19/04/2012
Ministerial Aircraft Put Up For Sale
A 32-year old Beechcraft Super King Air 200 aeroplane, once used to transport government ministers, has been put up for sale, with no guarantee it will fly.
The Department of Defence is selling the turbo-prop aircraft, which has been grounded for the past three years.
The plane and spare parts will be sold "as seen", and "shall be taken with all faults and errors", tender documents published yesterday say.
The plane was manufactured in 1980 and was predominantly used as a VIP aircraft, kitted out with a galley and toilet.
Seating six passengers and two pilots, it was considered the workhorse of the Air Corps before being taken out of commission on age and safety grounds in 2009.
Websites advertise similar aircraft for as much as €1m, but the Beechcraft has more than 16,000 flying hours. A spokesman for Mach Aviation, the agency for Hawker Beechcraft in Ireland, said yesterday it was "amazing" it was kept in the air for so long.
"The Beechcraft isn't, in general, a workhorse but the fact they've kept it going for so long is an amazing feat," Joe McCarthy said.
"It's very hard to know (the value) without seeing the paperwork and seeing why it was grounded," he added.
(H/GK)
The Department of Defence is selling the turbo-prop aircraft, which has been grounded for the past three years.
The plane and spare parts will be sold "as seen", and "shall be taken with all faults and errors", tender documents published yesterday say.
The plane was manufactured in 1980 and was predominantly used as a VIP aircraft, kitted out with a galley and toilet.
Seating six passengers and two pilots, it was considered the workhorse of the Air Corps before being taken out of commission on age and safety grounds in 2009.
Websites advertise similar aircraft for as much as €1m, but the Beechcraft has more than 16,000 flying hours. A spokesman for Mach Aviation, the agency for Hawker Beechcraft in Ireland, said yesterday it was "amazing" it was kept in the air for so long.
"The Beechcraft isn't, in general, a workhorse but the fact they've kept it going for so long is an amazing feat," Joe McCarthy said.
"It's very hard to know (the value) without seeing the paperwork and seeing why it was grounded," he added.
(H/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 June 2012
Air Ambulance Crash Lands After Hitting Power Lines
An air ambulance helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a field yesterday after it collided with power lines while responding to an urgent call.
Air Ambulance Crash Lands After Hitting Power Lines
An air ambulance helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a field yesterday after it collided with power lines while responding to an urgent call.
14 May 2018
Man And Child Die In Plane Crash In Co Offaly
An air accident investigation has been launched following the death of a man and seven-year-old boy in a plane crash near Clonbullogue on Sunday, 13 May. The remains of the man and child were taken from the wreckage after a six-hour recovery operation. The plane had come down in a bog.
Man And Child Die In Plane Crash In Co Offaly
An air accident investigation has been launched following the death of a man and seven-year-old boy in a plane crash near Clonbullogue on Sunday, 13 May. The remains of the man and child were taken from the wreckage after a six-hour recovery operation. The plane had come down in a bog.
09 July 2008
All Flights Grounded To And From Dublin Airport
All flights in and out of Dublin's international airport have been cancelled. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) took the decision following a major fault in the airport's radar system. Air traffic controllers could not see the codes used to label incoming aircraft, forcing all planes to be grounded until the problem is resolved.
All Flights Grounded To And From Dublin Airport
All flights in and out of Dublin's international airport have been cancelled. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) took the decision following a major fault in the airport's radar system. Air traffic controllers could not see the codes used to label incoming aircraft, forcing all planes to be grounded until the problem is resolved.
25 November 2019
Govt Criticised For Record On Poor Air Quality
The government have been criticised for its record on tackling poor air quality. Making the accusation, Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys, said: "We're now reaping what the Government has sewn with it's failure to act on dirty diesel cars.
Govt Criticised For Record On Poor Air Quality
The government have been criticised for its record on tackling poor air quality. Making the accusation, Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys, said: "We're now reaping what the Government has sewn with it's failure to act on dirty diesel cars.
27 April 2010
Local Air Traffic Control Applauded
The successfully-run British Isles-wide system of airspace control was this week held up as an example of best practice in dealing with air navigation. Ireland's Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey has called on Europe to look at how the UK and Ireland cooperate in air navigation, after the disruption caused by the volcanic ash plume.
Local Air Traffic Control Applauded
The successfully-run British Isles-wide system of airspace control was this week held up as an example of best practice in dealing with air navigation. Ireland's Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey has called on Europe to look at how the UK and Ireland cooperate in air navigation, after the disruption caused by the volcanic ash plume.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.