Did You Fly The Vulcan?? (Merged)
Andoip, you could, I guess, take 3 pax and a hostie.
The hostie would do all the usual non-smoking, no toilet, fasten your seat belt but most importantly:
In the unlikely event of . . . follow me.
The hostie would do all the usual non-smoking, no toilet, fasten your seat belt but most importantly:
In the unlikely event of . . . follow me.
ok joking aside now. i'm sure those who are lucky to experience flights in other jets have to undergo training in case of emergency- thunder city etc?
or is it a condition of its' certification that it cannot carry any civilians whatsoever?
honest question.
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Honest answer - I'm pretty certain it's 'b'. 
Most of the TVOC/VTST people will never be able to set foot in there, never mind Joe Public, and never mind getting airborne either.
Most of the TVOC/VTST people will never be able to set foot in there, never mind Joe Public, and never mind getting airborne either.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Crew Drills
As this is A Vulcan thread, let me comment.
All aircrew had to undergo regular, but I can't remember how often, crew drills before we could fly in 't beast. The was a Mk 1 nose at Finningley, later Scampton IIRC, where we would all emplane and run through various scenario of bailout or ditching.
Bailout just left the pilots sitting there like lemons. We would all reboard and do a ditching where the co usually got out, we snuck between the seats and the AEO would get hoisted out using a dinghy lanyard.
After the assistor cushions came in I think we only did one drill as the seats had to be reset by the squippers. I think it was an annual thing at the annual Refresher at the OCU.
I don't recall the crewchiefs ever joining us in the trainer nor do I recall ever briefing a crew chief as we assumed they would know how to open the door and what to do. If there are any chiefs here made they would comment.
I know we flew official passengers, such as Iranians, and I know of some unofficial ones too. None of them did the drills.
All aircrew had to undergo regular, but I can't remember how often, crew drills before we could fly in 't beast. The was a Mk 1 nose at Finningley, later Scampton IIRC, where we would all emplane and run through various scenario of bailout or ditching.
Bailout just left the pilots sitting there like lemons. We would all reboard and do a ditching where the co usually got out, we snuck between the seats and the AEO would get hoisted out using a dinghy lanyard.
After the assistor cushions came in I think we only did one drill as the seats had to be reset by the squippers. I think it was an annual thing at the annual Refresher at the OCU.
I don't recall the crewchiefs ever joining us in the trainer nor do I recall ever briefing a crew chief as we assumed they would know how to open the door and what to do. If there are any chiefs here made they would comment.
I know we flew official passengers, such as Iranians, and I know of some unofficial ones too. None of them did the drills.
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PN
Escape drills became compulsory for crew chiefs after the 1975 Vulcan crash in Malta. I was just about to finish CC training at the time of the crash. A sad business but the BoI did reveal some serious problems regarding escape drills. There was no record of any escape drill training for the two CCs who died in the accident. There was also some question about the stowage of the door ladder and luggage being placed in the Bomb Aimers position. On 44(R) we used to do drills prior to a Ranger and that kept us current for six months which allowed for Exercise deployments etc.
Escape drills became compulsory for crew chiefs after the 1975 Vulcan crash in Malta. I was just about to finish CC training at the time of the crash. A sad business but the BoI did reveal some serious problems regarding escape drills. There was no record of any escape drill training for the two CCs who died in the accident. There was also some question about the stowage of the door ladder and luggage being placed in the Bomb Aimers position. On 44(R) we used to do drills prior to a Ranger and that kept us current for six months which allowed for Exercise deployments etc.
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On the odd occasion that I was allowed to fly with the GSU (1968-75) it was certainly a requirement that I had undergone crew escape drills.
Here's one taken at the Finningley crew drill trainer. Not sure now who the air officer is - nicely polished flying boots though!
Here's one taken at the Finningley crew drill trainer. Not sure now who the air officer is - nicely polished flying boots though!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
That is the Finningly one. Pax drills was probably a question of availability. If you were at Finningley, or there was a trainer, then you could do the drills. In the end we seemed to get so many guests that we ended up giving a standard 'airline' patter and simply took their word that they understood.
As we had to fly with Iranian officers I guessed that they would say yes to anything so I wrote out a comprehensive brief - no smoking, no guns etc - and we got it translated at the Embassy. It was on the next flight after the brief was introduced that a Vulcan crash landed.
I am sure it was a great comfort to the observer to know he had taken part in an 'extremely unlikely' event.
As we had to fly with Iranian officers I guessed that they would say yes to anything so I wrote out a comprehensive brief - no smoking, no guns etc - and we got it translated at the Embassy. It was on the next flight after the brief was introduced that a Vulcan crash landed.
I am sure it was a great comfort to the observer to know he had taken part in an 'extremely unlikely' event.
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Vulcan flights
Unfortunately, at the moment (and fingers crossed for this Friday), this is the closest you can get to flying 'in' the Vulcan. Probably not as good as the real thing, but a pretty good second I would say.
YouTube - When I flew with The Blades and Vulcan XH558
(It's not my vid.)
Checkflaps
YouTube - When I flew with The Blades and Vulcan XH558
(It's not my vid.)
Checkflaps
Last edited by Checkflaps; 5th Mar 2009 at 10:03. Reason: Issues with link
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Hooray, I mean Oh Bugger. I now have to explain to SWMBO where my pocket money has gone this month
.
Are they going to let me take her under the wing??
Or do you old (Yes Beags, I mean you too) Vulcan types know a better spot??
Where has Beag's 1838 post gone??
.Are they going to let me take her under the wing??
Or do you old (Yes Beags, I mean you too) Vulcan types know a better spot??
Where has Beag's 1838 post gone??
Thread Starter
It seems that someone made a false pledge.....
At 1917, the figure is now £908783...... Less than £100K to go!
At 1917, the figure is now £908783...... Less than £100K to go!
Thread Starter
At 0957, it passed the £950000 mark....
Only £50K to go now.......
At 1019, £47839 to go;
1100: £43165
Only £50K to go now.......
At 1019, £47839 to go;
1100: £43165
Last edited by BEagle; 6th Mar 2009 at 10:01.
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£25 bunged their way, because:
a) I well recall 129 IOT grad and the Vulcan flypast, and
b) I'd like more opportunities to take pictures like this:
Vulcan Takeoff 7 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
a) I well recall 129 IOT grad and the Vulcan flypast, and
b) I'd like more opportunities to take pictures like this:
Vulcan Takeoff 7 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Thread Starter
Hopefully you'll be able to see '558 taking off again soon, if all goes well!
At 1148, £39982 still to find....
At 1148, £39982 still to find....
Reported on another website
A message from Eddie Forrester from Aerobytes
'It might be a while before Robert's announcement reaches Paul for publication on the website, so here's what you've all be waiting to hear...
Although nearly £1M has been pledged, the project had no cash to continue operating long enough to start collecting that money and would have ceased operation today.
HOWEVER, Aerobytes & Judd Power have provided the immediate cash required to pay the wages for the coming month.
So long as the pledges are honoured, we all have a very noisy & splendid year to look forward to.'
Excellent news.
'It might be a while before Robert's announcement reaches Paul for publication on the website, so here's what you've all be waiting to hear...
Although nearly £1M has been pledged, the project had no cash to continue operating long enough to start collecting that money and would have ceased operation today.
HOWEVER, Aerobytes & Judd Power have provided the immediate cash required to pay the wages for the coming month.
So long as the pledges are honoured, we all have a very noisy & splendid year to look forward to.'
Excellent news.
Thread Starter
Not quite £1M yet - currently £24914 to go!
From Rob Pleming:
From Rob Pleming:
Vulcan now truly "The People's Aircraft"
Thousands of pledges provide a future for the Vulcan
One month ago, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) had to announce that the prospects of seeing Vulcan XH558, the world's only flying Vulcan, ever flying again were looking very poor as the result of the lack of cash, and that notices had had to be given to its employees that their jobs would end on Friday 6th March
With the launch of a Pledge Campaign to raise £1million, VTST based its future on the public's affection for the Vulcan and their desire to see it fly.
As the deadline of the end of today approaches, the Pledge Campaign has this morning (11.00am) passed £956,835, pledged by over 9,821 supporters, and so has excellent prospects of passing its goal of £1million imminently.
This is the third time in seven years that the future of the Vulcan in flight has been saved by the support of thousands of members of the public, making XH558 "The People's Aircraft". Never has one historic aircraft owed so much to so many!
Sponsors provide breathing space
On their own, pledges can't solve the Trust's immediate cash problem, because they each need now to be converted into cash donations. The Trust is therefore very grateful to its sponsors, Aerobytes Ltd and Judd Power, who have today committed sufficient cash to keep the Trust going for another month, allowing time for the pledges to be redeemed.
As the result, VTST is delighted to announce that it is able to continue its activities on a more secure financial footing, and that the prospects of seeing the Vulcan fly in 2009 are now good.
Supporters led the way forward
For the past month, supporters of the Vulcan have been tireless in their fundraising activities, ranging from the cross-country Vulcan Scramble, to "Pledgathon" events across the UK. VTST is enormously grateful to all the members of the Vulcan to the Sky Club for their help.
Inspiring the Young
There are well over 10 million young people who have never seen the Vulcan in flight. Following the success of the Pledge Campaign, these youngsters now have an opportunity to experience this inspirational "once seen, never forgotten" sight.
Because we cannot assume that all the pledges will be honoured, we are asking the the public to continue to pledge financial support, either through our website Vulcan to the Sky Trust - Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 - Vulcan To The Sky Trust or by phone to our office on 0116 247 8145. We have demonstrated that even the smallest pledge helps, because it is people in their thousands who make the difference.
Robert Pleming
6th March 2009
Thousands of pledges provide a future for the Vulcan
One month ago, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) had to announce that the prospects of seeing Vulcan XH558, the world's only flying Vulcan, ever flying again were looking very poor as the result of the lack of cash, and that notices had had to be given to its employees that their jobs would end on Friday 6th March
With the launch of a Pledge Campaign to raise £1million, VTST based its future on the public's affection for the Vulcan and their desire to see it fly.
As the deadline of the end of today approaches, the Pledge Campaign has this morning (11.00am) passed £956,835, pledged by over 9,821 supporters, and so has excellent prospects of passing its goal of £1million imminently.
This is the third time in seven years that the future of the Vulcan in flight has been saved by the support of thousands of members of the public, making XH558 "The People's Aircraft". Never has one historic aircraft owed so much to so many!
Sponsors provide breathing space
On their own, pledges can't solve the Trust's immediate cash problem, because they each need now to be converted into cash donations. The Trust is therefore very grateful to its sponsors, Aerobytes Ltd and Judd Power, who have today committed sufficient cash to keep the Trust going for another month, allowing time for the pledges to be redeemed.
As the result, VTST is delighted to announce that it is able to continue its activities on a more secure financial footing, and that the prospects of seeing the Vulcan fly in 2009 are now good.
Supporters led the way forward
For the past month, supporters of the Vulcan have been tireless in their fundraising activities, ranging from the cross-country Vulcan Scramble, to "Pledgathon" events across the UK. VTST is enormously grateful to all the members of the Vulcan to the Sky Club for their help.
Inspiring the Young
There are well over 10 million young people who have never seen the Vulcan in flight. Following the success of the Pledge Campaign, these youngsters now have an opportunity to experience this inspirational "once seen, never forgotten" sight.
Because we cannot assume that all the pledges will be honoured, we are asking the the public to continue to pledge financial support, either through our website Vulcan to the Sky Trust - Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 - Vulcan To The Sky Trust or by phone to our office on 0116 247 8145. We have demonstrated that even the smallest pledge helps, because it is people in their thousands who make the difference.
Robert Pleming
6th March 2009
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Originally Posted by Pontious Navigator
I don't recall the crewchiefs ever joining us in the trainer nor do I recall ever briefing a crew chief as we assumed they would know how to open the door and what to do. If there are any chiefs here made they would comment.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Kiwibrit, when was that? In my case it was a long time ago and crew drills did not feature highly in my memories. I recall the first drills on the OCU with my second crew in 1969.
We had the usual 'bang - abandon aircraft - jump jump.'
I swivelled the seat, pulled the assistor cushion release, reached down to the bar on the plotter's seat, swung down and pulled the door open handle. The door banged open and I was out on the mat.
I got out of the way, removed my parachute and dinghy, refastened all the parachute straps and stowed all the kit. I then stood and waited until the AEO emerged followed by the plotter a wee while later.
The AEO was ex-kipper fleet and the plotter ex-Victors. In an urgent abandonment there was no question of helping the others get ready.
As previously mentioned, after the Luqa crash when I lost two friends, things clearly tightened up.
We had the usual 'bang - abandon aircraft - jump jump.'
I swivelled the seat, pulled the assistor cushion release, reached down to the bar on the plotter's seat, swung down and pulled the door open handle. The door banged open and I was out on the mat.
I got out of the way, removed my parachute and dinghy, refastened all the parachute straps and stowed all the kit. I then stood and waited until the AEO emerged followed by the plotter a wee while later.
The AEO was ex-kipper fleet and the plotter ex-Victors. In an urgent abandonment there was no question of helping the others get ready.
As previously mentioned, after the Luqa crash when I lost two friends, things clearly tightened up.