AUGUSTA OF BELGIUM TEAM IS ARRIVING AT SLIAČ AGAIN

Augusta A109- Display pilots

The last time we could admire a dynamic display performance of Captain Kevin Beckers and Stijn Soenes was a year ago. They performed limits of capabilities of the helicopter Agusta A109 and many visitors were taken aback by this theatre in the sky. In this year´s performance within SIAF 2018 at Sliač Airport Stijn Soenens should execute a dynamic performance in a position of a display pilot. Definitely, he isn´t a greenhorn which is proved by more than 1000 flying hours under his belt.

Agusta A109 – a helicopter

The fast multirole helicopter A109 BA is used for the needs of the Belgium Army. Its home base is  1 Wing Bevekom. It s a lightweight twin-engine eight- passanger helicopter.  The history of of the development goes into 1960s when a prototype Agusta A109 was designed as a single-engine civilian variant. Considering other manufacturers the develoment of a twin-engine helicopter started. The first helicopter for commercial purposes was delivered at the end of the year 1976. Folowing years the helicopter has been used by civilian as well as search and rescue elements. The aircraft A109BA  arriving at  SIAF 2018 is a part of the 1st Wing of the 17 Squadron at Military Base in Bevekom.

Belgium pilots make Sliač their home

At Sliač Belgium pilots have introduced themselves fliyng aircraft F-16 Fighting Falcon, Embraer ERJ-145, Agusta A109 BE or C-130 Hercules. Visitors of  MLD SIAF also didn´t miss the team Red Devils flying aircraft Marchetti SF 260.

We do believe that A109 Display Team will follow successful performance of their predecessors.

photo: SIAF