AirTanker – The airliner

The Royal Air Force has started to modernise its passenger aircraft and taken delivery of a civil registered Airbus A330-200 dual purpose flight refuelling plane officially named Voyager ((G-VYGG)).  In the civil role it is normally flown in a three-crew setup by licensed reservists who can also fly a military mission.  Also still in service are Tristar's and the VC10.

The aircraft is operated and maintained by AirTanker Ltd whose partners include Rolls-Royce (Trent 700 turbofans), Cobham (air-refuelling hose and drogue system), EADS (Airbus A330-200) and Thales Group (avionics and training).

As part of its set-up to provide operational capability to the Ministry of Defence, AirTanker will operate at least one of its 14 specially converted A330 aircraft on the civilian register.  A successful proving to Reykjavik in Iceland was operated to secure the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) followed by a charter to Cyprus. 

There are no rearward facing seats on this aircraft, a feature favoured by the RAF in the past "for safety reasons".  The Voyager offers airliner-style comforts, including in-flight entertainment and a minimum 34-inch seat pitch through its 291-seat, single-class cabin configuration in a 2+4+2 layout. www.airtanker.co.uk

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