FSTA Updates
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Surely it would be at the call of Air Tanker. The RAF will not own any of the aircraft, just use them on a day to day basis, what is left over is the PFI's to get what they can.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Add a few more aircraft and a some FAF crews and fly as the task demands.
Frankly, it has the possibility of expanding to become the civil equivalent of the NAEWF.
Frankly, it has the possibility of expanding to become the civil equivalent of the NAEWF.
My thoughts too - and am wondering if the French really are planning to acquire their own fleet. Anglo-French cooperation on major defence programmes is likely to substantially increase over the lifecycle of the FSTA contract so I suspect there might be some big deal to be done somewhere..
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We provide the tankers and the carriers - and the French provide the fighters?
It might even unite the RN and RAF against the common enemy!
PS. Have now taken shelter in my bunker!
It might even unite the RN and RAF against the common enemy!
PS. Have now taken shelter in my bunker!
Did anyone notice this:
"The approval was granted by Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA). "
Not to MAA standards but to the new "European Military Airworthiness Standards" I assume?
"The approval was granted by Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA). "
Not to MAA standards but to the new "European Military Airworthiness Standards" I assume?
Join Date: Nov 2000
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The aircraft can be 'certified' in its country of production - hence INTA is appropriate. It may need to be 'qualified' in its country of use.
I'm not convinced the Voyager specs would fit the FAF requirements though. The K/C-135/Rs have booms, so if it's them they want to replace, won't the replacements need booms?
I'm not convinced the Voyager specs would fit the FAF requirements though. The K/C-135/Rs have booms, so if it's them they want to replace, won't the replacements need booms?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: definitely not close enough to the Alps, or anywhere hilly.....
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Well, it was definitely flying last Wednesday with a few chicks plugged in, or so London Mil told me to watch out for....
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Does anyone know of the implications for an ex-mil guy working working for Airtanker with regards to RAF pension / Gratuity etc? As a sponsored reservist do they claw back some or all of it?
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Well, it was definitely flying last Wednesday with a few chicks plugged in, or so London Mil told me to watch out for....
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Does anyone know if as I understood it the deal says that the FSTA aircraft are the only aircraft that the UK can use for in flight refuelling of its military aircraft, what the situation is for carrier planes? I don't think that it would have been a problem with the F35B due to weight considerations, the F35C could be configured for buddy tanking, does the MoD have to pay for this privilege?
JliderPilot said:
"Does anyone know of the implications for an ex-mil guy working working for Airtanker with regards to RAF pension / Gratuity etc? As a sponsored reservist do they claw back some or all of it?"
I would guess that it depends on the Post you fill...
If you don't work as a reserve, you would be working as a civilian. In which case it should not interfere with any MOD pension or gratuity.
If you DO work as a reserve - it will definately affect your pension and may require some return of gratuity - dependent on the time since you left.
More details from MOD on application...probably.
"Does anyone know of the implications for an ex-mil guy working working for Airtanker with regards to RAF pension / Gratuity etc? As a sponsored reservist do they claw back some or all of it?"
I would guess that it depends on the Post you fill...
If you don't work as a reserve, you would be working as a civilian. In which case it should not interfere with any MOD pension or gratuity.
If you DO work as a reserve - it will definately affect your pension and may require some return of gratuity - dependent on the time since you left.
More details from MOD on application...probably.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Defense News: France to Buy Airbus Tankers From 2013: Air Force Chief
PARIS, Nov 19 - France will buy the new Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft from 2013, French air force chief Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros was quoted as saying Saturday by an aviation website..........
Palomeros said France's missions during the NATO-led action in Libya had shown the need to replace its fleet of 14 Boeing KC-135s for in-flight refuelling. Paris planned to buy a similar number of Airbus multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft, beginning with five to seven in 2013 for speedy delivery, he said.
A second batch also would have the role of replacing France's A340 and A310 VIP and transport fleet.
The French defense ministry denied in September that it had fixed on the Airbus, and said that deliveries of a KC-135 replacement were not planned for earlier than 2017........
PARIS, Nov 19 - France will buy the new Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft from 2013, French air force chief Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros was quoted as saying Saturday by an aviation website..........
Palomeros said France's missions during the NATO-led action in Libya had shown the need to replace its fleet of 14 Boeing KC-135s for in-flight refuelling. Paris planned to buy a similar number of Airbus multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft, beginning with five to seven in 2013 for speedy delivery, he said.
A second batch also would have the role of replacing France's A340 and A310 VIP and transport fleet.
The French defense ministry denied in September that it had fixed on the Airbus, and said that deliveries of a KC-135 replacement were not planned for earlier than 2017........
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Ref post ±116 above. Interesting is the deletion of the centre line drogue and, presumably, a probe above the cockpit.
French AF To Take 2 MRTT Versions
PARIS — The French Air Force has agreed to take two versions of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft due to be ordered soon, with the first type to be equipped with off-the-shelf avionics and refueling system, Chief of Staff Gen. Denis Mercier said Feb. 20.
Under the defense and security white paper, France has been cleared to order 12 of the tankers built by Airbus Defense and Security to replace an aging 14-strong fleet of C-135 FR jets. The service had asked for a cargo door, a specific refueling rig and a satcom datalink, but a lack of funds and a need for early delivery led to an order of two versions of the MRTT aircraft.
“We made a choice for budgetary reasons,” Mercier told journalists.
The planes in the first tranche will be equipped with avionics and a central boom and an underwing drogue and hose system already developed, which saves costs and speeds up delivery, he said. Those planes should be delivered as soon as possible, he said.........
Mercier said the service will take a second tranche in the next multiyear budget law. A second MRTT version includes the cargo door and a datalink that allows the plane to receive information from the Rafale fighter, which carries many sensors, and transfer it by satellite, he said. The first aircraft type will later be retrofitted, he said........
The service had asked for a central drogue and hose to be added to the boom system so that its version could be refueled in flight. Those features have been canceled...........
Under the 2014-19 multiyear budget law, two MRTT units are to be ordered, with the others to follow. With an expected first order for the MRTT this year, “I will break open the champagne I have kept just for that,” Mercier said.
French AF To Take 2 MRTT Versions
PARIS — The French Air Force has agreed to take two versions of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft due to be ordered soon, with the first type to be equipped with off-the-shelf avionics and refueling system, Chief of Staff Gen. Denis Mercier said Feb. 20.
Under the defense and security white paper, France has been cleared to order 12 of the tankers built by Airbus Defense and Security to replace an aging 14-strong fleet of C-135 FR jets. The service had asked for a cargo door, a specific refueling rig and a satcom datalink, but a lack of funds and a need for early delivery led to an order of two versions of the MRTT aircraft.
“We made a choice for budgetary reasons,” Mercier told journalists.
The planes in the first tranche will be equipped with avionics and a central boom and an underwing drogue and hose system already developed, which saves costs and speeds up delivery, he said. Those planes should be delivered as soon as possible, he said.........
Mercier said the service will take a second tranche in the next multiyear budget law. A second MRTT version includes the cargo door and a datalink that allows the plane to receive information from the Rafale fighter, which carries many sensors, and transfer it by satellite, he said. The first aircraft type will later be retrofitted, he said........
The service had asked for a central drogue and hose to be added to the boom system so that its version could be refueled in flight. Those features have been canceled...........
Under the 2014-19 multiyear budget law, two MRTT units are to be ordered, with the others to follow. With an expected first order for the MRTT this year, “I will break open the champagne I have kept just for that,” Mercier said.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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The Aus KC30 seems to be on track, happily refuelling using the drogues. I look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when we can refuel from our own tankers.
And by the way, it is a very comfortable aircraft to fly as pax, having recently spent 16 hours on an RTA trip.
Y_G
And by the way, it is a very comfortable aircraft to fly as pax, having recently spent 16 hours on an RTA trip.
Y_G
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Rumour has it Rafale is soon to have a full AAR clearance against the A330 MRTT. Quite forward thinking of the FAF imho.
Last edited by D-IFF_ident; 23rd Feb 2014 at 10:29. Reason: To keep Beagle happy