By Royal Appointment
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Joined: May 2001
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From: London
By Royal Appointment
Very nice to see the Queen flying in a helicopter again. For many years she held out against it, and I think her first helicopter trip was in the late 80s in Northern Ireland.
Today she turned up in Marlow to unveil a statue of Sir Steve Redgrave in an S76, reg G-BYOM. Registered to Starspeed, and was formerly G-IJCB.
Why wasn't she in one of her own? Anyone know? And who got to pole the 76 for the occasion?
Today she turned up in Marlow to unveil a statue of Sir Steve Redgrave in an S76, reg G-BYOM. Registered to Starspeed, and was formerly G-IJCB.
Why wasn't she in one of her own? Anyone know? And who got to pole the 76 for the occasion?
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From: Beyond the black stump!
Pukka PPRuNer!!
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From: PRMK
I seem to remember reading somewhere that a Royal Flight Whirlwind lost a rotor blade 
and crashed, sadly killing everyone on board? 
Think this was about 1967, 2 pilots on training flight?
Happy to accept corrections, but if true, then maybe this is why HM is supposedly reluctant to fly on helos?
and crashed, sadly killing everyone on board? Think this was about 1967, 2 pilots on training flight?
Happy to accept corrections, but if true, then maybe this is why HM is supposedly reluctant to fly on helos?
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Swash,
Goodness me no.
The reason was simply that they gave Her Majesty a WESSEX to fly in. She took one look and said "Excuse me!"
Apparently no-one ever told her that she didn't have to climb up all those steps after the pilots....
Goodness me no.
The reason was simply that they gave Her Majesty a WESSEX to fly in. She took one look and said "Excuse me!"
Apparently no-one ever told her that she didn't have to climb up all those steps after the pilots....
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
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From: London
I thought it might have something to do with having a husband and two sons in the racket. My wife dislikes helicopters intensely. Her sister says it's 'a woman's reaction to her husband's mistress.'
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From: Used to be God's own County
I believe there are mad people amongst us:-)
.............HM preferred flying in Walter due to the fact that it was the only ac that HM could stand up in. That was one criteria that had to fall by the wayside when a replacement was required.
.............HM preferred flying in Walter due to the fact that it was the only ac that HM could stand up in. That was one criteria that had to fall by the wayside when a replacement was required.
