Interesting aircraft - what have you seen on your computer today?
i think you were very brave/naive to have willingly gone in a test-flight of an aircraft after a tailplane replacement!
Back to the civilians working on Military aircraft, in general i'm surprised that so many militaries allow their assets to be out of their sight/security notwithstanding Marshalls reputation and abilities. I get the economics and efficiency of such arrangements, but not the security issues/risks.
Back to the civilians working on Military aircraft, in general i'm surprised that so many militaries allow their assets to be out of their sight/security notwithstanding Marshalls reputation and abilities. I get the economics and efficiency of such arrangements, but not the security issues/risks.
With regard to the security thing; all engineering facilities are subject to inspection and audit by their customers, in regard to security as much as to their technical and operation abilities. Further to that, in my own experience with a quasi-military customer, their aircraft were under constant CCTV surveillance; available to the customer as well as our own staff.
Thank you DD for the first hand view on the civilian/military Mx question.
My 'naivety/bravery' comment was specific to DRUK, whom (I assumed) hitched a ride on an aircraft he hadn't worked on, rather than standing by his handiwork during an air test.
My 'naivety/bravery' comment was specific to DRUK, whom (I assumed) hitched a ride on an aircraft he hadn't worked on, rather than standing by his handiwork during an air test.
Just to clarify, I had worked on the check in question, but at that phase in my training I was pretending to be a leccy, so had merely watched in admiration while my engine/airframe colleagues performed the tailplane replacement.
Given that I survived to tell the tale, my confidence in their handiwork appeared to have been justified, in fact it never occurred to me to doubt it.
Given that I survived to tell the tale, my confidence in their handiwork appeared to have been justified, in fact it never occurred to me to doubt it.
DRUK,
I imagine the air test you went on was a C of A renewal test flight. I acted as observer on quite a few in my younger days and recorded all the data which included engine out climb performance, climb to max altitude, stalling, timing of flap and gear operation, etc.
I imagine the air test you went on was a C of A renewal test flight. I acted as observer on quite a few in my younger days and recorded all the data which included engine out climb performance, climb to max altitude, stalling, timing of flap and gear operation, etc.
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Penzance/Scillies AW139 G-PNZH came over this morning and into Biggin, heading towards the hangars in the SE corner, presumably Castle Air. I know the Skybus Twin Otters used to visit occasionally for maintenance - would have thought service operator Sloane would be doing the major spanner stuff at Sywell. Will be down in PZ in a month's time, not planning on a trip across to St Marys - this time any way!
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Could hear him perfectly, seeing was another matter, sky looks so clear after all apres le deluge! A good angle on the sun eventually gave away his position...
Audible inside at City Airport as well. Put two wine glasses just touching on a table, and get a little bit of mechanical energy transmitted all the way down from a 1960s classic aircraft !
Wasn't it a lovely full-bodied sound ?
Put a smile on my face to the bemusement of those i was near with my head upturned to see the perpetrator, which was successful after some squinting. ;-)
Put a smile on my face to the bemusement of those i was near with my head upturned to see the perpetrator, which was successful after some squinting. ;-)
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Well I missed that one! RAF C-17 and C-130 right over the top at 11am - at 1500' ASL! Part of the Lord Mayor's Show apparently. Mate in S Croydon said they were in the clag though. Didn't even hear them where I was a couple miles away...
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Think I saw something about a carrier in at Stokes Bay this month?
It seemed to be coming up from off the coast of Spain/France. Whatever, I find the choice of LGW unusual compared with dropping in at Northolt, or one of the USAF bases. Possibly off the USS Gerald R Ford carrier that will be off Gosport all next week apparently.
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/nuclear...ent-next-week/
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/nuclear...ent-next-week/
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The Greyhound is back over the other side of the Channel now. Also a USN MH-60 out of Newquay just Plymouth at the mo.
If I had time to pop down to Pompey next week to see the Gerald Ford, I might just have been tempted!
If I had time to pop down to Pompey next week to see the Gerald Ford, I might just have been tempted!
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Some large circular contrails over the UK this morning, possibly still being made, but no obvious candidate showing online - military or civil.
Edit - Gulfstream 5 N628BD seems to be creating some of them, at FL350. Holding for some reason, having flown in from KSAV?
Edit - Gulfstream 5 N628BD seems to be creating some of them, at FL350. Holding for some reason, having flown in from KSAV?
Last edited by UnderASouthernSky; 13th Nov 2022 at 06:44.