Irish Air Corps C295 Delivered

The first of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft ordered for the Irish Air Corps arrived at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on its delivery flight. The C295 is a twin-turboprop designed for long-endurance patrol, carrying a search radar and observation stations that let a small crew cover large areas of ocean at modest fuel cost. Ireland's exclusive economic zone is one of the largest in Europe relative to the size of the country, and the Air Corps flies fishery protection, search-and-rescue support and maritime security patrols over it. The second aircraft was to follow later in the year.