Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 15,739
If you buy a copy of Joanna's new DVD, you will see that the aircraft is being rebuilt to a much higher standard than original. That's because the legislation of today requires it. The VOC will effectively be running to a one aeroplane airline standard.
The team are replacing anything and everything which requires change. The also discovered evidence of poor workmanship in the first place (such as the bomb bay heating system) and also had to remove some components which were never expected to need removal (such as oxygen pipework). Just watch the guys worming their way into the bowels of the jet to get at the parts which needed inspecting or changing - that's dedication for you.
The OEMs promised what they could - but they could not reasonably be expected to put aside revenue generating normal work when the necessary work (such as elevon repairs) proved to be more than was originally anticipated.
Yes, perhaps a better update and information system should have been in place. But rest assured that the first flight will be quite soon now - and please remind folk that any contributions are always welcome. Incidentally, £65K was raised by VTS Club members applying for the 15 pairs of VIP tickets to the first flight viewing, so there is definite interest in seeing the aircraft fly still out there!
See www.tvoc.co.uk for the latest information - and please be patient for a little while longer!!
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 15,739
No, I'm not. Much as I would love to be, the fact is that I've had so few days in the UK this year that I wouldn't have been able to help much, even had I been fortunate enough to be considered.
But I keep in touch with People Who Do Know - although you won't get any sneak previews from me as I have promised total confidentiality.
Not really wishing to cover old ground or be too pedantic regarding tantalising snippets about were and when 558 would or would not appear surley anyone with a grain of sense must understand the phrase 'Subject Too Servicability'.
558 is currently not servicable simple as that, when it is then the groups calender will advertise the dates that it 'May' appear and when they do I am certain that everyone involved will do there best to ensure those dates are kept.
So in the absence of a fixed date for first flight we must all rely on the engineers having the time too update the website or answer questions on the TVOC Forum with regard too how things are progressing.
Beyond that speculation is a rather futile occupation.
But why the need? I thought that XH558 was now "owned by the nation", and therefore an open attitude is more appropriate. Not having a go at you Beags, if you've been asked to keep stumm, then naturally you must keep your promise. But I suggest an aura of secrecy is not conducive to attracting continued financial support from Joe public.
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 15,739
There is concern that the Bruntingthorpe area would be overrun with twitchers if the date of the first flight leaked into the public domain. That could prejudice the safety of the area - the police don't have enough man power to remove idiots and their little aluminium step ladders from dangerous locations.....
But wouldn't they miss out on a massive PR opportunity by not announcing the first flight date?
If they are worried about safety, why not make it an official event. Sort out parking on the airfield and charge the spectators a small nominal fee to see the aircraft getting rolled out, made ready for flight and then the taxi and the take off. Any monies made could go to the fund. Invite the press.
I'd rather turn on the news on BBC/ITV etc and hear ".... and thousands turned up to see the historic Vulcan Bomber XH 558 take to the skies again" rather than a damp squid in the form of "And finally an old RAF bomber flew again after restoration"
If you go on the website, they're VERY concerned that any large crowd immediately transitions the first flight from a "test flight" which is allowable, to a "display" which it will not yet be certified to do. Doesn't matter that it is not billed as a display - it appears that the presence of large number of the public will make it so under CAA rules.
There is concern that the Bruntingthorpe area would be overrun with twitchers if the date of the first flight leaked into the public domain. That could prejudice the safety of the area - the police don't have enough man power to remove idiots and their little aluminium step ladders from dangerous locations.....
I’d wonder just how Bruntingthorpe plans to ‘keep secret’ the first flight of 558? The aircraft will be pushed in and out of the hangar for a week at least, for engine runs etc, before it finally launches. It wouldn’t take a 60’s ex Kremlin employee, probably still in the black Zlin that used to park on the A15, to predict within an hour or two, just when the nose will point skywards.
Trying to keep the event secret is just inviting problems. Probably almost the same number of people, but complete anarchy rather than crowd control.
The CAA have a well laid down set of criteria for what constitutes a 'display' and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the number of people that may be watching at the time Sir. The same applies to a scheduled 'test flight' also, so the info you have been given is not correct.
I am with the cyclic-fondler and forget on this issue. It would be a massive PR gaff if they did not announce the date of the first 'flight' albeit only a test flight. The publicity would be enormous and would rejuvinate many of those supporters who have perhaps lost a bit of faith and interest in the project.
That said, there is clearly a danger with having loads of GA aircraft 'poodling around' but that should be controlable with the necessary NOTAMS etc.
Either way, lets not hide this event away, it needs to be brought to the fore to show the supporters and the public alike that things are progressing with the old girl.
anything approaching the numbers of VTS club members and friends (over 22,000 individual records) who would wish to attend would render the first test flight impossible, because it would legally become a display - something that an aircraft without a Permit to Fly could not carry out.
That statement doesn't irritate me - it makes me bloody angry. Has this project really been under the control of a man so far out of touch with the aviation world? He’s either, being advised by half wits, or he’s lying to make a futile point. Either way, just another indicator of the ‘management’ this project has suffered from - located 30 miles south of my present position.
If the Wright brothers could have seen this they’d have stuck to bicycles.
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