Belgian Helidays 2002

From 31th May until the 3rd of June 2002 the Belgian Army organised the Belgian Helidays,which are held at Liege-Bierset, it is situated close to the city Liege (Luik). This airport is in use by the Belgian Army and some civil compagnies (e.g. TNT). Based are the SA.318C/SE.3130 Alouette II, Agusta A.109 and some BN-2A/BN-2B-21 Islanders. It was the 5th edition and it has already grown out to be the largest helicopter show in Europe. The belgian organisation succeeded in getting interesting helicopters to this event. 32.000 people visited this show with 84 helicopters from 13 countries. Below you can see some of them.

Painted in an attractive color scheme, this OH-58B from the Austrian Air Force, serial 3C-OK, belongs to the 3 Staffel of Fliegerregiment 1. It was painted to celebrate that the Kiowa is in use by the Austrian Air Force for already 25 years.

Rarely seen is this SE.3160 Alouette III, 2041/67-ED, from the French Air Force (Armee de l'Air). This helicopters belongs to Escadre de Helicopteres (EH) 67. Note the search equipment which is mounted in front of the cockpit.

This Mi-14PL, 1011, is in use by the Polish Navy. It belongs to 2 DLMW (Divizion Lotnictwo Marinarskye Woyska, which means Naval Aviation Division). These Mi-14's are rarely seen in this part of Europe! It is lovely to hear the sound ot this twin engine helicopter when it lands.

This Agusta A.129A Mangusta, the MM81413/E.I.-943, belongs to 48 Gruppo of the Italian Army (Esercito). The Italian Army is the only user of this combat helicopter which is designed and manufactured in Italy.

Super Lynx 83+26 of the German Navy was sent to the Belgian Helidays. they promised to send a normal Lynx Mk88, but this Super Lynx came instead! This particular helicopter was recently handed over by Westland to the German Navy. It belongs to Marine Flieger Geschwader 3 (MFG-3) which is based at Nordholz, Germany.

This Yellow painted Sea King HAR.3A, ZH543, from te Royal Air Force came to Bierset. It belongs to 22 Squadron and is used for Search and Rescue tasks (SAR).

The Hungarian Air Force uses the Mil Mi-8T for transport purposes. They came to the Belgium with two Mil Mi-8T helicopters. (The 10443 and the 10440). Both helicopters are assigned to 89 VSE.

Besides of the Dutch Lynx and the Lynxes of the Royal Navy, the Aeronavale (French navy) came with a Lynx HAS.2(FN) with serial 627 to Liege-Bierset. This helicopter is from the inventory of Flottille 34F.

The Belgian Air Force showed the capabilities of the SeaKing Mk48 using the RS04. which is based at Koksijde. The Air Belgian Force ownes five of this type.

This SF260D, ST-42, belongs to the 5th Smaldeel of the Belgian Air Force. It is based at Beauvechain and is painted in a new yellow color scheme. The SF260D's are used for pilot training.

This particulary helicopter was recently delivered to the Bundesgrenzschutz (German Border police). It is an Eurocopter EC.155, D-HLTL. In the background of the helicopter you can see the tail of an EC.135 (D-HVBK) which also belongs to the Bundesgrenzschutz.

The MD.900 explorer replaced the Alouette II in service with the Belgian Police. Seen here is the G-12. The Belgian police also uses the MD.520N which is also a NOTAR helicopter.

The Britten Norman BN-2A Islander is also based at Liege-Bierset. This particular one, the B-03/LC, belongs to the School Lichte Vliegwezen. The SLV (translated: School Light Aviation) is based at Brasschaat, nearby Antwerpen.

Photographed on its homebase. The Agusta A.109HA, H44, is seen here on static display. Two Bataljons flying the Agusta A.109, 17th BnHATk and 18 BnHATk, are based at Liege-Bierset and are part of the Belgian Army. The H44 belongs to 17 BnHATk.

Still going strong! The SA.318C Alouette II, A-73, belongs to 16 BnHLn of the Belgian Army and is also based at Liege-Bierset.