Court Line
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Here at BA I doubt we have ever managed three sets of covered stairs, 1 is usually applauded. Always fond of the colour schemes. Manifested years later and some with Liat I believe?
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Court Line Beverley
And if you look carefully in the background of the first photo you can see the Blackburn Beverley mentioned in previous posts purchased to transport spares, including an engine but never used for such. As far as I remember carried out at least one training detail before that enterprise was abandoned.
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Court Line
Can anyone please advise where I might obtain a copy of "Colours in the Sky" I have been searching for along time to no avail.
If anyone can assist please PM me.
Many thanks
If anyone can assist please PM me.
Many thanks
The covered stairs were inherited by Luton Airport once Court Line went bust.
I think it was in the late 70s or early 80s when one set was driving round the apron in winds gusting up to 60kts. It come round the corner by Stand 9 where it got blown over, with the driver leaping out before it toppled over!
I think it was in the late 70s or early 80s when one set was driving round the apron in winds gusting up to 60kts. It come round the corner by Stand 9 where it got blown over, with the driver leaping out before it toppled over!
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Can someone put a link into the Tristar that returned after the company had gone broke with the Flight Crew involved taking the aircraft after it had been impounded. I remember it made the national papers. Thanks (It is probabaly a very different story from that I recall?)
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The aircraft had tech (fuel) stopped in Canada (Gander/Halifax?-cant remember now which one ) on its way back from the Caribbean and was not impounded.
The crew were advised though by Luton ops that the company would be going bust at midnight. The Captain (Pete Hogg) elected to continue in order to get the passengers and crew home-without stranding them. They also wanted to depart before the Canadian authorities heard of the companies collapse and did impound the aircraft.
It was an emotional return to Luton-the following morning with a large number of company personnel there waiting for its return.
Technically though the decision was questionable as it was argued that once the AOC was suspended at midnight-the insurance was also likely to be invalid. (never found out if that was in fact the case though?)
The aircraft was flying through the midnight period and landed back the morning after.
The crew were advised though by Luton ops that the company would be going bust at midnight. The Captain (Pete Hogg) elected to continue in order to get the passengers and crew home-without stranding them. They also wanted to depart before the Canadian authorities heard of the companies collapse and did impound the aircraft.
It was an emotional return to Luton-the following morning with a large number of company personnel there waiting for its return.
Technically though the decision was questionable as it was argued that once the AOC was suspended at midnight-the insurance was also likely to be invalid. (never found out if that was in fact the case though?)
The aircraft was flying through the midnight period and landed back the morning after.
I will check for you if there are any left. Join Date: Aug 2007
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I was on the last flight & it was Gander we stopped. The ride to the airport was a very cold journey, as we only had our summer clothes. + we did not dare give mention what had happened and that we were about to abscond!
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I have the e contact details for the author/ publisher. If anyone is still after this book. Please PM me to avoid the advertisement police.
Be lucky
David
Be lucky
David
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A Couple of Pictures:
A Couple of Pictures by Caz Caswell (with his permission):
G-AZEB One-Eleven 518FG of Court Line Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy on 11 June 1972 :
G-BAAA Lockheed L1011 of Court Line
London Gatwick - February 1974
G-AZEB One-Eleven 518FG of Court Line Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy on 11 June 1972 :
G-BAAA Lockheed L1011 of Court Line
London Gatwick - February 1974
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Court Line memories
First ever jet flight was on Court Line in 1970 BHX - IBZ - BHX on B111. Remember the meals in the back of the seat well!
Also flew on the Tristar in 1973 on a day trip to the Paris Air Show from LTN organised by Ian Allan (Aircraft Illustrated). Aircraft was used for a demonstration flight during the day at Le Bourget and as part of the airshow. I recall on the flight back to LTN in the evening, a number of the FAs were unwell. I assumed at that this was due to the earlier demonstration flights where the Tristar (G-BAAA) was put through its paces.
Also recall that this aircraft had a number stencilled just aft of the flight deck windows indicating that it was part of the airshow.
Also flew on the Tristar in 1973 on a day trip to the Paris Air Show from LTN organised by Ian Allan (Aircraft Illustrated). Aircraft was used for a demonstration flight during the day at Le Bourget and as part of the airshow. I recall on the flight back to LTN in the evening, a number of the FAs were unwell. I assumed at that this was due to the earlier demonstration flights where the Tristar (G-BAAA) was put through its paces.
Also recall that this aircraft had a number stencilled just aft of the flight deck windows indicating that it was part of the airshow.
Last edited by Invicta DC4; 22nd Jan 2009 at 17:49. Reason: spelling mistook
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Seat Back Catering!
In another place, I wrote some notes on Court Line, but one of the two areas I got a 'little nasty' was on the subject of Seat Back Catering:
If soemone in this fourm feels able to mount a 'non-economic' defence of seat back catering, I will rush out and buy a stale ham roll and eat it.
There is one aspect of Court Line's 1-11 Operation which even today causes irritation to those who had to Dispatch/Cater/Cabin Crew them. Let alone bringing a twinge in the knees and the suppressed memory of the slightly stale roll outbound and the missing roll inbound , in the minds of former passengers.
I am referring to the worst passenger configuration ever implemented on the BAC 1-11, the 119Y with Seat Back Catering (normally 114Y was considered the maximum charter configuration for a 1-11 500 Series).
Whilst I understand why Court Line dreamed it up, with such low yields per passenger, seat maximization was vital. However it was a violation of the Human Rights of anyone taller than 5ft 10 inches. Plus it meant that the 'food' was beyond any jokes made about Airline Catering before, or since!
I am referring to the worst passenger configuration ever implemented on the BAC 1-11, the 119Y with Seat Back Catering (normally 114Y was considered the maximum charter configuration for a 1-11 500 Series).
Whilst I understand why Court Line dreamed it up, with such low yields per passenger, seat maximization was vital. However it was a violation of the Human Rights of anyone taller than 5ft 10 inches. Plus it meant that the 'food' was beyond any jokes made about Airline Catering before, or since!
My friend and I also went to the Paris air show in 1973.
I remember we were delayed for 2 hours due to slots into Le Bourget.
They initially kept us all on the a/c, but they eventually let us out and allowed us onto the apron next to the Tristar. I think they got fed up of all 400 of us getting up and running to one side of the a/c every time something taxied past!
I remember we were delayed for 2 hours due to slots into Le Bourget.
They initially kept us all on the a/c, but they eventually let us out and allowed us onto the apron next to the Tristar. I think they got fed up of all 400 of us getting up and running to one side of the a/c every time something taxied past!