Vulcan XH558

The relevant bit from the VTTS newsletter is "IF XH558 DOES FLY ONE MORE TIME", that leaves it open for there not to be another flight.
If there is another flight, what's the betting that it doesn't get advertised until the last minute (or not at all) to avoid chaos round the Robin Hood Airport.
Call me a sceptic but ........

 

After the "farewell tour" and the raffle prize flights, VTTS said their would be two more flights, now they are saying "if" to one more flight. Seems they are getting their excuses in early. Heathrow managed to handle the hordes of Concorde lovers during its final weeks as did Filton for the final landing. Can't see why RHA can't sort something for a final bash.

 

That was a fun (but sad) time. I took a video of the final Heathrow landings. The Filton one was a claim to fame....watched the takeoff at LHR, jumped in the car and managed to get to Filton before it to see it land. The fact that it went out over The Bay of Biscay first was irrelevant

 

A group of us planned to watch the final take off and then fly by helicopter from Fairoaks to Filton to see her land. That plan was scuppered by the authorities putting a blooming great air exclusion zone around Filton and a ban on flights such as we planned. You did well to do it by car. We just settled for the final landing.

 

Be sad to see XH588 confined to ground but I have to admit that the finest photograph I have seen of recent flights was the Southport "Farewell" where its flight was accompanied by the Red Arrows in V-formation as a "guard of honour".

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/vulcan-bomber-farewell-tour-see-10220656

The movie version :

http://wn.com/southport_air_show_2015_saturday_raf_red_arrows

 

Looks like I was wrong (happily). This from the latest VTTS newsletter
"Following weeks of additional research, discussion, negotiation and reassurance – especially from the responsible behaviour of most supporters during the Farewell to Flight National Tour earlier this month (thank you everyone who resisted the desire to come and see her take-off or land) - we are delighted that the airport has now given permission for one final flight. It comes with a set of very strict criteria that we will be reviewing over the weekend. We will then work closely with the airport to agree a date and make it happen."
Alan.

 

They haven't got long as it's all over in a week's time with the expiry of her current permit to fly pending inspection and maintenance of critical components.

 

Keep an eye on Twatter

 

Amazing how you can get grit in your eye while watching a video indoors.

 

What a great Video find.

 

Nothing found yet about another flight and there are hangar tours booked for this Saturday. Very little time left now.

 

Let's hope there is something in the email at teatime today. Not holding out a lot of hope but you never know!

 

Weather forecast looks dismal for tomorrow and not a lot better for Thursday and Friday.

 

15 minute circuit and land with little to no advance warning as to when it is scheduled.

 

Yes, just got it. For those you are not on the email list

Final Flight Confirmed

Following the positive negotiations with the airport that we announced on Friday, a final flight has been confirmed but with substantial restrictions. To absolutely guarantee that there is no disruption to their operations from the crowds that are expected, their primary requirement is that the flight takes place at very short notice.

We have agreed to this with regret because we believe it is important to have a symbolic end to flying, which is professionally recorded and made available to you as video and stills, but understanding the disappointment that it will rightly bring to all those who have generously supported XH558 and would like to see the final touch-down.

As discussed previously, any delays to commercial flights due to congestion around the airport will be extremely expensive for them and they will have no choice but to pass those costs on to the Trust, which would have a dramatic impact on the future of XH558. It is for this reason that our original plans for an event around the final flight had to be cancelled with apologies to all those who deserve to be there. Thank you again for understanding this difficult position.

We have used almost all the available flying hours taking her to you, across the UK this year, flying more than 50% longer than in any previous year, with many thanks to Marshall Aerospace, the Civil Aviation Authority, and K M Dastur, our aviation insurance brokers, for agreeing this extension.

After such a fabulous year, we have only a handful of minutes left, so the final flight will be around 15 minutes with no display, simply saying Farewell to the Skies.

We are still negotiating exactly how much notice can be provided, requesting a reasonable relaxation of the original very strict requirement. Do please keep a close eye on our social media – Facebook Vulcan XH558 and Twitter @XH558 (repeated on our website) – for updates and for details of how to see the flight live, online.

 

I suppose for their last run they could go "old school", have it sat near the end of the runway with the engines running from first thing in the morning awaiting a shout at some unknown time from ATC that it's all systems go and they have 4 minutes in which to get airborne and away....

 

As long as they don't wake up Fred Mulley!

 

A rather sad end to an illustrious career. Doncaster airport is not a busy place at the best of times and properly organised there could have been a good final display. Not really blaming the Trust as I'm sure it's the airport management that is the fly in the ointment.