Originally Posted by diddy1234
I was wondering why can't English Electric Lightning's fly in UK airspace.
I did read that the CAA will not license any lightning's (reference wikipedia). why ?
Is there a proper reason as to why they can't fly in UK airspace or is the FAA ashamed of 'our' past achievements ?
If you had done a search here or on Flypast you'll get the answer.
Basically, the CAA (not FAA
) go to BAe who hold the DA, and they laugh, and the CAA laugh and so say no.
But, seriously, the Lightning had a high loss rate in service, and the CAA get a bit touching about high risk lumps falling earthwood.
Even out in SA where their authorities let ThunderCity fly their 4 x Lightnings, they still have a number of restrictions about overland flying, and they can effectively operate them because of Cape Town Int's proximity to the sea.