Gleaned from elsewhere
Euro Charges threaten Sally B
The future of the UK’s sole remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF
Sally B is seriously threatened because of new EU third party liability insurance requirements effective from 1st May 2005.EU Regulation 785/2004 imposes new minimum third party liability insurance requirements for aircraft operators, with bands according to maximum take-off weight. Other privately operated vintage aircraft come under Band 5, but Sally B, as the only B-17, comes under Band 6, the same as a commercial Boeing 737, requiring a staggering £65 million in third party liability insurance cover (at the moment she carries a prudent £25 million). The legislation seems simply not to have taken account of heavy historic aircraft such as Sally B. For B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe, this means having to find an additional £25,000 per year. That’s an astonishing £1,000 extra per flying hour, on top of the aircraft’s already extensive insurance premium. Keeping this unique historic aircraft flying has always been a massive struggle, fraught with difficulty. But a regulation of this magnitude is totally illogical, unjust and beyond comprehension.
This year is Sally B’s 30th of flying in this country without any official funding, thanks to a dedicated team of volunteer professionals, Supporters Club members and charitable donations. But instead of being a year of celebration, the future of this important and well-loved piece of our national heritage is seriously threatened. Despite this, Elly maintains a positive attitude, saying: “We are not giving up, but actively lobbying the Government to grant us an exemption. I’m not saying the rules are wrong, but there should be scope for exemptions for aircraft such as ours. Your readers can support our efforts by protesting in writing to their MPs – contact details can be found at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp. They can also help by making a donation to Sally B’s own charity, The B-17 Charitable Trust. We will do everything humanly possible to find a solution, and I can confirm that Sally B will fly this year, so enjoy her while you can and see exactly what this country could lose forever because of this law.” Elly says she has great faith in the British public coming to Sally B’s aid, even if the Government doesn’t, in the form of sponsorship and those much-needed charitable donations to The B-17 Charitable Trust.
As the official US Army Air Force Second World War Memorial Flight, Sally B flies in memory of the 79,000 US airmen who lost their lives in Europe during the Second World War. As well as the aircraft’s 30th Anniversary in the UK, 2005 is her own 60th birthday. It is also the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and Sally B’s mission is to educate young and old of this important period in history. There will be a national outcry if Sally B is lost to this country because of this new Euro law, and her loss to today’s and future generations would be a great tragedy.
Moggy 😡 🙁
By: sniperUK - 22nd April 2005 at 19:00
The USA calls it Independance Day in the UK we call it Thanksgiving Day 😀
By: Yak 11 Fan - 22nd April 2005 at 16:32
‘IF’ it gets restored and make it into the air then it will most likely have to abide by the same rules….
By the time this happens however the rules will have changed again…. Pluss we will have run out of fuel to fly the thing and besides which I’ll be so old by then I won’t be able to make it to airshows to see it….
By: craig.mason - 22nd April 2005 at 16:06
What ‘long term display at airshows’ might that be, Craig?
when the restoration is completed and it takes to the air again will it be affected by these stupid eu laws thats all i am asking
By: Moggy C - 22nd April 2005 at 12:20
I’m a little confused by the title of this thread.
Blame it on jet lag Mike.
(Actually I had meant to put a ‘?’ at the end of the title)
Moggy
By: Moggy C - 22nd April 2005 at 12:18
Moggy,
I was referering to the American Revolution, which by chance started 331 years ago this week. 😀
RER
And that got you out of the Union of American States did it? Sorry, hadn’t heard.
How does the Revolution of which you speak relate to the one that started in April 1775, about 230 years back?
Moggy
By: crazymainer - 22nd April 2005 at 12:11
Did it?
When exactly did Maine leave the Union? I understood you were still dictated to by a Federal administration based in Washington.
Moggy
Moggy,
I was referering to the American Revolution, which by chance started 331 years ago this week. 😀
RER
By: craig.mason - 22nd April 2005 at 11:27
No.
It only applies to flyers.
Moggy (Runs for cover)
what i meant was when it finally takes to the air again how will this stupid law affect the vulcan’s long term display at airshows has it thrown a spanner in the work’s
By: setter - 22nd April 2005 at 11:09
Hi Mike
Glad you are back safe and sound – how many pics?
Hows the Yank
Say Hi to Annia (Spelling?) for me – did she enjoy her shopping trip while you were away!!!!
Kindest regards to you both
John P
By: setter - 22nd April 2005 at 10:54
Hi Mike
Where exactly are you at present?
Sally B has apparently been flying in the past few days so someone must have cashed up?
To All
How much does it cost to insure a B17 in the US as a comparison.
John P
By: Moggy C - 22nd April 2005 at 09:36
My god I think its time you take a chapter from are history and start a small little Revolution it worked for us :diablo:
RER
Did it?
When exactly did Maine leave the Union? I understood you were still dictated to by a Federal administration based in Washington.
Moggy
By: Auster Fan - 22nd April 2005 at 09:26
No.
It only applies to flyers.
Moggy (Runs for cover)
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 Want to borrow my tin hat??!!
By: Moggy C - 22nd April 2005 at 08:35
No.
It only applies to flyers.
Moggy (Runs for cover)
By: craig.mason - 22nd April 2005 at 08:08
will this idiotic eu idea affect the vulcan 558 aswell?
By: crazymainer - 22nd April 2005 at 00:32
Ok Folks,
So let me get this correct this is something that the EU is pushing down the UK throats. May I ask a rather dumb question what in the Hell we’re you all drinking when you decide to join this crack-induced organization. Did the Main Land introduce some sort of chemical to the drinking water in the UK. 😮
My god I think its time you take a chapter from are history and start a small little Revolution it work for us :diablo:
RER
By: Yak 11 Fan - 21st April 2005 at 16:03
There is a reason we are surrounded by water…. Just need to sever the chord that links us to Europe… If anybody in Kent fancies mixing up some concrete I know of a large hole in the ground that needs filling up.
By: Ewan Hoozarmy - 21st April 2005 at 15:50
the core issue is that the CAA insist on a level of cover for Sally B that’s inappropriate
Actually, for once, the UK CAA have got nothing to do with it….It’s an EU ‘directive’, the same wacky organisation that says you can’t buy a pint of beer in the UK anymore, must be in litres.
When are we all going to wake up and realise that all this European union $hite is making our respective lives a misery, while the lying politicos only get wealthier. 😡
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 21st April 2005 at 15:38
wouldnt it be good if in its new MK1 configuration its weight was brought down sufficiently to avoid the new rules….. :diablo: 😉
By: proplover - 21st April 2005 at 15:36
Anybody calculated where the Blenheim might fall into the new rates? What a disaster it would be if after all ARC’s efforts to rebuild her it becomes uneconomic to insure. 🙁 😡
By: agent86 - 21st April 2005 at 02:12
no harm intended
Hello again my friends,
I was looking to stir things up a bit with my prior post on this thread but I wasnt looking to anger nor upset(well not too upset)anybody.If I have done so then I am sorry and will now go and stand in the corner till all cools down.I’ll behave from now on,I promise. P.S. Mr.Firebird,your pointing out how BMW bought Rover to thieve needed technology and then spit out the unwanted bits reminds me of an identical situation that killed another part of the British car industry.The players that time were a pathetic,obese,american auto company with the initials of G.M.The victim was a tiny, technology rich English concern named Lotus.Anybody remember them?Lets see,G.M. needed a modern aluminum (non push rod,non cast iron,non made in mexico)multi valve ,dohc,V-8 engine to finally place the corvette out of the 1970’s/60’s/50’s?and into the same decade more or less, that the European and Japanese Makers had been for many moons.The fact that Lotus were also world leaders in Active suspensions was just icing on the cake.They ate what they wanted(for way too little money)and spit out the bones.Leaving the carcass to be purchased by various interests and remaining Mr.Chapmans creation in name only.I too saw what the Elan should have been every time I saw a Mazda MX-5/Miata .end of thread 4 me.I’m thru preaching.(who would have ever imagined F-1 without Lotus!)
By: crazymainer - 20th April 2005 at 23:26
With all do respect to Rover/MG if we all want to discuss this their is a nice thread on the GD Forum, could we all get back to how we all can keep both 17s flying in Europe :diablo:
Cheers
RER
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April 18, 2005 at 9:54 pm