Any info on this interesting picture

So was just browsing A.Net and came across this picture. There are two others in the database. Clearly in this picture you can see the updated VS logo.

So any suggestions on what it is all about? I googled the company and it seems they are some sort of flight training school in Australia. My immediate thought was that they were a DJ flying academy but that still doesn't really answer why the VS logo is on the side. I was under the impression that VS did not do pilot training, rather they prefer to recruit their pilots from the RAF or from other commercial airlines once they have x number of flying hours under their belt.

[quote]Originally posted by willd
So was just browsing A.Net and came across this picture. There are two others in the database. Clearly in this picture you can see the updated VS logo.

I used to live in Moorabbin and there was a small flying school there then but not what you would call an 'airport' as such, it's obviously grown a lot larger since I was there - very interesting.

quote:Originally posted by willd
So was just browsing A.Net and came across this picture. There are two others in the database. Clearly in this picture you can see the updated VS logo.


New transatlantic sub-economy class initiative for the the recession [:?]

[Scrooge]

It's a private plane, for whatever reason some people seem to love to paint the tails of their aircraft with airline paint schemes, I am guessing that as long as they stay under the radar VS and other airlines go along with out knowing about it, however they would probably try to get the owner to remove the logos if they found out about them.

Owner & Operator: MOORABBIN AVIATION SERVICES PTY LTD

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
It's a private plane, for whatever reason some people seem to love to paint the tails of their aircraft with airline paint schemes, I am guessing that as long as they stay under the radar VS and other airlines go along with out knowing about it, however they would probably try to get the owner to remove the logos if they found out about them.


Think this thread might have given the game away[:D][:D]

buns

[Scrooge]

Please, there is also a couple 'VS' planes hanging around central America.

Thanks Dave, I had wondered if it was something along those lines, although does seem strange in this instance as the aircraft owner is a company and not an individual. The ramifications for the IP Infringement will be a lot greater for a company.

Why remove it? - '....best form of flattery' and free advertising!

I institute a bounty of TWENTY POUNDS STERLING, possibly alternatively payable to the charity of the winner's choice, for the first trip report from that aircraft posted here. If someone doesn't produce a trip report, but can produce a picture of them and a good old-fashioned V-Flyer luggage tag in front of the still-appropriately-painted plane, that's got to be worth half the bounty. Offer expires when either this forum or I do.

Go to it, Australian friends!

[Scrooge]

I have very large doubts that aircraft would fly on the best of days, so sorry no TR.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
I have very large doubts that aircraft would fly on the best of days, so sorry no TR.


O no, over on A.net there is a picture from the flight deck taken in May I believe! So she is flying.

quote:Originally posted by Bill S
Why remove it? - '....best form of flattery' and free advertising!


Because VS spend millions a year on their brand and building brand loyality etc and do not want their company image to be diluted by someone else.

Joe Bloggs on the street will not know that the plane is not officially linked with Virgin, they could like I did, believe its part of some pilot training programme for example.

Granted there is a threshold as you point out Bill, there is a point where there is free publicity and then there is taking advantage of the brand and 'riding on the back of' its goodwill. The people in Laos selling rip off Nike trainers are riding on the back of the goodwill of Nike. In this instance its a bit hazy, people could be learning to fly with them thinking they have some sort of official link to VS or DJ and thus are relying on the goodwill of the VS brand to attract customers. I am just surprised a letter has not been written (maybe it has, and VS cant be bothered with the hassle, although I dont think that is likely). What I find hard to believe is that the Virgin brand as a whole is fairly large in Australia, and yet no one from DJ has picked up on this aircraft.

They are trading as Australia National Airline College
The Warrior on their website is not in Virgin colours but they seem to have 10 active.

quote:Originally posted by northernhenry
quote:Originally posted by willd
So was just browsing A.Net and came across this picture. There are two others in the database. Clearly in this picture you can see the updated VS logo.


New transatlantic sub-economy class initiative for the the recession [:?]


Still probably better IFE than the LGW fleet

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by willd
quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
I have very large doubts that aircraft would fly on the best of days, so sorry no TR.


O no, over on A.net there is a picture from the flight deck taken in May I believe! So she is flying.




Take another look at the picture, trust me when I say, that plane isn't flying anywhere [:p]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Take another look at the picture, trust me when I say, that plane isn't flying anywhere [:p]

OK - I'll bite - Why?

Well, only if it's got a jet where the propeller should be? [:w]

quote:Originally posted by Capt.Pag
Well, only if it's got a jet where the propeller should be? [:w]

Prop. is black & horizontal.
It does seem rather small but the Cherokee series were rather prone to pitching at slow speeds in the early versions

Perhaps it seems the 'elevator' is too small as on this C177 [:w]

[Scrooge]

The prop is there, but zooming in I don't see a yoke.

quote:Originally posted by Bill S
Prop. is black & horizontal.
[:I] ooo quite right... I didn't see that first look!

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
The prop is there, but zooming in I don't see a yoke.

Too much reflection there and on the second photo but even if clear the yoke would be well down when locked back as here.