Broadcast Archive
Broadcast Archive in English
An internal video produced by Pilsner Prazdroj has become a hit on You Tube, leaving the company somewhat shamefaced. The Czech town of Pigsville is laying a claim to fame. And, a truly disastrous wedding. Find out more in Magazine with Daniela Lazarová.
Today in Mailbox: the Czech Republic’s commemorative stamp for World Expo 2010, shortwave broadcasting, the beginnings of aviation in the country, annual listeners’ competition. Listeners quoted: Jayanta Chakrabarty, Robert, Steven Bell, Lili Eylon.
A unique museum dedicated to aviation has opened in the Moravian city of Olomouc. The museum, which opened its doors to hundreds of visitors for the first time on Saturday, features not only aircraft, such as the MiG-21, but also displays equipment used in the training of pilots. A number of special events will take place on the opening weekend, such as demonstrations of army aviation techniques with plane and helicopter models.
Czechs celebrate 100 years of aviation, a car-thief steals a car with a baby in the back-seat and the Prague Academy of Fine Arts has organized a course in Gothic bookbinding. Find out more in Magazine with Daniela Lazarova.
Moravian small planes manufacturer Evektor, based near Zlin, has reason to celebrate: on Wednesday the firm – which specialises in two-seat aircraft – rolled out its first larger passenger plane in 40 years. The sleek EV 55 Outback, is designed for extreme conditions (hence the name) and is expected to go into commercial production in roughly three years’ time.
In this week’s Business News: state companies face screening; competition office seeks to weed out spurious complaints; a Czech aircraft maker ties a trans-Atlantic deal; Czechs top regional savings league; and taxi drivers take new road.
The Czech Republic is hoping to buy four US Hercules military planes this year, the country’s minister of defence, Martin Barták, told reporters. Two of the planes would be flown while the other two would be used as a source of spare parts. Mr Barták refused to say how much the aircraft would cost, but said they would come at a good price. The idea of buying Hercules planes was floated in 2008 by a previous Czech defence minister, Vlasta Parkanová.
The Czech Defense Ministry is to receive the first of four CASA C-295 transport planes on Monday, according to the ministry’s spokeswoman Lucie Kubovičová. The new transport planes will gradually replace the fleet of Soviet-made Antonovs which the military acquired in the 80s. The CASA planes will serve both at home and on foreign missions, including emergency humanitarian situations. The 3.5 billion crown contract includes logistic help, spare parts and training programmes.
Czech Airlines announced a 24-hour delay in a planned flight to the Caribbean on Saturday after a maintenance vehicle defrosting the airbus in question accidentally damaged the plane. The flight’s 200 passengers have been given accommodation and refreshments free of charge. The plane is expected to leave on Sunday.
In related news, it will become clearer in October or November whether the Czech Republic will buy C-130 Hercules military transport planes from the United States. The Czech Defence Minister Martin Barták said on Friday after meeting with his US counterpart Robert Gates that negotiations were continuing. The planes could replace Russian An-26s in the Czech Air Force. Final details will be negotiated at the same time as other items, such as possible participation the development of a new US anti-missile system. Sources reported this week that the sale of the Hercules planes to the Czech Republic had hit a road bump over a rise in the asking price by the US.