Sky Man Stuck in Kabul
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Sky Man Stuck in Kabul
Sky Man Stuck in Kabul - Sat Nov 18, 2006
Oh dear! So just where is FSTA? Shouldn't it have been replacing the Tristar by now?
Oh dear! So just where is FSTA? Shouldn't it have been replacing the Tristar by now?
Last edited by LFFC; 18th Nov 2006 at 16:35.
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Whether this is true, fiction or 'spiced up', the RAF are losing what little goodwill they had. Could those of you who administer for Airships, please make sure your bosses read this article on monday morning. 
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This article just about sums up the whole Circus for me (What fabulous PR - Not!) - and I'm being told to publically support the whole operation on a day-to-day basis... Not any more....
How can we justify the political use of our Armed Forces when we obviously cannot support them with reliable AT into these remote operational theatres. Also, why on earth agree to allow the press on board? - why can't they use the civilian airlines, as eluded to in the article....
Bliar, Brown & Browne (BB&B) need to take a reality check and decide just how they want to conduct foreign policy come the New Year. It would be extremely sad for 'jointery' if they fail to show the committment to the airbridge that is at present dividing the 3 (4 inc RM) services..
FSTA is probably still a pipedream for the time being - why not just lease modern airliners and equip with DAS for a short-term solution... Perhaps A330?
Time to wake up and smell the coffee - things won't get any better under the current ethos - hands in pockets and cough up for PILOTS IN NEED!
Frustrated of Oxfordshire....
How can we justify the political use of our Armed Forces when we obviously cannot support them with reliable AT into these remote operational theatres. Also, why on earth agree to allow the press on board? - why can't they use the civilian airlines, as eluded to in the article....
Bliar, Brown & Browne (BB&B) need to take a reality check and decide just how they want to conduct foreign policy come the New Year. It would be extremely sad for 'jointery' if they fail to show the committment to the airbridge that is at present dividing the 3 (4 inc RM) services..
FSTA is probably still a pipedream for the time being - why not just lease modern airliners and equip with DAS for a short-term solution... Perhaps A330?
Time to wake up and smell the coffee - things won't get any better under the current ethos - hands in pockets and cough up for PILOTS IN NEED!
Frustrated of Oxfordshire....
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Coming Home
I couldn't understand, some years ago ,why the Service seemed so keen to actually get me back on time from one particular detachment post the first Great Gulf Misunderstanding.
Then I realised the rules of the time. Over 100 days in theatre put you automatically to the bottom of the list for the next roulement. Silly Boy!
As it was I had to jump a KC-135 to Mildenhall as Albert had Arthritis.
Then I realised the rules of the time. Over 100 days in theatre put you automatically to the bottom of the list for the next roulement. Silly Boy!
As it was I had to jump a KC-135 to Mildenhall as Albert had Arthritis.
Last edited by RETDPI; 18th Nov 2006 at 18:19. Reason: sp
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Personally i cant see whats wrong in leaving the journos to catch a spare seat anyway.....if it had been me i would have made him wait two weeks to catch his flight let alone four days....."Sorry mr Meade no spare seats today as i got to fly the boys and girls who REALLY deserve it back home to blighty"
Not Again
I think this case proves that having a hack around can indeed be a good thing. No hack, no story.
The AT farce needs sorting, period. We used to grumble that the AT headed for BZN and not your home base. Now we grumble about the number of days it takes to head anywhere!!
Nice to see the island of olives receives yet another glowing endorsement.
How long before FSTA?
As ever not spel chkd.
The AT farce needs sorting, period. We used to grumble that the AT headed for BZN and not your home base. Now we grumble about the number of days it takes to head anywhere!!
Nice to see the island of olives receives yet another glowing endorsement.
How long before FSTA?
As ever not spel chkd.
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Personally i cant see whats wrong in leaving the journos to catch a spare seat anyway.....if it had been me i would have made him wait two weeks to catch his flight let alone four days....."Sorry mr Meade no spare seats today as i got to fly the boys and girls who REALLY deserve it back home to blighty"
And there is no point in blaming Blair and Brown - I think the problem is with the Yes Men who say there is no problem and their attitude of "bury head in sand". Our own blue suits need to put their necks on the line and start earning thier money and demand from the MOD more and newer kit.
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Good question. I've been having a look around t'internet for some clues.
I found this Hansard extract from some time ago:
However, the Airtanker website seems to suggest that the first FSTA deliveries will be after 2010.
I found this Hansard extract from some time ago:
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 22 November 2000:
- I am replying to your questions (139163, 139162 & 139160) to the Secretary of State for Defence about DERA Boscombe Down and the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
- FSTA is planned to begin replacing the RAF's current fleet of VC10 and Tristar tanker/transport aircraft from around 2007. We are currently investigating the potential for achieving a service based solution to the requirement under the Private Finance Initiative. Our core requirement is for an air to air refuelling service with some elements of air transport capability.
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Meanwhile, another £22 Mil to Margo Agro Space
http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9148
If FSTA had remained on schedule, would this have been needed?
Details sent:
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/page821.asp
http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9148
If FSTA had remained on schedule, would this have been needed?
Details sent:
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/page821.asp
Last edited by mary_hinge; 18th Nov 2006 at 19:24.
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Looks like there's life in the old Tristar yet then. Let's hope they can find a few quid to position some spare tyres around the route as well. Or won't the LEAN process allow that these days?
Sky News
The aircraft's captain could only agree. Spare tyres used to be held at Akrotiri, but were withdrawn to Britain to save costs.
"It's ridiculous," he told me. "Aircraft have punctures just like cars. We simply can't continue. Remember, it was a burst that caused Concorde to crash. There should be replacements kept here and in Kabul for just this happening."
The aircraft's captain could only agree. Spare tyres used to be held at Akrotiri, but were withdrawn to Britain to save costs.
"It's ridiculous," he told me. "Aircraft have punctures just like cars. We simply can't continue. Remember, it was a burst that caused Concorde to crash. There should be replacements kept here and in Kabul for just this happening."
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Even though, as a civvy PPL, my direct personal connection with the British armed forces is limited to paying huge amounts of tax to Bliar, G. Brown & Co., I hang my head in shame at reading this.
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We had a spec task from the other transport base launch this week to rescue a Trimotor.
I really hope it didn't fly 12 hours with just a wheel change kit and a wheel down the back.
Just a slight waste of cash.
Mind you......would be a good oportunity to get some indulgence freight back from Akronelli.
I really hope it didn't fly 12 hours with just a wheel change kit and a wheel down the back.
Just a slight waste of cash.
Mind you......would be a good oportunity to get some indulgence freight back from Akronelli.
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Poor service....again!
Just another example of the terrible service that the members of the UK armed forces suffer due to serving in these hot and dangerous places and having their meagre 2 weeks R & R reduced as a result of using poorly supported unsuitable equipment. Its a shame that this service was experienced by our service personnel but strangely gratifying that it was also experienced by this Journo, who probably thinks that in his writing about it it might change things.
There are thousands who have had similar experiences, one of my strangest was being forced to fly a scheduled Civ Air flight home from the middle east because of the infrequent and unreliable service AT. Wearing suitable clothing and lugging my bags through customs with the rest of the masses.
I found out afterwards that the initial connecting flight was with a Civ airline whose aircraft are banned from European airspace due to their safety record
It wasn't the flying Civ Air that bothered me, the flight after the connecting one was with BA and that was excellent, it was having to pay for it myself then having to explain to a disbelieving obstinate shiny a*** on my return that I had to fly Civ Air because of the lack of service AT, as I had just 1 week back in Blightey prior to my next overseas tour so could I please have my money back....
I'm sure there will be more episodes of frustration due to the ageing AT fleet. You can only LEAN when theres something to LEAN from.
There are thousands who have had similar experiences, one of my strangest was being forced to fly a scheduled Civ Air flight home from the middle east because of the infrequent and unreliable service AT. Wearing suitable clothing and lugging my bags through customs with the rest of the masses.
I found out afterwards that the initial connecting flight was with a Civ airline whose aircraft are banned from European airspace due to their safety record
It wasn't the flying Civ Air that bothered me, the flight after the connecting one was with BA and that was excellent, it was having to pay for it myself then having to explain to a disbelieving obstinate shiny a*** on my return that I had to fly Civ Air because of the lack of service AT, as I had just 1 week back in Blightey prior to my next overseas tour so could I please have my money back....
I'm sure there will be more episodes of frustration due to the ageing AT fleet. You can only LEAN when theres something to LEAN from.