Branson on the Beeb BA Bashing
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Branson on the Beeb BA Bashing
Interviewed by BBC1 lunchtime news at a press conference for his latest fly around the world attempt.
Curiously dressed in a silver jump suit of some description and purpose he made a statement akin to:
We are today talking about an aircraft that will fly into the future whereas BA are talking about grounding an aircraft that could fly into the future.
It put me off my diner I have to say.
Sad.
WWW
Curiously dressed in a silver jump suit of some description and purpose he made a statement akin to:
We are today talking about an aircraft that will fly into the future whereas BA are talking about grounding an aircraft that could fly into the future.
It put me off my diner I have to say.
Sad.
WWW
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Branson's not even going up in this latest fly round the world effort. He's just got Burt Rutan to build a plane and cover it in Virgin logos, and Steve Fossett is going to fly it around the world without stopping.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3204897.stm
If you remember the Voyager that was flown non-stop by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, then this plane looks like a jet-engined successor.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3204897.stm
If you remember the Voyager that was flown non-stop by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, then this plane looks like a jet-engined successor.
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The smiling pullover never misses a trick, does he?
More to the point, it looks like a pretty arduous trip with an aircraft which may well be a bit tricky at FL450, especially if it goes pear-shaped miles from anywhere. Take off and landing may also require a fair bit of skill, what with the large percentage variation of wieghts for each.
Does anyone know what experience Steve Fosset has which will qualify him for this? Not knocking, just interested.
More to the point, it looks like a pretty arduous trip with an aircraft which may well be a bit tricky at FL450, especially if it goes pear-shaped miles from anywhere. Take off and landing may also require a fair bit of skill, what with the large percentage variation of wieghts for each.
Does anyone know what experience Steve Fosset has which will qualify him for this? Not knocking, just interested.
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How about these for a start....?
Steve Fossett's records
1998/2002: long distance for solo ballooning
2001/2002: duration for solo ballooning
First balloon crossings of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, South Atlantic, South Pacific, Indian Oceans
Seven fastest speed sailing titles
13 World Sailing Speed Record Council titles
Oct, 2001: fastest trans-Atlantic sailing
Round-the-world titles for medium airplanes
US trans-continental titles for non-military aircraft
He's certainly no couch potato! The "basket" that was used for his round the world balloon flight stopped in at Oshkosh last year on its way to NASM. It was not roomy or remotely comfortable looking, so I should think a few (80?) hours squashed in a plane should be relatively straight forward for him.
Good luck to Fossett, Branson and the Rutan team - people who push the limits as these folk do help to cheer up some pretty dreary news headlines these days!
Steve Fossett's records
1998/2002: long distance for solo ballooning
2001/2002: duration for solo ballooning
First balloon crossings of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, South Atlantic, South Pacific, Indian Oceans
Seven fastest speed sailing titles
13 World Sailing Speed Record Council titles
Oct, 2001: fastest trans-Atlantic sailing
Round-the-world titles for medium airplanes
US trans-continental titles for non-military aircraft
He's certainly no couch potato! The "basket" that was used for his round the world balloon flight stopped in at Oshkosh last year on its way to NASM. It was not roomy or remotely comfortable looking, so I should think a few (80?) hours squashed in a plane should be relatively straight forward for him.
Good luck to Fossett, Branson and the Rutan team - people who push the limits as these folk do help to cheer up some pretty dreary news headlines these days!
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Yeah good luck to them. Pity the thread was started with a bit of BA-oversensitive Virgin bashing.
Classic quote in the Beeb report:
"But Steve is used to landing in the Pacific so it's alright," Branson added comfortingly.
Classic quote in the Beeb report:
"But Steve is used to landing in the Pacific so it's alright," Branson added comfortingly.
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Thanks fernytickles.
Seems to have a lot of balloning and boats but not a great deal of what could be quite challenging flying (piloting) in the proposed Rutan aircraft.
Round the world in "medium" aircraft means what; Piper, Cessna or small jet? Modern US trans-continental is surely not too far removed from merely shoving the throttle forward for longer on a conventional aircraft?
My question really referred to the relatively unconventional type, which MAY offer somewhat iffy flying qualities in a pretty hostile environment and the test/experimental experience that one might have thought relevant.
Once again, not knocking, before someone gets hold of the wrong end of the stick.
Seems to have a lot of balloning and boats but not a great deal of what could be quite challenging flying (piloting) in the proposed Rutan aircraft.
Round the world in "medium" aircraft means what; Piper, Cessna or small jet? Modern US trans-continental is surely not too far removed from merely shoving the throttle forward for longer on a conventional aircraft?
My question really referred to the relatively unconventional type, which MAY offer somewhat iffy flying qualities in a pretty hostile environment and the test/experimental experience that one might have thought relevant.
Once again, not knocking, before someone gets hold of the wrong end of the stick.
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Ducksoup - I just borrowed that off the BBC website, but Fossett is an experienced pilot - his own GV, amongst other goodies! And no doubt working with the Rutan team is going to broaden his aviation horizons prior to setting off?
I have to agree with the comments regarding the start of the thread re-BA bashing - didn't BA do a little bit of Virgin bashing not so long ago? For all his faults, Branson manages not to take himself too seriously - I liked the picture of him trying out for the Birdman of Bognor - and is always game for a challenge (especially if it promotes his company!).
I have to agree with the comments regarding the start of the thread re-BA bashing - didn't BA do a little bit of Virgin bashing not so long ago? For all his faults, Branson manages not to take himself too seriously - I liked the picture of him trying out for the Birdman of Bognor - and is always game for a challenge (especially if it promotes his company!).
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fernytickles said......
I have to agree with the comments regarding the start of the thread re-BA bashing - didn't BA do a little bit of Virgin bashing not so long ago? For all his faults, Branson manages not to take himself too seriously - I liked the picture of him trying out for the Birdman of Bognor - and is always game for a challenge (especially if it promotes his company!).
Aviate1138 adds.....
Remember the BA diatribe when RB aquired some 747's, how he wouldn't last more than a year or two? At least he wasn't obsessed with buying Boeing for every route. So he is gauche and he is a bit wierd when women are around but he has put his money where his mouth is and although he never misses a trick for Virgin publicity he would make Concorde work - given the right financial and spares setting. The French never liked operating Concorde and dumped it asap. History is going to see Concorde as one of the Golden Girls of Transport despite any minor gripes over noise and cost. I would give RB a chance but it has passed the point of no return.
I have the same dull ache as when I heard about the cancellation of the TSR2.
Such a waste.
Aviate 1138
PS With all the spares available couldn't we keep one on a permit to fly and display at Airshows and UK events? Brit engineering at its best.
I have to agree with the comments regarding the start of the thread re-BA bashing - didn't BA do a little bit of Virgin bashing not so long ago? For all his faults, Branson manages not to take himself too seriously - I liked the picture of him trying out for the Birdman of Bognor - and is always game for a challenge (especially if it promotes his company!).
Aviate1138 adds.....
Remember the BA diatribe when RB aquired some 747's, how he wouldn't last more than a year or two? At least he wasn't obsessed with buying Boeing for every route. So he is gauche and he is a bit wierd when women are around but he has put his money where his mouth is and although he never misses a trick for Virgin publicity he would make Concorde work - given the right financial and spares setting. The French never liked operating Concorde and dumped it asap. History is going to see Concorde as one of the Golden Girls of Transport despite any minor gripes over noise and cost. I would give RB a chance but it has passed the point of no return.
I have the same dull ache as when I heard about the cancellation of the TSR2.
Such a waste.
Aviate 1138
PS With all the spares available couldn't we keep one on a permit to fly and display at Airshows and UK events? Brit engineering at its best.
Ramasseur des pommes
Fossett
Steve Fossett gained the transcontinental US and Australian records in his own Citation X. His website explains all. He's a serial daredevil.
Last edited by AppleMacster; 25th Oct 2003 at 00:48.
Thread Starter
It is Sir Richard himself who uses Concordes retirement as a point scoring exercise against BA.
Sir Richard has not the ability or interest to run a commercial conorde service in my opinion. If he did he would have tried to buy the considerably lower mileage French Concorde fleet that have been available for some time.
BA have engineered a dignified retirement for the fleet and I applaud them in in doing so.
It would be a sad day if Sir Richard acquired them, used them for a very short time to gain publicity then dumped them somewhere doubtless covered in his company logos for posterity.
He has no spares, no hangars, no national agreements to operate, no AOC for the type, no engineers, no pilots, the manufacturer is stopping support for the type and it was always going to retire in just a few years anyway.
Hardly a compelling business case.
Good luck to the record attempt. Just, please, grow up and stop using every event to have a go at BA. Oh, and someone please explain why Sir Richard was wearing a silver flight suit yesterday?
Cheers
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Sir Richard has not the ability or interest to run a commercial conorde service in my opinion. If he did he would have tried to buy the considerably lower mileage French Concorde fleet that have been available for some time.
BA have engineered a dignified retirement for the fleet and I applaud them in in doing so.
It would be a sad day if Sir Richard acquired them, used them for a very short time to gain publicity then dumped them somewhere doubtless covered in his company logos for posterity.
He has no spares, no hangars, no national agreements to operate, no AOC for the type, no engineers, no pilots, the manufacturer is stopping support for the type and it was always going to retire in just a few years anyway.
Hardly a compelling business case.
Good luck to the record attempt. Just, please, grow up and stop using every event to have a go at BA. Oh, and someone please explain why Sir Richard was wearing a silver flight suit yesterday?
Cheers
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It would be a sad day if Sir Richard acquired them, used them for a very short time to gain publicity then dumped them somewhere doubtless covered in his company logos for posterity.
This is a PR battle that Branson has conclusively won. (In the eyes of the public at least). I myself am firmly of the opinion that the thought of Branson running a successful supersonic operation, which BA gave up on, is the prime reason he's not allowed anywhere near them. Whether he could have or not, will always remain a moot point.
Re
BA have engineered a dignified retirement for the fleet
You're right on one point though, Branson did look a tw*t in that silver suit.
Thread Starter
Strafer - you need to understand that Sir Richard couldn't make the service a success in my opinion. Not unless he could charge £20,000+ a ticket; which I think the market would not support.
With the French half of the fleet grounded the BA fleet had to bear all the support costs and that was simply too much. Airbus aren't won't shan't can't support the aircraft any longer. So if you want spare parts forget it. If you want modifcations done to keep it legal forget it. If something goes wrong don't phone the manufacturer.
You CAN'T operate the aircraft for passenger service under this situation whether you are BA, Sir Richard or the man on the moon.
What might have happened is Sir Richard would have publicly tried it and then every other week he would pop up on the telly claiming BA Dirty Tricks because of this or that snag. In the end he might concede defeat and adopt an "aw shucks - I tried but BA beat me" PR attitude.
This would lack dignity for the aircraft and too my mind would not be fair play.
Cheers
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With the French half of the fleet grounded the BA fleet had to bear all the support costs and that was simply too much. Airbus aren't won't shan't can't support the aircraft any longer. So if you want spare parts forget it. If you want modifcations done to keep it legal forget it. If something goes wrong don't phone the manufacturer.
You CAN'T operate the aircraft for passenger service under this situation whether you are BA, Sir Richard or the man on the moon.
What might have happened is Sir Richard would have publicly tried it and then every other week he would pop up on the telly claiming BA Dirty Tricks because of this or that snag. In the end he might concede defeat and adopt an "aw shucks - I tried but BA beat me" PR attitude.
This would lack dignity for the aircraft and too my mind would not be fair play.
Cheers
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Fair enough WWW,
You're right, I don't know all the technical ins and outs, but then neither does Joe Public and they think that Branson should have been given a go. I would say however, that Airbus are the 'manufacturer' for historical reasons. If there had been any political will from either the French or British Gov'ts, then I don't see why the problems could not have been surmounted. They're not as big as designing the thing in the first place after all.
Concorde is a fantastic symbol of the best of British (and maybe some French
) engineering around the world, so should it have qualified for some sort of Govt subsidy for either BA or Virgin? I think yes.
You're right, I don't know all the technical ins and outs, but then neither does Joe Public and they think that Branson should have been given a go. I would say however, that Airbus are the 'manufacturer' for historical reasons. If there had been any political will from either the French or British Gov'ts, then I don't see why the problems could not have been surmounted. They're not as big as designing the thing in the first place after all.
Concorde is a fantastic symbol of the best of British (and maybe some French
) engineering around the world, so should it have qualified for some sort of Govt subsidy for either BA or Virgin? I think yes.
Thread Starter
Well yes. Given the unlimited funds of the Treasury the machine could be kept flying forever.
I think though that it would be improper for the taxpayer to bear the costs of a commercial operation. Those days have long gone and we are the better for it.
Airbus are the manufacturers, they own the plans and employ the engineers and technicians. They alone can make the parts and keep the thing long term serviceable.
Cheers
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I think though that it would be improper for the taxpayer to bear the costs of a commercial operation. Those days have long gone and we are the better for it.
Airbus are the manufacturers, they own the plans and employ the engineers and technicians. They alone can make the parts and keep the thing long term serviceable.
Cheers
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(Warning...thread hijack)
Well, if we're gonna start BA bashing.
I think a big thanks goes to BA for including NATS Heathrow staff, who provided the pointy one with a service day in day out, in their little bash. Especially some of the more experienced guys and gals (our buddy Heathrow Director comes to mind, or some of the 30 years plus controllers)
I know this sounds like sour grapes (and probably is...)........
Well, if we're gonna start BA bashing.
I think a big thanks goes to BA for including NATS Heathrow staff, who provided the pointy one with a service day in day out, in their little bash. Especially some of the more experienced guys and gals (our buddy Heathrow Director comes to mind, or some of the 30 years plus controllers)
I know this sounds like sour grapes (and probably is...)........