Final flights XH558

[martmpf]

The thing to consider is that Doncaster is an active airport, with operational passenger flights. As with any event where the Vulcan is present, there will be a lot of abandoned cars on surrounding roads despite warnings that they will be towed, and there will be a lot of traffic on local roads. This will heavily delay passengers and if passengers are delayed too much, VTTS will probably end up having to pay compensation, so it is in most peoples' best interest for there to be as few people as possible there. So expect little notice, and don't expect anything special.

I find that hard to take. Have a look at how many flights Doncaster actually has each day. More than ten is exceptional.

VTTS had no problem publishing the "Final" north and south flights with routes and times in advance. They were over a weekend, when it was more likely congestion could be a problem with people not working.

They stated on BBC TV live that two private flights would take place before finish. One has. So one to go then? Then a "final" flight?

Underwing tours can be booked for this Saturday on their website.

So four days left then according to my maths.

Planning by experts?

[Mike]

There's a massive gap between scheduled traffic movements between late morning and mid-afternoon at Robin Hood, plenty of time for a 90(ish) minute last flight.

http://www.robinhoodairport.com/arrivals-departures

[martmpf]

Just seen Inside Out (Yorkshire region) on BBC1 7.30pm..mentioned at the end..on next weeks programme a bit about XH558.Regards Tim

Stated that the program next Monday evening (7.30 - BBC North) would include film of the "final" flight.

So the BBC must know when it is, or could just be from a couple of weeks ago of the north and south.

None the wiser really!

[Sylar]

Guy Martin was at Sywell on the 13th Oct and went up in one of the Blades. No doubt his presence at Robin Hood was in relation to that.

Cheers

Shane

[C24]

My hopes that XH558 would make a formation flight with RAFAT aircraft over RAF Scampton yesterday were dashed.

Shame really, to have it roll inverted at 100' and trail smoke in formation with the Synchro Pair would have been something to remember.
Anyway, some of the flying by Enid, barrel-rolling above patchy clouds was lost from the ground.
Not another spectator in sight, perfect!
Winter drawers on for another year of "Holding the Bank, now!!"

[Minigill]

from todays newsletter -

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.

[TankBuster]

They might as well have made an announcement along the lines of... "We are making a final flight, but we cant tell you when, and you're not allowed to see it".

More than anything, this just highlights the fact that Doncaster probably isn't the best location for XH558's retirement. If they have issues with vehicles and people wanting to see 558, then how on earth are they going to accommodate future fast taxy demonstrations?

After all of what 558 has achieved over the last eight years, it is such a shame that she has to bow out in such a subdued way .

TankBuster

[GhostFlight91]

Disgusts me, feel for the old girl

[Maverick231]

Doncaster was definitely the wrong place to keep such a nice aircraft.
I for one won't be visiting again.
Farewell XH558 its been a great honour .

[quid21]

Surely putting off the final flight after such a great year is just making things worse. My opinion is that the final flight should've been at RIAT, that way the crowds would've been managed as part of the show.

8 years to come up with a plan for a final landing again, but still all the controversy which has rightly or wrongly dogged the campaign to keep it flying! They cannot please 100% of the people all the time, with so many comments on the XH558 facebook feed with angry emotions at "why was the flight plan changed" and "my family waited all day" - yet we all know as I'm sure any reasonable person would be that seeing it flying anywhere is a privilege, and I for one am grateful to have seen it fly at all over the last 8 years.

Get the 15 minute short hop over and done with in secret and bring out a well made DVD and I'll be happy!

[Minigill]

Final flight time..... Tries to view Planes tv on phone at work !

[tornado17]

ITV News at 1830 this evening stated that the Vulcan had done its last flight today yet a news letter from VTTS states the last flight is Saturday!!

[quid21]

Well it's happened!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKqkq27ffk

[Sylar]

Re-read the newsletter. Saturday is the deadline for some merchandising stuff.

Cheers

Shane

[opsjockey]

VTTS states last flight today. Good job too. 'bout time that bottomless money pit hung its wings up. Get a Victor flying, after all, without the Victor, the Vulcan would have had a helluva job getting to the FI. In the last few years, the Vulcan displays hvae been so uninspiring.... slow and gradual.... just one mans opinion but it's been about as boring as the Red Arrows.

[TankBuster]

I managed to catch the live feed just as I got home today, luckily my mobile started pinging up the twitter notifications as I walked through the door.

The live feed must have been thrown up at short notice as the footage wasn't all that great really, and then it started buffering just as 558 made her final approach... Missing the final landing . Over the last eight years 558 has flown safe & delighted thousands of people, but her last flight today didn't celebrate that at all, sadly it seemed like she was just fading away .

TankBuster

[PR9]

I hope all the bs spouted about crowds etc doesn't rear its ugly head when/if they do fast taxi runs.

[tornado17]

I've just watched the last flight video and the question that has come to mind is why do it when the people who contributed that have kept it in the air, all the fans, the aviation enthusiasts and the general public who took an interest in it were not able to witness this historic event? They should have kept the tour weekend as the last flights but unfortunately, in my eyes anyway, it was all a bit of an anti-climax witnessed mainly by the VTTS staff, media and any locals that lived close enough to get to the perimeter in time.

That said, I am a fan and will go to Donny at some point to see it on a fast taxi run. Seeing it fly again over the last 8 years or so has brought back lots of happy memories of my younger days travelling to Waddo and also seeing them do over shoots at Binbrook.

Finally a big thank you to Robert and his team for achieving what many said couldn't be done.

[Nikon]

I hope all the bs spouted about crowds etc doesn't rear its ugly head when/if they do fast taxi runs.

Why is it BS? Don't you believe that hundreds and possibly thousands would have turned-up if it had been widely advertised as the last flight. While it is disappointing not to witness the event live, I don't think it was an overly cautious strategy either and it would appear perfectly logical. What would be the logical motive to make it all up?

Agreed about the PlanesTV broadcast. I must assume that there were more cameras and improved footage that will be available on DVD at a later date. f not then that is a real inexplicable disappointment.

[PR9]

The whole stay away, hush hush nature of the last few flights was a kick in the teeth to all who have supported her and using excuses such as danger to service disruption at a very quiet airport is poor.

They know the "Vulcan effect", know the crowds etc and could have planned to do something, while raising some cash for charity to boot and giving her a proper send off. Instead "The spirit of Great Britain" ended as a little hop for the privileged few.