Status of IL-76's in the European Union
 

Experts better versed in European Union customs and standards can perhaps enlighten how it is still possible for former Soviet era countries now part of the Europan Union to continue operating ILyushins on their Civil Aviation Regsitry's.

A case in point is Latvian registered IL-76 registered YA-LAK belonging to or operated by Australian Company ADAGold, these days flying the aircraft in Africa.

Thought all along that to qualify for entry and acceptance into the European Union such states had to dump and get rid of all their former Soviet era aircraft, or is this specific aircraft then now by implication Euro compliant?

Maybe it'll happen in phases...

Firstly the An-12s, and then through the IL-76s, An-26s and An-72s???

I still don't quite understand the rules about letting in stage 2 Il-76s in the EU....

Yes for (most) operators for any military or humanitarian cause.

But why are they also allowed to use airports like Vatry, Chataeuroux, Brno, Ljubljana etc?
And how long before these airports are taken off the list to bring them in line with all other airfields?

Yes, most (if not even all) of those flights are for Afghan military bases. For instance, SilkWay's IL-76TDs flies to Chateuroux and Luxemburg to feed mil cargo to Kabul, Mazar-I-Sharif etc.
The same is true for Volga-Dnepr IL-76TDs (they fly thier 76s to Iraq).

Who else can take mil vehicles, large boxes/containers etc. flying in extreme conditions within regions with ongoing military activities?? Spiral descents and climbs, low altitude manoeuvres ? These birds and thier crews are just perfect for such operations. IMHO.

Note, that these aircompanies got thier brand-new IL-76TD-90 (new avionics along with Stage-3 engines, shortened crew, better MTOW etc.) .

Understand all and myself a proponent of IL-76 and its capabilities. What I dont understand is how a European Union State Latvia can still carry an IL-76 YA-LAK on its register, as it should then be automatically Euro compliant?

Well, the a/c belongs to Latvian aircompany Inversiya . And they're being supported by some bigwig :cool:
Be patient, their 76s will be kicked out of "YL" very soon, right after the Eurocommision will have tired with playing the sh*t game with An-12s. :yuk:

Thanks zoowarden, thats more or less the storie as I have it also. If were them though Id ask for Heathrow landing slots everydaty just to peeve the Brits off.

PS: By the way this specific machine professes to carry a Design Buro STC and approved "Quick Change" mod to install 48 palletted passenger seats - claiming to be the only IL-76 approved to do and Design Buro approved in the world.

All lies!

AAL do you ever post any positive threads............:confused::oh:

AAL do you ever post any positive threads............:confused::oh:

Yes - when it suits me - show me yours then I'll show you mine. Like I said read the one's you prefer and stay off the other! Whats peeving you off - perhaps hitting to close to home?

I know that quite a few of the IL-76 flights using EU Airports are still not military or humanitarian flights. Cargo such as oil spares, generators and the odd AOG engine are still moved from these airports.

I just want to know why they are still allowed, and why at these specific airports and not others?

Sir, IL-76 rear ramp and onboard crane for loading purposes concept is still of the best in world. Built as good and strong as a General Motors Truck. Just sometimes some maintenance here and there lacking.

In my opinion one of best aircraft ever built - see I can say good things! - just imagine where Africa would have been without the air bridges.

Their stage 2 engines are now obviously a problem and with the new modern and stage 3 simply going to be too expensive nobody will be able too afford.

question however revolves about how come Latvia which is now EU country can still operate unregulatable aircraft, while Bulgaria were blackmailed and co-erced to ban the AN-12's to qualify for EU admission.

Hey,...Here in Africa we dont care - ban the whole bloody lot and send them all here, our roads and rail infrastructure in Africa justifies.

Five-star answer ! :D

SAFA people ain't madmen indeed. Tell me how will you drop some GE/PW large jet engine? Or other outsized stuff like that?

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

AAl
I might be wrong, but An12`s still operate into ELLX, on Bulgarian regs ?

They dont, AOC's revoked, Vega etc trying to get other reg's - good bargains for sale. Was ver unfair.

YA-LAK was "arrested" in LAD recentely - unapproved landing, trying to sneak in without paying dues apparently...

Operated by a ZA concern called adagold or something.

Loophole exploitation at its finest I would say.

Mini, you well versed in the stories flying around here. Dont know if you saw it on thread I posted.

YA-LAK had overflight clearance for Angola but accepted/assumed the guys there are too stupid to realise the difference and proceded to land LAD. Once neatly taxi'd to cargo ramp proceded to off-load cargo in belief they had secure arrangement with their local "connection".

TAAG (National) carrier very jealously protect their routes (like more countries should do) even though they cant always service them, themselves.

Inbound royalties LAD at moment exorbitantly expensive in region US$1.00 p/kg.

Aircraft and crew were eventualy released last Thursday after paying US$80 000.00 fine.

Dont think this IL-76 YA-LAK has seen Latvia for many a year neither Latvian inspectors. It even masquarades as the only IL-76 with a Design Buro approved Quick-Change configuration to be able to simply place flat pallets with 48 pax seats. They sell this STC approved configuration as fact to unsuspecting gullible companies and CAA's in Southern Africa. Design Buro think its a joke and never heard of or approved.

Argument is if EU want to set standards and regulate properly must do so without double standards. Here is good case in point otherwise this Latvian registration (which is now EU) is just a mere registry of convenience.

"YA" or "YL"
 

I thought "YL" was Latvia

"YA" is Afghanistan - Please correct me if i'm wrong

Actually I think it did. We have to 76´ers standing around the airport.
Every now and then one is gone but generally they never move.
Saw one doing an engine run-up the other day though.
A captain told me they do that before a journey. They also do a
test flight before they leave.
If that´s true than I know what woke me up the other day.
Gotta love these old IL´s. Saw one taking off in Tbilisi a couple of
days ago. It was at night but we could clearly see it was NOT climbing at all.

Navigator33, We share the same love and passion for same machine! Nothing else like it - not even the sound/noise.

IL-76 YA-LAK is however standing/based Johannesburg South Africa operated by South African/Australian company ADAGold and has been here for about last 18 months to 2 years.

AAL, please don't confuse YA (Afghan) and YL (Latvia).

There are no Ilyushins under Afghan reg. You are talking about YL-LAK.

You quite correct, it is YL - sorry guys - sleep deprevation. Thats also why going on about Latvia now being an EU country.