Ex-BDF aircraft to land in Congo-Brazzaville

VICTOR MUYAKWABO
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 13, 2013 00:00

According to Air International Magazine, the aircraft was spotted undergoing a test flight at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg earlier this year. The authoritative aviation publication adds that the aircraft will soon be delivered to the Congolese Air Force.

This is one of two ex-Botswana Defence Force Air Wing CN235s, which were retired after being replaced by new production CN235M-300s from December 2009. The Togolese Air Force bought other ex-BDF CN 235 last year from a company that bought them from the BDF, reports which were confirmed by BDF in an interview in September last year.

According to international military trade, Botswana was the second African customer for the CN235 and received its two samples in 1987-88. The older aircraft were subsequently placed in storage at Lanseria.The two CN235s are registered with Fayard Enterprises of Wake Forest, North Carolina. This company primarily provides skydiving operations with aircraft and aircraft maintenance services.

According to an International Military website, the CN235 is able to carry up to six tonnes of payload. Its two General Electric GE CT7-9C3 turboprop engines, each delivering 1,870 shp, give it a maximum cruise speed of 240 kt (450km/h). Nearly all 280 CN235s have been built for 43 operators in 28 countries around the world. CN235s have accumulated more than a million flight hours.

Congo-Brazzaville has a very small air force geared towards providing transport, especially to the president and government ministers, according to Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment.Jane's adds that since 1997, the air force has 'effectively ceased to exist as a viable and effective military organization'.