Former Excalibur Pilots: What are you doing now?

[LAVDUMPER]

Just curious. One of my favorite memories of the early 90s was watching the beautiful Excalibur A320s (new at that point), with their distinctive "Excalibur" sword painted on the tails, launch out of Gatwick and other UK airports (i.e., Manchester).

I was most disappointed when Excalibur went belly up during the mid-1990s. My questions for former Excalibur pilots or people who know former Excalibur pilots:

1. Which airlines did the Excalibur pilots flock to next? Where are you now and what do you fly (still flying the A320?)?

2. What was it like flying for Excalibur - difficult conditions or fun flying?

3. How did you like flying the "new" A320 when other airlines were flying junky aircraft - proud to be avant guarde?

4. Favourite memory flying for Excalibur.....

. .I miss that paint scheme. Oh, the good-ole days....

. .Cheers

[fireflybob]

>1. Which airlines did the Excalibur pilots flock to next? Where are you now and what do you fly (still flying the A320?)?<

Some went to Air 2000 I recall and at least one to Virgin. I left ExC about 8 months before it fell over but due to personal circumstances they were the last airline I flew for. I am currently "resting"!

>2. What was it like flying for Excalibur - difficult conditions or fun flying?<

Technically and operationally a company with high standards and quite a happy bunch to work with. No comment on the management style!

>3. How did you like flying the "new" A320 when other airlines were flying junky aircraft - proud to be avant guarde?<

Nothing beats flying new equipment!

>4. Favourite memory flying for Excalibur.....<

Landing at Funchal at RLW when the wind is all over the shop - sometimes three times a week!!

<

[Longtime-here]

I was fortunate enough to go on the first ever passenger revenue Excalibur flight to TFS and it was superb , as I remember the Cabin crew were all a bit easy on the eye also! Firefly, I believe you to be the same very nice chap who gave me a jumpseat ride on your shiny Excalibur A320 LPA-MAN once when I was working for a Handling agent in manchester, Top Bloke as I remember, I hope your resting is going well and you continue to enjoy, what ever happenend to Harry Apiafi..wasnt he the Chief of EXC?

[longbow]

Harry has just retired from B.Med. There are several others still working there though.

[JB007]

Still the best airline i've ever worked for - nothing yet has come close !!!

Truly happy days!

[Hugh_Jones]

I agree JB007. I still remember the sense of pride when the first aircraft arrived in our livery and actually collecting a new one from Lemverder.

It's great to meet some of the new FOs who we taught on A320 Conversion Courses all of whom are now Chief Pilots, Training Captains and Aircraft Commanders. I must be getting old

To answer your questions Lavdumper

1. Virgin, Air 2000, BMI and two to Transaer, where am I now, well getting used to life on the dole, but hopefully not for long. What have I been flying B737 after 9 years away from the machine and before you ask no they are not as nice to operate as the A320 (sorry John/Mario)

2. Flying for Excalibur was fun, great crews both flight deck and cabin

3. It was great to fly, particularly when there was such a great deal of interest in the aircraft, and a lot of scare mongering too, can you still remember ‘Die by Wire’ and ‘The John Wayne Aircraft, because it climbs mountains, chops down trees and kill injuns’

4. I agree with Bob, Funchal was a challenge but taking it to Mombassa via Luxor was also a great thrill, not to mention the crew parties at the Whitesands Hotel in downtown Mombassa

Excalibur had almost everything right, Aircraft, Livery and crews and a few things wrong like a dreadful DC10 from Skyjet.

[BRL]

I remember going with Excal as a pax fron LGW to TFS. The leg room was terrible , my knees were up in front of my face most of the time as the bloke in front of me had his seat reclined all the way...the best thing about the trip was the flight deck visit, albeit for about 10 mins but the crew were great. Also, the cabin crew were really sound. Had a good laugh with them about all the shell-suits on board, within earshot of some of them too..! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[wysiwyg]

[quote] The leg room was terrible , my knees were up in front of my face most of the time as the bloke in front of me had his seat reclined all the way... <hr></blockquote>

It was charter, what did you expect?

[aw ditor]

Is that the Hugh Jones who was Mayor of Chester??

[rentaghost]

I remember the first ever pax flight ex LTN. Loaded up on the ramp, then handling agent managed to dislodge front pax door when removing steps. AOG for 3 days!

[wonderbusdriver]

I know of one (it ain´t me):

Was ex-RAF.. .Went to EK, then BA, now back at EK...

[Hugh_Jones]

Aw ditor that has to be Al Munro, if so no telling about the bars of Bremen !!!!!

[fireflybob]

Well this is bringing a few of us out of the woodwork, eh?

How's it going with you Al?

Quite often see Harry Apiafi at the flying club - he's nearly completed an instructor's course!

Regards to all ex ExCalibur - where's Cliff Bradley now?

[LAVDUMPER]

I really enjoyed the Excalibur paint scheme. It was a symbol of strength - the big sword on the tail was an awesome graphic...

Too bad the paint schemes are so "artistic" now - the BMIbaby paint scheme is laughable....

How does that project "British" strength? Excalibur was the best!

Any other memories or ideas where former Excalibur pilots went?

I enjoy hearing about what these pilots are doing now and their favorite Excalibur memories...

. .Cheers

[knows]

Bob, Cliff is a trainer with JMC (BHX).. .Very popular and well respected bloke.

[gag]

Quiet a few at JMC, VS, Air 2, CTC, BA (spermy!). .AIH, Go, GB.

Rentaghost. On that day they subbed a JAT 727 to cover a LTN-LCA. They told the punters they were tech stopping @ Faro, when in actual fact they went thru Belgrade which at the time was a war zone.. The aircraft reg was G-HAGT which soon became known as Hit And Gone Tech.

Many initial toilet problems with the A320 and the attempt to make BJL with Y180 was a bit of an. .embarrassment...

[Hugh_Jones]

Sounds as though there might be enough of us around for a reunion beer.

[Bigpants]

Hi always grateful for my first job with Excalibur, good training and very clean ac but....the Bulgarians really a very very bad idea.

I was let go about 8 months before the end and spent about 3 weeks with Huntings (Hawk) then Airtours at Man Flying some of the ex EXC A320s. Then BA in a 75/76, now back on the A319 at BHX.. .Regards to all BP <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Bigpants]

Hugh given that you have a bit of time on your hands how about firing up Excalibur again? There are plenty of very cheap aircraft about and a few surplus pilots so why not give it a whirl? . .Hope the job offer comes soon regards Matt <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

edited for spilling!

[ 30 January 2002: Message edited by: Bigpants ]</p>

[ETOPS]

Here is 'GT for those ex-EXC drivers. Hankies at the ready..........

<a href="http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=210019" target="_blank">Photo</a>

[Banzai Chap]

Bigpants. .If you check the Astraeus site top left of Pprune it states the Rev Hugh-One has got a job with them as CTC.

[Bigpants]

Jolly good thanks for the info. .Regards BP. .PS What did happen to the Bulgarians?

[niknak]

Wow!top photo ETOPS - an A320 in the hover, I always knew there was something special about Excalibur :) <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> :) .

[Electric Sky]

First and still the best airline I have ever worked for.

Nice to hear a few familiar names and where you lot are now. Anyone know where JL is now? Fantastic guy to work with.

regards. .ES <img src="wink.gif" border="0">