Has the Vulcan thread gone quiet, sincerely the answer would have to be no on all fronts as anyone following the project via the TVOC website would testify, not going to restate the progress so far, go to the website and take a look, better still join up and toss a few coins in the bucket.
Will 558 fly down the Mall, possibly, but does it really matter after all, considering the life span of this project both to date and envisaged if it flew this year at all is not the issue, that it will fly again is.
As to Area 51’s website announcements on types considered for Permits to fly, they have their view based on experience however it should be noted that given the approach that the Vulcan Operating Company has taken on this, the CAA approval for the project is not Tacit in nature but confirmed and given that all the required criteria are met a permit to fly will be issued when required.
That 558 is considered a complex airframe is nothing to do with the issue, and this would also apply to types like the Buccaneer, Shackleton or even the lightning all of which could be returned to flight status given the right organisational and financial support.
558 will fly because it is supported by what is essentially the infrastructure for a one plane airline and for no other reason, if that was not present it is doubtful any of those involved would have got any where near the chance to fly her again.
So for the knockers and doubters it has been suggested that you watch progress over the next six weeks or so, if all goes according to plan and no further problems arise we should all be able to make a guess as to when 558 is released to operations again.