Slovak Air Force at SIAF 2014
Aviation days are for all participants the unique opportunity to introduce their mastery in the air and beauty of aircraft on the ground. International Air Fest Days SIAF 2014 again will be the attractive opportunity for the Slovak Air Forces to show mastery of their members. They will pride themselves on dynamic and static displays at Sliač airport at the last weekend of August. Visitors may enjoy seeing various aircraft and ground equipment. A solo performance of an aircraft MiG-29 Fulcrum from airbase Sliač showing the mastery of the pilot will be a very attractive point of the programme.
Top of mastery in the air
Absolute concentration of a pilot, many of flying hours under his belt, certitude in manoeuvring – often on the margin on cababilities of a pilot and an aircraft joined with easiness in the sky resembling thundering power over the audience. We must not omit fast manoeuvring and attractive changes in aircraft attitudes – altogother it creates a characteristic of a solo display performance of the aircarft MiG-29. This year Major Martin "MAT" Kuterka will introduce himself in the position of a solo display pilot, for whom it is the first season when he is introducing an aircraft MiG-29 to the public.
Possibility to fly a supersonic jetfighter MiG-29 during aviation days before thousands of visitors means to reach an aviation top. It is the great opportunity and the absolute responsibility for a display pilot. His key task is to find balance between aircraft capabilities and respect for flight safety.
"Our military pilots are successful not only at home but also abroad. On 20-21 June Open Days 2014 within the Royal Air Forces of the Netherlands (RNLAF) were organized at the airbase Gilze-Rijen. The Slovak pilot Maj. Martin "MAT"Kuterka from Sliač airbase introuduced himslef as a display pilot abroad for the firts time. Flying the jetfighter MiG-29, he professionally demonstrated combat capabilities of the aircraft what brought him success in the audience and respect of his colleagues", says the Commander of the Air Forcer, Brigadier General Miroslav Korba.
Members of the Slovak Air Forces alongside othres attractions – low pass formation flight
The unique presentation of the Slovak aviation will happen at the beginning of the International Air Fest Days on 30 August. Low pass formation flight, when the audience can see unique mastery and cooperation of Slovak pilots, might be the part of the opening ceremony.
"If everything goes well, the government special plane TU-154M will lead formation with MiG-29s on the wings. They will be followed with the flight of L-39s. After low pass formation flight within the opening ceremony TU-154M leaves formation and MiG-29s together with the flight of L-39s will be waiting at the holding pattern while airdrop of memebers of the5 Special Forces Regiment is finished. Then aircraft perform final low pass flight formation with impressive separation for landing," says Executve Director and Project Manager of International Air Fest Days SIAF Milan Konvičný.
They draw always attention
Besides unique manoeuvring of pilots, also displays of rescue services are attractive for visitors of aviation days. Members of these services are respected by adults and children due to their bravery, determination and professionalism. Display of search and rescue missions together with evacuation will be part of dynamic displays at International Air Fest Days SIAF 2014. Fire extinguishing with help of "bambi" buckets will not be missing. Our rescuers use a military helicopter Mi-17 to put out fire. Professionals operating this aircraft are masters of flying with external slung load at maxium speed of a helicopter. It means they fly with high precision and their coopertion with a board engineer is perfect. To manage demanding tasks they are bound to know and consistently keep limitations of this helicopter, e.g. maximum take off weight regarding the air temperature and the altitude. Visitors will see an aircraft L-410 based at airbase of Transport Wing of General M.R.Štefánik, Kuchyňa.
Slovak Air Forces´ aircraft
MIG-29AS FULCRUM
This aircraft is the cornerstone of the Slovak Air Forces. The upgrading of the type had been executed in the period of 2005 and 2006 in close cooperation with the manufacturer and some western companies. The aircraft underwent the upgrading in LOT Trenčín. The equipment had been enhanced with modern communication devices and systems compatible with NATO standard equipment. MiG-29 is equiped with built-in 30 mm gun GŠ-30L. It is the lightest weapon of its category worldwide which weighs(empty) only 46 kilos. There are 150 rounds of ammo with the gun. The aircraft is capable to carry on 3 pylons under each wing several variants of guided air to air missiles, e.g. R-27, R-73, R-60MK; or conventional weapons such us unguided rockets or bombs up to 3,500 kilos.
L-39 Albatros
L-39 Albatros is two-seat, jet, subsonic training aircraft designated for basic and advanced pilot training. The aircraft can be used to practise aerobatics, interception of air targets, attacks against ground targets, and recconaissance. The equipment allows to perform flight under all weather conditions, day and night. The aircraft also allows smooth transition of pilots to MiG-29 combat aircraft. L-39 is powered by AI-25TL turbofan engine. Slovak Air Forces operate versions CM and ZAM which are the upgrades of former C and ZA versions. The aircraft underwent upgrading in 2005 to fulfill NATO and ICAO standards. There is a gun GŠ-23 with 150 rounds of ammo and capability to carry up to 1,000 kilos of bombs and unguided rockets on four pylons on version ZAM. CM version is no-gun variant capable to carry up to 260 kilos of various weapons on its two pylons.
Mi-17
It is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter designated for transport of troops and cargo within the cabin and for transport of large items externally slung. There are different variants such us transport, airdrop, medical, combat. Maximun take off weight is 13 tons, with 4 tons of cargo in the cabin(3 tons on external slung), or 19 persons on board. The weapons can be carried on 6 hard points. Slovak Air Forces operate versions Mi-17M, which is primarily designated for combat missions(including use of unguided rockets and a gun); and Mi-17 LPZS designated for search and rescue missions. The upgrading of this helicopter had been gradually executed in LOT Trenčín in cooperation with some western companies since 2002(Mi-17M) and 2007(Mi-17 LPZS). The equipment had been enhanced with modern communication and navigation devices and systems of NATO and ICAO standards.
L-410
The aircraft L-410 has been operated by more than 50 countries worldwide, within five continents. It is a high-wing, all metal monoplane. The aircraft is powered by two turboprop Walter M 601 E engines and there are Avia V 510 propellers . Maximum take-off weight 6600 kg, cruise speed 333km/h, effective range 1,500 km, and ceiling 7,000m. Slovak Air Force operates versions E-20 and FG.
The aircraft can be used with short or even unpaved runways under extreme weather conditions, e.g. temperature from +50ºC to -50ºC. Besides an unique design the aircraft offers unique capabilities to operate under variable conditions from Sahara desert type to Siberian tundra type. The capability to operate from short unpaved runways, low flight costs, excellent performance in high temperature and high altitude are the main advantages of the plane. There is also an equipment variability, possibility to instal special exchangeable kits, large cargo space, high operational safety, and the largest passenger cabin of its category.
The L-410 represents an ideal conjunction of the first class technical parameters and low operational costs for performing transport of passengers and cargo on short and medium range flights.
