Tag Archives: msn 25308

National Airlines celebrates 30 years of flying

National Airlines (5th) Boeing 747-446 (F) N936CA (msn 25308) (30 Years) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 956628.

National Airlines has announced it has operated its last military supply flight to eastern Europe as tensions rise due to Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The National Airlines name has been used five times in the United States. The latest version is expanding with more Boeing 747-400BCFs. It is also looking at new freighter versions by both Airbus and Boeing.

Murray Air commenced DC-8 operations in December 1986. In December 2008 the company changed its name to National Airlines.

National Airlines (5th) (formerly Murray Air) is now celebrating 30 years of flying. The airline issued this look back:

Since its inception, the group is focussed on offering niche solutions for its corporate, government, defense and humanitarian aid customers. The group expanded from being a domestic U.S logistics service provider into Europe in the late 90s. The begin of 2000s witnessed further expansion into the Middle East with the opening of offices in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur respectively. Later it further extended its footprint in the far east by opening offices in Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong and Shanghai. National Air Cargo group is a prime transporter for the US Department of Defense, supporting the logistical requirements for missions in the Middle East (Iraq & Afghanistan).

Mid 2000s, the group took a bold step forward by acquiring airline operations and constantly focused on modernizing the aircraft fleet from DC-8Fs to Boeing 747-400Fs. With further business diversification, passenger operations commenced with the introduction of Boeing 757-200 and later adding the Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft, offering premium charter services to its government, defense and commercial customers across the globe. Though the two main business division of the group National Air Cargo and National Airlines thrives on its individual growth, nevertheless they also complement each other in projects where the group offers the capability of an integrator.

Over the years, National Air Cargo division expanded its offerings from freight forwarding to 3rd party logistics, multimodal movement, warehousing and ground handling support services. The airline division constantly expanded over the past 2 decades taking the freighter feet of six Boeing 747-400Fs and combination of Boeing 757-200 and Airbus 330-200 in the passenger fleet. With significant investment on infrastructure at the headquarter level in Orlando, the airline has round the clock operations team and crew supporting daily flights serving e-commerce conglomerates, oil & gas manufacturers, automobile industry leaders, electronic manufacturers, FMCG companies and governments everywhere in the world. The group has been a strategic partner to various governments and international aid organizations, including United Nation agencies, to airlift immediate relief supplies to disaster-struck regions. Notably, National’s aircraft airlifted PPE kits, protective masks, oxygen cylinder and other medical supplies to U.S, Europe, Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, the passenger fleet was instrumental in airlifting evacuees to Washington, after the Afghanistan drawdown.

“Over the years what has separated us, is our commitment to deliver the world to our partners and customers each time. A strong vision and adaptability towards the changes in customer and market demands has always been the core competency of the company. We have been creative in offering complete solutions to the business requirements of our customers. During any global emergency, our personnel and aircraft are ready to airlift immediate aid to crisis hit regions. The trust our customers bestowed upon us has been phenomenal and helped us grow over the years. We will continue to offer more effective and personalized cargo and passenger solutions to our customers in every possible region in the coming years”, said Mr. Christopher J. Alf, Chairman, National Air Cargo group.

National Air Cargo group shares the gratitude of the 30th anniversary momentous occasion with all its the customers across continents, government agencies, commercial partners and over 600 employees steering and implementing the group’s missions worldwide.

Videos:

Top Copyright Photo: National Airlines (5th) Boeing 747-446 (F) N936CA (msn 25308) (30 Years) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 956628.

National Airlines aircraft slide show:

National Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Photo: National Airlines (5th) Boeing 747-446 (F) N936CA (msn 25308) ONT (Arnd World). Image: 056097.

"Lori", celebrating 30 years with special red/gold livery

Copyright Photo: National Airlines (5th) Boeing 747-446 (F) N936CA (msn 25308) (30 Years) ONT (Arnd Wolf). Image: 056097.

Global SuperTanker Services to shut down, fate of “944” is uncertain

"Spirit of John Muir"

Global SuperTanker Services operates a Boeing 747-400 SuperTanker “944” that has been contracted to fight many forest fires, mainly in the western United States, as well as Israel in 2016 and Chile in 2017.

The company is facing an uncertain future.

The financial backers have decided to no longer support the operation financially according to Fire Aviation. According to this report, the company ceased operations this week unless it can find new investors. Any new investors will have to resolve issues brought up by the governing bodies (see letter below).

The company is in discussions with several possible buyers and investors to replace the current group. The aircraft may also be sold as a freighter.

Meanwhile the 2021 fire season in the western United States is just starting.

JAL-Japan Airlines Boeing 747-446 JA8086 (msn 25308) NRT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 901544.

Above Copyright Photo: JAL-Japan Airlines Boeing 747-446 JA8086 (msn 25308) NRT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 901544.

The airframe previously operated for JAL – Japan Airlines as JA8086 (above) and with Evergreen International Airlines as N492EV.

Joel Kerley, Chair, National Interagency Aviation Committee wrote the following letter to the company last year forcing the shutdown this year:

National Wildfire Coordinating Group National Interagency Aviation Committee

page1image3399717200

 

30 April 2020
Dan Reese, President, Global SuperTanker Services, LLC Joel Kerley, Chair, National Interagency Aviation Committee

Global SuperTanker Services Approved for Interim Approval of Retardant Delivery System in Boeing 747-400

This memo is in response to the Global SuperTanker Services (GSTS) letter dated March 20, 2020 in requesting interim approval of the retardant delivery system of Boeing 747-400.

The Interagency Air Tanker Subcommittee (IABS) has elevated GSTS’s request for a seventh interim approval to the National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC), which is the parent committee for IABS. The IABS does not support any further interim approvals without correcting some issues originally identified in the 2009 test of the system that included failure to meet coverage level 3 & 6, retention of retardant in the system after drop, aeration of the retardant causing trail off, and inconsistent flight profiles affecting retardant coverage.

Due to the current national situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), NIAC will issue an eighth interim approval to GSTS. However, NIAC will not support, nor issue a ninth interim until GSTS successfully passes all requirements of the 2013 IABS Criteria. This must be completed prior to December 31, 2020.

In order to be issued a ninth approval, GSTS must successfully pass all requirements of the 2013 IABS Criteria. The IABS will continue working with GSTS through static and grid testing to ensure all criteria requirements are fully passed. Once all requirements are passed, all deficiencies are corrected, and no new deficiencies are identified, the IABS will issue an additional interim approval for field evaluations. The number of static and grid tests to pass the standard will depend on the corrections made to the system. If continued or new failures are identified, further testing will be required until the system meets the requirements prior to consideration of an interim approval.

Videos:

Top Copyright Photo: Global SuperTanker Services Boeing 747-446 (Tanker) N744ST (msn 25308) SBD (Michael B. Ing). Image: 950975.