New "RAF" A321NEO (G-XATW)

[Enobob]

thevulcan,

You say the RAF was trying to get rid of Northolt a few years ago?

After Project Model so much has been concentrated at Northolt that I very much doubt that the MoD will be looking to get rid.

[CHINOOKER]

With regard to the A321NEO’s being operated out of Northolt,it is quite feasible!. I would assume that they have had the interiors altered somewhat into a VIP configuration,so at most you would probably need a maximum of say 30 seats on board...a few Business class seats for the “Specials” on board and the rest for aids/press etc. Given that there will also be little/no cargo whatsoever,then the aircraft itself would be very light with an exceptional power to weight ratio!.......I accept that it is a slightly smaller aircraft, but in the past, a fully fitted out corporate ERJ-190 operated in and out of Northolt,with no problems! With regard to the 146’s being phased out, there was some “local rumours” that the CC2’s would be gone by the end of April and the CC3’s by October!, with some of their taskings being taken over by other assets....presumably why there has been an increase in visits from Brize based aircraft!.

[POL]

At MTOW (97T) an A321neo requires a takeoff run available (TORA) of 2150m. That means the runway needs to be a bit longer than that, in reality. An A321neoLR is has an MTOW of 101T, so will require a longer TORA. This is the number that's taken in to account for working out if it's safe to operate out of an airfield, as well as the single engine performance for any weight. I can't imagine that Northolt's 1683m runway is sufficient for anything other than the shortest of flights.

Chinooker, where did that E190 operate to? Just because something doesn't have many seats in it doesn't make it light! Note that ICAO specifically state regarding the A321neo "The A321neo has lower rates of climb/descent due to higher mass"

Edit: For perspective, an E190 has an MTOW of 46T! (E195 is 52T)

[Fives]

Starlifters and B727s and the odd Caravelle (not to mention B707 and B757) blah, blah!

Have all been in and out of Northolt in the past.

[POL]

And rally cars used to drive down stages at high speeds with people stood in front of them. Just because it's happened in the past doesn't mean it still does, nor that it's safe.

[CHINOOKER]

EGVP.....Hi with regard to what I was trying to explain....I would assume that the A321NEO’s leased would not operate out of Northolt anywhere near their MTOW. If the aircraft is being leased solely for VIP flights, for the contracted period, then there is no need for it to be configured with say 180 seats and associated galleys/toilets etc etc! I would imagine that any flights done from there, would indeed be short hops into other UK airports or Europe etc. Outbounds could be done possibly in the same manner as the BA JFK flights that operated out of LCY....ie short hop to another airfield/airport for a gas and go....The return leg could be then be direct back to Northolt.

With regard to the ERJ-190,(not being civil minded), it was in a white/yellow scheme and I believe operated to Geneva on several occasions! Not sure if it’s relevant in this instance, but in the past,(even without the much modified arrestor beds) Northolt has played host to several aircraft types with much less performance than the A321NEO’s......C-9,C-141..B737 variants and the odd C-32!

As with everything,time will tell...
cheers,Stu

[Reach 392]

Should have just slapped a couple of Global 5000s on the Amex. Great range when operating in and out of Northolt and similar airfields, all while fitted with DASS and all the other toys.

[CHINOOKER]

From what I have read, this lease is just for 2 years? Having also seen the recent defence review, in a few years time, the UK will only have a fleet of “heavy lifters” available...A400,C-17 and Voyager,
Maybe, just maybe, there will be the realisation that the need for a small fleet of aircraft that could do both the VIP and lesser cargo roles may manifest itself....I live in hope!!

[roger4]

EGVP.....Hi with regard to what I was trying to explain....I would assume that the A321NEO’s leased would not operate out of Northolt anywhere near their MTOW. If the aircraft is being leased solely for VIP flights, for the contracted period, then there is no need for it to be configured with say 180 seats and associated galleys/toilets etc etc! I would imagine that any flights done from there, would indeed be short hops into other UK airports or Europe etc. Outbounds could be done possibly in the same manner as the BA JFK flights that operated out of LCY....ie short hop to another airfield/airport for a gas and go....The return leg could be then be direct back to Northolt.

With regard to the ERJ-190,(not being civil minded), it was in a white/yellow scheme and I believe operated to Geneva on several occasions! Not sure if it’s relevant in this instance, but in the past,(even without the much modified arrestor beds) Northolt has played host to several aircraft types with much less performance than the A321NEO’s......C-9,C-141..B737 variants and the odd C-32!

As with everything,time will tell...
cheers,Stu

What's the point in leasing an A321neo, with its greater mass and load capacity, if the RAF is not going to use it to the full? Surely they would have leased an A320neo or even A319neo instead? And what's the point in picking up a VIP at Northolt and flying only a short hop somewhere to refuel?

Given that Northolt's runway is nearly 500m too short, I doubt we will see these in and out of Northolt much: they are much more likely to use the VIP terminal at Heathrow when Her Majesty or Boris needs to go somewhere.

[Thunder]

The RAF aren’t operating them though. It’s a Titan aircraft with Titan crew being maintained by Titan personnel all of which are based at Stansted, therefore there’s no reason to base them at Northolt.

On a similar note, whereabouts is the Royal Flight S-76 based, I thought it was Blackbushe but I’ve seen mention of Odiham?

[Yammer]

Odiham

[Pirty20]

https://twitter.com/telegraph/status/13 ... 33697?s=21

Short article in the telegraph about it, which is free today I think.