Thanks Skiddy!

I know G-PLAJ is doing the IOM-LBA run, I suspect G-CCPW is doing the BHD then? I know BHD aren't keen on certain aircraft types using their field, I seem to remember FlyKeen were told to change their aircraft type from a EMB 110 at the earliest opportunity as BHD didn't think it was doing much for the airports business image. I'd imagine they are the same about BPS and their LET410 and possibly even Metro.

Further to my last, a little bird tells me another Let, OK-RDA, will arrive on the island tomorrow afternoon. Routing BRQ-LGG-IOM, it should arrive around 14.30.
skiddy

I suppose that "D-CLAS" should read "D-CSAL" ? To the best of ky knowledge, there is no Metro "D-CLAS" on the German register.

Anyway, FLM used to operate two Metros on behalf of German regional airline Dauair which went bancrupt last summer. Good to see that they found a new long-term contract.

Ooops!! The dreaded dyslexia fairy strikes again! :} But, I am vindicated by "ky" ! ;)

They both have stickers saying they are operated by FLM Aviation.

skiddy

CSAL it is
 

Definitly is CSAL. Flew in it myself out of BLK to IOM few days ago when L410 wasnt oparating for some reason. Grate flight and cheap, Realy nice leather interior , cute captain:ok: (no I'm not gay, it was a fraulein):D but you wouldnt want to be a trolley dolley on a Metro!Noooossirr:eek:

BA A320-100s
 

I have just read that BA are in the process of scrapping the older A320-100 series. Anyone know the histories of G-BUSB and G-BUSD, the approx age of them, hours etc? Also I wonder why BA could not have sold them on? Any thoughts..............

Thanks,
The Cav:cool:

Cor, the old British Caledonian A320s - they'll be getting on for 20 years old now, I didn't imagine BA would still have them!

Maybe MCO is better for you as a skipper but as SLF I'd choose SFB over MCO every time. Much quicker to get through the airport and get on your way
at Sanford then all the fannying about retrieving your baggage once only to have to send it off again whilst you get a transit across to the other side of the airport and retrieve your baggage all over again. It can take hours from touchdown to pulling out of the car park at Orlando International.

They first flew Nov 87 and Feb 88 respectively, so both getting on for 20 years old.

BA have sold them on - to a parts dealer. I am sure this was the highest price that was offered for them, otherwise someone else would have got them. I presume it was time for a D-check which would have cost more than they were worth to BA. They have lasted longer in the BA fleet than many of the 757s did.

BA 777 G-VIIL parked at Heathrow
 

I fly out of Heathrow every Monday morning. Last Monday (29th Jan) I noticed a 777 parked outside one of the BA hangers (No idea what the designation for the hanger is, it's the first one you pass on the Eastern Perimeter Road coming from the Roundabout outside Hatton Cross Station) Nothing particularly unusual about that. What did seem odd was that there appeared to be plastic covering a number of sections of the leading edge of the Starboard wing.

Being outside the maintenance Hanger I thought nothing more of it. However on my way home on Friday I noticed it was still parked there, and again today (5th Feb). It would surprise me if BA had an aircraft sitting around for week doing nothing. Does anyone know if there's a reason why it been sat there for a week?

Probably because that aircraft is affectionatly known as G-VILE by the crew who operate in it!!!! :}

Maybe they are finally about to give it the overhaul it needs!!!

G-VIIL is a 777-200 powered by GE90 engines and is based at LGW. I could be wrong but if I remember right it's a 3-class aircraft.
As far as I am aware this aircraft is going through some overhauling and was rostered to be off the schedule for some time, in fact a LHR-based 777 has been sent to LGW to replace it in the meantime. This is not an unusual thing, it has happened a few times before.

If you need more info I believe the guys in the spotters' forum have more details.

FBW :)

Ah but FBW....G-VIIL has been operating a fair few flights up at LHR in the last year. I have actually been on it twice since I transferred from LGW to LHR!!! And its still in bits! hehe!

Not very scientific, but a quick search of the downloads from this site suggests that G-VIIL has been operating regularly from LHR during October, November and December, but not from LGW.

Mind you, is this really SLF forum material? ;)

Well as much as I'd like to believe that the 90+ flights I take a year qualified me to sit at the pointy end of the Aircraft, it seemed that SLF (for that is what I am) was the best Forum.

I was wondering if the protective sheets on the wing might suggest that G-VIIL had bumped into something it shouldn't have, it would explain why it's been parked in the same place for over a week now.

apaddyinuk, are you saying the interior is in need of a refit or that the actual airframe isn't as reliable as other in the fleet?

Cheers,
anotherpaddyinuk.

paddy is cabin crew. He/she may have an interest in the pointy end, but is not qualified to comment on airworthiness issues, imho.

Probably find that parts have been "Robbed " from this aircraft to keep another ( or several others ) flying......if VIIL was on maintenance anyway it is a easy source of parts , rather than going AOG for them. Problems do mount up if the robberies get out of control........also the recording of which part is where is complicated ( BA has a awfull computer system called EWS which is commonly known as Engineering Without Spares ............:mad: )

Can even get to the "Rolling Robbery " situation where the next hangar input aircraft is robbed to make the last one serviceable, and so on........

Well....that's as far as I know (company crewlink messages over the last couple of months).
However as for aircraft in bits, I can sympathise. I did a research on some of our 737s and one of them in particular (which is so knackered that is actually annoying me now) is almost as old as me and always in pieces in the hangar at LGW :uhoh: So I know the feeling!!! We have nicknames for some of them too.....all of them x-rated though :}

Hahahahahahaha!! Thanks for that!!! PMSL :E :ok:

Damn, the tongue in cheek on this website is totally lost on some people!!!:}

Let me explain...the plane is in bits...e.g...inside nothing works, ovens knackered, bev makers knackered, IFE failing all the time. Carpets lifting at the edges, draughty, A/C packs noisy, stinky loos etc etc! The planes totally airworthy Im sure, Id hardly get on it if I had doubts! :yuk:

But I have reason to believe that the V regs may not be with us for too much longer. The Z regs are already on the way out!