Page 19 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

NEWS AFRICA

AN ICE RINK INSIDE ALLIED AIR’S FIRST B737-800

A MILITARY AIRCRAFT FREIGHTER

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. By Chinedu Eze
The aircraft flew over Russia rehearsing

for a record-breaking game that will take ABOVE: Allied Air has recently used its existing

place in June at 33,000-feet. The plane large scale preparation for the annual Day but then the military was ordered to pre- fleet of freighter aircraft to assist the Nigerian

was converted into a flying ice arena at the of Military Transport Aviation, which will be pare the giant Antonov plane for a collision igeria-based cargo carrier, Allied Air has taken delivery of government in distributing much needed medical

Migalovo military airfield near Tver. on June 1.” in the sky. Nits fi rst Boeing 737-800 converted freighter. supplies to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic

In the video, four people wearing uniforms “The military wants to get into Guinness Another Russian media outlet, citing a The aircraft is worth about N8 billion or (us) and it is the first for - helping to save countless lives in the nation

are seen playing hockey on a military plane. World Records by holding the first proper source, reported that the hockey match the cargo airline in Africa.
One player seems unable to start, slipping hockey match in the air," the source said,. caught on the video is just a training ses- The freighter (MSN 36846) is the youngest 737-800 in the world
on the ice and falling to the ground. The Telegram channel Podym reported sion. Russia’s Ministry of Defence did not that has been converted to-date. LOSS OF LICENCE...

An anonymous source said that, “there is that the idea was initially taken as a ‘joke’ comment on the reports. Q Allied Air said the aircraft would be deployed
for COVID-19 vaccines distribution across Nigeria as one of Insure now with
NEWS its first missions, as the equipment is fitted with temperature DJA Aviation.
controlled facilities so that it would be able to deliver medical
supplies effectively.

The aircraft acquisition was reported to have been financed

A MULTI-MISSION through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention fund but

the deal was structured and delivered by the Access Bank Plc.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor
HELICOPTER PROGRAMME Godwin Emefiele, Access Bank Plc group managing director Hubert

Wigwe and Managing Director of Allied Air Val Tongo, along

with other government officials received the aircraft on arrival.
growth and strategy. 234 is not subject to military configuration, and up to 44 It was welcomed with a water canon salute at the Nnamdi

“Our proven heavy-lift fleet surplus aircraft restrictions or passengers in an airline seat Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

olumbia Helicop- has supported these calls for the International Traffic in Arms configuration. The aircraft is Speaking at the ceremony held at the Abuja Airport, Emefiele DJA Aviation is the longest-established aviation insurance

Cters has unveiled its decades. With our multi-mis- Regulations (ITAR). It features equipped with an efficient in- said, “Only about three weeks ago, the aviation minister broking specialist in the South African insurance market and a

the largest and most versatile

multi-mission helicopter pro- sion helicopter programme, our internal cabin of any helicopter, ternal cargo loading system us- commissioned another aircraft for Air Peace. What does that market leader in developing customised insurance products for

ing Columbia’s exclusive roller

gramme, featuring the proven aircraft can be quickly recon- capable of lifting external loads floor system that supports the mean, with the hard work, the Nigerian aviation sector is opening the aviation industry. We employ more than 30 staff and utilise

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 up more and more and investments are coming in,” he said. this great depth of aviation insurance knowledge, skill and
heavy-lift helicopter, developed providing opportunities for a suite of Columbia customis- HCU-6/E, or 463L Master Pallet He called on other investors to be assured that the CBN and the expertise to manage our clients’ aviation insurance portfolios.

as a single platform solution to increased rapid response, inter- ations designed to rapidly re- widely used for transporting Nigerian banks are ready to support them.

support customers’ multi-mis- agency co-operation, and cost configure the aircraft between military air cargo. Another fea- He said further investment into aviation could result in the sector

sion requirements. efficiencies.” mission requirements. ture that the aircraft provides doubling its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product bringing it

“With larger and more in- The multi-mission helicopter In addition to the Columbia is the ability to rapidly respond to five per cent or N450 billion annually.

tense events taking place with programme features Colum- model 234 Chinook’s world- to mass casualty events with Director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

increased frequency around bia’s model 234 multi-mis- class internal and external multiple stackable stretchers, Musa Nuhu, said the aircraft would undergo the mandatory PROUD SUPPORTER OF

THE SOUTH AFRICAN
the world, such as fires, floods, sion Chinook helicopter and fire suppression and long-line side and rear rescue hoists, and processes that would ensure the airline has acquired the GUIDE-DOGS ASSOCIATION

hurricanes, and other natural Columbia’s turnkey opera- cargo capabilities, the aircraft advanced life support patient proficiency to safely fly.

disasters, demand is on the rise tional, training and lifecycle is a very capable transport loading utility systems. “Right now they are going through demonstration flight where Defining the Right Approach to Aviation Insurance

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spo, Columbia vice president of ration of the Columbia model side facing crash resistant seat seven hours of endurance. Q the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. Q An Authorised Financial Service Provider FSP No. 15808

World Airnews | April 2021 World Airnews | April 2021
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