Kraków 2019-12-14
311b Section 2003-08-01
Construcciones Aeronauticas SA ( EDAS CASA ) C-295 M
Poland
History
Transport plane
History
In 2008, the Polish Government stated - There will be no other CASA C-295 M transport aircraft in the Kraków squadron. Similar to MRTT transport and refueling aircraft. The Ministry of National Defense (Ministry of National Defense) gave up their purchase, although earlier it was considered to place an order for four or five more machines to have 16 CASA C-295 M. aircraft.
Let us remind you that we were obliged to own this type of aircraft in accordance with the agreement to join NATO.
CASA C-295 M aircraft in Poland represented three versions: PO 01, PO 02 and PO 02 SB. In the PO 01 version there are six aircraft (013-018), in the PO 02 version three (020-022) and in the PO 02 SB version (Service Bulletin) two (011, 012). The plane, which was lost in an air accident in January 2008 (019) belonged to the PO 02 version. This is the state for 2009: eight planes were purchased in the PO 01 version and four (the newest) in the PO 02 version. Since 2008, planes modernized to PO 02 SB (Service Bulletin) version. Modernization to the PO 02 SB version included selected equipment, excluding those that fulfill their tasks. The scope of retrofitting results, among others from experience of aircraft operation and tasks performed.
In 2008, we had 13 crews prepared for C-295 M aircraft. Poland was also interested in the C-295 simulator, but such a device has not yet been created.
The efficiency of CASA C-295 M aircraft is around 60-80%. Already in 2007, CASA C-295 transport aircraft completed 137% of the planned flight. According to data provided by the army, the plan assumed spending 3,200 hours in the air. Much more was done - 4,383 hours and 35 minutes of flights. By the end of November 2008, 11 machines had 12,970 hours flight time - an average of about 400 hours per year per aircraft. The actual flight of aircraft is much larger than planned. Due to the large number of hours spent in the air, they often undergo periodic reviews. They are made in the country - in Krakow.
In addition to hours of flights for quotas, the C-295 M also perform various tasks in favor of the Armed Forces in the country. Parachutists from the 6th Assault and Assault Brigade in Krakow use them. C-295 M planes also take part in the "Operation Heart" in cooperation with Polish cardiac and other transplantation clinics.
Organizational changes in Polish Transport Aviation. 2009.
From January 1, 2009, the 3rd Brigade of Transport Aviation, which consists of 13 ELTr and 14 ELTr, by decision of the Air Force Commander, Order No. PF 198 of August 26, 2008, was transformed into the 3rd Wing of Transport Aviation. The change was dictated by the constantly growing importance of transport aviation in the Polish Air Force.
Action Heart. 2010-2019.
From time immemorial, since the heyday of the Polish school of transplantation and the late Professor Professor cardiologist Zbigniew Religa; The 13th Air Transport Regiment (then the 13th Air Transport Squadron, and now the 8th Air Transport Base), the air unit operating from Balice Airport participates in Operation Heart. Nobody can count the number of such actions already. Actions that are a manifestation of helping other people, regardless of the ruling power or political system.
As part of this action, on the night of 22 / 23.01.2010, before 24:00 CASA C-295 M plane took off. The flight was commissioned by the Cardiac Surgery Clinic of the Silesian Medical Academy. The medical team and apparatus were transported by plane from Krakow to Bydgoszcz and then to Katowice. The crew of the aircraft were; see Pil. Arkadiusz John, cf. pil. Piotr Żemojtel, medical technician Rafał Hamera and Capt. technician Włodzimierz Pszczółkowski. Despite difficult weather conditions, the flight was carried out safely and efficiently. Another life was saved.
On Friday, 11/03/2011, just before midnight, the operational services in Krakow Balice received through the 3rd Operational Service Officer of the 3rd SLTr and DSP a request from the doctor on duty for assistance within the framework of Operation Heart aircraft well known to the flight crews. In a short time, a CASA C-295 M aircraft was prepared and the crew composed of: commander - captain Piotr Kotłowski, 2nd pilot, Lt. Mirosław Nowak and a technician of the aircraft, Rafał Pałka. After waiting all night, when everything was agreed (mainly on the side of medical centers), after the team of transplant doctors from Zabrze reached Krakow, the task was ordered. The plane took off from Krakow on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 06; 08 taking three doctors and two nurses and necessary equipment. It landed in Warsaw at 06; 47. After delivering the invaluable patient's life Silesian Center for Heart Diseases in Zabrze heart, the plane took off to the Katowice Pyrzowice airport, landing there at 11; 02. After performing the aerial part of operation C-295 M and the crew returned to their home airport.
Once again on 16.06.2011, the C-295 M aircraft from the Krakow 8 Transport Aviation Base took off to a life-saving flight.
Every year, several Heart Actions are carried out in Poland. CASA C-295 M and PZL M-28 Bryza planes take part in the flights. On October 14, 2019, aircraft of 8th Transport Aviation Base performed 19 flights (in 2019) as part of Operation Heart. In 2018, there were 18 such actions.
Modernization of CASA C-295 M aircraft. 2010.
In March 2010, the modernization process of the C-295 M aircraft was completed. 8 machines were modernized. It was made at the Airbus Military plant in Seville. The last of the modernized aircraft; C-295 M nb 018 (No. 020), returned to Balice on March 15, 2010.
As part of the modernization, the aircraft were equipped with extremely important systems from the point of flight safety, including DMM digital map system, EGPWS system, TACAN system and satellite communication.
CASA C-295 M service center in Warsaw. 2011.
In 2011, a Service Center was opened at the former PZL Warszawa plant. This center has gained the total capacity to review, modernize and renovate (current and main) C-295 M and CN-235 aircraft, as in Seville. In addition to Poland, C-295 aircraft are operated in Finland and the Czech Republic.
Approach landing training. February 23, 2011.
On February 23, 2011, at the 8th BLTr area, methodical flights took place in the field of - Flights with landing approach according to ILS / NDB systems in accordance with the provisions of IFR flights at Balice Airport on An-2, M-28 B / PT and CASA C-295 M. Interestingly, these were the last flights performed on the An-2 aircraft, which at that time was only in the state of the Aviation School in Dęblin. In accordance with the new "Flight Regulations 2010" and "Flight Organization Instructions 2010", instructor-methodical flights must take place before the start of school flights. They aim to standardize training procedures, improve and consolidate the skills of flying personnel. These flights are intended for instructors who will later train 8 BLTr pilots. As part of the methodological flights, the "Instructor-Methodological Course for Functional People of the Flight Organization Services (SOL)" was conducted at the same time. It was aimed at preparing all flight security services to be on duty under SOL. During the training, functional people were improved in actions in the event of special situations The knowledge and skills as well as the preparation of functional people for practical flight security at Balice Airport were tested.As part of the official supervision, the flights were controlled by the deputy commander of the 3rd SLTr, Colonel Pilot Sławomir Żakowski.
Vigilant Skies 2011. June 7, 2011.
On June 7, 2011, Cracow's CASA C-295 M participated in exercises organized by CAI - Cooperative Airspace Initiative under the code name "Vigillant Skies 2011". One of the tasks was to simulate aircraft abduction during a flight. The abducted machine was the C-295 M.
Heavy load dropping. July 8, 2011.
After many years of interruption in the Polish Air Force, exercises have been resumed from dropping heavy loads from the air on parachutes. In the past, this type of task was performed by An-12 and An26 aircraft. Now it is the turn of CASA C-295 M. planes. Unfortunately, there are no more soldiers in the Polish Air Force who knew and used this type of cargo delivery technique. Everything had to be started from the beginning. AIRBUS MILITARY representatives from Spain, an aircraft manufacturer, were invited to cooperate and conducted theoretical training. The first such theoretical training was carried out in December 2009. Then in January and December 2010. Methods of securing cargo on board were discussed. Familiarized with the procedures and safety conditions for this type of tasks and emergency procedures. Loadmasters and pilots were trained in separate groups. In the period from June 20, 2011 to July 15, 2011, another training on preparation of heavy loads "DRAFT TARA" for aircraft drop-off took place at 8 BLTr. This time with the practical implementation of this type of tasks. From 5.07.2011, there is a practical discharge of CDS cargoes and landing platforms onto the Błędowska Desert. Each crew must discharge lighter CDS cargoes, first two and then four. Only then proceeds to the dropping of heavier PDS landing platforms, first one and then two. Weight CDS (Conteiner Delivery The system) is about 500 kg and the PDS (Platform Delivery System) over 1,500 kg. The safe drop height is 260 m for CDS and 330m for PDS. The speed of the aircraft during the task is about 230 km / h. All activities of soldiers were checked by instructors from Spain. Until now, only light containers were dropped from CASA C-295 M aircraft. Completion of the course will allow for independent discharge from heavy aircraft freight delivered by 6 BDP.
Medical evacuation. March 9, 2012.
Medical evacuation is such tasks whose time of completion is not predictable. That was on March 9, 2012. The soldiers of the Medical Evacuation Team (ZEM) from the 8th Transport Aviation Base in Krakow helped a fellow soldier from PKW Kosovo. Members of ZEM composed of: younger patient Piotr Zwaliński and corporal Małgorzata Michoń and the crew composed of: commander captain Dominik Kłodziński, 2nd pilot, Lieutenant Marcin Lizak, flight technician, patient Piotr Wójciak and loadmaster Sergeant Robert Spyt conducted a medical evacuation of a Polish soldier from PKW Kosovo. Assistance aboard a properly equipped and prepared CASA C-295 M aircraft took off at 07; 06 to Pristina in order to evacuate a soldier-friend as quickly as possible in the best conditions. The round trip flight went smoothly. The patient was transported to Warsaw and transferred to the Military Institute of Medicine. Rescuers and crew returned to Krakow at 15; 30.
It should be noted that since 2011, 8 BLTr has a specialized medical evacuation aircraft CASA C-295 M nb 013, which was initially a typical transport aircraft. During this time, the aircraft and its crew performed 15 tasks (including 2 evacuations of critically ill / injured persons).
CASA C-295 M in new colors. March 24, 2012.
The first C-295 M aircraft delivered to Poland (2003) received light-blue uniform painting. From 9 received, the planes were painted in a uniform gray-blue color. Now the time has come for a completely new two-color camouflage painting. In addition, in accordance with the new regulations for painting distinctive signs, the aircraft received Polish Chessboard on the upper surfaces of the wings. On Saturday, 24/03/2012, after 18; 15 CASA C-295 M nb 011, returning from Spain, landed at Balice Airport. The aircraft underwent renovation (service 8Y) in Spain and at the same time received a new varnish coating.
The C-295 nb 011 aircraft arrived in Poland on 15.08.2003 as the first machine of this type. Up to now, the aircraft has reached 2,500 hours.
8Y support is a detailed study of the airframe structure (including primarily strength elements of wings and ballasts), thorough testing of wiring harnesses, and hydraulic and fuel lines. In addition, technical bulletins were made, including those related to the improvement of safety during the performance of aviation tasks, the implementation of which during normal surveys was impossible due to difficulties in accessing individual elements of the airframe. The final element of the review was checking the corrosion of the airframe, replacing the seals and applying a new paint coating on the whole aircraft in accordance with the newly adopted C-295 M painting scheme (spots in two shades of gray). As part of the service, no modernization or retrofitting of the aircraft with new equipment was carried out. Another C-295 M at nb 012 undergoes the same type of 8Y service at Airbus Military EADS PZL Warsaw - Okecie, the next planes will also be viewed in the country.
Short Runways. June 25, 2012.
The involvement of the Polish Air Force in (unsolvable) war conflicts is one of the effects of joining the NATO pact. And this is understandable. However, the current (2012) approach to this issue of the Masonic-liberal Government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk is at least dilettante. The financing of the Polish Army is decreasing, while the number of tasks is increasing. This is particularly evident in transport aviation, where the number of trainings has been dramatically reduced. The commanders of individual air units, wanting to save the situation, combined many trainings or postponed them so that the crews could continue their tasks.
One such training was specialized training in take-offs and landings for short and narrow DS. Such roads are found in Afghanistan, where we have been involved for several years. For example, in Afghan Sharan. The crews flying there have gained experience themselves and are now sharing it with younger colleagues. Therefore, it became possible to organize methodical flights in 33 BLTr in this topic. Exercises began on June 25, 2012. As part of them, the take-off, approach and landing approaches on the runway with limited dimensions were standardized and practiced on CASA C-295 M and PZL M-28 Bryza aircraft. At the same time, the practical exercise allowed the unification - within the 3rd Wing of Transport Aviation - of training, teaching and assessment of the performance of this type of aviation tasks. Six pilots took part in the flights, two planes (one of each type) and specially designated and marked at the smaller of the Powidz airport, with a length of 3000 ft (914 m) and a width of 60 ft (18.3 m). I must admit that for the M-28 Bryza this DS. it's a piece of cake because the plane has the features of a short take-off and landing machine. For the C-295 M, due to its greater weight and dimensions, this is a more difficult task.
Medical evacuation. July 2, 2012.
On Monday, July 2, 2012, around 08:00, CASA C-295 side number 011 with a medical mission started from 8th Transport Aviation Base. The crew of the aircraft in the composition - Col. pil. Jacek Łazarczyk, lieutenant Mirosław Nowak, on-board technician Capt. Daniel Kubić, loadmaster sergeant Miłosz Frej and the staff of the Medical Evacuation Team composed of - Anna Kaczmarczyk and Chancellor Małgorzata Michoń carried out 16 medical air evacuations. A wounded soldier of the Polish Military Contingent Afghanistan was transported to the Krakow hospital from the base in Ramstein. The wounded soldier of the Polish Military Contingent ISAF Afghanistan was transported from the Ramstein base in Germany to the 5th Military Clinical Hospital in Krakow. The patient was in a prone position in a good general condition during the flight. It did not require increased supervision and special monitoring. The evacuation procedure went without complications. At around 14; 40, the plane landed at Balice Airport, from where the patient was first taken to the Infirmary with the Sick Room, and then to the 5th Hospital.
More CASA C-295 M planes for Poland. 2012.
Five new transport aircraft CASA C-295 M, together with a logistics package, in 2012, bought the Armament Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defense. The contract was signed on June 29, 2012 in Warsaw. The contract was signed by the head of the Armament Inspectorate, Maj. Gen. Andrzej Duks and president of Airbus Military Domingo Urena Raso. The contract value was PLN 876 million. The supply calendar provided: two machines in 2012, three machines in 2013.
CASA C-295 M aircraft are the leader among small transport aircraft for the army. At present (2012), the company had orders for 110 machines, with an annual production of about 27 pieces. In July 2012, the Spanish aircraft also obtained a certificate for transport flights in civil aviation, which may increase the number of potential users. The new certificate, issued by the Spanish Air Safety Agency AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea) confirms the compliance of the C-295 with the increased standards and regulations in force in civil aviation. Operations and configurations approved in the certification process include personnel transport in a side configuration up to 70 seats or in an "airline-style" system up to 51 seats, medical evacuation with 21-24 pairs of NATO stretchers, combined passenger transport and cargo, transporting up to eight cargo pallets, air cargo transport and operations from unpaved runways.
Airbus Military is also developing military versions of the C-295. Recently, in cooperation with the European armaments group MBDA, the first flight of the aircraft in patrol-sea version was carried out with an instrumented, inactive Marte MK2 / S missile to combat surface ships. This flight was the first of a series of tests planned as part of Airbus Military's cooperation with MBDA, which aims to test the aerodynamic integration of Marte missiles with the C-295. Further flights will include rocket handling tests and flight parameters tests. The medium-range anti-ship missile Marte MK2 / S (fire-and-forget type) has a weight of 310 kg and a length of 3.85 m. The missile has been integrated so far with the AW101 and NH-90 helicopters. The ASC C295 (ZOP) can carry the MK46 torpedo (photo: Airbus Military).
Companies in Poland are also involved in the production of the aircraft. PZL Warszawa Okęcie, was acquired by Airbus Military (then EADS CASA) in 2001. It has two seats in Warsaw and Mielec, employing 620 people.
On October 6, 2012, after several hours of flight from the Seville plant, two new C-295 M nb 023 and nb 024 transport aircraft landed at Balice Airport. This is the first two of the next batch of 5 machines. They were made in PO02 standard. The planes were painted in two-color camouflage and, in accordance with the new regulations, Polish Chessboards also on the upper surfaces of the wings. Before arriving in the country, a commission of 8 BLTr soldiers and the Armaments Inspectorate checked the aircraft in Seville for technical efficiency and compliance with the provisions of the sale and purchase agreement. The verification of technical condition carried out and the aircraft departures performed showed full technical efficiency of both transporters. And that was the basis for the decision to transfer them to Krakow. After carrying out ongoing services and the introduction of new aircraft to the Military Register of Aircraft, kept by the Polish Police Inspectorate, normal operation of both machines in 8 BLTr will begin.
Another three planes hit the base in 2013. The timely implementation of the contract will increase the transport potential of the Air Force, and will also make the Republic of Poland a user of the largest number of C-295 M aircraft in the world. To date, 85 C-295 copies have been delivered to users in 13 countries, out of 113 ordered.
Servicing CASA C-295 M aircraft in Balice. 2015.
In 2015, an agreement was signed between Airbus Poland S.A. and the 3 Regional Logistics Base in Balice for further servicing of CASA C-295 M. aircraft. The contract was concluded until 2019. In 2019, this contract was extended to 2022.
Flight simulator. 2017.
On December 27, 2017, Airbus Defense and Space signed an agreement with the Ministry of National Defense regarding the sale of a flight simulator for transport aircraft CASA C-295 M. The simulator went to the 8th Transport Aviation Base in Balice at the end of 2017.
There are 16 CASA C-295 M aircraft in Poland and it is the largest fleet of these aircraft in the world. The new flight simulator allows training of 40 crews a year.
2019.
In 2019, Polish CASA C-295 M aircraft still participated in stabilization missions in Iraq. In March 2019, Iraq commenced the service of VI change of the Air Team with 8 BLTr, as part of PKW Iraq. The Aviation Team was stationed at the Al Jaber air base in Kuwait.
In April 2019, CASA C-295 M aircraft took part once again in the Vigorous Warriior 19. Exercises are the tasks of medical evacuation. Exercises in 2019 took place in Romania. Nearly 2,500 people from 38 countries, mainly NATO members, took part in them. Civilian medical services also participated in the undertaking.
In 2019, aircraft from 8 BLTr participated in NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) tasks in Iraq. There they performed joint tasks with the Italian Air Force (Italian aircraft AMX, Eurofighter Typhoon) and the United States Marine Corps equipped with MV-22 B Osprey vertical takeoff and landing planes.
Production of C-295 M aircraft.
In 2001, PZL Okęcie-Warszawa was privatized and the majority stake (77%) was taken over by the Spanish company EADS CASA (now Airbus). Since then, programs for the production of aviation structures have been successively launched over the years. Currently, PZL "Warszawa-Okęcie" produces components and structures for Airbus civil aircraft, including A330 and C-295. About 60% of the airframe structure was built for C-295 aircraft. In PZL Okęcie, the following were built: center wing, outer wing parts, front fuselage with cockpit, rear fuselage and cargo hold ramp.
It is worth mentioning that the C-295 M plane was first named CASA C-295 M. After the acquisition of the Spanish company by the Airbus group, the name was changed to C295, according to the scheme used in the Airbus group.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman
Kraków 2019-12-14
311b Section 2003-08-01
Construcciones Aeronauticas SA ( EDAS CASA ) C-295 M
Poland
Construction
Transport plane
Description of the CASA C-295 M aircraft design (currently Airbus C295 aircraft) is included in the previous article. We are currently presenting some pictures of CASA C-235 and CASA C-295 M planes.
The CASA C-235 aircraft is the direct predecessor of the CASA C-295 M. aircraft. Differences between the aircraft: C-235 has: shorter fuselage, smaller wing area, single-wheel front undercarriage, smaller main landing gear, turbo-propeller engines with less power , four-blade propellers. Generally, the C-235 has a smaller load capacity and shorter range.
The first CASA C-295 M aircraft in the Polish Army in new painting.
CASA C-295 M propulsion system, Pratt & Whitney of Canada PW C-127G turboprop engine with 2 x 1 927 kW normal power (2 x 2 645 HP) and maximum 2 x 2 177 kW. Six-blade Hamilton propeller with variable pitch. 3.90 m diameter.
CASA C-295 M nb CC-1 aircraft of the Finnish Military Aviation. The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight fuel intake system. in the presented photo the boom is extended.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman
Kraków 2019-12-14
311b Section 2003-08-01
Construcciones Aeronauticas SA ( EDAS CASA ) C-295 M
Poland
Tally
Transport plane
The list of CASA C-295 M planes (currently Airbus C295) in the Polish Army is described in the previous section.
Opracował Karol Placha Hetman