Monte Real (LPMR) 2017

[ehusmann]

Due to the heavy fires in central Portugal this week, a number of foreign firefighting planes are operating from Monte Real. French and Italians are based here for now, while the Spanish come in to have lunch, rest, refuel and go back out. This is what I caught:

20 Jun 2017 - Monte Real Air Base

Be.200      Securite Civile   F-ZBFK/96
Cl.215T     Gr43              UD13-21/43-21, UD13-24/43-24
Cl.415      Gr43              UD14-01/43-31, UD14-04/43-34
            Securite Civile   F-ZBFN/33, F-ZBFS/32
            Vigili del Fuoco  I-DPCN/28, I-DPCQ/12

Log created with OPAD trip report

After returning home I got the shock of hearing that one of these planes had crashed while helping to distinguish the fire. Rather awful to hear that the crew of a plane you just saw taking off might be added to the long list of victims of these fires. However, it now seems this news was not correct, which is a major relieve.

Erwin