Birmingham: STS Aviation Hangar and Expected Movements

[Kevin Farnell]

When MAEL had the hangar there was talk of a third bay being added, maybe they could just put the concrete down to give STS some extra parking rather than using the remotes?

Does anyone know what the timescale is for the completion of the 737 wedgetails? Does this half of the STS hangar then revert to commercial aircraft, or do STS have plans to convert B737's for other airforces?
I can't currently see the need for a third bay at STS BHX, with the facilities they now have at MAN. I would much rather have seen expansion at BHX, but the facilities were ready and waiting at MAN. However, more apron space for STS at BHX would be a fairly cheap and quick expansion and allow BHX to use it's apron for it's own flights.

 

[JENNYJET]

Those malcontents at Greybull mishandled the Monarch asset they held, and the potential of MAEL was lost. STS have begun to repair not only the damage caused but continue with MRO work and BHX I am sure will welcome any income generated.

As to expansion, my understanding of the airfield is that something needs to be sacrificed or repurposed. Perhaps a chunk of the golf course could be compulsorily purchased for this purpose.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I can't currently see the need for a third bay at STS BHX, with the facilities they now have at MAN. I would much rather have seen expansion at BHX, but the facilities were ready and waiting at MAN. However, more apron space for STS at BHX would be a fairly cheap and quick expansion and allow BHX to use it's apron for it's own flights.

There is/was a picture on here showing a third bay facing the golf course at the end of the existing facility forming a kind of 'T' shape. That was several years ago under MAEL and much has changed since then but if there is room for a third bay there will be room to at least lay the concrete in it's footprint giving much needed parking for STS. It would hopefully mean they are less likely to park aircraft on the remote stands and the concrete would already be there should they ever decide to expand in the future, win win 🙂

 

[Timberwolf]

There is/was a picture on here showing a third bay facing the golf course at the end of the existing facility forming a kind of 'T' shape. That was several years ago under MAEL and much has changed since then but if there is room for a third bay there will be room to at least lay the concrete in it's footprint giving much needed parking for STS. It would hopefully mean they are less likely to park aircraft on the remote stands and the concrete would already be there should they ever decide to expand in the future, win win 🙂

BHX have said they cannot build another hangar closer to the golf course because of waterlogged and flooding issues.
A previous masterplan showed another hangar facing onto the old short closer to the A45.
However BHX latest masterplan now show the entire grassed area going to 2 new surface car parks..so that's the end of that.
A planning application is already approved to create a new road into this area from the crash gate off the A45 to serve the new car parks when built.
Secondly the STS hangar and apron was built and paid for by BHX and are leased to STS.
Hard to see BHX wanting to spend any money on building more apron for it.Especially as we have a Hans Air A330 and an S7 737 seemingly dumped on the area for months doing nothing blocking the area out..

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Just watching Airport Action, it appears that STS are busy with Hans Air A330 G-KJAS. The aircraft is position with it's tail in the hangar with the rest outside. There are steps up to the open front door and engine cowlings are open, along with the rear cargo door.

Credit: Airport Action for image

 

[rollo]

Dusting off the cobwebs?

 

[JENNYJET]

Possibly being prepped for service with Ryanair on the Alicante route?

 

[Brum X]

Just watching Airport Action, it appears that STS are busy with Hans Air A330 G-KJAS. The aircraft is position with it's tail in the hangar with the rest outside. There are steps up to the open front door and engine cowlings are open, along with the rear cargo door.

Credit: Airport Action for image

They might as well lease to Air India and then base the aircraft at BHX for new flights to Mumbai ? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Timberwolf]

Just watching Airport Action, it appears that STS are busy with Hans Air A330 G-KJAS. The aircraft is position with it's tail in the hangar with the rest outside. There are steps up to the open front door and engine cowlings are open, along with the rear cargo door.

Credit: Airport Action for image

It's being prepared for its new owner after it was returned to the leasing company from Hans Air.
Good to see STS with some new work been very quiet recently.

Assume all tied up using this bay with the Air Canada A321?

 

[rollo]

Does anyone know what the timescale is for the completion of the 737 wedgetails? Does this half of the STS hangar then revert to commercial aircraft, or do STS have plans to convert B737's for other airforces?

Had quick read up on the M.O.D. and Boeing websites and the Wedgetail programme has slipped from initial in service date of 2022 to sometime in 2024 for aircraft No.1 as the M.O.D refers to it no date given for completion of all three. Boeing state that STS are performing excellently on the programme and the delays are due mostly to the performance and delivery delays with the scanning and array sensor (radar to you and me) so all in all they will be at BHX for a while yet. Total cost for three aircraft apparently £2.18 billion.

Regarding the Hanger capacity it can take up to ten A320 size aircraft or a combination of narrowbody and widebodies according to the original announcement of construction by MAEL.

See photo below posted by Ray showing three Monarch A300 ensconced in the hanger.

Re: Monarch Aircraft Engineering MAEL



Picture courtesy of MAEL Twitter

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Watching Airport Action, I've just seen one of the Sunwing B737's towed into the STS hangar.

 

[Timberwolf]

Regarding the Hanger capacity it can take up to ten A320 size aircraft or a combination of narrowbody and widebodies according to the original announcement of construction by MAEL.

The left bay is completely sealed off for the Wedgetail work security passes needed.
So only half the hangar available for civil work currently.
I don't know what the plans are for the other bay when wedgetail work is finished.Hopefully no more snail paced military work ..zzzz

 

[rollo]

The RAFare still angling to get two more Wedgetails to meet the original requirement so you might be unlucky as they could be here until end of the decade 😞

 

[JENNYJET]

I can understand how military work can appear snail paced, converting passenger craft to military standard and adding additional technologies, then testing and flight certification work, Voyager took Airbus years to perfect from A330 to MRTT. STS are fortunate along with BHX to have the work.

 

[Matt995]

Watching Airport Action, I've just seen one of the Sunwing B737's towed into the STS hangar.

Same thing happened last Wednesday, 1 of the aircraft has a scheduled downtime on a Wednesday evening/early Thursday morning so presumably gives STS a chance to service it!

 

[Timberwolf]

The RAFare still angling to get two more Wedgetails to meet the original requirement so you might be unlucky as they could be here until end of the decade 😞

The Govt last month stated they would not fund the 2 further Wedgetails so unless there is a U turn from them seems unlikely.

I can understand how military work can appear snail paced, converting passenger craft to military standard and adding additional technologies, then testing and flight certification work, Voyager took Airbus years to perfect from A330 to MRTT. STS are fortunate along with BHX to have the work.

Jenny, not sure I view it the same.

The Wedgetail contract was first awarded by the Govt to Marshalls of Cambridge who do most of the larger RAF work.

Marshalls rejected the contract saying it would be loss making for them.

The Govt up a creak looked for another contractor. So happened that STS had just taken the BHX MAEL hangar.

At this stage with no contracts.So a 5 year plus contract for any work, STS snapped the Govts hand off for the work.

It may well be that with a more modern facility than Cambridge, STS can make the numbers work for a small profit where Marshalls said they couldn't..

However having a whole bay tied up for years on at best a likely marginal profit, with just 3 planes. Against having it turned over every few weeks with civilian work, doesn't seem like a good outcome.Especialy when you see the civilian backlog for STS at MAN Exeter currently.

Not that STS would have known that when they dmfismrst opened at BHX.

I can understand how military work can appear snail paced, converting passenger craft to military standard and adding additional technologies, then testing and flight certification work, Voyager took Airbus years to perfect from A330 to MRTT. STS are fortunate along with BHX to have the work.

Jenny, not sure I view it the same.

The Wedgetail contract was first awarded by the Govt to Marshalls of Cambridge who do most of the larger RAF work.

Marshalls rejected the contract saying it would be loss making for them.

The Govt up a creak looked for another contractor. So happened that STS had just taken the BHX MAEL hangar.

At this stage with no contracts.So a 5 year plus contract for any work, STS snapped the Govts hand off for the work.

It may well be that with a more modern facility than Cambridge, STS can make the numbers work for a small profit where Marshalls said they couldn't..

However having a whole bay tied up for years on at best a likely marginal profit, with just 3 planes. Against having it turned over every few weeks with civilian work, doesn't seem like a good outcome.Especialy when you see the civilian backlog for STS at MAN Exeter currently.

Not that STS would have known that when they dmfismrst opened at BHX.

 

[Ryan Kirkpatrick]

Friend told me one of the wegtails was out of the hanger today.

 

[rollo]

Regarding the STS Wedgetail contract it is directly with Boeing's UK arm who are the main contractors and not the MOD. Also I belive STS did similar work on the six Australian Wedgetails so presumably had a good idea of what was involved.

I have absolutely no clue to the profitability of the project for STS but the MOD/government have a dreadful record of time and cost overruns a nice example is the Wedgetail radar/sensor kit itself as despite reducing the requirement from five to three aircraft they are contracted to receive and pay for five sets in full and they ain't cheap.

 

[JENNYJET]

Ask any serviceman that dares to answer, what they thinks of the M.O.D when it comes to kit and equipment, rifles that do not perform, boots that perish easily, admin of a contractural nature etc., and I hazard a guess that the wallpaper would turn blue. The more that get involved in procurement is a recipe for overruns on budget, changes to specification, delivery targets.........the AWACS gap will be similar to the Nimrod affair, no or insufficient coverage where needed. The Russians will be loving this and I am not!!

 

[Timberwolf]

Regarding the STS Wedgetail contract it is directly with Boeing's UK arm who are the main contractors and not the MOD. Also I belive STS did similar work on the six Australian Wedgetails so presumably had a good idea of what was involved.

I have absolutely no clue to the profitability of the project for STS but the MOD/government have a dreadful record of time and cost overruns a nice example is the Wedgetail radar/sensor kit itself as despite reducing the requirement from five to three aircraft they are contracted to receive and pay for five sets in full and they ain't cheap.

Yes I read about 5 lots of Radar sensors ordered and paid for.Crazy waste of money to then cancel 2 planes.
Did see a report that the 1st one may be ready in 2024.
I think the workforce is split between Boeing employees and STS dedicated to the project at BHX.With extra security clearance required.

Be interesting to see what they do with the left bay after. MAN STS will have reduced turn around from mid 2024 ad they are building in a B777 passenger to freight conversion line for Mamoth Freighters at MAN STS.
Takes a long time to just complete1.