WATERED DOWN 'HOON POWER' LACKING THRUST FOR ROYAL NAVY TYPE 45 DESTROYERS

It seems that the UK Royal Navy has been left with Type 45 destroyers that frankly don't work, the electric plant driving the twin screw propellers, powering the weapons systems and just about everything else keeps breaking down.

Now consider these new Type 45 destroyers are supposed to be the central force for our modern Royal Navy, but they rely on twin propeller shafts, a system used by the RMS Titanic, over a 100 years ago!

The say a Camel is a Horse put together by committee, and clearly the original design and specification was repeated messed around by the then Government to ensure Rolls Royce could keep its 1,000 work force in employment and produced a power train that was under developed at the time  and is seemingly is too weak for the robust job required. Engage the back up systems and nothing happens. There isn't sufficient redundancy built in.

It was also supposed to deliver operational speeds of 30 knots! Now we know senior politicians and ministers read this blog, so for what it is worth, this might be a way of not only saving face but swiftly ensuring the long term future of these Type 45 Destroyers.

Simply the reliance on just two electric engines to drive the two shaft driven propellers, is very old hat. We need lots of engines! 

The original call was for American LM 2500 Gas turbines to be used - as used by many countries - but we opted for the mega expensive but politically canny Rolls Royce option, which was not really fully designed and proven for this type of hostile operation.

So our suggestion is that instead of just being reliant on the existing shaft driven twin propellers, the addition of 3 externally mounted fully self contained ABB azipods, would not only provide propulsion, but also as each azipod contains it own electric motor to drive the individual steerable propellers, there is immediately built in redundancy and best of all ABB azipods are externally bolted on swap out units. Simply all that is required is an electric power supply, the motor and propeller are integral to each individual azipod.

I've been on board the 'Independence of the Seas' when three days into the cruise, one of the azipods developed a fault, and had to be taken out of service. The ship carried on using the remaining azipods and completed the cruise, slightly slower, distance made up at night so no one really noticed.

A post-cruise three day dry dock was all that was needed to swap out the faulty unit and bolt on the replacement ABB azipod.  

Rather than re-invent the wheel,  here is the original press release - complete with flowery PR type language - relating to a later vessel the Oasis of the Seas:    

 ABB Azipod units propel the world’s largest cruise ship across the Atlantic.
                      

2009-11-17 - Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, the largest and most spectacular cruise ship ever built, has completed its maiden voyage across a stormy Atlantic Ocean, driven by an energy-efficient power and propulsion system from ABB.

                         

 

The 5,400 passenger liner will undergo safety and health inspections before beginning a schedule of cruises in the Eastern Caribbean at the beginning of December.

Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel crossed the Atlantic last week and was delivered to its owners in Miami, in time for its first commercial Caribbean cruise in December. Weighing in at around 100,000 tons and costing an estimated $1.2 billion, the enormous ship posed a new set of challenges for its designers.

Through close collaboration between the owners, RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines), the ship builders, STX Europe, and ABB, the project has succeeded, setting new standards in terms of manoeuvrability, comfort and fuel efficiency.

ABB's ACS 6000 variable-speed drives control the ship's

Azipod propulsion motors, enhancing their energy efficiency.

Oasis of the Seas has 16 decks and rises 65 meters above the waterline. It has cinemas, restaurants, health clubs, an ice rink and even an open-air park, complete with sculptures and thousands of plants. Stood on end, bow to stern, the ship’s 360 meter length would dwarf New York’s Chrysler building.

Operating a ship of this size in busy ports and out at sea, where weather conditions are not always favourable, requires a special solution. ABB delivered a tailor-made electrical propulsion system, comprising three 20-megawatt (MW) Azipod propulsion units, to provide the additional reliability and manoeuvrability required. But ABB delivered more than just the propulsion units.

“We provided the generators, main switchboards, frequency converters, transformers and remote control units for the ship,” said Jarmo Orava, ABB’s Marine project manager for Oasis of the Seas. “Our ‘scope of supply’ document for the vessel ran to more than 70 pages.”

Installing the propulsion units was perhaps the greatest technical challenge for ABB – because of the additional Azipod unit, an entirely new software system had to be put in place – but the most time-consuming job was installing the electric cabling. There are 5,000 km of electric cables and about 100,000 electric points on the vessel.

---

---

Having worked with Royal Caribbean on 14 vessels and STX on 10 vessels in the past 10 years, ABB brought considerable expertise and experience to this demanding project.

In addition to superior manoeuvrability, ABB’s Azipods also deliver fuel efficiency, with savings of around 10-15 per cent compared to conventional shaft-line propulsion systems. This reduces fuel costs and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. The units are also far quieter and more compact than alternatives, allowing ship designers to utilize the machinery spaces more efficiently.

Originally developed in Finland by ABB in collaboration with Kvaerner Masas-Yards dockyards, Azipods have now been installed in 81 vessels, from cruise liners to icebreakers and drilling rigs. They have accumulated almost 5 million hours of operation. ABB is the world’s leading supplier of power and propulsion systems for the marine industry.

Three Azipod units have also been fitted on "Allure of the Seas," sister ship of the Oasis.

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com   Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

AVIATION INCIDENTS ROUND UP: B747 Main landing gear stuck,B747 Engine shut down in flight, MD83 slides off runway,

United B747 near Ketchikan on Jan 27th 2016, engine shut down in flight A United Boeing 747-400, registration N119UA  flight UA-888 from San Francisco,CA (USA) to Beijing (China), was enroute at FL360 over the Gulf of Alaska about 200nm west of Ketchikan,AK (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and return... Read full story »

Zagros MD83 at Mashad on Jan 28th 2016, runway excursion on landing A Zagros Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83, registration EP-ZAB  flight ZV-4010 from Isfahan to Mashad (Iran) with 154 people on board, landed on Mashad's runway 31R at about 18:00L (14:00Z) but veered left off the runway, rotating around its... Read full story »

JAL B772 at Fukuoka on Jan 29th 2016, rejected takeoff due to engine failure A JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration JA8977 flight JL-322 from Fukuoka to Tokyo Haneda (Japan) with 327 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Fukuoka's runway 34 when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed after... Read full story »

JAL B788 near Tokyo on Jan 29th 2016, engine shut down in flight A JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 787-800, registration JA822J  flight JL-17 (dep Jan 28th) from Vancouver,BC (Canada) to Tokyo Narita (Japan) with 166 people on board, was enroute at FL410 about 150nm northeast of Tokyo's Narita Airport when... Read full story »

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

Sir Terry Wogan,77, dies after a short battle with cancer.

Julian Bray writes: Very sad to report that 'National Treasure', legendary broadcaster and former Banker Sir Terry Wogan,77, has died after a short battle against Cancer. Although I have worked with him in broadcasting circles, I have other fond private memories of Terry.  When running a PR company, in the 1970's  I once professionally hired Terry to open the huge Hallmark Cards shop at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north London.

My client was greatly impressed when Terry produced 500 photographs, following the formal ribbon cutting, and delivered a not so short, witty speech over the PA system.  That would have been his duties completed,  but no, he called for a table and two chairs, and signed those five hundred photographs, whilst having an individual conversation with each signing.

I asked him why he put so much into it and he replied: "They are my future and yours too. I value them, they'll all be TOGS (Terrys Old Geezers) one day, and I clearly need to sign them up early. Besides my picture in their eyes, and on their mantelpiece, will never age!"



JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

UK AIRLINE PILOTS FACING DRONE [UAV] WARS NEAR UK AIRPORTS

Drones or UAVs have been involved in four serious near misses close to UK airports, the UK Air Proximity Board [UKAPV]reports, and other UAVs scraping data from warplanes...

 

They investigate near-miss incidents within UK airspace . A UAV nearly collided with a Boeing 737 climbing out of Stansted.
Other category A incidents were reported at  London City, Heathrow and Manchester. Julian Bray Aviation security & operations expert says;" In the USA the FAA has now introduced a mandatory licencing system (as previously reported by Julian Bray Aviation Newslines), although the UK is at a high threat level, astonishingly, there is currently no formal system running in the UK. Essentially anyone can in theory purchase (and pilot)  a sophisticated 'payload carrying' UAV such as a camera or an illegal device, widely available online or from High Street retailers such as Maplins. The business is out of control and dangerous"

British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) spokesman Steve Landells said action must be taken to prevent a "catastrophic crash" of an aircraft. The Department for Transport (DfT) said it was working ('at some time in the future') to create a "regulatory framework focusing on safety".

The UK Air Proximity Board (UKAB) looked at seven incidents involving drones in its December report, four of which were classed as the most serious category A where a serious risk of collision existed.

The near miss at Stansted saw a drone fly over the Boeing 737 by about 16ft, as the aircraft was at about 4,000ft during take-off.
In another incident, a drone narrowly missed hitting the wing of a Boeing 777 shortly after take-off from Heathrow Airport on 22 September.

This took place at 2,000ft - double the legal altitude limit for drones transmitting live video to their operators. According to pilot, the UAV  passed down the right-hand side of the aircraft and left no time to take action.

The UKAB concluded the UAV was at the same height and within 25m of the jet, strongly suggesting that "chance had played a major part" in the lack of a collision.

Although the incident was reported to the police, the drone/UAV operator was not traced.


Meanwhile, back in 2008, internal US National Security Agency documents boasted that a programme to collect video from the cockpit of an Israeli F-16 fighter jet, was successful.

The project, codenamed Anarchist, has been running since 1998 and was based near the highest point in Cyprus both  Der Spiegel and The Intercept reported. Now it is suggested UAVs are bring used as in-flight relays to acquire the on-board data and transmit in real time to base stations.

Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said a US base in northern England was also involved.

Israel was the main focus of the project, but systems in Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Syria were also hacked into, the reports said.
The UK Foreign Office said it would not comment on intelligence matters.

Sources: BBC, FAA, CNS, CAA,UKAB, BALPA, BBC Mid East

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

EGYPT AIR MECHANIC SUSPECTED OF PLANTING RUSSIAN PASSENGER PLANE BOMB

An EgyptAir mechanic whose cousin joined Islamic State in Syria is suspected of planting a bomb on a Russian passenger plane that was blown out of Egypt's skies in late October, according to sources familiar with the matter. (Exclusively reported by Reuters)

So far Egypt has publicly said it has found no evidence that the MetroJet flight, which crashed in the Sinai Peninsula after takeoff from Sharm el-Sheikh airport, killing all 224 people on board, was brought down by terrorism.

A senior security official at the airline denied that any of its employees had been arrested or were under suspicion, and an Interior Ministry official also said there had been no arrests.
But the sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, said the mechanic had been detained, along with two airport policemen and a baggage handler suspected of helping him put the bomb on board.

"After learning that one of its members had a relative that worked at the airport, Islamic State delivered a bomb in a handbag to that person," said one of the sources, adding the suspect's cousin joined Islamic State in Syria a year and a half ago.

"He was told to not ask any questions and get the bomb on the plane."

Another source said of the other suspects: "Two policemen are suspected of playing a role by turning a blind eye to the operation at a security checkpoint. But there is a possibility that they were just not doing their jobs properly."

None of the four have been prosecuted so far, the sources told Reuters.

The crash has called into question Egypt's drive to eradicate Islamist militancy and hurt its tourism industry, a cornerstone of the economy. Islamic State's Egypt affiliate is waging an insurgency in parts of the Sinai, although mostly far from the tourist resorts along its Red Sea coast.

Russia and Western countries have long said that they believe the flight was brought down by a bomb smuggled on board. Egypt however has so far publicly said it has not found any evidence of foul play.

Any formal charges or official Egyptian confirmation that a bomb brought down the Airbus A321 could potentially expose Egypt to compensation payments to the families of the victims.

The EgyptAir senior security official said state security police had investigated all workers at Sharm el-Sheikh airport without finding any evidence implicating any of them.

The official said state security traced the family connections of all the employees and they were cleared.

"Any employee who shows sympathy to militants is prevented from going to work in any airport," he told Reuters.

An Interior Ministry source also said no one had been arrested in connection with the crash.

"We are awaiting results of the investigation."

Islamic State's online magazine carried a photo of a Schweppes soft drink can it said was used to make an improvised bomb that brought down the Russian airliner.

The photo showed a can of Schweppes Gold soft drink and what appeared to be a detonator and switch on a blue background, three simple components that if genuine are likely to cause concern for airline safety officials worldwide.




JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

FRENCH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FLAG UP SUMMER OF MADNESS AS RYANAIR GOES INTO BATTLE

                                         NES PAS PARIS!

 

 

 

Julian Bray Aviation Security expert writes:  A timely reminder not to book flights involving French ATYC airspace, due to the latest series of strikes by French air Traffic Controllers this Summer.  In advance of another wave of French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike,  Ryanair has launched Keep Europe’s Skies Open, an online petition offering European consumers the opportunity to join, they say, its a call to protect Europe from repeated disruption by ATC unions. Ryanair says it has repeatedly called on the European Commission and European Parliament to take action to prevent these ATC strikes causing mayhem for Europe’s consumers.

 

 The petition will call for:

 

1 – Removing the right to strike from Europe’s ATC unions, in the same way that Europe’s various police and military forces are not allowed to strike. In the USA, ATC unions are prohibited by law from striking. European ATC workers can still join unions, organise and advance their concerns through mediation or binding arbitration, which will not involve strikes or closing Europe’s skies,

or

2 – Allowing other European ATCs to manage flights over French airspace during ATC strikes, which would minimise cancellations and disruptions for Europe’s consumers who need to cross over French and Spanish airspace.

 

Ryanair say that then this EU wide petition obtains 1million  signatures, Ryanair intends to present it in Brussels and urge the EU Commission and the EU Parliament to finally take action.

 

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said:  “It’s disgraceful that Europe’s consumers repeatedly have their holiday and travel plans disrupted or cancelled by the selfish actions of ATC unions, who use strikes as a first weapon rather than a last resort. French ATC unions plan to strike from tonight until Wednesday morning – their 40th strike since 2009 – which will impact hundreds of thousands of European consumers and throw their travel plans into chaos.

 

"We have launched this website where consumers can support our online petition calling on the European Commission and European Parliament to either remove the ATC unions’ right to strike, or allow other European ATCs to operate French or Spanish airspace during these repeated strikes.

 

 

"It’s high time the French Government, European Commission and European Parliament took action to prevent Europe’s families and ordinary air travellers having their hard earned holidays or travel plans regularly disrupted by these ATC unions closing the skies over Europe. If the EU won’t listen to the airlines, perhaps they’ll listen to Europe’s citizens.”


Meanwhile, the BBC are reporting: 115 full and part-time jobs are being created by six businesses at Belfast International Airport. 85 full-time positions and  30 part-time.

The jobs are related to aviation support activities, including on-site food outlets, taxi operations and private charter services.

It brings the total number of new jobs announced at the airport in the past two months to 298.

Belfast International Airport director of commercial development Brian Carlin said: "These jobs have little or no lead-in times. There's a need for them now as we prepare for a bumper year with hundreds of thousands more passengers.

"Right across the board, we're seeing welcome growth. Airlines and airports generate jobs and new business opportunities at little or no cost to the taxpayer." 

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

AVIATION INCIDENTS LATEST : E145Flaps Up Landing B788 Smoke in Cabin, Multiple Bird strikes,

KLM B738 at Amsterdam on Jan 27th 2016, flaps problem

A KLM Boeing 737-800, registration PH-BXY performing flight KL-1576 from Athens (Greece) to Amsterdam,NL (Netherlands), was on final approach to Amsterdam's runway 18C when the crew went around from about 1500 feet MSL reporting a technical problem....

Read full story »

KLM B744 at Amsterdam on Jan 7th 2016, bird strike A KLM Boeing 747-400, registration PH-BFL performing flight KL-691 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Toronto,ON (Canada), was in the initial climb out of Amsterdam's runway 24 when the crew reported, still on tower frequency, that they just had a bird... Read full story »

Expressjet E145 at Halifax on Jan 19th 2016, flaps up landing An Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N14905 performing flight EV-4121/UA-4121 from Newark,NJ (USA) to Halifax,NS (Canada), was descending towards Halifax when the crew stopped the descent at 7000 feet reporting a flaps... Read full story »

Delta B752 at Saint Thomas on Jan 24th 2016, bird strike A Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200, registration N6713Y performing flight DL-307 from Saint Thomas (Virgin Islands) to Atlanta,GA (USA), was in the initial climb out of Saint Thomas' runway 28 when the left hand engine (PW2037) ingested a bird... Read full story »

India B788 near Delhi on Jan 26th 2016, smoke in cabin An Air India Boeing 787-800, registration VT-ANP performing flight AI-137 from Delhi (India) to Milan Malpensa (Italy) with 167 passengers, had just levelled off at cruise level FL360 when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and returned the... Read full story »

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

RMT call on Government and industry to do more for UK Shipping Industry Ratings

According to the Department for Transport’s Annual Seafarer Statistics, the number of UK Ratings in the shipping industry increased by 410 (4.8%) in 2015, the first increase since 2011. However, this modest increase was almost entirely confined to the catering and onboard services departments, where insecure employment contracts such as zero hours are common. The number of engine ratings fell by 13% and deck rating numbers remained flat. If this trend continues, the UK will have no deck and engine ratings by the end of the decade and the UK will lose the capacity to operate all classes of ship, damaging the skills base, as well as harming the UK’s economic and national security. National Secretary Steve Todd said: “RMT welcome any increase in jobs for UK seafarers but this is no time for the industry and Government to start patting themselves on the back. Make no mistake, the headline figure may be a 5% increase but overall UK Ratings again lost out in 2015 and the position for ratings remains desperate. Government needs to get its finger out and compel industry to use the Tonnage Tax scheme and new maritime apprenticeships to sign up the next generation of UK ratings in deck, engine, catering and onboard services. “The UK cannot afford to lose the expertise of deck and engine ratings that still work in the industry just because the Government does not have the gumption to get a grip on low cost operators like Condor and Irish Ferries. We must see UK ratings retained, employed and trained in greater numbers than we have seen so far this century otherwise we will continue to lose jobs and the vital links between seafaring skills and economic and national security.”     General Secretary, Mick Cash commented:  “This figure may buck the trend of constant falling numbers of Ratings but the Government and industry will have to do a whole lot more to build on this modest and unbalanced increase to avoid a record of neglect of UK seafarers. RMT remains committed to increasing training and employment of UK Ratings but the industry must stop side-stepping policies such as the new link to Ratings training through the Tonnage Tax if the slight increase over 2015 is going to lead to a balanced and sustained revival in UK Ratings’ employment and skills. “The overall decline in UK seafarer numbers in recent years continues to damage seafarer communities, employment standards and the national maritime skills base. RMT will no longer stand for industry setting the agenda and will continue to call this Government out on its failure to protect UK seafarers’ jobs from unfair competition in an industry addicted to cheap labour, flags of convenience and undermining UK employment and equality legislation.” Julian Bray, Cruise Industry commentator adds: In reality, the UK has lost out on the worldwide boom enjoyed by the Cruise Industry over the last decade, we no longer have viable wholly under cover shipyards for the mega cruise ships of today or the technical skills to design, fabricate and roll-out ready to work ships in less than 18 months.  Royal Caribbean projects, from initial concept to the maiden voyage are all completed with 18 months. For how many years has the UK been building a couple of aircraft carriers? Notes to editors The Department for Transport’s Annual Seafarer Statistics can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seafarer-statistics-2015

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

Airbus beat Boeing in the supply of new aircraft to a sanctions lifted Iran

 

 Boeing could eventually profit from the end of international sanctions against  Iran                

Iran is to buy new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing, in an effort to access international air routes and upgrade its fleet following the removal of UN sanctions.  Deputy transport minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan claims Iran is interested in buying at least 100 aircraft.

UN sanctions lifted over a week ago, has allowed European based Airbus to negotiate a deal to sell 114 aircraft to Iran.   Boeing could apply for a special waiver, to circumvent US trade sanctions which are still being applied. Meanwhile, no such problems for Airbus, the Airbus deal will be signed off on Wednesday  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visits Paris.

The average age of Iran's aircraft airframe stock is around  27 years, although flying components may have been swapped out when time/life expired.

Julian Bray Aviation Operations Expert writes: Only twelve  of Iran Air's fleet is cleared to use European Union airspace, as the airline has failed to meet international safety standards for the majority of its 43 strong fleet of civil aviation jet aircraft.  Officials estimate that 400 medium-to-long range aircraft and 100 short-range jets are required. The first deliveries of the new Airbus jets, will start to arrive by late March. This will clearly act as trigger to the USA, and possibly hasten the end of 'outdated' USA trade restrictions on Iran. The country is suddenly cash rich following the return of bank accounts and access to funds following the partial lifting of sanctions. Boeing executives are furious that Airbus has a cleared playing field due to continuing USA regulations which mean that several huge hurdles have to be overcome if Boeing are to benefit from the new political situation.

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com   Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog  

PAUL CALLAN FLEET STREET 'LEG END' TAKES UP BLOGGING AND HORRORS ISN'T DRINKING ....WELL DURING JANUARY ...

Paul Callan Esq.

 

I am delighted to report that Fleet Street legend Paul Callan (ordered to go dry for January and officially very old) has started blogging..... 

Aspiring 'hacks' and 'hackettes' might like to consider his blog as a kind of masterclass. By way of balance,  I might add the audio tapes from an early embryonic LBC Radio show 'Two of a Kind'.  Unless Mr Callan drops off a case of the Merlot, he's currently not drinking..... either way enjoy.  https://paulcallanatlarge.wordpress.com/2016/01/



JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

ARMED POLICE MEET GULF AIR FLIGHT AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

Armed police at airport [Library shot]

 

 

Armed UK police waited for a plane to touch down at London Heathrow amid fears that a terrorist was on board, claimed passengers on the Twitter site.

 

The drama unfolded as a Gulf Air flight GF007 from Bahrain landed at Heathrow at 6.35am on Wednesday morning.   As soon as the plane landed, the pilot 'repeatedly called for a passenger with an Arabic name to speak to the cabin crew'.

A spokesman for Gulf Air later confirmed police waited for the plane to land, as the name of a passenger 'may have been flagged up'.

A spokesman added: 'Gulf Air can confirm that flight GF007 was met by London Police upon landing into London Heathrow on Wednesday, January 20. 

 

'The authorities did not board the aircraft but were positioned at the aircraft bridge in order to question a passenger.

 

'The airline cannot comment further on such matters.' 

Sources: PA, Daily Mail, Flight Radar 24


JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

BOMB THREAT FORCES INDIAN FLIGHT TO MAKE EMERGENCY LANDING

Says it all; Meal voucher issued to delayed passenger. reason: BOMB

 

An Indian passenger aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after authorities received a telephone call saying there was a bomb planted on board. 

 

The GoAir plane, carrying 150 passengers, was en route from the eastern city of Bhubaneshwar to Mumbai when the call was received, the aircraft landed in the western city of Nagpur.

 

The passengers offloaded then airport security searched the aircraft and baggage earlier this morning,

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3413159/Passenger-plane-150-people-board-makes-emergency-landing-anonymous-call-said-bomb-aircraft.html#ixzz3y4Ss0ofs

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

Unions brand decision to award £490million train rolling stock contract to Spanish firm "a kick in the teeth"

Unions have branded a decision to hand a £490 million train building contract to Spain a "kick in the teeth" after Bombardier's Derby operation was reportedly bidding for the deal to provide 281 vehicles to Arriva Rail North, but has lost out to rolling stock manufacturer CAF in Spain.

The Spanish firm is expected to tender for other UK contracts including the High Speed 2 rail link between London and the north.

Arriva said the 100mph trains will "transform" travel for passengers in the north of England and insisted the Spanish CAF contract was 'the best value'. The new fleet of electric and diesel trains will replace the "outdated, unpopular" Pacers currently in use, the company said.

But RMT general secretary Mick Cash criticised the decision to send the contract overseas. He told The Mirror: "This is yet another kick in the teeth to train building, in the nation that gave the railways to the world.

"At a time when manufacturing jobs and the steel industry in Britain are under the cosh it is nothing short of scandalous that this contract has been sent overseas."
An Arriva spokesman told the Mirror: "CAF provided the best, value-for-money offer in response to our requirements."

Transport minister Andrew Jones said: "More than 2,000 carriages are being built in British factories. The state of the art trains Arriva are providing will improve journeys across the North, which has suffered from worn-out rolling stock for too long."


JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

AIR INCIDENTS LATEST: B763 Electrical 'odour' in Cockpit, B752, Engine fail, B739 skids off runway, E170 Cockpit window cracks...

American B763 over Atlantic on Jan 12th 2016, electrical odour in cockpit An American Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N351AA performing flight AA-90 from Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL390 over the Atlantic Ocean about 550nm eastnortheast of St. John's,NL (Canada) when the crew... Read full story »

American B752 near Gander on Dec 6th 2015, engine failure An American Airlines Boeing 757-200, registration N172AJ performing flight AA-131 from Birmingham,EN (UK) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was enroute at FL340 about 20nm southeast of Gander,NL (Canada) when the left hand engine (RB211) lost power with an... Read full story »

United B739 at Chicago on Jan 22nd 2016, overran runway on landing A United Boeing 737-900, registration N36444 performing flight UA-734 from San Francisco,CA to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA), landed on O'Hare's runway 09L at 11:56L (17:56Z) but went beyond the end of the runway and skidded right off the runway end... Read full story »

Republic E170 near Pittsburgh on Jan 21st 2016, cracked cockpit window A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-170 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N802MD performing flight YX-4447/AA-4447 from Bentonville,AR to New York La Guardia,NY (USA), was enroute at FL370 about 50nm eastsoutheast of Pittsburgh,PA (USA) when a... Read full story »

Swiftair AT72 at Sofia on Jan 21st 2016, loss of communication A Swiftair Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-202, registration EC-KJA performing flight 7J-127A from Plovdiv to Sofia (Bulgaria), was on approach to Sofia's runway 27 still in two way communication contact with approach control being cleared to... Read full story »

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

SNOWED UNDER ... Eastern Coast USA in grip of monster storm as UK temperatures set to rise...

 

If you are thinking of flying to the East Coast of the USA in the next few days, consider that 10 States are under several feet of snow and packed ice, they have already declared a State of Emergency, triggering extra Federal assistance.  Snow is falling, and expected to continue non-stop for a full 24 hours.

It might be quicker, and certainly less stressful getting to New York to take a 5 day Atlantic crossing cruise instead, writes Julian Bray Aviation Security & Operations Expert. Simply the USA is experiencing storm conditions and in the space of 12 hours, 2 feet deep snow has all but closed down the USA. New York and Washington are particularly badly affected.  The disruption to air travel is likely to carry on for several days after the airports reopen as many aircraft are out of position and will need to make 'dead-leg' repositioning flights, in order to pick up on regular scheduled operations.

Fifty million Americans a facing a massive winter storm expected to dump more than 2ft (60cm) across the east coast and cause widespread devastation.

A state of emergency has been declared across a vast swathe of the Eastern seaboard, with individual states in near-shutdown after thousands of flights were cancelled, schools and government offices closed and sports and entertainment events called off.

 

Warnings are in place from Arkansas in the south to New York in the far north east, and millions of people have been stocking up on food and emergency supplies.

Officials are expecting blizzard conditions to combine with brutally high winds, inland flooding, white-out conditions and the possibility of thunder snow, when lightning strikes through snowstorms, paralysing the eastern third of the US and potentially causing up to one billion dollars (£700 million) of damage.

 

Washington - which is further south than Madrid and Rome, where on Friday it was 11C and 13C respectively - is braced for more than 2ft (60cm) of snow and authorities are shutting the subway system from Friday until Sunday. Up to 18in (45cm) could fall in Philadelphia and 1ft (30cm) in New York.

 

But while Americans face the prospect of one of the worst winters in years, temperatures almost 10C above the average will leave people in the UK enjoying spring-like weather.

 

Thermometers are likely to peak at 15C (59F) on Sunday, a far cry from the usual 6.5C (43.7F) in January, as a dip in the Atlantic jet stream pushes warmer weather over the UK from the South West.

 

Rain on Friday will clear through the East in the afternoon, leaving just a few showers in the North West overnight. Most parts will be dry on Saturday, with some rain in the South and West later.

 

Billy Payne, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "Temperatures will be above average, with highs generally of 9C (48F) to 12C (53.6F), with most places falling in the range above the January average.]

 

"Typically that is around 6.5C (43.7F) in London and most places 6C (42.8F) to 7C (44.6F) at this time of year, and around 8C (46.4F) in the South West.

 

"Sunday will be milder still, with extensive cloud and bits and pieces of light rain and drizzle, mostly in the North and West and over hills. It could be up to 15C (59F) in places, most likely in the South and West, reaching 11C (51.8F)to 14C (57.2F) locally."

 

The mild outlook will continue into next week, though heavy and prolonged rain is likely in the middle of the week, particularly in the North and West, with winds of up to 60mph.

 

Mr Payne added: "In the next week or two flooding could become a concern again, especially for areas that have been previously affected this winter."

 Sources: CNS, PA, API, Weather Channel,

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

AIR INCIDENTS: EASYJET AIRBUS A319 'FLYING ON EMPTY' ABORTS TWO 'LANDINGS' MILAN to NAPLES

Easyjet A319 at Bari on Jan 7th 2016, landed below final fuel reserve

An Easyjet Airbus A319-100, registration G-EZEW on flight U2-2899 from Milan Malpensa to Naples (Italy), aborted two final approaches to Naples's runway 24 at about 1000 feet MSL and went around due to weather, the crew subsequently decided...

 

Read full story »

Austrian DH8D at Zurich on Jan 17th 2016, stuck flaps An Austrian Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Swiss, registration OE-LGP performing flight LX-1193 from Nuremberg (Germany) to Zurich (Switzerland), was on final approach to Zurich's runway 28 when the crew went around reporting stuck... Read full story »

Onur A320 at Amsterdam on Jan 19th 2016, landing gear problem An Onur Air Airbus A320-200, registration TC-OBU performing flight 8Q-371 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was descending towards Amsterdam when the crew declared PAN PAN PAN reporting they had a landing gear problem. The crew... Read full story »

Calm AT72 near Rankin Inlet on Jan 18th 2016, engine shut down in flight A Calm Air Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-202, registration C-FULE performing flight MO-8670 from Churchill,MB to Rankin Inlet,NU (Canada) with 2 crew, was enroute at FL210 about 80nm north of Churchill when the crew noticed a low oil pressure... Read full story »

Porter DH8D at Quebec City on Jan 15th 2016, tail scrape on landing A Porter Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-GKQD performing flight PD-513 from Toronto City,ON to Quebec City,QC (Canada) with 74 people on board, landed on Quebec's runway 24 but touched down hard and the tail contacted the runway... Read full story »

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

RMTs' short-tempered response to today's public accounts committee report on Eurostar sell-off

 

Memo to RMT script writer....

 

The RMT Union General Secretary Mick Cash has issued a statement following  today's Public Accounts Committee report on the Eurostar sell-off, however it might help Mr Cash if he dumped the 1960's rhetoric, which over the last few months seems to form an increasingly major part of important statements as without it, his points would be much stronger and command a greater amount of editorial space!

 

Kind regards JB

General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“However you dress it up the fire sale of the UK’s Eurostar stake before the election has cost the taxpayer billions in wasted investment and lost future profits. The total British public investment in Eurostar racks up at £3 billion and yet we got back just £757 million for our stake and that is a gross rip-off by anyone’s standards.

“This Public Accounts Committee report is wholly inadequate and lets those responsible for knocking out our Eurostar stake at a rock-bottom price, in a mad dash to privatise, off the hook. The recommendations will do little or nothing to prevent a repeat of the Eurostar travesty.

“With another £62 billion of our public assets set to be flogged off under this Government the Eurostar fiasco paints a grim picture of profiteering and bargain basement deals that rob the British people blind. Our family silver is being unloaded by the Tories to their friends and backers in the City at knock-down prices in a process driven by a combination of stupidity, greed and Thatcherite ideology.”


JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog

Latest Aviation Incidents.... mid January 2016

Swiss A320 near Hamburg on Jan 19th 2016, engine shut down in flight A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration HB-IJK performing flight LX-1054 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Hamburg (Germany), was descending towards Hamburg when an engine (CFM56) banged and jolted two times and was shut down. The... Read full story »

Virgin America A320 at Los Angeles on Jan 16th 2016, rejected takeoff due to electrical problem A Virgin America Airbus A320-200, registration N639VA performing flight VX-406 from Los Angeles,CA to New York JFK,NY (USA), was accelerating for takeoff from Los Angeles' runway 24L when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed advising that no... Read full story »

Canada B773 near Anchorage on Dec 30th 2016, turbulence injures flight attendant An Air Canada Boeing 777-300, registration C-FNNH performing flight AC-16 from Hong Kong (China) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 287 people on board, was enroute at FL350 about 55nm northeast of Anchorage,AK (USA) when the aircraft encountered moderate... Read full story »

Austrian DH8D at Nuremberg on Jan 15th 2016, flaps problem An Austrian Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Swiss, registration OE-LGP performing flight LX-1192 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Nuremberg (Germany), was on final approach to Nuremberg when the crew went around reporting a problem with... Read full story »

Delta A319 at New York on Jan 15th 2016, hydraulic failure A Delta Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N370NB performing flight DL-2611 from New Orleans,LA to New York JFK,NY (USA) with 127 people on board, was on final approach to JFK's runway 22L when the crew went around from about 500 feet AGL... Read full story »

JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Aviation Expert, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 (ALL CODECS) e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com Contrib. Account #104764 53 FEED: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog