A400m

[rock_dove]

Evening all,
just wondering if any of you guys out there are involved with/in the know about the state of play regarding the FSTA and the A400m? is the A400m going ahead (rumours of our European cousins backing out of the deal?) and are we any closer to finding out the replacements for our geriatric VC10 fleet?

[6foottanker]

No, why, do you?

[South Bound]

A400M definitely going ahead. Airbus are a commercial organisation of some renown and have a contract that means it is as expensive to back out of the deal as it is to continue. Look out for it flying in 08/09 and arriving with the RAF in 2010. Give it a chance to find its feet tho!

Ahhh, now FSTA, I understand is still going through lots of rather complex contract negotiations. Nothing formal yet, althought the AirTanker consortium is preferred bidder. This one could run for a while yet.

[matkat]

I worked for Airbus in Bremen writing the maintainability requirements for the A400M though I have since left have heard nothing from My Collegues who are still there that suggests that the programme is being cancelled.

[BEagle]

It is NOT being cancelled!

As for FSTA? Hmmm.......

But at least the RAAF have ordered the A330 MRTT.

[Where R We?]

If it is cancelled, my trips to Toulouse & Ulm would seem to be a waste of time. And the emails I get regarding the certification plans must be a figment of my imagination then...wish they were 'cos they are bl**dy boring!!

[South Bound]

Edited because I was unable to read! Soz!

I will leave this bit tho!

C'mon guys, get with the programme, A400M is coming (they even have tail numbers allocated...) and we can't live without it. Accept it, look forward to the capability it will bring and most importantly give it a chance!

[sense1]

The future for the RAF AT fleet is looking relatively rosy (note: I said AT which doesn't cover the FSTA fiasco which is AAR) - it is going to be equipped with aircraft that are much more capable than what we have had in the past. Glad to see that we will keep our C17s and acquire an additional airframe (although I am of the opinion that several more on top of these 5 are needed).

The A400M is not as capable as the C17 but it is replacing the legacy C130K fleet and is a marked improvement. It will be a welcome addition to the fleet and, based on the lack of any negative coverage in the press of late, the programme must be running relatively smoothly (I know its delayed but hey, what isn't!) Also a few export orders in the bag - nice to see we have something to compete with the C130 on the world stage.

Originally Posted by matkat

I worked for Airbus in Bremen writing the maintainability requirements for the A400M though I have since left have heard nothing from My Collegues who are still there that suggests that the programme is being cancelled.

Great, that post says to me that things must be going ok as he has heard nothing negative from those in the know! So how did South Bound find reason to write this.....

Matkat, love the logic - you leave a job, none of your old colleagues get in touch, programme must have been cancelled - mmmmm, could be another reason they haven't been in touch!

Thats just silly!

[matkat]

Originally Posted by South Bound

Matkat, love the logic - you leave a job, none of your old colleagues get in touch, programme must have been cancelled - mmmmm, could be another reason they haven't been in touch!
I love Pprune, posts like that make me smile all the time.
C'mon guys, get with the programme, A400M is coming (they even have tail numbers allocated...) and we can't live without it. Accept it, look forward to the capability it will bring and most importantly give it a chance!

Sorry for the confusion but what I meant was that at no time whilst conversing or meeting with old Collegues have They even intimated that there is a problem with the programme,I for one am very pleased about that and especially My own input into it.
Hope that clears it up.

[South Bound]

Yep, sorry read that wrong!

[matkat]

No probs and thanks for saying so

[Prop-Ed]

Reading this thread is a bit like listening to an old people's conversation!


No offence....

[South Bound]

None taken young man, it takes us oldies a while to get the hang of this new-fangled interweb thingy you know...

[Aeronut]

Originally Posted by sense1

The future for the RAF AT fleet is looking relatively rosy (note: I said AT which doesn't cover the FSTA fiasco which is AAR) -

FSTA is not just AAR - It is AT too.

[sense1]

Originally Posted by Aeronut

FSTA is not just AAR - It is AT too.

Yep, that is correct. FSTA will be used to carry passengers and/or palletised cargo as well as having its role as an airborne refueller. And thats just for the RAF..... part of the proposed PFI deal (yet to be agreed) is that 'spare' capacity can be leased to third parties when the jets aren't required for RAF duties! PFI - what a idea! Unfortunately the way the RAF is going in lots of areas

[rock_dove]

cheers for that, totally agree about the civvy leasing issue for FSTA, its a ridiculous situation that a civvy operator could potentially put an airframe u/s whilst under their care and render it useless in a time of crisis, but then again we could always ask to borrow some of stelios's mighty orange fleet?!!

[bayete]

Heard a rumour that FSTA was no going to have a centerline hose. Anyone know if this is true or is being addressed?
Otherwise the SS runs from MPA might be a bit dodgy.

[BEagle]

Last I heard (admittedly some years ago), 'a number' of A330-200 aircraft for the FSTA programme would have a centreline hose, but not all.

The RAAF A330MRTT will have a centreline boom for the Wedgetail and the Pig, amongst others.

[South Bound]

Anyone know how the A400M training PFI solution being proposed for the RAF is going?

[wz662]

What the A400M needs is Airbus to realise that it is meant to be a Tactical transport aircraft for the military and not another replacement for the Routemaster bus. - Yes I have been involved with the project.