Definately not – I am entitled to my opinion the same as anyone else, prefer the phrase U/S myself 🙂

Quite. An aircraft can be unservicable, but what/how on earth does “it’s gone tech” mean. Does it mean the aircraft’s gone all technical on you, or has developed a love of Tomorrow’s World? Daftest phrase in the book…

Could one fly one of these (turbine ) beasties on a simple PPL? I know one would have to get a check out on type etc etc.

Yes, as a single engine turboprop I presume…

It is not clear to me what is the profile of prospective civil operators of these expensive aeroplanes.

If you need a fast, touring machine, perhaps for business you are more likely to need 4 seats.
If you really want to go fast, you can get a jet, say Venom, Gnat or L.29 for a third of the money.
If you need a civilian/club aerobatic trainer, well, Bulldog, Yak52, Cap20, and others, all sub £50k
If you love to wearing a green grow-bag, and cruising around in an ex-military aircraft, why not a Harvard, Yak52, Jet Provost.

For the same reason people have JPs etc? It may be more expensive to procure, but it could be cheaper to run. Also, its large gyroscopic implement on the nose could be attractive to though maybe thinking of moving up to a nice big piston. Shame the tailwheel’s at the wrong end. A fun aircraft all round, which isn’t that difficult to fly, doesn’t burn as much fuel, and is probably more palatable to anyone who complains about noise. The cockpit is probably a little more user friendly and modern than most of the above too.

Did you have more infos about this??

What kind of damage?

Vector (from Brazil)

It’s probably worth noting this was on the Shorts production line in Belfast in case you were thinking this was in Embraer’s plant.:)

If you read the rest of the thread you’ll find that a batch of non-flyable Tucanos have been sold off. Presumably the ones you are talking about.

We are discussing a batch of 15 flyers that are about to be sold.

My question is…

What is the RAF replacing them with?

My guess is that the one’s currently on the disposal market are the least airworthy of the “flyers” in store – bearing in mind out of 130 bought, minus those lost, there are about 50-60 in storage. Note most of them on the DSA site at the moment are red, white and grey…

There is the familarity factor that will make them want the Tucano

The familiarity factor is really limited. The Shorts Tucano was a very different beast to the Embraer Tincan (we put a decent engine in for a start), and the Super-Tincan is a very different aeroplane all together.

All being well, it would be nice to see it being replaced by this, which has also been seen in the Cranwell circuit in the last 18 months:

Here’s a thought – why not utilise the skills of a recently retired suitably qualified RAF Officer aged 50+ (ok, probably won’t have the Museum Studies degree or whatever, but the right person would come with tonnes of practical experience, and bring enthusiasm for the service, an appreciation of its history and ethos). Take him on as a civil servant, keep them in “uniform” if they so wish.

In return, a nice job based mainly in the capital, a decent salary to supplement the (retired Sqn Ldr) pension, and god forbid, you’d get a new face in as they would retire every 5-10 years…

Just a thought. I know of a couple of people who’d probably love to do it.

According to some theoretical research carried out by the PFA the hand held unit concept is flawed for several reasons.

1 The detectable range is likely to be very low.
2 The occupants of the aircraft are likely to be exposed to above the EU health and safety levels of radiation.
3 the unit as specified will not meet international standards so would only be of use in the UK.
4 The unit does not yet exist in a completed form and no firm costs are available.

Preferable to being dead though. Fewer radio calls along the lines of “Pop up traffic, 12 O’clock, 1 mile, no height information, probable glider” etc…

The PC crowd must already be in hysterics if that’s the case. There are currently swastikas on the Jungmann, Primary Glider, Bestmann, Stieglitz, Klemm and Storch.

There’s nothing but a large swastika on the Storch!:)