Belarus Aviation Tour
May 5, 2016
I arrived Minsk II international airport by Etihad A319 direct flight from Abu Dhabi, it was a long 5h40mins journey. I am glad to arrive with good spell of sunshine in Minsk.
I was the first of many to arrive and greeted warmly by Merlin Tour staff, Ira.
An interesting leaflet from the Belarus Custom with Yak-40!
A very nice welcome by a line of Soviet aircraft display just outside the international airport
My badge of the tour. Visiting plant 407, flying Yak-40, An-12, An-26, An-2 (and Mil-2 add on later)
Hotel Renaissance – 5 star hotel in Minsk
Very comfortable room and top facility.
Sightseeing in Minsk City in the sunny afternoon.
In front of National library, the ball shaped building
The next morning we visited Aircraft repair plant 407 in Minsk I national airport where Tu-134, Yak-40 is being repaired.
From the observer seat looking out the window.
Throttle on the Tu-134 from the captain side.
VIP-configured Tu-134
A glimpse of the hangar
A photo with the organizer Boris and Ira
After the plant visit, we’re back to Minsk 2 international airport where our joy flights on Yak-40, An-12, An-26 take place.
It was an incredible sunny day and you can see the airplane display next to the road outside the terminal.
Motor Sich Airline
Yak-40 UR-88310
Flight time 1h15mins
Boarding via rear door
Cabin in 2-2 configuration
Cabin filled up with Avgeeks!
Takeoff with leading edge view.
Stuck next to a sleeping in-flight marshall 🙂
Individual safety card with the aircraft reg on the card.
After circling over 1 hour, we come to land
Cockpit visit after flight. Very neat.
Please see the video for takeoff and landing footage
To be continued…
