Thank you all. Goodness, hope I didn't come over as too prescriptive !!
Originally Posted by
jlemon
I think this might be Ryanair at Prestwick (PIK).
YES, it is. Ryanair have long contracted to the corporate successor of Scottish Aviation there to do their heavy maintenance and checks. I read on their website that they have six hangar bays for their substantial 737 fleet, which must make it one of the larger bases in Europe. A quick check just now of what is on the ground there currently shows 9 Ryanair 737s, which have all come in there in the last couple of weeks. In the last two years they had also used Prestwick to store their aircraft during the Covid reduction, fortunately gone now. SA also do this 737 work for others as well.
Ryanair (who I am struggling to recall, did they ever feature in The Quiz here ?) still have a very small schedule operation out of Prestwick, normally about 3 flights a day to various Mediterranean places. Used to be much more, but they have moved some destinations from Scotland to Glasgow or Edinburgh, and given up others completely. Maybe 20 years ago they had a 5-times-daily operation with 737-200s from there to London Stansted, which I recall normally being completely full; where did that market go ?
Originally Posted by
YVR Cockroach
Since there've been no stabs at this, I'll guess AC to YUL.
No, older.
Originally Posted by
jrl767
I’ll start the bidding with BOAC, operating a Constellation with PIK as one of two intermediate stops between London and New York (the second being Gander)
No, older.
Remember, it's "What was the very first regular transatlantic air operation from Prestwick . It's a fascinating story.
Originally Posted by
jrl767
he has — at least “had”; unlikely that he maintained it the last couple years — an FAA ASEL license
Likewise self in all aspects, UK CAA SEP [Single Engine Piston], now needs complete revalidating.