Portuguese Trainers

[Claudel Hopson]

These two Socata Epsilon TB-30 trainers arrived yesterday from the Portuguese Air Force 101 Sqdn.

[Tempest]

Why?

Where did they route through from?  Long way for them to travel, especially as we are no longer in the market for trainers!

[Frank]

Don't know why they were here, probably a long range navigation exercise.

Here are a couple shots of them arriving at Baldonnel, courtesy of Gerry Barron:



Socata TB-30 Epsilon - Click here for larger image



Socata TB-30 Epsilon - Click here for larger image

[Fouga]

A Nav Ex probably? They routed through RAF Linton-On-Ouse and went low level with the Tucano's in Thirlmere in the UK.

[Snapper]

Does anyone know if the TB-30s have departed yet?

 Snapper

[Claudel Hopson]

They were on a tour of the IAC and RAF Flight Schools to look at the PC9's and Tucano's as replacements for their Epsilons. They were impressed with the PC9 after a few flights yesterday and said they didn't like the Tucano. They are also looking at the Texan T2 and the PC21 but these may be outside their budgets and advanced for their needs. They left this morning at about 7:50.

[Tony Kearns]

Thanks for putting up the pics Claudel H not very often we see the Portuguese in Baldonnel.
Tony K

[Broc]

i'd be shocked if they went for tucanos, they don't have a glass cockpit if i remember correctly? over 20 years old too so hardly at the cutting edge nowadays. great sound off the epsilons as the arrived in formation, reminded me of the marchettis 

[Claudel Hopson]

Have to say the smell of AVGAS and burnt W100 brought it all back, and its just 4 years ago we took Marchetti's  out of service. What a waste