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Antonov 12 at Salzburg

Due to the lack of big industrial estates in the Salzburg region, cargo isn't very important for Salzburg Airport. In 2005 7379 metric tons of cargo were handeled. The most of it was done via trucking, only about 198,5 tons were flown, which was mainly carried as belly cargo. So it is always very interesting to see an all cargo airplane coming to Moazrt's airport. On 06th of october 2006 an Antonov 12 of VEGA Airlines visited Salzburg:  

Short noticed on the 5th october in the evening the timetable of Salzburg showed a cargo flight of VEGA Airlines coming from London Stansted. Already at 06:00 the aircraft should land, but bad weather forecast for Salzburg delayed the arrival. Finally at 10:15 the 4 engined propliner touched down at Salzburg's runway 16 in bright sunshine.

Für diesen Flug setzte VEGA Airlines die 45Jahre alte LZ-VEA ein, welche die Konstruktionsnummer 1340106 trägt. Dieses Flugzeug ist das derzeit dienstälteste kommerzielle Flugzeug im bulgarischen Register. 1961 wurde das Flugzeug an Aeroflot ausgeliefert. 1999 übernahm die neugegründete VEGA Airlines, mit Sitz in Plovdiv, das Flugzeug und nutzt es seit dem für ihre weltweiten Flüge. Die bulgarische Fluglinie wird meist mit Adhoc-Charterkontrakten betraut.
For this flight VEGA Airlines used the 45 years old LZ-VEA, wearing the construction number 1340106. This aircarft is the oldest commercial aircraft in the Bulgarian register. 1961 it was deliverd to Aeroflot. In 1999 the newly created VEGA Airlines took it over and since then uses it for is worldwide cargo missions. The airline has its hombase at Plovdiv and conducts mainly adhoc-charters. 

Antonov 12 at Salzburg. This aircraft is named "Khan Asparuh"		The big cockpit of the cargo propliner		The main gear carries a MTOW of 64 metric tons.		The VEGA logo is painted on the tail of 45 year old aircraft

The crew on the Salzburg flight was very kind and made it possible to have a closer look on the aircraft. During a tour through the cabin and cockpit of the aircraft, the captain explained: "Flying with this aircraft is an experience. It's not a computer game, like it is in an Airbus or Boeing aircraft."

Door with it's own steps		View of the fully loaded cabin		View through the emergency exit on one of the propellers		Safety instructions for the Antonov 12

The Antonov 12 appeared on the market first in 1959. It was mainly used by Aeroflot, the forces of the USSR and by the airlines and forces of the socialist countries. It is 33meters long, has a span of 38 meters and a height of 10,53meters. It can carry a maximum of 20 metric tons over a distance of 3600km. 

The cockpit of the cargo plane. In the middle you can see the entrance to the navigaton area		View of the naviagtion area		The Antonov 12 carriers nearly everything it needs with it. Beside spare parts it transports its own push-back bar
two of the four Ivcheko AI-20M props each with 2983kW power		Quick and professional: Cargo handling at Salzburg Airport		View of the empty cargo cabin

After a turn around time of about 1,5 hours, the Antonov 12 was unloaded and was ready for it's next flight to Chateroux where the next load already waited. 

"Start up is approved"		Front view		"Taxi via Exit 3 to Holding Point 34 Fox"
Let's go!		Rotate in front of Hangar 7		Come back soon!
Source technical data: Enders, G. : Das große Buch der Passagier Flugzeuge Klee, U.: JP airline fleets 2006/07