Retrojets

Did you know there was such a thing as retrojets? I didn't until just now when I saw the term used in relations to the Lufthansa Airbus that is painted up in a classic livery for the airline. And that's largely what retrojets are; they're largely modern jets painted up in liveries of yesteryear. Some are quite striking, perhaps none so much as the Lufthansa A321 jet itself, although this sadly now repainted Varig 767 is another fine example, as is this monochrome photographed Mexican aircraft, while this modern American Airlines' 737-800 looks remarkably well suited to its retro paintjob. It only lacks the old fashioned aluminium engine cowlings! The photographer of this VC-10 in BOAC colours at Duxford wishes British Airways would make a retrojet of their own in such a colour scheme and I wholeheartedly agree! The VC-10 maybe long since retired from commercial service but seeing a modern jet in BOAC colours would make a real talking point.

Busy skies over the lune valley today

Apache Longbow helicopter spotted heading down the valley


Various shots of Tornado aircraft and Apache Longbow helicopter

Sunshine - can it really be?

For the first time in what seems like weeks we've had a full on day of sunshine. Being pestered to go for a walk, not that I had any intention of missing this rare spell of good weather, I headed into town. Foolishly I didn't take my camera as sunny days are like a magnet the RAF. I had only been gone a few minutes when the roar of jet engines saw a BAE Hawk fly over, chased in a dogfight by Tornado. Later on a Chinook helicopter was doing the rounds. You win some, you lose some.

It's been the first time I've tried my webcam in sunshine and it didn't take to it too happily. Even on the lowest settings it tended to overexpose. Never mind, it's unlikely to have to cope with these conditions too often anyway!

Although without the SLR I had by 2-megapixel mobile camera of pixelated mediocrity on hand to snap a few sights by the river. The Lune was well up but not in flood. As I reached the bridges a group of canoeists were just packing up. Rather them than me in these conditions, but I imagine they must have know what they were doing. In the light of the a recent canoeing death on the river the other week up at Sedbergh the dangers associated with the river have been brought to everyone's attention.

Without further ado here are a few of today's mobile snaps:

The RAF is back!

I've hardly heard anything from the RAF since I returned a month ago but today they're back in the Lune Valley, or rather briefly *over* the valley. One Hawk earlier today and a couple of larger sounding jets just now. In the past I could have pretty much guaranteed that they were Tornadoes, but these days it might even be Eurofighter Typhoons. Here's to spotting one of those guys soon.

Alliance or rumour mill?

After I glimpsed a story about an alliance between Virgin and other airlines on one of the news channels last night I thought I'd try to get some more information about it. At first details were thin on the ground but as of this morning the story seems to be making many of the nationals and regional papers.

Details are unconfirmed to say the least. The initial story wrote of an alliance between Virgin Atlantic, Malaysia based AirAsia and EasyJet with the prospect of flights from Manchester and possibly Luton to Asia from £43. However later reports reveal that EasyJet are denying any negotiations with Virgin.

This morning, while more local papers continue to report the 3-party alliance and potentially rock bottom fares to Asia, the Times has taken a entirely different tack, indicating the Virgin may be looking to buy a stake in AirAsia with an eye to opening up routes within Asia.

A coherent, intelligent transport policy is needed

Back in April I began my big trip by taking a DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Gothenburg in Sweden as part of an overland route that would take me from the UK across Russia into Asia without flying. During some web surfing this evening I was dismayed to learn that this ferry service ceased in October; just the latest in a recent stream of ferry services to be cut.

The latest edition of the New Statesman offers a weighty article as to the impact of flying on the environment. However if aviation does contribute so significantly to CO2 emissions and climate changes then a more intelligent transport policy is called for than simply hiking aviation passenger taxes as seems to be the only action taken under consideration thus far.

I'm someone who enjoys flying and like many others have used it on a number of occasions to reach the continent cheaply and quickly either for breaks away or to meet friends. If the government wants us to change our flying habits as part of lowering CO2 emissions then some thought needs to be given to the possible alternative modes of transport that can be used. Within Europe especially it's increasingly commonplace for people to live and or work in other countries, therefore necessitating relatively frequent journeys to visit friends, family or to even go to the office. Not travelling is often no longer an option and simply pricing the poorest out of flying, which may seem the easiest option for the government to take is not an intelligent way to proceed.

If travel by ferry is a preferable option for the environment then the government should ensure travel by this means is actively encouraged perhaps through steps to make it more attractive in the marketplace. Reasonably pricey fares compared to those of budget airlines and naturally longer journey times are not going to be instant winners for the ferries and an inability to compete is likely the reason for the reduction in so many services in recent years. If the government is willing to grab the environment nettle it needs to give benefits to greener transport providers while simultaneously taxing the polluters. Similarly it needs to ensure that greener services are running and available for the public to use. Yet is the government willing?

Although green in words the government is clearly not sold on the issue of climate change. After all, steps to curb flying will have a significant impact on the economy. It'd have to be a government certain of the facts to make that step and while the evidence and visible climate change is stacking up the voices unconvinced by climate change remain vocal, numerous and not disrespected. Let's also not forget that Labour's ability to convince anyone of anything since the Iraq debacle has likely been terminally impaired.

If the prospect of curbing aviation usage is too prickly for the present then why not take the positive step instead of encouraging greener transportation. Begin with the carrot in changing the public's habits. If we're to get off the roads and out of the skies we need to be encouraged onto the rail and into ferries and other means of reaching our destinations. The government has no excuses not to proceed down this avenue which will in the long term be vital in an overall greener transport policy.