Heathrow - Gatwick Helicopter Link
Atilla,
G-BCEA was certainly in the S Atlantic in 2000 when I paid a visit. I flew in her to some very windy/desolate places.
This was shortly after BIH took over the S Atlantic Contract from Bristow's, during which time the S61s they used down there were known as "Eric's"
I've flown in G-BCEB aswell, out to the Scillies when I was about 15 - that was a *long* time ago and I think she's still going.
G-BCEA was certainly in the S Atlantic in 2000 when I paid a visit. I flew in her to some very windy/desolate places.
This was shortly after BIH took over the S Atlantic Contract from Bristow's, during which time the S61s they used down there were known as "Eric's"
I've flown in G-BCEB aswell, out to the Scillies when I was about 15 - that was a *long* time ago and I think she's still going.
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S 61 Link
Actually, I heard that several years after the link stopped some residents still complained of 'that bloody link helicopter' flying overhead whenever a helicopter flew passed!
Surely with the M25 now a parking lot it could be re-instated with something quieter (is there such a thing?)
Surely with the M25 now a parking lot it could be re-instated with something quieter (is there such a thing?)
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pstjgw,
How are things in the heat and sand? For once, MM'smemory has not served her right - maybe being retired she imbibes the odd drop of red infuriator too many of an evening! It did go to BCalH and I remember Bishop Bill, because he was a Mormon bishop and it was very handy for him being based so close to the Mormon temple in East Grinstead. Or maybe he too was BAH? I find that aluminium saucepans, my mother's milk and generally being a decrepit old fool tend to distort my memories of the past. Heck, I even have fond memories of the Brent shuttle
I agree though, that it's sad that the noise protestors stopped it. Maybe it could be re-started with one of the new generation quieter helicopters because the M25 can be a nightmare. I also heard the story (apocryphal maybe?) about people still calling in and complaining about the noise, long after it stopped. I also never flew the Link even though I did my 61 course in Holland with KLM helicopters, from whom we leased the machine which started in Aberdeen. Ah yes, the Callie hostesses and their kilts
I flew in it as a passenger on a number of occasions and always thought it good value for the time it saved and its reasonable ticket price.
How are things in the heat and sand? For once, MM'smemory has not served her right - maybe being retired she imbibes the odd drop of red infuriator too many of an evening! It did go to BCalH and I remember Bishop Bill, because he was a Mormon bishop and it was very handy for him being based so close to the Mormon temple in East Grinstead. Or maybe he too was BAH? I find that aluminium saucepans, my mother's milk and generally being a decrepit old fool tend to distort my memories of the past. Heck, I even have fond memories of the Brent shuttle
I agree though, that it's sad that the noise protestors stopped it. Maybe it could be re-started with one of the new generation quieter helicopters because the M25 can be a nightmare. I also heard the story (apocryphal maybe?) about people still calling in and complaining about the noise, long after it stopped. I also never flew the Link even though I did my 61 course in Holland with KLM helicopters, from whom we leased the machine which started in Aberdeen. Ah yes, the Callie hostesses and their kilts
I flew in it as a passenger on a number of occasions and always thought it good value for the time it saved and its reasonable ticket price.
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Ladies and Gentlemen.
I don't usually visit this forum, but noticed the thread title just as I was exiting PPRune. As it is the ONLY Helicopter Operation on which I have any knowledge worth a d*mn, I was intrigued and even more so that there was so much discussion on which companies were involved. As there has been some disagreement, I will try to clarify.
This was a JV and the BAA was the registered operator of G-LINK.
BAH Provided Flight Deck and Engineering and BCAL the rest.
I don't remember a transfer of Flight Deck Crewing to BCALH. But accept by the time this would have occurred I would not have been 'Airlink' aware (other projects).
It was a superb example of a co-operative venture between three organisations, two of which at a commercial level were in a vicious fight.
The licence was indeed limited to the completion of the bits of the M25 that would provide a 'fast link' ( everyone stop laughing) between LGW and LHR.
The Noise Protesters had a field day with complaints even when the Aircraft wasn't flying (normally caused by Army or other Service Helicopters) and indeed they did continue for months after the service stopped.
Bishop Bill (I have been trying to remember his surname - now extremely
annoying as I can't so please help) effectively headed up the Airlink as an Operation and after the Operation Ceased, he was tasked with setting up the BCAL Commuter Operations Unit (which is when I had most dealings with him).
Last heard of (some years ago) as a member of the IATA London Office.
A surprising number of regular passengers wanted the service continued, the companies themselves were at least at operational level enamoured by its success. But the terms of the Licence were strict and of course the Flight Path, however it varied was always going to upset some influential residents, so once the Motorway Network did provide a 'fast link' it was the end!
On a personal note: I am almost certainly the only person who on boarding at LHR fell asleep and had to be woken by another passenger during the disembarkation at LGW (I had been awake and 'working' for 36 hours).
DIH
I don't usually visit this forum, but noticed the thread title just as I was exiting PPRune. As it is the ONLY Helicopter Operation on which I have any knowledge worth a d*mn, I was intrigued and even more so that there was so much discussion on which companies were involved. As there has been some disagreement, I will try to clarify.
This was a JV and the BAA was the registered operator of G-LINK.
BAH Provided Flight Deck and Engineering and BCAL the rest.
I don't remember a transfer of Flight Deck Crewing to BCALH. But accept by the time this would have occurred I would not have been 'Airlink' aware (other projects).
It was a superb example of a co-operative venture between three organisations, two of which at a commercial level were in a vicious fight.
The licence was indeed limited to the completion of the bits of the M25 that would provide a 'fast link' ( everyone stop laughing) between LGW and LHR.
The Noise Protesters had a field day with complaints even when the Aircraft wasn't flying (normally caused by Army or other Service Helicopters) and indeed they did continue for months after the service stopped.
Bishop Bill (I have been trying to remember his surname - now extremely
annoying as I can't so please help) effectively headed up the Airlink as an Operation and after the Operation Ceased, he was tasked with setting up the BCAL Commuter Operations Unit (which is when I had most dealings with him).
Last heard of (some years ago) as a member of the IATA London Office.
A surprising number of regular passengers wanted the service continued, the companies themselves were at least at operational level enamoured by its success. But the terms of the Licence were strict and of course the Flight Path, however it varied was always going to upset some influential residents, so once the Motorway Network did provide a 'fast link' it was the end!
On a personal note: I am almost certainly the only person who on boarding at LHR fell asleep and had to be woken by another passenger during the disembarkation at LGW (I had been awake and 'working' for 36 hours).
DIH
G-LINK is indeed a festering, rotten hull in Brazil. Abandoned outside in the weeds, where the bank still believes she sits as a serviceable, valuable aircraft!
Sad end for that machine.
Sad end for that machine.
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Many Thanks Speechless, for reposting Bill's Surname and the BCHL clarification.
A real shame about G-LINK.
I will leave you good people in peace and disappear back into the PPRune undergrowth,
DIH
A real shame about G-LINK.
I will leave you good people in peace and disappear back into the PPRune undergrowth,
DIH
To my ears, the quietest helicopters at present are the MD series 'NOTAR' types. If they could produce one of these big enough to carry a viable load, it might be acceptable to re-establish services such as the Link, but the problem is, you'll always get NIMBY's who insist on objecting on principle in spite of all evidence that there will be no adverse environmental impact; they'll even produce their own 'evidence' attempting to contradict scientific studies and reports (usually from a retired scientist with no recent experience).
I did hear somewhere that someone was re-inventing the Rotodyne concept with an emphasis on developing it with low noise output; I must admit the one time I actually heard the Rotodyne (from my home near Bovingdon) I thought it was no louder than other transient types using Bovingdon such as a Hercules, but it was just a different type of noise. The 'tilt rotor' concept does produce objectionable noise of course, so would not be acceptable.
I did hear somewhere that someone was re-inventing the Rotodyne concept with an emphasis on developing it with low noise output; I must admit the one time I actually heard the Rotodyne (from my home near Bovingdon) I thought it was no louder than other transient types using Bovingdon such as a Hercules, but it was just a different type of noise. The 'tilt rotor' concept does produce objectionable noise of course, so would not be acceptable.
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Chev, you'll have to blank out the windows so none of the delusional millionaire mares that live in Oxshott will be able to claim peeping toms looking at them in their swimming pools, which was one of the more risible claims made.
I used to spend quite a lot of time in and around Oxshottt in those days and the Link was scarcely audible above the main road traffic, and made much less noise than a neighbour's lawnmower. Complaints on the basis of noise were, imo, utterly spurious.
Should've done it in a Chinook, I reckon
just to show 'em!
I used to spend quite a lot of time in and around Oxshottt in those days and the Link was scarcely audible above the main road traffic, and made much less noise than a neighbour's lawnmower. Complaints on the basis of noise were, imo, utterly spurious.
Should've done it in a Chinook, I reckon
just to show 'em!
Wycombe,
G-BCEA is still flying in the South Atlantic, and long may she continue to do so.
Great pity about G-LINK though.
soggyboxers,
I still have fond memories of shuttling around the Brent and Great Yarmouth...........
ah, nostalgia, the S61N, queen of the skies
G-BCEA is still flying in the South Atlantic, and long may she continue to do so.
Great pity about G-LINK though.
soggyboxers,
I still have fond memories of shuttling around the Brent and Great Yarmouth...........
ah, nostalgia, the S61N, queen of the skies
I can well understand traffic on the A3 virtually blotting out the noise from an S61 at 2,400ft Alt. I've had UFO reports from that area claiming they couldn't have been normal aircraft 'because here was no noise'!!
Heathrow to Gatwick helicopter service
What happened to the Helo service between the two airports that ran about 80/81 ?I used it several times,was it uneconomic?
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Heathrow Gatwick Helicopter Service
The S61's were no doubt expensive to operate, but the operation was perhaps subsidised by the airlines that benefitted from the interlining of high yield business and first class passengers, so although losing money, not at such a rate as might have been. Before the M25 there was really no easy road link, and then when it was built it became like a magnet that caused it to almost mimic the previous A and B road options. I wonder if today it would be quicker to take the Paddington Express, tube and then Gatwick Express between the two airports than by car service ?
Avoid imitations
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I understand that it was grounded because of noise complaints. It was so noisy that the complaints continued long after the aircraft was grounded....
I understand that it was grounded because of noise complaints. It was so noisy that the complaints continued long after the aircraft was grounded....
The powers that be tried moving the route westwards to minimise noise in the Oxshott area.
They failed to take account of what happened in the uncontrolled airspace in the Woking area (in fact when we asked them, they said it was of no interest to them, they only laid down the route inside controlled airspace) and after several airmisses with Farnborough fast jets (Buccaneer, Hunter etc) positioning for the PAR they had to re-think.
They failed to take account of what happened in the uncontrolled airspace in the Woking area (in fact when we asked them, they said it was of no interest to them, they only laid down the route inside controlled airspace) and after several airmisses with Farnborough fast jets (Buccaneer, Hunter etc) positioning for the PAR they had to re-think.