Stage One-the UK Runway Trials Completed

Saturday September 28th saw it completed: three high speed runs - the last two using afterburner - took ThrustSSC to 200mph and the completion of the UK end of the programme. There is no doubt that the operational team has become highly professional with no less than 8 of the 12 runs made in two days.

One of the difficulties has been sharing the Farnborough runway with the executive jets - all of which insist on taxiing to the eastern end of the runway just to enable the VIP's to see ThrustSSC waiting, engines running ready to follow down the runway as soon as the bizjet clears.

We finally got ThrustSSC rolling on Monday 23rd September. The first run was a simple one - up at 40mph and then try a hard retardation with the wheel brakes. Andy did just as instructed - all four wheels locked - the two fronts burst and the rear were worn through to the point of rupture. It was clear that we were not under braked and it took two hours to clear the runway - with one surprised bizjet diverted to Odiham!

The 12th run was highly satisfactory - the afterburners lit with a very short interval between them which gave us the yaw we were concerned about - Andy found that he could simply correct with steering and there was no problem. The huge noise from the twin Speys in reheat ricocheted around Farnborough and nearly 10 tonnes of car accelerated from 160 - 190 mph in 1 sec trailing twin huge yellow afterburner flames in the gathering dusk.

So ends the first phase of the project operation - the car which Ron Ayers, Glynne Bowsher and Jerry Bliss designed goes straight, is very stable, is reliable and the rear wheel steering works well. There's simply not much more that one can ask for at this stage - so now we go to the desert. And quickly!

When we say 'Ahlan Wa Sahlan' on board RJ, we also mean to say 'Ahlan Wa Sahlan' to Jordan. Royal Jordanian is our national airline and more than anything else it symbolizes it's belief in our country, our people and our future. We are more than an airline, more than our country's most visible ambassador of goodwill; we are a dynamic force in the development of tourism.

RJ History

Royal Jordanian Airline was established in 1963. In its 33 years of service it has developed into a multi-purpose aviation conglomerate contributing to the social and economic development of its own country while projecting Jordan's dynamic image abroad and has become a truly international enterprise.

On December 8, 1963 His Majesty King Hussein issued the Royal Decree establishing Jordan's national carrier. He named the airline after his daughter Princess Alia meaning "high and exalted one" and stipulated that its flight operations should begin one week from that date. Royal Jordanian started with a fleet of two Handley Page Dart Heralds and one super DC7 inaugurating weekly service to Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait, Amman/Beirut was the first flight. Against numerous odds of the uncertain political mode of the Middle East region and in spite of the challenges that faced Jordan during the last 33 years, Royal Jordanian has achieved a very healthy growth in its route network and operations. At the same time it was considered one of the leading airlines of the Middle East in Air transport development and technology Royal Jordanian contributed to a large extent to the promotion of air transport in the Arab world. It was the first Arab Middle East airline that operated non-stop to the United States of America, and the second Arab airline to operate to the Far East.

RJ Fleet Expansion

RJ kept with modern technologies in aircraft design and efficiency. This has lead it to pass through different generations of jet eras during its 33 years of existence. The years 1981,82,84 and 85 witnessed the addition of eight Tristar aircraft. Later RJ added six Airbus A310-300 and two A320 aircraft between years 1987 and 1990. The A310 replaced the L-1011-500 aircraft on European points. Meanwhile, Tristar LO11-500 was now free to operate long haul routes exclusively, while A320 aircraft replaced B727 on regional and short haul routes. RJ's fleet consists of 17 aircraft:five L15, six A310, three A320 and three B707.

RJ Safety

Nothing is more important to us than our passengers' safety. Our crews undergo stringent physical and professional examinations to ensure that they are fit to fly you anywhere. Nor is their flying experience limited; they have flown extensively everywhere. The best aircrafts need the best maintenance. Not surprising then that over two thirds of RJ's ground staff are working in our modern maintenance center in Amman. But our maintenance is more than simply standing still, we are constantly upgrading our aircraft and equipment to assure even safer flying.

RJ Services

The first moment your or your travel agent contact an RJ sales office whether it's in New York, London, Paris or any of our nearly 100 other locations, you will mostly be dealing with someone who has been trained at our Training Centre in Amman. They will not only help you with your airline reservations, but also make your hotel reservations and give you advice on customs and visas.

No airline has a friendlier service. To assure your every desire is met, cabin attendants on board are under the direction and supervision of a specially-trained purser. They are trained not only to smile in welcome, to hang-up your coat, to offer a pillow or the warmth of the blanket; but they are trained to love their passengers and make them feel at home.

RJ Kitchens

Whether you select a European or Jordanian meal, you can be sure of one thing, it will be as fresh as possible. Each and every morning, our chefs, under the direction of a catering superintendent, visit Amman's market to select fresh fruit and vegetables. Jordan derives almost half of its national income from agriculture, so even though the selections may vary as seasons change, you will always find freshness in your salad bowl. But it is not only vegetables that are as fresh as they can be, RJ's ovens bake bread, rolls and pastry fresh daily. It tastes almost as good as homemade.

Royal Jordanian looks back on its 33 years of performance with pride not merely due to the steady progress achieved in the field of air transport but also for the fact that RJ has played an increasing role in the national development of Jordan and looks forward to continue playing this role in the greater interest of its nation and its people.

Safe, friendly, comfortable and welcoming.......this is Royal Jordanian, more than a national airline; but our ambassador to the world, that carries with it Jordan's culture, tradition & hospitality.

Jordan Ahlan wa Sahlan

You will be truly at home among our people The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country of 96,000 square kilometres located in the very heart of Arab Asia. It serves as a transit hub between the more populous countries of Syria in the north, Iraq in the east, Saudi Arabia in the south east and Egypt in the south west.

With all its archaeological wealth and natural wonders, Jordan is the place for history buffs, culture lovers, naturalists and religious pilgrims. Yet it combines this aura of history and abundance of antiquities with one of the most modern and thriving cultures of the Arab world.

The visitor to Jordan is instantly mesmerised by the country's landscape, dominated by a mountain range which rises over 1,000 metres. Beneath this range lies the unusually deep Jordan Valley - the lowest spot on earth. In this valley is found the stream which is holy to millions - the River Jordan. The Jordan in turn flows into the Dead Sea, famous for its dissolved minerals which make the waters extremely buoyant.

In the south the Wadi Rum desert bears an eerie resemblance to the moon's surface. Black hills are sculpted into strange monuments, wadis (valleys) slice through the desert and brilliantly coloured rock mountains jut out of the flat sand plains.

But it is the ruins of monuments, temples and ancient cities that make the Jordanian landscape even more spellbinding. These witnesses to history overflow with tales of great civilizations and Biblical events. The two most striking - the ancient cities of Petra and Jerash - rank among the world's most awesome wonders.

Petra is the rose red city half as old as time. It was carved from living rock over 2,000 years ago by the Nabalaeans, a tribe of nomadic Arab traders who went on to control an empire from their impenetrable hideaway. Over 800 temples, monuments, baths, tombs and an amphitheatre are carefully preserved there today, with a nearby hotel serving the 20th century visitor.

Jerash is the most perfectly preserved Graeco-Roman city in existence. It was one of the original ten Roman provincial cities known as the Decapolis. In Jerash, colonnaded streets lead the way to Roman theatres, baths and hilltop temples, and there are at least 15 churches replete with mosaics form the Byzantine period within the city walls.

Today, not only is Jerash a magnificent historical site to visit, but it is a showcase of Jordanian arts and culture. This aspect of the city reaches a climax in July of each year when the two-week Jerash Festival is held during which some of the world's most outstanding entertainment individuals and groups perform.

Jordan is an open museum where the traveller can see the well preserved and restored artefacts of the many civilizations which have settled here of over the centuries, yet also enjoy the amenities of modern living.

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