Farnborough Report
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: USA
Farnborough Report
Lot of positive changes since I was last here. New tower. Several new buildings. Many expensive jets. The show is now under civil control and being directed by a Rotorhead!
Validation for Farnborough this afternoon. The US Airforce has yet to deliver my aircraft. The weather.....uncooperative. Fire drill last night at the Hilton St. Anne's Manner. Evidently someone saw a Gerry Aircraft approaching Bracknell and sent everyone to the bunkers. Internet access sketchy. Phone service nil. The grounds are, however, lovely and green. We don't see that color often in Phoenix. Should be a great day!
Validation for Farnborough this afternoon. The US Airforce has yet to deliver my aircraft. The weather.....uncooperative. Fire drill last night at the Hilton St. Anne's Manner. Evidently someone saw a Gerry Aircraft approaching Bracknell and sent everyone to the bunkers. Internet access sketchy. Phone service nil. The grounds are, however, lovely and green. We don't see that color often in Phoenix. Should be a great day!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: USA
Ned
Let me see....Farnborough or White Rhinos...ummmh....I think you have the better assignment! I will miss you but wish you the best of luck!
AlanM I shall look forward to meeting you and any other Pprune Rotorheads at the helipad. I may have a lot of time to talk if my aircraft does not arrive
Heading off to Sth Africa and Zambia tomorrow to go chase White Rhinos
AlanM I shall look forward to meeting you and any other Pprune Rotorheads at the helipad. I may have a lot of time to talk if my aircraft does not arrive
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: USA
Nick
I may take you up on that. We sat at flight operations yesterday and watched the belly of the C-17 carrying our aircraft fly overhead Farnborough and divert. No approved SRA approach so he could go no lower. Bottom line, two lost days of practice if the weather is good enough to get in to Farnborough tomorrow. Last minute validation. Ahhhhh, the joys of airshow life! It is green here though. Colin from Westlands is the show director this year so the needs of we rotorheads are actually built into the show plans. Super job!
Want to borrow one?
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: oceanside
rich: we rolled in yesterday around 2:00pm, weather was great. yeovil ceiling low all day but by the time we reached farnborough, no worries. agree grounds look great, have a good show, myself back in oceanside off to ALEA.
dr
dr
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
Rich
Your C17 made it (As you are surely aware by now!!)
There is a published SRA procedure at Farnborough which people have been using OK. not sure why the C17 couldn't take it.
Oh well - as you say.... Airshow life!
Your C17 made it (As you are surely aware by now!!)
There is a published SRA procedure at Farnborough which people have been using OK. not sure why the C17 couldn't take it.
Oh well - as you say.... Airshow life!
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
Very hard to protect the ILS as said, due to cars and aircraft around.
Also, there is a runway 24 Long and 24 Short - so safer to turn it off (and they expected the good weather that finally arrived today!)
AlanM
Also, there is a runway 24 Long and 24 Short - so safer to turn it off (and they expected the good weather that finally arrived today!)
AlanM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 0
From: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
Now if you had hung around you would have seen a SUPERB Chinook practice display and a punchy Apache Practice!!
Chinook I think displays later in the week - Apache on Tues from 1423 Hrs local
(timings may change - it is 2nd on after all!!!!!!)
Not sure when the AB139 displays - crews sat in aircraft today looking mighty p***** off.
Bless
Alan
Chinook I think displays later in the week - Apache on Tues from 1423 Hrs local
(timings may change - it is 2nd on after all!!!!!!)
Not sure when the AB139 displays - crews sat in aircraft today looking mighty p***** off.
Bless
Alan
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: USA
AlanM I have been waiting for you to stop by The Boeing Heliport chalet. We have food, we have drinks (including beer after flight operations are over) and I would like to meet you. Stop by and see me.
I do not know why the AB139 is not flying. We have all been waiting to see it. Beautiful aircraft with, I have been told, eye-watering single engine performance.
The heliport has been a little less busy than I have seen in previous years but the display of courtesy and professionalism make me proud.
The show is being run by Colin Hague O.B.E. (I had to throw that in because Nick does not have a title) and he is doing an excellent job even though he is a helicopter pilot.
Not a lot of new military equipment to brag about seeing. The hot topic is what helicopter the U.S. President will be flying. The B-52 did a beautiful pass over the wrong airport on opening day but found the correct place today. B1 looked great. Tornado is tearing up the sky and my ear drums. Eurofighter has yet to complete a display because he keeps drawing outside of the lines. Patty Wagstaff is flying a Raytheon T-6 and having a hard time staying at the new show mandated 600 foot floor. The Apache validated after the first show (finally!) and we have had good weather displays since. Farnborough looks great upside down!
I do not know why the AB139 is not flying. We have all been waiting to see it. Beautiful aircraft with, I have been told, eye-watering single engine performance.
The heliport has been a little less busy than I have seen in previous years but the display of courtesy and professionalism make me proud.
The show is being run by Colin Hague O.B.E. (I had to throw that in because Nick does not have a title) and he is doing an excellent job even though he is a helicopter pilot.
Not a lot of new military equipment to brag about seeing. The hot topic is what helicopter the U.S. President will be flying. The B-52 did a beautiful pass over the wrong airport on opening day but found the correct place today. B1 looked great. Tornado is tearing up the sky and my ear drums. Eurofighter has yet to complete a display because he keeps drawing outside of the lines. Patty Wagstaff is flying a Raytheon T-6 and having a hard time staying at the new show mandated 600 foot floor. The Apache validated after the first show (finally!) and we have had good weather displays since. Farnborough looks great upside down!
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Derby
Rich,
I realise my earlier post was a little stoopid, I didn't realise the Apache was there so thought you were in something else.
I'll be there tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to seeing you in action - you'll know who I am, I'll be the one waving !!!
And if you need some Self Loading Ballast for the other seat, I'm your man
I realise my earlier post was a little stoopid, I didn't realise the Apache was there so thought you were in something else.
I'll be there tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to seeing you in action - you'll know who I am, I'll be the one waving !!!
And if you need some Self Loading Ballast for the other seat, I'm your man
Last edited by Robbo Jock; 21st July 2004 at 20:51.