Had the author inserted the report from last year's open day at Baza 71 Aeriană in Câmpia Turzii here, hardly anyone would have noticed, so similar were the items on the programme – especially as far as the MiG-21 is concerned. This is by no means meant as criticism, on the contrary: eight aircraft were in the air at the same time, sometimes seven of them in one formation. Such pictures can no longer be seen anywhere else in Europe and only rarely in the whole world. And yet everything was different, because for the first time the aircraft that will replace the MiG-21 in the Romanian Air Force and end an era that has already lasted 55 years could be seen at this event ...
MiG-21s in larger ...
... and smaller formations, ...
... in pairs ...
... or singly – these pictures make up the fascination of the annual event at Câmpia Turzii.
Curious: the prevailing strong wind makes the brake chute rise upwards.
The MiG-21s are now also flown by female pilots.
The numerous take-offs ...
... and landings ...
... make for hectic activity on the flightline, ...
... at the last-chance check point ...
... and during refuelling. The weather shelters are new.
The use of infrared flares in the displays was (unfortunately) significantly reduced compared with previous years.
The IAR 330s also based at Câmpia Turzii were represented in the flying programme with nine aircraft.
In addition there were visiting guests, such as the C-130 from Otopeni, ...
... IAR 99s both in the upgraded ...
... and in the standard version from Bacău.
As part of the ongoing exercise Dacian Eagle 2017, US F-15s were again on site, this time from the Air National Guard of Louisiana and Florida.
Loudly present in the tactical demonstration at the end of the event: Gepard anti-aircraft tanks.
The replacement: the F-16s, which only entered service last year, were represented by a two-seater ...
... and a single-seater and gave an attractive display.
The author thanks General de Flotilă Aeriană Dr. Lian Someşan, Alexandru Huiber and Maistru Militar clasa II Adela Mureşan.
