Geneva based calibrator!

Delivered new in February 1968, Grumman G159 Gulfstream 1

HB-LDT was used for calibration duties for almost 30 years,

replacing De Havilland Dove HB-LAS. It is seen here on

September 19. 1985, flying low over Geneva airport to check

its approach instruments. Owned by the Federal Office for

Civil Aviation and carrying appropriate titles, it was operated

later on by Swisscontrol and titles were changed.

August 11. 1984

View of the flight engineer working place, which looked

quiet old with the graphics measure system, now replaced

by computers! The rear of the aircraft was configured with

a few seats, because it has also served as a VIP transporter

at several occasions.

May 9. 1994

The cockpit also looks obsolet comparing to modern

airframes!

Avril 4. 1997

Spending its last hours on Geneva Apron... HB-LDT still carries

its Swisscontrol title and also its new canadian marks C-FAWE,

preparing for its transatlantic ferry flight to its new base in Quebec for

operation by Propair, with whom it is still current today.

Very uncommon engine run-up!

February 5. 1993

Most probably the most uncommon engine run-up I have

ever seen in my photogrpaher's carrier!!! Right

Rolls Royce Dart 529 was tested on the "hulk"

of Gulfstream 1 I-MGGG. After serving for a few

years by the local Police for antiterrorism exercices,

it was completely broken-up in 2006.

Gulfstream 1s in groups!

Thanks to Gulfstream's maintenance specialist Jet Aviation and

the only two G159 Gulfstream 1s ever registered in Switzerland based

at Geneva,the type was very common to spot in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Now itis quiet very rare with the last visit (N748AA) going back to

November 28. 2008.

May 21. 1991

A nice trio! From left to right: HB-IRQ of Geneva based Leopair, which

was available for executive charter in a 24 seats configuration. In the middle,

long term stored I-TASO, one of four operated by Milano based Tas Airways

and right, N717RA of Roxane Music, the personal aircraft of UK singer Sting.

March 5. 1991

Another trio, once again I-TASO & HB-IRQ, completed by

G-BRAL of Ford Motors UK, who operated 2 of the type.

Now a few duos:

March 11. 1993

Air Provence International F-GFGV is standing by for its

passengers during the annual International Motorshow, when

Geneva based HB-LDT is taxiing back to its hangar, after

another calibration flight.

November 22. 1988

Roma-Urbe based Mistralair operated two G1s, including

I-MGGG (left). This aircraft was also a long term resident

at Geneva, ending its days as a Police trainer until around 2006,

before being broken-up. On the right, F-GFEF of Air Provence

International, which used five of the type at that time, with the fleet

growing to nine during the three next years!

March 23. 1995

On the left, former Tas Airways I-TASC, now wearing the

colours of Cuneo based Sunline in company of "old"

sistership I-TASO. Both departed Geneva during 1997

& 1998 for a new life in Kenya.

December 12. 1993

Two shots of short lived Sunline's G1s I-MKKK & I-TASC, taken

during a clear and beautiful sunny day. Both were sold in Kenya, before

ending their days in Venezuela.

I take profit of this message to recommand a visit to this

very interesting and complete website about the G1:

http://g1report.com/Home_Page.html

Telecom 1991!

As 2011's edition of Telecom closed its doors several days ago, bringing

neither charters nor bizjets, it was totaly different 20 years ago! Below is

a mix of pictures showing the crowded "60s" parking positions, whose were

densified to receive all the visitors, mostly coming from France, Belgium,

the Netherlands and Danemark. Pictures were taken on October 8-9-10. 1991.

TEA (Trans European Airways) was a Belgian carrier, operating Boeing 737-200, 300

and 400s, but also the very first Airbus A300B1 OO-TEF. It had several sister

companies in other countries including France, Italy, UK and Switzerland,

with the later being taken over by easyjet to become the actual

easyjet Switzerland. From its side, Marseilles based Air Provence International

was the largest european operator of the Grumman G159 Gulfstream 1,

operating 9 of that type!

Nantes Atlantique's based Stellair was using these 2 colourful

Fairchild F-27J F-GDXT and F-GEXZ and former TAT'S

Fokker 28 F-GIAI, which was painted in the same livery.

From left to right: TEA's Boeing 737-3M8 OO-LTJ, Transavia's

Boeing 737-3K2 PH-HVG, Air Provence International's

Gulfstream 1s F-GFGU & F-GFGV and Europe Aero Services's

Boeing 737-2A1 F-GHXK, with both Stellair's F-27J in the rear.

From all these carriers, only Transavia survives today...

On the second day, in addition to both Stellair and Air Provence's

machines, Flanders Airlines's Fokker F-27-100 OO-SVL, with

additional "Canon" stickers, SABENA's sister company Sobelair

Boeing 737-229 OO-SBQ and Air Jet's Fokker F-27-600 F-GFJS.

On the third day, Maersk Air's Fokker 50s OY-MMH & MMS from

Danemark and Air Belgium's Boeing 737-4Q8 OO-ILH and 429 OO-ILJ,

representing the 2/3 of the small carrier's fleet, the third member being

Boeing 757-23A OO-ILI, completed all these not so usual Telecom visitors.