Hawker Hunters cleared to fly!

[jasonT1981]

Great news today.

Hawker Hunter aircraft, which have been grounded since the Shoreham Airshow Crash have had the directive lifted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) meaning the Hunters are cleared to fly again

A spokesperson for the CAA said: “The CAA has today withdrawn the safety directive which grounded all Hawker Hunter aircraft on the UK register. This safety directive was introduced in the immediate aftermath of the tragic Shoreham airshow accident as a precautionary and unprecedented measure.

https://www.aviationwales.com/hunters-c ... trictions/

[Pringles]

Fantastic news! Long overdue, but I'm glad they've finally come round

[starbuck]

I presume this just means those on the civil registry as I seem to remember seeing them at RIAT last year?

Still not allowed to display though according to that link.

[Brevet Cable]

Guess HAS are going to get a bit busier, then

[jasonT1981]

I presume this just means those on the civil registry as I seem to remember seeing them at RIAT last year?

Still not allowed to display though according to that link.

Seems to apply to displays over land. Sea side shows should be alright. Would be the same restrictions that the Gnats and JP/Strikemaster etc have already at shows I believe. Displays over land are "restricted to flypasts and associated manoeuvres only"

[Kip Casper]

Official notice:

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplic ... agetype=65

[Jumbo]

Excellent news! although having thought about it breifly are there any airworthy civil hunters left in the UK which arent up for sale apart from XL573 and WV318?

[LN Strike Eagle]

Excellent news! although having thought about it breifly are there any airworthy civil hunters left in the UK which arent up for sale apart from XL573 and WV318?

Hawker Hunter T.8B WV322 (G-BZSE) got as far as engine ground runs, so that could be flying soon. Part of the Anglia Aircraft Restorations fleet.

[Chris G]

There was an absolutely gorgeous looking blue one at North Weald for a time, would love to see that displayed.

[LN Strike Eagle]

There was an absolutely gorgeous looking blue one at North Weald for a time, would love to see that displayed.

It's the one I mentioned in the post above yours.

[FGR2]

What about the GA.11 in Royal Navy colours?

Is that one still around?

[Jumbo]

The GA 11 was sold to HHA and is supposedly being kept in airworthy condition awaiting a contract, although there are also rumours it is a spares ship. Also XE601 (the raspberry ripple hunter) was sold to Apache aviation in France and is being used for spares so apparently will never fly again.

[wv383]

Excellent news! although having thought about it breifly are there any airworthy civil hunters left in the UK which arent up for sale apart from XL573 and WV318?

WV318 is not in the UK now. It's currently grounded in Sweden. I have no idea whether it will return to the UK now that the ban has been lifted.

[Jumbo]

I think the article in Aeroplane magazine recently says it was visiting sweden when the ban was put in place so got stuck but will return once the ban is lifted.

[FGR2]

The GA 11 was sold to HHA and is supposedly being kept in airworthy condition awaiting a contract, although there are also rumours it is a spares ship. Also XE601 (the raspberry ripple hunter) was sold to Apache aviation in France and is being used for spares so apparently will never fly again.

Apologies, just checked on G-info and it was the rather smart PR.11 I was thinking about.

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplic ... taindex=14

[Jumbo]

I think the PR11 is still at St Athan but is currently up for sale for £35,000. I hope the owner will change their mind now that hunters can fly again.

[Brevet Cable]

PSST ( 'Miss Demeanour' ) & BVGV used to be there as well, don't know if they still are.
I know 'Miss Demeanour' was also up for sale, don't know if it was sold or not.

[MicrolightDriver]

...I know 'Miss Demeanour' was also up for sale, don't know if it was sold or not.

I don't recall ever hearing about any sale going through. G-INFO would indicate it's still registered in the UK and has been with the same owner for the last decade or so..

[Tommy]

Excellent, and overdue, news. If WV322 could start performing, that'd be a top start.

Hopefully a small glimmer of good things to come insofar as classic jets are concerned. Hunters have been much-missed.

Probably stupid question, but we're nearly 24 months sans Hunters flying (but for HHA, AFAIK) - how would pilots keep/re-acquire their currency?

[ted633]

G-PSST still currently for sale according to this. £250,000 plus £25,000 for annual inspection

https://www.historicandclassicaircraftsales.com/hawker-hunter-miss-demeanour

[Mike]

The grounding also affected the two Dutch Hunters (which had remained on the UK register) so presumably they will now be returned to the air now too.

[play it cool]

PSST ( 'Miss Demeanour' ) & BVGV used to be there as well, don't know if they still are.
I know 'Miss Demeanour' was also up for sale, don't know if it was sold or not.

I believe they are still there.

[st24]

The grounding also affected the two Dutch Hunters (which had remained on the UK register) so presumably they will now be returned to the air now too.

Already happening! The 2 are going to St Athan for inspections etc in readiness for display flying next year according to Twitter...

[Cole]

Fantastic!

[centaurus18]

In an ideal world, that PR.11 would make an ideal addition to the Naval Aviation Ltd stable down at Yeovilton, or indeed the Anglia Aircraft fleet with WV322.
She is now the ONLY ex-Navy single seat Hunter currently capable of flying in the world - G-GAII I don't think has flown since 2012/3?

XE601 mentioned earlier in the thread is indeed in Canada, but it will fly again as a contract airframe though with blanked off gunports.
Therefore, it may never sing the blue note again.