Contact: - [email protected] www.lancsaeroclub.co.uk The Elevator

The Fly by Wire Newsletter of the Lancashire Aero Club Editorial address: - [email protected]

MARCH 2011 Philip Stevens has a nice aviation photo site; visit him at;

http://www.targeta.co.uk/portfolio_intro.htm CHAIRMAN’S CHAT AND NEWS...

Where do we go from here? Having just put out a questionnaire about the club that we all love and adore and what each of us wants for and from our club. For this is a double sided argument and like a politician some 50 years ago said “Ask not what you country (club) can do for you, ask what you can do for your country (club)”. Unfortunately he didn’t survive much longer than that speech and I want your club to last an awful lot longer than he did. We can make it into the club we want if we all pull in the same direction. Part of the unspoken contract between the committee and you, the members, is that we create the ambience and method but you do have to pick up the tools to do the job. One of these jobs is to man the strip when we are open and whilst it is NOT onerous it does require someone to be there even if its only to brew up. In fact it’s quite enjoyable meeting the pilots as they arrive and having a good natter over that brew. Now you may say that there isn’t much there but it will come and the plans will be developed especially when we can get that all too important permission. Then you will see a marked change in the way the Club looks. We have always said that we would go for planning permission when we got a couple of years of activity at Kenyon Hall Farm and that is what we are about to look at. There are several actions needed now before we can put in this application and it is surprising what you learn when you have to roll up your sleeves and get down to it. I am definitely into the learning mode and I do feel the challenge. There is also the fact that we have a very supportive landlord. There is also the social side of the club and we want to know what you want of this side of our activities. We have also made a cooperative deal with the North Western Strut of the light Aircraft Association for our members to attend their meeting. They hold regular monthly meetings of talks and other activities (flying days and BBQ’s etc) to which we will be welcome and to enhance the enjoyment of our sport. I shall be going to their meetings and you will be very welcome there as well, I hope to see you there.

CLIFF MORT These are sentences exactly as typed by medical secretaries in National Health Service, Glasgow

1. The patient has no previous history of suicide.

2. Patient has left her white blood cells at another hospital.

3. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.

4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

6. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.

7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

9. Discharge status:- Alive, but without my permission.

10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert, but forgetful.

11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

12. She is numb from her toes down.

13. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.

14. The skin was moist and dry.

15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches. 16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.

18. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got a divorce.

19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our care for physical therapy.

20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.

21. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.

22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.

23. Skin: somewhat pale, but present.

24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.

25. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.

26. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

27. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.

28. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of fuel and crashed.

29. Between you and me, we ought to be able to get this lady pregnant.

30. She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December.

31. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Smith, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree. 32. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stock broker instead.

33. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.

For the sake of your health - stay away from hospital !!

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Transforming Daydreams.... Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, and make it possible.

T.E. Lawrence

When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.

A good landing is one from which you can walk away. A great landing is one after which they can use the aircraft again.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.

The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.

Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another aircraft going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds.

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.

It takes around forty-five hours to learn how to fly and a lifetime to learn when to fly. Click on the links below to read about

6 short films from the British Pathe Archive about LAC!!

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=80369

and the good old days of flying the BAC Lightning to recruit RAF pilots in the 1960s http://www.aircraftowner.com/videos/view/english-electric-lightening_1962.html ‘Quite Interesting’ by Pete Maher

I was recently in my local library in Cheadle collecting a book for my wife. I have a fascination about anything to do with the Second World War, so my attention was immediately drawn to a small book waiting to go back on the shelves entitled – Under Fire. I went straight to a table and began to scan the Contents Page. The heading relating to Cheadle deserved further investigation.

‘German Aircrew Captured in Cheadle’ Apparently only one enemy bomber was ever brought down over the conurbation. The Anti- Aircraft Guns hit nothing, but a Boulton Paul Defiant flown by Flight Lieutenant E.C.Deansely accompanied by his gunner Sergeant W.J. Scott had taken off from Squires Gate and scored the only success.

The Defiant was unique as a single engined fighter because immediately behind the pilot sat a gunner in a turret facing backwards. A few early successes were scored during the Battle of Britain, when unsuspecting German aircraft came up from behind to be met by a gun turret facing in their direction. But the Defiant soon proved to be too slow and had to be relegated to night fighter duties.

Back to the action. A Heinkel 111 was the victim and the whole of the aircrew managed to bail out. The stricken aircraft came down behind Torkington Golf Course near Hazel Grove and I have subsequently discovered that an Aircraft Wreckology Group have excavated the site and pictures together with further information can be found on their website at www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk All of the crew were captured over a wide area centred on Cheadle and one husband and wife came in for particular criticism for administering first aid to an injured airman.

But now here comes the ‘Quite Interesting’ bit. After returning home from the library, I couldn’t wait to turn on my computer. This certainly merited a Google. Low and behold I was very quickly directed to the archive section of the Stockport Express Website. According to their story, the pilot had been a student at Manchester University before the War.

Furthermore - He had taken lodgings on Boundary Road in Cheadle !!!

Furthermore - He landed in the garden next door !!!

Supposedly he knocked on the door of the house where he had stayed as a student, with his parachute still on his back. When his former landlady opened the door she couldn’t believe her eyes and simply said :-

“What are you doing here ?”

Further visits to the local history section of Cheadle library have produced a further article which follows my piece. Sadly, no further mention is made of the coincidence which is supposed to have taken place on Boundary Road.

Is this just a case of a Newspaper Reporter inventing a story ? I just don’t know. But it certainly made me sit up and take notice.

Quite Interesting – Don’t You Agree ? My thanks to Pete Maher for contributing this fascinating article. Do you have any Quite Interesting stories to share? If so, E-mail them to me at the usual address!

The 2011 Membership Survey

The committee decided in February 2011 that we needed to find out from the membership whether we were working on the right lines in relation to the future of the Club. The last time that members had expressed an opinion was at the AGM of 2009, when the committee was given a mandate to pursue a new home for the Club with certain constraints.

Over the last four years since leaving Barton we have been actively scouring the countryside for a site for a new airstrip and over forty sites were surveyed (mostly by Mike Bowden and Jane Rhodes, to whom we are very grateful). We settled on Kenyon Hall Farm and decided (after advice from planners) to operate for two seasons on the 28-day rule.

This is now complete with no complaints and no incidents and we will soon be applying for unrestricted use of Kenyon Hall Farm. At the same time we decided to ask you the membership about your flying activities in an attempt to find out what you wanted from a new home, and what facilities you wanted to see in place. The results are now in and we had 86 replies within the timescale set, from a total of 176 members with email addresses. Unfortunately we had to omit members who were not on email through lack of time to collate the responses.

The results were very interesting:

Q1: Do you own or share an aircraft? Own: 10 Share: 62 Combination of both: 8

Q2: If so where is it based? Barton: 51 Woodvale: 6 Liverpool: 5 Sleap: 4 Others: 19

Q3: If shared, how many of the group are LAC members? Less than half: 41 More than half: 18 Doesn’t apply: 28

Q4: Do you regularly rent an aircraft? Yes: 10 No: 76

Q5: Approximately how many hours do you fly per year? 12 or less: 11 Between 13 and 30: 33 Between 31 and 50: 23 More than 50: 24

(The figures here at the top end are slightly skewed by a number of instructors and professional pilots)

Q6: Do you want a new home for the Club? Yes, away from Barton: 73 No, return to Barton: 7 Not bothered: 6

Q7: What facilities would you like (number of mentions)? Clubhouse: 51 Hangarage: 37 Well-drained runways: 25 Fuel: 23 Food and drink: 17 Maintenance: 10 Secure parking: 9 Planning facilities: 5 No yellow jackets etc: 5 Instruction: 3 Others: 3

We are grateful for your responses as it will help determine the future direction of the Club. The committee will consider the implications of these figures very carefully as we attempt to secure the future home of Lancashire Aero Club.

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."

The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet.

"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever.

As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.

A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the

bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..

The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. £150!" She cried, "£150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"

The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been£20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now £150." Nelson at Trafalgar 2010

Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, this isn't what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): “ expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledygook is this for God's sake?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting “ England " past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest, please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier- free environment for the differently abled."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card." Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under- represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons." Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"

Nelson: "Don't tell me - Health and Safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case...... Kiss me, Hardy."

Subject: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLORIDA STATE EMBLEM; BOEING FULDS FL1

The assembly of a Boeing 737 in QuickTime, for Southwest Airlines. Interesting! The process used for the paint job is amazing! http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=zKnsyYbfC60&feature=popular 6/7th AUGUST 2011 - Damyns Hall Aerodrome near , Essex

Pilots Invitation…

We invite you to take part, whatever aircraft you have, by flying into Damyns Hall Aerodrome on either day. Why not come for the weekend? You are welcome to camp or if you prefer stay in one of the local . There is no charge for camping.

Following our truly memorable shows in 2008, 2009 and 2010, combining Military Vehicles and Vintage Aircraft, we are repeating the event in 2011. Already arranged are: military vehicles, militaria collectors stalls, stalls for all the family, arena events, vintage aircraft, flying displays, helicopter rides, re-enactment groups, refreshments and a licensed bar.

There will also be a full programme of entertainment on Saturday night including music, refreshments and a bar. It’s a good chance to meet fellow pilots, and look around some unusual aircraft, and it will be a weekend that the whole family will enjoy with a packed timetable of arena events on both days

Damyns Hall Aerodrome has 2 runways and can accommodate all types of fixed and rotary winged aircraft. One licensed grass runway oriented 03/21approximately 650 metres long.

The aerodrome has an ATZ with air ground radio. Be aware that Damyns Hall Aerodrome is close to so you are unable to approach from the west.

There is a 2500 ft. limit as the London TMA is overhead. Please check your charts for airspace before you arrive.

Coordinates 51 31 43 N 000 14 44 E ICAO Code EGML

RUNWAY 21 Left hand circuit. RUNWAY 03 Right hand circuit

CIRCUIT HEIGHT 1000FT. QFE ELEVATION 56FT ASL

HORNCHURCH RADIO 119.550

After landing follow marshalling signals and park where directed by ground staff. Landing fee £5.

If you have any queries then please telephone Colin Tebb on 0790 1810383 or contact the Damyns Hall Aerodrome (Keith Reynolds) on 01708 556000 or mobile 07775 742582 We trust you will accept our invitation and look forward to seeing you there in August.

Colin Tebb - Military Vehicle Trust – Essex Area WHAT ELSE IS ON?

I find the best web site for fly ins is the Royal Aero Club at;

http://www.royalaeroclub.org/eventuk.htm

However, two events that aren’t listed and worth noting in your diaries are;

July 23/24 - Wings 'n' Wheels Weekend and hangar bash at Breighton

The annual BIG summer fly-in! We anticipate that the format will remain broadly similar to previous years (classic aircraft, cars, bikes, Club competitions etc) and this year we intend to raise pile of cash for the Help for Heroes charity. Attendees are encouraged to wear 'period costume' - in the past we've limited it to the 1940's, this year we're throwing it open to a decade of your choice just for fun. The annual July weekender will now be supported by a large 'wheeled' element and so it was deemed fair to reflect that in the event name. We anticipate that the format will remain broadly similar to previous years and we still intend to raise plenty of cash for the Help for Heroes charity. Attendees are encouraged to wear 'period costume' - in the past we've limited it to the 1940's, this year we're throwing it open to a decade of your choice just for fun.

Finally, a new event for May will be The Big 'C' Weekend to be held on May 28/29, the brainchild of one of our fold who is recovering from throat cancer. The fly-in is open to all aircraft types and we particularly welcome the Rollason Condor. The event will raise funds for Cancer Research.

QUITE INTERESTING Can you raed this ? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulacity uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The human mind has phaonmneal pweor. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are arangerd, the only iproamtnt thing is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the human mind deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef but the word as a wlohe.

Azanmig huh ? Yeah and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt ! Letters to the Editor…

Times are hard!!!

In replying to John Coxon’s letter, I would first like to say how honoured I am to be a member of the Lancashire Aero Club.

There are however two main issues that must be addressed, retaining existing members, and getting new ones.

As a very newish member and not in a group, flying into Kenyon Hall Farm is very expensive, it cost £75.00 for me to make an initial first visit . and whilst I was with an instructor as passenger, and he did not of course charge, it was somewhat worrying for such a short stay, as the a/c had to get back to Barton. I cannot bring my disabled wife to visit, and I am at a loss to really appreciate just what benefit KHF is to me, or others in my predicament. The free landing slots, arranged by the club, are a marginal benefit, if one has to hire in ,as well as pay the extortionate Barton fees.

It would seem that only group members, or private owners can really benefit from membership, apart from the privilege of being a member!

Please be assured I am NOT decrying the general concept of KHF,or the huge effort to get it open, but I did raise these issues at the early stages of this project.

Getting new members is related to my above comments, e.g. why join LAC?

A possible solution would be to offer all pilots either student, or qualified ,the first year free. This would give us a chance to expand. A further move might be to arrange for LAC members, a discount rate at the various flying schools. This would get round the fearsome costs of operating a club a/c. There are of course costs to this, but at present some of us do not get any benefit from membership, but still pay for a facility that we cannot use fully.

Please be assured that I am not critical of the committee ,or anybody else but simply raising issues as I see them, that should be addressed for the future of this great old club.

Happy Flying !

Dr E K Isaac - Archivist at large More letters and news...

I would love to hear from anyone within the Manchester aviation community about the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's first every space flight on 12th April 1961 and his visit to Manchester and London in July 11th-15th July 1961. This was 50 years ago so it is probably sharing the memories of their parents or grandparents!

If you are looking for a speaker on the topic of Gagarin's spaceflight and visit to Manchester, suitably adapted to cover "Gagarin the pilot", I am happy to do that. It is the usual format - power point presentation for about an hour plus Q&A.

I have scribbled a short piece below associated with the research I am conducting. If you can publish it anywhere relevant (feel free to edit) I would be grateful.

Finally, (just out of curiosity) I just checked my logbook. I did an hour at Barton with an instructor called "Longstaff" on G-BHRB on 8/3/1981! Do any of you recognise the instructor or the plane? Incidentally, I completed my PPL in Florida but did most of my P1 flying in Tasmania in 1995 and have not really flown since!

Best wishes, Gurbir

Research project - Memories of "Manchester Gagarin and John Alcock"

On 12th April 1961, Major Yuri Gagarin had made mankind's first journey in to space travelling at over 17,000 miles an hour. He went round Earth in the time it takes to play a football game. After a single orbit, he landed within the Soviet Union, not far from the launch site. He died 7 years later in an aircrash.

Despite his world fame and historic achievement, those of you with a private pilot licence probably have more flight time logged than Gagarin's 278 hours. His flight in to space on 12th April lasted 108 minutes. That was his only space flight. Fifty years on with around 550 "astronauts" who have been in Earth orbit, Gagarin's 108 minutes is the shortest. Despite Gagarin's frequently expressed interest in going to the Moon Mars and Venus, no Soviet cosmonauts ever made it beyond Earth orbit. Twenty four men went to the moon and a dozen walked on its surface. All American.

Invited by the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers (Gagarin's first job was a foundry man) he arrived in the UK on 11th July for a 4 day visit. In London he visited Earl's court, the Royal Society, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Highgate Cemetery, Mansion House and Admiralty House. Wednesday 12th July he was in Manchester, despite the rain, travelling in an open top Bentley to a union Office in Old Trafford, Metrovicks foundry in Trafford park and then the Town hall. He was cheered on throughout by drenched but enthusiastic crowds everywhere.

John Alcock and Arthur Brown made aviation history in June 1919 with the first ever non stop transatlantic flight. Gagarin drove past the hospital in Old Trafford where Alcock was born in 1892 on his way to the Union office on 12th July 1961. Perhaps you have some memories of Alcock (maybe he is a distant relative?).

This year, 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's flight. I am an amateur astronomer (holder of a non-current PPL) a blogger and am conducting a research project in to Manchester's connection with aviation and spaceflight. Share your memories - get in touch.

See www.astrotalkuk.org. Email [email protected] or 07970 267353.

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ALPHABET (PHONETIC) - Devised for reasons of clarity in aviation voice radio, this is the current NATO version in global use:

ALFA BRAVO CHARLEY DELTA ECHO FOXTROT GOLF INDIA JULIET KILO LIMA MIKE NOVEMBER OSCAR PAPA QUEBEC ROMEO SIERRA TANGO UNIFORM VICTOR WHISKY X-RAY YANKEE ZULU

However, the original, from early in World War 2, was…

ABLE BAKER CHARLEY DOG EASY FOX GEORGE

HOW ITEM JIG KING LOVE MIKE NAN OBOE

PETER QUEEN ROGER SUGAR TARE UNCLE VICTOR

WILLIAM X-RAY YOKE ZEBRA SAD NEWS…

AIt is with great sadness that we report the news of the death of BMAA President and former Chairman, Keith Negal after a year long battle with a brain tumour. Keith needs no introduction to LAA members, he was a stalwart not only of the microlight community but of recreational aviation in general.

Keith was a Vice President and Chairman of the RAeC and also supported the GA Alliance, now a strong force in coordinating our mutual interests. He led the BMAA from the front with passion, forthright in his views and over the ten years he was Chairman, the Association made significant strides and grew in strength and stature.

Keith was also instrumental in forming, and was a past President of the European Microlight Federation which has giving microlighting a strong presence in European regulation.

In 2009 Keith was honoured by the RAeC, being awarded the Gold Medal for his extraordinary service to microlighting, and was able to receive the award from HRH The Duke of York at last April's Awards presentation at the RAF Museum. An award he richly deserved.

From Thomas Cook Holidays listing some of the guests’ complaints during the season.

"I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts."

"It's lazy of the local shopkeepers to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time - this should be banned

"We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels."

"The beach was too sandy."

"We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white."

"Topless sunbathing on the beach should be banned. The holiday was ruined as my husband spent all day looking at other women." "We bought' Ray-Ban' sunglasses for five Euros (£3.50) from a street trader, only to find out they were fake."

"No-one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled."

"We went on holiday to and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish..."

"It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England it only took the Americans three hours to get home."

"I compared the size of our one- bedroom apartment to our friends' three-bedroom apartment and ours was significantly smaller."

"The brochure stated: 'No hairdressers at the accommodation'. We're trainee hairdressers - will we be OK staying here?"

"I was bitten by a mosquito - no- one said they could bite."

"My fiancé and I booked a twin- bedded room but we were placed in a double-bedded room. We now hold you responsible for the fact that I find myself pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked." NEWS FROM THE LAA

These are the last available courses until new ones are set for the Autumn.

If you wish to attend, please contact the LAA.

Woodwork – 16th March (Swindon, Wiltshire) http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2010/Courses/wooden_aircraft_structures.html

Aluminium – 19th March and 20th March (Educational Trust Centre, Turweston Aerodrome) http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2010/Courses/aluminium.html

Avionics – 19th March (Turweston Flight Centre, Conference Room) http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2010/Courses/avionics.html AIRCRAFT, SHARES & ACCESSORIES FOR SALE

LAC Member Ian Gordon is having a reluctant clear-out of complete sets of back copies of aviation magazines. If anyone would like back copies (free of charge) just email Ian at; [email protected]

The magazines are; Pilot, Today's Pilot, Flyer, Light Aviation, Popular Flying, Sailplane & Gliding Aerokurier (improve your German!)

BUT BE QUICK; THEY’RE IN DEMAND !!

LAC Member Ian Jones has had a number of enquiries about setting up a group (2 to 4-max) probably around a Flight Design CTLS. The Flight Design CTLS is the new version of the CT and is the next step forward with its advanced aerodynamic design, carbon fibre airframe, BRS parachute system, standard Dynon Glass panel and Garmin 496 GPS with XM weather. New design features make the CTLS a joy to fly and perfect for pilots of all skill levels. The longer fuselage design of the CTLS minimizes drag and maximizes interior room for you, your passenger and baggage. The new composite landing gear is designed to reduce rebound and smooth out the roughest of landings.

Interested ? Then contact Ian on;

[email protected]

Photo for identification purposes only. G-LADZ

Enstrom 480 turbine. Based at Barton. One of the few heli groups in the country. A share is available if anyone is interested.

Please contact; Stephen Halliwell on 07703-531666

Scales for Hire. Scales for Hire. Please hire them!

For hire – an electronic weigh scale for aircraft, presently out of calibration, but will renew if required. Weighs one wheel at a time, whilst other wheels levelled on shims (35mm thick). Range 500kg in 0.2kg steps, so will weigh an aeroplane up to 1000kg.

For availability and price, please contact Martyn Coles, 0771 480 4087.

Cessna 150L G-PLAN shares Shares for sale in the very friendly 20 member G-PLAN group. Availability is good. The aircraft had a respray and renewed upholstery not too long ago so is in excellent condition. The aircraft has an ADF, VOR, Mode C and a group portable GPS. Regularly maintained at Barton, there are about 1500 hours on the engine. The group finances are in a good state including engine fund. Costs are monthly £40, hourly (wet) £45 and shares are on offer for £1400. An excellent first aircraft but NO hours builders though!

For more information about joining contact Cyril Jones via email: [email protected] or telephone: (01625) 876849 SHARES FOR SALE IN SLINGSBY

Slingsby T67A G-BJXB New Group Shares £3750/Share £60/Hour Wet £70/Month Inclusive Put the Fun back in your Flying! Call Steve 07885 390702 [email protected]

Piper Arrow IV PA28RT-201 1/10th Share for Sale £6,000 ono

Piper Arrow IV PA28RT-201 N2943D, 1/10th share for sale Variable Pitch Propeller, Retractable Undercarriage Garmin 430 GPS Top Engine Overhaul New Exterior Paint Transponder + Mode C 2 x Nav Comm-VOR/ILS/ADF Very Nice and Clean Interior Auto Pilot Coupled to the Garmin 430 Long Range Tanks - 6 hours endurance Electric Trim Can be flown in the UK with JAR/CAA License Friendly & Efficiently Run Group, Excellent Availability, Online Booking Hangared at Manchester City Airport (formerly Barton Aerodrome) £75 per month, £70 per hour wet.

Contact: Bryn Charlton Tel: 01925 765141 Mobile: 07976 929832 The word aviation comes from the Latin, avis, meaning bird.

Honorary Officers: Mr Tom Dugdale - President Mr Mike Bowden - Trustee Mr Cyril Jones - Trustee Mr Martin Rushbrooke – Trustee

The Committee: Mr Cliff Mort - Chairman Mr Kevin McGuire - Vice Chairman and Partner Fields Co-ordinator Miss Kate Howe - Club Secretary, Elevator editor, Social Secretary Mr John Latimer - Airfield Sub-Committee Mr John Coxon - Airfield Sub-Committee, Airfield Safety Officer and Co-ordinator for airfield Duty OfficersMr Andy Halvorsen - Treasurer, Company Secretary Mr Peter Gaskell - Legal and Planning Advisor Mr Chris Barham - Membership, communications, web site Mr David Kaberry - Planning Advisor Mr Cliff Whitwell - Airfield Sub-Committee

Mr Eric Isaac - Ex Officio Archivist. For any historical information please contact:

Eric Isaac - Club Archivist on [email protected]

On Saturday morning I got up early, quietly got dressed, made some breakfast and then slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up my aeroplane on its trailer to the car and then opened the garage door ready to reverse out. I was greeted by a torrential downpour and the wind was blowing a gale. This had definitely not been forecast yesterday. I closed the garage door, disconnected the trailer from the car and went back into the house. I turned on the radio and discovered that the weather would be bad all day.

I crept back upstairs, quietly got undressed and slipped back into bed.

I cuddled up to my Wife and now with a different anticipation I whispered "The Weather out there is terrible"

My loving Wife replied "And can you believe my stupid husband has gone out Flying"

And that's how the fight started......

Material, both past and present, published in The Elevator, does not reflect the opinions of the Editor nor those of the LAC Committee. AND SO TO BED…

Aces High Collectables is a specialist store for the aviation enthusiast .They stock a wide range of aviation diecast models from the market leaders including Corgi Aviation Archive Diecast, Hobbymaster, Gemini, Skyguardians and Century Wings. Our range also includes magnificent hand carved wooden models, Pewter models including an art deco range. If you’re seeking a themed gift or memorabilia for an aviation enthusiast young or old then they have an impressive range for you to choose from including books, dvds, clothing, chocolates plus childrens toys and flying suits for junior aviators. Their team are all aviation enthusiasts so you can be assured of a knowledgeable and friendly service from people who share your passion for collecting. In addition to offering a mail order service they also promote their products by attending toy & collectors’ fairs and major aviation events throughout the UK. Details of events that we will be attending is available in their news & events section. They aim to offer collectors a range of products that cover the whole spectrum of the aviation world and therefore welcome customer suggestions and ideas as what you would like them to stock.

They welcome enquires from organisations, clubs, squadrons or units for the supply of wholesale gift and memorabilia items. WHAT’S IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE…

Read all about Ian Gordon’s thrilling adventure to New Zealand in a 172.