Dassault Falcon 900LX replace 32 Sqn BAE 146
Yes and no, yes because flying them home from a warzone required such aircraft, flying the Monarch back like a piece of freight from Edinburgh just seems wrong.
As I said a Voyager preferably the VIP one with a fit in the baggage hold would have seemed more appropriate, as we used to do with the VC10, and delivered her to Brize or Heathrow
However one guesses they do not have a fit for the A330 which strikes me as piss poor planning. Though I wonder if they will load a Hearse and bring that back in the C17.
Let’s hope someone looks at procuring a fit for the Voyager ( if they do not have one ) for the future.
As I said a Voyager preferably the VIP one with a fit in the baggage hold would have seemed more appropriate, as we used to do with the VC10, and delivered her to Brize or Heathrow
However one guesses they do not have a fit for the A330 which strikes me as piss poor planning. Though I wonder if they will load a Hearse and bring that back in the C17.
Let’s hope someone looks at procuring a fit for the Voyager ( if they do not have one ) for the future.
Yes and no, yes because flying them home from a warzone required such aircraft, flying the Monarch back like a piece of freight from Edinburgh just seems wrong.
As I said a Voyager preferably the VIP one with a fit in the baggage hold would have seemed more appropriate, as we used to do with the VC10, and delivered her to Brize or Heathrow
However one guesses they do not have a fit for the A330 which strikes me as piss poor planning. Though I wonder if they will load a Hearse and bring that back in the C17.
Let’s hope someone looks at procuring a fit for the Voyager ( if they do not have one ) for the future.
As I said a Voyager preferably the VIP one with a fit in the baggage hold would have seemed more appropriate, as we used to do with the VC10, and delivered her to Brize or Heathrow
However one guesses they do not have a fit for the A330 which strikes me as piss poor planning. Though I wonder if they will load a Hearse and bring that back in the C17.
Let’s hope someone looks at procuring a fit for the Voyager ( if they do not have one ) for the future.
I would be amazed if Levertons, in conjunction with the RAF, don't already have a long-standing plan as to how the body of the monarch, or other royal family member, is to be recovered to London by air, from wherever.
Are both Falcons available and in service right now? I remember something from when the first one was delivered about it taking another two years or so before they would reach full military and operational capability.
They were both in use on tuesday for Boris and Liz to go to Balmoral or were they chartered?
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Having said the above, one of the F900s landed at EDI about an hour ago, there's currently a C-17 on final approach (plus another doing orbits over the Firth of Forth), and I believe the other Falcon is expected later.
One transporting the Prime Minister if news organisations are to be believed
Liz Truss would have used a Falcon; saw her there on telly about an hour ago.
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On the RAF website, the Falcons, apologies, Envoy IVs, are listed as carrying 14 passengers. The Embraer Legacy that was used is described as being equipped to carry 13 passengers.
Interior
The cabin volume for the Falcon 900LX is 1,270 cubic feet. Typical configuration features 12 passenger and 2 crew seats.
The terminology on the RAF website is a bit confusing as 'Payload - 14 passengers' says 14 plus flight deck crew to me. If two of those seats are meant for cabin crew, the Envoy IV carries one passenger less than the Embraer.
Apart from the fact that it would take an absurd amount of time to agree a contract, a brace of A319CJ operated by ATr would seem a much better bet, given the simple TR requirement for Voyager crew!
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Hence why I mentioned the 737 800ERX Beegs in the other thread, compatible, spare wise and engineering wise the same as the Poseidon P-8 which was used for the conversion. 
but we are both thinking along the same lines.
but we are both thinking along the same lines.
Well let’s face it, a Falcon 900 is no replacement for a BAe 146 no matter how many ways you cut it, with the new P-8 Poseidon, a couple of 737-800ERX. would have probably been a better fit with more space and commonality with the fleet, ideal for plodding around Europe with an extended range for the odd long range trips.
Second best is chartering as and when as is the present case, though it’s tragic that this Country has come to that.
Second best is chartering as and when as is the present case, though it’s tragic that this Country has come to that.
A 737 variant wouldn't be a good option for a VVIP aircraft, given the basing location of the Poseidon and Wedgetail.
Wheras a contract variation with ATr to include a couple of aircraft would perhaps be simpler, given the ease of crew TR conversion. Plus a more appropriate basing location convenient for most VVIP passengers.
Wheras a contract variation with ATr to include a couple of aircraft would perhaps be simpler, given the ease of crew TR conversion. Plus a more appropriate basing location convenient for most VVIP passengers.