Civilian Harrier on The Circuit

[T-6G Pilot]

Not sure if folks have heard but be on the lookout possibly next year in the US for the first civilian Harrier at an airshow near you.

[Elwyn]

I'd love to see what the insurance would be on one of these.

[RMAllnutt]

Yes.... it looks like it will really happen. I was talking to the guy behind the plan, former USMC test pilot, Art Nalls, and he's got a really exciting proposal. He's bought a former Royal Navy FA 2 Sea Harrier, and is possibly going to be getting a second airframe from what I understand. The plan is to base it out of MCAS Cherry Point, and take over the USMC air-demonstrations of the harrier at US airshows. There will be several pilots, all former harrier test pilots. If the show works out well, they will have a second harrier doing the same thing on the west coast as well. He has full co-operation and approval from the FAA (as he is one of the highest-time harrier pilots around). This is really, really cool!

Cheers,
Richard

[PeterA]

Not sure if folks have heard but be on the lookout possibly next year in the US for the first civilian Harrier at an airshow near you.

Well not quite the first.

G-VTOL

PeterA

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.s ... entry=true

[T-6G Pilot]

Yes, you can see Art at airshows in his L-39 where he does a fantastic low level demo. Not sure if he'll be repairing his Yak-3 that had a gear issue a couple of months back. Hope he suceeds with the Harrier. He is truly one of the nicest guys out there.

Mike

[DamienB]

Yes.... it looks like it will really happen. I was talking to the guy behind the plan, former USMC test pilot, Art Nalls, and he's got a really exciting proposal. He's bought a former Royal Navy FA 2 Sea Harrier, and is possibly going to be getting a second airframe from what I understand.

Well it'll be quite a feat if he pulls it off as the airframes being sold are mostly heavily spares recovered...

[T-6G Pilot]

From what Art tells me the plane is virtually intact and ready to go. This is a former demonstrator and is very low time. Most of the "classified" things have been removed but they are not necessary. The only big issue he is dealing with now is the ejection seat. I think he has that one solved as well. In addition, he has negotiated a large spares package. I would expect to see this airplane at an airshow next year.

[David J Burke]

The aircraft sounds like one of the machines in the Everett stock which is pretty much complete. I would be absolutely amazed if BAe or RR give
anything in the way of assistance. I am not a great fan of civil operated
Harriers (excepting manufacturers demonstrators) - you need an unlimited budget to maintain them and lots of things can go wrong very quickly.

[RMAllnutt]

You are right David, however, in this case, the aircraft is supposed to be maintained by the USMC at Cherry Point. The pilot is a highly experienced test pilot with a couple of thousand hours on type. Art is no ordinary guy in any sense. If anyone can do it, I am sure it will be him.

Cheers,
Richard

[tom d. friedman]

has the "dod" dept of defense given him the nod of approval???? if so, this guy really did his homework in triplicate, & dotted his i's and crossed his t's x 100!!!! i envy his organizational skills!!!

[RickH]

Tom, DoD has no jurisdiction over a foreign built aircraft. State Dept does though on the importation.

[tom d. friedman]

gotta love those loop holes!!!

[T-6G Pilot]

Tom,

As far as I know from Art, those hurdles have been cleared. It helps when you have the support and blessing of the USMC

Mike

[marine air]

FOr the first time in history, the Marine Corps has 5 four star generals in command positions. Joint Chief of Staff, Nato Commander, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a couple of other commands. This would be a particularly great time to be a career Marine, a friend of a career Marine, etc. You could probably get anything you want with the right political connections.

[tom d. friedman]

guess that is all the leverage needed with the weight of all those general's stars combined!!!! ooohya!!!