Ruag Aviation’s flight demonstration team has been working hard in the build up to this week’s EBACE show. The Swiss-based company took one of its Dornier 228 twin turboprop utility aircraft on a six-week tour of Latin America and, on the way home they even managed to save a life.
From February 29 to April 10, the Dornier 228 flew no less than 20,285 nmi, as it was shown off to companies, institutions, government and military officials, and business executives in 17 cities throughout the continent. Then, on its way back across the Atlantic, the Ruag team were called upon to assist with an emergency search and rescue (SAR) mission to find a missing kayaker as it was flying into Praia in the Cape Verde Islands.
While on approach to Praia Airport, air traffic controllers realized the 228 was the only suitably equipped aircraft available for to conduct an SAR mission in support of local emergency teams. The aircraft, which was equipped in a multi-role configuration, descended to 1,000 feet and, after flying 7 hours from Natal on the eastern coast of Brazil, it spent another 40 minutes circling before it found the kayaker and alerted rescuers to his position.
During its trip, the Dornier 228 visited Tlaxcala and Cancun (Mexico), Panama City (Panama), Cartagena and Bogota (Colombia), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Lima (Peru), Iquique and Santiago de Chile (Chile), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Asuncion (Paraguay) and Brasilia (Brazil). The aircraft also stopped at regional conferences such as the Caribbean Basin Coastal Surveillance & Maritime Security Summit (Cabsec), the South American Security Summit (Samsec) and Chile’s International Air & Space Fair (Fidae).
In addition to manufacturing the NG (new generation) version of the Dornier 228, Ruag Aviation (Booth E089) has extensive capability in aircraft modification and maintenance. For instance, as part of its cabin upgrade service for business aircraft it can install inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions, as well as features such as new LED lighting. The company, which also has a facility at Oberpfaffenhofen in southern Germany, is an authorized service center for airframers such as Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Bombardier, Cirrus, Cessna, Diamond, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Finmeccanica, Piaggio, Sikorsky, Pilatus, Piper and Mooney.
