RAF Voyager ZZ336 Government Transport
 

Titan Airways G-XATW currently at Stansted getting repainted to match ZZ336 infamous paint scheme. Due to be a likely replacement for the Bae146.

More detailed info and a photograph will be found at https://www.pprune.org/airlines-airp...rways-2-a.html

Jack

A bit big to join 32 at Northolt ... positioning at Brize, I assume, if there’s room. Or just called in from STN when needed/justified? More complexity, whichever way you look at it.

”Yes, Prime Minister” ... 😀

G-XATW is a brand new A321NEO leased by Titan from ALC, and they are capable of operating out of London City which has a shorter runway than Northolt, so I don't see why in VIP fit, it couldn't operate from Northolt...??

First time I hear that A321neo can operate into and out of EGLC.

Carnaby Street scheme. I guess Boris will get the moths out of his old suit to match....

Is 32 coming to an end.

Well they will still have a helicopter and one would assume someone would be needed to handle this.

In the days of 'Blair Force One' there were rumours that 32 would be re-located to Farnborough to the extent that part (one third) of the newer hangar on West Apron was to be reserved for a 'special' customer.
This rumour was still extant when I left Farnborough in 2008 when this hangar was still only part built.

Here you go...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....58a904d3f9.jpg

Austin Powers?

Doesn't it look more balanced with a sensibly sized aircraft registration on the back placed in line with the United Kingdom instead of the humongus ZZ

Interesting how its been sneaked in, remember the fuss from Blairforce 1.

Oh cr@p, another Sqn I've been on bites the dust.....and will leave nothing I've flown on the inventory - except the 321!!
mcdhu

Can't post link because I'm new but Twitter is reporting a second Titan 321 being painted up in UK colours in NI. G-GBNI

It's a very fetching 60's / 70's retro paint scheme......

"... because you're worth it. " :confused:

I trust that the PM will use this aircraft for all future visits to Scotland.....:ok:

Jack

Where do you get that from? Pretty sure the largest type that can operate into LCY is the A318. It got approval when BA introduced the all business class cabin substitute service for Concorde to JFK. I believe Titan also operate one of those ex-BA aircraft too.

A400M has been to City. Pretty sure that’s larger than A318, but your point is still valid.

EGLC is not so much about the runway length and tiny apron space but about the steep descent ahead. A321neo? No way.

A318, A220-100 and the Embraer E190 (not sure about the E195) I think are the biggest types that are cleared in - not sure how they all compare length/span/weights. The A321 apparently needs about 6500' and City is about a mile.

You know its just been widened

https://airport-world.com/london-cit...sion-projects/

The article mentions the A220, which is still a lot lighter than the 321. But, as already pointed out, it's about the flight manual approach angle clearance - 5.5 degrees required. (Plus crew training, but irrelevant is a/c not approved.) The expansion also allow a/c to hold by the departure threshold, whereas previously they had to enter and backtrack, so hourly movements greatly improved.

Presumably they've realised the Voyager is too big/expensive to use for local trips for lesser Ministers than the PM - or have it's military taskings meant it's not been available when needed.

At only a mile, Northolt is still too short for an A321 - at MTOW anyway. What happened to the other BA A318, wasn't that kitted out as all first class?

All Club/Business (32 seats I think)

Only the taxiway, not the runway.

mcdhu,

Why wouldn't 32 Sqn operate the new A321?

Davef68,

Doubt that they/ve realised anything of the kind. This is a new capability replace the 4 32 Sqn BAe 146's, not the Voyager, which I would imagine will be operated pretty much as it has been.

Why would they? In the current climate, I cannot see the RAF operating a single type like that, and a whole sqn with one A321 and a rotary taxi?

Of course, if the politicians had bought a 737, it could possibly have lived at Lossie with all the others ...

I'm not sure there's been any mention of these being RAF owned, operated or based. Quite the opposite, appears to be some sort of lease deal with Titan themselves. Could be that the place where they are now IS where they will be based?

So it looks like Northolt may be handed over to a civilian contactor then if there are to be no RAF aircraft based there.

There was some coverage a few weeks ago that it (G-EUNA) has gone for scrapping (at Twenthe in Holland) - at only 11 years old.

It does indeed seem that G-XATW will be joined by a second 321Neo, to be registered G-GBNI, that is currently at Finkenwerder.

So a non-military contractor operated Government Air Service. Presumably it will have defensive aids fitted?

I think runway length was an issue for BA's 318s flying the all business class service to JFK, they couldn't get away with a full fuel load hence the fuelling stop at Shannon.

It was a very nice way to fly, nibbles, fizz and starters on the way to Shannon and main course on the ground avoiding any risk of turbulence upsetting it. A bit different from most baby bus flights.

There was a second reason for the stop at Shannon: passengers were processed through US customs during this stopover so that when arriving at JFK, they could proceed as if getting off a regional flight.

They are said to have wanted to go to LaGuardia originally which would have been cool arriving "domestic" because of being pre-cleared already. However there is a perimeter rule in place that limits permissible flight lengths at KLGA.

Seems a strange choice as a replacement for the 146, the 146 is quite a "self sufficient" aircraft which had it's own stairs fitted and didn't require ground handling equipment to load or unload baggage whereby the A321 is much bigger, looks like it requires external steps, will require a baggage loader & will require longer runways
Surely the BBJ MAX, which is compatible with P8 and P7 with a cargo door would have been more suitable, built in steps, no baggage belt required and great range. In addition if a cargo door was fitted it could be used for the aeromed role?

I suspect this deal with Titan was arrived on pretty quickly and on very favourable conditions for the government. The 2 brand new A321neos were originally intended for TCS Travel use (operated by Titan crews). Most likely due to COVID travel restrictions, Titan have had to be inventive with how they repurpose the aircraft in the short and long term.

I have no background information on where they will be based but I would imagine Stansted at Titan HQ but with the capability to dispatch at short notice to most places. Heathrow has plenty of spare capacity at the moment so the Royal Suite would be suitable.. Stansted is not a million miles from London and of course it could also operate out of Brize. Boris in the past has said that the A330 is rarely available.

champ