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Sir P. Shamim seems to agree what i have been saying. Here is what he wrote on Pakdef forum....
"Mystry as to why JF-17 will only be in static display has deepened by the day. But I keep being told that there will be a flying display by the Thunders. PAF has actually planned (weather permitting) to have 16 flying Sorties with 34 different Manouveres. ACM is reported to have personally chosen ex-F-16 pilots who transferred to JF-17 in 26th Squadron. From take off to landing, each sortie will last 12 minutes. Pilots are expected to endure 4-5 Gs and lowest elevation is 2,000 meters. "Small radius turns," are most anticipated to be shown as a proof of Thunder prowess. It is said that F-16 and JF-17 have the same turn rates which if true will show the quality, manouverability and capability of Thunder.
Also related to the JF-17 avionics issues, French have tried playing mischievious games. They first refused to provide the Fire Control radar to pressurize Pakistan to abandon the Chinese company. When Pakistan refused to budge, it was later announced that the first news was a hoax. Later they reduced their price considerable less to compete against the Chinese.
Let us hope that JF flies as I have been told. "
This means BVR SD 10 is currently operational with JF 17.....JF-17 static display with SD-10.
Very nicely put together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/SaeedKhan/PAFJF-1710-11307.jpg
Courtesy: Skhan
Just landed in Farnborough. Its huge.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya (Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-225 Мрія, NATO reporting name: 'Cossack') is a strategic airlift cargo aircraft, designed by the Soviet Antonov Design Bureau. It is the world's heaviest fixed-wing aircraft. The design, built to transport the Buran orbiter, was an enlargement of the successful An-124 Ruslan. The An-225's name, Mriya (Мрiя means "Dream" (Inspiration) in Ukrainian.
The An-225 is commercially available for flying over-sized payloads due to the unique size of its cargo deck. Currently there is only one aircraft in operation.
General characteristics
Crew: 6
Payload: 250,000 kg (550,000 lb)
Door dimensions: 440 x 640 cm (14.4 x 21 ft)
Length: 84 m (275.6 ft)
Wingspan: 88.4 m (290 ft 2 in)
Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)
Wing area: 905 m2 (9,743.7 ft2)
Cargo Volume: 1,300 m3 (46,000 cu ft))
Empty weight: 285,000 kg (628,315 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg[9][10][11] (1,323,000 lb)
Powerplant: 6× ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) each
Takeoff run: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) with maximum payload
Antonov An-225 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It was designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances and to carry outsize and oversize cargo. The C-5 Galaxy has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1969 and is one of the largest military aircraft in the world.
General characteristics
Crew: 8 typical (pilot, first pilot, copilot, two flight engineers, three loadmasters)
4 minimum (pilot, copilot, two flight engineers)
Payload: 270,000 lb (122,470 kg)
Length: 247 ft 1 in (75.31 m)
Wingspan: 222 ft 9 in (67.89 m)
Height: 65 ft 1 in (19.84 m)
Wing area: 6,200 ft2 (576 m2)
Empty weight: 380,000 lb (172,370 kg)
Loaded weight: 769,000 lb (348,800 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 840,000 lb (381,000 kg)
Powerplant: 4× General Electric TF39-GE-1C high-bypass turbofan, 43,000 lbf (190 kN) each
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
They would not have done it all in one day, most probably atleast one night stopover somewhere or who knows two, one somewhere in Middle East, most probably, KSA and another in Turkey before going to UK.
Each leg of flight till turkey would be somewhere around 2000+ to 2500 approx KM, meaning from Pakistan to KSA and then KSA to Turkey, from there the longest flight it was, as when they reached Faranborough, they landed on priority due to being low on fuel.
Even if it had stopped 1 night or 2 nights between the journey, it was still able to fly the very next day and thus very less maintenance required.
Do remember, these are the latest airframes of the 1st Sqd, thus they have been flown for the least amount of time so far.
On 14th most probably, the JF-17s were spotted at Turkish airfield, same day the Turkish President meeting our Def Minister and news of Turks showing interest in JF-17s came up and the very next day on 15th, they had to arrive at Faranbrough, thus one night atleast confirmed at Turkey, another may be in KSA as PAF would have interacted with both these countries air forces as we have best relations with both and PAF would be showing them their latest toy.
And also do remember, JF-17s pilot Oxygen supply is for 3 hrs, so this may also be a limitation for the duration per flight.