New aircraft

[Scrooge]

Linked over from theA380 thread in hope's of keeping that thread on topic [?]

Ok,so VS is looking at a number of new routes,with 6 more 346's on order they can cover those [?]

However down the line with more new route's coming up [?] more aircraft are going to be needed,so will VS stick with the 346's or do you think they will switch to a different aircraft,say a big twin like the 777 or midsize like the 787 or 350?

Lot's of ? and [?] but thats half the fun isn't it ?[?]

I spoke to a first officer about VS getting 777 or another 2 engine a/c and its not going to happen we do not have a licence to fly 2 engline a/c and none of our flight crew are trained in in this and it takes at least 3 years to get the licence and train the crew etc.

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by virgin is the best
I spoke to a first officer about VS getting 777 or another 2 engine a/c and its not going to happen we do not have a licence to fly 2 engline a/c and none of our flight crew are trained in in this and it takes at least 3 years to get the licence and train the crew etc.

I guess thats a good reason to keep four engines. Also if you had two engines you'd have to get rid of the 4 engines 4 long-haul slogan.

Mat xx

Arent airbus redesigning the A346 to make it more fuel efficient or some thing similar? if they do maybe more A340's?
Although in one of the topics on here some one said that VS arent happy with the A346[?]

ChRiS

Originally posted by Airbus340
Arent airbus redesigning the A346 to make it more fuel efficient or some thing similar? if they do maybe more A340's?
Although in one of the topics on here some one said that VS arent happy with the A346[?]

I doubt that they are unhappy with the 346's. They have 10 on order and i'm sure that these were converted options

We had problems with the A346 early on but now its all sorted.
None of the Flight Crew and Cabin liked them at first either but now we are used to it we like it.

Under pressure from EK, airbus are rethinking the 346 design to make it more efficient. As VITB said getting ETOPS certified can be a lengthy and tricky process.
Also, many are happy with the 346s, including myself[8D]

VS.

I guess thats a good reason to keep four engines. Also if you had two engines you'd have to get rid of the 4 engines 4 long-haul slogan.

Mat xx

I keep reading that the 4e4l slogan is Airbus's, not Virgin's. Anyone know? And as we know VS have had two engined planes.

That said, I am a fan of the triple 7, it's a lovely plane and very smooth and comfortable inside. Not that I'm suggesting it but given Paul's comments in the Club House on lack of VS involvement in the 380 at LHR I agree that perhaps VS might not be taking it. Question is, more 346s or something else?

That said, I am a fan of the triple 7, it's a lovely plane and very smooth and comfortable inside. Not that I'm suggesting it but given Paul's comments in the Club House on lack of VS involvement in the 380 at LHR I agree that perhaps VS might not be taking it. Question is, more 346s or something else?

I know that some don't agree, but I'm a really big fan of the A340s and don't actually particularly like the 777.[:?]

BTW, Dave - love your signature [y][oo]

VS.

[Scrooge]

Which part,it keep's growing...

btw..Im one of the people that loves the 777

RAZR = CHAV
6682 = NOT CHAV

[y][:I]

VS.

[Bazz]

Originally posted by slinky09

...I keep reading that the 4e4l slogan is Airbus's, not Virgin's. Anyone know? And as we know VS have had two engined planes.

You are correct, it was originally Airbus who coined the phrase.

Ok im contredicting my self abit but I was impressed with the A346 when i went on it last month it thought it was modern comfy and quiert[y]

Didn't we just have a huge discussion on this a couple weeks ago? Anywho, I'm a joint Airbus and Boeing fan so it's a little hard for me to pick sides. I think it would be neat to see a triple 7 in a VS livery, and I think VS could do some crazy things with the -200LR.

I never thought of the issue VITB brought up, which I guess is a good prediction of the things to come. Right now I'm still kind of hoping that VS don't ditch the a380.

Quote "I spoke to a first officer about VS getting 777 or another 2 engine a/c and its not going to happen we do not have a licence to fly 2 engline a/c and none of our flight crew are trained in in this and it takes at least 3 years to get the licence and train the crew etc."

I can only assume that the FO in question was lacking in both aircraft & airline knowledge!!! Firstly, yes VS don't have either A330/B777 or ETOPS on their AOC, it doesn't take 3 years to achieve this. Secondly, in the case of the A330 the crew can be dual rated to fly A330/A340 (CX for example) & this would be as short a conversion course as that from A343 to A346. From a maintenance perspective VS will have engineers qualified on A330/RR Trent 700 for their contract with Jet, with this in mind the EASA 145 (maint approval) & 147 (engineering training approval) will already be in place.

So to put things in perspective, the A330 would be a natural & cost effective choice for VS. They have experience with Airbus aircraft & RR engines & crew training costs would be minimal. My money would be on a few of these turning up in the future, the waiting list for B777 is long & getting longer & it shares nothing with existing VS aircraft.

Denzil, an interesting post thank you. We may surmise that if VS wishes to continue to grow that more aircraft will be on order ... just which? If you think the A330 is a natural progression then maybe BMI is back on the agenda too? And I agree that the triple7 production line is busy ... only time will tell unless one of our friendly VS staffers has a clue?

I think all airbus cockpits are designed similarily so that pilots can switch from different series Airbi without a lot of training or adapting.

Any airline wanting to use ETOPS must first get ETOPS operational approval. This means that all crew have to be ETOPS trained, even if they are type-rated, and the airline must have special crew and maintenance procedures. This is a lengthy process as I said before and could take a while for an airline that only operates the aircraft in question for a short time. if it has been operated for a long time by the airline, then the time is cut down.

VS.

Have i gone back in time??? Didnt we have like a 4 page discussion on this about 3-4 weeks ago????!!!?? [:?]

VS will stick with the 346- they seem pretty much an airbus operator now- cant see any new boeing orders- and the 744's wont need to be replaced for at least another 10 years (thinking the likes af FAB etc).

The 330 joining the fleet is more likely than the 777 i would think- after all a massive evaluation was done between the 777 and 346 in 2002 so whats differrent now- 330 could of course come if we take over BD! [}:)]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by willd
Have i gone back in time??? Didnt we have like a 4 page discussion on this about 3-4 weeks ago????!!!?? [:?]

As I said on the first post of this thread,I started this thread because the A380 thread was starting to go off topic.

Maintenence already carried out in an ETOPs compliant manner at VS. I think you'd be surprised how quick ETOPs approval can be achieved for an airline with the infrastructure of VS.

Got to say that from personal experience the B777-300ER is the way forward, more economical & reliable than the Airbus A345/6. VS have learned the hard way that being launch customer isn't that good for the airline or the customer.

Sometimes we all use a jargon in our jobs and in our hobbies - and I didnt have a clue what ETOPS meant - and I couldnt see it in anyone's post.

So for those, like me who didnt know, I looked it up -

"Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards"

Makes sense when applied to the 777 and 767 etc!!![y]

Originally posted by MarkJ

Originally posted by MarkJ
Sometimes we all use jargon in our jobs and in our hobbies - and I didnt have a clue what ETOPS meant - and I couldnt see it in anyone's post.

So for those, like me who didnt know, I looked it up -

"Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards"

Makes sense when applied to the 777 and 767 etc!!![y]

I knew what they meant [8D]

you appear to have an echo, or does that just keep the post rate up ? [:o)]

Well not all of us are helping to design the thing!!!

Dont know why you got the quote twice!!![:(!]

Can I just say that crew are allowed to fly on 4 types of A/C all VS crew B747-400 A340-300 A430-600 so for us to get the B777 it means spliting crew and have crew based on not all A/C that we fly. It would take a while to do that and is also costly. B777 will not happen for VS. With the A380 coming thats all 4 licences taken up.