Last Channex L188 from EDI

[Cee of Gee]

Last night, G-FIZU operated the last scheduled Channex L188 trip from EDI to STN, for the Royal Mail. On the Alpha stands in STN, the duties were passed on to the latest addition to the fleet, the B737.
Typical, just when we'd got a PM menu at the Royal Scot!
It's gonna be strange not to see or hear the Channex Electras in EDI or STN.
:(

[freightdoggy dog]

Don't get rid of your Maybury Casino Membership just yet C of G. Mines a pint of 80% with neeps ,tatties and that great favourite a deep fried Mars Bar. :D

[Tom the Tenor]

Yes, I happened to be at Stansted last Tuesday week when the last FR flight to DUB was delayed by about 40 minutes so I had the good fortune to see and hear that fine Electra taxi in after it's flight from Edinburgh. As ever she was a lovely sight. My own place, Cork, was another good place to see Electras up to two years ago what with the Hunting and Channex aircraft taking to the air in the early evening for DUB & EMA and when Cork's R/W 35 was active what a truely fine sight it was to watch the two aircraft climb out over the city within such a short time span. It was so special that on absolutely every occasion that I saw them climbing out I deliberately stopped whatever else I was doing just to have a moment to admire the class aeroplanes so that the memories will live with me forever - by the way, I am not forgetting about all the drivers either - could not have got those classy Electras off the ground with you folk! Thanks to all the L188 drivers for all the special, happy memories.

[freightdoggy dog]

Tom, as these special old gals have been flying for the last 40 odd years, I am sure Air Alantique will keep em going for another
40!!!! you might just see one back in Cork yet. :)

[athene]

As one of the EDI tower ladies, just wanted to say it won't be the same without you guys!!!!!!!!! :(

[CargoOne]

how many Electras Channex was operating? 3 or 4, as far as i remember. but now channex have only 2 733s, so it is not 1 to 1 replacement. what's about the rest of Electra's routes?

[cabbott]

Hi guys. Just thought I'd have my 2 pence worth.

I worked for Channex Ops between 1996-1998 at EDI under the helm of John Ferris.

I remember the days of 6 Electra aircraft on the ramp. They all departed between 8 and 9.

I'm sure I know a few of you here in pprune.

I remember working closely with ZIA and Renown as well as those brits! Ken Andy and Edd who flew N341/3/4HA.

I have many memories of Channex and I had many interesting trips on the Electra. My favourite was LBG with ZIA. Try telling them that LBG is over there and not down there(i.e CDG)

If you would like to see the Electra photos or wish to share some stories send me a email and I will post them on.

Thanks

[antonovman]

have channex stopped operating the electra altogether or are they doing other routes
if they've stopped, whats the l188 crews doing ?

[4Screwaircrew]

G OFRT was scrapped earlier this year and as we know from this thread G FIZU has been returned to Air Atlantique TF ELP and TF ELR have been added to the roster.

G CEXS and G CHNX are going through C checks this year (a slow process) and will continue to operate for some time yet.

Electra crews have been trained on the B 737 and A 300 in all crew positions.

Many of us flew the Electra for a long time and miss the old lady.

[freightdoggy dog]

4screw, just make sure u miss 'essex corner' in EDI and u will b alright. :D

[411A]

The Lockheed Electra, although a very fine aircraft in its day, may well become uneconomical to operate in the future due to airframe corrosion concerns as well as being a three-crew aeroplane.
Having said this however, most corrosion can be fixed.....unless in the Electra, it is associated with the main landing gear support structure/attach fittings. It then becomes very expensive.

[RampTramp]

411A,

Just a small point but Atlantic Cargo are now operating their fleet with a 2 man crew. The UK CAA approved the, according to Atlantic, minor mods a couple of years ago so there's still life in the old girls yet!

[Cee of Gee]

Freightdoggydog,
my Maybury card is on definite standby. YOU NEVER KNOW! Bet you won't get a drink out of SR!!
As Tom the Tenor says, they do look good with all 4screws turning and burning. When we went to a new outstation, the handlers that met us, always had a great look of concern on their faces. 'Is everything ok' was the usual greeting. 'we saw loads of smoke coming out the back!' :rolleyes:

Mr A, a.k.a. Another number, haven't seen you in years. Who are you with know?

411A, the problem is finding a replacement. The corrosion, lf possible, is worth doing as the A/C is hard to match in payload and operating costs. Unfortunately the rot won with G-OFRT.

4screw. Didn't expect to see ME last week did you! :eek: ;)

[411A]

Many thanks for the two crew info RampTramp, and congrats to the UK CAA for their practical thinking. Are Atlantic operating the DC-6 two crew as well? The DC-6 was "originally" certified two crew under CAR4b but the pilots (and flight engineer) unions objected at the time as the Connie HAD to be operated three crew. Politics again.

It looks like another type will pass into disuse as well. Just learned today that Kittyhawk will run out of cash in mid-November and will park nearly all of their 17 B727 freighters. We may well have some short term work for one of these aircraft, at least until January, possibility longer.

We will need two FAA rated crews for this project.

Three engines, three crew, narrow body, a bad combination for cost effective long term work, in todays' cost effective environment, i'm afraid.

[Conc]

Air Atlantique operate the DC-6 with three crew but the with a pilot in the middle seat as opposed to a Flight Engineer.

[freightdoggy dog]

ragspanner, did they use a BAF Viscount for the foundations of this little old shop? .
C of G i'm glad u kept your Maybury card as u will need it next week on the F27. The rate it's going at the moment we will all be putting in O/T chits. P.S although I said that was the last trip I reckon there is at least another 2 good years in her yet.
:)

[ 14 October 2001: Message edited by: freightdoggy dog ]

[Cee of Gee]

FDD,
yeah, really looking foward to it! :rolleyes:
Under severe protest though. Been assured it's a one off!?
After our trip last week, I got called out FRI PM, to cover for Billy.

[Cee of Gee]

FDD,
here's a thought......maybe Billy's going for the 2001 RB award, named in honour of the master of sickies! :p

[callyoushortly]

Yeah it was sad to see the L188 go.... but if there's anyone here from Channex ops, then can you get the repetitive flight plan changed, or at least request a change message ealier...... it's causing us havoc in the tower!!! :)

[Vmike]

May not be the last! I heard last week that as of New Year, NX and XS will both be back, one doing CGN-RNS-BOD-RNS-BOD and the other doing EDI-STN-EDI. That said, the Channex grapevine changes from week to week, so who knows. :D

[Top Loadie]

I heard that the two 73's would be staying on the Post, one in STN and one in EDI, leaving both the Electras available for flying elsewhere. :D
Rumours abound in EDI that there is a Channex cabin crew course booked there in the new year, which seems to indicate an EDI based 73 crew. :p

[A and C]

"channex cabin crew".....yee gods how things change ! it will be hot crew food next without heating it on the #2 engine turbine case !

It sad to see that the Electra,s days are numbered it is one of the nicest big aircraft i have flown and for some reason 341HA was the best of the bunch dispite the straps aft of the nose gear or perhaps because of them !
I had some good times flying the electra and some stress ,two fire warnings in a week i could do without but flying on three engines was a non event ........it had to be i think i had 7 engine shutdowns in two months one winter.

Good times but i dont think i would go back M.80 at FL410 seems a better way to go to work.

Maxpowerflap78 !

[Captain Numpty]

411A

F.Y.I.

I can positively comfirm that Atlantique operate their 6's out of Coventry with 3 man crews. Capt..F/O & Engineer.

Cheers
C.N.

[411A]

Thanks CN, thought that to be the case.
On large 4-engine recips, the pilots point it, the flight engineer OPERATES it.

[cabbott]

Guys Talking about 3 Engines. I remember while on the nightshift at EDI the 486 G- arrived on 3 Engines. Without making a drama the crew told the tower who then had everyman and his dog out!

The aircraft landed safely and was taxiing in when we heard "Tower this is Fire 1 we have a problem" looking back along the taxiway you could see black smoke belching from the one of the Fire Engines. The thing had caught fire!

Essex Corner? Andy you weren't the first. I watched G-BFZL make a complete mess of it as well.

Best thing I saw was the Electra chew up a parking cone! What a mess and not a scratch on the props..

[A and C]

That was my last flight for zantop and we turn up with one engine shut down and the new fire truck catches fire .......ah happy days!.

[Tom the Tenor]

Another memorable day was at Shannon, Easter 1978 when a Zantop Electra flies in with a hazardous cargo of nitro-glycerine! Poor thing ended up being parked all on her own well away from all the other aeroplanes - it was so sad - she must have felt so lonely!

[freightdoggy dog]

Bet you miss the Essex Auto Throttle in the middle A+C? Just keep it well oiled and it keeps you amused for hours on end :D

[A and C]

When i look over my sholder now i usualy see a good looking girl not a beer drinking monster but when you get into a tight spot and the workload goes through the roof then you find out how much you like a flight engineer..........but i would not sleep with one !.

[freightdoggy dog]

A+C "I wouldn't sleep with one", pray tell us why not. I hear that you were once one yourself. Did you not fly with the Queen of Zantops' fleet? . He came out on his last tour of blighty and tried it on with many a Flight Engineer. Obviously those cuban heels did not turn ol John on? Think back and now can you remember those excessive rudder trims between your thighs! Sweet dreams A+C :eek:

[cabbott]

Ah the good old days of John S! flying EDI-CVT-EDI EX604/5. Ask the EDI loadie(not Ian) the other one that looks shifty(DW)about John. He has many a story to tell.

Does anyone remember any other ZIA guys like Ron Row? Large fella! Very nice chap always a big hit with the ladies.

Lyne Stewart. EDI Crew Mum. Nice Lady

All these memories have gone and now its smoke free and clean with nice ladies in stockings.. What a shame

[freightdoggy dog]

OYE ragspanner, you looking at my bird, pick a DV window cos you,re leaving by it (said in a true Thames Estuary voice). :D

[freightdoggy dog]

Just remembered that Johns' surname rhymed with RUMP, how apt!. Hey Ragspanner how about we give Towerdog a good kicking :cool:

[A and C]

Another number......i,m still in contact with some of the zantop guys ,most are now working for other airlines after zantop fired all but three crews a lot of the guys are now with USA jet at YIP but i know of one who got herself a job at AA.

As for ron rowe i regret that the last i heard he had a big medical problem.

[boxjockey99]

Can anyone enlighten us to the device referred to as the Essex Auto-throttle on the L188. Or is that what the flight engineer was called? :D

[freightdoggy dog]

box99, indeed it is the man in the middle. Channex have many that hail from Essex, in the heyday of the Electras' they all drove 2.8i Capris with Gold dripping from their necks. Now grown up and on the Airbus fleet they drive Beemers and keep an eye on the stock market. Still call em Geezers though and very handy to have around when it all kicks off in a nightclub down route! :cool:

[boxjockey99]

and there was me thinking it had something to do with a captain of the same name!! as in essex corner! :D

[freightdoggy dog]

Capt Essex has been called many things and had a taxi way named after him in EDI, but never ever could he be considered a "GEEZER".
A pint of lemonade shandy and a packet of pork scratchings would be his limit. An all nighter in "Rock Bottoms" would be his worst nightmare. :cool:

[boxjockey99]

you'll have introduce us poor office bound peeps to the joys of your drunken binges next time we get let out to play or when we eventually get a course and get there ourselves!!! :rolleyes:

[A and C]

And i was thinking that the "autothrotle" refered to was a white flying glove that would retard #4 engine when flaps were called for !

[Tom the Tenor]

A German Electra enthusiast has some fabulous photos on his website of a Channel Express rotation from Cologne-Dublin-Cork during July of last year. His photos are well worth a look for anyone who have even a remote interest in the Lockheed Electra aircraft. The link to his home page is at [URL=http://www.home.nexgo.de/ulrichhoppe/ELECTRA.HTM Thanks, TTT.

[ 31 October 2001: Message edited by: Tom the Tenor ]

[Ivan aromer]

Couldnt find these photos. can you check the website address. Please.

[dusk2dawn]

Try this URL (http://home.nexgo.de/ulrichhoppe/ELECTRA.HTM)