Aircraft Manufacture

[Paul K]

The annoying thing is the way the industry was given up

OK, so they couldn't compete in the big intercontinental airliner but Embraer and Bombadier have come from nowhere and built an industry in a market we could have dominated.

When there was a success they either sold it like the 125 of just expected to continue to sell.........like the Hawk

These products just ran down over the years with no attempt to get a replacement on the line

Can't argue with any of that, Garry. Good points, all of them.

[Motormouse]

Hi Guys

As i understand it Airbus stipulated that BAe had to stop making the 146 or they couldn't have the Airbus wing contract.
Pretty sure that why we don't make any airliners these days.
BAe where not in a position to argue when the contract was offered.

Heard this from a friend who worked for Airbus back in about 2001(he was an interior fit designer).

Regards
Rick

same thing happened with the Jetstream and ATP, all development stopped when Bae sidled up with Airbus and ATR to create
AI(R) ....Avions International (Regional)...you'd have thought that the message would get through when you see the company name
that there would be no future for the British side

ttfn

Pete

[Prop Jockey]

Hi All,

Britten-Norman are opening up a new facility at Lee-On-Solent, more details here.

Cheers

Rich

[Garry Russell]

Good news....but they are making that very British mistake

They are continuing with an old design with nothing new to replace in on the line.

Unless they make that move it will slowly fade away.

[DaveB]

That is good news

I'm not sure about having something in the pipeline to replace it with mate. The Islander has been in production for over 40 years and serves a very niche market. Bigger types are out there as are smaller types but still, the Islander sells.. not vastly different from the original. As long as development continues, it should be around for a lot longer

ATB

DaveB

[TSR2]

Not strictly true Garry, the 737 has been arround for a hell of a long time. The problem was British manufacturers tended to design for one customer (i.e. trident / VC10 etc) but the 1-11, 146 and I dare say the Islander work well for what they were designed to do. If the airframe works and people are buying it then its right.

[Prop Jockey]

Perhaps there will be a composite development - they're maybe learning a thing or two from screwing Cirrus's together.

I seemed to remember reading somewhere that someone was looking to resurrect the Optica too. A quick google turned up aeroelvira. Watch this space !! , although having looked at the website it does appear to be a fairly big space to watch.

Cheers

Rich