Search found 86 matches

by Skymonster
Thu 18 Oct 2018, 6:39 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: IMPORTANT - Future of UKAR
Replies: 180
Views: 30878

Re: IMPORTANT - Future of UKAR

I'm disappointed that UKAR might cease as I think it is still a valuable source of information and debate. I hope Paul recovers from his maladies and the admins can find a way through the current challenges. I would be be prepared to consider paying a reasonable subscription if it was the only way o...
by Skymonster
Sun 26 Aug 2018, 7:00 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

As for the 'VttS want this thread shut' and 'UKAR are scared of VttS' paranoia. Bloody hell, what a load of tosh! IMO you were doing pretty well up to that point Reds Rolling... But now the obvious question is: "How do you know that?" Do I care about 558. Yes, but not so much now it's gro...
by Skymonster
Sun 26 Aug 2018, 10:50 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Despite the sometimes repetitive nature of the comments, this is the only place where people who have a passion for XH558 and want to see it safe can have their say and call VTTST to account - even if the Trust does not respond. It is also a very important archive of happenings along the rocky road ...
by Skymonster
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 2:42 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Spotting at Yuma
Replies: 16
Views: 2551

Re: Spotting at Yuma

The activity has its ups and downs - I wouldn't want to suggest a particular time that is best. Every time I have been there, the takeoffs have been on 21 (to the southwest) and landings from the northeast over the main road. If the fairground car park is open you park in there, but that's not good ...
by Skymonster
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 1:48 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Spotting at Yuma
Replies: 16
Views: 2551

Re: Spotting at Yuma

Points 1 and 2 in the Scramble guide are beside a fairly busy multi-lane road - I've never felt threatened while in those locations with camera gear. There is a large car park for the fairgrounds that can sometimes be accessed, otherwise a wide verge - in both cases on the opposite side of the road ...
by Skymonster
Sun 19 Aug 2018, 1:17 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

However I look at it though I can't ignore the fact the aircraft has been taxied; even though it was slowly. Fair play to the volunteers in getting that out of XH558, it is an achievement. But it was done two years ago, and back then it was a fast taxi run not a slow one: On October 6th 2016, we to...
by Skymonster
Sun 19 Aug 2018, 10:08 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Don’t worry - I keep an eye on you - but I’m bored with all negative on here... So why don’t you naysayers do this - keep your negative opinions to yourself Oh here we go again - as soon as things are said that those with rose tinted glasses don't like, they immediately start trying to tell those w...
by Skymonster
Sat 18 Aug 2018, 8:37 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

While I have been critical of the Trust, I am not anti-Vulcan in any way. However I see this development as 'no progress' because slow taxi has never been what VTTST has been aiming for - it has been about fast taxi runs and I don't think a slow taxi in any way is indicative of it being allowed on t...
by Skymonster
Sat 18 Aug 2018, 8:22 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

558 did two ground runs today, the second of which was followed by a slow taxi back up towards the fuel farm where it is parked. Surely the first step towards the volunteer crew doing fast taxis in the future. There's a world of a difference between a slow taxi (presumably on a taxiway) and a fast ...
by Skymonster
Thu 16 Aug 2018, 7:54 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Blue Angels to get Super Hornets
Replies: 11
Views: 1990

Re: Blue Angels to get Super Hornets

What an enlightened attitude to a military display team - actually spending money on it... Now, where's the plan to replace the Dead Sparrows Hawks?
by Skymonster
Thu 16 Aug 2018, 7:46 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Just a reminder that the central stores is having a sale day this Saturday the 18/08/2018. Lots of Vulcan and other aviation goodies for sale. So sad - having to sell more of the family silver to stay afloat... I hope that the assets of the Trust are being decreased in the accounts to reflect what ...
by Skymonster
Tue 14 Aug 2018, 4:47 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Travelodge LHR Central
Replies: 20
Views: 4233

Re: Travelodge LHR Central

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Premier Inn Terminal 4... https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4551/38256059056_23ba94d85f_c.jpg G-BYGA-1-EGLL-06NOV2017 by Alpha Mike Aviation Photography , on Flickr Top floor, airport facing room. It is through glass, but with a little care reasonable pictures can be ...
by Skymonster
Sun 12 Aug 2018, 8:13 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

It's no secret that they've been badly limited by the hangar situation and that the new hangar ( more precisely the commercial activity it enables ) is very important for the future So in part a problem of the Trust's own making, as it's approach has typically been to blow sunshine up its supporter...
by Skymonster
Sun 12 Aug 2018, 8:06 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

After the accounts were released, you also said: Seems to be going relatively well at present... I appreciate we could argue this is a glass half empty / glass half full scenario, but I'd contend that things certainly aren't going relatively well at present. The aircraft has been outside for more th...
by Skymonster
Sun 12 Aug 2018, 7:02 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

But they don't. They say the group is reliant on future support from its donors and investors. The accounts actually say: The Trustees are aware of certain material uncertainties which may cast doubt on the group's ability to continue as a going concern... A withdrawal of support either by the prop...
by Skymonster
Fri 10 Aug 2018, 2:12 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

So, perhaps another reason why Bob-A-Job's cabal refuse to relinquish control - if they do, they become liable for the HLF's £750,000... I have no idea what the terms of the agreement between the HLF and the Trust are - and what happens if the Trust is wound up. According to the HLF website there w...
by Skymonster
Fri 10 Aug 2018, 1:30 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Wasn't it established that the valuation was set to meet HLF criteria, rather than the actual physical value of a Vulcan-shaped former aeroplane? Something like the value is what VTTS would owe HLF if/when the whole sorry escapade goes belly-up. Hence in 2085, when the HLF obligation runs out, the ...
by Skymonster
Fri 10 Aug 2018, 1:19 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Reportedly the sticky back plastic campaigns raised donations totalling £450,000 (15,000 people at £30 each). That was over two rounds, one which fell within FY17 and the other within FY18. Based on an assumption both raised similar amounts (circa £225,000) then the overall / 'normal' donation total...
by Skymonster
Thu 09 Aug 2018, 9:26 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Actually it seems like the Trust has done a reasonable job of keeping costs / expenditure inline with reducing income. An income / expenditure deficit of £198k in FY16 has been reduced to a £14k deficit in FY17. The balance sheet doesn't seem to have changed markedly either. However the concerning i...
by Skymonster
Thu 09 Aug 2018, 9:01 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

It's also interesting to note that despite the number of employees falling by about 55% ( from 36 down to 16 ) the wage bill hasn't declined commensurately. Even if you take out £60k for Dr. P's wage, the average wage for the remainder works out at roughly £25.7k, whereas for the previous FY - with...
by Skymonster
Sat 04 Aug 2018, 7:50 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Oh, go easy on Steve... At least he is saying something, unlike the other trustees. I'm sure he's doing his best within the remit he's been given or feels fits with his role. The great thing about this topic - which is now almost a year old and is a continuation of the previous topic that was callou...
by Skymonster
Fri 03 Aug 2018, 10:56 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

As per the statement of July 12th, we do indeed hope to have the hangar open in 2019 That's as maybe but in late 2016 when it became apparent that 558 was to be kicked out of Hangar 3, an update clearly stated that the "hope" was to have a purpose built hangar completed and the public vis...
by Skymonster
Wed 01 Aug 2018, 7:46 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Where has XH558 thread gone?
Replies: 2297
Views: 360921

Re: Where has XH558 thread gone?

Xm657 wrote:The operation is basically on hold until the hangar is built, why not cut back to say Mr Pleming alone, as was the case when the project initially started in the late 90s?


In my opinion Mr Plumming is part of the problem at the moment, not the solution!
by Skymonster
Tue 31 Jul 2018, 6:28 pm
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Airports Controlled From Far Away?
Replies: 15
Views: 1885

Re: Airports Controlled From Far Away?

I still think you need someone in the tower at the airfield, who can maintain a visual lookout onto the airfield, whatever the technology. I've been to see the trial virtual tower set up for London City at Swanwick near Southampton - very impressive, and in some aspects it offers an improvement in ...
by Skymonster
Tue 31 Jul 2018, 10:05 am
Forum: Aviation Waffle
Topic: Airports Controlled From Far Away?
Replies: 15
Views: 1885

Re: Airports Controlled From Far Away?

With no local atc their and risk of IT problems like at Heathrow Airport. I think safety could easily become an issue despite all the back up systems they say they have. I still think that all the technology we have now, you still need eyes & ears on the ground! Why? How do you think radar data...