Farewell Mitch - Welcome Grat

During a ceremony organised at Kleine Brogel airbase on Friday November 4th, 2011, Belgian Air Force F-16 Demo Pilot Cdt Vl Michel "Mitch" Beulen has made the last of his memorable demonstration with his F-16 called "The Vortex". For Mitch is was the conclusion of his third display season and as "tradition wants it, he passed on this demanding but very rewarding task to Capt Avi Renaud "Grat" Thys. As of 2012 "Grat", who is a member of n° 350 Squadron based at Florennes, becomes the 16th F-16 demo pilot of the Belgian Air Force. For the occasion a number of former F-16 "demonstrators" came together to thank "Mitch" for his wonderful presentations and to welcome "Grat".

Last Demo by Mitch

Gathering of former Belgian Air Force  F-16 demo-pilots

The new Belgian Air Force F-16 demo pilot for the 2012 display season: Capt Avi Renaud "Grat" Thys

Video: "The CUBE Brussels" Helicopter flight to the Cinquantenaire Arch - Jubilee Park Brussels

Another nice helicopter flight over Brussels

The CUBE Brussels The Cube by Electrolux is a culinary experience conceptualized by Electrolux, developed and managed by Absolute Blue and designed by Park Associati. Designed to be placed in unexpected and dramatic European locations, it was launched in Brussels on April 1st 2011 where it will sit atop of the Parc du Cinquantenaire for three months. Event concept development: Electrolux. Structure development and project management: Absolute Blue Architecture and Interior Design: Park Associati, Milano. Logo and Texture Design: Studio FM, Milano. Aerial pictures by Wim Robberechts & Co. Helicopter film pilot : Capt. Thierry Soumagne (HSB)

Les avions Tipsy : Book of the Month in Aeroplane Monthly

The book "Les avions Tipsy" published by the the FNAR has been selected by Aeroplane Monthly as the book of the month for December 2011. This is the third time a Belgian book is earmarked for this prestigious honor. The author of the column is Philip Jarrett. This is by itself an award to be reviewed by such a renowned author and expert in aviation history.

Good show Vincent & Nicolas

December is the month to give and receive gift, you can still order "Les avions Tipsy" from the Fnar
at www.fnar.be

Bemanning C-130 wint prijs Marie Monseur-Fontaine

De bemanning van een militair transportvliegtuig C-130 van Melsbroek heeft gisteren de Prijs Marie Monseur-Fontaine gewonnen. Deze prestigieuze luchtvaartprijs, genoemd naar een vrouw die haar bezittingen en fondsen overmaakte aan de luchtmacht, wordt ieder jaar toegekend aan de bemanning van een toestel die zich op buitengewone wijze wist te onderscheiden.

De bemanning van de C-130 wordt geprezen voor haar professionele vakkundigheid tijdens een vlucht in februari 2009 die gekenmerkt werd door tal van incidenten. Er waren toen 60 parachutisten aan boord. De prijs, 2.500 euro waard, werd gisterenmiddag uitgereikt aan vijf bemanningsleden.

Source: De Standaard 

Belgians in RAF and SAAF 1940 1945 News: Picture album Lawn of honor of the airmen cemetery...

Belgians in RAF and SAAF 1940 1945 News: Picture album Lawn of honor of the airmen cemetery...: You are invited to view photo album: Lawn of honor of the airmen cemetery of Evere 01/11/2011 by André Bar Lawn of hon...

http://www.bamfbamrs.be/RAF/index.htm

SN Brussels Airlines losses

www.7sur7.be Perte de 70 millions pour Brussels Airlines

La compagnie aérienne belge Brussels Airlines va clôturer l'année 2011 avec une perte record de plus de 70 millions d'euros, rapporte jeudi le quotidien "L'Echo" citant des sources proches du dossier.

Selon le quotidien, la société pourrait même engloutir la moitié de son capital à cause de cette mauvaise performance imputable à la flambée du prix du kérosène et de difficultés d'exploitation en Afrique (Côte d'ivoire, Sénégal). L'article en
http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1536/Economie/article/detail/1342882/2011/11/03/Perte-de-70-millions-pour-Brussels-Airlines.dhtml

De Standard : Brussels Airlines stevent af op recordverlies van 70 miljoen in 2011 

Luchtvaartmaatschappij Brussels Airlines zal het jaar 2011 afsluiten met een recordverlies van meer dan 70 miljoen euro. Dat schrijven de kranten L'Echo en De Tijd donderdag op gezag van bronnen dichtbij het dossier. 

Meer op http://www.standaard.be/artikel/detail.aspx?artikelid=DMF20111103_004

 

Fwd: SBAP site update on 01-11-2011

Dear aviation enthusiast,

This week on SBAP web site :

Events : 

"Operation Freedom Falcon - Unified Protector"

Operation is over...the last informations and pictures thanks to Gérard Gaudin (Belga)

http://www.sbap.be/events/2011/freefal2011/freefal2011.htm

Many other reports coming soon...

Thanks for your support, enjoy your flight and always safe landing...

Don't forget to share our links with all your interested friends...
www.sbap.be

The SBAP team

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Serge VAN HEERTUM

SBAP site update on 29-10-2011 Swiss Magic Trip : 6 pages report is ready !

Dear aviation enthusiast,

This week on SBAP web site :

Events : 

Swiss Magic Trip : 6 pages report is ready !

AXALP exercice was canceled but a fantastic week with the Swiss Air Force in operations...

A report including :

• Meringen airbase
• Payerne airbase
• Emmen airbase 
• Clin d'Ailes museum of Payerne
• Flieger Flab Museum of Dubendorf

http://www.sbap.be/events/2011/swisstrip2011/swisstrip2011.htm

Other reports coming soon...

Thanks for your support, enjoy your flight and always safe landing...

Don't forget to share our links with all your interested friends...
www.sbap.be

The SBAP team

Dispersals November 2011

Enjoy the last delivery of fresh information from Canada and all over the world.  
Thx to Dave and his friends.

  




Dispersals the Newsletter of the 2nd Tactical Air Force Medium Bombers Association

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Dispersal  11/2011 (4 Mb)

Help : WW1 Zeppelin Navigation beacon in Steenbrugge ?

Hello,
Received from our friend Jean-Pierre Lauwers

To help the Zeppelins flying at night from Brussels (Berchem St Agathe, Evere or Haeren) to the UK, Gontrode or St Denys Westrem along the Gent Brugge chanel were reported to be guided by a powerfull light situated near the Steenbrugge bridge.

Used this beacon and the one of the Ostende harbor, the Zeppelins can take the right cape to the UK. The Ostende beacon can be seen from the coast of Great Britain for the return travel.

Doe anyone know the exact position of the Steenbrugge beacon ?

In Steenbrugge there is still a small bunker (picture) known locally to have been used to house a generator and an anti aircraft light. Is it possible the same device was used for guiding the Zeppelins ? There were other anti aircraft lights installed around Ostende but none so close the place where the Zeppelins were supposed to take the route to the UK.
 

Some local and German correspondents of Jean-Pierre are working on the same enigma, so if anyone can help, do not hesitate to contact us.

Any information will help.

Many happy landings

.