V-Flyer

More news on BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7578428.stm

G.

If Virgin are going to hit the front page of BBC news, then this is probably the best way to do it. [:D][;)]

Let's just hope it is a warning light fault or something simple. We don't want another plane taken out of service long or short term.

Nick

Some nervous flyers today I'm sure...

Ahh the land of adjectives strikes again, what exactly is a 'full' emergency compared to an emergency!

Glad all safe and hope they continue their journey.

It seems the aircraft was G-VLIP and it lost an engine during take off.

According to the BBC's Website they are going to cover the flight with a LHR aircraft which should depart around 8pm.

-Steve

Technical faults aside - is getting an LHR a/c over an LGW one worth a 10 hour delay?

Originally posted by barnstaple
Technical faults aside - is getting an LHR a/c over an LGW one worth a 10 hour delay?

Have you tried driving on those roads??? [:w]

GJ

I may be being thick but I don't know what you mean!

I thing this refers to getting an LHR a/c 'over' an LGW one - I think you meant 'cover'

OK, what I actually meant (although it is probably a pointless question) is, if you had a choice of flying at your scheduled time on a LGW config aircraft, or being delayed by 10 hours and then flying on a LHR config aircraft, is there any occasion you would think - I would rather wait 10 hours and go on the LHR config?

Not unless you were hoping for an op-up due to the different configurations - but would this even be worth a 10 hour delay?

My guess is that Virgin have not used a LHR configured plane over another LGW configured plane because it has extra UC/PE seating, BUT because they didn't have any free/unallocated LGW configured planes left....

...I know the impression given by the artical is different, BUT - from my experience - that is probably the ineptitude of the journalist (or the spin that they chose to put on it...).

I am sure that the flight is being sent on as soon as is practical.

Boo

Originally posted by Boo Boo
My guess is that Virgin have not used a LHR configured plane over another LGW configured plane because it has extra UC/PE seating, BUT because they didn't have any free/unallocated LGW configured planes left....

That will be exactly what happened one would imagine.

Always a problem losing an engine!! A wallet, watch or phone is one thing, but 5 tonnes of CF6-80 engine takes some losing!!!!!

On a serious note, it would be a safe move to return to LGW. A problem that could end up as an engine change in Barbados would be very expensive!!!!

Originally posted by slinky09
Ahh the land of adjectives strikes again, what exactly is a 'full' emergency compared to an emergency!

This thread on a.net at reply number 20 contains the different level of emergency that UK Airports operate.

The term 'Full Emergency' is an industry term.

Some good pictures of VLIP venting fuel.
Having some trouble getting the link to work - you may have to follow:
Aviation Photography È Civvy Photography È Virgin 747 G-VLIP in trouble

New engine being fitted overnight.

Originally posted by Bill S
New engine being fitted overnight.

Do Halfords readily have them in stock then? Or is it a Jewson special? [:)]

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by Bill S
New engine being fitted overnight.

Do Halfords readily have them in stock then? Or is it a Jewson special? [:)]

Or

'Here is one I made earlier'[:D]

I am sure VS do not resort to sticky back plastic though

Buns

BTW Don't you just love the negative reporting the media in the UK have embarked upon?

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by Bill S
New engine being fitted overnight.

Do Halfords readily have them in stock then? Or is it a Jewson special? [:)]

VS's GE donkey farm is a little better that Halfords!

Why do you think Aircraft Engineers are entitled to Halfords Trade Discount Cards!!!

As previously stated a return to LGW better than a 3 engine ferry empty back from BGI or an engine change down there!!

This kind of engine failure can look quite impressive (757 video link on the other thread), last saw one on an RB211 powered 747-400 & also the subsequent borescope inspection of the engine (now that didn't look nice).

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by Bill S
New engine being fitted overnight.

Do Halfords readily have them in stock then? Or is it a Jewson special? [:)]

I remember reading a book about Ryanair and O'Leary. The Ryanair Head of Engineering made a proposal to O'Leary to buy a spare CFM56, even then concerned about the cost of the spare engine despite them needing it. O'Leary's answer? 'Buy two'.

Even if VS didn't have a spare engine at Gatwick, I guess they could fairly rapidly source an CF6 from KLM in Amsterdam who maintain the CF6s in the VS fleet.

Mike