VISITORS Four more first visits today, two airliners & two biz jets. Once again, Montenegro A/L used a Fk100 instead of the EMB195. This time it was 4O-AOT (11350). Originally allocated test registration PH-LNN, this was first delivered to Aviacsa as XA-SBH, returning to Fokker as PH-LNN before joining Transwede as SE-DUF.
Having been returned to Fokker, yet again as PH-LNN, a spell with TAM as PT-MQB followed before the aircraft passed to Debis as F-WLLE & F-OLLE & then Montenegro A/L as YU-AOT & now 4O-AOT. The other airliner making its debut today was Air Baltic B752 YL-BDB (26251 ex EC-HDR), while the biz jets were NetJets Europe Beechjet CS-DMQ (RK-512) & MP Aviation CL604 G-JMMP (5528 ex C-GLYO, N528DT, D-AJAG) from its base at Biggin Hill. FLEET NEWS Flybe EMB195 G-FBEL (19000184) was due at Exeter on delivery today.
ROUTE NEWS None today. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Pilots at Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines reached a tentative labour deal with the carriers on a joint contract to take effect after the airlines' planned merger. For those few of you who are not Gatwick Aviation Society members, try & get your hands on a copy of the June issue of “Hawkeye” in which you will find a fascinating seven-page article by Keith Palmer about Gatwick’s reopening in its present guise back in 1958. An excellent read. CREDITS Anthony Hutchings, Ian Joslin, Malcolm Baldry, Gary Jones, Mike Hooker, Vince Horan, Simon Pritchard, Reuters, Skyliner, Frodo Baggins & anybody else that I have forgotten. Happy spotting! John (& “Mad” Max)
BIZJETS, ETC