Lightning 422 - future? AALO exits USA

[ChemicalChaos]

Well this thread certainly generated some debate!

aeropilot said:

The rule makers have effectively put a stop to the two Swiss Hunter's now, with their 2-seater being sold to one the Canadian owned military contractor over there

I didn't know that! That's quite the disappointment, I'd been hoping to buy a flight in it in the near future (Having already sampled the T.11 Vampire over here, I'd wanted to work my way "up the generations")..... Bummer.....

aeropilot said:

It remains to be seen if the FAA change some of the rules over there in the wake of the MiG-23 crash last year, which only by an astonishing stroke of luck didn't take anyone out on the ground, and from a flying handling pov, those things are notoriously not the ideal thing that should be flying at an airshow, and makes a Lightning and a Harrier look the safest thing in the air.

There are likely some further big changes coming over there in the wake of the Dallas P-63/B-17 air to air as well.

The A2A crash was pure idiocy from the ground controllers changing up the display pattern though, nothing to do with the aircraft or their airworthiness?

And if they start restricting complex stuff, do they restrict it equally? Collings foundation have not long got their Phantom flying, but they're a big outfit vs one rich guy having an indulgence.....

[aeropilot]

ChemicalChaos said:

aeropilot said:

It remains to be seen if the FAA change some of the rules over there in the wake of the MiG-23 crash last year, which only by an astonishing stroke of luck didn't take anyone out on the ground, and from a flying handling pov, those things are notoriously not the ideal thing that should be flying at an airshow, and makes a Lightning and a Harrier look the safest thing in the air.

There are likely some further big changes coming over there in the wake of the Dallas P-63/B-17 air to air as well.

The A2A crash was pure idiocy from the ground controllers changing up the display pattern though, nothing to do with the aircraft or their airworthiness?

And if they start restricting complex stuff, do they restrict it equally? Collings foundation have not long got their Phantom flying, but they're a big outfit vs one rich guy having an indulgence.....

Yes the Dallas A2A was indeed idiocy from the so-called 'air-boss' but there is speculation/rumour that because of that, FAA may change the way shows over there are run and controlled, and given the ongoing for the MiG-23 crash as well over built up area etc., there could well be a raft of changes coming, which may well affect vintage jet ops over there......but, its wait and see.

As for Collings and their F-4, F-100 & A-4 jets, well they'll never fly again (well not in Collings ownership, and in the case of the Phantom, it will never fly again end of)) as Collings have grounded pretty much their whole airworthy fleet and will never fly any paid pax experience flights again, as a result of the massive financial lawsuit payouts after the loss of their B-17G '909' back in autumn 2019 as well as FAA removing them from the exemption programme.
They have sold off some aircraft, and rumours are some others are also 'up for sale' but not which ones etc., (so its not clear what the fate of the F-4 and F-100 are) and the rest not being sold are now being moved into a static museum exhibit, which sadly includes the B-24J.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 29th April 15:55

[swampy442]

An update from my mate who was working on 422, 452 is currently sat in ISO's in South Africa, destination unknown at this point

[aeropilot]

swampy442 said:

An update from my mate who was working on 422, 452 is currently sat in ISO's in South Africa, destination unknown at this point

Well, they've got that far pdq, as its not a simple task splitting a Frightening, because of the one piece centre-section that goes through the fuselage. They are not the easiest of a/c to move around if not being flown, and you want it to fly again. I'm guessing they had access to a lot of the ex-TC equipment that they bought up from Barry P at Exeter when he sold them 451 and the 2 x F.6's, and they bought 452 from Cranfield.