Remarks: Quite a catch, finding this Turbo Thrush all battered up, hiding from the strong midday sun. I could not get any details on her past, nor on her fate; but I sure hope to catch her flying again.
Oh, the dangers of crop dusting! La Mina is a nice base not too far away from the Peruvian border.
Remarks: MXP 150 Patriot coming in to land at the airstrip of La Joya. Ecuador has no shortage of these industrial airstrips, normally found on banana plantations or shrimp farms.
Remarks: A very unfortunate Turbo Thrush, here spotted at the base of La Mina. The cause for this mishap is unknown, as is this airframe´s future. I guess it is up to the insurance company whether this fine bird will take to the skies again.
Remarks: One of the 7 Apollo Delta jets in Ecuador, just landed from Duran, after a cross country flight. Rotax Blue Head powered, equipped with a glass navigation panel and webcam. This plane is operated by Aeroclub Los Rebeldes, just outside Guayaquil.
Remarks: This plane is one of the 4 planes that had the Ecuatorian Air force in 1956 and they were used to transfer pilots from piston to jet planes. [1200px]
Remarks: Rotax 914 powered, equipped with a glass cockpit and long range tanks, the Colombian planes have come a long way. In fact, they easily compete with the likes of Cessna 152´s. Faster and much more fuel economic, no wonder more and more people are looking into LSA´s these days. This plane is operated by Aeroclub Los Rebeldes, just outside Guayaquil.
Remarks: One of the many Cessna cropdusters in Ecuador. This is the area between Quito and Guayaquil, with banana plantations galore. Nice spotting at "Vinces".
Remarks: One of the few 2 seater cropdusters in Ecuador. A Turbo Thrush, this 750 HP machine hauls a whopping amount of gallons for crop dusting in the area between Quito and Guayaquil. Nice spotting in "La Estrella".
Remarks: The one and only MXP 150 Patriot seen from the air, next to her compatriot HC-U0046, the best equipped Ibis Magic in Ecuador. Both Rotax 914 powered and equipped with long range tanks, these 2 Colombian planes are very similar in range and performance. The main difference can be seen in the rear window design as well as, although not visible here; in the cowling design.
Remarks: One of 2 Delta Jets operated by Aeroclub los Rebeldes, here seen at her home base Duran. this particular one is Rotax 912 (over) powered; and 100 HP makes this one mean machine!
