Kim Jong-un Takes To The Skies

A332DTW · Tue May 19, 2015 3:10 pm

Surprised I haven't seen this posted on here. If I missed it, feel free to take it down.

The leader of North Korea has officially flown an aircraft (or "driven" it according to the leader), much to the jubilance of his generals and other people who really like him. He praised the working class for building a maneuverable and well performing aircraft.

On an unrelated note, Cessna needs to get with the program and start installing windshield wipers on its 172s.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...th-Korean-made-plane-in-video.html

[Edited 2015-05-19 08:11:54]

karadion · Tue May 19, 2015 3:19 pm

And I have a certain opinion that he should have met earth.... with an unfortunate result.

peterinlisbon · Tue May 19, 2015 3:22 pm

Isn't that just a second-hand Cessna 172 with a North Korean flag on the back? If not, then what was the point of designing and building an exact copy of an aircraft you can already buy second-hand for 20,000$? Anyway, here is a better video where you can see our friend Kim getting ready to fly the plane:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yflq45DrVw

KPDX · Tue May 19, 2015 3:24 pm

Ahhh. Of course. The venerable all-new KJU-172.

neutrino · Tue May 19, 2015 4:03 pm

Quoting KPDX (Reply 3):
Ahhh. Of course. The venerable all-new KJU-172.

Would you by any chance meant it to be vulnerable?

marosbts · Tue May 19, 2015 4:10 pm

But, you have to admit, that guy is badass. Smoking under the wing

32andBelow · Tue May 19, 2015 4:21 pm

Quoting peterinlisbon (Reply 2):
Isn't that just a second-hand Cessna 172 with a North Korean flag on the back?

I'm almost positive it is. I don't think DPKR can make anything that can fly. They can't even get their missiles very far off the ground.

copter808 · Tue May 19, 2015 4:21 pm

Great to see he is trying to become an aviator. Good for the rest of the world, because if he decides to fly solo it won't be long before he learns that the forces of nature will NOT bow to him.

Who is next in line to lead North Korea?

karadion · Tue May 19, 2015 4:25 pm

Quoting 32andBelow (Reply 6):

That's why they have thousands of artillery pieces instead pointed south. Artillery always works.

keuleatr72 · Tue May 19, 2015 4:30 pm

Great news...

That should help promote the General Aviation Sector in the DPRK!

VijayJ · Tue May 19, 2015 4:31 pm

Quoting copter808 (Reply 7):
Great to see he is trying to become an aviator. Good for the rest of the world, because if he decides to fly solo it won't be long before he learns that the forces of nature will NOT bow to him.

Who is next in line to lead North Korea?

Oh, the Great Leader blessed the air to allow him to aviate and soar with the eagles. I am a firm believer in Karma and all that it holds; or lets fall to earth...

32andBelow · Tue May 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Quoting Karadion (Reply 8):
That's why they have thousands of artillery pieces instead pointed south. Artillery always works.

The main point, was I doubt they could get a 172 clone off the ground.

airxliban · Tue May 19, 2015 4:54 pm

Three bladed prop says Cessna 182 to me. Are we sure it's a 172? I've flown a tonne of 172s and they have all been 2 bladed props.

G500 · Tue May 19, 2015 4:58 pm

that TV reporter couldn't contain her excitement

either she sounds excited or she'll dispear one day, never to be found again

those are her choices

[Edited 2015-05-19 10:15:02]

A332DTW · Tue May 19, 2015 5:09 pm

Quoting peterinlisbon (Reply 2):
Isn't that just a second-hand Cessna 172 with a North Korean flag on the back?

I don't know... look closely, it has windshield wipers.

[email protected] · Tue May 19, 2015 5:20 pm

Anybody noticed how much he was off the center line to the right?

Perhaps the instructor was too petrified for his life to correct the supreme leader!

flyaas80 · Tue May 19, 2015 5:49 pm

I would almost say it's a C182 (which would explain the prop), but it is missing the cowl flap.

32andBelow · Tue May 19, 2015 5:51 pm

Quoting A332DTW (Reply 14):
I don't know... look closely, it has windshield wipers.

Well they probably had to sub in a windshield from like a 1992 ford focus...

zeke · Tue May 19, 2015 6:13 pm

Quoting Airxliban (Reply 12):

Three bladed prop says Cessna 182 to me. Are we sure it's a 172? I've flown a tonne of 172s and they have all been 2 bladed props.

I have seen some of those French built FR172s with 3 blade props.

B757Forever · Tue May 19, 2015 6:27 pm

Quoting peterinlisbon (Reply 2):
Isn't that just a second-hand Cessna 172 with a North Korean flag on the back?

I'm sure someone was assigned the task of building an aircraft for Kim Jong-un. That's a daunting task for a country that struggles to make kites that fly. If it were me, and my life depended on it, which someone's probably does, I would happily acquire a western built aircraft and claim "the people" built it. Then hope like hell Kim Jong-un doesn't find out...

32andBelow · Tue May 19, 2015 6:29 pm

Quoting B757Forever (Reply 19):
I'm sure someone was assigned the task of building an aircraft for Kim Jong-un. That's a daunting task for a country that struggles to make kites that fly. If it were me, and my life depended on it, which someone's probably does, I would happily acquire a western built aircraft and claim "the people" built it. Then hope like hell Kim Jong-un doesn't find out...

I bet Kim doesn't even want to fly in a North Korean built plane. He is a dictator, not an idiot.

Birdwatching · Tue May 19, 2015 6:46 pm

I remember a thread that was posted here a couple of months ago where he flew the AN148 airliner:

North Korean Leader Flies AN-148 (by N737MC Dec 31 2014 in Civil Aviation)

Just like I wrote on the other thread, I find it appalling how the previous posters in this thread mix their non-av opinions into the discussion and wish him death by crashing. We're a community of aviation enthusiasts and Mr. Kim is precisely that, he's an aviation enthusiast just like us (who happens to be a dictator). Take your political opinions to the non-av forum and use this thread to discuss the actual topic, which is how the leader of a country makes his dream come true and takes flying lessons (and even gets to pilot an airliner). Isn't this YOUR biggest dream too?

Soren

32andBelow · Tue May 19, 2015 6:50 pm

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 21):
Just like I wrote on the other thread, I find it appalling how the previous posters in this thread mix their non-av opinions into the discussion and wish him death by crashing. We're a community of aviation enthusiasts and Mr. Kim is precisely that, he's an aviation enthusiast just like us (who happens to be a dictator).

Replace Kim with Hitler and see if you still stand by that statement.

A332DTW · Tue May 19, 2015 7:05 pm

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 21):

I remember a thread that was posted here a couple of months ago where he flew the AN148 airliner:

North Korean Leader Flies AN-148

First time I see this. I guess this most recent adventure was not all that official other than it being a North Korean built aircraft (supposedly).

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 21):
Just like I wrote on the other thread, I find it appalling how the previous posters in this thread mix their non-av opinions into the discussion and wish him death by crashing. We're a community of aviation enthusiasts and Mr. Kim is precisely that, he's an aviation enthusiast just like us (who happens to be a dictator).

Now that this wasn't really his first time piloting an airplane, I'm more or less interested in finding out if that aircraft really was built in North Korea. If it was, I wonder how many more we might see rolling out.

Birdwatching · Tue May 19, 2015 7:06 pm

Quoting 32andBelow (Reply 22):
Replace Kim with Hitler and see if you still stand by that statement.

I'm pretty sure I could discuss the Ju-52 in Nazi colors flying for Lufthansa here in the CivAv forum, and I'm sure I could discuss a hypothetical event where Hitler piloted the plane from a purely aviation point of view. I'd take my opinion of how I wished Hitler had crashed it to the NonAv forum.

Why don't we discuss things here like: Was that plane really built in Korea, as the article claims? If yes, could it be that the C172 brought into the country before 1994 was reverse-engineered and copies built by a Korean factory?
Also it's interesting to note that the plane is in Air Koryo's color scheme and does not wear a registration number, but has a blank space in the blue line where the reg number would be.

Soren

[Edited 2015-05-19 12:08:04]

Aquila3 · Tue May 19, 2015 7:13 pm

Quoting 32andBelow (Reply 22):
Replace Kim with Hitler and see if you still stand by that statement.

Well, as you may know, Mussolini was an aviation enthusiast .
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mussolini_aviatore.jpg Wow!

BoeingBear · Tue May 19, 2015 8:18 pm

Quoting A332DTW (Thread starter):
Cessna needs to get with the program and start installing windshield wipers on its 172s.

How about ejection seats first?

Quoting marosbts (Reply 5):

But, you have to admit, that guy is badass. Smoking under the wing

Dammit! Where's Darwin when we need him???

JAGflyer · Tue May 19, 2015 11:04 pm

The plane has no registration however I guess if it's flying domestically, the DPRKAC (Democratic People's Republic of Korean Aviation Council) doesn't require the plane to have a valid registration.

[Edited 2015-05-19 16:08:57]

csturdiv · Tue May 19, 2015 11:27 pm

Quoting marosbts (Reply 5):

But, you have to admit, that guy is badass. Smoking under the wing

Made me think of one of the Airplane! movies where I think it was the Lloyd Bridges character who was smoking out on the runway and threw a match into the fuel storage tanks and caused an explosion. Could not find a GIF of that to post.

SOBHI51 · Wed May 20, 2015 1:16 am

Notice everybody around him did have there eyes wide open

iFlyLOTs · Wed May 20, 2015 1:19 am

Quoting Airxliban (Reply 12):
Three bladed prop says Cessna 182 to me. Are we sure it's a 172? I've flown a tonne of 172s and they have all been 2 bladed props.

Quoting FlyAAS80 (Reply 16):
I would almost say it's a C182 (which would explain the prop), but it is missing the cowl flap.

If you look at the back window, behind the door it's more square, whereas the one on the C182 is more tear-drop shaped

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Jeremy D. Dando

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Gary Shephard

Francoflier · Wed May 20, 2015 1:53 am

Quoting g500 (Reply 13):

I think they're trained to be on the brink of tears and have near orgasms whenever they have to talk about their great leader...

Quoting Jagflyer (Reply 27):
I guess if it's flying domestically, the DPRKAC (Democratic People's Republic of Korean Aviation Council) doesn't require the plane to have a valid registration.

Not really necessary. That would likely be the only aircraft flying in the whole of the DPRK at that time. No need for a rego, just call it 'the aircraft'.

Whatever it is, it seems it isn't capable of flying... At least not with the great fat leader on it.

A332DTW · Wed May 20, 2015 2:01 am

Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 29):
Notice everybody around him did have there eyes wide open

Say what you want about the North Korean regime, but their high maintenance, organized philosophy is remarkable... this coming from a neat freak like myself. They even manage to clap in unison.

Another clue that this aircraft might actually be built in North Korea is the difference in cockpit controls. The controls inside look different to that of a 172.

NWAROOSTER · Wed May 20, 2015 2:21 am

Is this Cessna wannabe the DPRK's version of Air Force 1 ??????

LMP737 · Wed May 20, 2015 3:44 am

Quoting marosbts (Reply 5):
But, you have to admit, that guy is badass. Smoking under the wing

Dear leader doesn't seem to be the brightest guy in the world. But I guess he makes up for it in sheer brutality.

Pilawt · Wed May 20, 2015 4:47 am

It is without question a Cessna-built 172, probably a late '90s-vintage Model 172R. The instrument panel glareshield, and the fresh-air vents molded into the inside of the windshield pillar, are characteristic of the 1996 and later Skyhawks. It even still has the original main gear wheel fairing mounting brackets in place, though wheel fairings are not installed (the brackets can easily be removed, and should be removed to reduce drag in the absence of wheel fairings). The carburetor air intake is modified, larger and slightly higher than normal, probably to accommodate a non-standard engine. There is a dual exhaust stack on the right side of the cowl, different from stock 172s. A new prop spinner appears to have been fabricated to fit the fixed-pitch three-blade prop, but it is a little bit too small for the shape of the original cowling behind it. The wing leading edges inboard of the landing lights appear to have been modified with retractable slats. The windshield wipers are curious; I'm skeptical that they are even hooked up to anything, and if they were, they would probably not be of any help. The wipers don't appear to conform to the contour of the windshield. 172s don't need wipers anyway; rain readily beads up on the plastic windscreen and is blown away by the prop blast and slipstream with little impairment of visibility. And there is a lot of corrosion visible in the right-hand door frame. This is NOT a newly-built airframe, and it is clearly a Cessna 172 (albeit with some crude modifications), not a copy or clone.

-- Pilawt (Cessna 172N owner)

BestWestern · Wed May 20, 2015 5:04 am

Did the plane take off, or did the ground shrink below the great one?

eielef · Wed May 20, 2015 5:15 am

There is a guy taking notes in a small notebook behind the Great Leader. What the hell is he writing?
Seeing someone writing on paper and pencil these days looks so strange. But it is a strange country.
Have anyone spotted the new runway built for Mr Kim in his house?
At least Gmaps coordinates?
Thanks! Cheers
[email protected]

PEK777 · Wed May 20, 2015 5:24 am

Quoting 32andBelow (Reply 22):
Replace Kim with Hitler and see if you still stand by that statement.

We're a community of aviation enthusiasts and Mr. Hitler is precisely that, he's an aviation enthusiast just like us (who happens to be a dictator).

karadion · Wed May 20, 2015 5:49 am

Quoting eielef (Reply 37):

There is a guy taking notes in a small notebook behind the Great Leader. What the hell is he writing?

There's always a dude doing that in almost every scene where his Juche minions are following him around.
Take a look through the pictures and you'll see it's a very common thing.
http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/
http://kimjongunlookingatthings.tumblr.com/

eielef · Wed May 20, 2015 6:04 am

Quoting Karadion (Reply 39):
There's always a dude doing that in almost every scene where his Juche minions are following him around.

Wow! Cool pictures and comments. Poor guy, his profession must be very boring...

Viper911 · Wed May 20, 2015 7:06 am

Well according to this website they are actually building Cessna 172 clones.

http://tacairnet.com/2015/04/09/nort...72-clones-for-executive-transport/

Viper911

tjwgrr · Wed May 20, 2015 7:44 am

After watching that video clip it got me thinking about the '5 o-clock Charlie' M.A.S.H. episode......

Max Q · Wed May 20, 2015 9:12 am

Hope none of his minnions went to sleep watching this..

backseatdriver · Wed May 20, 2015 11:31 am

Quoting A332DTW (Reply 32):
Say what you want about the North Korean regime, but their high maintenance, organized philosophy is remarkable... this coming from a neat freak like myself. They even manage to clap in unison.

It's either that or death. I think you'll find human beings are capable of a lot when they know a simple mistake will mean their own demise.

On a related note, what is the air traffic control system in DPRK? Assuming there aren't many aircraft to control, do they just essentially go VFR? I'm wondering if the controller for Kim's flight is alive today, if say, he ordered dear leader to turn to a certain heading and maintain a certain altitude.

mandala499 · Wed May 20, 2015 11:54 am

Gotta love the fake audio!

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 21):
We're a community of aviation enthusiasts and Mr. Kim is precisely that, he's an aviation enthusiast just like us (who happens to be a dictator).

I don't think he's an enthusiast... Kim Jong Il's fear of flying literally was the stuff of ridicule, at least it was here... I mean, going to Moscow by train? He said he flew to Malaysia and Indonesia, then went by land/sea... only doing the flying for the long leg. The North Korean public was made aware of this... So Kim Jong Un is trying to potray an image that he likes flying, and perhaps flying is a sign of modernity... Cell phones etc, are now allowed in NK, I think flying just fills the progress image in the eyes of the "authoritarian"... KJU is a basketball freak, not a plane freak.

Quoting 32andBelow (Reply 22):
Replace Kim with Hitler and see if you still stand by that statement.

Nice one!

ASA · Wed May 20, 2015 12:33 pm

Quoting B757Forever (Reply 19):
I'm sure someone was assigned the task of building an aircraft for Kim Jong-un. That's a daunting task for a country that struggles to make kites that fly. If it were me, and my life depended on it, which someone's probably does, I would happily acquire a western built aircraft and claim "the people" built it. Then hope like hell Kim Jong-un doesn't find out...

If I were that guy ... the first thing I would do after getting the plane was to take the it to test flights in the border areas with China ... and defect at the first chance. Although the South Korean border is closer ... chances of getting shot down over the DMZ would be too high!

Heavierthanair · Wed May 20, 2015 12:34 pm

G´day

Quoting eielef (Reply 37):
a guy taking notes in a small notebook behind the Great Leader. What the hell is he writing?
Seeing someone writing on paper and pencil these days looks so strange.

Anybody anywhere close to pumkinface err... the Beloved Great Leader is taking notes, presumably to ensure there is a record on what was said by His Excellency. Few remarks are likely making it into history or school books though. I doubt in the DPRK anyone else´s comments are of any importance so some of these notes are likely used to produce the evening news - I take it they have TV there? Samsung´s?

As to them using paper as opposed to electronic means is for security reasons. The NSA has no access to those notes so the DPRK will not end up with mini scandals like Germany with the NSA listening in on the chancellor´s juicy private phone conversations

Quoting backseatdriver (Reply 44):
mean their own demise

I wonder how often the Beloved Great Leader thinks about His own demise, I doubt all those note takers are his friends, some of them have been shot already presumably for taking the wrong notes..

Long live Chairman Ki... err, wrong history book

Cheers

Peter

Wayfarer515 · Wed May 20, 2015 1:27 pm

I recall another "word leader" and infamous mass murderer pretending to be an air force pilot and landing on a carrier deck... while there was a sign that said "Mission Accomplished".

Who could it be? Believe it or not it was me...

You see, flying murderers making an arse of themselves are all around us. Scary stuff indeed.

PEK777 · Wed May 20, 2015 1:40 pm

Quoting Wayfarer515 (Reply 48):
I recall another "word leader" and infamous mass murderer pretending to be an air force pilot and landing on a carrier deck... while there was a sign that said "Mission Accomplished".

Back when America had a strong leader you could respect.

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