The display hasn't officially been canx yet, so fingers crossed it makes either Sat or Sun.
Its due to display at Bournemouth on Saturday (maybe Sunday if things aren't fixed in time), so I would assume it would also display at Shoreham on the same day, meaning just one round trip for both shows from Brize.
If I get a definitive answer in the next couple of days, I'll post it here.
Only just read this thread, been a little busy trying to keep a Vulcan flying. As usual vickyv shows the ill-informed views and inaccurracy for which she?/ he is so well known.
If the incident referred to was the failed Cowes sortie, I was on "the long lead" that very hectic day and I can confirm that there were plenty of spare fuses, all properly GRN numbered, the fault was correctly diagnosed and rectified and all procedures were followed meticulously.
It was not caused by incorrect groundcrew practice or inexperience as inferred by vicky v and daddyflm. The FRC and AP procedures were fully adherred to.
Here's the real gen'
During pre-start up the GPU went off line as a result of an internal failure of the GPU itself. The aircraft was reset as per FRC's by the crew before attempting a GPU reconnection. This failed, the GPU would not engage and to save time in waiting for a replacement GPU, the AAPP was started by the AEO as per FRC's. It started well, but would not go on line as it had no apparent output. The fault was traced quickly, by myself and Kev Penfold (both Vulcan Electrical Course graduates), to the triple feeder system of 3 Blue phase fuses connecting the AAPP alternator o/p to the Synchbus. When these were replaced the AAPP went on line with no problems. However, time was tight and the Captain decided to abort the sortie, as is his right.
I strongly resent any inferrence that myself or Kev were in any way to blame for the lose of the flight and the Captain has assurred me that he has no such beliefs or concern. Both Kev and myself have since successfully despatched 558 to flight whilst undergoing Crew Chief training under Taff Stone's supervision and I would say that we have more operating experience now than any other available technician, including those from MA, who have not kept current as they have not worked on the aircraft for nearly a year.
To vickyv I would offer some advice, as you have never been where we are and have no idea what is involved at the workface, don't try to tell those in the trenches how to fight the battle.
Instead of spreading inaccurracies and rumour ask those of us who are actually doing the job and have some actual formal knowledge and experience to draw on.
p.s All work was recorded on the aircraft F700 and signed off by a Marshall Aerospace approved technician.
It is a fact of life that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." That is why we get some who seem to think they are more aware than the experts. Until they are named and shamed.
Fortunately, we have some real experts in addition to those of you at the coalface, who have spent many years of their lives living and breathing the Vulcan. Aways totally invaluable inputs from them
Perhaps you would be good enough to keep us up to speed.
PPP
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Biker Boy, thanks for the clarification.
It would help enormously if such accurate posts could be made on the VTSC site, in order to stop some of the speculation which goes no after any airshow appearance cancellation.
How goes the work at Brize? The weather has hardly been suitable for any test flying so far, but have the failed components been replaced and retraction tests completed?
This all makes very interesting reading. I was just wondering if the landing gear problem is a long lead time issue, as I'm going to the IWM show at Duxford on September 7th, and making the effort to come from France mainly to see this wonderful machine.
As mentioned in the Duxford thread, according to the TVOC website it'll not be going anywhere this weekend as the repair can't be checked by MA until Monday.
With great regret, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) has to announce that the long-awaited appearance of Vulcan XH558 at the Bournemouth and Shoreham Airshows over the weekend of 30th and 31st August will not now be possible.
VTST were very much looking forward to bringing Vulcan XH558 to the South Coast, and remain fully aware of the huge public interest that has been created by the much anticipated return of the aircraft to these displays.
After her last flight on Friday 22nd August, it was discovered that XH558 had suffered a failure of the retraction mechanism for one of her landing gear doors, grounding the aircraft. Whilst the repair was relatively simple, unfortunately due to circumstances beyond VTST’s control, the technicians from Marshall Aerospace, XH558’s Engineering Authority, who are required to inspect and certify the repair, are not available until Monday.
Robert Pleming, Chief Executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust said “Our policy that safety is paramount dictates that we must do everything by the book. We must adhere absolutely to the processes and procedures which ensure that XH558 will be safe when she flies. Both the Trust and Marshall Aerospace are extremely sad that despite every effort, the Vulcan is unable to appear at Bournemouth and Shoreham. This is a huge disappointment for us, but more so for all of those who were looking forward to seeing XH558 this weekend.”
For more information please call 0116 2478145 (VTST) or 01223 373737 (Marshall Aerospace).
-ends-
Getting to be a tad unreliable
shame if it becomes its downfall
still await to get to see her fly!
Getting to be a tad unreliable
shame if it becomes its downfall
Hmmm. All aircraft get snags and there are current in-service aircraft that seem to suffer more snags than 558! It's just a shame that Marshalls couldn't send some gingers down out of hours to sign it off.
I think all avenues were explored by VOC, VTTS on getting a guy to sign it off. I think the guy just said No... it can wait until after the weekend.
Weekend flying will be VOC's bread and butter, the sooner MA work this out the better and have a process in place for a engineer to be on call during the weekends during air show season.
Not posted for a while but had too today. Yes its a shame XH558 wont be displaying this weekend or the Tuesday hook up with the Reds, but just maybe the news from the tvoc site is a maybe unhappy chap who couldnt organise a p*** up in a brewery and left it a bit too late too sort things out. Oh and demanded in ever so slightly the wrong way as usual. Grump over any questions?
Weekend flying will be VOC's bread and butter, the sooner MA work this out the better and have a process in place for a engineer to be on call during the weekends during air show season.
If VOC require that level of service then they will have to stipulate it in the support contract and pay for it. If they have already done so then no doubt MA will cover any losses incurred by the non-appearance of the aircraft due to their inability to fulfil a contractual obligation. If they haven't done so then it's all down to them.
I don't know how many MA engineers are endorsed as certifying engineers for the Vulcan. If I were to guess I would put the number in the low single figures; maybe someone out there knows the actual figure. These people will also have "day jobs" as well, so given the numbers and the other committments it might not come as a surprise that no one is available.
It really is very simple, VOC is a commercial operation and they will get the support level they pay for.
Totally agree Yellow Sun, but as the work required on 558 too get her back up is 2 days work with the oops and mag plug changes plus the indies for undercarriage, just perhaps the asking of people yesterday too get their butts down too brize over the weekend is a bit too much?
Well does 903 know his a=s# from his elbow these are a couple of reasons for the recent problem dis-gruntled is correct on work and timescales.
The reason is plain to understand in many ways a contract was in place for technician cover 24/7 this was changed to ease the financial burden on tvoc/vtts to as and when basis.
As per normal the delay in reporting the snag to MA 3 days this time unlike the last time when the fuses blew that was over a week also the issue with spares and NDT inspections to see that no other damage was done due to the failure.
The request to assist came at mid afternoon Wednesday and the 3 airframe techs can not be released due to involvement on major projects that due to the present EU climate and the support to the UN and the goverments (priority), if you needed aid etc you may realise the problem
As for the techs saying it can wait till monday total bulls~it remember these are the techs who were working 80 to 90 hrs a week to get 558 up in the air whilst the tvoc support went home early to have tea or band practices and vairious other reasons.
As others have said if tvoc management had laid down a contract and paid to have the cover and expertise then yes MA would have to drop everything to support it untill then it will be the same every time
Having sat back and watched from afar, for far too long, I couldn't let this level of insult pass!!!!
I personally know the people Vulcan 903 is having a dig at...and nothing could be further from the truth! I would suggest that, rather than having a go at people based on half truths and supposition, keep your trap shut until you are in posession of all the FACTS! Although, I doubt you will ever be in this position.
In answer to your question, YS, there are only 2 (that's right 2!) people endorsed to RTS the aircraft and they both have VERY busy day jobs and lives outside of work!
Both daddy flm and YS have hit the proverbial nail!!
I also understand that the secret VOC forum is practically apoplectic!!!! I would suggest to any of their readers on here....don't believe all you are told by your puppet masters!! Lies and half truths are nothing new to them!!
Regards, Simplethings
Last edited by simplethings : 29th August 2008 at 10:56.
Reason: spelling!
Yep - I don't know my ar*3 from my elp00w, thanks for pointing out the finer points of engineering contracts and SLA's.
I was just repeating what was told to me, which was the work was completed on the aircraft, but need 1 chap to sign the work off, which he declined (fair point being late Friday) I believe they then asked some one else and they said no as well.
Understand it's a commerical operation, but it's like sticking a hot poker up ones rear end to tens of thousands of people who have given cash and time of which a large chunk has gone to a Cambridge based company.
Although, I doubt you will ever be in this position.
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