An influential champion for aviation in challenging times

Issue 4 July/August 2018 CENTENNIAL WINGS TAKES FLIGHT he latest project to involve and inspire aviation-minded young people has taken off in spectacular form and was shown for the first time at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in July. Launched as a joint effort between Boeing UK, the Air League and the RAF Air Cadets, the aircraft Tbuilding project was timed to celebrate the 2016 Centenary of Boeing and to be completed in time to commemorate the 2018 Centenary of the . The ultralight aircraft, a Sting S4, saw some 70 ATC cadets from Northern Ireland working together on the project. Led by Aaron Coulter, devoting most of his spare time to the project, the initiative involved hundreds of hours of hands-on aircraft building experience for the Air Cadets from 17 Squadrons across Northern Ireland. The aircraft has now been completed and flight testing and certification is expected by the time these words are read. The Centennial Wings project has involved collaboration involving many volunteers including those from the Ulster Aviation Society, LAA inspectors and mentoring from Boeing engineers. It will enable many Air Cadets to learn to fly over the years, and this first example will be flown with the RAF Flying Clubs’ Association (RAFFCA), an organization with a long association with the Air League. It has been announced that the second Centennial Wings project will be built in Scotland, starting later this year with the aim of completion by 2020. Commenting on the project, Air League Chairman John Steel QC, said, “The Air League is a leading provider of inspirational programmes in the STEM arena for young people wishing to develop a career in aviation and aerospace. Through participating in scholarships, bursaries, flight-taster days, lectures, company visits and other activities, many young people have seen their careers soar. The Air League very much looks forward to supporting Boeing in their next Centennial Wings project.”

The Centennial Wings project team with Sir Christopher Harper at RIAT 2018.

IN THIS ISSUE Parliamentary Meeting New Director General P2  Comment by Aeronautica P3  Annual Reception and other news P4-6 Scholarships and awards P7-8  Members news and Diary events P9 www.airleague.co.uk THE AIR LEAGUE IN PARLIAMENT

Chairman John Steel QC with members of the Royal Navy Specialist Aviation Recruitment Team at the House of Commons on 3 July.

July was a very hectic month for Air League activities at RIAT and Farnborough, and the month also started in fine form, and very topically, in the House of Commons with a debate on the future of the British aerospace sector, attended by Parliamentarians, members and invited guests. Chaired by the Commons Defence Select Committee Chairman, Julian Lewis MP, attendees heard a panel of sector experts give their views on a wide range of issues. Air League Chairman, John Steel QC, opened with comments that included the need for industry to develop a more constructive dialogue with Parliament, the need for more investment in STEM and cutting edge technology and greater clarity by all in the debate of future policy and implementation. Airbus’s VP Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Jeremy Greaves, spoke of the considerable investment made by the company in the UK, and its market success, with a backlog of over 7,000 aircraft, as well as current Brexit challenges and uncertainty over customs and regulatory issues. From Lockheed Martin, Mark Phillips, Head of the company’s Government Affairs, stressed the long-term commitment in not only the joint manufacture of the F-35 aircraft, but also the associated support investment in the UK and the fact that UK owned companies have a 15% share in every aircraft built, which is due to pay-back three pounds for every one spent. Other speakers included Paul Everitt, CEO of trade association ADS, who again underlined concerns over the need for government to safeguard key industry requirements and regulatory standards as the country prepares to move towards life outside the EU. It was a most timely gathering on the eve of the industry’s Farnborough show-case, and provided much food for thought and optimism regarding the potentially outstanding future for what is still one of the world’s most innovative and successful aerospace nations. NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL The Air League has a new Director General, Philip Buttery, who comes to the organization with an extensive aviation and business background. As a career officer in the Royal Air Force his appointments have included serving as a Station Commander, Head of Military Airspace and Navigation Policy at the Ministry of Defence and Finance Director at a NATO air operations centre. He is a graduate of the Aerosystems Course and a former Trials Officer at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down. He was a member of the team, seconded to Boeing, that brought the E3D and E3F into service and holds a Masters Business Degree from Cranfield University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He has won Service awards for the design of unmanned aircraft and electronic warfare systems and brings to the Air League an intrinsic knowledge of membership organizations, having run three in the past, two of which were Trade Associations, one of which was based in Paris. More recently Philip has New DG, Philip Buttery been a Business Development Director at BRE and the NHS.

www.airleague.co.uk 2 COMMENTARY by Aeronautica FUTURE VISIONS EMERGE

or far too long this column has bemoaned the lack of a consistent long-term vision and industrial strategy concerning the future direction of UK defence procurement. Buying almost everything off-the-shelf from overseas has its benefits and might look attractive to theF Treasury, but if continued much longer as the default policy then there would eventually be no home industry to sustain, and no aircraft to export. The harsh reality of trying to work within a defence budget which is insufficient to deliver the range of capabilities that the government’s own defence policy is committed to, has seen as a consequence a steady erosion of critical mass in all three British Services. Beneath the impressive up-to-date appearance of many military assets, are armed forces which are stretched to the limit, with little in reserve and, thanks to too many cost-saving personnel reductions, severe shortfalls in important specialist areas. Against this background it was doubly cheering therefore to hear the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, announce on the opening day of the Farnborough International Air Show the new Combat Air Strategy, including a new Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI) valued at over £2billion. Alongside an increased commitment to investment in a UK based space launch infrastructure, these measures were not only very welcome, but at last provide a strategic vision on which industry and the Royal Air Force can base their future planning, and are probably the most significant new aerospace projects in the last three decades since the Eurofighter was launched. While these announcements embrace The Tempest concept forward-looking new technology mock-up at Farnborough. opportunities in an internationally flexible framework, involving the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, more importantly, they signal that the UK is determined to build on its world class design and sovereign capabilities and will not, as feared, let lapse the opportunity of developing an advanced next-generation air combat platform once the Typhoon has phased out of production in the second half of the next decade. The Tempest project has an impressive MOD/industry teaming line-up, which includes BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo and MBDA. A full-size concept mock-up was presented for the first time in public at Farnborough and immediately generated much interest, including from potential international partners. that the partners can bring forward and allowing Team Tempest recognizes the need for a quicker vital export revenues to be sustained, and grown, development path than previous complex aircraft long after such winners as the Tornado, Hawk projects and has already declared an intention to and Typhoon have passed into history. The initial deliver a business case by the end of this year with concept outline of Tempest shows that it is indeed initial conclusions on international partners by reaching way forward to introduce many game- next summer. Early decisions on how to acquire changing features, with radical, highly robotic the capability will be confirmed by the end of 2020 manufacturing and support features, a flexible before final investment decisions are made by payload configuration, integrated sensors and 2025. Operational capability is planned from 2035, defensive countermeasures, a reconfigurable and with the Tempest supplementing the F-35s and cyber-resilient communications system, and an eventually replacing the Typhoons in RAF service, advanced power system, Directed Energy Weapons a neat repeat of 1940s history when the Hawker and novel defence and attack weapons. In short, a Tempest replaced the original Typhoon! truly sixth generation combat platform, manned or The UK has long needed an all-new major military unmanned, and a truly world-beating proposition. air programme to design, build and integrate, Let’s hope this is the RAF/UK industry regeneration exploiting the best innovation and methodologies project we have all been waiting for.

www.airleague.co.uk 3 THE ANNUAL RECEPTION A report by Terry Holloway

Honorary Life President Sir Michael Marshall with award winners his year, The Air League’s Annual Reception was held on Wednesday, the 6th of June, the 74th anniversary of Operation Overlord – D Day- when the liberation of France began! However, unlike 1944 when the weather Twas miserable – the sun shone brightly and 240 Air League members, scholars, together with parents and friends and other guests enjoyed a magnificent event in the sumptuous surroundings of St James’s Palace, under the generous patronage of the Air League ‘s Patron, his Royal Highness Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh. This was the first occasion in recent years when His Royal Highness was unable to be present, and in his place, the major awards were presented by the Air League Honorary Life Vice President Sir Michael Marshall. The top award, the Air League’s highly prestigious Founders’ Medal was presented to the Royal Air Force in centenary year and was accepted by Air Vice Marshal Michael Wigston CBE on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff. The other top award was presented to Dame Carolyn McCall in recognition of her efforts whilst Chief Executive Officer of EasyJet to encourage female pilots into the cockpit. This award was received on her behalf by Mrs Sophie Everest. Other awards presented ATC cadets on duty in the Palace by Sir Michael Marshall were AIRBUS who were awarded the Jeffrey Quill Medal for their staunch encouragement of STEM activities, and their continuing strong support of The Air League, the award was collected by Mrs Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice President. The Scott-Farnie Award was awarded to Mr Andrew Brookes, this medal was awarded to recognize his many years of excellent work as Chief Executive Officer of the League, and specifically, his work in the field of air education. Presidents’ Framed Meritorious Award Certificates were awarded to Mr Christopher Walkinshaw for his work and support of the Air League, and specifically for his outstanding service as Chairman of the Council and of the Trustees. The other recipient of this award was Mrs Melanie McNulty for her outstanding work as an Air League Trustee and considerable work over a number of years in supporting the work of The Air League especially with the scholarships. Framed Addresses were awarded to Pilot magazine and recognize the Magazine’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The award was collected by Mr Philip Whiteman, the Editor of the Magazine. The other recipients were Mr Simon Witts, to recognise the work he has been doing with the Aviation Skills Partnership, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP for his Recently retired Air league Director Andrew Brookes, winner work and support for General Aviation from within Parliament. of the Scott-Farnie Award and members in relaxed mood Continues on Page 5

www.airleague.co.uk 4 ANNUAL RECEPTION cont from p4

The Marshall Medal was awarded to Mr Adam White for his major contribution to the Air League through the activities of the Leading Edge since the award of his flying scholarship. The Prince Philip Flying Scholarship 2018 was awarded to Miss Georgia Tia Brinkley, the scholarship will fund the completion of the training and issue of a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL (A)), Georgia will fly her scholarship at Tayside Aviation in Dundee. Finally, The Evelyn Saunders Memorial Cup was awarded to Miss Kirsty Adam, unfortunately Kirsty could not join us so was collected by Miss Bridget Donaldson. Earlier in the evening, certificates and wings were presented by the Air League President, Sir Roger Bone, in the customary manner to 40 young scholars and Veterans who were warmly applauded by their proud parents, partners, the sponsors of flying scholarships, Air League members, Council members and Trustees. The awards were concluded with a stirring address by the new Air League Chairman John Steel, who firmly encouraged the young people present in their future careers, as well as warmly thanking the sponsors of the evening for their enormous generosity. The reception received generous sponsorship from British Airways and AIRBUS. John Steel and Sir Michael Marshall As is customary, The Air League received huge support and help from its younger members in the guise of The Leading Edge as well as from the British Women Pilots Association led by Valerie Cahill and Cadets from 291 (Westminster & Chelsea) RAF AC and 393 (Finchley) RAF AC.

Air Vice Marshall Michael Wigston Katherine Bennett collecting the receives the Founders Medal on Jeffrey Quill Medal on behalf of AIRBUS behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff with Sir Michael Marshall Mr Lee Row with Sir Michael

Miss Catherine Lyons and Sir Roger Bone Mr Luke Sinnot and Sir Roger Miss Tsungiririrai Maruta

Mr Phillip Whiteman Mr Simon Witts of the from Pilot magazine Aviation Skills partnership. The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

www.airleague.co.uk 5 RAF CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY

Hundreds of thousands of onlookers in the centre of London, especially in the Mall and around Buckingham Palace, were treated to an impressive fly-past on 10 July as a formation of around 100 aircraft spearheaded a series of special celebrations marking the Centenary of the founding of the world’s first independent air force. Millions more watched the spectacle on live television coverage while on the ground a static display of historic aircraft spanning RAF history from a First World War BE2 to a mock-up F-35 attracted tourists and other visitors in Horseguards Parade. The most memorable aspect of that special day was undoubtedly a superb formation of 22 Typhoon fighters spelling out “100” in the air, while outside the Palace uniformed RAF personnel, led by the Queen’s Colour Squadron, spelled out “RAF 100”. The anniversary celebrations took place all over the country and another major event was the opening at Hendon of the new RAF Museum exhibition areas and revised entrance facilities, located in the former Battle of Britain building. The new features include more interactive attractions and interpretive screens, aimed at young visitors and non-specialist visitors. There is more focus on educational aspects of RAF history and the technicalities associated with providing air power. The earlier RAF Museum buildings remain but many changes have been made to individual exhibits and there is plenty to see, and which will take a full day to fully explore. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford from 13-15 July included a very large static display and also many RAF aircraft in the flying display, including mixed formations which included a tribute to No 617 Squadron featuring a Lancaster, Tornado and F-35B, as well as the Red Arrows. In contrast, the Farnborough International air show, held the following week, on the public days had no Red Arrows aerobatics or even a single current RAF aircraft in the flying display, much to the disappointment of visitors. This year the only fast jets participating over the final public weekend were a USAF F-16 and a Spanish Harrier, the latter being the star of the flying display.

(Crown Copyright MOD 2017 photos)

www.airleague.co.uk 6 2018 WINNERS

2018 FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS Sponsor /Flying Scholarship Recipient The Prince Philip NPPL Flying Scholarship Miss G T Brinkley from Thetford, Norfolk 617 Sqn Association (Guy Gibson VC) Mr D White from Basingstoke, Hampshire BAE SYSYTEMS (John Cunningham) Mr E Smith from Southend-on-Sea, Essex Capt Eric “Winkle” Brown Mr A Kuribayashi-Coleman from Ipswich, Suffolk HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Mr D Cortez from Grays, Essex HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Mr S Hussain from Manchester, Greater Manchester HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Mr K Kubik from London HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Mr J Parker from Carnoustie, Angus HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Miss S Swales from Leeds, North Yorkshire HQ Air Cadets (The Air cadets Scarman) Mr J White from Horsham, West Sussex Lady Humphrey () Miss A Cleve from Grimsby, Lincolnshire Robert Kronfeld Mr T Freeland from Deal, Kent Sir Arthur Marshall Mr H Butler from Ascot, Berkshire D G Marshall Mr C Khalil from London, Sir James Martin Mr K Staniford from Bournemouth, Dorset Hugh Pope Mr B Loftus from Down, Northern Ireland Rhodes-Moorhouse VC Mr A Callaghan from Verwood, Dorset Royal Aeronautical Society Mr K Uppal from Slough, Berkshire SkyDeamon Mr T Mayne from Macclesfield, Cheshire Adrian Swire Charitable Trust Mr A Armstrong from Ipswich, Suffolk Adrian Swire Charitable Trust Mr J Howells from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire Adrian Swire Charitable Trust Mr D McDermott from Filton, Bristol Adrian Swire Charitable Trust Miss G O’Malley from Shrewton, Wiltshire Adrian Swire Charitable Trust Mr A Said from West Ealing, London Swire Charitable Trust Mr L Allison from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland Swire Charitable Trust Mr J Hooley from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire Swire Charitable Trust Mr J Penning from London Swire Charitable Trust Mr U Khan from Manchester, Greater Manchester Swire Charitable Trust Mr J Potter from Leeds, West Yorkshire The Coachmakers Livery (Victor Gauntlett) Miss G Jefferies from Keynsham, Bristol The MacRobert Trust Mr H Wilson from Gartmore, Stirlingshire Red Arrows Trust Mr R Emery from Brentwood, Essex

2018 GLIDING SCHOLARSHIPS Sponsor/Gliding Scholarship Recipient Air League Trust Mr A Kuribayashi-Coleman from Ipswich, Suffolk Air League Trust Miss M Roberts from Marlow, Buckinghamshire Air League Trust Miss D Robson from Rugby, Warwickshire Air League Trust Mr M Tully from Farnborough, Hampshire Air League Trust Mr S Venables from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Continues on page 8

www.airleague.co.uk 7 2018 Gliding Scholarships cont from p7

Sponsor/Gliding Scholarship Recipient Air League Trust Mr J Wildman from Downend, Bristol Air League Trust Miss L Wootton from Warwick, Warwickshire Robert Kronfeld Mr N Hampson-Jones from Harpenden, Hertfordshire Darren McQuoid Mr F H C Bull from Glenrothes, Fife Darren McQuoid Mr T Fern from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Darren McQuoid Miss H Gamble from Bath, Somerset

2018 ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS Placement company Recipient Airbus Helicopters Mr N Coombs from Axminster, Devon Barnbrook Systems Ltd Ms D Doyle from East Grinstead, West Sussex Boeing Boscombe Down Mr M Duckett from Didcot, Oxfordshire Booker Aviation Mr L Torzewski from Loughborough, Leicestershire Heli Air Miss S Mitchell from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire Leonardo Mr J Revis from Ayr, North Ayrshire SL Engineering Mr H Tanner from Thame, Oxfordshire

2018 FLYING BURSARY Sponsor/Flying Bursary Recipient Air League Trust Miss R Scott from Chippenham, Wiltshire Air League Trust Miss L Simms from Chippenham, Wiltshire Air League Trust Mr C S Smith from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire Buckland Memorial Mr C Sys from Coventry, Warwickshire Sir Michael Cobham Mr J Bradford from Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire Sir Michael Cobham Mr M Childs from Witham, Essex Sir Michael Cobham Mr N Dennehy from Watford, Hertfordshire Sir Michael Cobham Mr C Doherty from Manchester, Greater Manchester Sir Michael Cobham Miss B Donaldson from Morpeth, Northumberland Sir Michael Cobham Miss K Gamage from Hertford, Hertfordshire Sir Michael Cobham Miss N Gomes from London Sir Michael Cobham Mr O Johnson from Wirral, Merseyside Sir Michael Cobham Mr A Krol from Liverpool Sir Michael Cobham Mr J Martin from Croftamie, Glasgow Sir Michael Cobham Mr A Mewes from Horley, Surrey Sir Michael Cobham Mr C Morrison from Leeds, West Yorkshire Keith Mans Miss E Webley from Morpeth, Northumberland Mark Philip Jones Memoria Miss M Bartlett from Llandegla, Wrexham Red Arrows Mr H Tanner from Thame, Oxfordshire Ed Strongman Bursary Mr J Matthews from Cornwall

2018 SPACE SCHOLARSHIP Sponsor Recipient SES Miss C Kadir from Cheadle, Cheshire

www.airleague.co.uk 8 MEMBERS’ NEWS

The Air League Annual Flying Day This is taking place at Bicester on 18 August and is a members only event, with gliding available with qualified instructors. Winch launches are available (£10 per launch, max 10 minutes), aerotows (£24 each, at 1,500ft) and motor gliders (£22 for 20 minutes). This is a great opportunity to come and meet fellow aviation-minded people and learn more about the work of the Air League – as well as having a great deal of fun! Camping and BBQ will be available on site. The spaces for gliding are limited so get in touch soon at info@airleague or 0207 766 3488 Right: Tiina and Jennie getting ready for Futures Day at Farnborough International Diary Reminders 15 September Warriors at Wallop (see below) 12 November The Andrew Humphrey Memorial Lecture, sponsored by Airbus, will take place at 6pm at the Royal Aeronautical Society, 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ. The guest speaker will be Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF. This event is popular and open to all Air League Members. Please contact Emma Mistry to secure a place. [email protected]

NEW AIR LEAGUE OFFICE The Air League office has relocated from Broadway House into Whitehall. Our new address is: 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Our new telephone number is: 020 7766 3488 All mail addressed to the current office will be redirected to Whitehall Court for 12 months. Our email addresses will remain the same.

The Air League Editor: Richard Gardner 3 Whitehall Court, Material for consideration for inclusion London SW1A 2EL can be sent via The Air League’s office Tel: 020 7766 3488 E-mail: [email protected] www.airleague.co.uk