Old Jet Trainer/Fighter Aircraft based at Canberra Airport

Only two of them are at Canberra Airport now. The Blue, Yellow and Red Feel the Power one (ex 403, VH-ISZ)was dismantled and put into a shipping container and moved off somewhere. The Silver one (ex 701, VH-ISX) has been moved over to outside one of the hangers over at Fairbairn and Red and white one (ex 705, VH-ISY) is still parked in its usual spot.

200 litres? Damn! The fact that there are three owned by three different people/organisations is interesting as well.

They fly a bunch of these in aerobatic shows in Poland (Team Iskry) with red and white markings. Any chance the Red and White one in Canberra is an ex-aerobatics jet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Iskry

They are rather thirsty aircraft which is pretty much in line with jet engine technology of that era, one of the aircraft started,warmed up and taxied for a high speed taxi down the main runway then taxied back and shut down, nothing fancy.

Fuel used = 200 litres, cost = ?

Handling wise they are quite similar to the Macchis the RAAF used to fly, IE fixed thrust variable noise.

The above is very public information, an example of a website where you can search VH-* registrations is http://www.rwy34.com/regsearch/

You can search all sorts of aircraft, including Qantas’ Boeings or whatever tickles your fancy. Good for seeing how old your tin is going to be when you fly on holiday.

Aircraft Registration: VH-ISZ
Aircraft Make: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Aircraft Type: TS-11
Aircraft Model: ISKRA
Aircraft S/N: IH0403
Manufactured: 1968 in POLAND
MTOW: 3600 KG
Airframe Type: Power Driven Aeroplane
Airworthy Category: Limited
Landing Gear Type: TRICYCLE-RETRACTABLE
Engine Make: INSTYTUT LOTNICTWA ENGINES
Engine Model: SO-3W
Engine Type: Turbojet
Propellor Make: NOT APPLICABLE
Propellor Model: AIRCRAFT NOT FITTED WITH PROPELLER
Fuel Type: Kerosene
Number of Engines: 1
First Registered: 20 March 1997
Registration Type: Full Registration
Certificate Type:
CoR Holder: PENDON CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LIMITED
CoR Holder’s Add: Po Box 70, , O’CONNOR, ACT, AUSTRALIA, 2602
Holders Start Date: 19 December 2005

Aircraft Registration: VH-ISY
Aircraft Make: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Aircraft Type: TS-11
Aircraft Model: ISKRA
Aircraft S/N: 1H-0705
Manufactured: 1970 in POLAND
MTOW: 3600 KG
Airframe Type: Power Driven Aeroplane
Airworthy Category: Limited
Landing Gear Type: TRICYCLE-RETRACTABLE
Engine Make: INSTYTUT LOTNICTWA ENGINES
Engine Model: SO-3W
Engine Type: Turbojet
Propellor Make: NOT APPLICABLE
Propellor Model: AIRCRAFT NOT FITTED WITH PROPELLER
Fuel Type: Kerosene
Number of Engines: 1
First Registered: 09 May 1997
Registration Type: Full Registration
Certificate Type:
CoR Holder: CLEARIHAN, Christopher
CoR Holder’s Add: 36 Mort St, , BRADDON, ACT, AUSTRALIA, 2612
Holders Start Date: 08 March 2006

Information on VH-ISX
Aircraft Registration: VH-ISX
Aircraft Make: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Aircraft Type: TS-11
Aircraft Model: ISKRA
Aircraft S/N: 1H0701
Manufactured: 1970 in POLAND
TOW: 3717 KG
Airframe Type: Power Driven Aeroplane
Airworthy Category: Limited
Landing Gear Type: TRICYCLE-RETRACTABLE

Engine Make: INSTYTUT LOTNICTWA ENGINES
Engine Model: SO-3W
Engine Type: Turbojet
Propellor Make: NOT APPLICABLE
Propellor Model: AIRCRAFT NOT FITTED WITH PROPELLER
Fuel Type: Kerosene
Number of Engines: 1

First Registered: 23 July 1998
Registration Type: Full Registration
Certificate Type:
CoR Holder: WHITCOMBE, Derek
CoR Holder’s Add: 154 Woodgrove Close, , VIA HALL, NSW, AUSTRALIA, 2618
Holders Start Date: 10 July 2006

Yeah, I saw one buzzing around about six months ago, but I imagine that like most turbojets they’d probably be quite expensive to operate.

Yeah I read the investigation notes regarding the MiG crash. Apparently there was no sensor to detect fire in that part of the plane and the pilot was unaware of the fire but did realise there was some sort of problem with the aircraft. If I recall correctly. he was circling the airport to make an emergency landing but the fire burned through control lines causing the plane to ditch head first into the ground killing both pilot and passenger instantly. Very sad indeed, especially for the passenger who got the unplanned joy flight.

The Iskra is still used in the Polish Air Force as a trainer. It is their longest serving plane and apparently very reliable. I’d imagine parts for these planes would be easily obtainable and therefore ideal for joy flights. I have never seen them fly but seems like they do as two of them have moved since I was last at the airport.

There are three Iskra’s registered to Canberrans:
(I have removed the owners deatils – for obvious reasons!)

VH ISX
Manufacturer: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Model: ISKRA
Serial number: 1H0701
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 23 July 1998

VH ISY
Manufacturer: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Model: ISKRA
Serial number: 1H-0705
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 09 May 1997

VH ISZ
Manufacturer: PZL WARSZAWA-OKECIE
Model: ISKRA
Serial number: IH0403
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 20 March 1997