Good news – the former Kiwi AF A-4 Skyhawks and MB-339 Macchis are by end of 2012 to refly in the US with the aim for military uses by a private company – Draken Intl.
By: ErrolC - 16th July 2012 at 21:01
They don’t have to not object, they actively have to give permission. The State Department (and Congress?) hasn’t done so in the several months so far since the deal was announced. The previous deal fell through without this permission being granted. And the Macchi’s engine installation is not supported by the manufacturer.
I’m not saying that these things can’t or won’t happen, just that there are some obvious hurdles that haven’t yet been overcome yet.
By: Bager1968 - 16th July 2012 at 20:34
Can’t remember seeing an announcement saying that this is ok with the US State Dept, or the FAA.
Since Drakren Intl works extensively with the US DOD as well as various branches of the US military (training and research support, JTAC/CAS training as well as threat simulation and “red air” adversaries), I can’t see either of the agencies you mention objecting.
By: ErrolC - 16th July 2012 at 04:28
I hope it happens. Can’t remember seeing an announcement saying that this is ok with the US State Dept, or the FAA.
Wings Over NZ thread (well, direct link to comments re above web pages, rather than the 50+ page thread that started in 2006…):
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=Postwar&thread=1605&post=162380
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July 16, 2012 at 3:50 am