We have all heard a lot of aviation related waffle regarding the possible return to UK shores of various airframes, both flying and in crates, the recent one about a Shackleton springs quickly to mind followed by the Gannet, each with various calls for there restoration for flight ect which has always led to deep discussion regarding the viability of such an effort almost always ended by dark reference to the attitude of the CAA in the matter, but it has always interested me that little has been said regarding the current project to restore XH558 to flight and the fact that this is indeed a watershed for the CAA in allowing this project to proceed to return such a large complexed airframe to flight all be it under a restricted capacity proving that not only can it be done given the right approach to the relevant ministry, but in certain cases it should be done for historic and educational reasons, a few years ago the very idea of allowing a large very complex four engined aircraft to be not just refurbished by an private organisation but actually flown in UK airspace was something that was thought to be quite beyond consideration, yet here we are weeks away from returning such a project to the air again and few have considered the implications of this event to airframes such as the Shackleton, Buccaneer or Gannet to name only three, and while I agree that some aircraft are considering there service records best left well and truly on the ground for good, quite a number have now become possible candidates for such treatment as is currently being received by 558, so not withstanding the naysayers ect I believe this is a good starting point for other such projects to begin planning for the future before it really is to late.
By: WL747 - 7th April 2007 at 19:48
Shack in UK
Even if you did respar it, who is going to pay to sponsor it?
I’d imagine the Shack would cost a fortune to run…. That’s one implication that has surely been thought of….
– – – Thinks “Red Bull Shack?” :dev2:
By: Atlantic1 - 7th April 2007 at 19:03
In the case of the Shackleton, if we replace the main spar we could fly it in the UK. It’s just the £3 million + it would take to do this, which we don’t have, that is stopping it happening.
Tom.
By: Ewan Hoozarmy - 7th April 2007 at 18:34
There’s an awful lot of people who slag the authorities off (not just the CAA) ‘cos its the thing to do without really knowing the policy or reasons why aircraft are not permitted to fly. I know that a lot of people in the CAA have been very positive in getting this Vulcan project ‘off the ground’, but there are always hoops to jump through and as Melv says, most of the time the hoops cost money and time. A project of this size doesn’t happen in 5 minutes.
The Vulcan will fly, just needs a lot of time, money and enthusiasm spent and it will get there.
Same goes for the Buccaneer – HHAs Bucc at Scampton should fly this year;)
PS. Anyone fancy getting Concorde airworthy again?
By: LesB - 7th April 2007 at 17:25
As I understand it the whole question of aircraft such as those mentioned being allowed to fly in the UK comes down, fundementally, to whether or not a ‘manufacturer’ is prepared to take on the mantle of ‘responsibile authority’ for their airworthiness – ie BAe.
.
By: cypherus - 7th April 2007 at 13:03
Sorry about the length of the post. Was extracted and condensed from another even longer report but the content was the issue really.
For those of us lowly souls on the fringe of the 558 project your comments on finances have been under discussion since day one and subject to the group breaking with it’s tradition of total silence on the matter and finally offering up a business plan on this one I personally cannot see a way forwards.
It all seems to revolve around sponsorship and as such dealings are by there very nature secretive we are not likely to hear much until any such deals are signed up, we have been lucky to date, that money has been drummed up but without a large sponsorship deal, who knows.
As for the air show side of things, we have been assured that this is in hand, though again no details, though I am sure given the team involved each venue will be looked at with a view to multiple airings on each flight to cover the costs possibly making it more affordable to smaller venues, even so costs per hour are going to be horrendous.
Still they have made it this far so I can and will do nothing but wish them well for the future.
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 7th April 2007 at 10:15
Do you ever breathe, I got breathless just reading that.
…………………………
These may be useful (just joshing)
A 309 word sentance may take an award!
In answer, lots of people have discussed at great length this very subject and one or two of them have even made sense.
Each aicraft is dealt with case by case. For example Lightnings are unlikely to fly because of the complexity issue, the high level or servicing they require between each flight and the loss levels they sustained in service.
There are people working with (and that is the key, no one works against) the CAA to try to get other types in the air but the bottom line is always money. There are precious few airshows that can afford complex jets and if the money is not there to book them at shows then it is also not there to invest in maintenence. There are exceptions, clearly Mike Beachyhead has a very efficient and professional set up in South African and can afford the maintenence but few people in this country could or would. There is no return on money invested.
We have yet to see if the Vulcan will make it. It is not clear how they will be funded once the aeroplane is flying and there are no more than about four shows in the country big enough to take it.
If it does succeed it will not be the way they have orgnaised the engineering that gets scrutinised by others wishing to do the same but they way they organise the finance.
And the Vulcan people are still giving no clues as to how they might do this. According to the last thing I saw there was still nothing in the pot for anything after June. It still may end up being a very expensive static restoration to a very high standard, which would be a shame for the people that have given har earned cash and for the people that have their livelihoods on the line.
I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for things like Buccaneers just yet.
Sign In
April 7, 2007 at 10:00 am