Flightline

[BAladdy]

Have loads of questions about this company. Any info greatly recieved.

Looking for in for info on:

When was Flightline set up and what was the idea behind it?

Why base themselves at SEN instead of say STN?.

Are all their aircraft SEN based?.

Apart from the BACF, LX and 2 x RE leases. Who else does this airline operate for on a long term basis?

Is there any new leases in the pipeline?

Do they have plans to add to their current 146 and MD80 fleet??

Do they have plans to upgrade their fleet?

Thanks in advance for any info.........

[mini-jumbo]

That’s a lot of questions. Some of them you could answer yourself with a few seconds of research, like going to the website. It is out of date, however the history is there.
The only aircraft based at SEN is the RJ, so the answer is no.

Why so many questions?

[codpiece face]

sounds like someone is going for an interview

[combineharvester]

3x 146's based ABZ for a long established oil contract ABZ - Scatsa (shetland Islands) although lots of rumours floating about regarding the future longevity of this situation. Occasionaly see them at Sumburgh when the weather at Scatsa hits the deck. Fun watching a 146 doing the 33 approach.

hope this helps

[EI-WAT]

Are you sure that the two aircraft being operated Nex Aviation are owned by flightline as G-TBIC according to the caa website show its owned by Nex

[mini-jumbo]

The 2 aircraft based in Galway are owned and operated by Nex Aviation on Flightline's AOC.

[de Payen]

Aren't the questions a bit pointless now? Flightline have lost their 'Blue Chip' contract and told not to re tender under any circumstance. Hangar doors at SEN also locked!

[cornishsimon]

sorry being dumb here but what 'Blue Chip' contract has been lost ? and how many aircraft does it involve ?

[mini-jumbo]

The IAC Contract, 4 x 146

[UKpaxman]

4th one must be well hidden in ABZ then...

I've been on TBIC a number of times between ABZ and SCS

The 146's feed the six S92's at SCS - only requires 2 aircraft, one sits in ABZ as a hot standby. Might seem a bit ott but the previous experience with ATP's on the route was a nightmare:ugh:

[mini-jumbo]

They use 3 146's daily. The fourth is on standby to cover low payloads or tech problems. The 4th usually sits on the remote apron on far side of the Delta Taxiway.

[UKpaxman]

OK, if you say so, but that's a change to the original arrangement.

Still can't see why you need three 146's when the six S92 pax are 114, that's within the typical landing restriction for two 146's at SCS.

Todays schedule from Bristows website suggests they're still using the 2 aircraft arrangement?

STD ATD Flight Company ETA Status Routing
......06:45 501 SCATSTA-FE 07:24 Landed SCATSTA AIRFIELD
..... 07:37 503 SCATSTA-FE 08:28 Landed SCATSTA AIRFIELD
..... 07:47 502 SCATSTA-FE 08:37 Landed ABERDEEN AIRPORT
..... 11:12 504 SCATSTA-FE 11:52 Landed ABERDEEN AIRPORT
......09:20 505 SCATSTA-FE 10:06 Landed SCATSTA AIRFIELD
..... 09:39 507 SCATSTA-FE 10:33 Landed SCATSTA AIRFIELD
..... 11:55 506 SCATSTA-FE 12:35 Landed ABERDEEN AIRPORT
..... 13:25 508 SCATSTA-FE 14:05 Departing ABERDEEN AIRPORT
..... 12:49 509 SCATSTA-FE 13:31 Landed SCATSTA AIRFIELD
......12:30 511 SCATSTA-FE 13:20 SCATSTA AIRFIELD
......13:55 510 SCATSTA-FE 14:45 ABERDEEN AIRPORT
......14:45 513 SCATSTA-FE 15:35 SCATSTA AIRFIELD
......16:45 512 SCATSTA-FE 17:35 ABERDEEN AIRPORT
......17:15 514 SCATSTA-FE 18:05 ABERDEEN AIRPORT

[tangoecho]

mini-jumbo is correct, they use three 146's and one on stand-by.

After the 501 and the 503 depart they tow the third 146 from the Charlie apron to do the 505.

I see it every day.

Stu...

[UKpaxman]

Okay, still baffled though as they used to manage fine on the 2 aircraft setup?

So does one effectively sit on standby at SCS all day now?

[mini-jumbo]

It is baffling, but that's the way it is. The third aircraft sits in SCS for about 3-4 hours, before returning around lunchtime.

[tangoecho]

The 501 and the 503 come back to ABZ to operate the 507 and 509 I think and the 505 stays up there for a while not 100% sure though.

Also heard a couple of rumours one saying Flybe (with their 146's if they have any left) got the new contract and the other saying Brymon again. Again only RUMOURS.

Stu...

[AIRWAY1UK]

When does the contract end?

[tangoecho]

Contract ends February I believe..

Stu...

[de Payen]

The contract may end sooner than anticipated.

Flybe only have 1 operational 146 and will operate until end of summer program in October. Other 146 aircraft are parked ready for sale and delivery, as i understand.

[peeriebreeks]

They use the same weights on the 146 to Scs as the helicopters- actual weights ..... otherwise I hear they have to use a std wt of 98Kg without hand baggage. If they are forced to land downhill with lack of headwing component headwind then they are severely restricted for landing. lack of wind is surprisingly common in Summer and they often need 3 146's to carry the 6 S92 loads. That is probably why the need three flying and one on standby. Additionally there now seems to further additional restrictons when the runway is wet. However take offs are unrestricted....The Jets have the opposite problem to the turboprops, who seem Ok landing, but restricted taking off

[UKpaxman]

Well either it's global warming or SCS is subsiding at one end after a few yrs of 146's enthusiastic landings - they certainly used to run this contract with 2 aircraft.

[mini-jumbo]

The 501 and the 503 come back to ABZ to operate the 507 and 509 I think and the 505 stays up there for a while not 100% sure though

100% correct. The 505 comes back to operate the 513.

The issues with payload are when the runway in SCS is wet and there is little headwind. This mainly effects R06. In these cases they usually operate all 4 aircraft. Not usually a payload problem leaving SCS.

[G-STAW]

btw one of their md-80's have been rotating at MAN, operating for Monarch i think.

[de Payen]

Good evening G-STAW.

A colleauge of mine tells me that Flightline are sending 2 146 a/c to Flybe for maintenance in September. Something seriously amiss here, SEN hangar doors locked, management not speaking, contracts renewal not being considered :ouch:

[Expressflight]

I was told this morning by someone at SEN that the Flightline Engineering hangar is closed because a new floor is being laid and work carried out on the roof to rectify numerous water leaks.

[peeriebreeks]

UKpaxman said
Well either it's global warming or SCS is subsiding at one end after a few yrs of 146's enthusiastic landings - they certainly used to run this contract with 2 aircraft.


Time marches on and nothing remains the same. CAA piles on restrictions (usually because of accident and near misses), aircraft get heavier every year and so have the passengers( especially in the offshore business). Runways wear out and this affects stopping distances. Airfields need to be upgraded and someone has to pay. Equipment/aircraft require updating as well... and someone has to pay, or put it on the price of petrol :{

[Skipness One Echo]

There are indeed men laying cement all over the floor as I saw yesterday. Panic over chaps(!)

[furrybeast]

Accounts ledgers being used as reinforcement :ok:

Slightly more seriously, I'd be very surprised if FlyBe didn't have a pop at the Scatsta contract. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors! :suspect:

[frostbite]

There was a regular flight into SEN this morning. I would guess Ford have been totally shutdown during August and it's all kicked off again.

[furryboots]

I believe that Richard Branson had a meeting with Bristows at Broomfield house yesterday........:D

[pjjohnst]

Funny you should mention that - as i heard 'stellios' had been in along as well :D

[Mister Geezer]

So the stories of Willie Walsh lingering about Costa coffee in the terminal could be true then?

[furrybeast]

With Walsh, Stelios and Branston all cuddling up at Costa, is it just a matter of time before the first "Easy British Virgin" flight takes to the skies around the North East?

Can't wait to see the livery :}

[BAladdy]

Cheers everyone for the info given so far.

Flightline start operating more flights for BACF from Monday 8th. The 2nd 146 will be based in EDI and will operate EDI/LCY/EDI/LCY/NCE/LCY/EDI.

Does anyone know if the aircraft will carry BA marking as G-FLTB has been?

Any idea of the aircraft reg?.