Royal Flying
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
That article is absolute tosh! Starspeed probably hosts the countries finest ex-mil civilian pilots. As mentioned some are top of the food chain ex-mil and some are ex-ETPS. There is obviously more to this than meets the eye?
Williams "Hughes 500" is owned by a member of Pprune who frequents this site quite often. I won't divulge his 'handle' for fear of embarrassing him, but he is also a mate of Williams. It's registered to a south coast based company.
I suspect the Royal flight malarky is a political one and most certainly not a civvy Vs Mil thing!
Williams "Hughes 500" is owned by a member of Pprune who frequents this site quite often. I won't divulge his 'handle' for fear of embarrassing him, but he is also a mate of Williams. It's registered to a south coast based company.
I suspect the Royal flight malarky is a political one and most certainly not a civvy Vs Mil thing!
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
From: UK
As the Daily Hate describes this aircraft as on a "private charter" I pose these questions.
1) How is an "N" registered aircraft engaged in a "charter" in UK?
2) Illegal operations due to registry aside how is single engine aircraft able to carry out (presumably) H24 ops commercially?
3) Why are senior Royals using singles when all recent policy seems to indicate this is not done?
The fella's kid is in line to the throne, he's in the RAF, what the f@** is the matter with using a Seaking to do the job when and as required?
pathetic.
1) How is an "N" registered aircraft engaged in a "charter" in UK?
2) Illegal operations due to registry aside how is single engine aircraft able to carry out (presumably) H24 ops commercially?
3) Why are senior Royals using singles when all recent policy seems to indicate this is not done?
The fella's kid is in line to the throne, he's in the RAF, what the f@** is the matter with using a Seaking to do the job when and as required?
pathetic.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Aberdare, Wales
Well there is a William Wales holding an FAA PPL(H) so you never know..
It might not be THE William Wales but - the FAA records do show the following:
Address:
ST JAMES PALACE
LONDON SW1A 1BA
Date of Issue:
5/10/2012
So I guess he is legal to fly the 500.
It's registered to a south coast based company.
The orange McDonnell Douglas helicopter carrying William and Kate belongs to Shoreham-based Eastern Atlantic Helicopters, whose managing director Simon Oliphant-Hope is a friend of the couple.
At least the Mail finally got the colour right in their article.
Last edited by HeliStudent; 7th July 2013 at 18:32.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
What's the matter with you lot. It has already been stated in previous newspaper reports that Will and Kate hitched a lift to London last week or thereabouts. The Hughes isn't on standby or his or a spare or anything. Simon was passing and offered them a lift - simples. Presumably, when the time comes, Will rings his mate who will fly him to London, weather permitting. What's wrong with using the venerable 500 - outstanding, robust machine.
Helistudent - what hasn't been divulged is the handle that simon uses on here. He is a very frequent poster too, and is probably having a laugh reading this.
Helistudent - what hasn't been divulged is the handle that simon uses on here. He is a very frequent poster too, and is probably having a laugh reading this.
Last edited by Thomas coupling; 8th July 2013 at 09:28.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
From: Escrick York england
How do know he's not rated on type. Simon was a instructor as well as a comercial pilot he could have done some FAA differences training
After all he is a very experienced pilot having flown around the world solo a few times
All I can say is go Simon
After all he is a very experienced pilot having flown around the world solo a few times
All I can say is go Simon
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: sussex
md 500e w.wales
dont think faa licences are type specific, like ours, and im sure p/william would not find it hard to do a type rating, the 500 is a great machine a real pilots aircraft, you could do a lot worse than have that, in your back garden to get you to london in a hurry helispeediii
Last edited by helispeediii; 8th July 2013 at 13:12.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 518
Likes: 50
From: London/Atlanta
Great video any idea who filmed it? I've seen that machine many times as I work adjacent to Bagshot Park where Prince Edward lives and he is quite a frequent user of this great looking machine.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 3
From: Milano, Italia
NMH: Filmed by Jason Hawkes who specialises in aerial photography. He has produced over 35 aerial photographic books for publishers such as the BBC, Random House and Harper Collins. His clients include brands such as Nike, HSBC, NatWest, Ford, American Airlines, Rolex, Toyota, Smirnoff, Mitsubishi and BP.
Of this little clip he mentions: "The Queen lifting from Buckingham Palace, London. Shot while we waited for permission from air traffic to start our film route."
Of this little clip he mentions: "The Queen lifting from Buckingham Palace, London. Shot while we waited for permission from air traffic to start our film route."
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania, USA
Rated
If the prince holds a FAA PPL he can fly that 500 with no issues. As stated here the FAA doesn't require types on smaller helicopters. With a FAA PPL you can fly any single of multi engine helicopter up to 12.500 lbs.
He will surely enjoy flying that
He will surely enjoy flying that
