Clear to Land

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Covilhã Aeronautical Journeys

The Beira Interior University is located at Covilhã, roughly 250km northeast of capital city Lisbon, and annually the students of aeronautical engineering organize a series of seminars and workshops in what is called aeronautical journey. At the end, a fly-in or airshow is organized at the local airfield.

Unfortunately, for political reasons, Covilhã airfield has been demolished so students had to move to Castelo Branco airfield. With a total length of 870m, the runway is located in a plateau that has a beautiful field of view all around to the entire region and with Serra da Estrela mountain in the background, it is truly a sight to see!

The students and airfield personnel were wonderful and made every effort in order to provide spotters the best “working places”. I felt very welcome and I have to take my hat to all those folks for a wonderful job in spite of a very restrictive weather conditions witch resulted in the cancellation of several visitors and demonstrations. Without further due I present you a collection of several pictures taken during the airshow.

Thank you for your visit.

Paulo Antunes

Please click on the image to enlarge and for better quality.

Aviat A-1 Husky

1944 Piper L-4 GrassHoper

Piper Cherokee

Cessna 172

Socata TB20

Citabria

Piper L-4 Grasshoper

Piper L-4 Grasshoper Vs Aviat A-1 Husky

Piper L-4 Grasshoper

Aviat A-1 Husky

Moto-glider

Aviat A-1 Husky

Piper Cherokee

Cessna 172

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Spirit of Benavente

Benavente is a airfield located outside Benavente village at approximately 70 km from capital city Lisbon, in Portugal. It has two paved dirt runways, and the facilities include; bar, flight school, maintenance hangar, fuel depots, storage hangers and several leisure spaces.

It is known to be one of the biggest airfields of its kind (ultralight aviation) in all Iberic peninsula and it is also known for the excellent airmanship amongst the aviation community, and well as the sympathy with which they welcome visitors.

Recently I had the opportunity to pay another visit to this magnificent place, this time for the commemoration of the 4st anniversary of Portugal spotters association.

It was a very pleasant day with lots of movements and countless aircraft to be photographed. Also a surprise was the appearance of; two aerobatic aircraft, a crop duster and a fire bomber! Wow! Unfortunately my photos of some of this aircraft were ruined L!

Without further due I leave you with some of the moments captured by the camera.

Thank you for your visit,

Paulo Antunes

Click on the image to enlarge and for better quality.

Skyranger

Jabiru J400

Sportcruiser

Esquall

TL-3000

Lineup of some of the aircraft present

Tecnam P2002 Sierra

Tecnam

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic

"Spirit of Benavente" Skyranger

Bristell NG5

BRM Land Africa

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic

Pitts Special S-2

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic, in the right seat my good friend Sérgio Trindade

Pitts Special S-2 flown by Cmde. Luis Garção

Spirit of Benavente in a low pass

My wife at the controls under the supervision of Cmde. Fernando Fernandes

Touch and go

Low pass of this Dynamic

Tecnam

Banking for the photo

Three ship formation

Autogiro with my wife in the back.

Again with a filter. Thats me in the back!

Unexpected surprise at the end of the day

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Alverca Air Museum

Outside Alverca air base, ICAO code LPAR, we find the air museum, it is one of three institutions across the country where one may visit the Portuguese aviation history. Mostly dedicated to military aviation, the museum is splendid, with a diverse and interesting collection of both, fighter, attack, training and support aircraft. Personally what has amazed me the most is the absolutely fantastic collection of engines, ejector seats, weapons and miniatures. It’s a visit that I recommend to all passionate for aviation in particular.

Here are some of the photographs taken during this particular visit.

Thank you for your visit.

Paulo Antunes

Please click in the image to enlarge and for better quality

Outside park

De Havilland Tiger Mouth with a Harvard T-6 in the back.

Jodel and Piper Grasshoper hanging from the roof.

Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk

Lineup of perfectly restored and preserved engines. Impressive!

Le Rhone 80hp, 1916 engine from the Caudron G III aircraft.

In 1922 a Fairey F III-D MkII named "Lusitânia" and another named "Pátria" crewed by navegator Sacadura Cabral and pilot Admiral Gago Coutinho made the south atlantic crossing, from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, in a journey that lasted 79 days. It´s one of the most known Portuguese aviation feats.