558 post engine change test flight

[Mayfly]

So any hints, tips, thoughts, pure conjecture or porky pies about what time she's suppose to be off tomorrow?

The forecast is wet all the way from Donny to RIAT

[Ray C]

Decisions Decisions, should I drive to Finningly friday for about 9.30 in the hope of seeing her take off ? It's about 1.30 hrs drive there

[Mayfly]

The only advice I can give is if she can get there she will. Fingers crossed you get to see her. They had crewed in this morning I saw any mention of her getting airborne today.

[MOD]

I was going to Fairford tomorrow but the forecast is really putting me off.. The Multipla is playing up (yet) again. It now sounds like a Jamaican Steel band is tuning up.... just under the bonnet

As I am an RAC member I might just chance it.

I want to see Lord GIT making mud pies..

ibw

[Ray C]

If it's not (Lashing down) il'e pop over and wave at the tourists as they escape (La Pluie)

[Hihonyr8811]

I'm off to Doncaster, but I'm going to see my Wizz Air (My favourite airline ) and find out what the mystery plane from Tarbes-Lourdes International is If 558 goes it's a bonus

[Ray C]

Time 10.07 parked up nr hanger 3 Finningly looking @ 558, it's pouring down, with little or no activity
on her , looks like a potential long wait !

[Dougs]

aparently going to farnbrough for a DA and then on to RIAT acording to twitter all dependant on the weather tho

[Checkflaps]

Having seen the advanced weather forecast, they should have gone to Fairford yesterday as there is more than a chance that the monsoon hitting most places north of the cotswolds could prevent '558 getting out of RH.

Guess its just wait and see I suppose.

Garry

[Mayfly]

But it's not always as simple as saying we'll go today instead. In the first couple of years I dare say venues would put themselves out for 558 but now, although undoubtedly still popular, she's treated the same as any other participant. As she has a validation at FAB today I suspect it would be disruptive to have had her fly in yesterday the out to FAB and back in today. Plus it was Kev in the hot seat seat yesterday - Is he doing the FAB validation or will it MW? - if so that would involve getting another crew down to RIAT.

Things are never as straight forward as they appear on the surface but I do have faith in the aircrew doing the best they can to get 558 in front of the public.

The latest TAF is looking better -[so I'm told as I can't interpret them].

[Ray C]

There is significant activity around 558, & earlier I saw a Bently drive over to hanger 3, looks like Martin is flying her , Would she take off from the north or South ?

[Minty4371]

Have a good flight today, and have an excellent display at the weekend.

[Ray C]

Time 2.15, weather (horrendous) I don't think she will fly today,

[Mayfly]

Ray they have released an ETD of 16.00 on twitter

[Checkflaps]

But it's not always as simple as saying we'll go today instead. In the first couple of years I dare say venues would put themselves out for 558 but now, although undoubtedly still popular, she's treated the same as any other participant. As she has a validation at FAB today I suspect it would be disruptive to have had her fly in yesterday the out to FAB and back in today. Plus it was Kev in the hot seat seat yesterday - Is he doing the FAB validation or will it MW? - if so that would involve getting another crew down to RIAT.

Things are never as straight forward as they appear on the surface but I do have faith in the aircrew doing the best they can to get 558 in front of the public.

The latest TAF is looking better -[so I'm told as I can't interpret them].

Cheers MF. I'm sure things are not as simple as they first appear. Just hope they get off the ground today.

Is the Farnborough DA available on any other day? Did it have to be a Friday?
My point was that if there was a chance to get to Fairford yesterday - because most of the UK southern airspace would be unsuitable for VFR traffic today - then at least '558 would be at a revenue generating location rather than still in the hangar in Donny at 0900 on Saturday (speculation) with a further possibility of not getting out due to weather.

If the Farnborough DA could be done over the weekend, then why the rush for today?

I know there is nothing we can do about the weather, other than shout at the 'big man' upstairs , just hope for the sake of the project that a window of opportunity hasn't been missed.

Anyway, its really hard to type with all my fingers crossed so I shall go back to using the mouse instead.

Garry

Edit : Just seen the latest from MF, still keeping things crossed.

[Mayfly]

I was told they will only do it on a Friday - however that may only be for native a/c - foreign participants may be able to do it other days.

There are, as always so many variables in the aviation world, and it all depends really on what is happening elsewhere and how proactive the venues are. There could be a chance she can validate tomorrow, it's all guestimates from where we are standing.

[Ducati Boy]

Checkflaps, I realise how frustrating it is for fans of 558 when it seems she won't or can't make a show and it always seems easier and simplistic to those looking into to the task , than it is to those who have it to do. The weather gave us a short break yesterday to get in a test flight and PD, but 558 had barely got back on the ground, before rain stopped play again and its still raining right now. Some essential checks also had to be done after the flight, so there was no chance to skip straight to down to Fairford. Pulling your hair out with apparent frustration and inferring an opportunity had been missed won't help, in fact no "window of opportunity" existed to be missed.

The Vulcan is not a Cessna 152, kick the tyres, jump in turn the key and nip about the country at will. We do what we can, when we can, with the emphasis on safety and you should realise there are a limited number of engineers and aircrew available and merely skipping down to Fairford requires considerable planning and logistic support. Everyone at RHDA works flat out to get the old girl to her displays and you can rest assurred that if it can be done it will be. But if she don't make it it ain't for the want of trying or due to bad planning.

[Checkflaps]

Checkflaps, I realise how frustrating it is for fans of 558 when it seems she won't or can't make a show and it always seems easier and simplistic to those looking into to the task , than it is to those who have it to do. The weather gave us a short break yesterday to get in a test flight and PD, but 558 had barely got back on the ground, before rain stopped play again and its still raining right now. Some essential checks also had to be done after the flight, so there was no chance to skip straight to down to Fairford. Pulling your hair out with apparent frustration and inferring an opportunity had been missed won't help, in fact no "window of opportunity" existed to be missed.

The Vulcan is not a Cessna 152, kick the tyres, jump in turn the key and nip about the country at will. We do what we can, when we can, with the emphasis on safety and you should realise there are a limited number of engineers and aircrew available and merely skipping down to Fairford requires considerable planning and logistic support. Everyone at RHDA works flat out to get the old girl to her displays and you can rest assurred that if it can be done it will be. But if she don't make it it ain't for the want of trying or due to bad planning.

I guess the written word can be misunderstood on forums . For the record, I'm not pulling my hair out (if I was bothered that much about '558, I would have pulled it all out years ago). I would just feel disappointed for the thousands of fans of the vulcan who MAY have missed out on a showing at Fairford. But, as you have alluded, the opportunity to get into Fairford wasn't there yesterday. So be it. Best of luck for today and the rest of the weekend.

I agree, and am fully aware, that '558 needs a little more support and planning than your average VFR puddle jumper and that there is a finite resource. I'm not really looking to have a dig at any of the team, who from past experiences have all done their jobs and then some to get the aircraft in front of the great unwashed - its just.............. struggling for a word here.....

I suppose its just as it has always been with the vulcan since the return to flight - edge of seat stuff.

As mentioned though, fingers crossed (not that I'm going to RIAT anyway )

Garry

[Mayfly]

I think one the 'problems' for the want of a better phrase is, to survive 558 had to become high profile - and being high profile means many more people have her and her team under the microscope, and with that, one is open to very public scrutiny.

Much of it is with the best of intentions and interest but it also attracts those who want a pop.

It's sorting the wheat from the chaff that's important.

The one thing you can depend on is 558 will always have you on the edge of your seat!!!

[Ray C]

Oh well that's it for me today I'm off home 4.15. Better luck next time, as I write this the sky I clearing slightly over Finningly, they woulden't would they at this time !.....!

[Minty4371]

Crew In. Martin Withers, Phil O'Dell, Barry Masefield.
Have a good & safe flight.

EDIT.
Delay due to technical hitch. Engineers are working to resolve. Further updates when more information available.

[Mayfly]

FB reporting they are putting her bed.

[Ducati Boy]

FB reporting they are putting her bed.

Yes Pam indeed they have. Yes they had a long frustrating day. early start for them tomorrow, crew-in 0900 ish.
Hopefully they will get in to Farnbro' for PD and then arrive at Fairford in style, weather in that area though is not looking good on the Met Office aviation website for tomorrow, maybe it will blow over tonight.

Check flaps, Seat of the pants stuff alright with our beloved bird, we never get time to be bored on this job. She likes to keep her admirers on tenterhooks, but then she is a women so that explains that then!

[Checkflaps]

FB reporting they are putting her bed.

Yes Pam indeed they have. Yes they had a long frustrating day. early start for them tomorrow, crew-in 0900 ish.
Hopefully they will get in to Farnbro' for PD and then arrive at Fairford in style, weather in that area though is not looking good on the Met Office aviation website for tomorrow, maybe it will blow over tonight.

Check flaps, Seat of the pants stuff alright with our beloved bird, we never get time to be bored on this job. She likes to keep her admirers on tenterhooks, but then she is a women so that explains that then!

You might say that, I couldn't posibly comment
Better luck to them in the morning.

Garry

[Mayfly]

FB reporting they are putting her bed.

Yes Pam indeed they have. Yes they had a long frustrating day. early start for them tomorrow, crew-in 0900 ish.
Hopefully they will get in to Farnbro' for PD and then arrive at Fairford in style, weather in that area though is not looking good on the Met Office aviation website for tomorrow, maybe it will blow over tonight.

Check flaps, Seat of the pants stuff alright with our beloved bird, we never get time to be bored on this job. She likes to keep her admirers on tenterhooks, but then she is a women so that explains that then!

Thwack!!!.............

haaa... thats better I haven't issued one of those for ages

Yeah the forecast for RIAT is a little contradictory depending on where you look, I think it's more a case of waiting to see in the morning.