Maiden voyage
The Harrods Aviation Stansted facility hosted a very special departure recently for independent UK-based airline Astraeus and rock super group Iron Maiden, whose lead singer Bruce Dickinson is a pilot for the airline.

Astraeus created the world’s only B757 Combi which Captain Bruce Dickinson flew on some of the tour sectors. The aircraft was painted up in “Iron Maiden – Somewhere back in time World Tour 2008” livery and underwent the certified interior modification in order that passengers and cargo could fly in the same part of the aircraft effecting shorter turnaround times.

The aircraft was loaded for the first time by Harrods Aviation ramp staff who are experienced in loading wide-bodied jets. It was however a little out of the ordinary and challenging to be faced with a newly configured aircraft they had not previously seen. Harrods Aviation assisted the tour’s load master in loading the aircraft while it was on our ramp. The loading was the first time the specially configured aircraft had had its cargo put onboard. Each piece of cargo had its own specific position and although there were diagrams; it was like completing a giant three-dimensional jigsaw. The aircraft stayed with us overnight and departed on the first leg of the world tour the next day when the band and support crew arrived at the Stansted FBO. We were delighted to have been able to assist Astraeus with this unique task where the experience of our staff shone through. The aircraft returned to the UK after the tour and was handled by Harrods Aviation again. We hope that Astraeus are successful in offering this aircraft for charter to the events industry for similar use.