Lockheed L1011 Tristar returning to the skies
 

According TristarBlog and the press-release of AGD SYSTEMS Corporation USA, six of ex-RAF machines will be shortly put into service on behalf of AGD...so, good news for the L15 // L11 drivers, techs and lovers.

TriStar500.net News: AGD Systems takes six TriStars from RAF

AGD SYSTEMS Corporation Announces Capabilities with Addition of Six (6) Tristar L-1011 Tankers for Aerial Refueling, Cargo and Medivac Missions - PR.com

According AGD, they already have FAA civil regs reserved.

A great airplane for its time.

But, today, who supports all the parts and maintenance?

Maintenance of an L1011 is a big deal.

9 tons of fuel per hour is another one.

Not a good start. The email for AGD doesn't work.

Lovely aeroplane to fly in,pilots aeroplane but difficult to maintain when new and increasingly difficult as they got older.Required more man hours and spares than contemporaries such as B747. It was a weird mix of the primitive, (rudder trim) and the advanced (Direct lift control system)The hydraulic service centre seemed like a good idea but was usually swimming in Skydrol and with the hot APU duct running through it working in there became impossible at times.Cannot really complain - made me a lot of money!

This must be the 'imminent' rumour that was going around at the time of last years Bruntingthorpe May BH airshow.

The TriStar fuel consumption was certainly well above that expected of more modern types, but 9 tonnes/hour sounds far too high to me. Maybe at TOC with a heavy aircraft? My memory is of an average in the region of 7 tonnes/hour for a -500 though I have to admit my memory dates back over a quarter of a centuary .

Looking at the TriStar blog I see that Orbital Sciences continue to use their L1011 as a satellite launch vehicle and this is said to be the only L1011 currently active. Does this mean those aircraft used by shadowy Middle Eastern operators on UN charter work have finally been grounded ?

The TriStar Blog also mentions that an attempt was made to revive a L1011 at La Ceiba,Honduras, for a ferry flight which appears not to have happened. Presumably this is the aircraft that was involved in 411A's last flight which was well discussed here a couple of years ago

To TAGRON:

My mistake. Thought the Tristar was equipped with CF-6's.
An interpollation with the A300 made me comment this.

Early in the morning, I guess.

Great news; they were going fairly cheap IIRC.

I take it this is not the same American buyer who were in talks to buy them back in March? That sale fell through last I heard.

My mind might be confusing me (again), but didn't Lockheed Martin withdraw engineering/certification support in the last year or so ? I also seem to recall that there were only 2 SIMS left, one being the RAF one and the other in Miami (?). Whatever, it's nice to see these older types getting another go before becoming scrap even if their economics isn't quite that expected of most operators these wafer thin margin days.


SHJ

FAA Regos. already allocated:

FAA Registry - Aircraft - Make / Model Inquiry

The problem with the tristar in Honduras was not in any way involved with this.
From my understanding from ones i the know its the owners default on bills owed.
This airplane could have been flying today.
Arab owner is at fault here, now sitting years in all that humidity not a good deal.
411 was a friend of mine and i know others involved with this one.

Interesting that N596Ah is still on the registry. It was broken up some years ago at KMIA.