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Global Eagle - Chances?
According to the 'expeditions' website at http://www.globaleagle.co.uk it all kicks off today from Waddington.
Good luck to the team, but knowing a few of them fairly well, I wonder of their chances of actually pulling it off. I may be a great cynic, but based on personal track records it must rate high in improbables. :sad: I was told by one member of the team that I know very well, " I've never worked so hard and I'm really stressed out ,it's taken over my life". My first thought was, it must be a cushy number as you volounteered to do it! Which would explain a few more names in there. :ok: I have visions of the Blackadder episode where Edmund was supposed to go to France to rescue an aristocrat, but ended up hiding in his lodgings and getting said aristo from Mrs Miggins' Pie Shop! (Search the Sigs store at Dishforth this instant!) :ok: No disrespect to the upper echelons, but maybe the foundations may prove to be an undoing. :eek: I would have liked to have posted a poll but that facility seems to have gone. Points would be: Will the expedition leave on time? Will clearances really have been given? Will the backup be sufficient? Will the aircraft itself return with it's wheels? Why aren't they converting to Apache? Are our taxes still paying for the teams wages? Does the CO 9AAC still wash his hands of the enterprise? I wish you well, honestly, but somehow....... :( |
For what its worth I say best of luck to them.
I have no doubt a lot of the planning will have to be done on the back of a fag packet. On the strength of what they hope to achieve there will be problem after problem but that is what adventure is all about. Flying 4 Gazelles from Netheravon to eastern Turkey was a yearly jaunt for some and how I remember the problems that caused, but what fun! After some very heavy planning, (we got to 23,000' give or take a few feet, in a service aircraft with 3 on board (Thanks Boscombe)) I once gave a presentation to a former Director about trying to land a Gazelle on top of Everest, still reckon it could be done! but he didn't.:\ |
Seems a bit open for the top of Everest ;)
Anyway, best of Luck! Now what's on the telly tonight. A re-re- etc. of James Bond. "Little Nellie" rules, okay! Best regards |
This is the same Ac and pilot that crashed whilst trying to land on a parade square to pick up a sponsorship cheque from the Brigadier. Hmmm...:\
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Letsby Avenue
I hope you don't mean me! Only dent I have ever put in a helicopter was when both hydaulic systems failed on very short finals to a grass strip in an aircraft that could not be be controlled without them. Incidentely, I flew it out 2 hours later, back to camp fixed, thanks to those wonderful chaps in the REME and of course to the person that designed the undercarriage. However, on another occasion I did manage to lift to the hover, do a 360 deg spot turn with a bonding lead still attached to the aircraft much to the shock of a German run TSW unit.:O |
Funny old thing...
The website now says that the departure will be in March. Perhaps the sigs store was full til then;) |
The latest from the 'GE' website;
"A question which may be playing on peoples minds, when our scheduled date for departure was February. The reason for this is quite a simple one; we are still awaiting clearance from the CAA for our aircraft and are unable to depart until this clearance is given. We are sorry to our followers for the delay and will keep everyone updated as we receive news. We will however be going it's just a matter of when, so if you have sponsored a mile or are looking to do so please be assured your donations are not in vain, projects of this size always run into minor set backs." That rings bells from just over 12 months ago, but I suppose then the excuse was quite good, with a war going on and all that. We'll see !! :hmm: |
Still in Blighty I see, with no further news for over a month.
Apparently its a certification thing with the CAA ;) Anyway, the 'latest' news (14 Feb); with a little comment on the 'latest' news article OK, here it is, all the facts with nothing held back - as you would expect! The bottom line is that we STILL do not have our certification from the CAA and without this I simply can not start the World Flight. The stumbling point is the Structural Analysis for the Tail. The main areas of concern are the Jungle areas of Asia and the Arctic. The problem with the Jungle areas is the Monsoon Season. Some of the legs over the Jungle are five hours long and the Meteorological Reports for those areas aren't the best in the world! Obviously he (the CO) too is a Lynx Pilot and understands the aviation world only too well. The Arctic isn't too bad, to tell the truth, and we may have gained a little extra help for that region that I can not tell you about until it is confirmed in writing. So, with my cards on the table, my departure date has been delayed. In all honesty I can't set a new date until I know when the CAA will issue me my Permit. I think that it is unlikely that I could get away before the 15th March now.... As I've said before, Good luck when it eventually starts off, but................to be continued! |
Round The World in an Autogyro
Source from BBC News
Army pilot takes to the skies An army helicopter pilot is aiming to become the first person to fly around the world in an autogyro. Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, begins his four-month journey in Hampshire next Wednesday. During that time he will fly over 25,000 miles across 25 different countries. The autogyro, which appeared in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, is the only class of aircraft yet to circumnavigate the globe. WO Jones hoping to raise funds for the Dyslexia Foundation, the NSPCC and the Red Cross September 11 Appeal. "I am really excited about it and I am a little nervous," he said. "My first worry is if my engine fails over the water I would lose the aircraft and my challenge would end. I would get a swimming lesson as well. Difficult stretch "The most difficult stretch will be from Greenland to Iceland because the aircraft doesn't know it is flying over icebergs. "It is also the biggest hop for me at 457 miles and it'll take about five hours to complete." The father-of-three, based at Dishforth, North Yorkshire, entered the record books in February last year when he flew 579 miles across the UK in seven hours and 23 minutes. But the inspiration for his latest journey came from his first flight in an autogyro. "When I did my first aircraft flight in Carlisle I remember thinking I could fly around the world in this. "It has all gone from there really and I have been planning this trip ever since," he added. The autogyro was made famous in 1967 as Sean Connery's gadget Little Nellie in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, but has yet to make a round-the-world trip. Brian Milton was the first person to fly round the globe in a microlight aircraft back in 1998. WO Jones now hopes to follow the same route across the Mediterranean and the Middle East to India, China, Russia, the US and Greenland. Carefully planned The world record attempt was originally due to take place last year but was postponed due to the Gulf War and the Sars virus. His current journey is expected to hit troublespots like Pakistan and Jordan. "Transparency is the key. All the embassies know I'm on my way and that it's a military expedition," he said. "The only things likely to stop me are fog or low cloud." WO Jones is leading a team of six Army soldiers whose responsibilities will include maintaining the aircraft, route planning, logistics and sponsorship and charity liaison. The journey, which will cost £200,000, is being raised through donations and sponsorship, Gyroplanes can fly at altitudes of up to 10,000ft, have a maximum speed of about 120mph and cruise at about 90mph. But WO Jones said he would be sticking to an average height of 2,000ft at 80mph to conserve fuel. And he may not be the last person in his family to attempt the journey. "All my family are behind me," he said. "In fact my oldest son Lewis said to me: 'Dad you're the first person to fly the world in a gyroplane. Well I am going be the youngest'." People wishing to make a donation to the charities are asked to visit his website. |
"The autogyro, which appeared in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, is the only class of aircraft yet to circumnavigate the globe. "
I don't recall any gliders making it around the world... or isn't that a class? |
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But the autogyro is a bit safer.
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Well they're off, again.
BBC report here. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3625675.stm According to the website at http://www.globaleagle.co.uk/ 10am April 21st is the departure date, from Middle Wallop. |
SilsoeSid
What is your problem? 5 of the 9 posts on this thread before mine are from you and each one mocking and questioning the committment and likely success of the exped. Were you rejected from the team or something? Get a life you sad git. I don't know any of the individuals involved, but good luck to all. |
Just keeping everyone updated and in the public eye. Perhaps I like to talk to myself in this thread. Why can't I?
Mmmm... seems to me that you picture yourself as some sort of moderator, judging by your previous posts on prune. And looking at those posts, perhaps it is you my freind, that needs to get out a bit more! Any thread that mentions the AAC or their aircraft brings stupid and rather infantile remarks from the likes of ABIW and others Get a life you sad git. Yet another sensible question that gets turned into a ridiculous pi$$ing match by prats like ABIW and Beagle. if you don't like it, get off my thread and leave me alone. BYE:= |
Mmmmm... pubs must be closed then!
And silsoesid didnt pull tonight... Well not the female variety anyhow! Never mind Sid, one day you might get a shag, but to be legal, you have to be over sixteen! ... Oh you are? Yeah right... Nite nite sid and dont wet the bed! :E :E :E :mad: :mad: :mad: |
Just goes to prove the point. If you have nothing to contribute then don't bother posting.
I refer to my previous answer. |
PPRuNe Forums » Private Messages » Read this sad man.
Well Sid, just thought that your private message should be made available for all to see, its a shame you didnt have the courage to post it on the site yourself. If you dont like criticism dont post. Lets wait for the next tirade to fall..... |
That is a nicely 'expanded' version of my PM to you.
WoW, what made you make that up? The reason it was a PM, well the part that I wrote anyway, which was; "If you can't say anything constructive then don't bother. This isn't a playground, although people like you treat it as such." Is to try and stop people like you making a particular thread a slanging match, which you have done here.....well done. :yuk: |
DP,
That has to rank as one of the most reprehensible things I have seen on a thread in here. Not only have you posted someones Private Message to you but you have altered it to fit your own twisted argument which is a very petty way to do business:} Argue like a man or s@d offback to ARRSE where this sort of pre pubescent behaviour is probably acceptacble:rolleyes: all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced |
OK guys, cool it!
This thread is slipping over the edge. One more step and it's gone. I am not sure I shouldn't do that now but the flaming has to stop, otherwise I will close it. I agree that PM's should not be published and I have edited it out. In very bad taste too. |
Sid,
I haven't read a funnier thread for months.My guts are killing me. Great entertaiment. Keep it up mate. More more more please. Rgds, E5 :ok: |
Just visited the website for an update.
Barry recently visited the Nutec team based in Billingham for a quick refresher to hone his skills in the art of surviving a forced landing in water. This is essential training for all aircrew who travel over water, view the gallery to see how it went. gallery here Two things struck me here. 1. If the exped is in an autogyro, then why practise in an S-61 type dunker? 2. Why wasn't he already current. 3. Doesn't the dunker practise you in the post crash skills, ie getting out and onward? If you get to the dunker stage, you've survived the 'forced landing'. OK 3 things struck me. |
1. Not many Magni M16 Autogyro dunkers around.
2. Practice makes perfect. 3. Practice makes perfect. Bit of a picky question? 4. They are one of the sponsors.:ok: |
Thanks Bill,
To simulate a Magni M16 Autogyro, for dunker purposes, surely all you would need to is strap yourself to an old bath and get thrown into a pool. :p http://www.baycrossings.com/Archives...0Tub%20015.jpg Like you say, practise makes perfect and a very important facility and training package. I've always thought that everyone who flies, pax or crew, heli or C-17,should be able to utilise the facilities. Obviously harder for civis, but certainly all mil pers should be able to get the experience. SS |
Surprise surprise!!
Latest update, the day before the 21 April 10am departure....
Departure Delayed Until Monday 26th April Further Update And Timings Will Be Available In The Next Two Days. The Global Eagle Team Apologises For The Delay Which Is Due To An Aircraft Fault. Can someone please confirm which year this is going to begin in please :hmm: |
What's best, is under the 'departure delayed' headline there is a link to find out more which doesn't let you.............find out more that is.
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Yawn :rolleyes:
I sense a lot of bitterness or jealousy here. I take it BTT's question "Were you rejected from the team or something?", which you have never answered, seems to be pretty close to the mark. :eek: It was nice of you to point us to this expedition and their web site, but to constantly have a go at them is wearing more than a bit thin. MadMark!!! :mad: |
Answering the question.
In answer to the question, not at all.
I don't believe that being rejected from the team would even be an issue for me, as it's not the sort of thing that turns me on, so I have never wanted to be a part of it. Anyway, judging by other websites on the exped, the team has been offering places for advisors and general helpers as it is. My spare time is mine. I only know a few of 'the team' and I'm sure those who also know them will realise where I'm coming from:ok: If it's all wearing a bit thin for you, then you are very welcome not to come back here:p To those who take it all too seriously; http://hpbimg.bytsgthulka.com/SdaFU.gif Sorry for the language. SS |
Is this the Army doing extended testing for the BLUH, it is small enough and cheap enough!!
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We couldnt even afford that!
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Just to let you all know that if you click on the global eagle website link Find out more you can now, find out more.
Briefly, the a/c is now reported to be "sweet as a nut". Just a little thing that has always got me; As mentioned in the latest report, "In the world of aviation there is a saying "If there is any doubt, there is no doubt". What's all that about? If there was doubt, how can you suddenly say there isn't any anymore? To turn it around, if there is no doubt, then there is doubt! Doesn't really make sense. Any truth in the rumour that a team from California are attempting a round the world trip in June? :ugh: |
Silo, are you the teams Official Critic? Are you getting payed or are you usually this pedantic?
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Just saw a segment on the BBC 6 O'Clock News about it. I am sure I saw SadmanSid crying in the background, all dressed up with nowhere to go :ok:
MadMark!!! :mad: |
I don't think that I have ever seen such a bitter thread.
Silsoe The more you post and criticise the bigger that chip appears. |
In answer to your questions Bill,
Nothing official here, I am getting paid by someone, and yes!. So Chicken Leg, if thats what you think, why do you keep coming back here to see whats happening? :hmm: Just balancing up my shoulders with the chip on the other side! http://www.leather-harvest.com/images/CHIP_Shoulder.gif http://images.allposters.com/images/54/039_11590.jpg Didn't they look nice in those tight trousers and astride their bikes? :ooh: |
Well, Barry is on his way. Watched him launch today. All the best and good luck to him and the team!!
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Good luck Barry :ok:
Looking forward to your safe return to the UK :E ;) |
Excellent news at last.
Godspeed Barry, hope all goes to plan and the weather is kind. Link to latest news http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.colly...odspeed_tm.jpg Godspeed : EDMUND BLAIR-LEIGHTON (1853-1922) |
Auto Gyro Round The World!
Wishing 'Barry' the British Army Heli Pilot all the success for his great undertaking and adventure! 25,000 miles +.... Wish I was 'staggered right' with him! Some day!
Anybody know the actual specs on the Gyro he is flying? Pretty impressive send off from his fellow Army pilots! :ok: :ok: :ok: :cool: :cool: :cool: :D :D :D |
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