Falklands Airbridge
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Nantucket Sleighride,
It isn't rumour, it's fact. I positioned the said aircraft from LTN-MAN for more work on the corrosion.
Now was that a general attempt at a bonafide 'Scoop' or a general 'pop' at GSM? I ask because the mod's keep an eye on this thread in particular & stopped the last one because certain people were just posting slanderous gossip.
By the way, the 'corrosion' isn't as bad as on the one waiting to go in the hangar after ours had left.
It isn't rumour, it's fact. I positioned the said aircraft from LTN-MAN for more work on the corrosion.
Now was that a general attempt at a bonafide 'Scoop' or a general 'pop' at GSM? I ask because the mod's keep an eye on this thread in particular & stopped the last one because certain people were just posting slanderous gossip.
By the way, the 'corrosion' isn't as bad as on the one waiting to go in the hangar after ours had left.
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it was the flight times seem to draw most comment. I.e. Night flight BZZ-ASI, day flight ASI-MPN, day flight MPN-ASI, night flight ASI-BZZ.
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Hi Brain,
I never saw the schedule that OMNI (the previous charterers) flew. All I know is that whereas their service was 3 services every 2 weeks, ours are 2 services every week, leaving Brize every Sunday & Wednesday nights & leaving MPN every Tuesday & Friday mornings. As I posted earlier, one of the airfield fire section commented favourably on our schedule.
I never saw the schedule that OMNI (the previous charterers) flew. All I know is that whereas their service was 3 services every 2 weeks, ours are 2 services every week, leaving Brize every Sunday & Wednesday nights & leaving MPN every Tuesday & Friday mornings. As I posted earlier, one of the airfield fire section commented favourably on our schedule.
Flights seem to be going well, though the southern leg takes about an hour longer than it used to (is this to do with the ETOPS certification?) and spends noticeably longer at Ascension. To ensure the 0800 arrival at Brize, the flight leaves MPA about 0830 instead of the previous 1030 or so.
For the record, all the recent charter operators of the South Atlantic route - BMI, Air Luxor, Air Atlanta, Omni Air - used the same timings (leave Brize about midnight, arrive Brize about 0800); the only significant change with Globespan has been the increase in service frequency.
For the record, all the recent charter operators of the South Atlantic route - BMI, Air Luxor, Air Atlanta, Omni Air - used the same timings (leave Brize about midnight, arrive Brize about 0800); the only significant change with Globespan has been the increase in service frequency.
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Now was that a general attempt at a bonafide 'Scoop' or a general 'pop' at GSM? I ask because the mod's keep an eye on this thread in particular & stopped the last one because certain people were just posting slanderous gossip
Now if I'd have asked how long it would be before you supply a compliant aircraft for the contract, I'd have understood your preciousness
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So, an already painfully long trip is now scheduled for an extra 2 hours and in a much smaller aircraft to boot. Ouch!
Those who do a 4-month stint once in a career might not mind, but folks who have to go there every year or so might be less enthusiastic, although the greater frequency might suit some.
Those who do a 4-month stint once in a career might not mind, but folks who have to go there every year or so might be less enthusiastic, although the greater frequency might suit some.
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Thanks for that, Torque. I've just seen the guy from the Fire Section & asked him to expand on his comments & he meant the increased number of rotations.
Nantucket'
I sincerely apologise. I thought this was the 'FlyGlobepan-8' thread. The corrosion issue has been thrashed to death on that thread & 'FlyGlobespan-7' before it, as it was discovered some time before GSM started the contract. 'FlyGlobespan-7' was pulled by the mods because some posters were getting out of hand. Once again I apologise for the tone of my response to your post as I was 'flitting' between forums & thought I was still on the 'FlyGlobespan-8' thread on 'Airports, Routes & Airports.
Nantucket'
I sincerely apologise. I thought this was the 'FlyGlobepan-8' thread. The corrosion issue has been thrashed to death on that thread & 'FlyGlobespan-7' before it, as it was discovered some time before GSM started the contract. 'FlyGlobespan-7' was pulled by the mods because some posters were getting out of hand. Once again I apologise for the tone of my response to your post as I was 'flitting' between forums & thought I was still on the 'FlyGlobespan-8' thread on 'Airports, Routes & Airports.
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What aircraft is operating the route now? I had the Dis-pleasure of going to Asi on the A330 
, and a year later all the way to the falklands on the 747, which IMHO is the perfect tool for the job
, and a year later all the way to the falklands on the 747, which IMHO is the perfect tool for the job
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This mornings flight apparently left approx 4 hours late due to tech delay, admittedly there was a 2 hour delay already factored in to ensure some AOG freight made the flight.
Fosters
Fosters
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Each crew operates BZZ-ASI-MPN-ASI-BZZ on a 12-day-away pattern. At any one time in ASI they'll be 2 crews. each waiting to op' their respective sectors either downbound from the UK heading south or upbound from the Falklands heading north.
Sorry Tspark
I didn't see your post. They are as follows:
BZZ-ASI 9:00
ASI-MPN 8:35
MPN-ASI 7:45
ASI-BZZ 8:45.
I've operated the service & picked up a southbound delayed service ex-BZZ of 4 hours for connecting essential freight & accompanying staff then 'unshed'ed maintenance'. It arrived into ASI 3:30 late, departed ASI 3:00 late & arrived 2:45 late against headwinds 50kts stronger than forecast for over half of the flight. The aircraft stays in MPN with the crew & they spend between 12 & 18 hours in MPN depending on how early or late they pitch up in MPN from ASI.
Also picked up a BZZ bound flight delayed ex-MPN due to an I/B restriction at BZZ. They tend to delay departure ex-MPN so any transit pax. don't have to spend too long in 'the cage' at ASI. Departure was delayed ex-MPN an hour or so late, arrived BZZ shortly after 0800 as per restriction.
It's a comfortable, practical schedule that isn't rushed yet has sufficient 'fat' to overcome any delays. It works well.
Sorry Tspark
I didn't see your post. They are as follows:
BZZ-ASI 9:00
ASI-MPN 8:35
MPN-ASI 7:45
ASI-BZZ 8:45.
I've operated the service & picked up a southbound delayed service ex-BZZ of 4 hours for connecting essential freight & accompanying staff then 'unshed'ed maintenance'. It arrived into ASI 3:30 late, departed ASI 3:00 late & arrived 2:45 late against headwinds 50kts stronger than forecast for over half of the flight. The aircraft stays in MPN with the crew & they spend between 12 & 18 hours in MPN depending on how early or late they pitch up in MPN from ASI.
Also picked up a BZZ bound flight delayed ex-MPN due to an I/B restriction at BZZ. They tend to delay departure ex-MPN so any transit pax. don't have to spend too long in 'the cage' at ASI. Departure was delayed ex-MPN an hour or so late, arrived BZZ shortly after 0800 as per restriction.
It's a comfortable, practical schedule that isn't rushed yet has sufficient 'fat' to overcome any delays. It works well.
Last edited by Pontious; 26th Oct 2008 at 09:08.
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Returned from MPA last week on the 767. Credit where it's due, the staff were extremely friendly and the turn round time in Asi was considerably shorter than ever experienced before - approx 75 mins. Arrived in Brize about an hour and a half early on Saturday morning.
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Crewing
Thanks for taking the time to reply Pontius, know you're busy! Sounds like an amazing route to operate ! Challenging to say the least with those winds!
Here the nite life in ASI is good tho !!!
Have you or any of the crew taken any photos of the journey? That would be worth posting !
Here the nite life in ASI is good tho !!!
Have you or any of the crew taken any photos of the journey? That would be worth posting !
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Well, first time I travelled South it was BA/RAF TriStar from BZZ to Dakar the on to ASI, prior to changing to C-130's . . .
ASI to Stanley was between 12 and 13 hrs, with a couple of refuellings. Thats LOTS of boredom with just a little excitement!
(Apologies for the quality but worth it for the memory !!)
ASI to Stanley was between 12 and 13 hrs, with a couple of refuellings. Thats LOTS of boredom with just a little excitement!
(Apologies for the quality but worth it for the memory !!)
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One of the Cabin Crew Seniors posted some on his Facebook page but I can't link it on to here. It is a cracking trip. I'm away on wednesday night for my second one. I can't wait.
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Good Job
Just got back a few days ago from MPA and, it must be said, the Globespan team does a far finer job than Omni could ever hope to achieve. The aircraft is fine, the staff very friendly, helpful and none of the hosties are either over 60 or have beards - unlike their predecessors.
I understand from some of the crew that the contract is signed for 4 years and that there's an aircraft now undergoing mods to be specifically employed on the route. Some of the mods include a full set of seat-back TVs & a more modern IFE system than has ben seen before on this run.
Thanks to Globespan for a good job.
GnP
I understand from some of the crew that the contract is signed for 4 years and that there's an aircraft now undergoing mods to be specifically employed on the route. Some of the mods include a full set of seat-back TVs & a more modern IFE system than has ben seen before on this run.
Thanks to Globespan for a good job.
GnP