747SP in to Bournemouth?

[EGHI_or_bust]

Evening all, I live in Chandlers Ford and earlier this afternoon I saw a 747SP flying over in the direction of Bournemouth.

Can anyone confirm if indeed the plane did land at Bournemouth, and if so why?

Thanks

eghi_or_bust

[amanoffewwords]

Probably VP-BAT - belongs to Qatar Royals I believe.

see http://www.747sp.com/History.asp?21648 among other websites that mentions it - airliners.net got so some nice pictures of it.

[QWERTY9]

The aircraft has been based at Bournemouth for about 3 years now. It flys approx 3-4 times per month and is regularly seen over the Southampton area

[Skijumper27]

747SP

VP-BAT is at the moment Parked on the North side of what was 17/35 close to it's Hangar now.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Here's a snap I took of it at Hurn in January last year..
http://www.brendan-mccartney.fotopic.net/p37604389.html

[merlinxx]

Does it not do the school runs?

[747SP]

747sp

VP-BAT is EX Qatari Royal. not flying alot these days, I would be very surprised if the operation was still around in 5 years. Its managed by Victoria aviation. The crew are lovely and the flight deck really nice chaps and yes the AC is based in Bournmouth

[EGHI_or_bust]

Thanks all !

I was just so taken aback to see one overhead.

Don't often see anything THAT big in the So'ton area

eghi_or_bust

[SpringHeeledJack]

Just out of interest, what sort of schedule would the crew have considering that the plane is only flown a few times a month ? Do they just sit around Bournemouth airport waiting for the call (or perhaps lounging in their gardens on Sandbanks ) OR do they fly for other airlines/operators and work ad/hoc for Victoria/Qatari Emiri ?

Strangely enough i was sitting at my desk on Sunday night and looked up and saw said craft descending through (16,000ft at a guess ) south of London heading in a WSW direction.


Regards


SHJ

[SpringHeeledJack]

Anyone know the answer to my question in the previous post, 747SP in particular ?

1,044 viewings and no answers, come on chaps (and chapesses )


Regards


SHJ

[dixi188]

For about 5years European Air Charted had some ex BA 747-200's and they were often parked at Hurn when not in use. I saw 5 747's at the same time at BOH.
The fusalage of one of them is still outside 427 hangar on the north west side.

[flyvirgin]

I was at the airport for a month and it flew about 6 times, I had to go around when i was on final because it was coming close behind

[Jizkid]

What they do on their days off

To partially answer your question Springheeledjack, I'm having an IR lesson with one of the crew tomorrow

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thanks jizkid (nice name )!

Perhaps you could get the skinny whilst filling in the silent pauses during the lesson I'm just curious, so whatever info would be appreciated. Hoping your lesson goes well.


Regards


SHJ

[747SP]

VP-BAT

Hi Guys

The crew are on standby and live in the south of England and are nicely given at least 24hrs notice sometimes they know well in advance no problems at all with this operation they are part time really! nice job if you can get it in, but no one ever leaves as its a good deal and they only fly the lead pax and do not use the plane for any other reasons other than that. I reckon they fly around 150hrs a year. (if that) hope this helps...

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thankyou 747SP!

Sounds like a nice gig to have, no wonder the crew don't move on

There can't be too many operations like that, especially as the crew is effectively 'home' based and close to their creature comforts, rather than based away or on a 2 on 2 off or variation thereof. Yesterday i spied another of the SP's coming into EGLL from the Saudi Royal Flight, there aren't too many of them about anymore and it's always a pleasure to see one, rather than the generic same same these days.

Thanks again


SHJ

[matkat]

I was thye customer support engineer for VP-BAT whilst under the management of SR Technics STN

[Punch]

747sp's

Come to Stansted,

It has been 747SP heaven for the last 12 days. Oman Royals, Bahrain Royals and Saudi Royals have all been coming and going in their SP's as well as their 400's.

Lovely stuff...

[jackaroo747]

747SP seen at bournemouth

I saw the 747 land at bournemouth airport on Sunday (1st March 2009) and after it landed it taxiied into one of the large hangars. There was no activity around the plane; it just dissapeared into the hangar where presumably the occupants disembarked. Does anyone know why exactly it flies so little and what a Qatar aircraft is doing at an english airport? Is it that it can be used for travel around the country?

Regards, Jack

[dabchick]

Saw the SP over North Wiltshire on Sunday 1st March at about 3pm presumably heading for BOH. Looked great against the blue sky.
Nice to see the old lady where she belongs.