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LONDON, June 29 (UPI) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is looking to buy a new private jet despite recent reports of financial woes at Buckingham Palace, a source says.
The unidentified government source said while previous reports had Buckingham Palace unable to afford maintenance costs, palace officials are spearheading the effort to purchase a new plane for the royals, The Sunday Times of London reported.
Doesent the RAF have a "Royal Flight" in the same manner that we have with the USAF and Air Force One?
There is a Royal flight, however the Government 'hog' it for themselves and the royals never get to use it, thus, more and more they had to charter one at the last minute because the Government needed it, the royals then were attacked for wasting money on charted private jets while ministers jetted round at taxpayers expence..............so out of her private funds AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER the Queen (quite rightly) brought her own.
There is a Royal flight, however the Government 'hog' it for themselves and the royals never get to use it, thus, more and more they had to charter one at the last minute because the Government needed it, the royals then were attacked for wasting money on charted private jets while ministers jetted round at taxpayers expence..............so out of her private funds AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER the Queen (quite rightly) brought her own.
You obviously didn't read the article... It states Some members of the British Parliament have condemned the planned purchase, expected to cost taxpayers between $10 million and $20 million.
"The message it is sending out is jet travel is fine for those who can afford it -- in this case, members of the royal family, thanks to the generosity of the public purse," Parliament Member Norman Baker said.
Apoligies for our Prime Minister travelling to an economic summit.. next time he should go easyjet so that one of the royal buffoons can jet off to monaco
The Queen's Helicopter flight refers to the only aircraft that is in full time use by the royals. It is not owned outright, but is on a 10 year lease and painted with the livery. Although the Queen finds the helicopter too noisy for long distances, certainly Prince William would not be bothered by a two hour flight, and Prince Charles could learn to suck it up. The helicopter is heavily used by Princess Anne and by Prince Charles as well.
The Queen still has the train given to her for her 25th anniversary. At her advanced age it would be a shame to take it from her, given that it makes it much easier for her to travel with full entourage, a bed, and hospital equipment. Although Charles loves the train, I could see the nation retiring the train upon the death of Elizabeth.
It is unlikely that the royals will ever get a full time fixed wing aircraft. The cost of maintaining a jet capable of trans-continental flight is considerable, and not in keeping with the ethos of the country. Even the ministers do not currently have a jet. Foreign travel is best accomplished by charters involving a plane that is suited to the length and distance of the trip. The Air Force still takes the royals on some flights, but no provision is made to replace their aging VIP jets (roughly 25 years old), and these flights will dip to zero shortly.
As a new generation of faster helicopters becomes available, the British Royals would probably be prime candidates to acquire one.
The helicopter made 143 trips for the royals last year. neys). In addition 51 short charters of helicopters were made, and 49 short domestic charters were made on fixed wing aircraft (less than 10,000 pounds per charter).
More elaborate trips and international trips required more expensive charters as high as a quarter of million pounds for the longest trips.
Ireland keeps a Gulfstream IV for their heads of state and high parliament officials. A G-IV costs $36 million and can fly 4,860 miles (it is 4460 miles from Dublin to Dallas|Fort Worth) and seats 14 people in it's roomiest luxury capacity. Normal domestic transport is handled by helicopter or Beechcraft Super King Air (a turboprop airplane).
Last edited by PacoMartin; 02-05-2014 at 08:30 PM..
Who here (apart from Ian) actually believes the Queen is the one who wants a new aeroplane?
Did I say that she did???? Er, no.
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