Blair gets greenlight for "Blairforce 1"

Even our little dictator Johnny Howard has his own Air Force 737BBJ

Your point was that the Queens Flight, which I interpreted as No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, used Heathrow, which most of the time they don’t, as they are based in Northolt, and operate out of there.

Obviously when a commercial airliner is chartered it usually operates out of Heathrow. Obviously other airports are used around London, but predominantly the RAF flights use Northolt and any subcharted commercial airliners use Heathrow.

Hmmm… when The Blessed Anthony and his entourage go off on a jolly – sorry, I mean “overseas visit vital to Britain’s global interests” – in a RAF VC10 or BA B777 (or, as it may be, in a borrowed DC-8 that subsequently breaks down leaving him stranded in South Africa), I’d be more than a little surprised if they took off from Northolt’s 1690m runway 07/25.

This was my understanding- – you can’t just put a large commercial jet down at any airbase:D

Even the BAE146’s frequently go from Heathrow, the Royal Suite was built for that purpose. RAF Northolt is where the Queen’s Flight is based, but they position elsewhere to actually fly the Royals around.

If you’re wondering, just put Airport on and you’ll see what I mean:D

Hmmm… when The Blessed Anthony and his entourage go off on a jolly – sorry, I mean “overseas visit vital to Britain’s global interests” – in a RAF VC10 or BA B777 (or, as it may be, in a borrowed DC-8 that subsequently breaks down leaving him stranded in South Africa), I’d be more than a little surprised if they took off from Northolt’s 1690m runway 07/25.

But not, I suspect, as surprised as the good burghers of Northolt…….. :D:D:D

Woud’nt even give them a barage ballon, Blair force One , Blarefarce one more like and a usuall we get the privilage to pay for it

Very rarely, RAF Northolt is predominantly used.

my case in point.
Thank you Mark

The Queen’s Flight uses Heathrow (Royal Suite) for almost all ex-London flights, as does Blair. I don’t see any reason that they’d change.

Very rarely, RAF Northolt is predominantly used.

If the Royal Suite at LHR is good enough for Her Majesty, then it’s more than good enough for some damn politician or other. 🙂

Fancy Sandy suggesting a Boeing….. :rolleyes:

The Queen’s Flight uses Heathrow (Royal Suite) for almost all ex-London flights, as does Blair. I don’t see any reason that they’d change.

He’ll use Civilian airfileds yes, but not as a basis. And Blair currently uses a BA 777. I doubt it would be permitted or feasable (in the sense of the budget) to ferry the aircraft to a military airfield.
At any rate, buying an Aircraft just because it can get into LCY would be liducrous in this situation.

Here, theres an idea. Use the worlds longest range commercial aircraft as Blairforce 1 the 772LR. With an interior suited to just Blair and his cronies (read lighter than commercialy configured), the 772LR should easily be able to reach any airport in the world. 😉

Its not going to happen, but i would like to see Blair get an A380, just so on some diplomatic p-ssup/mission he can park next to Airforce 1 :p

Anyway does anyone here honestly think that if Blairforce 1 goes head, he’ll use commercial airports? He’ll use mil,itary ones for ease of access

Not disputing this, but when Queenie flies into EDI she has her own little ‘hut’ which is situated in between the main taxiway and the cargo area. All it is is a little (permanent) porto-cabin with some luxuries inside it. There are a few people who are proud to say they’ve gone for a number 2 in the Queens toilet. Especially in one case when there were workmen in there and one of them didn’t flush and the Queen was the next person in there….. 🙂

Common sense would be massively in favour of the points you make, Sandy.

Sadly, common sense plays little part in the political decision-making process.

In the current political and ideological climate I feel that these aircraft are highly likely to end up funded by one of the Chancellor’s beloved Private Finance Initiatives or Public Private Partnerships – meaning that the sole criterion for success will be the notional saving to the taxpayer (in reality, the size of the profit made by the selected “service provider” :rolleyes: ) and that the chosen “solution” will inevitably be the cheapest and tackiest.

Anyway does anyone here honestly think that if Blairforce 1 goes head, he’ll use commercial airports? He’ll use mil,itary ones for ease of access (relatively) and imediate departure capability, not the mention the security and the fact the plane would undoubtely be flown my the RAF.

The Queen’s Flight uses Heathrow (Royal Suite) for almost all ex-London flights, as does Blair. I don’t see any reason that they’d change.

I think he should own a A318 now LCY can fly them.

James

Thats weakest argument for why one should choose a particular aircraft I have ever seen. Sorry mate… but selecting the A318 just because it can fly into LCY is not reason at all.
What abouts its range? or lack thereof?

Anyway does anyone here honestly think that if Blairforce 1 goes head, he’ll use commercial airports? He’ll use mil,itary ones for ease of access (relatively) and imediate departure capability, not the mention the security and the fact the plane would undoubtely be flown my the RAF.

I think he should own a A318 now LCY can fly them.

James

Has mr Blair ever used an L1011 before 😀

In the short term it wont effect their jobs but in the long term it will keep them employed by the time it takes to produce the parts they are involved in as by no means is an order guarenteed to replace this order (allbeit potential). The media and opposition would have a field day if they didnt choose airbus also!

The argument about parts is a non starter.
There are plenty of parts made and plenty of engineering tasks to go around anyway. The A320 line is booming and 1 more aircraft will not make the slightest difference.

Now… if the Blairforce fleet were to consist of 20 or 30 or even 40 aircraft, then it would make a heck of a difference and should go to Airbus.

At any rate, the argument RE the press and media is spot on!

Besides, theres nothing stopping the government picking up a cheap second hand jet and outfitting it accordingly. If they go down that route… anything is possible.

It’s the same way that ministers drive (drove) Jags, to promote British industry. The Toyota Prius is another matter….

Like Andrew says they’d be slaughtered in the press if they go Boeing, now’s not a good time for the UK to buy American.

In the short term it wont effect their jobs but in the long term it will keep them employed by the time it takes to produce the parts they are involved in as by no means is an order guarenteed to replace this order (allbeit potential). The media and opposition would have a field day if they didnt choose airbus also!

If it goes ahead, it would be a disgrace if it goes to Boeing… The government should support British workers by buying a European aeroplane, that is in this case an Airbus 319.

Andy

Thats being a tad xenophobic, don’t you think?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for supporting British, but the British workers you speak of will be in work regardless if one CJ is ordered or not. The A320 family has a healthy backlog and will not be loosing workers anytime soon. 1 single CJ or even 5 is not going to make that much of a difference.

I’d understand if Airbus were about to cut some dead weight.