[mikon]

I love aircrafts. So clicked some pictures.
Hope these qualify here!

At the CDG airport museum


The concorde


Engines by rolls-royce


At CDG Airport, Paris

[Ricci]

Oh ok, I didn't know they re-equipped the same squadron , specialist squadrons usually don't do that especially since they were a small 6 jet unit, to convert to a 15+ jet squadron. But in 2011 ? The 25s went out in 2006 !

We haven't got all the Su-30s delivered though, some are still pending which will likely only complete in 2016 or so, there will be more units converting as the older jets , 21s and 27s , retire.

@Mikon - Rolls Royce + SNECMA , the Olympus was also developed under JV as with rest of the Concorde.

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by Ricci

Did you work in military/fighter engines by any chance, F100 series particularly ?

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Not sure if the IAF Fulcrums undergoing upgrades to SMT standards are receiving new engines.
Correction mate . The MiG-31 is called the "Foxhound" and the MiG-25 the "Foxbat". Pity we did not acquire the Foxhound to replace our MiG-25Rs. While the Trisonics current ride is the SU-30MKI, it really can't match the Foxbat in terms of sheer speed & maximum operational height.

First, thanks for the correction!
Second, I worked on the F1000 and F1500 and the famous PT6/PT3 series. India delivery centre don't have access to Military engines from Pratt! Well that's a different story altogether

Well, one point I would like to add is that although the Foxbats can do a max Mach 3 but then, once done, it will have to go through a detailed structural check and an immediate engine replacement, the bearings wear out after one flight at mach 3. Even the Foxhounds can do Mach 3.3, only during a dive.

Well lets keep this thread only to pictures of planes and plane spottings!

[PGA]

I would like to narrate an incident that occured to me a couple of months ago. I was standing close to one of the runways watching some takeoffs, as I always do inspite of working with these birds for last 20 years. For me a jet of any shape or size is always a thing of sheer beauty while taking off.
The dusk had fallen and lights had come on. It was time for a fully loaded mighty jet to takeoff. I started to watch it as it opened its throttles to start the roll. Over the curvature of the runway I could only see its lights, glowing full strength as the roar of its four engines grew.

I was standing about 50 mtrs to the left of the take off path and about 100 mtrs ahead of the unstick point. As the mighty jet came towards me, I became dumbstruck - thoughtless, mindless and speechless. The power it exuded, its six lights pointing towards me and the roar of the four engines in the falling night, was beyond what I had ever experienced inspite of my long association with them. I stood my ground, watching it catch speed and the nose wheel came up. The brain started pumping adrenalin asking me to turn around and get aside. Better part of the brain probably took over and I stood to my ground or was I not in control of myself, I don't know. The experience was surreal and ecstatic, it was a drama with unimaginable amount of thrill. Time slowed down for me and the mighty jet rolled on with umatched intensity. (These jets run quite a distance with their noses hanging up in the air) Then it slowly lifted itself from the terra firma and was over me when the pilot must have flicked the undercarriage lever up, the creaking of hydraulic lines and breaking of down lock was audible to me. And then like any good dream rushing away from you it flew into the night sky.
I have tried to replicate that experience some more times but it has not happended again. Sorry cannot share the sound or the photos as never got the opportunity to click but to give an idea here are some from the net.

[SDP]

A few contributions from my side (from the visit to Seattle last year):












Sorry for the quality. Photos taken from a moving car.

[SDP]

A few from various airports:

[Jeroen]

I've always been interested in aviation. Done the plane spotting thing for many years, all over the world. I also enjoy going to air shows and aviation museums.

Back in Europe I always enjoyed the Farnborough airshow. Also, if you ever find yourself in the UK with some time on your hands try and visit Duxford.
( http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford ). Just south of Cambridge. Its got an amazing collection of planes, including a Concorde and a Blackbird. A part of their collection is kept airworthy and throughout the year there are many flying events. Also, a couple a times a year there are classic car events on the aerodrome. So when you're interested in cars and planes you have to go and see it.

When in the states i did manage to see a fair amount of aviation museums. There are loads of them around. From very big to very small and everything in between. I particularly like the Strategic Air Command museum in Nebraska. Was only about a three hours drive from our home in Kansas City. So I visited several times.

See http://www.strategicairandspace.com/exhibits/aircraft/

Attached a few links to airshows I visited in the USA whilst I lived there:

http://jeroendorrestein.com/Frances%...kosk_2010.html

http://jeroendorrestein.com/Frances%..._Ft_Worth.html

But the best thing of living in the USA was I managed to get my pilot license!
See: http://jeroendorrestein.com/Frances%...new_hobby.html

I know there is an Indian Airforce museum here in Delhi. Haven't been able to visit it yet, but I will soon. Small practical problem is the fact they seem to be open during the week and thats when I work.

Are there any air shows (civilian and or military) in India?

Jeroen

[Ricci]

A few images from a stopover at Zurich. These were shot from a Fujifilm S2000HD , please excuse the quality as the weather and visibility too were not very cooperative.

Are there any air shows (civilian and or military) in India?

Jeroen, we do have bi-annual Aero India show held at Bangalore, the next will be in Feb 2013, I think. Both civil and military planes are on display.

[Aiel]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

I know there is an Indian Airforce museum here in Delhi. Haven't been able to visit it yet, but I will soon. Small practical problem is the fact they seem to be open during the week and thats when I work.

Are there any air shows (civilian and or military) in India?

Jeroen

The details of the Airforce museum in Delhi can be found in the below link.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Mu...lam/index.html

The museum is open on the weekends also. Other than this museum, there are museums in Goa (Naval Air Museum) and Bangalore (HAL Museum). There is also the museum on INS Vikrant in Bombay, but that is open only during the Navy Week.

Regarding air shows in India, there are two major ones:
1. A mainly defense oriented air show, Aero India held in Bangalore every odd year. The next show is scheduled for Feb '13.

2. A mainly commercial air show, Aviation India held in Hyderabad every even year. The next one should be held in the first quarter of 2014.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Aiel

The details of the Airforce museum in Delhi can be found in the below link.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Mu...lam/index.html

The museum is open on the weekends also. Other than this museum, there are museums in Goa (Naval Air Museum) and Bangalore (HAL Museum). There is also the museum on INS Vikrant in Bombay, but that is open only during the Navy Week.

Regarding air shows in India, there are two major ones:
1. A mainly defense oriented air show, Aero India held in Bangalore every odd year. The next show is scheduled for Feb '13.

2. A mainly commercial air show, Aviation India held in Hyderabad every even year. The next one should be held in the first quarter of 2014.

thanks, very usefull. I will definitily visit the airforce museum some time soon

Jeroen

[Jeroen]

Based on several recommendations on this forum and others I decided to visit the Indian Airforce Museum in Delhi. It's close to the airport and a 15 minute from where we live.

These days i move around Delhi in true Indian fashion of course, on my 1975 Royal Enfield, And yes, I managed to get my Indian motor cycle license.

Read all about it here:

http://www.india.jeroendorrestein.co...new_hobby.html

This museum has a nice collection of planes and lots of aviation related items. If you're in the neighborhood and you like (military) planes its worth a visit. Although I have visited dozens and dozens of air shows and aviation museum that was all in (Western) Europe and the USA. As the Indian Air Force has got a lot their kit from other countries, notably Russia or USSR i those days it meant there were quite a few planes that I had not seen up close. Notably the MIG 23 and 25.

On the museum web page and on its brochure, the planes look well polished and clean. India being India they will be very, very dusted by the time you show up.

I spent the better part of two and a half hours doing the rounds and taking a few piccies.

Enjoy, Jeroen

[Jeroen]

And some more piccies.
Not sure if you can upload them all in one message. I can't or haven't figured it out yet.

Jeroen

[neel385]

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

Well, one point I would like to add is that although the Foxbats can do a max Mach 3 but then, once done, it will have to go through a detailed structural check and an immediate engine replacement, the bearings wear out after one flight at mach 3.

The Foxbat was designed to fly at Mach 3. So, it did not require any out of the way structural checks, and no, the engines were not replaced after every sortie, though all sorties were not necessarily at M 3+! That said, the stresses on the engine bearing at those speeds (M3+) will cause severe strain and in all likelihood will warrant replacement.

[Skye1592]

Originally Posted by PGA

I was standing about 50 mtrs to the left of the take off path and about 100 mtrs ahead of the unstick point. As the mighty jet came towards me, I became dumbstruck - thoughtless, mindless and speechless. The power it exuded, its six lights pointing towards me and the roar of the four engines in the falling night, was beyond what I had ever experienced inspite of my long association with them. I stood my ground, watching it catch speed and the nose wheel came up. The brain started pumping adrenalin asking me to turn around and get aside. Better part of the brain probably took over and I stood to my ground or was I not in control of myself, I don't know...

Wow! I can literally put myself in your shoes, PGA! Something of the sorts happened to me too, back in 2008 at Chennai Intl. airport!

Next time be sure to stay clear of any aircraft landing/departing. Especially, the larger aircraft. The differential in air pressure generated by the airfoils of an aircraft while taking off/landing, cause giant vortexes of air to swirl from the wingtips in opposite directions. And they can knock smaller aircraft right off the ground! IF, it is present in the general area affected by this vortex. This is known as "wake turbulence".

So, I don't know what it could do to us tiny people.
Best stay clear.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Skye1592

Next time be sure to stay clear of any aircraft landing/departing. Especially, the larger aircraft. The differential in air pressure generated by the airfoils of an aircraft while taking off/landing, cause giant vortexes of air to swirl from the wingtips in opposite directions. And they can knock smaller aircraft right off the ground! IF, it is present in the general area affected by this vortex. This is known as "wake turbulence".

Vortex and wake turbulence is a well known phenomena in aviation circles. Not only can they knock smaller aircraft right of the ground, there are numerous well documented incidents with big commercial jets due to encounters with wake turbulence. Every pilot gets taught on how to deal with it; which is avoid flying into it at all cost. Especially if it was produced by a plane bigger than yours.

I have my private pilot license and flown in the USA. Lots of airports where small GA type of aircraft, such as the Cessna, Diamond and Cirrus I flew mix it out with large commercial jets.

The basic rule is that maximum wake turbulence is produced when the aircraft is slow, clean and heavy. Which means you need to be especially aware of it during landing and take off phase.

Also, it's only produces when the wing generates lift. No lift, no wake turbulence. So when you're in your little Cessna and the tower tells you you're number two after the 737 here's what you do:

On landing:
Observe the touch down point of the 737; as soon as it touches it will deploy spoilers, dumping all lift. So you aim your touch down point of your little Cessna well past the 737's. Essentially you maintain you glide path higher than the 737 in order to avoid any and all wake turbulence.

On take off:
Note where the 737 rotates, that the point its wings start generating lift and thus wake turbulence! Plan and execute your take off run in such a way you rotate well before the 737 point of rotation. And make sure you stay above his flight path. With a small plane that could be a problem. Easy enough to take off earlier, but the 737 vertical climbs speed is totally superior to the little Cessna. So even if you take off much earlier if you follow the same take off profile you will find your self in it's wake, you simple can't climb away quickly enough. In which case you also need to ensure you divert from the 737 climb path laterally.

The Vortex can remain active for up to more than three minutes. It slowly descends, but on the ground it will also roll over the ground. Light quartering tailwinds need extreme caution as the vortex might catch up with you.

The above is just the very basics. In practice there is more you should be aware. If you want to read some more detail:

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publi...m/aim0703.html

Jeroen