 An attempt was made to provide the completed Arrows to the National Research Council of Canada as high @-@ speed test aircraft . The NRC refused , noting that without sufficient spare parts and maintenance , as well as qualified pilots , the NRC could make no use of them . A similar project initiated by the Royal Aircraft Establishment ( Boscombe Down ) had resulted in Avro vice @-@ president ( engineering ) Jim Floyd 's preparing a transatlantic ferry operation . This proposal , like others from the United States , was never realized . 
