Serbian air force receives multirole Seneca

Piper Seneca V  - Photo Igor Salinger - Aermedia.com

27 Jan 2012 By Igor Salinger – Flight Global

 Belgrade - Serbia's defence ministry has taken delivery of a new Piper Seneca V, with the aircraft to be used for multiple tasks.

Pictured arriving at Batajnica air base on 24 January, with the temporary registration D-IGFM, the twin-engined type will be assigned to the Serbian air force's 138 transport squadron. It will receive dual military and civilian markings, making it the service's first aircraft to be registered in accordance with Joint Aviation Requirements regulations.

Prior to its delivery, the aircraft underwent conversion to allow the installation of a Leica Geosystems ADS80 digital camera by Germany's Gomolzig Flugzeug- und Maschinenbau. Transported to Serbia separately, the sensor will be used during aerial photography missions flown for the nation's Military Geographical Institute.

Other applications for the Seneca V will include providing a civilian-standard multi-engine training capability for Serbian air force pilots, plus use for light transport and passenger transport duties. The new aircraft replaces two withdrawn Dornier Do-28Ds that are stored in unserviceable condition at Batajnica.

Serbia's defence ministry said the new investment in the aircraft, its conversion, camera and other equipment, software, and crew training is worth €2.7 million ($3.5 million). The deal was forged through the Jugohemija company, following a public tender issued late in 2009.