Rishi rich.

[chevvron]

Some discussion in the media recently about the PM (like him or not we're stuck with him) flying from 'London'(where I wonder?) to Southampton and back by helicopter.
I read recently on the Blackbushe website that on 6 Sep 1955, the then PM, Sir Anthony Eden, flew in a helicopter from Blackbushe to Chequers which must be a similar distance.
So what's the problem?

[212man]

The latest helicopter trip left RAF Northolt at 8.53am on Tuesday before landing at Wellington Barracks in Westminster, where it picked up Sunak after he finished a cabinet meeting at 9.15am.

He landed at Southampton airport at 9.47am, according to flight records, for his visit to a pharmacy in the city, which began about half an hour later. Alternatively, Sunak could have taken the 8.35am train, which arrived at 9.50am.


From the Grauniad - how could he take a train that left 40 min before his meeting ended?

The article also spouts b***ocks about the ticket price, saying it could be £30 return. More than double in economy and four times that in First.

[minigundiplomat]

From the Grauniad - how could he take a train that left 40 min before his meeting ended?

The article also spouts b***ocks about the ticket price, saying it could be £30 return. More than double in economy and four times that in First.

Exactly. Like him or not, he's the Prime Minister. I didn't like Tony Blair, but when he was PM I wouldn't have expected his day to be dictated by train timetables.

[NutLoose]

He landed at Southampton airport at 9.47am, according to flight records, for his visit to a pharmacy in the city, which began about half an hour later. Alternatively, Sunak could have taken the 8.35am train, which arrived at 9.50am.

Surely he could have got his prescription filled somewhere nearer to Westminster..

[Sir Korsky]

The prime minister should have a dedicated helicopter for his official transport. It's quite ridiculous that he doesn't. There's nothing pompous, arrogant or environmentally destructive about riding in the sky. The security benefits are enormous. When you add up the cost of ground transport and policing in comparison to a fast and reliable swift jaunt through the air, it probably works out cheaper in the long run anyway. At minimum his department should have shared use of a forces air arm machine at all times. We know as pilots that the time saving and efficiency of helicopter transport makes it the only logical form of transport that works time and time again. In these perilous times, the chances of him needing a fast ride back to government center are increasingly manifesting daily. As usual, the politics are governed by a small band of lunatic carbon shamers.

What about this one ?

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/731x805/heli_06ada81a5a08344c6671c35bd7e3a67843d4aacf.jpg

[Expatrick]

Surely he could have got his prescription filled somewhere nearer to Westminster..

Probably wanted the family discount.

[NutLoose]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/555x1200/image_9da95f62d1cbee9f8b9368ce9c2805d7f0b8c54f.png

[Gordy]

The prime minister should have a dedicated helicopter for his official transport. It's quite ridiculous that he doesn't. There's nothing pompous, arrogant or environmentally destructive about riding in the sky. The security benefits are enormous.

100% agree. There are 3rd world countries where the leader has a helicoptter....is the UK still living in the dark ages....? Maybe coconuts should be the order of the day:

https://youtu.be/3XPnIUtcANg

[Sir Korsky]

put a PINS straight into the backdoor of number 10 somewhere.

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/Policy%20and%20Guidance%20for%20the%20implementation%20of%20 PinS%20in%20the%20UK.pdf

It'll be interesting to see how the development of electrically powered helicopters will accellerate this implementation. Once they become Prius territory all those gob ****e celebs will want one into their Berkshire mansions.

[G-ARZG]

The prime minister should have a dedicated helicopter for his official transport. It's quite ridiculous that he doesn't. There's nothing pompous, arrogant or environmentally destructive about riding in the sky. The security benefits are enormous. When you add up the cost of ground transport and policing in comparison to a fast and reliable swift jaunt through the air, it probably works out cheaper in the long run anyway. At minimum his department should have shared use of a forces air arm machine at all times. We know as pilots that the time saving and efficiency of helicopter transport makes it the only logical form of transport that works time and time again. In these perilous times, the chances of him needing a fast ride back to government center are increasingly manifesting daily. As usual, the politics are governed by a small band of lunatic carbon shamers.

What about this one ?

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/731x805/heli_06ada81a5a08344c6671c35bd7e3a67843d4aacf.jpg

The cab he flew in is operated by the same company as GZ100 (the one in your photo), suggesting a sub. for mtce?

[Sir Korsky]

why not ? There should be an heir and a spare !

[Bravo73]

....is the UK still living in the dark ages....?

No. But it has been rushing to get back there over the past few years.

[Senior Pilot]

This (https://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/647715-uk-politics-hamsterwheel-mk-iv-137.html) is the place for UK Politics, guys 👍