STN AFX 747....not for long?

[Top Loadie]

G-INTL had it's rudder removed and has now been moved from the remote stands Northside to the engine run bays outside the Diamond Hangar. Rumour has it that it'll be ferrying to PIK, gear down as it's time-ex, for overhaul.

Thoughts....?
Rumours....?
Anyone....?

[Kelas]

Ferrying back to PIK....without a rudder!!!!!! :bored:

[HZ123]

This mark of a/c has been out of service for 4-5years. How much does it cost to get it back to flying condition as I would have thought it must be a close thing. How long will the a/c have to fly to recoup its costs (repair)

[Flightmech]

Power runs were carried out on Wednesday, although I didn't see them get #2running.

The upper/lower rudders were refitted today and need panelling up.

Aircraft will fly gear down to PIK for swings and then fly to Jakarta for a C/D check.

Probably a low time airframe compared to others. Shame about those -70's

[Twitcher]

The rudder they fitted was taken from the other aircraft at MSE:confused:
It is soon to be scrapped. (the MSE one that is)

[Skipness One Echo]

Do we have a departure date chaps?

[Flightmech]

Last I heard was a departure to PIK by W/E 11th March. Lets see what happens on that one. Alot of people will be watching to see a piece of STN furniture finally depart:ok:

[Techman]

Why do people always moan about the -70s? I flew with those for years and only ever had one problem. That was resolved by the delicate tap of a mallet on the fuel control.

The reverser did take some skilled rigging to work for more than one cycle though.

[Flightmech]

I didn't mean there was anything wrong with the -70 engine itself. My point was that there are probably far fewer spares on the market compared to the JT9-7/CF6-50/RB211 which probably made this particular airframe a little less desirable...until now:ok:

[mole man]

Any news as to when the old girl is getting in the air as I was one of the crew that was on her when she arrived from AMS after a visit by 2 men in suits.

[tarrant]

Any pictures of the old girl would be very much appreciated. I worked on the aircraft when it was new from Boeing and being operated by Seaboard World. She was a grand old lady and the first real 747 freighter to land at Heathrow having both the nose and side doors. I have tried to keep an historical record of it, along with all of the Seaboard Aircraft operated in the late 60's to the 80,s.
many thanks

[GAZIN]

The old 747 returned to the run bay today for more tests, not sure how they got on. One engine had a leak & another had not been tested at high power yet.
Apparently they hope to fly north next week!

IMO it doesn't look as good as the other large cargo aircraft that's also hoping to leave these shores after a long rest:E

[Global Pilot]

Tarrant you can see some pictures on the link below:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0807236&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20747-245S%2FFPQ&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=NveServtug%20Rkcerff%20%28NSK%29&QtODMg=Ybaqba%20-%20Fgnafgrq%20%28FGA%20%2F%20RTFF%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Whar%202%2C%202003&BP=0&WNEb25u=GM%20Nivngvba&xsIERvdWdsY=T-VAGY&MgTUQtODMgKE=Qryvirerq%20arj%20nf%20A701FJ%20gb%20Frnobneq%2 0Jbeyq%2C%20gura%20A811SG%20%28Sylvat%20Gvtref%29%2C%20gura% 20A640SR%20%28SrqRk%29.%20Syrj%20sbe%20n%20juvyr%20jvgu%20Nv eservtug%20Rkcerff%2C%20ohg%20orra%20fgberq%20urer%20abegu-fvqr%20ng%20Fgnafgrq%20sbe%20lrnef.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=1119&NEb25uZWxs=2005-03-31%2006%3A58%3A53&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=20826%2F242&static=yes&width=1200&height=812&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22nsk%22%20%2B%22fgnafgrq%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29% 20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=3&prev_id=0896177&next_id=0465913

I am sure more recent ones will be posted soon. I might even try to get some for you on my way to work tomorrow!

brgds,

GP.

[tarrant]

Many thanks for your help. It's pictures of it last days in the Uk that I need for my research.
Regards
Eric

[mole man]

Tarrent I my have a some pics taken in KL pm me with an e-mail address and I will search them out

mole man

[freightdoggy dog]

Gazin,

I guess you mean the wonderful Guppy!

Saw her in Bournemouth Wednesday afternoon, 2 Heavylift ginger beers were fettling her ready for the trip south. What a beast, last saw her in Liverpool in 1999 loading up Ford car parts.

[mtogw]

I knew a scumbag in the UAE that was looking at INTL, reports said it actually was in a reasonable state, if you ignored the moss, and nothing major wrong with it, except a lot of work overdue. so its all down to economics, especially negotiating with the BAA over parking...
as for 707 JT3 spares who says they are a problem??!!! the only problem we have is finding an STC to put EGPWS in..
Also anyone who has experience flying/working one please go to the John Travolta thread on Jetblast and put your pennyworth in, I am not a pilot, but I am led to/do believe that its an aircraft that really has to be flown and if John Travolta can handle it he deserves some respect...
Techman do you still fly, and can you sort out reversers on JT3D-3Bs???
GAZUN what is the other long tern resident at STN??

[mtogw]

OH yes and FLS (if they are still called that) didn't want to risk a gear swing in case it blocked up their hangar/apron, so it has to be a ferry out with gear down.

[GAZIN]

mtogw the other aircraft isn't at stn it's further south. freightdoggy dog worked out what I meant;)
Good luck to both teams.

[Hairbus]

All gone quiet again on G-INTL. Anybody at STN noticed any activity around the a/c lately?

[freightdoggy dog]

Well theres some activity around her this morning, a couple of connies were looking at the engines!

As long as it gets above 3000 at BKY 5d, I don't care if its only firing on 3 of the coal burners:eek:

[Hairbus]

Has G-INTL moved on yet

[Skipness One Echo]

Has it been N registered?

[xxx5572]

Does anyone have anymore info on the aircraft and when it is likely to go out. I would really like to see this one fly partly because i didnt think it was possible :\ :\ I cant see it over north side and guessing its in the srt hanger having plenty of work done to it.

[Captain Airclues]

I assume that if this heap has been given an 'N' reg then the FAA will have to give permission for the ferry flight. I wonder whether they would allow this aircraft to depart from Washington or Los Angeles. Could somebody please post the new registration and then we can ask them.

Airclues

[Flightmech]

Airclues,

A little harsh. Just because she hasn't flown for a while doesn't make her a heap. I don't think it will be long before she graces the skies once again.

[GotTheTshirt]

AirClues
If the aircraft is N reg then either the FAA or an FAA DAR will issue a ferry permit. This is not an ICAO Annex 6 certification
On the back of the the Ferry Permit ( a pink post card size document) there are some limitations.
One of which is the the Permit is valid for flight over US airspace ONLY !
Flight over any other countries aircraft must be validated by that country !
So the UK CAA will actually approve the flight out of UK :rolleyes:

[The Blade2]

Having been one of the last "flying spanners" to operate on this a/c when it flew in from Amsterdam many years ago accompanied by those gentlemen in suits I am interested to know, like many others, what the future holds for this aircraft.
Reading the forum letters from other interested parties I see the rudders from another old lady at Manston have been fitted to INTL...I assume these were put through the workshops in the normal way before fitting as the Manston a/c has been sitting up on "The Wasp" nearly 6 years and in very salty conditions.
Can anyone out there tell me how they got over the "oil hiding" on #3 engine ?:rolleyes:

[jmjakob]

Tommorrow afternoon the old lady will have a try. She'll try to get back to the skies where she belongs. we'll try to lift her off the ground gently....
to be continued.....

[Global Pilot]

The 'old lady' has others already talking about her:-0

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3202018#post3202018

[The Blade2]

Having just got back into the system and being the last "flying spanner" to operate on this a/c from Amsterdam to STN 4 years ago...can anyone out there tell me what the future has in store for this "Old Lady" ?
I believe the info coming in is that the rudders have been replaced with those from the original AFX a/c located on "The Wasp" at Manston - I assume they have been through the workshops and correctly certified. (AFX has been grounded at Manston for approximately 6 years in rather salty conditions)
I did hear that #3 engine was experiencing the old problem of oil hiding...did that get sorted ?

[The Blade2]

Its me again...Blade2...

Someone out there must know what has happened to the other "Old Lady" that left Manston late last year destination just outside Bremen.
There were several good photographs of it landing/taxiing but then silence.
I believe it was undergoing maintenance before heading off to Ghana ....Not sure if they have changed the registration yet again from the American...N801KH. The colour scheme might have changed as well from the old KALITA red,white and gold...

[xxx5572]

I decided to pass by the aircraft over on the north side of the airport and there was some activity going on there, not sure if it was engine run but had few engineers and people working around it. Would really like to know when the aircraft may fly. I will try and get some photos if people want to see it as it is now. :confused:

[Flightmech]

N2061L (ex G-INTL) was booked for a 1515Z departure EGSS-EGPK today, then delayed until 1615Z. Then cancelled. Departure now planned for tomorrow.

[Jamie-Southend]

Blade2

Looks like she was still at Alhorn - Germany, Feb this year.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1180080/L/

[SkyTrax2]

Hi.

Its filed out currently at 1000z from Stansted with a note on the flight planning saying it will be a gear down all the way!

Skytrax2

[SkyTrax2]

Arrived in PIK at 1300 hrs came up at FL160.

[The Blade2]

The Blade2 here,

OK well done , good to hear that the "old lady" made it safely to Prestwick.
It will be interesting to hear from the crew as to how the flight went...I have a feeling that at least one of the pilots flew her many years ago....
Now we wait to see what lies ahead.....Has AFX @ Sipson got a hand in this ??

[The Blade2]

Thanks for that info....It was only supposed to have maintenance carried out before moving on to the new owners....Obviously there was a lot more to be sorted out than first envisaged....
If you hear anything of interest I would like to know about it.....All she really needed was a little TLC which is something that was really lacking with G-INTL at Stanstead.

The Blade2

[Flightmech]

jmjakob,

You looked real good on departure:D Was it a "Nil further" in the log book on arrival at EGPK:ok:

Flightmech

[simonfb]

Saw her take off and into the cloudy sky this morning! Glad she had a faultless trip! What a great sight to see her rolling down that runway again (Not for very far down it though I must say!) Must have brought a lump to the throat of the engineer’s crew and back room staff that got up there! Nice to see lots of people at airport lining up to watch her grace the asky again!! WELL DONE ALL!!! :):)

[jmjakob]

Thanks, it was an interesting flight.
Lot's of warnings, most of them false...
One of the best flights we've had ever.
ATC was great and helped a lot.

Enjoyed the pint of Tennant in Prestwick after that busy hop.

[mtogw]

Just tell me it had nothing to do with a company called Skyjet!!!!

[The Blade2]

The Blade2

I heard that the aircraft is somehow tied up with Jet Midwest ,Kansas, US of A. But very little information coming out at the moment. I feel sure that those people that were involved with this aircraft during its short stay with AFX will be watching with great inerest....
Did someone say it is heading out to Jakata after the "leg swing"....??

[Metstream]

I see you are posting from Spain were you actually on the flight

[jmjakob]

Ask flightmech... he's the detective of the forum and guess it when I was looking for a flight eng. :) :ok:

We flew it to Prestwick gear down, had that checked and it was swinging up and down like new. We then flew it to Dubai, tech stop & rest and continued the next day to Jakarta.

The old lady will stay there for a D check and we hope it'll fly sometime this summer. A spanish operator is interested in opening a few routes...to be seen.

The flight was great, with the snags you can expect from an A/C sitting so long on the ground but the more she flew, the better she was responding. In fact she's great to handlfy, almost no trim required. We had a look at the wing, ailerons aligned, flush wing, great:ok:

Sorry to take her away from your sight but she needed to fly again.

And thanks to the G/E who worked hard to get her back on line:D

[CR2]

I take it that this a/c is now on it's way to a new life.

Let's end this one now. Whoever flies it in the future can tell us about it.

[The Blade2]

Hold on there.....I am told that now the aircraft has been sold off those poor unfortunates, myself included, who were hard done by when those gentlemen in their posh suits grounded the aircraft would get some of the monies owing to us. We were put on a list of so called "creditors" because Mr Philip Bowles was unable to pay our salaries.....Where is the money or is it another back door deal and Mr PB is back in business ??
:{

[mtogw]

I was under the impression that it was already sold way back feb 2006
Blade 2 PM me for info.
If anyone hears about this going to the ME to work for an Emirates/Sharjah based operation (not operator) let me know,
someone from there I was involved with was looking at it and talking about taking it to Jakarta for a C check,
so it could be the same guy. if so anyone who gets involved beware.

[Hairbus]

Lets hope PB is back in business soon. Good luck I say:D

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Quote by jmjakob
............................................................ ................................
We flew it to Prestwick gear down, had that checked and it was swinging up and down like new. We then flew it to Dubai, tech stop & rest and continued the next day to Jakarta.

The old lady will stay there for a D check and we hope it'll fly sometime this summer. A spanish operator is interested in opening a few routes...to be seen.

The flight was great, with the snags you can expect from an A/C sitting so long on the ground but the more she flew, the better she was responding. In fact she's great to handlfy, almost no trim required. We had a look at the wing, ailerons aligned, flush wing, great

Sorry to take her away from your sight but she needed to fly again.

And thanks to the G/E who worked hard to get her back on line


Looks like an ACE call,
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=307223
Hope it helps.
Be lucky
David