Air Charters Express DC-8 [Archive]

countbat

14th Jul 2009, 17:25

Anyone has more details about this DC-8 outfit out of Ostend? They are running a class as we speak. I know someone in that class and I am told the company changes the word on them all the times, it is very deceiving, no pay so far, asking them to find their way to Ostend with a possible future reimbursement which it seems will never happen according to the present signs. It seems owned by some kind of Iranian Mafia with total disregard to safety or respect for crews and their lifes.
I was thinking to apply but kind of scarry place to me. Any infos will be welcome.

slowto280

14th Jul 2009, 19:51

Hey Count, it seems you have the all the information one could ever desire. If I were you, I would tell your bud to bail now, leaving a spot open for someone else who may not be so paranoid. Last "Mafia" movie I watched, seems like most characters had Italian names for some reason. Buy your own ticket to be 'reimbursed'? My friend, unfortunately, that has been going on since the mid 80's. Don't be scared............. :eek:

flying officer kite

19th Jul 2009, 17:21

I had the pleasure of dispatching their DC-8 62F 9G-AED recently, though i couldnt believe how many hours it had in the tech log..some old machine!!

poina

21st Jul 2009, 20:11

I had the pleasure to fly 60/70 series DC-8, still the finest machine I've flown in 30 years. Stable, straight forward, tough old sob. Still the best thrust reversers I have seen (hydraulic).

heavy-driver

23rd Jul 2009, 01:30

Aero Service in MIA I believe.

countbat

23rd Jul 2009, 15:05

The DC-8 sim in MIA might not be FAA certified yet. Check with Aeroservice first. Also my undesrtanding is the ACE owner is related to HeavyLift owner. Both Ghana registered.

yambat

24th Jul 2009, 04:04

flying officer kite9G AED, though flying on an ACE call sign is operated independently from the OST outfit and flown by a non ACE Ostend crew, she flies beautifully and is in good shape.

Storminnorm

7th Aug 2009, 15:29

Why does that remind me of so many outfits that I've worked for?
DisOrganised.

60 series DC 8, Wonderful aircraft.

Does anyone still operate any of the re-engined versions?

hvydriver

7th Aug 2009, 15:46

At the moment, Astar is still flying 8 Diesel 73's for DHL in the states. Their days are numbered though. Looking at the tea leaves it looks like K. Allen is going to go with ATI/CCI for their lift needs.

slowto280

7th Aug 2009, 16:29

Saw a National DC-8-71 in Bagram the other day.

Welcome to NATIONAL AIRLINES – Cargo Services (http://www.murrayair.com/cargo.html)

National Air Cargo Extends Flights from Bagram Air Base to Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan (http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/national-air-cargo-extends-flights,918359.shtml)

National Air Cargo (http://www.nationalaircargo.com/(A(ussTDPGOyQEkAAAAOGVjYjY2NDMtMmNhOS00MjBkLTkzYjUtOTk1MzUxO DQyYWYzEj6Wnz2WpjinlWgjN_2W5xt_rR81))/default.aspx)

Wonder whose certificate that is (was)? Name has been around forever.....:uhoh:

Need to Know Basis

10th Aug 2009, 11:36

NAC bought the AOC from Murray Air.....about 1 year back.

Exup

10th Aug 2009, 12:03

I have heard that ACE soon to have a name change to Meridian Cargo.

ugwhatajob

12th Aug 2009, 01:39

Are they doing their own hiring, or going thru an agency?

Thanks

cieloitaliano

22nd Aug 2009, 13:37

Ace *** departing a Gloucestershire airfield had a tail strike last night. It left a hole in the runway reportedly. Hope it pressurised OK.

cieloitaliano

24th Aug 2009, 15:48

I know which field this bird departed from. That's not the relevant bit here. However, his departure track, considering his destination, was quite elaborate.
Wonder if the aforementioned 'incident' had anything to do with that. i.e: he tracked a long way west before turning.

dionysius

24th Aug 2009, 20:42

Please elaborate, its a well known fact that he operates to a Middle East location from "Rompers Green" a secret military airbase :eek::rolleyes::ok:

VBPCGUY

24th Aug 2009, 21:55

Refering to this old girl:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f300/marto23/IMG_9894.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f300/marto23/IMG_9897.jpg

411A

25th Aug 2009, 23:19

A dab of paint here, a dab there....whose to know?:}:ok:

AAL

26th Aug 2009, 05:23

Sorry I have to agree with Fish Head, ACE planes have fresh C-Checks and fairly recent paint.

Also think you voicing an opinion that you know nothing about, and by the way, would like to hear you speak (and write) Fish Head's mother tongue.

Afraid he is 100% correct, you probably a bored enthusiast or trolley dolly again.

5Z4

26th Aug 2009, 07:10

Comes to our local airport very regularly. Video's about her on YOUTUBE.
:ok: She looks magnificent.

EBOS-SPOTTING.BE | Expected flights,movements and pictures (old and new) from Ostend Airport... LUCHTHAVEN OOSTENDE (http://www.ebos-spotting.be/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28&view=previous)

Urraca

30th Aug 2009, 12:15

That's the old girl !!! By the way, she is AOK:cool::cool:, flying at this moment, maybe with a scratch bum !!! But remenber guys, it is the venerable DC - 8, and a stretch DC - 8, stronger than any a/c around, even the russian flying logs !!!!! Also, ACE/Meridian from Oostende has never flown a DC - 8- 62, the 62 has nothing to do with the Oostende company other than being registered in Ghana. Fly safe guys !!!!!:)

countbat

31st Aug 2009, 19:03

Many thanks to the many feed backs privately received. The picture I have now about this company can be summarized as:

1.You get cheated out of every single penny possible. If the owner can have you flying for free, you will make a perfect employee. He is not much of a people person.
2.They like to use many south Americans, special Peruvians mechanics as well as pilots, who are very company's people, kept in Europe illegal with no visas, willing to work for very little money, and deal breakers for the non-Latinos pilots.
3.It seems they have many tail strikes and even an engine pod somewhere in Afghanistan due to tired go getter pilots, south American bravado, bad loads.No Jeps updates. Bad paperworkds.
4.Company doesn't mind of eventual crashes which is forecasted pretty soon. It will mean more money to the owner.
5.Any pilot with a minimum self-respect should stay away.
6.However whatever left of your money will always hit your bank account on time

altayaara

2nd Sep 2009, 17:37

It is obvious they are using South American crews, as the B707 are almost inexistent and the DC-8's even in South America are vanishing.

So older pilots do not want to upgrade to newer aircraft because of the high cost and prefer to find place where they can continue flying an old bird.

In Europe you won't find any pilots anymore able to fly these birds (they all retired yet) and even in Africa it becomes a huge problem as most cargo-pilots who get a day older try to fly local pax flights.

It seems ACE is looking for other airframes to extend their fleet.

Maurice Chavez

18th Sep 2009, 22:15

Fish Head on Final,

Strubbe, you're still on the Dinosaur-8? Working for Insein T is not a joke, people like Duane E are angels compared to him. Truth be told.... Anywho, enjoy her, fine piece of machine, sort of miss her....

eurocontrol

19th Sep 2009, 05:03

first a/c painted as Meridian Airways

Skyliner - aviation news & more (http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=&picid=5994)

SkyKing-8

22nd Sep 2009, 11:49

I believe I am in the final cut for a Captain's gig at ACE and am seriously looking for any more info. that anyone has about them. If anyone has answers to the following questions I would be very grateful.

1) Do they lay over in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.?
2) Any idea what the schedule is like? #of days off, on call?
3) How do they treat their pilots?
4) Is there an employment contract? Can I bail if things are terrible?

The question I would really like answered is if this is a scum bag outfit that sh*ts on it's people or just low end of the scale? One I can take, the other I can not.

If anyone has any contacts with pilots at ACE they can share I'd be appreciative.

Many thanks

SK-8

Maurice Chavez

23rd Sep 2009, 10:06

SK-8,

1)No lay overs in Afghanistan/Iraq
2)Not sure, but you might wanna fly as much as possible... $$$
3)Boss man threats you like $hit, but ignore him, he's a harmless clown.
4)Don't believe there's a binding contract, some have bailed on a 24h notice.

To answer your last question, it would fall into the lower end of the scale.

Other then that, don't believe it's a bad outfit, just not my "cup of tea" so to speak. PM me if you need feed back from some of the guys who are there and were there.

MALLY

23rd Sep 2009, 17:43

Hi Maurice!
True about the bossboy...if you take things to heart then you will not survive.Take everything with a bag of salt but one thing for sure is that what little salary you get it will hit your account on time every time! Some great guys in the company :ok: who love DC8's! Forgot to add...no contract..a handshake at the interview secures the job.

countbat

29th Sep 2009, 11:14

1) Do they lay over in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.?
2) Any idea what the schedule is like? #of days off, on call?
3) How do they treat their pilots?
4) Is there an employment contract? Can I bail if things are terrible?

1. No. However you should consider yourself lucky anytime you make it out of there.
2. What's a schedule?
3. Pilot = necessary dirt
4. Extremely advisable.

Maurice Chavez

29th Sep 2009, 16:51

Countbat,

You obviously don't work for them.... Don't give mis/false information if you don't know. My info is correct, Mally can back that up.

Main Wheel

1st Oct 2009, 12:02

Everything above is correct. Maybe not descriptive enough though. pm me if you want some more detailed info etc...

stone_crusher

2nd Oct 2009, 04:22

hey guys............
wat are the minimum requirement for F/O's..........
and any contact for hr???

BR
stone:ok:

Urraca

5th Oct 2009, 23:21

Countbat,may I add to the questions asked, the following;
only if you are very unlucky you get to stay at the tent with airconditioning, Schedule? lolololololol specially with the expilot scheduling, he forgot what the life of a pilot is, Pilot = dirt, well not quite, but the guys they have seem to like it because many come from the worst scum bag operator in the world, ARROW AIR, and if you don't like it, bail out at the beginning of the month, around the 5 , when you know the pay is there unless you mind losing 5 days pay.:)

Maurice Chavez

14th Oct 2009, 20:42

Mal,

How many 8's has he got up an running now? Oh, ek het vir Fats jou cell foon nommer gegee....

See you at Denel!

Mooi bly!

Cheers!

MALLY

15th Oct 2009, 05:45

Hi MC!
4 in operation and 5th arriving next week. Awaiting to hear from Fats as well thanks.Will know about the Denel issue this week.
Safe flying and hope to see you down South!
Totsiens maat!:ok:

PH-SCP

14th Nov 2009, 16:48

Look at the panel and outside appearance of 9G-AXC, very nice indeed;

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4646/cockpit1a.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/459/dc8meridianairways9gaxc.jpg

Storminnorm

14th Nov 2009, 20:01

Nice to see there are some REAL aircraft still flying.
That old DC 8 looks to be in good condition.

Veteran Hawk

18th Nov 2009, 16:05

Hi Countbat, do you know if ACE operate under an AOC, ie do they take pilots over 65?

BBFive

22nd Nov 2009, 15:47

They are former Airborne Express DC8s. aka ABX. Airborne had a fleet of about 38 dc8s at one time. These on here are some of the last to leave the property in Wilmington, Ohio.

Maurice Chavez

29th Nov 2009, 18:15

Bit hard to fly commercially with out an AOC, innit? So yes ACE/Meridian does fly under an AOC (Ghana AOC) and no, 65 you're out, where you should be, on retirement!

ahk190

30th Nov 2009, 13:10

Hi, anyone know where you can get an F/E 8 rating?, finished in Asia and appears the old 8 is going longer than the Jumbo, live in Spain and not ready for hanging up the boots just yet!1 (under 60 yrs of age)
Vheers all.

oligoe

30th Nov 2009, 14:48

Aeroservice in FL.

formulav

22nd Dec 2009, 20:12

Does anybody know of a point of contact for Meridian Airways? I have tons of DC-8 experience and need some work. Thanks

MALLY

22nd Dec 2009, 22:46

Please advise of what 'tons of DC8 experience ' you have so the options can be narrowed down and I can put you into contact with the relevant department eg. ..Flight ops,Engineering.Flying,Mechanics, accounts etc.etc.?? Regards. Mally.

Slats One

23rd Dec 2009, 14:23

Residents of Old Town Swindon Wiltshire UK are used to the sight of DC8 60 series long body ( Air Charter Exp) howling in at two thousand feet and then making an elegant and relaxed 30 degree bank angle turn over the steeple of Christchurch for the Lyneham circuit.

With that long body, fine empenage and those lovely knife edge wings with the long pylons, this bird makes a wonderful sight as she powers up for finals after a descent over the Marlbororugh Downs. Indeed the other day she glided (almost!) over me as I was up on the ridgeway at 1,000 ft. Stunning, just stunning. Reminded me of KLM DC 8s and an African childhood.

So for lovely DC8 moments, visit sunny Swindon when she is due- or just stand outside Lyneham.

MALLY

23rd Dec 2009, 22:31

Hi Slats,
One of the aircraft..AXC ..is indeed an ex KLM pax frame.Best wishes.:ok:

Brie

27th Dec 2009, 10:45

What are the entry requirements for FO's? Anyone knows?

Tx and best wishes

Storminnorm

27th Dec 2009, 17:41

I also had "Tons" of DC 8 experience, Engineering wise.
Nice to know that at least one of the old KLM aircraft is
still flogging around. They were great days, and really
wonderful aircraft.

Twitcher

28th Dec 2009, 22:13

Ex-MK Airlines DC8 9G-MKA, currently stored at Manston, is also an ex KLM machine and will be returning to holland (by barge) in 2010 to go in a museum :)

formulav

29th Dec 2009, 15:52

Does anybody out there know of anybody needing DC-8 captains??

Thanks

yambat

30th Dec 2009, 06:51

Heard just 2 weeks ago that Silverback in Kigali were looking for crew.( My colleague received a call) Sadly I dont have the contact details. I was also contacted within the last month by HeavyLift in Sharjah, requiring Capts.
Yambat

ugwhatajob

1st Jan 2010, 02:45

yambat
Don't those operators use an employment agency?

tonyosborne

1st Jan 2010, 22:23

Hoping to snap some photographs of the DC-8s landing at a certain Wiltshire airfield, but struggling to track their movements (perhaps understandably) can anyone from the company help, perhaps by PM.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/6/8/9/1503986.jpg

Storminnorm

2nd Jan 2010, 13:34

Cracking picture there Tony.
What a beautiful aircraft they are.

countbat

2nd Jan 2010, 22:33

Beautiful aircraft, sh%#y company

hydroplane

28th Jul 2010, 14:40

Apparently Meridian AW / ACE has been grounded at OST today by yhe Belgian CAA! A one way ticket out of Ostend.
Where to find a save heaven now? South Africa is a nice place?

411A

28th Jul 2010, 15:28

South Africa is a nice place?

Could be a nice place, however...the local CAA will give your aircraft a very close look, and expect to see nil defects and a sharp operation.
Ours passed OK, but others had a few problems.

andrewn

28th Jul 2010, 21:16

Saw a DC-8 parked up at Brize on Saturday just gone - looked nice but too far away to ID. Presume it was one of these ACE/Meridian aircraft?

ErwinS

29th Jul 2010, 04:52

Confirmed that they are banned from Belgium. Ostend airport is not happy with this, again they are loosing a big client.

The DC-8's are allowed to perform one ferry flight away from Belgium.
Very sad that this happend. Shame that they didn't had their maintenace on order. And I almost applied....

Their website is also down so looks like the end of Meridian.

Heard that they also were banned from the UK recently?

The end of an era.

Rgds.

kala87

29th Jul 2010, 10:29

Lovely aircraft the Super 60. Amazing that they appear to have P & W fans and were never re-engined with CFM's. Last summer I was lucky enough to see an ACE Super 60 touch down at Luton from close to the runway. Wonderful sight of the old classic bird as it flared right in front of me. Full reverse from the old P & W's to get stopped on the 2100m runway and I was transported back to the late 1960's again.

MALLY

29th Jul 2010, 12:08

Heard as well that the BCAA Director General is only allowing ferry flights from OST with no' return' and that the Meridian lawyers are on the case. UK CAA have barred Meridian from UK airspace so MOD contract could be lost.All aircraft parked up at OST at the present time.

EGNT

30th Jul 2010, 21:54

Wonder what will happen to AED..it's still operating under ACE by the looks of things.

four engine jock

31st Jul 2010, 10:48

Hope they get back in the Air soon.

MitrePeak

31st Jul 2010, 13:40

9G-AED is with ACE, not MERIDIAN who were grounded, 2 different airlines !! Please note !!

hydroplane

1st Aug 2010, 07:39

Several sources mention Meridian as a rename of ACE... Anyway what's in a name? We all know... I was told the last flight of 9G-AED in the UK for the MOD was July 18th '10. Where is it now? Seems to be banned from the UK as well?

countbat

1st Aug 2010, 19:58

The thread was started when Meridian was still called Air Charters Express. About 8 months ago they changed the name to Meridian Airways. Same planes dc-8 63s, same owners, same place Ostend, same Ghana registration. It seems like recently there is another DC-8 operator, also Ghana registered, also named ACE?????????However this thread is about former ACe, present Meridian Airways

AAL

2nd Aug 2010, 17:05

No different, ACE/Meridian is the same operator, same owners - not even the registration numbers changed.

MitrePeak

10th Aug 2010, 15:58

four engine jock

11th Aug 2010, 11:40

So Then will Meridian ever fly again?
This is what happens when you don’t spend some money on Maintenance.
Will the DC8’s end up in Africa?
They lost the MOD contract to a South African Airline that have a DC8-62. (Stars Away)

Maurice Chavez

12th Aug 2010, 22:46

PLEASE, get your facts straight before you print utter rubbish !!

FACT:

ACE and Meridian were using the same AOC for a period in 2009. Meridian has been on a seperate AOC for 8-9 months, maybe more.
They ALWAYS HAVE BEEN 2 different airlines !! The Owners are completely different people. There NEVER has been any common interest between the 2....Quite the contrary !!!

FACT:

Meridian is grounded in UK/Belgium ( 5 DC-8-63s )

ACE is NOT and is still flying 9G-AED ( 1 DC-8-62 )

So once and for all, STOP the lies and mis-information.

The above is fact...I should know...need i say more !!:ugh:

Thank you for clarifying for the rest, you're absolutely right. I personally think HT has done a brilliant job flying this airline into the ground! History repeats again, FIA,ACE, etc etc. (not to mention how his insaness did a beautiful job striking a pod on landing into Roberts a few years ago)

Feel sorry for the good people who now have to suffer because of Insane T's management skills...

MALLY

13th Aug 2010, 16:03

Hi Maurice Chevez.
You could not have worded it better! Hopefully all the guys who have been 'burnt' will find employment.
Best regards,
Mally.

four engine jock

19th Aug 2010, 13:30

Anyone know if the DC8’s will ever fly again? Hope so!!! Just not with HT at the helm.

ropraider

19th Aug 2010, 18:03

the 5 meridian DC8's are still in Ostend

four engine jock

21st Aug 2010, 07:05

I heard that the Meridian will soon be back in the air. Is it true?

four engine jock

31st Aug 2010, 09:50

Whats happening. Will they ever fly????????

weido_salt

31st Aug 2010, 10:21

This Guy HT, is that Tagdis??

four engine jock

31st Aug 2010, 13:51

TAGHDIS yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! check your PM

weido_salt

31st Aug 2010, 14:20

Ah yes. So he podded one did he? Good show haha!:D

ErwinS

2nd Sep 2010, 13:36

Meridian and Airlift on EU black list:-(

Two Ghanaian freight carriers added to EU 'blacklist' (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/02/346920/two-ghanaian-freight-carriers-added-to-eu-blacklist.html)

ACE 9G-AED is currenly at MST undergoing inspection. Let's hope she is cleared to operate.

411A

2nd Sep 2010, 18:02

... who states that this "underlines the vigilance" being shown by the Commission regarding air safety

Perhaps a closer look at AirFrance might be in order, as they seem to bust up hulls regularly.:rolleyes:

Limburg

2nd Sep 2010, 22:30

ACE 9G-AED is currenly at MST undergoing inspection. Let's hope she is cleared to operate.
9G-AED was allowed to leave Maastricht for Iraq (ORSU): Picture (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-%28Iris-Air%29/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-8-62AF/1776685/L/)

ErwinS

6th Sep 2010, 05:15

Was yesterday at OST and saw 4 Meridian DC-8's stored outside. The 5th should be inside the old AMG hangar.
They still look in good shape. Hopefully they will leave soon to a new operator.

Anybody for more inside info on what will happen with Meridian and or the Eight's?

four engine jock

6th Sep 2010, 07:49

Anyone know who the real owners are? Got a possible Airline that might want them.

500 above

9th Sep 2010, 09:15

Hi all

Nice to see a proper aeroplane in LCA yesterday, the Saiflycargo '8. Is that going to be a regular run?

Limburg

9th Sep 2010, 18:16

9G-AED was allowed to leave Maastricht for Iraq (ORSU): Picture (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-%28Iris-Air%29/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-8-62AF/1776685/L/)
9G-AED operates on a different AOC than all the other 8s (9G-AXA-E), so it is NOT banned, latest info reveals that the owner even plans a C-check early next year!

yambat

10th Sep 2010, 01:45

500 above

Hi, was that you who commented on the radio?
Yup, regular, tech stop
Cheers
Yambat

Flowerdream

10th Sep 2010, 06:28

9G-AED is now operating under Air Charter Expess AOC! Can be seen here: short before departure to Sulaimaniyah, http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-(Air-Charter/Douglas-DC-8-62AF/1776680/M/ (http://www.pprune.org/photo/Untitled-(Air-Charter/Douglas-DC-8-62AF/1776680/M/)

mtogw

10th Sep 2010, 07:33

Does anyone who is inside or well connected know what is the latest plan at Meridian for the 63's, ?

MALLY

10th Sep 2010, 11:30

MTOGW.
Inside info from the 'frontline' is that the plan is to 'relocate' the operation to ACCRA.

four engine jock

10th Sep 2010, 12:23

Good Luck To Them Getting Crews Now.

weido_salt

10th Sep 2010, 13:03

There maybe a few relics laying around idle from the demise of MK, who flew DC 8's. Hopefully they have had other work since then.

Unusually in this case, the aircraft may have out lasted the crews!

four engine jock

20th Sep 2010, 14:22

Will they ever fly? If not I have a possible taker for those 8's

ErwinS

21st Sep 2010, 15:53

Give it a try at [email protected]

Who is the possible taker?

four engine jock

22nd Sep 2010, 13:26

The email [email protected] does not work.

The following message to <[email protected]> was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.1.0 - Unknown address error 550-"5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist.