Announcement

**Ian** · 6th January 2022, 15:52

Hi Stephen,

Which licence's do you fly your Gazelle's on?

I do not have a licence yet. I started to learn on the Cabri G2 at PTT, the nearest Cabri is now at Leicester and they are CPL school.

Almost all the schools I approach about learning to fly laugh at me when I say I would like to fly/own a Gazelle and point me in the direction of the R44.

You, If I am not mistaken, have never owned and will not fly a Robinson which as a mutual acquaintance of ours said is good enough reason stay away from them.

Ian

**Rotorspot** · 6th January 2022, 16:32

New Gazelle on UK Register

G-GRAK SA341B Gazelle AH1, c/n 1464, ex XX455; registered 05-Jan-2022 to EXCEL Charter Ltd, Stapleford.

**md600driver** · 6th January 2022, 19:00

Originally posted by Ian View Post

Hi Stephen,

Which licence's do you fly your Gazelle's on?

I do not have a licence yet. I started to learn on the Cabri G2 at PTT, the nearest Cabri is now at Leicester and they are CPL school.

Almost all the schools I approach about learning to fly laugh at me when I say I would like to fly/own a Gazelle and point me in the direction of the R44.

You, If I am not mistaken, have never owned and will not fly a Robinson which as a mutual acquaintance of ours said is good enough reason stay away from them .

Ian

Hi Ian

I have a FAA, HU EASA, and a UK licence for the Gazelle.

Yes, it’s true I havn't much time on the Robinson 44. I was given a 20 min test flight and decided to buy a turbine Enstrom instead.

My son Mike learnt on a Cabri and then went straight to the Gazelle.

Please feel free to call me if you need any assistance with Gazelle-related issues.

**Savoia** · 7th January 2022, 09:46

~ Wishing our Orthodox Members and Visitors a Very Merry Christmas ~

To find out why our Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrate Christmas Day on 7th January, see here

With our thanks to Avia member Kirill for using his time (and his Gazelle) in creating this image.

Спасибо Кирилл!

RA-05708 in Abkhazia

RA-05703 in Russia

RA-05706 near St. Petersburg in Russia

RA-05709 in Russia

Avia member Kirill 'snow flying' in Bratsk, Russia on 7th March 2021.

05703 snow landing in Russia

05706 snow landing in St. Petersburg

05706 snow departure from St. Petersburg Bay

**Zishelix** · 7th January 2022, 10:04

S Rozhdestvom Kirill and thanks for all these nice images!

**md600driver** · 7th January 2022, 17:35

Originally posted by Ian View Post

Thank you, good to know that I can go from a Cabri to a Gazelle.
Did Mike go straight on to the Gazelle? My first instructor suggested about 50 PIC in a Cabri before I moved up to a Gazelle.

Yes, he went straight onto the Gazelle.

I don’t own a Cabri and we weren't about to pay for self-fly hire when we had perfectly good Gazelles to fly in.

**Savoia** · 8th January 2022, 11:52

Bosnian Air Force SA342L A-2804 (cn.124) NFI

SA341H RA-1347G (cn.087) as seen in Russia in February 2017

SA341F2 N341SH (cn.1594) as seen on 6th January 2022 NFI

Zis, the only info I have for the above image is that it was taken in 1972. Do you happen to know the registration of this craft?

**Rotorspot** · 8th January 2022, 15:15

Gazelle Rescues Crew from Crippled JetRanger

Read this amazing story that happened in South Africa in 2018.

It started in the morning on Monday 17th at 11:46. Quinton called me and asked if I could fly a Jet Ranger from Wonderboom to Victoria Falls.

I informed him that I will arrange the flight. I had flight commitments I was unable to change, so I called Tamryn. We go back about 16 years when I taught her to fly.

Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon. Paperwork all in place. Helicopter full of fuel. Financial commitments in place. I asked Tamryn to fly a circuit with me. I wanted to know that the machine felt ready for the 5 to 6 hour flight. The machine was flawless.

This machine was imported from Brazil and had flown a total of 5 hours in the last 4 years, those being the maintenance flights to satisfy SA CAA requirements.

Wednesday morning, 19 September 2018

05:45 Tamryn and Uwe start up for Lanseria.

06:56. I called Tamryn to find out if she was at Lanseria to clear customs. In the background I heard an alarm horn. Tamryn informed me she had an engine failure and had landed in the Erasmia area. Both Tamryn and Uwe were fine, no injuries. She was still in the machine and when she got out, found that the landing gear had collapsed. The machine was upright, the main rotor blades had not contacted the tail boom and the tail rotor blades had no damage. Unbelievable.

06:57. I called Quinton and informed him that the helicopter was damaged and no longer going to Victoria Falls.

06:58. Called Mike. He said he will push our R22 out of the hangar so we could depart as soon as I arrived on the airport for the accident site.

06:59. Tried to call Wonderboom tower 4 times but their land lines were unserviceable.

07:04. Called Lanseria tower and informed them that the machine had experienced an engine failure, landed safely, light damage and no injuries.

07:08. While driving to my hangar, I passed Warbirds and saw Anton siting on the grass. I informed him that Tamryn had landed in a less than safe area. He said his Gazelle was serviceable and fuelled. We could depart in a few minutes.

07:08. I called Mike to inform him of the change of plan and I would pick him up in the next 2 minutes.

07:26. Anton completed the pre-flight. Mike and I strapped in. After an eternity, we finally received take off clearance.

07:34 We arrived at the accident site. Tamryn and Uwe shaken but safe. A crowd of about 100 were standing 30 meters away.
Mike started with calls to CAA and the insurance. Anton called Colin who has trucks fitted with cranes and other lifting gear that can lift up to 200 tons. Colin left with his bakkie (South African name for a pick up) immediately and a crane truck left his depot a few minutes later.

10:21 Colin arrived. A very difficult location to get to. He picked up a guy in the location to assist with navigating to get to the site. The CAA accident investigator was 400 meters away but unable to find a route to the site.

10:47. Mike and Colin didn’t need Tamryn, Uwe, Anton or myself there, so we left in the Gazelle helicopter. Within seconds of the helicopter leaving, Mike and Colin were swamped by the crowd. They searched Mike for money and helped themselves to the contents of the cooler box. They then started pushing Mike and Colin around.

11:00 Mike called Jimmy for authorisation to employ security guards, which Jimmy granted.

11:02. I received a frantic call from Mike. Get some security guards there urgently, with guns.

11:03. I called a guy I know in the security business, Anton S and informed him of the situation. He had an AK 47 with him and another security team member with him also had an assault weapon. They were in Queenswood near the mall and would depart immediately for the site by road. I informed them that would take too long. I checked Google Earth and saw a large open field next to the mall. They said they would be there in under 5 minutes.

11:05 The CAA accident investigator arrives. The crowd back off a bit but are still hostile.

11:06 Another call from Mike. Get security urgently.

11:07 Call from Colin. Situation getting out of control. Get security urgently.

11:08 Two of Mikes engineers arrive with tools to prepare the helicopter for loading on the truck.

11:09 The crowd hostility increases.

11:12. Waterkloof airspace was closed for AAD, so Tamryn called the Wonderboom tower and asked Karen if she would call Waterkloof tower and ask if we could go in to collect the security team.

11:15 Waterkloof tower said “yes”.

11:29 With Tamryn and Anton in front and me in the back, we took off for Queenswood mall. Tamryn loaded the coordinates while I was in contact with the security team giving them a safety briefing.

11:34 We landed at Queenswood and loaded the security detail.

11:36 I sent Mike a message a message to say we would be there in 4 minutes.

11:40 We passed over the hostile crowd who were mobbing the downed helicopter at 30 feet and 120 knots causing them to scatter. 30 seconds later we were on the ground and the helicopter doors burst open with the security detail cascading out, with assault weapons which caused a mass exodus from the immediate vicinity, to such an extent that there area was littered with shoes. Mike and the CAA investigator were unharmed but shaken. The area was secured and the threat to persons and property dissolved.

11:46 Anton, Tamryn and myself left in the Gazelle for Wonderboom. The safety of all was now in the hands of professionals. Colins’ truck arrived but was not an off-road vehicle. An 8 x 6 off-road recovery crane truck arrived and the recovery team got to do what they do best.

17:40 The truck arrived at Wonderboom airport and was escorted across the apron and runway to Powered Flight by the fire department.

18:09 Helicopter offloaded and hangar closed.

https://www.facebook.com/PoweredFlig...5863971503427/

**Zishelix** · 8th January 2022, 18:49

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Zis...Do you happen to know the registration of this craft?

One of those SA341Gs delivered for Republic Ministries of Internal Affairs in Yugoslavia. Hard to say which exactly registration without knowing c/n (visible on it's tail fin).

Interesting photo btw!

**Savoia** · 10th January 2022, 11:57

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at North Coates Airfield on 9th January 2022 (Photo by David Moth)

SA341C G-CBKD (WA1130) as seen at Redhill on 9th January 2022 (Photo by Peter Robinson)

Gazelle pilot Henry Varois with an SA342M from 1RHC at Phalsbourg in 2015 (Photo by Anthony Picore)

Aircraft mechanic with an SA342MV from 1RHC at Phalsbourg in 2015 (Photo by Anthony Picore)

SA342M F-MHTX as seen at Aéroport de Valence-Chabeuil 2016

**helihub** · 11th January 2022, 07:59

Sav, not sure where you get you movement data from but G-ZELE was sold to Australia in 2015 and became VH-OIW.

**Savoia** · 11th January 2022, 11:27

SA341B G-KEMD (WA1802) as seen at Stapleford on 9th January 2022 (Photo by Chris Holtby)

SA341B XX383 (WA1273) as seen at Netheravon in June 2005 (Photo by Jason Pountney)

SA341GC I-PNIC (cn.002) as seen at Aeroporto Verona Boscomantico on 17th January 2015 (Photo by Davide Olivati)

**Savoia** · 12th January 2022, 12:41

SA341C RA-05708 (WA1045) as seen in Abkhazia

Montenegrin Air Force Gazelle as seen at Podgorica NFI

Zis, are you able to assist with any further info on this bird?

Ecuadorian Army SA342L approaching Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador in October 2021 (Photo by Kenneth Trocellier)

Ecuadorian Army SA342L in Ecuador in January 2022 (Photo by Kenneth Trocellier)

Antonio Chan's SA341F2 N918GZ (cn.1672)
start and depart from Huntington Beach

**Savoia** · 13th January 2022, 11:54

SA341B G-KEMD (WA1802) as seen at Redhill on 12th January 2022 (Photo by David Stevens)

SA341B G-KEMD (WA1802) as seen at Redhill on 12th January 2022 (Photo by Peter Robinson)

TAD023 as seen at Arborfield in April 2005 (Photo by Jason Pountney)

All jacked-up and no 'way' to go! 😆

G-DFKI

SA341C G-DFKI (WA1216) as seen at RAF Spanhoe in August 2015 (Photo by Lee Mullins)

Elipix, with your latest 'UK Gaz List' complete, do you have any info you can share about this bird. For example, is she still airworthy or has there been any recent change of ownership?

SA341C RA-05708 (WA1045) as seen
in Abkhazia in January 2022

**Savoia** · 14th January 2022, 09:48

SA341G G-BBHW (WA1098) as seen at Luton in 1982

SA341D XW852 (WA1024) as seen at RAF Fairford in July 1991 (Photo by Fergus Abraham)

ALAT SA342 maritime exercise NFI

**Savoia** · 15th January 2022, 09:38

SA342M F-MGEX as seen at Étain-Rouvres Air Base on 30th November 2017

SA342M HA-HSG (cn.3615) as seen at Church Fenton on 14th January 2022 (Photo by David Butler)

SA341B XX393 (WA1303) as seen at Elsborn in Belgium on 26th April 1988 (Photo by Stefan Szrama)

G-DFKI

Elipix wrote:

As far as I know G-DFKI is currently airworthy with David John Fravigar, Permit expires 27.2.22

Have a look on google maps at PE25 3TJ, there is one house set back with a driveway.

Ah yes, right you are Elipix, grazie. 👍

I suppose this craft must be hangared somewhere in between her time at the house.

**Savoia** · 17th January 2022, 11:02

SA342L 237 (cn.1772) as seen at Casement Baldonnel in 2002 (Photo by David O'Toole)

SA341B XZ343 (WA1698) as seen at Oxford Kidlington in 1992 (Photo by Steve Ryle)

SA341B XZ313 (WA1582) as seen at Middle Wallop 2nd March 2011 (Photo by Richard Flagg)

SA342M F-MCYA (cn.1617) as seen at Ede in the Netherlands on 24th August 1991 (Photo by Mathieu Herben)

SA342MV F-MGBG (2061) as seen on board a Canadian Air Force C-17 at Valence-Chabeuil NFI

**Savoia** · 18th January 2022, 11:27

SA341B XX380 (WA1268) as seen in Bardufoss, Norway on 26th January 2004 (Photo by Anders Forseth)

Assigned to 847 Squadron.

SA341C XX436 (WA1402) as seen at RNAS Culdrose in 1979

SA341B ZA776 (WA1818) as seen at RAF Fairford on 25th July 1999 (Photo by Richard Flagg)

SA342MV F-MGAL (cn.3862) as seen at RAF Northolt NFI

**Savoia** · 19th January 2022, 11:33

SA341G(S) YU-HHH (cn.1307) as seen at Stapleford NFI

SA342M 12914 as seen at Niš Airport in Yugoslavia in 1999

Kuwaiti Air Force SA342L NFI

SA342MV F-MGBC as seen in Djibouti in January 2022 (Photo by Anthony Maurin)

**Zishelix** · 20th January 2022, 10:20

ALAT SA342M in Operation MANTA (Echo) 1983, Tchad NFI

**Savoia** · 20th January 2022, 12:37

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at North Coates Airfield on 9th January 2022 (Photo by Roy Grummitt)

SA341B XW851 (WA1021) on 26th October 2004 NFI (Photo by Peter Nicholson)

SA341F2 ZU-RNV (cn.1608) as seen at Wonderboom Airport on 19th January 2022 (Photo by Ryno Saaiman)

Digital Yugoslav Gazelle

**Savoia** · 21st January 2022, 10:43

SA341B XX376 (WA1983) as seen during arctic warfare training in Norway c.1980

Royal Marines Scout shadow fitted with stores carrier for Nord SS11.

SA341B XW851 'T' (WA1021) as seen at East Midlands on 28th June 1984 (Photo by Kerry Taylor)

XW849 'V' seen behind.

SA342M F-MCYH (4114) as seen at Entzheim Airport in France in June 1988 (Photo by Paul Schaller)

RA-0682G as seen near St. Petersburg NFI

**Rotorspot** · 21st January 2022, 19:06

First Ever Gazelle Placed on Belgian Register

OO-XDT SA342M, c/n 4103, ex ALAT 4103. Registered 21-Jan-2022 to Xavier Bernard de Tracy.

Congratulations to Xavier for having placed the first ever Gazelle on the Belgium aircraft register. 👍

**Savoia** · 22nd January 2022, 10:57

SA341B XZ334 (WA1673) as seen at Duxford on 20th January 2022 (Photo by Fred Taylor)

One of the last active British Army Gazelles. These kind of photos shall soon be coming to and end.

SA341G ZU-ROO (1301) as seen at St. Francis Airfield in South Africa in January 2022 (Photo by Schalk Tromp)

**Rotorspot** · 22nd January 2022, 13:27

1926 Likely Cancelled from Serbian Register

YU-HEB SA342L, c/n 1926, no longer shows up in the Serbian aircraft register. It is very likely that she has been cancelled, with an unknown fate.

**Zishelix** · 24th January 2022, 09:49

Originally posted by Rotorspot View Post

OO-XDT SA342M, c/n 4103, ex ALAT 4103. Registered 21-Jan-2022 to Xavier Bernard de Tracy.

Congratulations 👍

SA-342M F-MGBN c/n 4103 & F-MGBA c/n 4026 in May 2021 (Photo: Clément W.)

**Savoia** · 24th January 2022, 12:38

SA342J(S) N342WF (cn.1470) as seen at Cedar City Regional Airport in January 2022 (Photo by David Lee)

This craft was for offered sale on the GazMart and has now been sold.

SA342L from the 98th Air Brigade near Morave Airport in Serbia in January 2022

SA342M 2183 as seen at Le Luc-Le Cannet on 21st July 2013 (Photo by Marc Duthet)

This craft receiving some cleaning on her upper leading edge.

**Savoia** · 25th January 2022, 11:59

SA341D G-VOIP (WA1792) as seen at Nottingham Heliport on 22nd January 2022 (Photo by David Stevens)

SA341H HA-LFX (090) as seen in Börgönd, Hungary on 9th September 2013 (Photo by Horváth Balázs)

SA342M F-MBWI (4120) as seen in Koksijde, Belgium in July 2004 (Photo by Paul Schaller)

**Savoia** · 26th January 2022, 11:17

SA342MV F-MGAF (3664) as seen at Pau-Pyrénées on 16th May 2019 (Photo by Corné Goud)

SA342M F-MBFR (4188) as seen at Carcassonne-Salvara in October 2006 (Photo by Alan Meloy)

SA341 as seen in Bosnia and Herzegovina NFI

**Savoia** · 27th January 2022, 10:36

Two More Years for Britain's Army Gazelles

The British Army’s fleet of aged Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopters will soldier on until March 2024, when they will be replaced by Airbus Helicopters H135s.

Confirming the retirement date for the 1970s-era rotorcraft, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says: “The planned out of service date for the Gazelle helicopter is March 2024.

“We cannot comment on the programme specifics around its replacement at this stage.”

However, the MoD in October 2021 awarded Airbus Helicopters UK a contract for the “procurement of aircraft”. Defence sources have since told FlightGlobal that the H135 has been selected as the Gazelle’s successor.

Despite stressing that it cannot comment on programme specifics, the MoD adds: “Defence is procuring an additional five H135s.” Previously, eight airframes were thought to be under consideration.

The MoD has since late 2019 been running a competition to replace the Gazelle fleet, called Project Matcha. A key part of the requirement is to integrate mission equipment on to “a rotary air system, anticipated to be a CS-27 aircraft”, according to detail of the procurement notice.

CS-27 is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s civilian certification category for small helicopters.

The MoD declines to say whether a contractor has been selected to perform that integration work, or when any selection might take place.

The H135 is not an unknown quantity for the MoD and UK armed forces, with Ascent Flight Training having acquired 29 examples for the provision of basic rotary-wing training for all three services as part of its MFTS contract.

In use since the early 1970s, Cirium fleets data records that the Army Air Corps still operates 17 Gazelles, with a further seven examples in storage.

Used as an observation and reconnaissance asset, there is particular sensitivity around their replacement given the helicopters’ continued operation in Northern Ireland. In addition, the Gazelles are also flown in support of the army’s BATUS training centre in Canada.

The MoD declines to say whether the H135s will be used for employed for both missions.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicop...147273.article

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Shrieking Gazelles

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