British European Launch

[sharpshot]

I hear BE are having a fanfare with a new aircraft at Birmingham in February. The Dash 8-400 is already in service - would they have a big Press Launch for this type two + months after its introduction?

Recent rumours on this bulletin board suggest something will be announced in the New Year. Go to EGBB and will it be a Boeing, Minibus or ??

[ratbag]

...Shed?

[Kalium Chloride]

I heard there was going to be a Star Wars theme because the D8-400 is registered G-JEDI :)

[Ops Bangle]

and their call sign is now "Skywalker", both a reference to Star Wars (Return of the Jedi (tech)) and also Jack Walker.

[Raw Data]

Yes indeed, we are celebrating the acquisition of our new fleet next year- the delay is to allow the manufacturers to get one on line for us. There are apparently some tooling difficulties to overcome as the new aircraft uses very rare composite technology- the design incorporates ultra-thin skin over an endostructural base layer. The flight deck is revolutionary, as it does away with current EFIS technology and employs new, tactile-feedback instrumentation. The new, slimline engines have a much smaller frontal cross-section than most turbines, and the aerodynamics generally are a million miles from current airliner technology- they do away with flaps, slats and lift spoilers completely, in favour of a new dual-surface interactive FCS (Flight Control System). A simulator is yet to be built.

I've been wanting to tell you about it for ages, but company loyalty prevented me from doing so... but hey, its Christmas... here's a picture.

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bepilots/vwp?.dir=/&.src=gr&.dnm=New+BE+aircraft.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bepilots/lst%3f%26.dir=/%26.src=gr%26.view=t

[ 20 December 2001: Message edited by: Raw Data ]</p>

[Expedite your backtrack!]

Still bottling the LCY approach RD? <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Or are you awaiting the arrival of your new boingbus to cusion the hard landings? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

he he he

[BozoUK]

Having seen 'DI' quite a lot at Exeter recently, I think it looks an impressive machine - and apparently the speeds it reached crossing the pond were pretty good as well?

[Mister Geezer]

Have BE finished negotiations with BAE in a bid to salvage their RJX order after BAE announce that the type was to be discontinued???

MG

[dada]

re callsign skywalker.
in 1985 when jack's spacegrand airline bought jea, skywalker was one of the names for the merged airline, but jea was retained as the operating name.

[Pointer]

EYB:

How about those "pushback" on stand things with those long johns? the /100&200 couldn't make the turn and now the 400 even needs to make use of a tug ?????? abandon those guys, get rid of these no use a/c and allow only those who are able to operate accordingly.

BTW could you get in contact with me on above mail? pref before the 26th???

merry xmass and how is the baby girl or boy???

[Expedite your backtrack!]

I agree!

Size isn't everything :) :) :) its what you do with it that counts, and all the dash8-400s do at the moment is block the taxiways at busy times, and declare emergencies because the tug drivers forget to pull out the towing pin before they get airborne.

Long live Fokker..........oh, they are dead........erm, long live Rekkof!

[Raw Data]

It's OK EYB, normal service will be resumed on the EDI-LCY on the 26th. I'll be coming back to visit with you in a BE aircraft, thankfully Titan will be history. We can then concentrate on rebuilding the route and repairing all the damage done over the last couple of months.

So, what has happened to the pushback scheme then?

As for bottling the approach- ha! I have a full programme of Innsbruck charters in January, trust me, that one is more "challenging".

I do miss LCY though, and will be very pleased to be back, hangin' with the boyz in the 5.5-degree hood! :)