Last Vulcan flight
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Thanks for that. It looks like 3 to 4 hours at low level is doable in a standard Vulcan, so should be easier for 558. But 558 was maneuvering a lot, with power changes, and one wonders how much 'slack' there'd be in the fuel burn to allow anything more than fairly restrained fly-bys at the waypoints. Certainly not enough for anything dramatic at EACH waypoint one presumes?
I understand that on Saturday 558 cut it short at EMA and headed home due fuel state, so presumably, despite a gentle sortie, there wasn't an awful lot of fuel left at the end.
I understand that on Saturday 558 cut it short at EMA and headed home due fuel state, so presumably, despite a gentle sortie, there wasn't an awful lot of fuel left at the end.
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Taken at Farnborough yesterday.
Light went to crap shortly before arrval!
IMG_6252 by Jim Pritchard, on Flickr
Light went to crap shortly before arrval!
IMG_6252 by Jim Pritchard, on Flickr
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Final flight later this month, not yet announced as far as I know. Probably local to Doncaster so maybe they'll chuck her around a bit as fuel endurance won't be an issue!
After that she'll be grounded but will do occasional taxy runs (not taxi runs unfortunately!).
After that she'll be grounded but will do occasional taxy runs (not taxi runs unfortunately!).
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A rumour
Since this is Rumour Network, the rumour is that it has something to do with BAe Warton, being on the ground for the staff to look at, then back to Doncaster I presume. To take place second half of the month.
One presumes that BAe are paying for it.............not a rumour, just a thought.
One presumes that BAe are paying for it.............not a rumour, just a thought.
From scudpilot:
"Taken at Farnborough yesterday.
Light went to crap shortly before arrval!"
Interesting to compare with one taken in clear air near Burgess Hill (see Military thread). Can endorse your complaint about the haze. We were on the hillock called Caesar's Camp, about 2.5 miles SW of Farnborough aerodrome, and she descended into it when approaching from Dunsfold. I think it was pollution brought from London on the north-easterly wind. Disappointing, but at least you got a different shot from the others!
"Taken at Farnborough yesterday.
Light went to crap shortly before arrval!"
Interesting to compare with one taken in clear air near Burgess Hill (see Military thread). Can endorse your complaint about the haze. We were on the hillock called Caesar's Camp, about 2.5 miles SW of Farnborough aerodrome, and she descended into it when approaching from Dunsfold. I think it was pollution brought from London on the north-easterly wind. Disappointing, but at least you got a different shot from the others!
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Prob 90 a temperature inversion due the prevailing high pressure, Chris. All the atmospheric crud gets trapped below the inversion as it cuts off vertical air movement. As you descend into it (pass through the inversion layer) viz can go from virtually unlimited to a few km.
Shaggy Sheep Driver:
"As you descend into it (pass through the inversion layer) viz can go from virtually unlimited to a few km."
Aaah, yes, those were the days...
"As you descend into it (pass through the inversion layer) viz can go from virtually unlimited to a few km."
Aaah, yes, those were the days...
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On Radio 4 yesterday, they had the mating call of a Vulcan on the Today Programme around 2:39:15 BBC Radio 4 - Today, 13/10/2015
Daily Telegraph today:
Stunning photographs of Vulcan bomber XH558 flying over Beachy Head - Telegraph
Now I know what to do when I grow up . . .
Stunning photographs of Vulcan bomber XH558 flying over Beachy Head - Telegraph
Now I know what to do when I grow up . . .
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Final flight
So the D Day looms, why 30th and not 31st?
Any info regarding if it is actually going to happen, the e-letter last Thursday still mentioned a final flight but they are leaving it late......
Any info regarding if it is actually going to happen, the e-letter last Thursday still mentioned a final flight but they are leaving it late......
There is to be another flight before or on 30th but it's top secret. Seemingly the top copper of South Yorkshire has threatened to close Doncaster Airport if roads are blocked there. Some people.........harrumph.
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Final flight update
Final Flight Confirmed
Following the positive negotiations with the airport that we announced on Friday, a final flight has been confirmed but with substantial restrictions. To absolutely guarantee that there is no disruption to their operations from the crowds that are expected, their primary requirement is that the flight takes place at very short notice.
We have agreed to this with regret because we believe it is important to have a symbolic end to flying, which is professionally recorded and made available to you as video and stills, but understanding the disappointment that it will rightly bring to all those who have generously supported XH558 and would like to see the final touch-down.
As discussed previously, any delays to commercial flights due to congestion around the airport will be extremely expensive for them and they will have no choice but to pass those costs on to the Trust, which would have a dramatic impact on the future of XH558. It is for this reason that our original plans for an event around the final flight had to be cancelled with apologies to all those who deserve to be there. Thank you again for understanding this difficult position.
We have used almost all the available flying hours taking her to you, across the UK this year, flying more than 50% longer than in any previous year, with many thanks to Marshall Aerospace, the Civil Aviation Authority, and K M Dastur, our aviation insurance brokers, for agreeing this extension.
After such a fabulous year, we have only a handful of minutes left, so the final flight will be around 15 minutes with no display, simply saying Farewell to the Skies.
We are still negotiating exactly how much notice can be provided, requesting a reasonable relaxation of the original very strict requirement. Do please keep a close eye on our social media – Facebook Vulcan XH558 and Twitter @XH558 (repeated on our website) – for updates and for details of how to see the flight live, online.
Following the positive negotiations with the airport that we announced on Friday, a final flight has been confirmed but with substantial restrictions. To absolutely guarantee that there is no disruption to their operations from the crowds that are expected, their primary requirement is that the flight takes place at very short notice.
We have agreed to this with regret because we believe it is important to have a symbolic end to flying, which is professionally recorded and made available to you as video and stills, but understanding the disappointment that it will rightly bring to all those who have generously supported XH558 and would like to see the final touch-down.
As discussed previously, any delays to commercial flights due to congestion around the airport will be extremely expensive for them and they will have no choice but to pass those costs on to the Trust, which would have a dramatic impact on the future of XH558. It is for this reason that our original plans for an event around the final flight had to be cancelled with apologies to all those who deserve to be there. Thank you again for understanding this difficult position.
We have used almost all the available flying hours taking her to you, across the UK this year, flying more than 50% longer than in any previous year, with many thanks to Marshall Aerospace, the Civil Aviation Authority, and K M Dastur, our aviation insurance brokers, for agreeing this extension.
After such a fabulous year, we have only a handful of minutes left, so the final flight will be around 15 minutes with no display, simply saying Farewell to the Skies.
We are still negotiating exactly how much notice can be provided, requesting a reasonable relaxation of the original very strict requirement. Do please keep a close eye on our social media – Facebook Vulcan XH558 and Twitter @XH558 (repeated on our website) – for updates and for details of how to see the flight live, online.
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I worked on the bits of V bombers that turned them from simply being an aircraft into a weapon. Thankfully it never came to that.
Final flight of 15 minutes' duration just announced & will be shown live on http://planestv.com/live/369 looks like about 14:40 UK time.
Last edited by Tim00; 28th Oct 2015 at 14:24. Reason: Direct URL
....a final flight has been confirmed but with substantial restrictions. To absolutely guarantee that there is no disruption to their operations from the crowds that are expected, their primary requirement is that the flight takes place at very short notice.
If the chief rozzer of the area thinks that Vulcan-twitchers might somehow delay such a handful of CAT flights, he must be even more stupid than the rest of his species....
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youtube coverage was rubbish. Looked like one circuit only, and they missed the landing.
Something called 'periscope' shows what must be a go-around (as on youtube the t/o was followed by an over-the-vertical wing over) and this didn't do that so presumably wasn't the t/o. Then a touch and go. Then the final landing.
Anyone know what this aeroplane actually did on its last flight?
Something called 'periscope' shows what must be a go-around (as on youtube the t/o was followed by an over-the-vertical wing over) and this didn't do that so presumably wasn't the t/o. Then a touch and go. Then the final landing.
Anyone know what this aeroplane actually did on its last flight?
SSD,
periscope is an app that allows anyone to stream live video from their smart phone, provided of course that they have a good WiFi connection.
As I said on another thread, the live coverage was pathetic.
periscope is an app that allows anyone to stream live video from their smart phone, provided of course that they have a good WiFi connection.
As I said on another thread, the live coverage was pathetic.