Speedbird London - End of an era..

[Aerial-Bender]

It appears that Speedbird London is doomed! - Rumour has it that B.A.'s contract with the 3rd party company, (post Speedwing Comm's) soon runs out and it looks likely that the new contract for HF SSB LDOC provision is going abroad to; "Somewhere in Scandinavia".

Anyone got memories or anectotes connected to in-flight (or on-ground) contacts with the guys and gals at Speedbird London? I'd like to compile an archive for future reference so's not to let a British institution dissapear without trace.

[Hotel Mode]

Better be after the world cup! ACARS is frowned on for scores. amazing how urgent that Urumqi weather is towards the end of the 2nd half..."and you wouldnt happen to know the england score would you"

[Foul-Sudan]

In those blissful far off days of BOAC, we frequently gave Speedbird our ETA with a request that a certain hostellry in Hampton was also given details.
The pub was then accordingly ensured 'open' despite the licensing hours.
Normally a 'BOAC' insider would be tending bar to ensure a thirsty crew was accomodated after the Landlord Johnny had departed for his 'London'
ventures.
Happy days indeed.

[Captain Airclues]

Remember it well Foul-Sudan. Assuming that it is the 'Jolly Coopers' to which you are refering, we once counted the number of pilots in the bar at 1am and there were 11 BEA and 11 BOAC. Somebody suggested a cricket match and so Hampton Hill Cricket Club was hired and the 'Coopers' BEA vs BOAC match took place.
Eventually a combined Coopers X1 was formed to play annual matches against 511 Squadron at Brize Norton. I can remember going out at regular intervals in the early hours to bribe the coach driver so that we could continue to enjoy the 511 hospitality in the mess.

As you say, happy days.

Airclues

[Foul-Sudan]

Airclues- Spot on!

No doubt we played together at Brize also in the 'Purple Potty' matches.
I still have the pictures. Some of the 'team' regrettably have departed for
the Big Bar upstairs

A 'Coopers Reunion' has also been held but awaits further organisation for a repeat!

[Blacksheep]

My favourite memory of Speedbird London was raising them on the HF from Bandar Seri Begawan one night. One of our pilots had snagged the HF for having poor range when he couldn't raise Darwin - they seldom knew how to choose the right frequency ranges for the time of day. Very satisfying to sign off the tech log entry with "Contacted Darwin on ----, Karachi on ---- and Speedbird London on ----. HF range and operation found satisfactory."

[scroggs]

Not particularly historic, but I had some very good service from Speedbird London somwhere back in the late '80s or early '90s. We had taken our Albert out to Belize to repatriate some poor Army chaps who'd died in a truck crash. On the way back across the pond, it became obvious that Lyneham and the rest of England was going to be out in fog, and (after consultation with Grope/Ascart Ops) we elected to divert to Leuchars. As it was the evening of 23rd December, and we all wanted to get home for Christmas, Grope gave us permission to leave the aircraft at Leuchars (once suitable arrangements had been made for our 'passengers') and find our own way south.

Having used Speedbird to transmit a few messages before, I thought they might be able to help us out. So I called them up and asked if there was any way we could get seats on the first southbound shuttle from Edinburgh on Christmas Eve. They said they'd do what they could.

On arrival at Turnhouse at around 2am, courtesy of the duty driver at Leuchars and a very tired old Sherpa van, we were met by the BA Duty Manager, who apologised profusely for the lack of better accommodation and offered us a quiet few seats in a lounge to get our heads down while we waited. We were woken at ETD minus about 15 minutes, and escorted to the front end of the waiting 757 and whisked back to Heathrow for a CAT 3 landing, with a fine breakfast en route.

What fantastic service and helpfulness from Speedbird London and all of BA that day! Nothing was too much trouble, and everything worked like a charm. I still have no idea who paid for the tickets!

Shame they couldn't have dropped us at Lyneham; the transport (which wasn't allowed to leave LYE until we'd confirmed we were on the ground at LHR) took 4 hours to reach us, and a further 4 to get home!

[On-MarkBob]

I remember flying up through Italy in a Caledonian A320. Ahead of us was an old Caledonian Tristar with an open mike. The Italian ATC were going barmy and suddenly it was my fault! According to them I have got to fix the problem, because after all I am a Caledonian as well so I must be able to do that. Well I did, Thanks to good old Speedbird London. I simply asked them to selcal the tripod and tell them to put their house in order. Fantastic! Job done. I often wondered if the Italians ever gave a thought to how I did it.

Bob.

[Aerial-Bender]

Hello flyers. As a recently laid-off Operator from Speedbird London I just wanted to extend my greetings, gratitude and warmest wishes to all and any that used our station in the past years. The many exchanges that I had were always professional and curteous, I would like to think that I reciprocated in kind as I always considered I was privileged to be doing it .

No doubt Mr Walsh and his boys thought we were too expensive and so the axe had to fall, such are market forces! - First Concorde and now Speedbird London - tut, tut.

All the best and say HI to Stockholm.

[Scimitar]

Speedbird London helped me out of a few scrapes back in the '70s whilst working the old "Foxtrot Foxtrot" flight numbers, especially on the knackered old Britannias. It was always a pleasant surprise to find that an HF set worked and an even greater pleasure to talk to a fellow Brit from the depths of darkest Africa.
Many thanks for a job well done and very best wishes to you all for the future.

[Jumpjim]

I've used Speedbird London many times over the past 13 years and have always been delighted with the service I received.

Thanks very much for the service and it will be sorely missed by many, especially those without satcom!

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

G'day 'Aerial Bender',...

From all at the now ex 'Perth' being, by various names over the years...
Perth Airadio, simply 'Perth', Perth Flight Service, Perth International etc etc

I do remember well, intercepting and relaying many HF calls intercepted and forwarded via the AFTN to the company....

Many of those intercepts were from aircraft 'somewhere' in Africa, and simply wished their ATD / ETA etc to be passed on!

Enjoy your retirement. I am!!!

Cheers:ok:

[PAXboy]

Sorry to hear that your services are no longer required. On the other point - and at the risk of reigniting an explosive issue (Boom-Boom :} ) Conc was killed by the French. IF BA was pleased about it - they managed to hide that.

It sounds as if your job has been overtaken by new technology and new technology has a way of providing new jobs too.

[fantom]

Well, well.
I had no idea (why were we not told?) and I am very sorry to hear this news.
Sympathy aside, I have a technical Q.
These days of CPDLC and ADS, we don't use HF much except to check in and get our selcal. When we do, our ears are subject to the special 'white noise' which we have come to expect and enjoy.
What do the radio controllers hear? It cannot, surely be that same noise we hear.
Cummon, I want to know.

[Shytehawk]

Thanks for an excellent service over many, many years. It was wonderful to hear those British voices from all corners of the globe and your professionalism was invaluable.

[Prince Of Darkness]

I had no idea that the end of another era had come and gone until I went to download the latest Propogation Charts last week-end.

Speedbird London was always a familiar, friendly, professional and helpful voice when a long way from home.

To you and your colleagues, 'Aerial-Bender', my sincere thanks for a job well-done.

:D

[woodpecker]

Only last week we were in Portishead Marina, just along from the radio station. Following the demise of Portishead Radio they now have a website at http://www.gka.btinternet.co.uk/.

They were always helpful when there was no contact with Speedbird London.

Hopefully the support given by Speedbird London will also not be forgotten and perhaps they will put their own website together.

[ex-EGLL]

Well, well.
I had no idea (why were we not told?) and I am very sorry to hear this news.
Sympathy aside, I have a technical Q.
These days of CPDLC and ADS, we don't use HF much except to check in and get our selcal. When we do, our ears are subject to the special 'white noise' which we have come to expect and enjoy.
What do the radio controllers hear? It cannot, surely be that same noise we hear.
Cummon, I want to know.

At Gander the Radio Operators DO hear the "white noise" constantly. There is an ability to squelch it out, but the guys there prefer not use the squelch as they claim it limits their ability to hear weak signals.

As an aside, at least as far as Shanwick and Gander are concerned, HF comms is still the responsibility of Radio Operators. The then input the reports/requests into a computer sytem, the controllers will then read the messages and issue clearances into the computer which goes back to the RO for transmission.

In Gander the controllers and RO's are in the same building, for Shanwick the RO's are in Eire, the controllers in Prestwick!!

ex-egll

[Evileyes]

ex-EGLL

You are absolutely correct for pure ATC information being passed. What folks like Portished and Speedbird-London (and a few notable others) allowed the long-haul community to do is communicate with their companies and among other things, get re-dispatched in mid-ocean.

It would take more typing than I'm up to to describe why that was such an essential service. I've sweated through my shirt more than once wondering if I needed to continue to my flight planned, as compared to my real, destination without their support. Think "required" fuel reserves for a 13 hour flight vice "required" fuel reserves to begin a 2 hour flight to a "new" destination.

Thanks for the support Speedbird-London

[beerdrinker]

Aerial-Bender,

Thanks for all your hard work over the years - the service you and your colleagues provded was much appreciated.

Beerdrinker

[fireflybob]

Not long after I joined BOAC in 1970 as Second Officer, Speedbird London got SSB.

We were sat on the ground at Trinidad one night and I asked the Captain if it was OK to try the system and give Speedbird London a call. We got the propagation charts out, dialled up the frequency and gave them a call. Strength 5 - absolute magic! Remember these were the days before SatCom.

It was always very comforting to be able to talk to Speedbird London when we were halfway round the world plying through a pitch black night trying to stay awake. Guys thanks for the excellent service!

[woodpecker]

Portishead and Speedbird gone, what about Stockholm Radio. Have they also disappeared?

[Albert Driver]

RIP Birdseed. A warm light in the darkness extinguished.

[Aerial-Bender]

Hello everyone. Many thanks for your replies. I’ll try to address most of the responses in this reply, if there are any more questions I’d be happy to answer them.

Interestingly, a lot, possibly the majority of calls were from flights in or over Africa – A few passengers didn’t think a credit card could be checked for validity at F/L 350 over the Sahara J - O yes they can!

Interestingly, in this era of Satcomms, HF has been thought of as largely redundant, it remains however a necessary back-up system - satellites don’t always do what is expected of them as I’m sure many of you long-haul folk could attest.

As for retirement, I haven’t and unfortunately I’m not. Not old enough or rich enough, our departure from SL was not optional.. The HF service is still required and this side of the Atlantic, Stockholm Radio is now the main provider, presumably for reasons of cost. They haven’t offered me a job yet - I’m not holding my breath……..

This for “FANTOM” in particular; you were not told? Mmm, interesting, I don’t know the terminology but in your orders of the day or NOTAMS or something, do you not get this sort of data as a routine? Maybe only certain routes? Don’t know. As for the special “white noise” your suspicions are correct; we would monitor the six HF freq’s simultaneously which at night with no extraneous noise was not too difficult, in TBA @ LHR during the day the engineers would often be testing engines – very trying even with double glazing, during in the summer however it was a little trying sometimes especially with static crashes from distant and local thunderstorms. I did campaign for DSP, (Digital Speech Processing), an inexpensive add-on which would have made a HUGE difference – (I’m a radio amateur, I know these things, see: http://www.bhi-ltd.co.uk/ (http://www.bhi-ltd.co.uk/) ) all of my representations fell on conservative, deaf ears, “we’ve always done without it before” Apparently a squelch system is available for HF SSB, it opens based on syllable recognition, I’ve never seen or heard it in operation.


Stockholm Radio HF frequencies: 3494, 5541, 8930, 11345, 13342, 17916 and 23210Khz

The 3494Khz freq is qualified, “at night” and in this period of low sunspot activity you’d be hard pressed to get a reply on 17’s or 23’s even in the middle of the day.

I am moved and gratified that your replies indicate how much the service was appreciated, I can only hope that BA change their mind and ask us back – not likely - and/or that you will all receive the same level of service from the guys ‘n gals at Stockholm Radio.

Very best Regards to you all.

[reverserunlocked]

As an interested pax, am I right in thinking that Speedbird London is (was!) BA's HF radio HQ? A kind of despatch centre at the end of a HF link?

[tapow]

The wonderful "cut costs" ay!! Even us opposition ( in those good old days ) enjoyed the sense of "home" from those far flung lands once the speedbird london response came through. Thankyou all.

[Wodrick]

From the other end so to speak, I am a Maintrol Engineer and routinely take patches from ARINC JFK and SFO as well as Stockholm and until recently Speedbird.
There is no comparison, you guys were simply the best ! Thank you.

Hard not to say 73 at the end of the patch however !

[MrBernoulli]

I used Speedbird London whilst in the military. Always a solid backup for weather info when 'Architect' wasn't answering - which seemed like lot of the time.

Speedbirdbird sounded like they were next door while mil radio sounded like he was in the ****ter, head in the bowl, on the other side of the world, with WW3 going on in the background.

[BEagle]

I agree with MrB - mil HF was often appalling and, even when you did get through, you spoke to an idiot who had to get permission from a grown up to do anything useful. It was often easier to speak to the dead than it was to speak with Cyprus Flightwatch, for example. As for Artichoke, often I could see Bampton Castle sooner than I could get the buggers to answer......

Countless times I have battled with static and idiot military wireless answerers (I wouldn't call them controllers) - then given up and tried Speedbird London. An almost immediate answer and a superbly efficient service - thank you and your colleagues for such excellence over the years.

Why oh why are those Waterworld idiots doing away with the only good point there was about ba since Skippy killed Concorde?

[Speedbird48]

All those years ago in East African and BOAC/BA, "SPEEDBIRD LONDON" could always be relied on in the dead of night or heat of the day when you were stuck in some god forsaken place with a broken airplane. Crank up the GPU/APU and get patched through to almost anyone. Great service by great people, sorry to see you go.
Once got stuck in Khartoum in a coup and managed to get to the airport where a cooperative local army major let us crank up a GPU and use a Sudan Airways F27's HF to tell "SPEEDBIRD" where we were, and all was OK. This was after the W**k**S in the embassy refused to make a call for us?? And as usual the 'phone didn't work.
Thanks guys. We never met but always knew you were there when we were in need.
Speedbird 48.

[clicker]

Had the pleasure of using Speedbird on the odd occassion from my ops at LGW, regretable that it wasnt the companies first option.

There was one lass at Speedbird who had a very recognisable voice, very clear and she was always helpful.

[clicker]

--- while mil radio sounded like he was in the ****ter, head in the bowl, on the other side of the world, with WW3 going on in the background.

Now I know why I thought a computer on 5450 stated "This is RAF vomit"

[fantom]

Thank you for the replies. Sorry to be late; just goddin from far-away Canada (and not having to use my HF much...).
Well, so you hear the noise as well. I presume you are all mad in that case; I can't stand it for more than five minutes.
We have all used Speedbird for important operational reasons. I had cause to use it for a far more important reason. Moving to the Middle East after the (first) Gulf war the 'phones in our apartments were not working and I was desperate to talk to my wife. On the way to somewhere-or-other, brilliant idea. Speedbird. It probably cost me a fortune (and the whole world heard it) but it was worth every penny.
Thank you all and good luck.

[lm06]

As an interested pax, am I right in thinking that Speedbird London is (was!) BA's HF radio HQ? A kind of despatch centre at the end of a HF link?

yes...i second that...thanks to you all for putting this in context for interested observers

[Captain Airclues]

Why oh why are those Waterworld idiots doing away with the only good point there was about ba since Skippy killed Concorde?

Probably because most aircraft now have Satcom.

[Aerial-Bender]

As an interested pax, am I right in thinking that Speedbird London is (was!) BA's HF radio HQ? A kind of despatch centre at the end of a HF link?

Well, yes, of course, BA were paying the bills so they could use it as they wished. My take on it was that we were an information and facilitation source. You guys/girls were out there, usually with your hands full and a load of pax who were expecting it all to be seamless, ("We've paid our money"), when it wasn't, we did what we could to oil the wheels, WHATEVER was happening; AirCon gone tits-up - patch to Maintrol, Sick pax - patch to medlink, crazy pax - call security to reserve the rubber room, weather in Timbuktu - find it, latest cricket/footie score, (for the first-class pax, of course..) - relay it, two hours into flight; Is mrs smiths' luggage in the cellar? - call LIBRA find out if it was loaded, flight diverting - send signal to all concerned, Crew need to "fone home" patch 'em through! Etc, etc.. I could probably write a book about all the bits and pieces but that was what we did, we just had a huge book of phone numbers and had to try to be as resourceful as possible.
All the Best
A-B

[Aerial-Bender]

Probably because most aircraft now have Satcom.

Ok, the bigger A/C might have Satcom but I wish I had a fiver for each call we handled 'cos the Satcom was U/S!

[Captain Airclues]

Aerial-Bender

I have enjoyed talking to you over the last 38 years. It was always comforting to hear your professional voice when sitting at a diversion airfield in some dark corner of the world. Your service during the first night of GW1 was invaluable. However the advent of reliable satcom is gradually making HF redundant. It is much easier to push a button and speak directly to ops, maintrol or medlink. We don't even speak to our Irish and Canadian friends over the Atlantic any more, just log on and the datalink does it all.

Thank you for all your help over the years. It was always nice to know that you were there for us. If you ever get round to writing that book, could I please be the first to buy one?

Airclues

[dash6]

Probably because most aircraft now have Satcom.They do? Wots it look like? Still i've only been doing long haul stuff for 15 years. Mayby the F/O knows where it is?:)
Seriously though; Speedbird London love you dearly. Always the best! [And all the best.]:{

[Blacksheep]

Originally Posted by Captain Airclues
Probably because most aircraft now have Satcom.They don't yet. But there'll be a few retrofit programmes in the pipeline now. More cash for Rockwell Collins and Honeywell... :rolleyes:

As a maintenance man I also had the pleasure of using Speedbird on a few occasions. Thanks for all the help from you and your colleagues, Aerial-Bender and good luck to you all for the future. :ok:

[Eurobrit]

As a former flight ops controller for an airline on the continent with a three letter callsign who shared 8921 with Speedbird at night, I always enjoyed listening to a highly professional lady with a beautifull voice who not only gave comfort to those calling for assistance, but also to all those of us
sitting in front of our radios on lonely nightshifts. Believe it or not, but I really do miss HF. ACARS is so remote and abreviated, the personal touch is missing. New toys are not always better than the old ones!
All the best.

EB:)

[justawanab]

As one who knew, from the back of the plane, those halcyon days of aviation in the late 50's and early 60's plying the London - Aden route, and eventually London - Darwin with BOAC, I knew about Speedbird. As a (very) young Junior Jet Club member it would have been negligent of me not to! :)

On more than one occasion while sitting in a cockpit jumpseat (they were much more trusting times back then), including in a Comet 4 somewhere over the Indian Ocean, I can recall listening to the Captain calling Speedbird London and being mesmerised by the fact that they could actually hear us from all that way!

To Aerial-Bender and all those who served with you, and went before you, commisserations on the end of an era (another one! :() and I hope thing fall into place for you from here on.

[Strobe2000]

As an ex operator for Speedbird, I enjoyed my 2 years doing what can only be described as a unique job. Shame it all had to end but thanks to the team I worked with and all who used Speedbird over the years. Now involved in pilot training, simulators and type ratings I have discovered another side to the aviation industry which is just as interesting.

[merlinxx]

You were always there, when in deepest LOS/KAN/FWK/AC/NBO & loads of others with no phones/tlx etc nip on to any acft with domestics on crank up & call you folks, f***ing bloody magic job, :ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:PFM!!!!

My sincerest best regards to all, who are ex (always will be;)) SPEEDBIRD RADIO.

STO Radio are a nice bunch, met most of them on site, hope you all (most who wish to) settle in with them.

Sincerest thanks for many years of heart and brain surviving support, I wish you all :):):):):).

:mad:the those who closed you down.

Hey and thank you for the cricket scores!!!!!!!

[Porky Speedpig]

This is an ancient thread but every now and then on this site one digs up a gem. Reply 28 just had me in stitches

[Brian Reid]

It appears that Speedbird London is doomed! - Rumour has it that B.A.'s contract with the 3rd party company, (post Speedwing Comm's) soon runs out and it looks likely that the new contract for HF SSB LDOC provision is going abroad to; "Somewhere in Scandinavia".

Anyone got memories or anectotes connected to in-flight (or on-ground) contacts with the guys and gals at Speedbird London? I'd like to compile an archive for future reference so's not to let a British institution dissapear without trace.
Transmitter site...does anyone know where it was...there often remote sites away from the control centre linked via phone lines to microwave links...spent hours listening to 5535khz years back and all the aircraft calling them,,,the female that was really posh stands out a mile...thanks for the memories wish i had recorded some traffic...regards Brian GM7JDS

[ex-EGLL]

I believe the transmitter site was in Birdlip, Glos. and the receiver site was at Heathrow.

ex-egll

[Bergerie1]

An article about the Speedbird London HF service:- https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1973/1973%20-%202793.PDF

As I remember it, the men and women who were the radio operators were situated on the 4th floor in the north east corner of TBA at Heathrow. I have used Speedbird London from both ends, as it were - down route in the air and on the ground, and also as a manager trying to help crews with problems in many varied places on the globe. I fully endorse the many compliments that have been paid by users on this thread to those who gave such an excellent service, day and night, and at all times of the day.

Aerial-Bender, either you or one of your colleagues should write a book about your experiences, I am sure there are many tales to tell.

Many thanks to you all.

[condor17]

From another SL fan . Belated thx to you guys 'n gals .
There used to be some large and strange shaped aeriels on top of the TBA building ..

rgds condor