Time to stop the Coningsby flying club?
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Flying for BBMF is not a "jolly" to be used as a retention measure. The hours on these precious a/c are extremely limited and every effort is made to ensure that trips for currency are avoided. If we had bona mates or anyone else coming to CGY for a currency ride so that they can display in a couple of weeks, we would wear the a/c out in no time. When I left BBMF a good few years ago, they were talking about a re-spar for the Lanc which would give it another 75 years of life at the current flying rate. That is the sort of committment there is to keeping these things going - as a tribute to fallen airmen, not as a retention-minded flying club. And, as I said in my earlier post, the BBMF is not a closed society; all the Lanc and Dak pilots come from outside CGY.
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Beagle,
I have always found your posts in the past to be rational and well balanced. Could you please expand on why "words fail you" at the thought of "bona mates" flying with the BBMF?
Also , the bit about vocation blah, unique blend of skills blah - isn't it an amazing coincidence that this blend would appear to be found only on the F3 OCU and OEU.
I have always found your posts in the past to be rational and well balanced. Could you please expand on why "words fail you" at the thought of "bona mates" flying with the BBMF?
Also , the bit about vocation blah, unique blend of skills blah - isn't it an amazing coincidence that this blend would appear to be found only on the F3 OCU and OEU.
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The reason words fail at the thought of bona mates flying these beautiful historic aircraft should be obvious to anyone who's met one, or worse, a number of them at the same time. Pop down to VIFF VIFF NOZZLY central, and if you can understand their strange language (what is a bona mate anyway) you'll be amazed at just how many nobs can be concentrated in one place.
Question: How do you know if there is a Harrier Pilot living next door to you?
Question: How do you know if there is a Harrier Pilot living next door to you?
Flap 62
I've done a bit of time on BBMF and unless you're available for 2+ afternoons a week (Exlcluding Fridays as the ac are prepped then for the weekend) then you really can't maintain enough tail-dragger currency to GUARANTEE the safety of these valuable and much-loved ac.
I suggest that if YOU can then can I have your job as I couldn't spare that amount of time in any flying posts away from BBMF's home-plate.
Secondly, look at www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/bbmfhome.html and you will see that most of the aircrew come from surrounding stations. I admit that the fighters are all flown by fighter pilots; but lets face it I wouldn't want to see it any other way!
Finally, you sound like a bitter and twisted individual. You do have to be selected by the Stn Cdr, OC Ops and OC BBMF for the priviledge to fly on the flight (Much like the Reds who do an equally good job at more expense (20:1 at last count)). Sadly FLAP I fear it ain't for you!
Soz
LJ
I've done a bit of time on BBMF and unless you're available for 2+ afternoons a week (Exlcluding Fridays as the ac are prepped then for the weekend) then you really can't maintain enough tail-dragger currency to GUARANTEE the safety of these valuable and much-loved ac.
I suggest that if YOU can then can I have your job as I couldn't spare that amount of time in any flying posts away from BBMF's home-plate.
Secondly, look at www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/bbmfhome.html and you will see that most of the aircrew come from surrounding stations. I admit that the fighters are all flown by fighter pilots; but lets face it I wouldn't want to see it any other way!
Finally, you sound like a bitter and twisted individual. You do have to be selected by the Stn Cdr, OC Ops and OC BBMF for the priviledge to fly on the flight (Much like the Reds who do an equally good job at more expense (20:1 at last count)). Sadly FLAP I fear it ain't for you!
Soz
LJ
Ah - but bona mates wouldn't need so much practice on these priceless aircraft, would they? Viff, nozzles, MEXE pad, RVL, trip the limiters - doof doof, strip CBR, braking stop to you!!
It's called 'banter'.......... And anyway, they'd probably sooner join their other 'mates' in nice red romper suits!
It's called 'banter'.......... And anyway, they'd probably sooner join their other 'mates' in nice red romper suits!
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Before good ol' Flaps alienates the rest of the world, could I point out that I've only met a couple of people as obnoxious as him at Viffville?
Don't s'pose you'll believe me.
******.
PS I've never heard of a "bona mate", must be a GR3 thing. Off for some warm milk now.
Don't s'pose you'll believe me.
******.
PS I've never heard of a "bona mate", must be a GR3 thing. Off for some warm milk now.
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Flaps 62, very nearly went horribly wrong for me at Tac weapons, finished top of the course and only my flight commanders knowledge of my desire to become a Knight of the Sky (Air Defender to you) and my lack of desire to become a soil shuffler (do we actually have anything that can move mud these days?) saved me from the Harrier posting I was threatened with. I'm very well balanced with chips on both shoulders thankyou, currently sat with over 3500 military hours, all strapped to various bangseats, 1000+ in the mighty F3. Back to your original question, you would fit in on the BBMF about as well as I would on a plastic puffa jet. (not well!) 
In the JSP318A, the crucially relevant contents of which we had to read and sign for every few months, along with stating that a runway controller's caravan is to be equipped with a single bar electric fire, listing the Latin names of the various types of birds which threaten aerodromes and which used to have a hilarious section describing how to stand on a Land Rover and flap your arms up and down at 35 beats per minute 'as though simulating a large bird of prey', there was also a list of terms associated with the strange world of Viffspeak. Some wag had amended the one I saw, adding:
BONA - good
BONA JET - Harrier
BONA MATE - One who flies a Bona Jet
WEEDISPHERE - Operating level used by Bona Jets
..and yes, it was indeed a circa 1976 GR3 thing!
Mach the Knife is right - only the finest and blondest can aspire to the noble struggle between brother aviators in one to one aerial combat. The rest do other things - including $hit shifting in SAM7 magnets.
Back to the thread - saw the Dak the other day. Glad that we can still put such precious old ac into the air - long may the BBMF continue. If there are ever pressures to cut back, the Reds should go first!
BONA - good
BONA JET - Harrier
BONA MATE - One who flies a Bona Jet
WEEDISPHERE - Operating level used by Bona Jets
..and yes, it was indeed a circa 1976 GR3 thing!
Mach the Knife is right - only the finest and blondest can aspire to the noble struggle between brother aviators in one to one aerial combat. The rest do other things - including $hit shifting in SAM7 magnets.
Back to the thread - saw the Dak the other day. Glad that we can still put such precious old ac into the air - long may the BBMF continue. If there are ever pressures to cut back, the Reds should go first!
Last edited by BEagle; 14th Apr 2002 at 08:15.
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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OK - banter banter banter is fine but I defy BEags or Flaps or anybody else to fly along a line feature with their right wing down and the rudder in the correct place.
Hi there
Being a non (mil) flying member I think it is about time the gen public were represented in this???
It seems funny that whenever the red crowd are on at displays A LOT of the crowd seem to leave,but I personaly have never seen or heard any person going when the BBMF are flying as the seem to give SO MUCH pleasure to see these AC again and people (a lot) can relate to them when they were needin them not feeding them. Please excuse any typing errors as I am at present only able to use one arm.
All the Best to ALL YOU FLYERS who give us so much pleasure and a feeling of security.
Being a non (mil) flying member I think it is about time the gen public were represented in this???
It seems funny that whenever the red crowd are on at displays A LOT of the crowd seem to leave,but I personaly have never seen or heard any person going when the BBMF are flying as the seem to give SO MUCH pleasure to see these AC again and people (a lot) can relate to them when they were needin them not feeding them. Please excuse any typing errors as I am at present only able to use one arm.
All the Best to ALL YOU FLYERS who give us so much pleasure and a feeling of security.
Quite right, mate! More air show customers watch historic ac than watch the Reds - a fact lost on the makers of TV air show programmes who invariably devote far too much of their programme time to yet more images of RAFAT!
It is rewarding to attend an air show which is closed by the Reds - it gives you a chance to get to the car park before the general herd!!
OK - the 'Team' are highly skilled and good PR for the RAF. But the BBMF, RN and AAC historic flights do a more demanding job in keeping irreplaceable historic aircraft flying, in my opinion.
It is rewarding to attend an air show which is closed by the Reds - it gives you a chance to get to the car park before the general herd!!
OK - the 'Team' are highly skilled and good PR for the RAF. But the BBMF, RN and AAC historic flights do a more demanding job in keeping irreplaceable historic aircraft flying, in my opinion.
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Spit - the reason that so many leave when the Reds are on is because those are the ones who want to beat the traffic out surge at the end of the show - generally that's when the Reds display.
John F - Ooooooh! I was most certainly taught the art of side-slipping when I went through BFTS & AFTS (JPs & Varsitys). Also, a venerable old salt taught me the art of getting an extra 5-10 kts in the cruise in 4-jets by trimmimg correctly; hold the wings dead level manually and watch the compass - then trim the rudder to stop any turn tendancy, finishing with aileron trim. Right wing down and the rudder in the right place? Not difficult if taught properly.
John F - Ooooooh! I was most certainly taught the art of side-slipping when I went through BFTS & AFTS (JPs & Varsitys). Also, a venerable old salt taught me the art of getting an extra 5-10 kts in the cruise in 4-jets by trimmimg correctly; hold the wings dead level manually and watch the compass - then trim the rudder to stop any turn tendancy, finishing with aileron trim. Right wing down and the rudder in the right place? Not difficult if taught properly.
FJJP - seem to remember that the technique for maintaining straight and level balanced flight is taught rather earlier in the course of training? Just after E of C 2 if I remember correctly!
It is hardly surprising that a correctly trimmed aeroplane will produce less drag and will therefore gain a few more knots over one which is, err, crabbing along!
It is hardly surprising that a correctly trimmed aeroplane will produce less drag and will therefore gain a few more knots over one which is, err, crabbing along!
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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FJJP.
Ah! now I understand. Thanks.
Funny place to do sideslip CT though. Still you have to take any chance you get to practice things these days I suppose.
Ah! now I understand. Thanks.
Funny place to do sideslip CT though. Still you have to take any chance you get to practice things these days I suppose.
Totally as an aside why did I see a Spit in BoB stripes barel rolling down Filtons easterly runway on Sat tea-time?
Nearly caused a pile up on the M5 I noted. It got my adrenalin going and seeing it made my day.
WWW
Nearly caused a pile up on the M5 I noted. It got my adrenalin going and seeing it made my day.
WWW
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WWW
Dont you mean invasion stripes??
Possibly PS853 the ex BBMF machine now owned by Rolls Royce, a first outing after hibernation perhaps. I know its technically based at East Midlands but it usually winters in Bristol as far as I understand it.
Now if I could only find a piccy......(that was in focus
)
Dont you mean invasion stripes??
Possibly PS853 the ex BBMF machine now owned by Rolls Royce, a first outing after hibernation perhaps. I know its technically based at East Midlands but it usually winters in Bristol as far as I understand it.
Now if I could only find a piccy......(that was in focus
)
Last edited by Man-on-the-fence; 15th Apr 2002 at 14:21.
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