ANTONOV 124

ANTONOV 124* operation: three AS332 B1 helicopters succesfully imported from Venezuela to EC Marignane

This "exeptional" operation, the transport of three 332 B1 aircraft together, was organized as part of a (25 million dollar) contract between Eurocopter Marignane and the Venezuelan air force (F.A.V.): major inspection lay-up of five aircraft, two of these inspections of this transport operation was exclusively steered by the E.S.R.A. sector: supervision of overall operations from loading at the Maracay base to flightline acceptance at DERH Marignane, with Hervé Lavigne carrying out specific management tasks and accompanying the aircraft on the Antonov.

Economic Aspect
The overall cost of the operation was significantly reduced with a direct saving of 46,000 Euros for EC

Specific Characteristics

  • Restricted timetable for the organization: overall management tasks carried out in three weeks (final commercial decision to delivery of aircraft at Marignane)
  • Geographical location: Maracay base located at more than 100 km west of Caracas
  • Loading on  base: 20 tons of freight in less than 3,5 hours

Main Participants in this Operation

  • SRA transport/logistics entity: Hervé Lavigne
  • EC technicians working on the base: Antoine Camacho and Stéphane Zanatta
  • Forwarding agency, QUALITAIR & SEA: Timothée Senes

This exeptional operation met with real success at all levels, due to the support of the various EC in-house and external participants culminating in the specific and efficient transfer of thee aircraft from Venezuela to France.

EC's overall handling of this transport phase, in keeping with the Venezuelan armies expectations, affirms their credibility in terms of reactivity and professionalism while guaranteeing consistency in terms of costs.

ANTONOV 124* data:
One of the biggest Russian-built heavy aircraft: this aircraft, with its four jet-engines, is used to transport an enormous load volume (+120 tons), over a very long range.
AN 124 model: Length: 69m / height: 21m / span: 73m with an empty weight of 175 tons.

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