Birmingham: STS Aviation Hangar and Expected Movements

[BhxJack]

Yes that's correct the did a switch G-DBCC went to lhr

 

[jfy1999]

British airways A321 (G-EUXJ) is about to arrive from LGW.

 

[Nethercote2019]

Seems very quiet at STS … just the wedge tails, is there not much work about ?

 

[mullion]

Summer season has started so it will be quiet until about October except for repairs

 

[Transport__Topic]

Heard that we could have all 3 Wedgetails outside the hanger at the moment? Can anyone confirm?

 

[IanFarquharson]

Having a move around, there will be no more civil airlines going through STS all military

 

[Transport__Topic]

Having a move around, there will be no more civil airlines going through STS all military

That’s a shame, is that just for the summer or beyond?

 

[jfy1999]

A 737 Wedgetail test flight is scheduled for tomorrow at 14:45, arriving back at 17:15.

 

[Otisblue]

This was among the raft of US investment announcements today.....taken from the BBC website article.

Boeing has said it will convert two 737 aircraft in Birmingham for the US Air Force, which would be the first USAF aircraft built in the UK for over 50 years, and could create 150 high-skilled jobs.

 

[Nethercote2019]

This was among the raft of US investment announcements today.....taken from the BBC website article.

Boeing has said it will convert two 737 aircraft in Birmingham for the US Air Force, which would be the first USAF aircraft built in the UK for over 50 years, and could create 150 high-skilled jobs.

Great news for STS and local economy etc but is not going to be great for spotters as I’m sure an increase in security etc will come with it.

 

[rollo]

There's a lot of spin in this, its also on the governments website stating it will create 150 new jobs when it represents a continuation of work securing employment for the existing workforce following on from the current three aircraft ( originally five) programme for the RAF.

Nevertheless most welcome but it would be nice to see other typeslike we have had previously, I believe STS at BHX is now entirely military.

 

[JENNYJET]

STS has a currency with the airframe and both Boeing and the US DOD see that so it was logical to keep it in house. The Royal Airforce have it in evaluation whilst

 

[rollo]

This thread has gone quiet so I thought I'd put out an update on things as I understand them.

The first Wedgetail WT001 is due for delivery to Lossiemouth for IOC sometime this year no actual date given its long overdue and the second aircraft WT002 due out shortly for painting at Southend then returns to BHX, meanwhile work continues on the third.

The two USAF E-7s (737-700) are currently in production at Boeing due for delivery in their green state to STS this year both to bo completed in 2028.

 

[pianokeys]

And the next Wedgetail conversion following in quick succession tomorrow around 07:30. BOE152 N626DS from BGR.
Last weekends arrival is now inside, with what I assume is WT001 sitting outside for some days now. Reported elsewhere that delivery should be this month, but not necessarily operational due training of crews etc.

 

[rollo]

As far as i know the first Wedgetail is slated for delivery this month to Lossiemouth for crew training to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by end of 2026 three or is it four years late, way over budget and three aircraft instead of five originally ordered although somehow the MOD managed to end up committed to five radar sets, the clever and most expensive bit!