
Comments
I bet that take off burned more fuel than I’ve burned in 10 yrs.
And were stuck with this phony carbon tax.
Just to keep things in perspective.
Kelowna BC September 26.,2009
Kelowna Airport welcomed one of the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov AN 124 on Saturday. The Antonov AN 124 arriving after a 12 hour non stop flight from Kazan Russia to Kelowna, delivered three helicopters to Kelowna Flightcraft for maintenance and modification services.
Accommodating the Antonov at Kelowna airport was made possible because of the runway extension from 7300 feet to 8900 feet in November 2008. **The arrival of the Antonov is a great opportunity for YLW to attract other long haul flights for commercial passenger and cargo flights and for very specialized aviation maintenance work by companies such as Kelowna Flightcraft and AVM Solutions Inc. says Sam Samaddar Airport Director.
Avionics Modification Solutions (AVM) Bob Monaghan, President and CEO states. “YLW may see one or two AN 124 operations a year for similiar helicopter deliveries”
The Antonov AN 124 is the largest aircraft to land at Kelowna International
Prior to departure from YLW to Kansas City at 11.20pm Sept 26 the Antonov took 75000 gallons of fuel.
So. Where have we heard this song before.??
At Aeroporto Internacional 4 de Fevereiro in Luanda, Angola?
People in Old Crow come out every day to the airport to watch the DC3 land which brings in supplies to the community. I was there for about 10 days at one one time and fround it very interesting. The entire village is strung out along the landing strip so those who are next to the strip can look out their back window to see the planes land.
The reason they attend the airport is because they can see who is who and what is coming in and who and what is going out ….
Drywall .. ah, someone is building a new house …. and two fridges … hmm .. wonder who thise are for …. ah… finally got some more orange juice ….. get to the general store right away….
Sort of like we read about car accidents and RCMP handing out tickets here ….. all in a day’s life.
Here is the same model plane landing in Kelowna about 3 years ago ….. look at the people lined up outside the security fence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TATsSTcn44
From the cockpit while landing in a joint miliary/civil airport north of NYC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Nn02tAQtQ&feature=related
Here is the guppy …. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Airbus_Beluga_CBR_2003_Pryde.jpg
http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/freighter/beluga
The Beluga’s main-deck cargo VOLUME is greater than the C5 Galaxy, the An-124 or the C-17 airlifters
okay, so I called it a guppy …. when it is really a beluga … :-)
Kelowna has the same idea too? Damn! Well maybe we can be their alternate.
Kelowna has 3 times the passenger traffic we have ….. It is the 10th busiest passenger airport in Canada.
We have a lot of catching up to do. They have their longer runway primarily for passenger planes as far as I know.
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