The Air League Newsletter

Issue 4: July/August 2012 UK AIR POWER JOINS IN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS ilitary from the , Royal Navy and the Army featured prominently in theM extensive programme of celebratory events that commemorated Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The formations were involved in both the major events – the tribute by the Armed Services over Windsor and the fly-past over The Mall and Buckingham Palace at the conclusion of the official programme of celebrations. These momentous events were seen by millions packing the streets, parks and riverside in London as well as by several billion television viewers all over the world, including many Commonwealth countries which carried live broadcasts. The main formation first made its public appearance over Windsor on 19 May at the Diamond Jubilee Parade and Muster, and comprised 78-aircraft, most of which were Tucano and Hawk trainers, but which ABOVE - The fly over the Diamond Jubilee included a box nine formation of Typhoons, Parade and Muster at Windsor and (inset) the impressive EIIR formation of Hawks (Crown Copyright/MOD 2012) a mixed formation of VC10 tanker and two Tornados, plus Hercules and the in the lead up period before the Jubilee. Spitfires and Lancaster of the Battle of The familiar and well-loved spectacle of the Britain Memorial Flight, followed by the concluding up the Mall over Central Red Arrows. The joint nature of today’s London on 5 June, with the nostalgic UK helicopter operations were represented BBMF Spitfires and Lancaster, plus the by rotary wing machines from all three Red Arrows, brought the aerial pageant Services. The Hawks flew in a precision to a close in suitably upbeat style for the “E II R” formation, and the Tucanos in a occasion, demonstrating how, despite “60” formation. Sadly for many, the iconic all the UK’s many problems, and the Vulcan was unable to participate in any of continuing concern over defence cutbacks, these events following FOD ingestion and the Services can still put on a good show. the subsequent explosion of two engines

In this issue... Flying in a new direction? P2  Commentary by Aeronautica P3  The Annual Reception P4-5 2012 Bursary and special awards P6-7  Members’ News P8

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1 FLYING IN A NEW DIRECTION?

s the nation prepares to host huge stacking circuits while ATC attempts to squeeze numbers of additional visitors from the maximum number of movements in and out around the world for the 2012 Olympic of just two runways. This premier European Games,A it is becoming clear that the runway hub was approaching maximum capacity at the capacity deficit in South East is start of the summer season so it remains to be becoming a burning political issue, with the seen how it copes with the extra Olympic traffic airline, airport and business communities – unless non-sporting passengers are frightened united in criticism of the government’s lack off using London while the games are on, and of a strategy for dealing with the problem, according to the British Tourist Board this is a while all three UK political parties have real possibility. aligned themselves against any runway Singapore Airlines is a major operator at expansion at London’s major airports – the Heathrow, and General Manager UK/ Ireland, only practical solution! While politicians Mr. Phee Teik Yeoh, has expressed his concerns, posture and prevaricate on this (at the same which are shared by many other airlines at LHR. time ordering the Department of Transport to He has said, “The demand for business and travel study the matter in closer detail!), all the key is there and the launch of our fourth London ministers in the Coalition government, led Heathrow to Singapore service from October is by the Prime Minister and Chancellor, have testament to that fact. The reality, however, is that already declared that whatever the studies we have had these ambitions since 1998 but due conclude they remain opposed to a third to the difficulties in obtaining commercially viable runway at Heathrow, so it is not unreasonable slots at an airport operating close to capacity, it to ask what the point of the exercise is if any has taken 14 years for us to be able to realise prospect of objectivity has been rejected in them. Prior to obtaining our fourth slot, our only advance…unless policy is about to fly off in expansion opportunity was to introduce larger a new direction. Speculation in the national aircraft on our routes and as we operate A380s press suggests Mr Cameron might be poised on all three services currently, even this option for a radical re-appraisal on this stance. had been exhausted. The capacity problem is While the government dithers over what to do, an urgent one which needs to be tackled and up the existing UK airport jewel in the crown, at until this point has hampered the expansion of Heathrow, is fast filling up because of the lack our operations in the UK. The current situation is of runway capacity. With the vast new Central clearly not sustainable and so news that a third Terminal complex well underway, the airport will runway is back on the agenda for consideration soon have more than enough terminal capacity, can only be good.” thus satisfying the desire of Junior Transport There have been plenty of government policy Minister Teresa Villiers to “improve the travel U-turns to date (reportedly around 40) so experience for passengers”, presumably giving another one on enhancing runway capacity for them a smarter lounge and shopping environment London might result in less public criticism than in which to fill the hours when flights are delayed ministers fear as millions of people will gain from because the runways can’t cope! It is now action to safeguard London’s business prospects routine for take-offs at Heathrow to be delayed in an aggressively competitive world. as departing aircraft join lengthening queues, and as incoming passengers endure extended The Editor

ABOVE - Terminal 5 at Heathrow with a British Airways Airbus A321 in the queue for take off (editor’s photo)

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2 COMMENTARY by Aeronautica

he sight of a mass flypast of British military aircraft over London and Windsor during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations recently demonstrated to millions of onlookers the continuing flying skills and professionalism of our Armed Forces. It is easily forgotten that for the vast majority of the population,T a public flypast is probably the only exposure they will ever have to current UK air power, and in the main this is most often seen in the form of the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Probably the next most familiar military aviation image is that of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopters that feature almost daily in the TV news, and can be seen in some numbers around Britain’s coastline and mountain regions, although these high profile ambassadors are destined to be replaced by contracted helicopter services in the future. In terms of modern front line imagery, this is now dominated in media coverage by scenes of Chinook, Merlin and Apache helicopters in action over Afghanistan and, tragically, the steady repatriation of war casualties from that troubled country aboard giant C-17 transports. A measure of just how much things have changed in terms of UK air power, and its public visibility over the years, can be seen by a glance back to a report on Her Majesty’s Coronation Review of the RAF and Spithead in the July 1953 edition of Air Pictorial, then the Journal of The Air League. One thousand aircraft, from trainers to jet bombers took part at RAF Odiham, some 600 flying in the overhead formations, which had taken off from over forty different RAF bases. In the ABOVE - The Typhoon is today holding the line for the RAF, providing a multi- Royal Navy’s flypast over the role combat capability that is the envy of many nations. The government has Spithead Review of the Fleet, said it is fully committed to further enhancements which will include integrating which included 200 warships, the Meteor missile and a new AESA radar. (Editor’s photo) some 42 naval squadrons took an overwhelming numerical has thus been regarded as far part, featuring over 300 aircraft! advantage in numbers of soldiers easier to achieve, with quicker Today’s front line is but a shadow and aircraft. After the end of the results, than tackling out-of- of its former self, having shed First World War British air power control welfare payments and the nearly two thirds of its aircraft almost shrunk out of existence PC-favoured Foreign Aid budget, since the end of the Cold War, and at every stage over the next and nearly another third of its which has doubled. The net result fifteen years, while Germany re- remaining strength in the last few of the SDSR changes have still armed, Whitehall and Westminster years of near-continuous defence not come fully to the surface, for resisted calls for defence to be cuts. Naval fixed wing operational following the final pull-out from strengthened. Thankfully wiser aircraft have, for the time being, Afghanistan, many UOR-funded councils eventually prevailed, but gone altogether. While the latest procurements will reach the end only just in time. air systems, with their precision of their short operational lives and weapons and superior situational In the lead up to, and period in most cases won’t be replaced. awareness are far more effective following, publication of the The recent government statement than earlier generations of aircraft, government’s widely condemned on future defence procurements the numbers available are now so 2010 Strategic Defence and states that funding will be depleted, major operations can Security Review, critics have allocated for as-yet unspecified only be contemplated by relying pointed out that it is the ISR enhancements, but even if on other nations to supply key government’s first duty to provide these come to pass they will only assets no longer available to the for the nation’s national defence in-part replace lost capabilities, RAF and RN. This is no longer needs, because nobody knows in a so the overall result may not be the subject for denial, but hailed volatile world what might happen as positive as is being suggested. as an example of modern inter- next and where national interests With nothing planned to replace reliability! The official line, oft might be threatened. But the all- the abandoned RAF maritime repeated, that “there is no money” powerful Treasury, following years air capability, and speculation could have been heard no doubt in of having to support bloated and that orders for the F-35B will the 1930s when defence lobbyists, delayed defence programmes, be minimal - and only vague such as Sir Winston Churchill, now dominates defence policy as references to future UAV and ISR were described as “warmongers” never before and which has been requirements - nothing short of by those who preferred the soft regarded by Ministers as “needing another policy reversal will restore option of negotiating with a to be put back in its box”. In UK air power to the level that was potential enemy who possessed political terms cutting defence previously regarded as vital.

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3 AIR LEAGUE 2012 ANNUAL RECEPTION

n Thursday 31st May, a shining backdrop as awards young people, disabled people HRH The Duke of were made to those who and veterans from all social Edinburgh, patron of had completed 76 awards in backgrounds. The programme OThe Air League, hosted the 2011 comprising 35 flying will involve a series of events League’s Annual Reception scholarships, 20 flying across the UK aimed at giving in the wonderful setting of bursaries, 12 engineering young people an insight into St James’s Palace. The Air scholarships and 9 gliding the world of diverse career League’s Annual Reception scholarships. Thanks to opportunities offered by the is a key event in the national the stalwart support of our aerospace industry. aviation calendar and once sponsors, the Air League The evening also recognised a again it proved to be an now sets the standard for number of personalities who had excellent opportunity for both aerospace scholarships and made outstanding contributions sponsors and recipients of the as if to prove the point, the to aviation beginning with scholarships and bursaries opportunity was taken to Marjan Bledowski for his to meet one another. The announce that Boeing has outstanding flying instruction weather was lovely and the generously agreed to fund 10 record. For his epic microlight Palace apartments provided flying scholarships focused on flight to Australia as a disabled

ABOVE - Tariro Gobere receiving her Michelle Parker receiving her flying Sam Cooper receiving his Gliding engineering scholarship certificate scholarship certificate scholarship certificate from the President

LEFT - Sgt Anthony Russell RM being congratulated on receiving the Billy Deacon Trophy and a Breitling watch

Air Marshal Andy Pulford receives the Founders Medal on behalf of the RAF

Air Cdre Barbara Cooper, Commandant Air Cadets, with the Patron and Linsey Running received the Evie Air Cadet helpers Saunders Memorial Cup

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4 CELEBRATES AVIATION EXCELLENCE

pilot, a Framed Address was from the yacht ‘Andriette’ in to Air League Training Adviser also awarded to David Sykes. difficulties in the South West Captain Clive Elton. For his In recognition of his work with Approaches on 7 July 2011. outstanding contribution and the Vulcan to the Sky Trust on The Marshall of Cambridge unique achievements in aviation, the anniversary of captaining Medal was awarded to Victoria Sir Michael Marshall was made the Black Buck 1 attack on Cope for her enthusiastic and a Companion of the Air League. Port Stanley airfield, a Framed unstinting work in support of Finally, the Duke was presented Address was awarded to Martin The Air League. The Founders with a framed caricature of Withers DFC. Medal was awarded for the RAF’s himself flying a Rollason The Billy Deacon Search and outstanding performance on Turbulent of the Tiger Club to Rescue Memorial Trophy, operations over Libya in 2011. mark 60 years as Air League commemorating Billy Deacon The Scott Farnie Medal, for Patron. Also depicted were many who was posthumously awarded meritorious work in the field of of the other aircraft with which the George Medal in November Air Education, was awarded to His Royal Highness has been 1997, was awarded to winchman Robert Pooley. The Jeffrey Quill associated, and the mount was Sergeant Anthony Russell RM Medal, for meritorious work in signed by members of The Air for rescuing two crewmembers the field of airmindedness, went League Council and Trustees.

Sir Michael Marshall becomes a Companion of His Royal Highness receiving a caricature of him flying a The Air League Rollason Turbulent to mark 60 years at Air League Patron

Bob Pooley receiving the Scott-Farnie Clive Elton receiving the Jeffrey Victoria Cope receiving her Marshall Medal Quill Medal Medal

Francesca de Florio of Boeing being presented to the Patron while scholarship sponsor Hugo Trotter DFC looks on Flying scholarship winner Rachel Fincham with the Patron

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5 SCHOLARSHIP

2012 FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS Sponsor/Flying Scholarship Recipient The Prince Philip NPPL Flying Scholarship Mr J Baldwin from Clifton Moor, Yorkshire TAG Farnborough Airport NPPL Mr A Webb from Hook, Air Power Association Mr A Szymanski from Colchester BAE SYSTEMS (John Cunningham) Mr J Coughlin from Armagh, Northern Ireland British Women Pilots Association Miss E Duffy from Roath, Cardiff Captain Colin Barnes Mr A Ballantyne from Evesham, Worcestershire Cobham plc (Sir Alan Cobham) Miss S Reed from Gwernesney, Usk D G Marshall Mr T Batchelor from Chertsey, Surrey D G Marshall Mr A Watson from Edinburgh HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Mr T Bains from Wolverhampton, West Midlands HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Mr M Dearden from Metheringham, Lincolnshire HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Mr H Griffiths from Reading, Berkshire HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Miss A Milne from Durham, Co Durham HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Mr R Ross from Grantham, Lincolnshire HQ Air Cadets (The Air Cadets Scarman) Mr J Wilkinson from Halifax, West Yorkshire Hugh Pope Mr P Robinson from Farnborough, Hampshire Lady Humphrey (Andrew Humphrey) Mr R Lewis from Taunton, Somerset Rhodes-Moorhouse VC Mr H Bedford from Okehampton, Devon Robert Kronfeld Mr H Williams from Devizes, Wiltshire Royal Aeronautical Society Mr D McLaughlin from Stockport, Cheshire Sir Arthur Marshall Mr D Neck from Winkfield, Berkshire Sir James Martin (Martin Baker) Mr M Puller from Durham, Co Durham Swire Charitable Trust Mr T Bean from Nantwich, Cheshire Swire Charitable Trust Miss K Chapman from Bedale, North Yorkshie Swire Charitable Trust Mr S Gervais from Langley, Berkshire Swire Charitable Trust Mr L Lincoln from Hatfield, Herftfordshire Swire Charitable Trust Mr K Marumo from Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey Swire Charitable Trust Mr D Mathai from Harlington, Middlesex Swire Charitable Trust Miss R Matheson from Angus, Dundee Swire Charitable Trust Mr R Paterson from St Andrews, Fife Swire Charitable Trust Mr C R Thompson from Durham, County Durham Swire Charitable Trust Mr A White from Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire The Coachmakers Livery (Victor Gauntlett) Mr P Abbott from Studley, Warwickshire The MacRobert Trust Miss K Gallagher from Uddingston, Glasgow The Red Arrows Trust Mr S Stoddart from Sale, Greater Manchester 2012 ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS Placement Company Recipient Altitude Global Miss L Harvey from Stirling, Stirlingshire British Airways Maintenance Glasgow Mr J Coughlin from Armagh, Northern Ireland Eurocopter UK Mr D Mehta from Hayes, Middlesex Heli Air Ltd Mr J Johnson from Warrington, Cheshire Heli Air Ltd Mr J Williams from Cwmbach, Aberdare Marshall Aerospace Mr R Aziz from London Marshall Aerospace Mr A Young from Truro, Cornwall Vector Fleetlands Mr T Small from Thatcham, Berkshire Vector Fleetlands Mr M Titman from Sheffield

An influential champion for aviation in challenging times www.airleague.co.uk

6 AWARDS

2012 GLIDING SCHOLARSHIPS Sponsor/Gliding Scholarship Recipient Air League Trust (Cross-Country) Mr T Baldock from Southampton, Hampshire Air League Trust (Motor Gliding 10hrs) Mr R Berry from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire Air League Trust (SLMG 12Hrs) Mr S Gervais from Langley, Berkshire Air League Trust Mr B Followell from Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire Air League Trust Miss M Parker from Blewbury, Oxfordshire Air League Trust Mr E Stark from Narborough, Leicestershire Air League Trust Mr H Williams from Devizes, Wiltshire Air League Trust Mr A Watson from Edinburgh Aircrew Association, West Riding Mr S Tyler from Leeds, North Yorkshire Darren McQuoid Miss R Homer from Bicester, Oxfordshire Darren McQuoid Mr O Mankowski from Durham, County Durham John Marriott Mr H Collison from Pakenham, Suffolk John Marriott Mr B Filer from Woodford Green, London Robert Kronfeld Mr D McCormack from Todmorden, Lancashire

2012 BALLOONING SCHOLARSHIP Sponsor Recipient

Breitling Balloon PPL Miss J Leong from Ferrers, Essex

2012 FLYING BURSARY Sponsor/Flying Bursary Recipient Bucklands Memorial Mr J Coates from Ripon, North Yorkshire Emirates Miss N Seel from Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire Emirates Mr P M L Thomason from Yell, Shetland Mark Philip Jones Memorial Mr L Clifton from Heighington, Lincolnshire Nigel Blood Mr J Geary from Uxbridge, Middlesex Nigel Blood Mr J Hawkins from Helston, Cornwall Nigel Blood Miss K Snell from Newport-on-Tay, Fife Sir Michael Cobham Mr A G P Roberts from Heswall Hills, Merseyside Sir Michael Cobham Mr G Bridges from Radstock, Banes Sir Michael Cobham Miss C Challis from Rainham, Kent Sir Michael Cobham Mr M Giles from East Grinstead, West Sussex Sir Michael Cobham Mr C K Hindle from Clayton-Le-Dale, Lancashire Sir Michael Cobham Mr A Luken from Southampton Sir Michael Cobham Mr J Randall from Rudgeway, Bristol Sir Michael Cobham Miss L Richardson from Llanfechain, Powys Sir Michael Cobham Miss H L Rosier from Pontyclun, South Glamorgan Sir Michael Cobham Mr J Singh from Southall, Middlesex Sir Michael Cobham Mr S Tyler from Leeds, Yorkshire Sir Michael Marshall Mr A Jones from Rhiwbina, Cardiff Sir Michael Marshall Mr H King from West Molesey, Surrey The Red Arrows Mr N J Marchment from Farnborough, Hampshire

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7 MEMBERS’ NEWS

Ellie Nicholls, 2011 D G Marshall Flying Scholarship: I 2013 Subscriptions would like to say a huge thank Revised subscriptions with effect from 1 January 2013 were you for awarding me a 12 hour approved at the Air League Trustees Meeting held on 14 March flying scholarship. The flying 2012. The new rates will be: and lessons I learnt were truly phenomenal. Thanks to the Corporate Membership Category Rate (Direct Debit) Rate (Cash) fantastic instruction at Tayside RED £4,000 & above £4,000 & above aviation I was able to convert on WHITE £1,250-£4,000 £1,250-£4,000 to the P-28 and go solo. I was very grateful to be able to fly in G-EVIE BLUE £650-£1,250 £660-£1,250 (in memory of Evie Saunders) GREEN £190 £200 with (for some sorties) an all Individual Membership Category Rate (Direct Debit) Rate (Cash) female crew. I also began to learn about navigation, completing 4 Full (over age 22) £62 £65 different navigation flights and Retired (over age 65) £43 £47 did my first landing away from Intermediate (age 22-27) £43 £47 Dundee. I enjoyed meeting other Student (under age 22) £35 £38 Air League scholars; it is not very often you get to meet such like- 1. Subscriptions are revised annually. minded and ambitious people 2. Individual Life membership £900.00. and also being able to sit in the back of each others flights was Thank you again for the scholarship. I completed my a huge bonus! In addition to scholarship. allocated 12 hours at Tayside the flying we went to the RAF aviation in September. I Lewis Travers, 2011 Leuchars Airshow with aircrew thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks Engineering Scholarship: I am passes which was extremely kind there and made good progress writing to thank everyone at the of Tayside Aviation especially as towards gaining my NPPL. I had Air League Trust for allowing me we were able to fly out at the my first solo after 6 hours, and to spend a week at Eurocopter end of the day in the Seneca. successfully used the remainder UK. I had a thoroughly enjoyable Taxiing past the Red Arrows and of my time to progress onto some week, in which I learnt a huge some F-15s was both surreal navigation exercises; including a amount. My aim was to learn and brilliant. The highlight of my trip to Oban. I would like to pay and to gain an appreciation for scholarship had to be the sortie special thanks to my instructor how aircraft are maintained and to Oban; after waiting patiently R J Mounce, who was excellent the processes in place to achieve for days for the right weather and provided me with all of the this. That goal was undoubtedly it was certainly worth the wait! guidance and instruction I could met and I left Eurocopter on Navigating through the snowy have hoped for. My scholarship Friday afternoon feeling very highlands, following the frozen has provided me with an pleased with how my week went. lochs and then arriving at what excellent starting point in my was a very sunny west coast of Stjohn Youngman, 2011 HQ aim of gaining an NPPL. I plan to Scotland was an experience that Air Cadets (The Air Cadets continue my training this coming I couldn’t possibly ever forget. Scarman) Flying Scholarship: summer in a Pitts Special and I really can not think of a more I am writing to thank the Air commence aerobatic training. beautiful place to learn to fly. League for the award of a flying Once again I would like to thank the Air League Trust and my New Members sponsor for my scholarship. Full Members: Lucien D’sa, Steve Fitz-Gerald, Nicholas Garland, Charles Hughes, Franziska Stache Student Members: Jack Allum, Matthew Dearden, Daniel Hewey- Emmerson, Sam Jacob, Gregory Kelleher, George Newman, Richard Painter, James Wilkinson THE AIR LEAGUE Broadway House Tothill Street Diary Reminders London SW1H 9NS 17-22 July: Annual Aviation Paintings of the Year Exhibition, Tel: 020 7222 8463 Mall Galleries, London Fax: 020 7222 8462 17 October: Andrew Humphrey Memorial Lecture, RAeS, 4 Hamilton Place E-mail: [email protected] 30 November: Aviation Forum and Environment Day, BA Waterside

For up-to-date information on all our activities please visit our website Editor: Richard Gardner at www.airleague.co.uk where you can register for changes to be sent to Material for consideration for inclusion you by email as they are announced. can be sent via The Air League’s office.

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