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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 26, 2013 7:17:14 GMT 12
Quite a few ex ACF people are either over there or heading over shortly to work on them. A couple of Aircraft Trade guys have moved there perminently, the rest are just taking leave from their jobs here and going for a few weeks to see what it is like.
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Post by drakenjared on Feb 28, 2013 9:57:37 GMT 12
Hello Folks -
I am the CEO of Draken International and wanted to come online and introduce myself. It definitely takes time getting caught up on this 73 page thread. You could turn it in to a novel.
Just to address some of the points raised. 1. Not aware of any damage to three Macchi engines from shipping. 2. We are on track to have one, possibly two Skyhawks and two, possibly three, Macchi's ready for our NZ Aviation Heritage celebration. 3. We have no intention to paint the A-4K Skyhawks in a similar fashion as our "zebra" A-4L Skyhawks.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have at Jisaacman@drakenintl.com. I dont know how often I will be on this forum to check and reply. I can tell you the former NZDF fleet means quite a bit to us back in the USA. It really is a privilege to be able to operate and fly the finest Skyhawks in the world. Its a great opportunity and thanks to all of you who played such a big part in maintaining these jets over the years.
Regards -
Jared Isaacman
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 28, 2013 10:34:15 GMT 12
Welcome Jared, thanks for joining and giving us the inside knowledge. It's much appreciated.
I wish you guys all the best for the future operating these aircraft, and also for the NZ Aviation heritage Celebration. I wish i could be there for that one, it sounds great.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 28, 2013 11:41:57 GMT 12
Welcome Jared. Great to have you here. Would be great if you could provide us with official updates and photos on progress. I'm sure Dave would be happy to post them on your behalf if you are too busy (I'm sure you're a very busy man!).
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Post by baz62 on Feb 28, 2013 11:50:36 GMT 12
Yes welcome aboard Jared, I'm most impressed the A4K will still have their last colour schemes in your care (although I presume the kiwi roundel's will go?)
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Post by obiwan27 on Feb 28, 2013 21:53:18 GMT 12
Hi Jared, fantastic to have you on board. As you can no doubt deduce from this thread the Skyhawks were a well loved part of the modern RNZAF. They are sorely missed as are the highly skilled and talented people who maintained and operated them. In an alternative reality the F16 purchase to replace our A4s went ahead and our Air Combat Force would still be flying the NZ flag within the Asia Pacific region.
Thanks for the inside knowledge. As with many online forums occasionally rumour inadvertently becomes fact. Glad to have the record set straight.
We here on the forum look forward to seeing these aircraft airborne again. may they give you many years of service, as they served our country well also.
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Post by bobajob on Mar 1, 2013 0:55:18 GMT 12
While I never worked on the A4's or Macchi's, I understand the passion of all the Guys that maintained and flew them. Thanks Jared for passing on your thanks to all those folks. It now gives every one some satisfaction that all that hard work was not in vain. Thanks for keeping us up to speed. Good luck... Bob Howard, Beerwah Australia
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Post by Ykato on Mar 2, 2013 9:29:22 GMT 12
Skyhawk work set to stay in area Marlborough engineers will almost certainly have ongoing work on some of the former New Zealand air force Skyhawks, despite the planes being sold to a company in the United States. Florida-based company Draken International bought eight of the fighter jets last year, rescuing them from their plastic-wrapped stay at Base Woodbourne on the outskirts of Blenheim where they had been grounded since 2001. It plans to fly the A-4K Skyhawks and asked Woodbourne-based aero engineering firm Safe Air to get the engines in airworthy shape. The US company also ordered 20 spare J52 engines from the company. Safe Air manager Heather Deacon said the company was hoping to have the work done in a matter of months and was shipping the engines as they finished working on them. Staff could only work on two engines at a time. Full Item Here: www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8368479/Skyhawk-work-set-to-stay-in-area
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Post by drakenjared on Mar 2, 2013 11:04:39 GMT 12
No problem giving updates or answering any questions. The first Macchi flight will be next week. I will definitely share the press release and photos from it.
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Post by raymond on Mar 2, 2013 11:18:37 GMT 12
Thank you Jared will look forward to seeing this information
Cheers
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Post by agalbraith on Mar 2, 2013 11:34:57 GMT 12
Thanks Jared, great to have you here mate.....glad to hear your feedback, the A-4's and Macchis were much loved over here as you can guess!
Looking forward to any updates!!
Cheers Anthony
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Post by skyhawkdon on Mar 5, 2013 20:08:54 GMT 12
The following were changes on the FAA civil register last week.
N339EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6790 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N341EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6783 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N342EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6792 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N343EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6798 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N344EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6801 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N346EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6806 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N347EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6807 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N348EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6829 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N349EM AERMACCHI MB339-CB 6830 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N142EM DOUGLAS A-4K 154904 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N143EM DOUGLAS A-4K 154905 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N144EM DOUGLAS A-4K 154908 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N145EM DOUGLAS A-4K 155052 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N146EM DOUGLAS A-4K 155063 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851 N147EM DOUGLAS A-4K 155069 DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL INC LAKELAND FL 338112851
I'm not sure what the two T-bird Skyhawks (NZ6251 and NZ6252) new registration numers are?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 5, 2013 20:15:59 GMT 12
A pity they couldn't get a Z in after those N's in the new numbers
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Post by delticman on Mar 5, 2013 22:19:32 GMT 12
Um, only checked Air Tractors and Thrushes this week. The T birds are still N140EM and N141EM. Other than a rego check, to Make/Model and in latter box do "TA4K" or in the name box do "Draken". On the registration page, down the bottom, right side there is a box for "airworthy", just keep an eye on that one to.
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Post by stukiwi on Mar 14, 2013 5:19:01 GMT 12
I will be visiting Draken at Sun n Fun next month to see them fly. I cant wait.
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Post by Ykato on Mar 17, 2013 13:30:05 GMT 12
Re: Aermacchi First flt post that Disappeared yesterday?: Lakeland Linder Airport confirmed the Flight on their Face Book Page in response to the below question - you have to be logged into Facebook to read the Answer. What was the plane that had it's maiden (?) flight tonight at the airport. (The one from Australia.) 3 ยท 21 hours ago www.facebook.com/LakelandAirport
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Post by skyhawkdon on Mar 17, 2013 20:47:05 GMT 12
We took it down until there was official confirmation. Hopefully Jared will post something here soon?
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Post by Ykato on Mar 17, 2013 20:50:33 GMT 12
We took it down until there was official confirmation. Hopefully Jared will post something here soon? don
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 18, 2013 14:36:34 GMT 12
This thread has been trimmed for legal reasons. May I remind all members to read Forum Rule 9, and that discussion of and linking to anything regarding the Supersonic Life film is banned.
May I also remind members that if they see a post removed suddenly, before posting a subsequent post on the same topic please check with myself or a moderator as to why the original was removed - your subsequent post may generate the same amount of trouble as the original removed post!
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Post by drakenjared on Mar 21, 2013 9:25:22 GMT 12
Latest updates Gents:
1. The first Macchi has flown five times. The jet remains code 1 with no squawks.
2. The second Macchi is scheduled to fly this weekend.
3. We are on schedule for the first TA-4K Skyhawk to fly next week. All inspections complete, high powered taxi complete.
Very exciting times in Lakeland, FL. As always, I can't tell you how much we all appreciate the opportunity to fly aircraft with such a proud history.
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