Belgian Defence Agusta A109 delivered to VLOC

On 2 September 2020, Belgian Defence helicopter Agusta A109BA, serial H22 (construction number 3022) left Beauvechain air base for its last and final flight.

After a 2-hour flight over parts of Flanders the A109BA touched down at Oostende-Brugge International Airport around 11.00 hrs LT. After dismantling the blades and de-fueling the helicopter, it was transported to the nearby VLOC (Vlaams Luchtvaart Opleidings Centrum).

VLOC regroups some of the pilot- and MRO-education (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) in Flanders’ region. The Agusta A109 will be used as an instructional airframe for future MRO technicians. It will join the iconic all black Westland Sea King Mk48 (serial RS05), which has been donated to VLOC by the Belgian Defence some years ago.

Belgium acquired the Agusta helicopters in 1988, when 46 A109s were bought as a replacement for the Alouette 2. The helicopters were delivered from 1992, divided by 18 Agusta A109HO and 28 Agusta A109HA variants. Later they were renamed A109BA (Belgian Army). According to the Scramble Magazine database around eighteen A109BAs are still active.

Photos: VLOC