Welcome news - sponsor for this summer's shows
After recent uncertainty, some good news - at least for now.
This has just been sent out by XH558's press people. (Goes on a bit - have only pasted half of press release)
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Media Information
For Immediate Use
Vulcan Saviour Gives Delta Wing a Prayer
Just as it seemed that the 15 years and £7 million spent to restore the
world's only remaining Vulcan bomber to full serviceability would be in
vain, a sponsor has come in at the 11th hour and given the project a
temporary reprieve. Aerobytes Ltd., which supplies flight safety and
fuel saving software to the aviation industry, has responded to the
Vulcan to the Sky Trust's (VTST) pleas for financial assistance by
swelling the coffers enough to ensure that the iconic aircraft can
appear at this year's Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford (12 –
13 July) and Farnborough International (14 – 20 July) airshows – subject
to the UK CAA granting XH558 a Permit to Fly and a Display Authorization.
Despite her glorious return to flight last year and the successful
completion of all test-flights required by the UK CAA, the major
sponsorship required to secure the Vulcan's long-term future has not yet
materialised. Thousands of supporters have consistently rallied to keep
the project afloat, but despite their generosity, the money coming in
has only been sufficient to keep the team ticking over.
If this situation had continued it would not have been possible for the
Vulcan to appear at airshows and have the chance to attract the major
sponsors it so critically needs. The VTST was in a Catch 22 situation.
Almost unthinkably, the project would have achieved its goal of
restoring XH558 to flight status and subsequently then had to close
owing to a lack of funding before ever having flown her in front of her
expectant public audience. Having come this far, the only airworthy
Vulcan on the planet would have been grounded forever.
Then, in the Vulcan's darkest hour, Aerobytes came to the rescue.
Managing Director Eddie Forrester has been a long-term sponsor of the
Vulcan and simply couldn't bear to stand by and see her reduced to a
museum novelty. Through donations and pledges for an undisclosed sum,
Aerobytes has now provided the financial stability required to keep
XH558 operational at least until the end of the summer.
Aerobytes supplies Flight Safety (FDM/FOQA) and Fuel Saving software to
nearly one hundred airlines worldwide and is considering the possibility
of pledging a proportion of revenue from its Fuel Saving software to
keep the Vulcan flying in future.
Despite the apparently good news, Eddie was quick to point out that
Aerobytes alone cannot save the Vulcan:
"Without our assistance, XH558 would not have the chance to fly this
summer season, or potentially ever again. We are just one part of a
devoted team of supporters though, and without continuing support from
others funds will run out before September and there will be dire
consequences. If there was ever a time to donate to the Vulcan, it is now."
"It's essential that a major sponsor is found in the next two months and
that is one reason why we put up the money. XH558 must appear on the big
stages of Fairford & Farnborough so that potential sponsors can realise
the fantastic opportunity she represents as a publicity platform. It is
one thing to see a photograph of a Vulcan, but something completely
different to experience one for real. The size, shape, performance and
noise are truly breathtaking. When she performs her 'first' display,
nobody who witnesses it will talk about anything else for days."