Cameron's latest jaunt

[Gulf4uk]

That DC8 was real Nice HB-IGH
Photos: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-72 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net Picture there for those that
dont remember it Sadly i believe went for scrap in USA

Tony

[Gove N.T.]

"Want to be taken seriously internationally? Have the basics to get your people from A to B in safety and a little style."

I suggest that this charter is doing everyone a bit of good.
It's money for the airline being paid for by the company representatives in the group. Virgin flies to Delhi & Bombay - with more expected.

Having a "government airplane" sitting around is hugely expensive - a complete waste of money. Can you think of the sock sandalled lib dems and greens moaning about pollution blah blah

Stick to charters - it's cheaper and the onus is on the airline to make sure it's fit for purpose

[N707ZS]

They have been cutting A319s up at St Athan recently I wonder what they would of cost to refurbish for the Northolt squadrons.

[Skipness One Echo]

Having a "government airplane" sitting around is hugely expensive - a complete waste of money.

So the Germans are just moneny wasters? Previously such aircraft were part of the RAF and drawn from normal trooping and medevac duties. A VC10 has the same passenger load as a B737 btw, and 10SQ was good at what they did. Medevac, trooping and VIP rolled into one. That's what we need, only a particular tabloid view sees that as "govt aircraft sitting doing nothing." It's a state asset, ideally well used. Everyone wins as we have it in times of need.

[paully]

Skipness

You are very right indeed. Its about time we had these sort of multi role aircraft available. The problem is the politicos..no nothing let alone balls, they always listen to the..``spending needs to be on NHS blah blah..education blah blah `` brigade, not to mention the looney tree huggers. I despair

[crewmeal]

Paully - you are forgetting foreign aid as well!

[Guest 112233]

Just an idea

Surely the PM can hire a Gulf-stream V or similar for his jaunts . A BBJ for the hangers on, or a "Victorville" recent placement, nice and shiny, cut the red tape. If it lights up it goes, MPNS/RVSM is for wimps - Point the beast in the right general direction FL275 +/- 1500 ft or so with an astrolobe and compass or two, spare wheel, diplomatic clearance, supply of Pims + crisps and the world's your oyster.

CAT III

[SLF-Flyer]

Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloon. Get four members of the Cabinet (from any party) in the basket and you have free fuel, plus it would keep going for years.

[Wycombe]

....and if the balloon goes pop it would be no sad loss

[ATNotts]

SKipness

You're absolutely right. If the head of state, or the PM is strutting the world stage it shouldn't be on a commercial airline. Imagine arriving at, say the G8, when Putin, Obama, Hollande, The Japanese PM (can't remember his name) and everyone else arrives in "State" transport, and Cameron turns up in a commercial airliner that simply doesn't stand out from the crowd - plenty of dim journos (and there are plenty of dim journos!) would probably think he'd turned up on a scheduled service.

Hardly the impression a world player (if that's what the the UK really is) wantsto give.

[DX Wombat]

An Andover of the Queen's Flight

The crest:



For those for whom English appears to be a second language and who do not wish to appear completely ignorant and uneducated, I feel I should let you know that the correct terms are: would have, could have, should have etc, NOT would of, could of, etc.

[Jamie-Southend]

Amen be jeezus

[airsmiles]

I'd personally vote for a A340-500 or two, which are cheap at the moment, and I'd have a new Royal/Government Yacht.

We aim too low and should be selling ourselves to the world, but we pitch ourselves as a cash-strapped nation who muddles through in a rudderless way. The fact is state aircraft and ships can be valuable sales tools, medical/emergency evacuation equipment, floating trade missions and the VIP transport element is secondary. Only luddites get het up about effective use of cash on such things.

Anyone for some truly visionary politicians with balls to create some policies that will lead the country out of its current mess? Step one - believe in yourself. Step two - forget the short-termist rhetoric and start laying the fundamental building blocks for growth.

[Skipness One Echo]

I'd personally vote for a A340-500 or two, which are cheap at the moment

That would potentially be a good deal, some commonaility with the A330s that are coming and enough room for VIPs and press.

[Need to Know Basis]

VIIP

The Queen should have an aircraft. She is the Head of State and deserves it especilaly with all those sales trips flogging stuff to the Qataris.

Politicians, Prime Minister and assorted hangers on ? Private Jet - no way. Lowest form of life.All of them. We should have used the Expenses scandal and lead them all out to Parliament Square to the gallows or firing squad or both. Never should a low life Politician be extended such a priviledge. Best we could do is pay for a Ryan Air ticket and prefereably one way and they still have to pay for their own coffee.

[airsmiles]

I appreciate the sentiment 'Need to Know Basis' but the fact is our Politicians should also be out there selling the country as well and should use the same tools as the Head of State. The fact that most politicians are seen as worse than dog do's now is a separate issue.

I hear Singapore Airlines are selling their A340-500's back to Airbus and Thai International also have some for sale. These are supremely capable aircraft that are not economically viable for airlines, and are the perfect Government aircraft. An alternative would be the B777-200LR which is another capable Ultra Long-haul aircraft that isn't economically justified by airlines.

Message for the Government: For god's sake stop scratching your arses and tinkering around the edges; make some sweeping decisions and get on with it!