yes peter, Binbrook74, still has a loose association I think.

I personally had offered a rescue package 18 months ago, to re-locate her to a large airfield. the package was all encompassing to include the “Zf579” overhaul treatment. Evan an air lift was on the cards.

Sad, but I doubt we will ever see 724 turn and burn again.

must admit, 18 months ago I would have strenuously dissagreed with you ramjet, and said give the chaps a chance, they are trying, but I’m afraid apart from Binbrook74, whom is doing what he can on his own, the “custodians”, simpy seem to have buried their heads in the sand, professing thats “shes allright”, yet do nothing. I havent seen her for 18 months now, and I must say the corrosion looks to have escalated qiute significantly, and it is plain to see that not a jot of wax oil has been applied, neither has the mess in ths s/b gear bay skins been touched. Epic fail!!

poor old girl 🙁

I’ll say it again – the CAA do not stop the operation of ANY aircraft in civilian hands.

They do lay down minimum requirements, which must be met if they are to be safely operated.

It then comes down to money – pure and simple.

Can a Harrier, Lightning, Buccaneer etc be operated on the civil register? Yes they can.

Is it financially viable? No it isnt.

There is no cheap deal here, and nor should there be. Its one reason why we pay so much bloomin tax!

Bruce

So so true Bruce! how many times does this point have to be made before it sinks in!! you can fly what you like. Any suitable DA will back you if you have enough money!! Even a Lightning!. Why would you want to throw 20 odd million at Bae to fly a Harrier when its worth 10k, simple economics.

This isn’t such a problem in the USA, (all be it will be, with incresing fuel prices there) Experimental cat means you don’t need any backing, you can fly on a shoe string if you like and refurbish it all in your garage if your mad enough. I have seen lawn mower powered, lashed up aerobatic sheds flying in the USA on “experimental” that would make your eyes water, even aircraft with long since expired paperwork doing a circuit or two for kicks! no one on the airfield gave a monkeys. Open space, a completely different culture, and a Constitution laid down for the common man, changes everything.. the yanks are far more relaxed andreactionary than us, you do what you like, if you foul up then you face the music..

some facts! Our group got fed up with hearing missguided
rumours from punters, and all and sundry about this. So 2 years ago we approached the CAA certification head honcho in Gatwick for some facts.

1)CAA are open to (although this may well have changed since last November)a Lightning flying in the UK.

2) To fly one. So long as the permit convenants are met and the whole venture is underwritten by a suitable DA authority
(Marshalls were specifically mentioned, Bae have not changed their stance, infact they are worse than ever. I can vouch for that personally, having spoken to them at the same time. try getting even Lightning tech drawings from them now! An indemnity form has to be filled out and signed!

Bae did not want to come oboard for the previous application, and The Lightning Flying Club were ultimately not deemed to be a suitable DA, for various reasons, which he was not at liberty to divulge.

when asked about the SCAA application, (CAA were involved in that too). We were simply told that the TC application was a whole different animal.

Put simply, if you want to see one Uk registered and flying, you will need about 15 million to
see it through, and Marshalls on board. That was the gen 2 years ago. Now, I dont know.

between firebirds post and this one, you now have the FACTS…

ha ha, yea I wish!:p.. hmm the TT i like her too, but shes quite poorly unfortunately.