Latest on the Manchester spotters board is that it is now due out between 1000 and 1230 local tomorrow (Thursday).

Have now been informed that it will now not depart until tomorrow as it has not met the departure restriction of 1615z set by MAN airport authorities

just out of curiosity, how many of these AN-225's are flying, how many still exist and how many were built?

Thanks

Rick

ive been again this morning and this afternoon. it didnt meet the deadline for going today as they was still loading it.

is it transporting a stage for a concert? or just equipment? at this rate there wont be a cancert!

anyone got a deffinate time for it going?

There's only the one flying at the moment with a second partially built stored in Kiev...

Just for info here's difference between A380 and 225 :E

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ggestAN225.jpg

VEEPS

Makes the 380 look like a twitcher!

Heard this before
 

I'm due to fly on the dream, and have been since Monday. At midday today we were given Thunderbirds are go, imagine my disappointment when at 17.00 we were told, yet again, that we had missed our window! However, bags are on plane, push back scheduled for 10.30, raise the nose, kneel the plane, load the tow-bar, lower the nose, avoid the lamp-posts, taxi somewhere, wait four minutes (according to pilot) for the screen to defrost(engines to warm at full power),take off, drink large quantities of chinese vodka(not as good as russian-unavailable due to direct flight from China instead of planned return to Kiev).
Repeat above after landing at Tripoli, arrive Lagos 0030(gods willing). Unload, build stage, gig, reload, return to somewhere in UK, no doubt on Nigerian vodka.
TBC.
Can't believe I'm getting the chance to fly on her and girlfriend is homicidally jealous!

Chocks away, cerdo

Very impressive. Flew into MAN on a jet2 146 today - AN225 looks like its Dad...

This is my charter. Pushback approved for 0900z - will take 15 mins to stow towbar. Departure set for 0930z via Tripoli to Lagos. Will keep you advised on arrival back in UK.

VP8, thanks for showing the difference between the three biggies!!
I was there today to watch her fly out @1730hrs she was still there and had her nose raised! at that time a bloke quickly packed his kit up and started to depart the scene, he had been on a different frequency than me and told us all that the controller had just told another pilot that a new slot had been issued to her for 0900hrs Thursday?
PS: don't shoot the messenger :E

An-225
 

My partner is supposed to fly on her tomorrow. His bags are on and they are scheduled for push back at 1030 local so expect to fly at 1100/1130/1200(after the last few days I'm not holding my breath). Forecast is rain so audio possibly better than visual. Hope someone gets to see her as I won't now because my boss is very mean. Jealous just about covers it but I'll still be gutted if he doesn't get to go!

Excuse my ignorance, but maybe someone can assist me with some info...


I don't really understand why the AN-225's departure is being put back hours at a time due to "airport slots".

I know that the aircraft takes up several more slots than a smaller a/c and there may well be airport taxiway issues when it is rolling out to depart, btu i just don't understand the huge delays involved.

Manchester is not an overly busy airport and certainly accepts short-notice charter operations for smaller aircraft.

It was mentioned about the fire cover/emergency services and why this meant that the aircraft could not depart late at night- does MAN not have adequate fire cover for any size of aircraft at this time? Surely it has cover for the later night 747s, A330s and any diverts?

Unless of course, the delays are to do with en route tech-stopping and overflights meaning the aircraft can only operate on it's route at certain times of the day????

The issues were that the only route to the runway (due to wingspan) requires 9 stands to be closed and a massive exercise with closing roads etc. After pushback it takes at least 15 minutes to stow the towbar so the taxiway is blocked. It then will take a minimum of 15 minutes to taxi for departure. Once lined up, the takeoff procedure involves running all engines at high power for at least 5-6 minutes prior to brake release. We have been given approval for an 0900z.

Pics
 

http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg

http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/UR-8...1006_small.jpg

Hi there, has this left manchester now ?

any more news onwhen its going and what runway ?

thanks.........matt

Has it departed yet? :eek:

Any updates?

Just watched it go! Fantastic, pure Thunderbirds........

An-225 departs MAN.
 

Taxied out to R/wy 24 L as expected. (partly using R/wy 24R)
Held on apron of 24 L (the concrete bit before the tarmac runway itself starts) whilst engine warm-ups were gone through.
Then was held to allow BMI Emberarer to depart on 24 R.
Departed at 12.07.
Didn't use any more R/wy than a fully laden 747 would.
VERY BIG, very impressive & NOT as noisy as I was expecting.
If I can figure out how, I'll try to post the video of its departure.

Well worth waiting 3 days. Horrible weather today by 24L but special & unique occasion. Used much less runway than I imagined.
I have a short piece of video if anybody is interested or can advise where to post.