Global Airlines A380 Prestwick

[MichaelOLearyGenius]

Ex China Southern A380, 9H-GLOBL, currently en route to PIK today. First A380 to land at PIK.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Yes, I noticed that and wondered what that was as it seemed to be flying quite low, at least for a normal Atlantic cruising level. Currently sitting on the ground at PIK. I'm surprised that that's the first visit for the type, I would have imagined that training sorties would've used PIK and SNN (for example)for BA and other euro airlines that flew them some years back.

[treadigraph]

, I would have imagined that training sorties would've used PIK and SNN (for example)for BA and other euro airlines that flew them some years back.
I think BA used Manston for sone of their early A380 crew training.

[MichaelOLearyGenius]

Yes, I noticed that and wondered what that was as it seemed to be flying quite low, at least for a normal Atlantic cruising level. Currently sitting on the ground at PIK. I'm surprised that that's the first visit for the type, I would have imagined that training sorties would've used PIK and SNN (for example)for BA and other euro airlines that flew them some years back.

There was a fly by of one of the prototypes in Airbus livery about 10 or 11 years ago but it never landed. This is the first to land.

[treadigraph]

There was a fly by of one of the prototypes in Airbus livery about 10 or 11 years ago but it never landed. This is the first to land.
Think that one did a fly by tour of all BAe's facilities didn't - vague recollection of it coasting in over south London on its way to Filton - or am I thinking of the one that came into Heathrow to trial the Code F upgrades?

[wub]

It was F-WWOW, the A380 demonstrator that did the UK tour. Here she is at Edinburgh.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1508x1081/img_2814_d2b5012dc4673d82d1513bbabcc0eb71569f3f95.jpeg

[SpringHeeledJack]

Lovely shot Mr wub. So, what's the plan now with said A380 ? Mx at PIK, or off to somewhere else ? Also, I was very surprised that CS didn't insist that their livery/titles were obscured.

[DaveReidUK]

Lovely shot Mr wub. So, what's the plan now with said A380 ? Mx at PIK, or off to somewhere else ? Also, I was very surprised that CS didn't insist that their livery/titles were obscured.

There's a prolonged debate about it in PPRuNe's Airlines, Airports & Routes forum.

My prediction, FWIW, is that the aircraft is going to end its days at Prestwick.

[Twiglet1]

Don't think your alone there Dave. Still exceeding expectations let's see!

[SpringHeeledJack]

There's a prolonged debate about it in PPRuNe's Airlines, Airports & Routes forum.

My prediction, FWIW, is that the aircraft is going to end its days at Prestwick.

​​​​​​​Thank you, interesting. Either this endeavour has a side to it that no one is seeing, or 'they' are incredibly naive to the huge operational coast already mounting at a rapid rate.

[Liobian]

AFAIK the a/c made the crossing from Montreal with landing gear extended, which presumably dictated the FL.

[MAC 40612]

I think BA used Manston for some of their early A380 crew training.

Manston and Chateauroux were used for BA A380 crew training.

9H-GLOBL is still at PIK. The problem with 'used' A380s is that the market for them is pretty small, as the cost of a 'new entrant' to operate one [or even two A380] would be very high and the cost of converting a used A380 into the same configuration as the rest of their fleet for an existing operator is also high, so the used price of the airframe would have to be VERY low to make it worthwhile but obviously the sellers do not want to accept such low prices. I very much suspect that 9H-GLOBL will end up being broken for spares which is a shame for an twelve year old long haul airliner.

[HZ123]

Sound thread from MAC cost will be exorbitant and surely it will have difficulty gaining an AOC ?