Page 88 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

31° Stormo

can accommodate nine passengers and has
a range of around 4,035 miles (6,500km).
Until recently the 31° Stormo also operated
the two Piaggio P.180 Avantis formerly owned
by the Protezione Civile (Civil Protection
Department), but on February 9, 2018,
these were transferred to the 14° Stormo
as part of a rationalisation programme.
Another machine recently assigned to the
31° Stormo was the contentious Airbus A340-
500 with the Emirati registration A6-EHA,
much discussed in the Italian media owing
to the bitter political dispute surrounding the
high cost of its acquisition. The aircraft (c/n
0748), obtained under lease via Alitalia (Italian Above: Pilots from the 31° Stormo brief for a mission at the base’s Planning Section. Riccardo Niccoli
law prohibits the use of an aircraft provided A340-500 A6-EHD had a market price of less at Frosinone in central Italy. The Frosinone
by a non-EU carrier as a state aircraft) by the than €10m, suggesting direct acquisition of wing is also involved, when necessary, in
Presidenza del Consiglio during the Enrico the aircraft would have been much cheaper. the advanced training (Phase 3) of pilots
Letta government of 2013-14, was provided by Furthermore, refurbishing the aircraft with a destined to serve in the helicopter fleets.
Etihad Airways, with which it served during dedicated VIP configuration, estimated to cost Finally, for the technical and operational
2006-15. The A340 arrived in Italy in February around €20m, has never been completed. In management of the fleet, the 31° Stormo
2016 and, owing to its technical characteristics summer 2018 the Giuseppe Conte government incorporates a Servizio Efficienza Aeromobili
and performance, was housed in the Alitalia announced the suspension of the leasing (SEA) maintenance unit, which, while
facility at Rome-Fiumicino Airport, the company contract (which had come to around €75m drawing on the direct support provided by
consequently receiving public money (an by then), but Etihad has reportedly registered Airbus and Dassault, mainly receives its
overall total of some €38m according to some a dispute over the decision, which could maintenance support from airline companies
sources) for both the ‘sub-leasing’ contract result in the payment of penalties worth, such as Alitalia or Meridiana, to which
and maintenance of the aircraft. After a series according to some sources, approximately contracts are assigned after a tendering
of complications related to the registration €42m. The A340 is no longer used by the 31° process. The SEA has, however, achieved its
of the machine as a state aircraft – it was Stormo and remains non-operational in a own civilian certification for the inspection
ultimately given the registration I-TALY, and no hangar at Fiumicino. The Italian government’s and maintenance of the aircraft and its
military serial – it was used to qualify some accountability office continues to investigate equipment to a determined technical level,
crews, but had a fairly limited operational the affair. These unfortunate circumstances the aircraft following a planned check and
utilisation, owing mainly to continual political notwithstanding, the Italian state should have maintenance schedule identical to that used
arguments, which caused the Matteo Renzi a requirement for a large long-range aircraft by civilian operators. The same applies to
and Paolo Gentiloni governments to adopt soon; in all likelihood a Boeing 777 or Airbus the helicopters, with maintenance being
a low profile for the aircraft. The major A350 would be the most appropriate solution undertaken by the local SEA or by Leonardo.
advantages offered by the four-engined – funding and political climate permitting. In conclusion, the 31° Stormo is a unit
jet were the large number of passengers it which, in accordance with a new Italian
could carry (useful in the case of state visits Rotary fleet defence philosophy, offers more than a single
accompanied by business delegations) As mentioned, the 31° Stormo uses rotary- operational benefit. Beyond the traditional
and its very long range of more than 11,000 wing aircraft for VIP transport, and in particular role of state transport, the unit also fulfils the
miles (17,700km), which enabled non-stop for the Pope. Following the retirement of the emergency aeromedical transport mission,
flights to almost any global destination. last SH-3D/TS in 2012, two specially VIP- responding directly to the needs of the
The A340-500 variant was not a commercial configured VH-139As entered service the population and safeguarding human life.
success, with a mere 34 examples same year, together with two In the 2018 calendar year, the 31° Stormo
constructed during 2003-11. It was UH-139A/Bs formerly operated completed some 110 emergency aeromedical
considered extremely uneconomical, by the Protezione Civile. missions, equivalent to 360 flying hours, and
and the leasing contract agreed The latter two aircraft are saving the lives of around 100 people. AFM
between the Italian government flown by the 31° Stormo to
and Etihad/Alitalia does not satisfy the requirements Acknowledgements:
seem particularly cost-effective of the Protezione Civile Thanks to Frank McMeiken for the
either (almost €167m over eight but are managed in a English translation of the text.
years, up until 2024); the similar pool with the 72° Stormo
Right: An F-16-inspired patch
commemorating 25,000 flying hours by the
93° Gruppo’s Falcon 900 fleet. James Lawrence
Below: One of the 93° Gruppo Falcon
900Easy (VC-900B) jets, MM62210 (c/n 116)
is on the 31° Stormo ramp at Ciampino,
ready for the next mission.
Riccardo Niccoli

86 // February 2020 #383 www.Key.Aero

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