Page 18 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

NEWS

AN ICE RINK INSIDE

A MILITARY AIRCRAFT

he Russian army set up a hockey
Trink on the world's largest military

aircraft in a recent ‘publicity stunt’, several
media outlets reported.
The Russian military played hockey on
board the An-124 cargo plane during the

flight, according to the sources.
The An-124 is the world’s largest serially
produced transport plane with a cargo
compartment capacity of 1050 m³. The
Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) is the
plane’s largest operator which has a regi-
ment of 16 units.
Leaked footage showing the ice hockey
rink installed in the aircraft prompted many

people to ask a simple question: why? But
there was no simple answer.
The aircraft flew over Russia rehearsing

for a record-breaking game that will take

place in June at 33,000-feet. The plane large scale preparation for the annual Day but then the military was ordered to pre-
was converted into a flying ice arena at the of Military Transport Aviation, which will be pare the giant Antonov plane for a collision

Migalovo military airfield near Tver. on June 1.” in the sky.

In the video, four people wearing uniforms “The military wants to get into Guinness Another Russian media outlet, citing a
are seen playing hockey on a military plane. World Records by holding the first proper source, reported that the hockey match

One player seems unable to start, slipping hockey match in the air," the source said,. caught on the video is just a training ses-
on the ice and falling to the ground. The Telegram channel Podym reported sion. Russia’s Ministry of Defence did not

An anonymous source said that, “there is that the idea was initially taken as a ‘joke’ comment on the reports. Q
NEWS
A MULTI-MISSION
HELICOPTER PROGRAMME

growth and strategy. 234 is not subject to military configuration, and up to 44

“Our proven heavy-lift fleet surplus aircraft restrictions or passengers in an airline seat

olumbia Helicop- has supported these calls for the International Traffic in Arms configuration. The aircraft is

Cters has unveiled its decades. With our multi-mis- Regulations (ITAR). It features equipped with an efficient in-
the largest and most versatile

multi-mission helicopter pro- sion helicopter programme, our internal cabin of any helicopter, ternal cargo loading system us-
ing Columbia’s exclusive roller

gramme, featuring the proven aircraft can be quickly recon- capable of lifting external loads floor system that supports the

figured in the field to support

Columbia Model 234 Chinook several missions, year-round, up to 25,000lbs (11,339kg), and loading and unloading of the

heavy-lift helicopter, developed providing opportunities for a suite of Columbia customis- HCU-6/E, or 463L Master Pallet

as a single platform solution to increased rapid response, inter- ations designed to rapidly re- widely used for transporting

support customers’ multi-mis- agency co-operation, and cost configure the aircraft between military air cargo. Another fea-

sion requirements. efficiencies.” mission requirements. ture that the aircraft provides

“With larger and more in- The multi-mission helicopter In addition to the Columbia is the ability to rapidly respond

tense events taking place with programme features Colum- model 234 Chinook’s world- to mass casualty events with

increased frequency around bia’s model 234 multi-mis- class internal and external multiple stackable stretchers,

the world, such as fires, floods, sion Chinook helicopter and fire suppression and long-line side and rear rescue hoists, and

hurricanes, and other natural Columbia’s turnkey opera- cargo capabilities, the aircraft advanced life support patient

disasters, demand is on the rise tional, training and lifecycle is a very capable transport loading utility systems.

for helicopters with increased sustainment support. Certified workhorse. Additionally, the aircraft can

year-round, interchangeable to civilian transport category The helicopter can transport be configured for extended

capabilities,” said Santiago Cre- standards, the base configu- 19 passengers with Columbia’s range operations giving it up to

spo, Columbia vice president of ration of the Columbia model side facing crash resistant seat seven hours of endurance. Q

World Airnews | April 2021
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