General Aviation

[jfy1999]

I keep seeing these Oxford Aviation Academy PA34-22T Seneca planes making ILS approaches to BHX without ever landing. What's the purpose of this and why do they use BHX as opposed to other airports?

 

[Brummiegem]

I keep seeing these Oxford Aviation Academy PA34-22T Seneca planes making ILS approaches to BHX without ever landing. What's the purpose of this and why do they use BHX as opposed to other airports?

I think it is to make use of the ILS systems at a major airport.
Obviously new and trainee pilots need to get used to the procedures involved at busy airports,and I think BHX has been used for many years for this purpose.
Oxford Aviation Academy if I remember correctly was originally called CSE aviation,a flight training specialist based at Oxford.I can't remember if CSE went bankrupt or if it was taken over.
When I was a regular spotter at BHX,CSE aircraft were a regular feature,basically doing the same things as they do now.ILS approaches,go arounds and missed approaches.All procedures that pilots of all ratings have to be able to perform.
Why BHX,I'm not sure ,but other airports are used such as EMA,but I think BHX is closest to OXF,and as I said earlier has been used for many years as such,although perhaps not as much now as when I was a spotter.
I remember RAF Hercules doing similar training on a regular basis back in the 80s and early 90s but sadly no longer.
Hope that answers your question in a nutshell :good:

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Why BHX,I'm not sure ,but other airports are used such as EMA,but I think BHX is closest to OXF,and as I said earlier has been used for many years as such,although perhaps not as much now as when I was a spotter.

They used to use BRS as well. They may still do so.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Cello have another 737 arriving in April. It looks very nice indeed.

http://www.flycello.com/index.php/media ... this-april

 

[pianokeys]

Haven't seen Cello's G-RAJG for a while now. Presumably away on maintenance ? Although they undoubtedly have contracts in place for this and Marshalls looking after ground handling it would be nice to see them develop hanger facilities at Brum. Does the airport have the space for them though ? With Gainjet parking up, space on the Elmdon apron is sometimes at a premium.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think G-RAJG has been returned to the lessor.

I think there was extra space created with the removal of one of the hangars, not sure if it's in use yet. With Gainjet 757 and 737 and Cello having 2x 737's they'll need it.

I've also noticed a Multi Flight 737 parked up for a few weeks.

 

[wolfheze]

Quick question. Is it possible to retrace the route and identify something you saw fly over a day or two back with FR 24 or similar? I only have the most basic version of the above so I don't know what the all singin and dancin ones will do.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hi Wolfheze

Sorry, I've only just read your question.
Even the basic (not logged in, no subscription) version of FR24 can replay flights.
I'm viewing it on my PC, (so it may be different on a smart phone) and have just used the feature to watch EK40 depart and fly over my house.

Launch FR24 and on the right hand side of the screen you will see 5 icons. The lower of these is the playback facility.
Click on it, and set the date and time that you want to view. Remember it uses UTC, which I think is the same as GMT.
Some GA aircraft might not show up, and I have no idea how far back you can view.

Hope that helps.

Kevin

 

[wolfheze]

I have it on a tablet and theres only search and binocular icons on the screen. Did try to pay to upgrade it but couldnt get it to accept the payment. Was trying to identify a single engined fighter that flew over my house in Thurlaston near draycote water at 3.30 on Sunday. Only caught a glimpse of it, didnt sound like a Merlin. Didnt have the tablet with me so couldnt look at the time.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Sorry I couldn't have been of more help, Wolfheze.

I just use their website-

https://www.flightradar24.com/60,15/6

I'm not sure whether that will work on your tablet.

On first reading your post, I'd assumed the 'single engine fighter' to be modern military, but on re-reading I noticed you mentioned a piston engine.
Living close to Duxford, Spitfires and other warbirds are fairly frequent overhead, but very few show up on FR24. So the chance of tracing the aircraft is probably very low.
I hope that you do find out.

Regards

Kevin

 

[wolfheze]

Okay thanks for the help anyway.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Air Alliance Medflight opens UK wing

Germany’s Air Alliance Medflight has announced the creation of a UK-based aeromedical team located in Birmingham.

The UK-based services will operate from facilities at Birmingham Airport and initially will boast two Learjet 35A planes, both available in double-stretcher configuration.

http://www.airmedandrescue.com/story/1366

 

[Ray Finkle]

Marshall's FBO

Another picture of the Honda Jet

https://twitter.com/MASBirmingham/with_replies

 

[Ray Finkle]

Flexjet Ltd., the UK subsidiary of U.S. based Flexjet, today announced the acquisition of aircraft charter management firm FlairJet from Marshall Aerospace to expand the fractional provider’s footprint into Europe, using a fleet of eight Nextant 400XTis, as well as Flairjet’s existing fleet of seven managed jets. Flexjet, which revealed plans to enter the region this fall at EBACE, will operate aircraft under Birmingham Airport-based FlairJet’s UK CAA air operator certificate (AOC) in Europe.

Full article: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-...jet-buys-uk-based-flairjet-euro-expansion-bid

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Does this mean that Marshall Aerospace will no longer be a Fixed Base Operator at BHX?
I.E. are Flexjet taking over the VIP terminal as well as the aircraft?

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

Marshalls will still operate the VIP Terminal and hangar it's just the management charter side of things that has been sold.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Marshalls will still operate the VIP Terminal and hangar it's just the management charter side of things that has been sold.

Thanks Ray

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Oh, the joys of big business and high finance.

A small army of lawyers will have had a bonanza and some folks at Marshall and Flexjet will have become wealthy whilst others will have the need of Jobcentre Plus.

That said, I hope that executive aviation continues on site but if not, best they return or locate to Coventry and develop the site for the Low Cost operators and free up international terminal for long haul services.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Great to see Marshalls doing so well 👍

Marshall Aviation Services has been enjoying a record few months at its Birmingham facility, which has been Marshall-owned for 18 months now, with business aviation movements increasing month on month since May.

Since June, movements have increased month on month and the business is doing especially well catering for larger VIP airliners. Resident VIP charter and ACMI operator Cello Aviation recently added a second B737-300 to its fleet, configured for 60-seats in a 43in to 47in seat pitch. The aircraft complements a similar B737 and BAe Avro RJ, also based at the FBO, along with a regular B757-200 and B737-400 in VIP layout, regularly flown in by GainJet of Greece.

Full article: http://www.aviationpros.com/press_r...s-its-birmingham-airport-fbo-at-airops-europe

 

[BHXsupporter]

Interesting that they state 'competitively priced lower cost parking apron for the largest of aircraft types' which is quite a contrast from the usually voiced overcharging accusations from LOCOs.