AIRTANKER
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I was under the impression the A330 whilst not selling as a passenger jet, there is a lot of lif left in the design as a freighter. Hence Airbus wanting to setup a factory in the US to build all versions of the A330 not just USAF tankers.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Airbus have around 350 outstanding A330 orders, production rates have been increased in order to meet demand. Airlines ordered 97 gross (83 net) from Jan - Nov last year.
Whilst it is true that the A350 is on the horizon, it would be a few more years before a tanker version could ever be developed and supplied. I'm sure the RAF have reached the point that the VC10's can't be kept in the air for much longer.
Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast offs.
Whilst it is true that the A350 is on the horizon, it would be a few more years before a tanker version could ever be developed and supplied. I'm sure the RAF have reached the point that the VC10's can't be kept in the air for much longer.
Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast offs.
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Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast off.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Impact of Air Tanker
Can anyone tell me what increase in capabilities the new aircraft will bring?
The RAF demonstrated a long range strike capability during recent operations over Libya. I'm sure in part this was designed to demonstrate to certain parties the UKs 'reach'. So if we take it to the extreme, does Airtanker allow the RAF to put a package of 4 GR4s with 2 Stormshadow each over the Falklands. Could it manage this with 1 - 2 tankers instead of the large number required for Black Buck?
Cheers
The RAF demonstrated a long range strike capability during recent operations over Libya. I'm sure in part this was designed to demonstrate to certain parties the UKs 'reach'. So if we take it to the extreme, does Airtanker allow the RAF to put a package of 4 GR4s with 2 Stormshadow each over the Falklands. Could it manage this with 1 - 2 tankers instead of the large number required for Black Buck?
Cheers
Join Date: Sep 2003
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What makes me laugh is that the A330 is now "becoming" an old aeroplane in the civil world and as usual the RAF buy into "new" metal as it starts to become the old hack in the airliner fleets. You gotta laugh!!
TT
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Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast off.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I asked a similar question a few months ago. No TRE would leave an airline for the apparent (due to lack of detail) package on offer. A previous post of mine refers but your typical widebody TRE will need a salary approaching that of David Cameron just to break even.
I can't see that happening frankly.
I can't see that happening frankly.
''Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast off.''
''Where did the VC10 C come from ?????? XV101 etc''
Don't forget the C1Ks were C1s for the first twenty years of their life and only made into less capable (than the K2/K3/K4) tankers as an afterthought. So not a new tanker at all.
The A330 may have been around for a while and the A350 derivative is a replacement, but it's still a bestseller and in current production. My company has several on order.
''Where did the VC10 C come from ?????? XV101 etc''
Don't forget the C1Ks were C1s for the first twenty years of their life and only made into less capable (than the K2/K3/K4) tankers as an afterthought. So not a new tanker at all.
The A330 may have been around for a while and the A350 derivative is a replacement, but it's still a bestseller and in current production. My company has several on order.
As for the package, I asked several times (out of interest - I wasn't particualrly interested in going back into uniform and going to the Falklands for weeks at a time) and got nothing but invitations to apply. I pointed out I wasn't going to consider applying until I knew what was on offer, but got silence.
Which spoke volumes!
I Still curious. Anyone have details?
Which spoke volumes!
I Still curious. Anyone have details?
A friend of mine who was on the A340 fleet at ViA did a TR conversion to the A330 to improve his chances of getting out of VA (morale not good there apparently). He applied to AT, and was disappointed to find the Captain salary was about what an FO makes at VA. He's gone to a major Asian carrier now (based in Australia), with a salary about 30% better than Virgin.
So AT captain salary would appear to be about 50% of what the Asian carriers are paying to Australia-based ex-pat crew - and they are struggling to recruit experienced captains too.
So AT captain salary would appear to be about 50% of what the Asian carriers are paying to Australia-based ex-pat crew - and they are struggling to recruit experienced captains too.
Now that the first aircraft has arrived at Brize, how soon can we expect to see it enter productive service? And will it be able to serve as both tanker and transport straight away, or just the latter?
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Quote:
Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast off.
Don't recall the Trimotor being a tanker prior to the RAF either!
The trimotors were all ex BA or Pan Am, so definitely cast offs before the RAF got their hands on them.
.
Victor - cast off bomber
Vulcan ditto
Hercules - hurriedly converted freighter
VC10 - mixture of converted civilian airliners and conversion of RAF freighter
Tristar - Converted ex BA and Pan Am airliners
Voyager - Brand new pax/tanker with no previous owners.
Look on the bright side, its the 1st time that the RAF have ever operated a new tanker, all the predecessors have been other peoples cast off.
Don't recall the Trimotor being a tanker prior to the RAF either!
The trimotors were all ex BA or Pan Am, so definitely cast offs before the RAF got their hands on them.
.Victor - cast off bomber
Vulcan ditto
Hercules - hurriedly converted freighter
VC10 - mixture of converted civilian airliners and conversion of RAF freighter
Tristar - Converted ex BA and Pan Am airliners
Voyager - Brand new pax/tanker with no previous owners.
Last edited by Bongodog1964; 3rd Jan 2012 at 11:12. Reason: added explanation
Does anybody know how many hours per year AT crews will be expected to fly? If they offer a reasonable roster, then they could conceivably attract experienced (but knackered) civvy A330 captains who have seen their annual hours workloads rocket within the last three or four years.
So approx how many hours per year does an RAF Tristar aircraft captain currently fly?
So approx how many hours per year does an RAF Tristar aircraft captain currently fly?
BEgs last seen a couple of days ago on QRA and Helo threads. Maybe recovering from NYE. If you need him here quickly, just post something factually flawed about tanker joins. 
Join Date: Feb 2002
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As no civvy pilots seem to want to take the 'low' wages at AT how about this - employ all the RAF pilots who are already AAR qualified to fly them! Bond them for 5 years for their type rating & have them fly the shiny new military tanker.
I might even go for it myself....
I might even go for it myself....