Category Archives: Aviation

aircraft, airports and the like related to the region around Preston.

Tail winds at BAE Systems Lancashire

Posted on 23 July 2018 by Pete of MIP

First there was Tornado, then there was Typhoon and what next?   The concept for the anticipated next aircraft project at BAE Systems in Lancashire and the Royal Air Force has been announced as the Tempest, photographed below. A concept design … Continue reading →

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Qatar signs for Typhoon Jets

Posted on 12 December 2017 by Pete of MIP

After signing a letter of intent in September a contract agreement has been signed by the UK Government and Qatar Government for 24 Typhoon jets and their support, said to be worth £5bn.  The support element will extend the contract … Continue reading →

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Redundancies at BAE Systems

Posted on 23 October 2017 by Pete of MIP

It was announced that 750 posts will go at the Warton and Samlesbury sites of BAE Systems in Lancashire.   Work on Typhoon and Hawk is decreasing.   Contracts with Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to be discussed. 400 jobs will also … Continue reading →

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Denis Healey RIP and his Preston Effect

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Pete of MIP

Denis Healey, a forceful Londoner brought up as a Yorkshireman, died this weekend at the grand age of 98.  After impressive war service, gaining an MBE in 1945, he joined the Labour Party becoming an MP in 1952.  He was … Continue reading →

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Management Redundancies at BAE and Lancashire County Council

Posted on 15 October 2014 by Pete of MIP

In the last few weeks BAE SYSTEMS announced between 150 and 450 management job losses at their Warton plant.  Lancashire County Council announced 150 management job losses. BAE said they hope to re-deploy some people to other parts of the … Continue reading →

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Transport Plans for Central Lancashire

Posted on 21 September 2013 by Pete of MIP

It’s always pleasing to read about new transport and infrastructure projects. Transport is recognised as a key factor in enabling development. This week Transport for Lancashire announced new road schemes.  Their plan of laying infrastructure is to enable the proposals … Continue reading →

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Typhoon Sale to Oman

Posted on 23 December 2012 by Pete of MIP

Some good news at Christmas – The Sultanate of Oman announced the purchase of 12 Typhoon and 8 Hawk aircraft in a deal said to be worth £2.5bn.   The announcement was made as David Cameron visited Oman and brings … Continue reading →

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BAE Systems and EADS proposed merger

Posted on 21 September 2012 by Pete of MIP

BAE Systems announced that they are in talks to merge their business with the European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS). This naturally arouses some fears ranging from a personal job level up to a national security level. In 1999 … Continue reading →

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Preston Guild 2012 – I was there – Saturday 1st September 2012

Posted on 2 September 2012 by Pete of MIP

Preston Guild is once every 20 years so we weren’t going to miss this one.  We loved the Royal Jubilee, the Olympic Games and we were sure we’d enjoy Preston Guild. It seemed everyone was in a great mood, the … Continue reading →

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Preston Guild 2012 turns up the heat

Posted on 11 August 2012 by Pete of MIP

Preston comes together as events are announced for the 2012 Guild.  Here are four unmissables: The new multi-million pound ‘Discover Preston’ display in the Harris Museum, opened on 28th July, is something I’ve been burning to see.  On Friday 17th … Continue reading →

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New Hawk aircraft order from Saudi Arabia

Posted on 26 May 2012 by Pete of MIP

Some good news. The government of Saudi Arabia has ordered 22 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers as part of a package of training equipment which includes 55 Pilatus PC21 basic training aircraft.  The Hawks will be delivered in 2016. This will reduce the … Continue reading →

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Parliament debates BAE redundancies

Posted on 26 November 2011 by Pete of MIP

On November 24th a debate was held in parliament on the redundancies at BAE SYSTEMS primarily at the Warton and Samlesbury plants in Lancashire and the closure of the Brough site in Yorkshire. The prime mover was David Davis, the … Continue reading →

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BAE Systems redundancies announced

Posted on 28 September 2011 by Pete of MIP

BAE Systems announced on 27th September, 3,000 potential job losses at its sites. Of the total the Preston area includes; 843 at Warton and 565 at Samlesbury, making 1,408 in the area. Worst hit of all the military aircraft sites … Continue reading →

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BAE SYSTEMS announces potential redundancies

Posted on 14 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

The UK’s biggest advanced engineering company, BAE SYSTEMS, has announced potential local job losses following the cancellation of the UK Nimrod MRA4 and Harrier contracts.  These include 668 at Warton and 119 at Samlesbury.   In addition jobs will be lost … Continue reading →

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Defence Review

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The defence review announced on the 19th October ended the UK requirement for Harrier, Nimrod MRA4 and vertical take off F35 which all provide work in the local BAE SYSTEMS factories.  The Nimrod has been in work for well over 10 years … Continue reading →

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Liam Fox in Saudi Arabia supporting local industry

Posted on 24 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

It is reported the UK Minister of Defence Liam Fox is meeting the King of Saudi Arabia and will discuss potential arms sales.  The US has recently announced the sale of $100bn of arms to the region and the UK … Continue reading →

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BAE trims its cloth

Posted on 10 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

Around 450 jobs are to go at BAE SYSTEMS Warton and Samlesbury plants out of a total of 950 that will be shed nationally.  In such a large company it could be expected that there will be a lot of … Continue reading →

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Defence Minister fires warning shots at Farnborough

Posted on 22 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

Liam Fox the Defence Minister made a speech at Farnborough giving a warning about the affordability of defence projects in the current climate.  Although some might say in any climate. The most promising part of the speech was the support … Continue reading →

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Taranis Unmanned Aircraft unveiled

Posted on 13 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

Yesterday July 12th, BAE SYSTEMS at Warton held a ceremony to unveil the Taranis Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle concept demonstrator which is due to fly in 2011 around 5 years after the programme was launched. The aircraft is the size of … Continue reading →

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Volcanic Ash blowing over Lancashire

Posted on 15 April 2010 by Pete of MIP

Today, flights all over northern Britain have been grounded because of volcanic ash from Iceland. Quite a coincidence to have these northerly winds at the same time as a volcano erupts. Look out for bright sunsets. Many years ago a … Continue reading →

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