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!

See you at the Helipad!

:)

Alan, Pse cx PMs. Ta!

Rich - Sorry wont see you at Farnborough. Heading off to Sth Africa and Zambia tomorrow to go chase White Rhinos :)

Regards

Ned

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:{

Rich,
Want to borrow one?



;-)

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!

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

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!

What was wrong with the ILS?

I'll be there on Thursday (project sponsored jolly - whoopee! I'm meant to be gasping in awe at Eurofighter, but I'll more likely be hanging around the helicopters looking woebegone) When are you displaying ?

212 man,

ILS/DME notamed as unavailable but SRA on line

The ILS protected area is probably covered in shiny exhibits or cars!

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

Air Show
 

Great airshow today, to a point :O
No helicopters flying though:{
2Sticks

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

BooHoo!!!
 

:{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :{
2Sticks

So you lucky guys who are at Farnboro' TELL US unfortunates what's new. What impressed you.

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!

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 !!! :D

And if you need some Self Loading Ballast for the other seat, I'm your man :}

Rich,

I am also OBE (overcome by events!)

Good luck and Fly Safe, Buddy!