Vulcan cleared for the skies - first stop RAF Waddington!

An eleventh-hour sponsorship deal with aviation flight safety and fuel saving software supplier Aerobytes Ltd., and a 'Permit to Fly on the UK Civil Register' from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), meant that Avro Vulcan XH558 finally made its debut in front of a British airshow audience at the RAF Waddington Airshow on 5 and 6 July 2008.

Our correspondent Howard Heeley was at the Waddington Show 'Press Call' on Thursday 3 June amongst those waiting for the final confirmation that the Vulcan to the Sky Trust's multi-milion pound restoration project had achieved this milestone objective.

Howard writes: Participants at the annual Waddington International Airshow 'Press Call' were kept on tenterhooks yesterday awaiting news of Vulcan XH558's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 'Permit to Fly'.

During the early morning briefing the media were advised that “...the Vulcan coming home!” was one of the key themes of this year's show and that the CAA were already at Bruntingthorpe undertaking the final audit for the aircraft's certification process.

It was however not until just after 1600 hours that Andrew Edmondson, Project Engineering Director from the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, was able to make the much hoped-for statement: “...that Avro Vulcan B.Mk2 XH558 has today been granted her Permit to Fly on the UK Civil Register by the Civil Aviation Authority”. Following the announcement the restored V-bomber, with pilot Dave Thomas at the controls, made the short flight from Bruntingthorpe to RAF Waddington where spectators were treated to nearly thirty minutes of 'display flying' before landing.



Avro Vulcan XH558 moments before touchdown at RAF Waddington on Thursday 3 July 2008. Photo: Howard Heeley (Down To Earth Promotions)


Added July 6, 2008

It is particularly fitting that XH558's first public appearance was made at RAF Waddington as the station was home to Vulcan squadrons from 1957 until 1984 and the type's final retirement from active service with the RAF following the Falklands conflict. Further displays are planned at this year's Royal International Air Tattoo (Fairford, Gloucestershire), and the Farnborough International Air Show.



Avro Vulcan XH558 and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474 in formation over RAF Waddington on Saturday 5th July 2008.
Photo: Howard Heeley (Down To Earth Promotions)

USEFUL LINKS:
Vulcan to The Sky Trust: www.tvoc.co.uk
RAF Waddington Airshow: www.waddingtonairshow.co.uk
RAF Waddington: www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington
Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT): www.airtattoo.com/airtattoo
Farnborough International Air Show: www.farnborough.com