Do not miss the eventful participation of the Slovak Air Force
Dynamic and static demonstrations, special operations attractive for visitors or opening ceremony with an initial flypast of planes and helicopters. The Air Force of the Slovak Republic traditionally plan to present all this to visitors of the Slovak International Air Fest SIAF 2022 on the last August weekend. The aviation technology from the bases in Prešov, Malacky and Sliač will take care of a varied program in the sky and on the ground at the Airport Kuchyňa in Malacky.
Initial flypast
This year the International Air Fest will also start with an introductory flypast in which the spectators can watch two groups of aircrafts. The first will consist of two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and one Mi-17 helicopter. After 30 seconds they will be followed by a group consisting of C-27 J Spartan, MiG-29 Fulcrum and L-39 Albatros aircrafts. It is highly probable that instead of Albatros, two MiG-29 fighters will present themselves after Spartan, which will arrive from the Sliač Air Base.
Dynamic demonstrations
The C-27J Spartan, L-39 Albatros planes and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Colonel General Ján Abruš's Prešov Helicopter Wing will take care of dynamic demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a solo, but also a group performance of two Black Hawks during the demonstration of a special exhibition of the unit of the 5th Special Purpose Regiment, which is a part of the Forces for Special Operations of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. Thanks to helicopter and automotive technology, visitors will be able to enjoy demonstrations of stopping the vehicle, abseiling specials and securing people.
Static demonstrations
At the static demonstrations visitors can admire one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, L-410, L-39 Albatros planes and, if available, probably also MiG-29.
About aircrafts
Black Hawk UH-60M from Colonel General Ján Abruš's Helicopter Wing Prešov
Black Hawks represent a symbol of modernization changes in the armament of the Air Force of the Slovak Republic, which took place in 2017. UH-60M Black Hawk is a medium multi-purpose helicopter primarily designed for tactical transport of troops and materials. It can carry 11 passengers and 4 tons of cargo externally by sling. It can perform tasks of search and rescue, firefighting in hard-to-reach terrain, removing the consequences of natural disasters and others. State-of-the-art instrumentation allows it to perform flight tasks in all weather conditions, day and night.
L-410 directly from Malacky Air Force Base
The Air Force of the Slovak Republic will also present the L-410 UVP-E20 aircraft. The development of this light transport aircraft for regional transport dates back to the 1960s. Currently, the L-410 machines are operated in more than 50 countries on five continents, with 13 countries using them in the armed forces. In total, more than 1000 of these aircrafts have already been manufactured. The basic advantages of L-410 are the ability to take off and land on short runways (approx. 550 m) and on unpaved surfaces, low operating costs, solid construction, excellent performance at high temperatures and altitudes, variability of equipment and also large cargo compartment. This aircraft is an ideal combination of first-class technical parameters and economic operation for short- and medium- distance transport of passengers and material.
L-39 Albatros from Sliač Air Force Base
The aircraft L-39 CM is a two-seater, jet aircraft equipped with a twin-shaft medium bypass turbofan engine AI-25TL. It is intended for basic and continuing training of pilots, which allows easy transition to the MiG-29 combat aircraft. It is used for the destruction of ground and slow-flying air targets, as well as for aerial reconnaissance. Albatros is operated by more than 30 air forces around the world and its advantages include high reliability, simplicity and ease of use.
MIG-29 AS Fulcrum from Sliač Air Force Base
Fighter aircrafts MiG-29 AS, UBS fall under the Tactical Wing of Major General Otto Smik from Sliač. A modernization of the machines in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer and several western companies took place in 2005 and 2006 in Aircraft repair plant in Trenčín. Avionics has changed to Anglo-Saxon system of measures, modern means of communication and systems are compatible with NATO technology. The armed forces formally took over 12 upgraded machines (10 single-seater versions of AS and 2 two-seaters UBS) on 29 February 2008 at Sliač airport. In addition, two planes have undergone also a change of camouflage. MiG-29 is armed with a built-in 30 mm cannon GŠ-30.1, which is the lightest weapon in its category in the world. Without ammunition, it weighs only 46 kg. The ammunition supply is 150 rounds. The aircraft has three hardpoints under each wing, where it is possible to hang guided missiles, for example: R-27, R-73, R-60MK, blocks with unguided S-8 rockets, or unguided bombs up to 500 kg.
C-27J Spartan
The company Alenia Aermacchi (Leonardo) has developed C-27J Spartan, an aircraft that has earned popularity in Europe and NATO countries. It is currently the world's best-selling medium-range military transport aircraft of the new generation. The wide cargo compartment of Spartan enables the transport of troops, cargo, vehicles, paratroopers and equipment. C-27J is the appropriate aircraft to carry out tactical, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The aircraft can be used for long periods to perform the tasks of combat and tactical air transport, with temporary logistics in difficult climatic conditions. Spartan has a modified cockpit for a two-man crew and was designed to operate in all weather conditions day and night. The aircraft can operate from short untreated take-off and landing areas. C-27J is currently in the armament of Italian, Greek, Bulgarian, Romanian, American, Australian Air Forces, Slovak Air Force, Air Forces of Lithuania, Chad, Morocco, Mexico, Peru and Turkmenistan.
Mi-17
Mi-17 is a dual-purpose helicopter with a five-bladed main rotor for civilian and military use. Mi-17 can be equipped with a weather radar, which can also be used for navigation. Different weapon systems can be placed on the sides of the hull, for which six hardpoints are available. In some versions, more powerful TV3-117VM engines (1545 kW, 2070 hp) were installed for flights at higher altitudes and in warmer climates. The designation Mi-17 is mainly used for machines intended for export.