FSTA delays may force UK to prolong VC10 operations

[Tonkenna]

Headline in this weeks Flight International (9 Jan 07) with extensions now being looked at until 2015. Looks like the old bird will be around for a while yet, though to be honest this is no suprise to many of us!!

The A330 was supposed to enter service THIS MONTH!!!!! What a mess!!!

Tonks

[Laurieg]

Looks like I will retire at the same time as the old girl. We do our best to keep her flying, shame we cannot get any leather, heated seats for you Tonks We might be able to wrestle up an extra cup holder or two, though

[Tonkenna]

Thanks

Here is a link to the story:

FSTA delays may force UK to prolong VC10 operations

[Laurieg]

I suppose it keeps the current crop of GEs in work for a little longer. Wonder if JPA can stand the strain of the 10 crews partying away in Chris's Kebab for that long though, (and I suppose the Shalamar can stay open for a little longer).

[Tonkenna]

Ahhhhhhh Chris Kebab

Happy New Year BTW...

Tonks

[Wallasey 1]

It's great to hear that the old girls could be kept flying 'till 2015 but won't the maximum airframe hours have been reached well before then. At the rate that they are being scrapped they won't get to 2015. I know scrapping gives lots of essential spares but as for the RR conways do they get refurbished or are RR under contract to still make them. I've heard that they are in short supply

PS Sad , sad , sad pictures of the 10's being scrapped at GJD.
Well done to those still keeping them flying

[Tonkenna]

The ac are being lifed to 2015... though how many there will be I don't know. Remember, these ac do not put the hours on like a civil ac (for which time on the ground is a loss of profit). No new Conways, they are originals...

Tonks

[thesoap]

Sorry to upset you all. But I have just finished working after many enjoyable years on the VC10's at brize norton. I have seen the programme for the scrapping of the VC 10's. It is going to start in 2011 and finish in 2013. I'm still in contact with my work mates there, so I will try and get the dates when each aircraft is planned for the chop.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[Tonkenna]

Hi soap... where did you work?... I am still there we may have met. PM me

Tonks

[LSS]

The current dates are flexible and of course subject to change.
The planned OSD of each frame is there but things are not always what they seem. FSTA news is thin on the ground but it is still very much moving along all be it very slowly. The OSD moves depending on the progress of FSTA.

[Tonkenna]

Slowy is certainly one word for it.... barely perceptable is how I would describe it

One day maybe

Think I have a job for a while yet with the old girl

Tonks

[LSS]

Same here ...

[Laurieg]

Hi guys, I'm back.

Had to take a few days off to go to the funny farm and get my head emptied of Hose-in, Pre-stow motor on/break off etc etc etc

Back on topic, I am trying the hardest to keep the water boiler working and the oven hot. (gotta keep tonka's tea coming and the Chix curry warm. Mind you, judging by the amount of grub that went up on the last delivery flight I think I should be better employed making sure the engines push out more thrust).

What TPI are you applying now? In the old days of us fit, lean, mean loving machines it was about 3-4 deg. (Must be pushing 7-8 now that the more mellow, rounded shape is in vogue)

[Tonkenna]

Are you calling me fat

Welcome back... do you fully understand the HDU now

Tonks

[LSS]

Welcome back LaurieG

Don't think anyone really understands the HDU. It just works... well most of the time. At least its not as difficult to setup as a 17T, especially the left one.