XH558 update

Chris558 · Post by **Chris558** » 15 Jun 2007, 20:53

As of Friday June 15th

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust is determined to ensure that XH558 appears at at least one event in the 2007 season. Hundreds of thousands of people from supporters' groups, the media and the general public are champing at the bit to see the iconic bomber fly again, and everyone concerned is understandably frustrated that the timetable to first flight seems to keep extending.

Engineers at the Vulcan's base in Leicestershire have been working literally around the clock for the last three months, with four night shifts per week and fifteen plus hour days not being uncommon. The hard work has paid-off: XH558 is standing on her own landing gear again, with the airframe approaching completion. The elevons, rudder, bomb bay doors, electrical systems and engines having been successfully refitted. Full electrical power has now been returned to the aircraft and testing is progressing apace. It has therefore been a huge disappointment to everyone involved that they are now left waiting for the last dozen or so critical components that will allow reconstruction to be completed and flight testing to begin. Arrival of these parts will trigger a chain of final tasks resulting in first flight as soon as three weeks later.

It is worth remembering that the Vulcan to the Sky project is the first ever attempt to return a 'complex' rated aircraft to flight. As such, many rules, regulations and guidelines have been exercised for the first time as the project progresses. But progress it does and after three years of extremely hard work, the finishing line is now (agonisingly) close.

Vulcan to the Sky wishes to thank everyone who has helped the project since its inception and especially the members of the Vulcan to the Sky Club , and the â€œFriends â€œ of VTST for their loyal support. The return of XH558 is now not a question of if, but when. How long she remains in the air is dependent on the success of current efforts to sign up a commercial sponsor willing to take advantage of the biggest flying billboard ever made, and the continuing financial generosity of the public.

Dr R Pleming
CEO

Doesn't look like she'll make it to Fairford... :sad:

Post by **DelP** » 15 Jun 2007, 21:32

..but much respect to those who have worked long and hard to try and get her up and running..

Derek

Post by **Garry Russell** » 15 Jun 2007, 21:33

Maybe not :sad: ..but she will appears one day

and it will certainly be worth the wait.... (this space reserved for dancing smiley)

Garry

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 15 Jun 2007, 22:30

I agree Gary. It would have been great if she'd been ready in time for the Falklands commemoration, and RIAT, but as long we can be sure that she will fly eventually, I'm happy enough with that. Of course, the only real regret is that come the day of her maiden flight, there will be no dance smilies to celebrate the occasion. :sad:

Chris558 · Post by **Chris558** » 15 Jun 2007, 23:08

Absolutely - I'm not really disheartened at all. The guys have to take as long as is necessary to acheive this monumentous goal SAFELY. I don't care how long it takes, but the fact that they say "It's not a question of IF, but a question of WHEN" is more than good news - even if she only flies just one public display this season. And I'm sure we'll all be there!