On 29 April 2020, the Belgische Luchtmacht's 15th Wing started base training with their latest acquisition, the Falcon 7X.
The aircraft, still in civil disguise and registered OO-LUM (c/n 4), was photographed at Kleine Brogel air base performing circuit training and touch and goes. The first four pilots of the 15th Wing (Air Transport) started their training a few months ago including training on the flight simulator. In the coming three weeks, the new aircraft can be seen at various air bases and airfields.
Falcon 7X OO-LUM (after LUchtMacht) is one of two "new" Falcons for 21 Squadron/15 Wing at Brussels/Melsbroek replacing the Falcon 900 which has been withdrawn from use and the two remaining Embraers (ERJ135LR CE02 and ERJ145LR CE03). The other Falcon 7X will be OO-FAE (after Force AériEnne). It is not expected that the aircraft will receive military serials, but of course we hope the Belgian Air Force will change its mind.
The dry-lease agreement with Abelag Aviation, a contract worth €124 million, will guarantee the two Falcon 7Xs during a period of 12 years, based on the agreement with Hi Fly, the Portuguese ACMI specialist that is leasing an Airbus A321 (CS-TRJ) to the Belgian Air Component.
Source and photos: BAF/Adjt Jozef Vanden Broeck, aviation24.be and FAP/Finn Aviation Photography
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Infos from Scramble Magazine's facebook page.