Odds n Sods
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 312
From: UK and Italy
I've just discovered that some of my posts in 2000 are still on this forum, although the threads are long since locked. I was 'justapax' then, I had to choose a new username as I couldn't remember what email address I had 24 years ago. There were comments back then along the lines of 'do we really need to encourage Pax & SLF in the *professional* pilots rumour network?' from professional pilots. 24 years later - plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
I was hoping back then to be able to fly in a Connie, the first aircraft I ever flew in (boy was it *noisy*). At that time there were no airworthy Connies and I hoped to buy one, they were going for scrap value. Then I discovered their thirst for fuel. Well, in 2024, you can actually fly in a Connie, you just have to go to Australia to do so. I'm saving up my pennies for the airfare. I'll never get the chance to fly in the other aircraft I flew in as a child, such as the Caravelle, Vickers Viscount, Vickers Vanguard, Comet 4B and VC10, as AFAIK there are no airworthy examples left of any of these. But the Connie flies on.
I spent most of the intervening 24 years having cancer, and having various bits of me cut out, followed by chemotherapy, repeat and resume. Does anyone else have as long a pause between their last post on pprune.org and resuming?
I was hoping back then to be able to fly in a Connie, the first aircraft I ever flew in (boy was it *noisy*). At that time there were no airworthy Connies and I hoped to buy one, they were going for scrap value. Then I discovered their thirst for fuel. Well, in 2024, you can actually fly in a Connie, you just have to go to Australia to do so. I'm saving up my pennies for the airfare. I'll never get the chance to fly in the other aircraft I flew in as a child, such as the Caravelle, Vickers Viscount, Vickers Vanguard, Comet 4B and VC10, as AFAIK there are no airworthy examples left of any of these. But the Connie flies on.
I spent most of the intervening 24 years having cancer, and having various bits of me cut out, followed by chemotherapy, repeat and resume. Does anyone else have as long a pause between their last post on pprune.org and resuming?
Thread Starter
Son of Slot
Super Senior Moderator
Super Senior Moderator
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,048
Likes: 615
From: London
Hello Justa... and welcome back. That is a long gap but great that you found your way back (and were able to). We are fortunate that the archive has survived the change of ownership and - yes - some topics do come round the loop. Some of us then sit back and watch the newcomers views and see if they have changed.
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,217
Likes: 1,649
From: Ferrara
Indeed - look a the "Future Aircraft Carrier " thread started by WE Branch Fanatic on 10th Apr 2006 and he still manages at least a page a week on the benefits of carrieraviation 
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
The ‘Letter of Invitation’ takes weeks to obtain, and is one of many Brexit hurdles the UK insisted on applying to its citizens
After the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, negotiators in Brussels acquiesced to our insistence that we should be “third-country nationals”. Brexit means British travellers face much higher hurdles for any trip to the EU and wider Schengen Area.
On arrival at a Schengen frontier, each British passport must be examined and stamped. Officials need to ensure the traveller has not spent too much time in the EU recently (a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days).
They must also be satisfied that the traveller has sufficient financial resources and will return to the UK (or continue to a non-EU country) after a short visit.
Each European Union nation can choose its own subsistence criteria for admitting British travellers – and also impose requirements on accommodation. Spain requires anyone staying with friends or family to obtain a Carta de Invitación (Letter of Invitation). The process can take weeks, and the official document costs over £70. But without it you may be turned away at the border.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 57
From: LONDON
I've just discovered that some of my posts in 2000 are still on this forum, although the threads are long since locked. I was 'justapax' then, I had to choose a new username as I couldn't remember what email address I had 24 years ago. There were comments back then along the lines of 'do we really need to encourage Pax & SLF in the *professional* pilots rumour network?' from professional pilots. 24 years later - plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
I was hoping back then to be able to fly in a Connie, the first aircraft I ever flew in (boy was it *noisy*). At that time there were no airworthy Connies and I hoped to buy one, they were going for scrap value. Then I discovered their thirst for fuel. Well, in 2024, you can actually fly in a Connie, you just have to go to Australia to do so. I'm saving up my pennies for the airfare. I'll never get the chance to fly in the other aircraft I flew in as a child, such as the Caravelle, Vickers Viscount, Vickers Vanguard, Comet 4B and VC10, as AFAIK there are no airworthy examples left of any of these. But the Connie flies on.
I spent most of the intervening 24 years having cancer, and having various bits of me cut out, followed by chemotherapy, repeat and resume. Does anyone else have as long a pause between their last post on pprune.org and resuming?
I was hoping back then to be able to fly in a Connie, the first aircraft I ever flew in (boy was it *noisy*). At that time there were no airworthy Connies and I hoped to buy one, they were going for scrap value. Then I discovered their thirst for fuel. Well, in 2024, you can actually fly in a Connie, you just have to go to Australia to do so. I'm saving up my pennies for the airfare. I'll never get the chance to fly in the other aircraft I flew in as a child, such as the Caravelle, Vickers Viscount, Vickers Vanguard, Comet 4B and VC10, as AFAIK there are no airworthy examples left of any of these. But the Connie flies on.
I spent most of the intervening 24 years having cancer, and having various bits of me cut out, followed by chemotherapy, repeat and resume. Does anyone else have as long a pause between their last post on pprune.org and resuming?
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 312
From: UK and Italy
Even though the engines were at the back, I remember VC10s as being quite loud, and they seemed to have lower pressurisation than other aircraft of the era.
Has anyone flown in the Ilyushin Il-62, which was so similar that there have been mutterings of 'stolen blueprints'? Air Koryo still has one flying.
N4790P
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 231
From: Asia
If you had a dozen people in the toilets of a VC10, there wouldn't have been room to swing a hatchet.
Even though the engines were at the back, I remember VC10s as being quite loud, and they seemed to have lower pressurisation than other aircraft of the era.
Has anyone flown in the Ilyushin Il-62, which was so similar that there have been mutterings of 'stolen blueprints'? Air Koryo still has one flying.
Even though the engines were at the back, I remember VC10s as being quite loud, and they seemed to have lower pressurisation than other aircraft of the era.
Has anyone flown in the Ilyushin Il-62, which was so similar that there have been mutterings of 'stolen blueprints'? Air Koryo still has one flying.
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 170
Likes: 136
From: Here
I flew in IL-62 in 1977. I was down back area. Most vivid memory was how cold it was in rear of cabin, and how hot in front area.
Cabin crew not seen after takeoff.
Also noted an anti CofG tipping extra leg/prop extended at rear of aircraft as we disembarked.
Cabin crew not seen after takeoff.
Also noted an anti CofG tipping extra leg/prop extended at rear of aircraft as we disembarked.
Last edited by Bug; 22nd June 2024 at 09:52.
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
When I was a kid, we went to Spain on holiday aboard one of my all time favourites, Trident. Dad always chose the seats that were facing each other cos he said it was easier to keep an eye on myself and my sisters. Mother was always terrified of flying so sat in one of the rear facing seats as she thought it would be better not to see where she was going. On the way home we had the same sort of seating with souvenir donkeys and sombreros on the spare seats.
I don't think any other aircraft had the facing seat setup, but probably wrong on that.
I don't think any other aircraft had the facing seat setup, but probably wrong on that.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
As I recall, there was an experiment to see pax reaction to aft facing seats. The reason being that - in an impact, people are better protected because the head will be thrown up and into the headrest. With forward facing, you have to prevent that by gripping knees etc.
In December 1975 I was on a Trident LHR-HAM (an ex BEA unit, of course) and they had a number of rear facing seats at the front of the cabin. I was asked if I would sit in one and fill in a questionnaire at the end of the flight. I did and said it was fine, which it was.
As I further recall, pax rejected the rear-facing seat for various reasons. Despite the fact that, on busses you might sight sideways to direction of travel and on trains you might be in a rearward facing seat!!
In all RAF transport aircraft set for troop carrying they ONLY have rear facing seats for safety.
In December 1975 I was on a Trident LHR-HAM (an ex BEA unit, of course) and they had a number of rear facing seats at the front of the cabin. I was asked if I would sit in one and fill in a questionnaire at the end of the flight. I did and said it was fine, which it was.
As I further recall, pax rejected the rear-facing seat for various reasons. Despite the fact that, on busses you might sight sideways to direction of travel and on trains you might be in a rearward facing seat!!
In all RAF transport aircraft set for troop carrying they ONLY have rear facing seats for safety.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
‘Kiss and fly’ airport charges continue to increase as drivers pay £7 to stop for a minute
The RAC, which carried out the study, said it is ‘bordering on the ridiculous’
The Independent
This should be no surprise. People want to imagine they are getting a low priced flight, irrespective of carrier.
The RAC, which carried out the study, said it is ‘bordering on the ridiculous’
More than a third of major airports have raised drop-off fees for drivers in the past year, new research has shown.
Seven out of 20 airports analysed have raised so-called “kiss and fly” charges – which are typically levied for dropping off someone as close to a terminal as possible – since last summer.
The RAC, which carried out the study, said it is “bordering on the ridiculous” for drivers to pay up to £7 for “the briefest of stops”.
The four which have increased fees by £1 are Gatwick (which now charges £6 for 10 minutes), Edinburgh (£5 for 10 minutes), Birmingham (£5 for 15 minutes) and Bristol (£6 for 10 minutes).
Three others – Glasgow, Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen – have raised their prices by 50p.
Despite not raising its price this year, Stansted continues to top the table for the most expensive drop-off cost. The Essex airport’s initial fee is £7 for 15 minutes.
A total of nine airports have frozen their prices this year.
That includes Manchester, which offers the worst value among all major airports by charging £5 for just a five-minute stay.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, charges the same amount but with no time limit.
Seven out of 20 airports analysed have raised so-called “kiss and fly” charges – which are typically levied for dropping off someone as close to a terminal as possible – since last summer.
The RAC, which carried out the study, said it is “bordering on the ridiculous” for drivers to pay up to £7 for “the briefest of stops”.
The four which have increased fees by £1 are Gatwick (which now charges £6 for 10 minutes), Edinburgh (£5 for 10 minutes), Birmingham (£5 for 15 minutes) and Bristol (£6 for 10 minutes).
Three others – Glasgow, Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen – have raised their prices by 50p.
Despite not raising its price this year, Stansted continues to top the table for the most expensive drop-off cost. The Essex airport’s initial fee is £7 for 15 minutes.
A total of nine airports have frozen their prices this year.
That includes Manchester, which offers the worst value among all major airports by charging £5 for just a five-minute stay.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, charges the same amount but with no time limit.
This should be no surprise. People want to imagine they are getting a low priced flight, irrespective of carrier.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 13
From: UK
I went on a British Eagle Britannia fitted throughout with rear facing seats. I believe it was a requirement of the MoD at the time for trooping contracts.
I have this recollection that Southwest had a row of rear facing seats in their very early 737-200s.
I have this recollection that Southwest had a row of rear facing seats in their very early 737-200s.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 267
Likes: 4
From: Crawley
When I was a kid, we went to Spain on holiday aboard one of my all time favourites, Trident. Dad always chose the seats that were facing each other cos he said it was easier to keep an eye on myself and my sisters. Mother was always terrified of flying so sat in one of the rear facing seats as she thought it would be better not to see where she was going. On the way home we had the same sort of seating with souvenir donkeys and sombreros on the spare seats.
I don't think any other aircraft had the facing seat setup, but probably wrong on that.
I don't think any other aircraft had the facing seat setup, but probably wrong on that.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Some may have alrerady experienced this as reported in The Independent. Start date is slightly confusing.
EU to reintroduce 100ml liquids rule at airport security as travellers warned of lengthy delays
Airports Council International expect ‘significant operational strain’ at European airports
Travellers flying to and from Europe this autumn may face lengthy delays as security liquid limits are reinstated at aviation hubs. Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), as well as pastes, lotions and cosmetics, must be 100ml at all EU airports from 1 September 2024.
The European Commission announced it will “temporarily” reintroduce the restriction on liquids carried in hand luggage on 31 July. No container for any LAG can be above 100ml, and at most airports must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre.
Travellers flying to and from Europe this autumn may face lengthy delays as security liquid limits are reinstated at aviation hubs. Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), as well as pastes, lotions and cosmetics, must be 100ml at all EU airports from 1 September 2024.
The European Commission announced it will “temporarily” reintroduce the restriction on liquids carried in hand luggage on 31 July. No container for any LAG can be above 100ml, and at most airports must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre.