Royal Flight Itinerary
Royal Flight Itinerary
Royal Flight Itinerary
Royal Flight Itinerary
Royal Flight Itinerary
The Royal Flight - 1979
The Royal Visit to Zambia
The Royal Visit to Zambia
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email Dave
Please, if you have anything you can share or show on this site, drop me a line too.
email Dave
In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II travelled with British Caledonian to Zambia, Her Majesty was accompanied by Prince Andrew. They visited Ndola and Kitwe before the Queen opened the Commonwealth Conference in Lusaka.
One of BCal's Boeing 707s, G-BDLM - Loch Fyne, was specially configured for the flight, with many of the bespoke fittings being made in the workshops at Gatwick. The flight was made under the call sign Caledonian One.
One of BCal's Boeing 707s, G-BDLM - Loch Fyne, was specially configured for the flight, with many of the bespoke fittings being made in the workshops at Gatwick. The flight was made under the call sign Caledonian One.
LUSAKA Airport, 4th August, 0955 local time, with Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, and the royal entourage of 55 people on board, the doors of Boeing 707 G-BDLM were closed.
Engines were started and the aircraft moved away in preparation for take-off after the impressive farewell ceremony by President Kenneth Kaunda of Republic of Zambia, with Captain John Moss in command, G-BDLM - call sign Caledonian One lifted its wheels off the runway at exactly 1000 for the non-stop flight of 10 hours to London Heathrow Airport.
Thus began the final chapter of a long and detailed planning exercise which had begun several weeks before. Planning was undertaken jointly by British Caledonian and the Queen's Flight. Ian Keppie, Operations Development Officer, was appointed to co-ordinate all matters- The Royal cabin was designed within the Engineering Division and the various components were hand built by their craftsmen. Special attention was given to the requirements for service in the Royal cabin.
At Heathrow Airport, handling was undertaken entirely by British Caledonian Operations staff. Early during the afternoon, the equipment was marshalled in the VIP area on the south side of the airport.
Fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, at 1845 local time, the Lima Mike touched down and taxied to the VIP ramp flying the Royal Standard. At the foot of the steps to greet the Queen were the Lord Chamberlain, Chairman of British Caledonian Airways Adam Thomson and Heathrow Airport's Director Michael King.
Her Majesty shook hands with the crew and told Hostess Pauline Mitchell that the flight had been a very pleasant one.
Said Captain Cotterell "Operationally the flight was absolutely routine - the careful preparations were followed to the letter". “The weather was perfect throughout the flight" he said. "Apart from a few bumps over the Southern Sahara, it was smooth passage.'
"Prince Andrew visited the flight deck several times. He showed great interest in details of the flight and sat in a crew seat for some time."
Mr J.R. Sidebotham congratulated all staff who were involved with the Royal Flight. "Everyone has reason to be proud of the job we did, the aircraft looked magnificent inside and out, and everyone's work came together at the right point in time resulting in a very smooth performance".
Engines were started and the aircraft moved away in preparation for take-off after the impressive farewell ceremony by President Kenneth Kaunda of Republic of Zambia, with Captain John Moss in command, G-BDLM - call sign Caledonian One lifted its wheels off the runway at exactly 1000 for the non-stop flight of 10 hours to London Heathrow Airport.
Thus began the final chapter of a long and detailed planning exercise which had begun several weeks before. Planning was undertaken jointly by British Caledonian and the Queen's Flight. Ian Keppie, Operations Development Officer, was appointed to co-ordinate all matters- The Royal cabin was designed within the Engineering Division and the various components were hand built by their craftsmen. Special attention was given to the requirements for service in the Royal cabin.
At Heathrow Airport, handling was undertaken entirely by British Caledonian Operations staff. Early during the afternoon, the equipment was marshalled in the VIP area on the south side of the airport.
Fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, at 1845 local time, the Lima Mike touched down and taxied to the VIP ramp flying the Royal Standard. At the foot of the steps to greet the Queen were the Lord Chamberlain, Chairman of British Caledonian Airways Adam Thomson and Heathrow Airport's Director Michael King.
Her Majesty shook hands with the crew and told Hostess Pauline Mitchell that the flight had been a very pleasant one.
Said Captain Cotterell "Operationally the flight was absolutely routine - the careful preparations were followed to the letter". “The weather was perfect throughout the flight" he said. "Apart from a few bumps over the Southern Sahara, it was smooth passage.'
"Prince Andrew visited the flight deck several times. He showed great interest in details of the flight and sat in a crew seat for some time."
Mr J.R. Sidebotham congratulated all staff who were involved with the Royal Flight. "Everyone has reason to be proud of the job we did, the aircraft looked magnificent inside and out, and everyone's work came together at the right point in time resulting in a very smooth performance".
Adam Thomson welcomes Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
on their arrival at London Heathrow
on their arrival at London Heathrow
Line-up of the B.CAL Engineering and Operations Divisions ground staff who handled the arrival of the Royal flight at Heathrow.
Adam Thomson received the following telegram from Buckingham Palace :
The Queen and Prince Andrew wave goodbye at Lusaka
The Queen with Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda
Below:- Flight Deck and Cabin Crew at Lusaka Airport
The Queen meets the Flight Crew after arriving at Heathrow
Passenger Service staff line up at Heathrow
BUCKINGHAM PALACE . . . ADAM THOMSON CHAIRMAN BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS . .
THE OUEEN WAS VERY PLEASED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF FLYING WITH BRITISH CALEDONIAN AND WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH STANDARDS AND EXCELLENT TIMEKEEPING ....STOP
HER MAJESTY WISHES YOU TO THANK ALL STAFF INVOLVED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT PREPARATION AND OPERATION OF HER AIRCRAFT AND MUCH ENJOYED HER COMFORTABLE FLIGHT BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM....STOP
PRIVATE SECRETARY
THE OUEEN WAS VERY PLEASED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF FLYING WITH BRITISH CALEDONIAN AND WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH STANDARDS AND EXCELLENT TIMEKEEPING ....STOP
HER MAJESTY WISHES YOU TO THANK ALL STAFF INVOLVED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT PREPARATION AND OPERATION OF HER AIRCRAFT AND MUCH ENJOYED HER COMFORTABLE FLIGHT BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM....STOP
PRIVATE SECRETARY