BAA withdraws Air Atlantique DC-6 landing slot at LHR
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This will be the same BAA that let John Travolta land his 707 at Heathrow a few years back.Air Atlantique obviously didn't GREASE enough palms!Sorry,couldn't resist it.
I thought you guys won the big war in 1945, but it seems poor old England gets run by some dictating pen pusher in the EU or by the Spanish.
Next you guys will banned from driving your right hand drive cars on your home soil!
Long live the mighty DC-6!!!!
Next you guys will banned from driving your right hand drive cars on your home soil!
Long live the mighty DC-6!!!!
Quote from 411A:
Only the ATC handling remains reasonable [at LHR].
[Unquote]
I hope you London controllers are reading this. I do believe that was a rare, if grudging, compliment!
Less lightheartedly, 411A, the chorus of protest here does show that we Brits recognise a fine ship, even one which we didn't invent ourselves.
Some of our cousins might occasionally reciprocate that sentiment...
Chris
Only the ATC handling remains reasonable [at LHR].
[Unquote]
I hope you London controllers are reading this. I do believe that was a rare, if grudging, compliment!
Less lightheartedly, 411A, the chorus of protest here does show that we Brits recognise a fine ship, even one which we didn't invent ourselves.
Some of our cousins might occasionally reciprocate that sentiment...
Chris
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VERY disappointing - The person(s) responsible for cancelling the slots should be ASHAMED!
The DC-6 would have little or NO effect on traffic flow and the decision has more than likely been taken with little thought by those concerned. It would be no different for example than a PA31 Navajo or similar operating into the airport (if an operator could afford it)
Like many others who have posted, I have to agree that the BAA seems only to be interested in getting people into their terminals to spend money at often rip-off prices. I have had the recent misfortune to travel through en route to Moscow and it was not one of my more enjoyable experiences!
I'm sure this would have given BAA and LHR some good publicity in the press but in their wisdom they decided to decline and I for one hope that it now brings adverse publicity accordingly .. SHAME ON YOU!!
The DC-6 would have little or NO effect on traffic flow and the decision has more than likely been taken with little thought by those concerned. It would be no different for example than a PA31 Navajo or similar operating into the airport (if an operator could afford it)
Like many others who have posted, I have to agree that the BAA seems only to be interested in getting people into their terminals to spend money at often rip-off prices. I have had the recent misfortune to travel through en route to Moscow and it was not one of my more enjoyable experiences!
I'm sure this would have given BAA and LHR some good publicity in the press but in their wisdom they decided to decline and I for one hope that it now brings adverse publicity accordingly .. SHAME ON YOU!!
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Could not those wonderful guys in ATC invite a low approach and overshoot ? "Just to check the gear was down and correctly positioned" Without touching that bespoiled turf that was once Hounslow Heath, previously the haunt of highwaymen and footpads ?
Be lucky
David
Be lucky
David
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Extracts from a blog the Author of which shall rename nameless 
:
BAA Heathrow Refuses British Eagle Tribute Flight
Whilst this crass last minute decision by the BAA to refuse to allow this tribute flight to operate, has the Idle Man 'spitting feathers' others are close to apoplexy!
At a time when the BAA needs to win friends and influence people, this decision will lose friends and alienate people, well done chaps!
<More Text>
Included in this was satisfying Air Traffic Control that the DC6 could conform to the relevant requirement and this was achieved, plus obtaining the required Airport Slots and again these were granted.
In addition the planning was positively helped by BAA Staff who arranged for Landng Fees to be Waived and by Signature Flight Support the Handling Agents who agreed to waive handling fees.
Yet two days ago the BAA withdrew the Airport Slots because they were concerned that the operation of the DC6 at Heathrow was potentially disruptive to normal operations.
As every effort had been made to ensure that the DC6 operation would be no more potentially disruptive than any other Heathrow Flight, this is balderdash!
End Extracts
The press doesn't seem to be picking this up, obviously too busy!
:BAA Heathrow Refuses British Eagle Tribute Flight
Whilst this crass last minute decision by the BAA to refuse to allow this tribute flight to operate, has the Idle Man 'spitting feathers' others are close to apoplexy!
At a time when the BAA needs to win friends and influence people, this decision will lose friends and alienate people, well done chaps!
<More Text>
Included in this was satisfying Air Traffic Control that the DC6 could conform to the relevant requirement and this was achieved, plus obtaining the required Airport Slots and again these were granted.
In addition the planning was positively helped by BAA Staff who arranged for Landng Fees to be Waived and by Signature Flight Support the Handling Agents who agreed to waive handling fees.
Yet two days ago the BAA withdrew the Airport Slots because they were concerned that the operation of the DC6 at Heathrow was potentially disruptive to normal operations.
As every effort had been made to ensure that the DC6 operation would be no more potentially disruptive than any other Heathrow Flight, this is balderdash!
End Extracts
The press doesn't seem to be picking this up, obviously too busy!
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Well done CAA - another ****-up
One hopes that the press WILL pick this one up. I would like to think that the good folk at The Six would have notified various media companies of the DC6's impending arrival.
I feel sure that the Flight Internationals and Aeroplane Magazines of this world would certainly be aware. Cynically I'd like some of the media big-boys to be having to re-arrange their schedule/waste money because of the CAA's problem with significant aviation history - then the message might get out to the wider, non-aviation world.
If so this would disprove the statement that "any publicity is good publicity" as this (hopefully) would be a very tricky one for the CAA's PR boys (girls) to handle.
I'm very disappointed, I was all ready to be staring out of the window at 1400 on Friday.
Sigh....................
I feel sure that the Flight Internationals and Aeroplane Magazines of this world would certainly be aware. Cynically I'd like some of the media big-boys to be having to re-arrange their schedule/waste money because of the CAA's problem with significant aviation history - then the message might get out to the wider, non-aviation world.
If so this would disprove the statement that "any publicity is good publicity" as this (hopefully) would be a very tricky one for the CAA's PR boys (girls) to handle.
I'm very disappointed, I was all ready to be staring out of the window at 1400 on Friday.
Sigh....................
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Flight Global has picked up the story. But other than that, I haven't seen any coverage.
As this is a HHA (History, Heritages and Aviation) story the media was not interested as they are only allowed one a month and as this is 90th Anniversary of WWI , that is their quota filled. Anyway they believe that covering So Called Celebrities Behaving Badly is much more likely to sell their Paper!
As this is a HHA (History, Heritages and Aviation) story the media was not interested as they are only allowed one a month and as this is 90th Anniversary of WWI , that is their quota filled. Anyway they believe that covering So Called Celebrities Behaving Badly is much more likely to sell their Paper!
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Credit where credit is due. Mike Brown (BAA Chief Operating Officer Heathrow) has found the time to reply to my email expressing my disappointment in the withdrawal of the landing slot for the DC6.
Sadly the response serves only to continue the line that "To operate
nostalgia or other flights of this type is totally inappropriate at such an
airport." No understanding of the missed positive publicity.
Ah well.
Sadly the response serves only to continue the line that "To operate
nostalgia or other flights of this type is totally inappropriate at such an
airport." No understanding of the missed positive publicity.
Ah well.
"To operate nostalgia or other flights of this type is totally inappropriate at such an airport."
It just makes me even more determined than ever that I shall NEVER fly from that overpriced, shambolic apology for an airport unless there's absolutely no alternative.
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FRA is not 'such an airport' then; it's a decent one. I'm flying to Cairo soon and had the choice of two flights, one via Paris and the other via Heathrow. Never even checked the price of the latter.
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Mike Brown (BAA Chief Operating Officer Heathrow)'s response of
Is interesting on several counts:
To operate nostalgia or other flights of this type is totally inappropriate at such an airport.
- The DC6 has Operated a commemorative flight for the BAA from LHR
- If this was the policy, why were slots initially granted and arrangements made to waive landing and other fees?
- If the DC6 was carrying an AOG Spare, or a commercial cargo, would this have meant it was OK?
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If the DC6 was carrying an AOG Spare, or a commercial cargo, would this have meant it was OK?
Photo ATMA Antonov AN-12 UN-11012
Can't be any faster than a Six, surely ?
The Wonderfull BAA
It may be of interest to see the current BAA line, in response to an e-mail I sent to the BAA's Heathrow Media Centre earlier, at
[email protected].
My e-mail, at 1630z ¾
Dear Sirs and Mesdames,
The BAA has seen fit to cancel a rare (and probably final) visit tomorrow by one of the aviation icons of the 1950s, one of the aircraft types that pioneered modern long-haul air travel. I refer, of course, to the DC-6; and the agreed visit by Air Atlantique's G-APSA.
This cancellation has provoked much comment in aviation circles; including PPRuNe, where I first heard about it.
There is a strong consensus that the BAA:
(a) is unique among airport operators in failing to recognise a chance to publicise itself and demonstrate a bona-fide commitment to aviation heritage, rather than simple profit;
(b) is demonstrating a lack of flexibility alien to the majority of its fine operations staff at Heathrow;
(c) should be doing its best to rehabilitate the image of aviation in this country, particularly in view of the necessity to persuade the public and government to approve the desperately-needed third runway;
(d) in its failure to realise the above, is likely to alienate many aviation professionals, who – having supported it for decades in its different forms – will not mourn its demise.
Chris Scott
(retired aviator)
Their reply, at 1645z ¾
Hello Chris,
Thanks for your email. Heathrow is very congested, operating at almost full capacity every day. Our priority is maintaining the operation and smooth running of the airport.
Kind regards,
Heathrow Media Centre
Tel: 020 8745 7224
Fax: 020 8745 6061
I might have added:
The BAA, the current incumbent of what amounts to an aviation heritage site as well as a major contributor to the UK economy, is also displaying a lack of any sense of history; and a mean-spirited lack of gratitude to the industry on whose past and present motivation its revenues depend.
But that would also have been wasted on them, no doubt.
[email protected].
My e-mail, at 1630z ¾
Dear Sirs and Mesdames,
The BAA has seen fit to cancel a rare (and probably final) visit tomorrow by one of the aviation icons of the 1950s, one of the aircraft types that pioneered modern long-haul air travel. I refer, of course, to the DC-6; and the agreed visit by Air Atlantique's G-APSA.
This cancellation has provoked much comment in aviation circles; including PPRuNe, where I first heard about it.
There is a strong consensus that the BAA:
(a) is unique among airport operators in failing to recognise a chance to publicise itself and demonstrate a bona-fide commitment to aviation heritage, rather than simple profit;
(b) is demonstrating a lack of flexibility alien to the majority of its fine operations staff at Heathrow;
(c) should be doing its best to rehabilitate the image of aviation in this country, particularly in view of the necessity to persuade the public and government to approve the desperately-needed third runway;
(d) in its failure to realise the above, is likely to alienate many aviation professionals, who – having supported it for decades in its different forms – will not mourn its demise.
Chris Scott
(retired aviator)
Their reply, at 1645z ¾
Hello Chris,
Thanks for your email. Heathrow is very congested, operating at almost full capacity every day. Our priority is maintaining the operation and smooth running of the airport.
Kind regards,
Heathrow Media Centre
Tel: 020 8745 7224
Fax: 020 8745 6061
I might have added:
The BAA, the current incumbent of what amounts to an aviation heritage site as well as a major contributor to the UK economy, is also displaying a lack of any sense of history; and a mean-spirited lack of gratitude to the industry on whose past and present motivation its revenues depend.
But that would also have been wasted on them, no doubt.
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Gresham's theory in practice?
Chris Scott and others have worded it more eloquently than me, but this proves the current BAA Management are not Aviation lovers.
ca. 20 years ago, a former-colleague of mine at BA, now a Training Captain at BMI, Capt. R.M. arranged a DC-3 Charter - and at very short notice got clearance to do a low flypast over LHR. A fantastic gesture and a fantastic day out.
If ATC have given clearance for this DC-6 movement, then what is the problem?
Come over to Zürich instead, you'll be given a warm welcome I promise.
ca. 20 years ago, a former-colleague of mine at BA, now a Training Captain at BMI, Capt. R.M. arranged a DC-3 Charter - and at very short notice got clearance to do a low flypast over LHR. A fantastic gesture and a fantastic day out.
If ATC have given clearance for this DC-6 movement, then what is the problem?
Come over to Zürich instead, you'll be given a warm welcome I promise.