TRITAR

There are 2 dedicated freighters that were on Thai reg.
The first is the one above s/n1012.
That went to Skyeyes in 2003
Skeyes is a Thai freight forwarder and te original aircraft used the name
The freight company then took it own freighter s/n 1212 in 2004 which was a MA conversion ex GF with B2 engines
The original company then changed name to Thai Sky and also took some of the ex Delta -1 pax aircraft
As far as I know they had exensions on the Thai sky aircraft for the AD but that has expired.
The Skyeyes freighter 1212 has the AD complied with but is stuck in th UAE ? RAK in the usual wrangling !!:}

GotTheTShirt: 1201 as a pax aircraft was also for some time in possession of Tradewinds. 1201 and 1012 were "purchased" at about the same time and "returned-to-service" at Greensboro simultanously. 1012 departed first to Thailand. You are correct she is a freighter and have also heard she is standing now.

S/n 1201 was flown to South Africa where converted to "backyard bulkloader" after which it was attempted to place on Swazi-, then DR Congo Civil Registers. After no joy it was registered by Uganda CAA for about one year but when could not comply was deregistered and again registered in Kyrgyz as EX-102. This machine had plenty troubles and now allegedly standing at Istanbul with blown engine.

RECENT HISTORY OF s/n 1201:

06/2004 bought West Air16.11.2004 bought AeroLift ; flew JNB-CGK-Philippines in Tradewinds colours ; no titles ; re-registered 9Q-CVN18.11.2004 had an inflight engine shutdown ; hence the landing at Cairns ; no titles ; named "Natali"20.11.2004 ferried to Sydney for further work04/2005 bought Vadim Lahktin ; leased Almiron Aviation ; re-registered 5X-AAL11.05.2005 seen at Johannesburg ; no titel ; Tradewinds colours13.07.2005 5X-AAL overran runway at Lagos - runway closed 2 days02.10.2005 seen parked Ras al-Khaimah23.04.2006 seen Dhaka - Zia International (DAC / VGZR)05/2006 seen parked Ras al-Khaimah21.03.2007 seen Istanbul - Sabiha Gokcen (SAW / LTFJ) ; re-registered EX-102 ; all white ; 2 red stripes no titels ; operating for Reem Air12.05.2007 again stored Ras al-Khaimah

This is s/n 1201, exactly as reported by Avgasdinosaur :

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0761525/M/

TRITAR500: Very possible that Duane has moved to Chad (Ndjemena) as it is impossible for those two old machines to fly any longer in decent areas. Even based and flying out of Ras Al Khaimah his only destinations were Dhaka in Bangladesh and Ndjemena in Chad, flying for rediculously low rates.

Prior to this though Duane most definately also tried to team up with Reem Air together with L1011 sn/1201. Reem are Russian IL-76 operators and can imagine that they must have viewed the acquisition of these three L1011's as their breakthrough into western aircraft, perhaps unsuspecting but little realising that these machines were finnished and with nowhere to go.

Would be interesting to know if Duane owes Reem Air the alleged substantial amount of money. Having moved to Chad will however not help Duane much as the flying to Ndjemena is primarily from the UAE and prospects are slim that those two old machines will be allowed into UAE again, or for much longer.

AAL,

Yes I remember now that was one of the 3 ex GF that Phillip Coleman and his merry men bought:\
It was put on to Tradewinds AOC and when it all went it usual way (non payment:*) It just sat a GSO for a long time.:)

That Thaisky L-1011 freighter from what I just was told has no extension paperwork on it for the engine A/D that expired in August of last year.
Was there had to buy my own ticket home.
The Thai female owner at Thaisky could care less about the crews.
She just looked at us in the face and said not her problem with a translater.
There were a few trying to buy or lease the aircraft but the owners were trying to ask too much to release the airplane.
This L-1011 has the small 522 engines.
I have to agree with 411, if this airplane is maintained by quaility trained ground engineers then it is a good aircraft.
The Jordanian ground engineers are some of the best, all ex RJ.
It can be an avionics nightmare for the ones that are not experinenced in such and cost the in-experienced company quite a bit in replacing parts that are fully servicable.
As far as the engine vibs problem, when this starts to get close to the limit of 2.5 on both channels, just have the N-1 blades checked.
These things slide, a common RR problem, once trapped with dirt crud etc it will give a vibration indication, this is easily corrected.
Same problem on the 747 with the rollers, not just a Tristar related issue.
The only negative thing that I can say about this aircraft pax or freight is that the brakes are very critical.
They overheat very easy.
Long Taxi, short runways, heavy weight aborted takeoffs are not user friendly.
Dont be a big foot on the brakes, if slightly overheated order an air cart to cool them once parked, chocked and brakes released and this aircraft will make you money and take you where you need to go.
And when maintained by qualified ground engineers and operated by experienced crews this aircraft is better than most.
To include the 747.

EARL,
If that is s/n 1212 then it has the AD has been complied with:)
It has the 524-B2 engines and the AD was due within 3 months of the AD which was Aug 2003.
1012 has not been done:\

Not sure of the registration number GTTS.
But this aircraft had the small 522 engines.
This A/D shut this company down.
When this ended August of last year only 1 passenger aircraft was flying, the other was being canned for spare parts.
A maint ground engineer commented to me that they needed around 100,000. usd to get the other pax aircraft back in the air, not to mention the 230,000 usd per aircraft needed for the engine A/D for all three.
I am sure of this as the freighter was the only aircraft that any outside buyers or operators was interested in, but none had the funds to buy the kit and program from RR.
Even while operating this freighter was being operated by a third party other than Thaisky even though on their own registration.

From information I have been able to check
s/n 1012 has -22B engines and is stored at Bangkok its registration HS-AXF was canceled 5/10/2006.
s/n 1212 has-524B402 engines and is stored curiously at Ras al Khaymah last noted there 12.05.2007 seen stored as HS-SEC.
I have checked Ras al Khaymah on Google Earth at 55° 56’ 20” E,25° 36’ 49” N but can not see any Tristars there. I am unsure how to date google earth images.
What is the affinity of Ras al Khaymah for Tristars ? with 1093, 1101,1201,1212, 1237 and 1245 all stored there in July 07.
Hope it helps
Be lucky
David

Think many are drawn to RAK in desperation and in the belief that "old-man" Daune can somehow offer them last-ditch chance to do some flying while at the same time drawing on his experience and engineers to keep them flying in what they may perceive to be a less stringent and less regulated environment.

Other important of course is that RAK is relatively cheap, much cheaper than rest of UAE.

Secondary operators are also under impression that all the world's cargo is available in UAE - till they get there and then discover that only non-viable routes freely available to places such as Eldorette in Kenya, Ndjamena in Chad, Bangui in CAR, Lagos - Nigeria, and to North West Africa, all destinations offered at rediculous rates with no chance of return cargo.

Who would have thought...
 

...that this would have gone on for five pages.
Imagine.
All this verbal activity about a thirty five year old aeroplane, that is operated in very small numbers....:}:E

TriStar, fondly remembered, never equaled.:D

I've been following this thread with interest, mainly for my own education. The one thing that bugs me (as 411A has indirectly indicated) is that it's becoming something of an aircraft spotter's thread.
Let's keep it on a pro- level.

Dear Mr Mod,

Think this began to speculate possibilities about a new cargo outfit starting up out of Cyprus intending to use L1011 freighters and grew from there. The debate centred about the possibilities that this might entail seeings that L1011 freighters have become as scarce as hen's teeth.

The "spotting" bit was merely to identify which machines are standing around and might be available for such an intention, and what some's intentions under such circumstances (and opportunity) might be.

The history of the L1011 and the fate of the few last few remaining one's will allways interst enthusiasts. Thank you for tolerating us.

Quote from GotTheTShirt
All the remaining Saudia aircraft have undergone two changes of ownership since they entered storage.
01/1999 stored Taif
01.04.2004 bought Al Thuraya Marine Services
01.03.2006 bought Regency Projects Ltd
The two exceptions are HZ-AHP s/n 1190 which is used for anti terror training and HZ-AHQ s/n 1192 which is with the Saudi Royal Flight Museum.
Mr Mod look at the depth of knowledge displayed by many of the contributors to this thread, predominantly former Tristar people ! Who wish to share their knowledge.:D :ok:
Quote from 411A
Be lucky
David
P.S. Anyone got any news from Cyprus yet?

Yes would be interesting to see who is actually going to operate these aircraft and who is going to crew them. It would appear that there could be numerous operators starting up again so where are the crews coming from. Me I have retired unless a real operator came to light with proper papers and servicing.

Fergineer, The Jordanian crews and maintenance personnel are good, as for the rest of the other who have still not progressed to newer machines and better operations - believe me - you are really scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Dont know which is the bigger liability, the machine or the pirate crews who "eat you up" from the inside.

My understanding is that deposits were paid but ownership never changed hands.

Mutt

Quote:
All the remaining Saudia aircraft have undergone two changes of ownership since they entered storage.
01/1999 stored Taif
01.04.2004 bought Al Thuraya Marine Services
01.03.2006 bought Regency Projects Ltd

My understanding is that deposits were paid but ownership never changed hands.

It's a Pakistani shipping company. One in the same.

Looks like they are bring 4 aircraft (L1011) back into service initially. In fact the first is starting "C Check" at Joramco next month.

So with all the information that people have out there does anyone have accurate information on which aircraft is with who and where. It would be nice to see where the remaining aircraft are. Ryo Suki's website appears to have closed down as this is where I used to get the up to date info from. If there is an alternative site please let me know.
Regards
Fergi

You can try these two
http://www.l1011.de/
http://trijets.net/tristar/
Though I have found the second one a bit fragile and very slow to load at times.
Correspondents have made reference to Lockheeds data on this thread but alas I know not the web address.
Quote from GotTheTShirt
Quote from glhcarl
Hope it helps
Be lucky
David

WOW
 

Some really cool add-ons to flight sim 4 on that first site. L1011/DC10/DC8 and 727.
Anyhoo thought I'd start a location guide for the L1011.
Globejet.......5-500's Jordan
Luzair..........2-500's EU
EuroAtlantic..1-500 EU
ATA (US)......4-500's I think
Don't know of any more currently flying (Oh yeah-British Air Force). I'd like a chance to fly the Tri-Star some day.

Yes Saturn I can confirm the Luzair ones, they were the ones I flew with Air Luxor, believe the one that was damaged in Amsterdam is now getting repaired and the one with Euro Atlantique also from Portugal, the crews there flew with me when Caribjet were operating a -200 freighter. Tried to get a job with Globejet but they never answered my emails.
Avgas dinasaur, thanks for the info have not got onto the http://trijets.net/tristar/ site for weeks now which is a pity as the site was well run and updated on a fairly regular basis.
Interesting to hear that Duane is still going after he wrecked the ex Cale aircraft which I flew for years.
I had heard that there was going to be movement in Russia but not how and when. As has been said they are making a comeback for how long is anyones guess just wish all the crews safe flying.

Was in Ndjamena yesterday and there is a tristrar parked up, it is still in Bcal colours , didnt get the reg but it looks like one of DE's a/c, and no activity around it.

Looks like the new cargo outfit is headed up by Karabatis in Cyprus.

Anyone have knowledge of him or this outfit?

Mr Karabatis appears to attract the same publicity as Mr Eglis..............

The aircraft in NDJ is Duane, she should go to work in Kyrgystan. Fo Cyprus I remember, 2 years ago, a friend of mine did ferry a Lanta L-1011F from Aman to Cyprus ; they had to land in Greece to make some inspection and maintenance. The crew went back to Dubai. I think it was for this guy; they never recieved any money for their job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from OldCessna
Is this the same guy that ran/runs Venus Airways in Greece?
Be lucky
David

So we have 105 posts and still no real information on what is happening. We wait with baited breath for any happenings, all the talk about tristars flying again is it all hype or will it actually happen.

Fergineeer, think you are closest to the truth here. We all know the odds and possibilities, and what freighters around and which flying. Think the polar ice caps gonna melt first before this happens.

3 weeks on and still no more news.........time to put the manuals away for good me thinks!!!!!

The last thing I heard was that they are having problems locating crews!

Plenty of equipment but a shortage of crews?

The Venetian project snagged a few drivers & maintenance guys.

A new outfit in Europe has been looking for crews also.

Whats cooking with your Euro venture 411A?

Quote by skyline15
Any news from the Dutch angle on these gracious ladies?
I understand that the one which has recently escaped from Amsterdam has gone on to Victorville for a "D" check.
Be lucky
David

Funding completed , but the startup might be delayed just a few months due to...yes, it is true, shortage of qualified crew.
With the Hajj fast approaching, many are already spoken for...besides, with myself and the CEO (a very good friend, ex-Laker number two guy, marketing director) getting somewhat long in the tooth, we don't move as fast as in years gone by....:}

Still, I just received my printed business cards, so it must be a go.:rolleyes:

buisness cards
 

Still, I just received my printed business cards, so it must be a go.


Sure thing!:}

Best of luck!

There is a shortage of crews starting to happen.
It seems now that if you are current and qualified more jobs than you can shake a stick at, all positions.
Problem is there are a few companies that are not paying the crew salaries or positioning tickets.
Think all the Tristar guys know of these companies and are avoiding them like the plauge.
One in particular out of Jordan that has changed his company name many times.

Thats right Earl, no pay and above all pay that does not cover costs has kept me at bay, I will not put myself in a position that I have to pay for things, not even to keep flying. I would rather stay at home semi retired knowing where and when I will be tomorrow.

Ain't that the truth.
I recall a few years ago, the Wife and I were returning from a short ocean cruise, and the very minute I turned on my mobile phone, there was a call from the Chief Pilot of a small company in the mid-east wanting myself post-haste.
I seemed one Captain had done a runner and they needed a replacement, pronto.
The natural question would be...why did the original guy do a runner?
In this particular case, he demanded (and received) a months pay in advance, then never showed.
I went on over and few for six weeks, and was promptly paid, as agreed....then signed on for an additional year (with days off/ticket home at my convenience) for an adhoc charter/sub-service contract.

The operators that don't pay are certainly now well known...although some will always say it's the crew members fault, for a variety of...reasons:rolleyes:

Huh?
 

Do you mean a shortage of L1011 quaified crew??? Because there are a few of us who have heavy jet/international time, 9000+ hours and would come fly the L1011 tomorrow. Who is advertising for Hadj crew and whom is the new L1011 op in Europe? Thanks.

The Dutch side appears to be Interstate Airlines with Nico Hemmer & Roberto Stinga.
Dont see any experience operating heavy iron such as the L1011, go figure?

Quote:oldcessna:
The Dutch side appears to be Interstate Airlines with Nico Hemmer & Roberto Stinga.
Earl: Sounds like a law firm.

Just heard that ex ATA L1011 -100 N194AT is being prepared for blast off out of Miami.

Going to Air Orange - Jordan.

Anyone know anything of who is behind them?

That leaves the L1011F sitting in MIA with damage by Wilma!

Which one is that then. Is it a real "STC" freighter or a paper wonder plane?
Be lucky
David