Notice any similarities?

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori...peg/prop53.jpg

I think this machine is already in production:confused:

Its called a Shorts :D :D :D :D

Looks worse than the flying shed actually:ok:

splat

That's one UGLY aeroplane for sure.

Woomera - you hit the nail on the head - it looks like a Gonad on steroids!

Seems the old aviation axiom will prove itself yet again - if it looks right, it'll fly right. If it looks wrong, it'll fly wrong.

This one just looks WRONG! As did the Nomad...

I seem to recall the first test pilot on the Nomad, T.K, got out of the thing and proclaimed it was "Dangerous, just plain dangerous!" Profound words.

I haven’t worked out Flukey’s angle yet, but Aviation International News refers to the American Ultilicraft FF-1080-200 and quotes:

Probability of successful first flight: 50% or less
Probability of Certification & Production: Less than 25% chance of success
Long Term Prospects: Less than 25% chance of success

Looking at the aircraft specifications I can’t quite see where an un pressurised dedicated freighter - at est $12 mill each according to Towerman's post - at 17,237 kg MTOW, 6,619 kg payload, significant ZFW penalty and claimed 250 kts cruise will fit into the airfreight feeder market.

I would have thought if an operator needs a Cessna Caravan/Cargomaster on steroids, there would be any number of used, low cost proven airframes (e.g. DHC-8-100?) in the market?

The manufacturer's web site is very scant of information.

Maybe a suitable DHC4 Caribou/DHC5 Buffalo replacement?

P.S. G'Day Staines. I thought this thread would bring you back out of the woodwork, Phat Phong bar ... or where ever you've been hiding! :} Where did you find their email address - can't see it anywhere on their web site.

I just did LOL:E

This looks like a repeat of his announcement with the IDI freighter a couple of years ago,
and when contacted, IDI knew nothing about it except to say they remembered a bull****ter with a strong nasal accent, on their stand at the Paris airshow that they couldn't get rid of.

Whatever happened to due diligence?

http://www.utilicraft.com/index2.htm

G\'day C.
you are correct. I went thru "whois".
it\'s
[email protected]

Sorry , haven\'t been down to KSR yet. am checking out new border crossings for my new smuggling op.:8
These bloody landmines are a bit of a nuisance, i'm still on crutches.... you know the type, long black hair, almond eyes, brown allover etc.:}

"...am checking out new border crossings for my new smuggling op."

Sounds like a Rowan Atkinson comedy. :} :}

Forget the border crossings - lease an FF-1080 from Flukie and fly the stuff across!

Very strange the Utilicraft FF-1080 web site doesn't have an email contact?

And I wonder what happened to the -100 model? :confused:

Wouldn't it be a hoot if "Flukey" got conned by someone !! :p

Luke Butler update
 

From http://www.utilicraft.com/ a wannabe aircraft manufacturer

'WINDOW ROCK, Ariz _– December 13, 2004 (Business Wire) Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., announced Sunday the Navajo Nation’s intention to partner with Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, Inc., to produce a newly-designed, specialized feeder freight aircraft called the FF-1080-300.

The arrangement calls for establishing three aircraft sub-assembly plants on the Navajo Nation that will create hundreds of high-paying Navajo jobs and provide millions of dollars to the Navajo economy.

Utilicraft Aerospace has already agreed to establish its final assembly facility at the Double Eagle II Airport in Albuquerque, N.M.

On Dec. 8, 2004, while in Lawrenceville, Ga., President Shirley and Utilicraft Aerospace CEO John J. Dupont signed a memorandum of understanding that would have the Navajo Nation invest $34 million in the project to become a 25 percent equity partner in Utilicraft Aerospace. Financial analysis of the company project it to become a $4.9 billion company within eight years.

“I feel very good, very confident about this,” President Shirley said. “This is an awesome opportunity and industry to bring to the Navajo Nation.”

Utilicraft Aerospace has an agreement with Global Air Group of Brisbane, Australia, for the purchase of 100 FF-1080 Freight Feeder aircraft for $1.2 billion.. The company also has an agreement with WSI Hong Kong, Ltd., for 300 FF-1080 aircraft.

“We’re looking at about 1,000 jobs in the state of New Mexico to build the airplane and to do final assembly in Albuquerque at a production rate of 96 a year,” Mr. Dupont said. “This represents jobs, economic development and a great business opportunity for the Navajo Nation.”

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has been personally involved for the last year in recruiting the aviation company to New Mexico.

"I am gratified to see our efforts are paying off with these significant announcements in both Albuquerque and the Navajo Nation," Governor Richardson said. "This project represents our commitment to bring jobs and economic vitality to all parts of New Mexico, especially our rural and Native American communities.

He continued, “I applaud President Shirley's commitment to economic development, and we are proud to be part of this unique partnership between the Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque and the private sector."

Jerry Sandoval, a representative of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, accompanied President Shirley and Navajo Division of Economic Development Director Allan Begay to Georgia last week to convey the governor’s commitment regarding the state’s incentives that would be available for the project. These include job training funds and other tax credits tied to new job creation.

Utilicraft Aerospace Industries’ primary mission is to address the problem of the overnight express, supply chain, e-commerce, and global third party logistics entities’ inability to provide effective containerized fulfillment and distribution in the short haul (or feeder) route segments of air cargo.

The company’s solution is a new, un-pressurized, square-bodied aircraft capable of carrying standard industry air containers on short-to-medium range routes. Improving the operating economics of the FF-1080 is its patented integrated air cargo information system and patented power-management system.

The FF-1080 aircraft is an all-aluminum, twin-engine, high-wing, fixed-landing gear, single pilot-capable turboprop aircraft specifically designed as a utility air freight transport system. The FF-1080 satisfies an industry-recognized need to cost-effectively feed containerized air cargo to the major hubs of the scheduled passenger carriers and the overnight express airlines.

The aircraft is also designed for short take-off and landing (STOL) capability. This feature makes the FF-1080 the only short-haul, heavy-lift containerized feeder aircraft capable of cost-effectively transporting 10 revenue tons over 1,000 miles from airfields with 3,000 feet of runway, expanding air cargo capacity to many smaller cities and airports worldwide.

The plane has a gross weight of 70,000 lbs. and can transport 20,000 lbs. up to 1,000 nautical miles.

Utilicraft Aerospace Industries business plan contemplates a two-year final development program, leading to FAA certification and initial production of the FF-1080, with a total cost of $75 million. The plane has been in development for 13 years.'


......... for those who follow his adventures (includes pictures on another page of the website)

Is it just me or does the photo of this thing give me nightmares of the GAF Nomad????

I always thought Bill Richardson was an intelligent guy.

I do hope his staff do a little research on the previous adventures of the Wizard.

Well I'll be!!!! I was wondering where old Flukey Lukey would bob up next!!!! This venture sounds a real goer ,,,,,,, NOT!!!!!!!!
I suppose Mr Butler will use his fleet of No Go Nomad clone aircraft to transport his flurry of corporate lawyers around the nation in order to keep him safe from harm!!!!!! I am amazed how gullible some people are!!!!!! Go Flukey........

From the Global Air Group website:

"Global Air Operations Pty Ltd operates an International Charter Operation, and any other operations as approved by its Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

Global Air currently is applying for a foreign aircraft AOC (currently with CASA) and is in the process of applying for an Australian AOC. "

So do they have an AOC or not???

MATE- They are about as close to getting an AOC as Mr Latham is to becoming P.M. !!!!!!!
They were on the path toward an AOC several years ago when they imported a 747SP, & tried to get it certified on the Aus register which also collapsed in a heap of debts & last I heard the SP was mothballed in K.L. against the fence minus all 4 engines!!!!!

Luke Butler in the News again
 

Some of you may have missed THIS thread running in Airlines Forum.

I'd appreciate any update on LB's activities over the past few months. I am trying to help some friends recover some cash they were cheated out of some time ago by this "gent", and at least now we know where's he living.

Is this him?

http://www.utilicraft.com/index2.htm

For the benefit of the new kids in the class, read The Amazing Adventures of the Wizard here.

This chronology is by no means complete......... merely a few highlights of an amazing life.

Woomera

http://www.utilicraft.com/images/Glo..._captioned.jpg
Which of these two is "Flukey"?

Always remember the old joke if youre ever contemplating doing business in Qweensland...

Q:Why do qweenslanders whistle while theyre sitting on the dunny?

A: So they remember which end to wipe.

Luke Butler in the news again
 

The person on the left is the Wizard of Oz. Surprising likeness to Chris Skase!
What has happened to the poor guys at Eagle Farm employed by Global allegedly working on an AOC?
The office is on the VB sim side of the airport and the airport is the landlord.
JMC-man did you get my note?
I like your friend is chasing money from him and I even have a High Court judgement.
Babcock and Brown have been contacted to see their involvement. can't believe after the outstanding market float they could be taken in by him. The indian tribe who will finance the Utilicraft what more can I say.