Belarus Aviation Tour
Belarus Aviation Tour flying Soviet era airplane An-2, An-12, An-26, Yak-40, Mil-17 in Minsk, visit aircraft repair plant 407 and city tour of Minsk.

Review: Belarus Aviation Tour 2016 Part 1

 

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.

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I was the first of many to arrive and greeted warmly by Merlin Tour staff, Ira.

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An interesting leaflet from the Belarus Custom with Yak-40!

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A very nice welcome by a line of Soviet aircraft display just outside the international airport

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My badge of the tour. Visiting plant 407, flying Yak-40, An-12, An-26, An-2 (and Mil-2 add on later)

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Hotel Renaissance - 5 star hotel in Minsk

Very comfortable room and top facility.

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Sightseeing in Minsk City in the sunny afternoon.

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In front of National library, the ball shaped building

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The next morning we visited Aircraft repair plant 407 in Minsk I national airport where Tu-134, Yak-40 is being repaired.

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From the observer seat looking out the window.

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Throttle on the Tu-134 from the captain side.

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VIP-configured Tu-134

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A glimpse of the hangar

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A photo with the organizer Boris and Ira

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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.

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It was an incredible sunny day and you can see the airplane display next to the road outside the terminal.

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Motor Sich Airline

Yak-40 UR-88310

Flight time 1h15mins

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Boarding via rear door

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Cabin in 2-2 configuration

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Cabin filled up with Avgeeks!

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Takeoff with leading edge view.

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Stuck next to a sleeping in-flight marshall 🙂

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Individual safety card with the aircraft reg on the card.

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After circling over 1 hour, we come to land

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Cockpit visit after flight. Very neat.

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Please see the video for takeoff and landing footage

To be continued...

See Part 2 of Belarus Aviation Tour