Flight Schedule Is In The News Area Under "Flight Operations" Sub Heading.
22nd July 2008
Over the last two weeks, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust has
once again experienced the full range of highs and lows. From the high of
the first display on the Waddington Saturday, to the low of the technical
problem the following day. From the high expectations for the Royal
International Air Tattoo at Fairford, to the extreme lows of its complete
cancellation and the subsequent logistical nightmares.
But the team’s determination and resourcefulness won through, ending with a tumultuous reception at the Farnborough International Airshow last week. It’s no exaggeration to state that XH558 took Farnborough by storm: she was the confirmed as the star of the show over the public days last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, attracting record numbers of spectators. Our fundraising team, including 30 Air Cadets, were fully stretched collecting donations and giving out standing order forms!
The RIAT cancellation allowed us to add a fourth display at Farnborough, on the Wednesday, one of the trade days. It proved a prescient decision, because we captured the full attention of one of our target sponsorship audiences: the aerospace business leaders. We are currently following-up on the introductions resulting.
None of this would have been possible but for the dedication and commitment of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust’s team, working alongside the Vulcan to the Sky Club, its committee and members. The energy and effort that goes into making these events a success for XH558 is truly huge, and I hope you will join me in thanking everyone associated with the Vulcan’s display appearances.
I am pleased to announce that
VTST’s efforts are not going unnoticed.
I was delighted to show HRH Prince Michael of Kent around XH558 whilst at Farnborough – Prince Michael flew in the co-pilot’s seat in Vulcan XH560 in September 1983. Earlier in the month the Trust was awarded the prestigious Heritage Engineering Award by the Worshipful Company of Engineers, which was presented by HRH the Duke of Kent.
Looking forward, we need now to convert our success in attracting huge audiences at airshows into the funding we need to secure our future. To deliver on our promise of flying for about fifty hours per year, and providing a range of educational activities and deliverables, we need to raise about £1.6million per year gross, averaging out at £135,000 per month . We already have a sizeable regular donation flow, which we need to increase by gaining more supporters. We also need to capitalise on the attractiveness of the Vulcan by securing commercial sponsorship: this is the focus of significant efforts, but the economic conditions are not easy at the moment.
Please now let me assure you that we will continue to do all we can to ensure that XH558 keeps flying. If each of you reading this message brings us one new supporter, we will be well on the way to a secure future.
Robert Pleming
Message from the
Chief Executive, VTST,
8
In front of a capacity audience at the RAF Waddington
International Airshow last Saturday, Avro Vulcan XH558 took to the air for
her first public display since 1992. It was the culmination of years of
effort, but the reward was beyond words. The spectators fell silent as
XH558 lined up on the runway, the silence soon replaced by the
unmistakeable sound of her engines as the spooled up to full power.
Applause greeted both the impressive take-off, and at the end of the
display, a perfect landing. 
As if her display was not enough, the sight of XH558
flying in trailing formation with the BBMF’s
Disappointingly on the Sunday, for the first time in
the ten flights since the completion of her restoration, we had a
technical problem which unfortunately prevented XH558 taking off. The
problem was quickly and easily diagnosed; it was a fault on a voltage
regulator on the alternator on No.3 engine; we proved this by exchanging
the unit with No.4 engine: the problem travelled with the
unit.
Unfortunately replacement units were back at
Bruntingthorpe Airfield, because we had not anticipated encountering this
particular issue. In operational circumstances the Vulcan would have
flown, but, ever mindful that safety is our primary concern; the decision
was made not to fly. However we did demonstrate an aborted take off at
full power on a wet runway, which provided spectators with not only the
sound but also the spectacular sight of the Vulcan in the midst of a huge
plume of spray in the sunshine.
XH558 will be remaining at Waddington for the next few
days to complete further display practices and a validation flight to
Farnborough, prior to flying to RAF Fairford for The Royal International
Air Tattoo.
I would like to thank Group Captain Fryer, Station
Commander at RAF Waddington, and his staff for everything that they have
done to make it possible for XH558 to appear once again at
Waddington.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who came to
Waddington for such an amazingly warm welcome, as we brought Vulcan XH558
back to her spiritual home. It was a tremendous, unforgettable weekend for
all those lucky enough to be there.
The Blades Aerobatic Team In Formation With XH558 -
You Could Be In One Of These Aircraft Alongside XH558............Click Here To Find Out How
Message from the Chief Executive, VTST
23rd June 2008
Dear Supporter
We have completed all
known requirements for the grant of the Permit-to-Fly for XH558. We are
now waiting to hear from the CAA, through Marshall Aerospace, on the
timescale for the Permit, and whether any flying may be permitted in the
interim.
I know that expectations amongst you all are literally
sky high, but I hope that you won’t ignore the lesson learnt by the Vulcan
team through all the long years that this has taken: patience is a
necessity – things will take as long as they do.
Our next
objective is to be present at the RAF Waddington International Air Show on
5th-6th July; we will update this page when we know whether or not we will
achieve this.
As to our funding situation, the last appeal,
launched in February with the objective of getting us to the airshow
season, achieved its goal, having raised just under £450,000 in
three-and-a-half months. Very Many Thanks to all who helped. However to
reach today, having flown over twice as many test flights as originally
planned, we have used up virtually all of the financial resources
currently available to us.
We now require at least £250,000 to
continue through to the end of display season, and so we are launching a
new appeal, this time to make it through the airshow season and into next
year.
Whilst we continue to seek sponsorship to support our goals
of “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future”, it has become clear to the
Trust that, in the current economic conditions, sponsorship cannot be
relied upon as the source of the Trust’s core funding. We must instead
turn to a much broader base of financial support to ensure that the
aircraft is properly maintained and presented to the public in the years
ahead.
Those of you who are Friends or Club Members will shortly
receive a letter detailing the new scheme. Its aim is to secure the
future, through regular small donations from as many of you as possible,
and so match the flow of our income to our costs.
If you would
like details of the scheme, please email your name and address to:
rneale@vulcanoperatingcompany.co.uk
You can download the
latest newsletter by Clicking Here
Thank you all
in anticipation of your ongoing support
Robert
Pleming
