MK Airlines DC8/747 at FZO

[Capt. Tango]

Can anyone let me know the MX plan for MK airlines at FZO in the near future for their DC8 fleet.

[ALLDAYDELI]

all MK DC8Fs withdrawn now from use.

[Airbus Student]

MK Airlines and Sprayavia are due to leave Filton very soon. I believe there was some talk of MK moving to Bristol Lulsgate.

At the moment there are many DC-8's at Filton, only one of them is due for scrap. The others are all flyers and will more than likely have to be flown out, so the next company can move in.

Two weeks back there were two DC-8's in the MK hangar being maintained, meaning they should have some still flying.

[Fried_Chicken]

Changing the subject slightly, if MK & Sprayavia leave Filton, what's going to be left at the airfield? Are BAe/Airbus going to use the hangars as surely the airfield can't survive on just training traffic & the based light aircraft

FC

[Airbus Student]

Hi FC,

Unfortunately you are absolutely correct, there will be hardly any aircraft left at Filton once this happens, and it is due to happen very soon as both companies have already been given their notice.

Airbus will eventually move back into the hangars once everything is cleared out. Aswell as this, additional changes are expected to be made to the hangar arrangements.

However, one visitor that should become a regular again is the Super Guppy.

[Capt. Tango]

Thanks chaps.... Its nice to see a Diesel 8 in the Bristol Area... I will miss the old girls when they all retire..... I had my "Virginity" lost to a DC8-63 from EGFF-CYYZ many, many years ago

[ATCO1987]

MK at EGGD? That'll be a laugh, a B742 at Bristol....cough.

[Capt. Tango]

Crumbs.... MK moving things to BRS/EGGD....??
Well the DC8 could get in and out of Lulsgate but a 747 classic
I dont think so. I would not like to be at the end of either 27 or 09
if they try.
I can remember a very horrible winter Friday when an Iberia A300
went off the end of 27.... they were very luck that day.

[ATCO1987]

Tbh the 747 could get into Bristol because as far as I know, they operate empty into Filton...correct me if Im wrong!

Kemble has 747's in and their runway is something like 10 metres shorter. At EGGD, parking would mainly be the issue. WPD helos have gone southside now so the W apron will extend again I think which would provide more space but in order to park a 747 I think it'd cost em! Will take up valuable space, especially in the summer season.

[Capt. Tango]

Hello ATCO
Thinking about it your right as they would be empty and also as they are
freighters then no seats/galley etc.
I remember many,many years ago Aer Lingus bods came to Lulsgate
to measure the taxiways to see if their 747's could taxi off 27 & 09.
Their plan (so I was told) was to bring the Rapide and a 747 over for
their 50th anniversary.

[Airbus Student]

Does anyone know if the '380 could land at Filton?

[ATCO1987]

The A380 is supposed to be visiting Filton sometime. It'll be ok empty but if heavy it will be a bit dodgy I think...

Unsure when its going to visit, I'll be there when it does though! Just a short trip to the other side of Brizzle for me!

[Capt. Tango]

Ive not seen the operating weights/performance for the A380 but I would agree with ATCO that ops empty should be ok.
The LDA at FZO isnt brilliant considering the actual length of the RWY
but the TODA/TORA is a lot better.
I gather that they had an AN124 with freight visit back in Dec '05 and thats not a small beast!!
On the original thread, I passed FZO this afternoon and only saw one
DC8 parked by the FlyBe 146 and the 747.
Does anyone know where the possible others are at Filton (in the Brab' shed?)
Thanks

[Airbus Student]

Hi Capt. Tango,

On Wednesday there was an MK 747 and a DC-8 outside, there should also be one or two DC-8's inside for maintenance. In addition to this I know there was a VC-10 in Sprayavia.

BTW ATCO: The 380 is due to arrive on the 10th of June, our families day.

[ATCO1987]

10th June into Filton is that?

[Airbus Student]

Yes, it is due to make an appearance at Filton after it has been to Broughton for their families day.

[Fried_Chicken]

Back to the Dc8s, 9GLIL ferried EGTG-EGNX yesterday (03/03) using its reg' as callsign. I believe it is ex 9GMKO & is now operated by Johnsons Air (ICAO code JON)

Fried Chicken

[Airbus Student]

Does anyone know what will happen to the remaining MK DC-8's? I know one of the DC-8's at Filton has its engines removed, so possibly this may be scrap.

[Capt. Tango]

Thank you all for replying to my original post!
Now for the second question.... can anyone tell me if there were
any DC8's put on the "G" reg?

[m5dnd]

Not sure but didn't HeavyLift fly some UK reg DC8 some time ago,, Could be wrong!!..

And.. No thanks If I win !!

Nik

P.S. Second thoughts....... The Money would be handy... PPL etc..

[Golf Charlie Charlie]

Thank you all for replying to my original post!
Now for the second question.... can anyone tell me if there were
any DC8's put on the "G" reg?


I think so : IAS Cargo Airlines and Trans Meridian, around the late 1970s. As it happens, these two airlines merged to form British Cargo Airlines, which continued with some DC-8s for a faw more months, until the business collapsed (1980-ish).

Also, Lloyd International ordered a DC-8-63 passenger airliner, but the airline collapsed before it could be delivered.

[Fried_Chicken]

The following Dc8s were once on the UK register (info from the CAA website):

GBDDE Dc8F-54 c/n 45684
GBDHA Dc8F-54 c/n 45667
GBETJ Dc8-33 c/n 45379
GBFHW Dc8F-54 c/n 45879
GBIAS Dc8F-54 c/n 45816
GBSKY Dc8F-54 c/n 45858
GBTAC Dc8F-54 c/n 45768

Fried Chicken

[Banzai Eagle]

Fried Chicken

Have you read the story in African Aviation on the Johnsons DC8?
Any thoughts?

[Airbus Student]

Hi All,

Have heard today that MK will be staying at Filton a little longer than originally planned, due to their leasing contract on the Brab' Hangar. So good news for Spotters and bad news for Airbus, so hopefully MK will remain at Filton for a few more years.

Noted inside were:
X3 DC-8's with MK,
Air Berlin 737,
VC-10 XV101, in black primer.

Outside were two DC-8's, both had some engines missing and one has had some parts robbed from the wings, presumably this one is a source of spares for the remaining fleet. Another DC-8 was noted the other side of the airfield, this one is also spares with no engines.

[Capt. Tango]

Thanks Airbus Student for the updates... keep them coming!!!
And Fried Chicken... top marks for the G reg question.... does anyone know if
the stretched -63 made it onto the reg?
I was told that the CAA had ordered so many mods to be done that
it wouldnt be worth it????

[Golf Charlie Charlie]

does anyone know if
the stretched -63 made it onto the reg?


No, it didn't.