RAF Voyager KC2
Discussion
The Voyagers are based at Brize so will naturally take-off and land there. The customers are based all over the country, including Scotland.
The airspace above the UK is pretty busy, with airways criss-crossing the land-mass at varying heights. Out to sea is relatively clear and is where the air-to-air refuelling areas are located. This allows the Vger to fly its racetrack patterns without having to worry about conflicting with civilian traffic and ditto for their customers. Vgers have a lot of fuel and can travel long distances to refuel other aircraft, especially Fast-Jets who do not have a lot of spare fuel. So it would make sense for a Vger to fly to Scotland to refuel scottish based aircraft.
Hope that helps!
The airspace above the UK is pretty busy, with airways criss-crossing the land-mass at varying heights. Out to sea is relatively clear and is where the air-to-air refuelling areas are located. This allows the Vger to fly its racetrack patterns without having to worry about conflicting with civilian traffic and ditto for their customers. Vgers have a lot of fuel and can travel long distances to refuel other aircraft, especially Fast-Jets who do not have a lot of spare fuel. So it would make sense for a Vger to fly to Scotland to refuel scottish based aircraft.
Hope that helps!
rkem said:
The Voyagers are based at Brize so will naturally take-off and land there. The customers are based all over the country, including Scotland.
The airspace above the UK is pretty busy, with airways criss-crossing the land-mass at varying heights. Out to sea is relatively clear and is where the air-to-air refuelling areas are located. This allows the Vger to fly its racetrack patterns without having to worry about conflicting with civilian traffic and ditto for their customers. Vgers have a lot of fuel and can travel long distances to refuel other aircraft, especially Fast-Jets who do not have a lot of spare fuel. So it would make sense for a Vger to fly to Scotland to refuel scottish based aircraft.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for that.The airspace above the UK is pretty busy, with airways criss-crossing the land-mass at varying heights. Out to sea is relatively clear and is where the air-to-air refuelling areas are located. This allows the Vger to fly its racetrack patterns without having to worry about conflicting with civilian traffic and ditto for their customers. Vgers have a lot of fuel and can travel long distances to refuel other aircraft, especially Fast-Jets who do not have a lot of spare fuel. So it would make sense for a Vger to fly to Scotland to refuel scottish based aircraft.
Hope that helps!
I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
Not exactly related to the OP's question but why aren't the Voyagers used as VIP aircraft for the PM (royals) to travel where they need to be around the world?
Is it that there are not enough of them to cover when needed (not too often I would imagine) or is it cheaper to charter a BA 777? Seems a bit naff to turn up in foreign climes in a BA/Virgin jet when every other country seems to have their own, not that a grey Airbus would be AF1 but I've always wondered.
Is it that there are not enough of them to cover when needed (not too often I would imagine) or is it cheaper to charter a BA 777? Seems a bit naff to turn up in foreign climes in a BA/Virgin jet when every other country seems to have their own, not that a grey Airbus would be AF1 but I've always wondered.
-crookedtail- said:
Not exactly related to the OP's question but why aren't the Voyagers used as VIP aircraft for the PM (royals) to travel where they need to be around the world?
Is it that there are not enough of them to cover when needed (not too often I would imagine) or is it cheaper to charter a BA 777? Seems a bit naff to turn up in foreign climes in a BA/Virgin jet when every other country seems to have their own, not that a grey Airbus would be AF1 but I've always wondered.
They have the royal flight based at Northolt using BAe 146s and i think some HS125s.Is it that there are not enough of them to cover when needed (not too often I would imagine) or is it cheaper to charter a BA 777? Seems a bit naff to turn up in foreign climes in a BA/Virgin jet when every other country seems to have their own, not that a grey Airbus would be AF1 but I've always wondered.
Kiltie said:
Thanks for that.
I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
Kind of defeats the object if the jest have to land and refuel all the time. The point is that having an air to air refueling capability means the jets can have a longer loiter time in the target area. The Tankers are based at Brize and as has been stated, fly to suitable points to service their customers.I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
couzens said:
KieronGSi said:
They have the royal flight based at Northolt using BAe 146s and i think some HS125s.
Off topic, but I'm sure they just use what's available at the time. Cameron flew out on a chartered E145 when he was campaigning not long ago. tuffer said:
Kiltie said:
Thanks for that.
I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
Kind of defeats the object if the jest have to land and refuel all the time. The point is that having an air to air refueling capability means the jets can have a longer loiter time in the target area. The Tankers are based at Brize and as has been stated, fly to suitable points to service their customers.I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
tuffer said:
Kiltie said:
Thanks for that.
I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
Kind of defeats the object if the jest have to land and refuel all the time. The point is that having an air to air refueling capability means the jets can have a longer loiter time in the target area. The Tankers are based at Brize and as has been stated, fly to suitable points to service their customers.I guess what I was really wondering was; if they were refuelling fast jets, would it not have been easier for those jets to land at Lossiemouth as opposed to flying a tanker from Brize Norton?
I just reckoned nipping in past Lossie would be easier / cheaper than flying a tanker all the way from BN.
AAR (Air to Air Refueling), specifically receiving has been likened to attempting to push wet string up a cat's backside.
The more practice you get, the easier it becomes.
There will be a Group Air Staff Order detailing the amount of 'prods' whether wet (fuel flows) or 'dry' (no fuel flow) a pilot has to achieve per month/6months/year.
The more practice you get, the easier it becomes.
There will be a Group Air Staff Order detailing the amount of 'prods' whether wet (fuel flows) or 'dry' (no fuel flow) a pilot has to achieve per month/6months/year.
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