After the author's "usual" visiting date at Câmpia Turzii, the open day in July, had fallen victim to the catastrophic crash of a LanceR at Feteşti a few days earlier, the opportunity for a new attempt only arose in late autumn. The three-day visit offered two highlights at once – night flying and air-to-ground firing.
For the air-to-ground firing, which took place on the nearby range within sight of the base, both the guns were loaded with a reduced load of ammunition ...
... and pods were fitted with a few S-5 unguided rockets each.
Thanks to the regular performance of such exercises, the armourers carry out the necessary tasks with ease.
While the LanceR were being prepared, an IAR 330 SOCAT brought the range crew to their workplace.
Hardly had the armament team finished their work when the pilots appeared.
All aircraft taxied out for take-off without any problems – a further indication of the good training standard of everyone involved.
At least one LanceR C ...
... and one LanceR B two-seater now carry the badge of the 711th squadron on the fin.
Most flights on the days of the visit were very short, lasting less than half an hour. On the longer ones, the landing was often preceded by a flypast over the airfield.
The runway at Câmpia Turzii shows traces of intensive use.
Flight operations continued without interruption from the early afternoon ...
... until sunset ...
... and on into the falling dusk.
Before the night flights, the floodlight equipment was checked ...
... before take-offs resumed in the very last light of the day.
The last take-offs and landings then took place without any daylight, only under floodlights.
Signs of the times: some aircraft that were still flying during the last visit have already been withdrawn.
The author thanks General de Flotilă Aeriană Dr. Lian Someşan, Maistru Militar clasa II Adela Oltean and all members of the Forţele Aeriene Române who made this trip possible.
