A BRANCH OF THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION PROMOTING RECREATIONAL AVIATION IN THE SOUTHWEST www.devonstrut.co.uk

DEVON STRUT NEWS – September 2011

Co-ordinator’s Comments by Steve Robson

August has been a jam packed, bumper month of events that has kept all our helpers and committee fully occupied and everyone is in need of a bit of a break. Humm I’ve got an idea, let’s go flying!

As I write this, we can look forward to Henstridge and Bodmin Ladies’ Day over the August Bank Holiday weekend [please check the Henstridge website for no-fly times re the BBMF display – Ed] and in September we can look forward to the LAA Rally at Sywell, Watchford Farm, Belle Vue, plus a few others – some rest!

So what happened in the glorious month, apart from more than our fair share of unsettled weather?

It started in July with the Fly-in/Fly out to the Scillies. The event was fully booked but due to the weather only 19 aircraft made it (50% is a pretty good turnout) with 6 of those getting stranded for an extra day or so on the island, but that’s another story! Thanks to Nigel, Neil and all those on St Mary’s who helped to organise this event and we hope it will become a regular feature on our calendar.

Saturday 6th August was our usual fly-in at Treborough, thanks to Mark Weatherlake and his family, with a total of 24 aircraft visiting. For once, the wind was light and more or less down the and despite the forecast of heavy showers, these never really posed a problem. Quite a few visitors wanted to use Treborough as a staging post before flying on to Lundy Island for the 10th Annual Lundy Fly-in on Sunday 7th August. With the forecast of a trough of low pressure due over the area in the middle of the afternoon, Pete White had the difficult call to cancel the event. As it turned out it was a good decision!

The 13 -14th August was the weekend of our showcase rally at Dunkeswell. Firstly, I must say a massive “thank you” to all those who have helped on the ground. There so many people to thank, I couldn’t possibly do it without leaving some off the list. Without your help and support it is clear that the rally wouldn’t have been a success.

Thanks also go to the and Somerset Microlight Club and the South West Airfields Heritage Trust. Both organisations did sterling work in support of our rally, in some cases a difficult and thankless but nonetheless vital job – thanks lads and lasses!

We must also include all those who supported the event, not least Brendan Procter and the staff at Dunkeswell (Nicola and Curt now hold the ‘world speed record for fast response’ in the fire engine when the alarm was sounded. Some say that they are so quick they can get to the scene before incident happens. Having seen them I wouldn’t disagree!). [They also scored near top marks in the CAA’s league table of fire staff response inspections – Ed]. As usual everything was in pristine condition on the airfield and this was noticed by many of the visitors.

Thanks also have to go to all the traders and exhibitors who came to display their wares; again too many to mention but you all made a major contribution to the event.

Sadly, we were dogged by the weather on the Saturday with only 26 a/c flying and just half a dozen or so camping over. The highlight of the day was the flypast of the RNHF Swordfish. The few of us who were able to make it to the evening entertainment were not disappointed, with Strut member Chris Willis and his band ‘Jazz Fine Whines’.

Sunday was a much brighter day with quite a few road visitors as well as 109 aircraft flying in. We also had some military and vintage vehicles attend to add a bit of interest and diversity; thanks to all those who attended and hope to see you again next year. An added bonus was the arrival of the D&C Police Helicopter that instantly attracted a large and interested crowd. Thanks to Pete and Adrian for being able to spare some time for us.

Amongst the stands there was a representation from the Cornish based charity ‘Shelter Box’ who provide a complete shelter with all the ‘hardware’ you need in a large plastic box.

The cherry on the cake was of course the flypast of the BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane which made several low passes over the airfield – wonderful sights and sounds, making a perfect finale to the day.

The following weekend 20th -21st August saw the Vintage Wings and Wheels event at Smeatharpe organised by the South West Airfields Heritage Trust. Once again the weather played a trick and it did not clear until about 14.00 on the Saturday, but 12 hardy souls managed to make it in and by 15.00 the sky was bright blue, what a contrast! Sunday started off dull and grey with all the crud that was following on behind the front in the channel but by 11.00 things livened up and a total of 45 aircraft flew in and out safely. Once again thanks to all those who helped [photos from Dunkeswell and Smeatharpe in the October newsletter – Ed].

On a more serious note, I’m sure everyone is aware of the much-publicised proposals to close City at the end of this year. The writing has been “on the wall” for some time as the commercial air traffic business has suffered from the financial recession. However, if you would like to join the campaign to save Plymouth Airport for General Aviation, please see the note from Tug Wilson in the Aeroletters section of this newsletter and respond by writing to Plymouth City Council with your support for the GA interests.

As part of its review of systems and processes, the LAA is drafting charters for Struts, aircraft builders and inspectors, that will define and clarify the relationships between the Association and its constituent members, e.g. what is expected by way of benefits from being an LAA Strut and the concomitant responsibilities. The draft ‘Club Charter’ sets out the details of the agreement between the LAA and Struts or ‘Clubs’ as they are generically now known and is downloadable as a Word document from the Devon Strut website homepage www.devonstrut.co.uk . This is a very important document and I would urge you to read it and should you have any comments, please me know by 16th September so that we can make any representations to the LAA at the next National Council meeting. Fly safely, Steve ______

Gliding Evening, Wednesday 27th July 2011

Eleven Strut members enjoyed a gliding evening at North Hill on Wednesday 27th July, courtesy of the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. The club provided a crew of ground helpers and instructors to give passenger flights in the ASK21 and DG505 two seat gliders. The weather was calm and devoid of lift, of either thermic or ridge variety, so the flights were just winch launches to about 1,100 feet followed by a pleasant float around the circuit. However, David Millin did persuade instructor Andy Mugleston, fresh from his recent aerobatics course, to perform four consecutive loops off the top of the launch and finish with a chandelle on to final for a downwind hangar landing!

2

Steve Pooley in DG505 David Millin landing the K13 Peter Tidy with Andy Mugleston

Derek Boyce’s online album is at http://www.flickr.com/photos/16090262@N06/sets/72157627399968208 ______

Members’ Profile: Dave Linney

Current day job: Retired pilot. Special skills: Staying flying while avoiding gardening and decorating.

Past career: RAF 1967–1985. FRADU pilot at RNAS Yeovilton 1985–95. FR Aviation Falcon 20 pilot 1995– 2007.

Why Aviation? Gosh….is there anything else?!

First Flight: As a pax on a Jersey Airlines DH Heron from the grass at Airport 1954. As a pilot, in an Aircoupe at Biggin Hill on a Flying th

Scholarship PPL course, 13 July 1965.

How long in the Devon Strut? 10 years…ish?

Number of aircraft types and hours flown: About 10 to 15 types. Total

3 hours 11,800 of which Harrier 2,650, Hunter 2,700, Falcon 4,400, Canberra 700, Hawk 460, Piston types: 500 ish, plus odds and sods.

Favourite and worst types flown (and why)? : Favourite…Harrier, there can surely be no need to ask why !! Worst…. Any tin Cessna or most helicopters…..Yawn, pretty boring after the first few minutes.

Best Aviation Moment and Flight: Well two stick in my mind, both flypasts that I have led: a pair of Falcons low level over London for Sir Michael Cobhams Memorial Service at St Clement Danes and leading three SE5As, a Sopwith Pup and Sopwith Triplane over Brighton for Henry Allinghams funeral. In both cases, the weather played an “interesting” part. Of course the first Harrier solo was pretty special also!

Any Aviation Heroes and why?: Sir Alan Cobham, not only a WW1 pilot who survived, but a noted record breaking flyer and the one person who did more for aviation in this country than any person before or since.

Favourite author / recommended book : Paul Brickhill - “Reach for the Sky”. Yes, Douglas Bader could be rude and arrogant but he had amazing courage and determination. His story inspired me as a lad and the title of the book says something too. What is more, he became a scratch golfer with two tin legs. I can’t ever hope to emulate that but I do have the determination to try!!

Any “I learnt about flying from that” moments? Plenty over the years some of which I mentioned in a talk to the strut a couple of years ago…..and yes you do, or should, keep on learning while you still fly.

“Wish list” – Aircraft to fly or own: places to visit . Any early version Spitfire and a Mosquito. Any grass airfield that allows you to land into wind whatever the direction !!!

Current Aeroplanes: Cub and Se5A replica at Pitney Airstrip near Langport, Somerset.

Any advice for other Strut members? Try to learn from others mistakes ______

4 Virgin to Slapper in One Easy Crossing by Steve Robson

For years I’d been planning a trip across the channel but for a variety of reasons it had never happened. Yes, I was still a ‘channel virgin’ 20 years after I got my PPL. In all cases, I’d made detailed plans and been given a lots of help and advice from Strut members, namely Mikes Mold and Wells. An earlier attempt in 2011 had been called off due to the weather, again, so an almost off hand comment from Mike Wells a couple of months ago about attending the RSA Rally at Blois, about 150 miles south west of Paris, gave me the thought of ‘well maybe this time’. As it happened, the weather played the game and was fine all weekend, so the trip was on!

I’d done some preparation, mindful of the fact that I’d be coming back from a family holiday in France on the Friday only to return the very next day. The aircraft had been checked and fuelled, tie downs, canopy cover, and chocks loaded, route plumbed into the GPS, lines drawn on maps, sums done, NOTAMS, weather, etc, etc. I got up early, did the final planning and set off for Watchford with a big grin but nervous about my first crossing between Swanage and Cherbourg.

Remembering that France is one hour ahead in time, Mike and I arranged to rendezvous at Dunkeswell at 08.00 on Saturday with a view to a final briefing and him launching in his Fournier RF5 around 08.30. I would follow in my RV4, having given him a bit of a head start. As an aside, we became rather good at arriving at the same time, over the whole weekend and by whatever judgement, we both arrived in the circuit to land at the same time on every occasion.

Coasting out caused the usual flutters but by the time I’d got a chance to speak on the very busy London Information frequency, given estimates and to be honest, generally enjoying the view, I was asked to give the Channel Islands Zone a call. I did, was given a squawk and then heard nothing else. Conscious that I was getting close to Cherbourg Zone, I should have been a bit more pro-active and changed to Cherbourg or Deauville earlier – lesson learnt. The upshot was that I entered Cherbourg zone without calling first. I had to wait to get a word in and as a result got a justified “telling off” from the controller. Mind you, he must have thought I was really good, he said I was ‘incredible!’ but with a French accent!

I taxied in and Mike followed a couple of minutes later. He then had a rant at the ground staff for getting him to park in a tight spot that his RF5 could never hope to get into without ground handling. To be fair, there was a BBQ planned, so it was very likely to get busy but we were the only two on the ramp at the time. We checked in and I called ATC to make my apologies – again lesson learnt. We sat in Luc’s Café and had a quick cupper with Steve Wells, who was going the other way, and then prepared to leave.

Mike set off for Alencon and I followed some time afterwards. The plan was to arrive there for lunch at the nice restaurant. However, unknown to us, it had gone bust a few weeks earlier. Although it wasn’t Mike’s fault, I gave him a bollocking anyway! It made me feel better, having being chastised earlier in the day. It was also my first experience of French flying along with the sometimes unfathomable habits of its people. Having arrived at Alencon, we walked across the road from the airfield, past a Carrefour supermarket to what looked like a Pizza Restaurant. It was 14.10 and therefore closed. So we walked back to the Carrefour and picked up some sarnies and a drink and ate them at the flying club whilst we checked the next leg of the journey to Blois.

RV4 G-RVIV at Cherbourg

5 The visibility, although very good before, had improved further to at least 30 miles. However, it was very thermic and rough. I started to pick up the Blois ATIS at about 30 miles out and then tuned into the main ops frequency at just over 10 miles. The plan had always been to arrive mid to late afternoon to avoid any rush and this worked perfectly. I went round the circuit, landed and taxied to the fuel pumps just as Mike called ‘vent arriere’ [downwind – Ed]. Having refuelled, I then had to dive off the taxiway, on to the grass as he was coming the other way with his great long wings. Once we’d parked, we had a wander round and a quick beer to quench the thirst.

The RSA rally was well organised and well laid out and we were made to feel welcome from the start. It was very much in the style of our own LAA Rally but I was told that it had been downsized recently. There were quite a few interesting aircraft including the French version of the Fiesler Storch - the Morane-Saulnier MS502

Cricket (above right) .

Mike and I spent the evening chatting with two guys, Bob and Ivan from the Europa Club, then two Austrians, Andy and Christian, joined the group, which all made for a good evening. Mike did his bit to improve Anglo- Austrian relations by telling them some of the mistakes they made in the late 1930’s to mid 1940’s!

In the morning, having slept well, I went for a shower. All the facilities were very good and well maintained and it was so nice to have a shower! Following a rather naff breakfast, we met with some of the Kent Strut lads and also met a lady called Sue Greenall who is based on Jersey and who has now joined the Strut.

We planned to return to Dunkeswell via Bagnoles, a very nice spa town and where we had a good value and quality lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant. The town was about a 20 minute walk from the airfield but well worth it. The next stage was to go to Cherbourg and although we set off in the usual way, when I arrived there I hadn’t heard anything from Mike. After l landed I got a text from him saying that he had Christian, myself and Mike dropped into Flers – St Paul because of a loose fuel filler cap and would go direct to Dunkeswell from there. So I filed a flight plan by phone – dead easy and then set off. The trip back to Dunkeswell took all of 50

6 minutes and after completing the paperwork, I returned to Watchford, just as Mike was on finals for Dunkeswell. So, what did I learn? Preparation is vital and as a first timer, it is really worth taking your time, getting a good briefing and making use of others’ experience. I had two good pals to help me though the process – thanks lads!

The bit over the water was a lot busier than I expected. If you do use a GPS, put the FIR boundary into it as a way point to help with estimates. It can be very difficult to get a word in with London Information and this has the potential to catch you out, as it did to me. Be prepared to make a preparatory call if you have a second box, always have you next frequency to hand and always think ahead.

The mysteries of filing a flight plan are over rated – it really is quite simple. It can be done online and if you are going from, say Dunkeswell, they will give you a bit of help. There are also quite a few good web sites that will walk you through the process. But please remember to close your flight plan on arrival. Bagnoles town centre

Best of all - enjoy yourself! ______

BODMIN flies BADER BRAVES by Pete White (FOG)

The Flying Club was approached by Keith Delderfield, the operations director of the Douglas Bader Foundation ( www.douglasbaderfoundation.com ) asking if we could provide a flying day for disabled young people from Cornwall and as I had some experience in this field, I was ‘volunteered’ to mastermind the operation. Another plus point was that a small group of us had recently formed the charity FEET OFF the GROUND (FOG) for precisely this type of event. For the last 2 years the DBF had been holding events like this around the country and the initiative, now badged as Bader Braves, would be the first one in the West Country.

Keith had arranged for the Bader Braves kids and their families to be at Bodmin Airfield on the day and my task was to organise a team of volunteer pilots and helpers and then co-ordinate the running of the event. Knowing that I would have my feet firmly on the ground for several hours ‘flying my clipboard’, I sneaked away for a very early morning flight in my group owned Aeronca Chief, long before anyone had arrived. However, I re-tuned in time to give the first of two BBC Cornwall interviews, explaining to all in the county what goes on at Bodmin on a sunny Saturday in July.

The based aircraft were removed from their hangars as our visiting pilots arrived overhead from as far away as Cardiff, Dunkeswell and Watchford Farm in Somerset and the day began with a welcome and an obligatory safety talk to our guests before small groups of our young and old visitors were guided by our club members around Bodmin’s hangars, the aircraft and the parked attractions.

Then the flying rota started with a mixture of joy and apprehension from our young visitors and when they returned from their sorties, the jubilant throng gave those that were still waiting extra courage to sample the same delights that had ignited the pioneering team’s enthusiasm! It was a roaring success and we were able to introduce 31 disabled young souls to the joys of flight and then went on to take up their carers and some of the parents.

7 To enhance our day we had a local fire crew proudly showing off their fire appliance to our visitors and adjacent was a petite Taylor Monoplane ‘open for viewing’ by a good friend of the Cornwall Flying Club, Reg McComish.

The Harrowbeer Interest Group had brought along a display showing the aims of their group, all mapped out for the visitors to see and they enthused about their forthcoming air event to be held on 13th and 14th August to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Harrowbeer Aerodrome [near Yelverton, north of Plymouth].

During the lunch break, our stalwart pilots and crew stood down for some grub whilst Steve Robson, visiting from Watchford Farm, gave us a spirited display in his Vans RV4. Then, feeling full after our picnic lunch that had been lovingly prepared by the CFC lasses Michelle, Carol, Zita and Paola, it was back to business and flying more of our excited visitors around Cornwall.

As the day rolled on I stood for one moment looking at the large gathering of excited youngsters and their satisfied parents and carers and a thought occurred to me. “Is there any place in the UK at this moment with so many smiles and shrieks of laughter as there was from the people gathered in front of me?!”

A very special finale to my day was for me to take Nathan Doidge from Hayle flying in the Aeronca Chief. Nathan is a cerebral palsy sufferer and is in the process of gaining his NPPL. He had volunteered to come along to speak to the youngsters and offer them some encouragement, as well as being a shinning example of what can be achieved despite being disabled. He proudly announced that he is the most disabled pilot in the UK but he chased those clouds above Bodmin in the Aeronca that day with very little help from me and his smile will be forever etched on my memory.

To our volunteer helpers who kindly gave up their time and worked exceedingly hard: Ladies and gents, we pulled off one of the most spectacular and busiest Young Aviator Days that I have ever seen and it is all down to the hard work and enthusiasm shown by the team at Bodmin. The Bader Braves concept, steered by Keith Delderfield and ably helped by his sidekick Bob, formed a good solid basis for us to work with, using our tried and tested FOG formulae and practices. Our pilots and helpers came from different places and organisations but they were all unified with their insatiable drive to ensure our young guests had one hell of a day.....and they surely did that. The smiles on their faces and the gratification oozing from their parents and carers were testament enough to show that we had successfully hit the target. I believe we can now say with confidence, we have our FEET OFF the GROUND. Thank you all so much; I have already booked next year! ______

Scillies Fly-Out, 30th - 31st July (The Scilly SHAGG) – a short dit by Steve Robson

The Scilly SHAGG came about at quite short notice but was very welcome nonetheless. A call to Nigel Stevens, one of the ATC staff on St Mary’s to ask if they were happy to be included in an article about flying in Cornwall (since published in August ‘Flyer’ magazine) and would it be possible to get a Devon Strut fly-out, turned out to be a very happy coincidence as they were coincidentally planning a fly-in to the islands. On the 30th July we (HM the Wife and I) set off in my RV4 from Watchford Farm in some grotty weather that gradually improved once we got away from the Blackdown Hills. We ducked under a little bank of cloud at 1800’ just off the Pendeen Light VRP and the visibility went from 10 to 100 km in the blink of an eye! After landing at St Mary’s we were greeted by all the helpers and were made to feel very welcome. We also gave 8 them a Strut Scramble Certificate as a “thank you” for holding the event. They had done a great job in organising the event and they hope to make it a regular feature. The evening hog roast in the hangars was lovely with all the GA community on the islands turning out and a pleasant evening was had by all. The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony that had everyone rolling with laughter.

We had planned to stay overnight and managed to get a late availability room at the Schooners Hotel right next to Town Beach in Hugh Town. I have to give them a plug as they were great! It is listed as a two star but don’t be fooled by that. Clean rooms, cheerful friendly helpful staff (‘Can I borrow a phone charger please?’ ‘Yeah, of course’, and there was one on my bed when I got back to the room). As well as letting us have a late room (dependant on availability), they serve fantastic high quality, great value food, three courses for £15 a head! When we got stuck because of the weather, their Manager, Carol, let us have a room overlooking the harbour and they even moved our bags for us. I would recommend them without hesitation! http://www.schoonershotel.co.uk/

On the day of departure when the weather eventually cleared, the guys in the tower were great, giving us every assistance with flight planning to ensure our safety. Oh, by the way, it stands for Scillies Hog Annual GA Gathering, see you next year – thanks chaps and hope to see you for a beer soon! ______

Aeroletters

LAA Press Release: New Chief Executive Officer Appointed Richard (Rich) Dunevein-Gordon will succeed Peter Harvey as the CEO of the Light Aircraft Association in September 2011. He joins the LAA after a long career in the Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander in the Logistics Branch, having had significant experience with engineering and airworthiness in the VC10, Hercules, Sentry and Harrier Integrated Project teams. His career has also seen him involved with strategic planning, change management and training development, and he has served in a number of operational theatres.

A keen pilot, Rich’s passion for aviation was kick-started when he soloed a glider at 16 with the Air Cadets, with whom he won a Royal Air Force Flying Scholarship allowing him to gain his PPL. He has been a tug and parachute pilot, and a gliding & SLMG instructor. His power flying logbook ranges from RF3 via Harvard to Jet Provost, and he has been part owner of a Fox Moth. He has also helped rebuild a Dragon Rapide with the Duxford Aviation Society. Rich has formed Flying Clubs 9 in the UK and overseas, and is currently flying at the RAF Lyneham Flying Club. As well as being involved with LAA aircraft, Rich has an ambition to participate in UK air racing.

On receiving this appointment Rich said, “I’m excited about my new career with the LAA, working with the staff and volunteers to steer the Association’s important work through the challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to meeting as many of the Association’s members as I can, starting at the Annual Rally at Sywell this year”. Rich will be joining the team on 1st September in time to attend the rally on 2nd- 4th September 2011.

[The Devon Strut welcomes Rich to the LAA and looks forward to working with him to enhance the Association and its already excellent relationship with the Strut and its members – Ed] ______

Bolt Head’s New Watering Hole Dear Mike, It maybe of interest to Strut members who fly into Bolt Head to know that a young couple have taken on a ten year lease at East Soar Farm and now offer tea, coffee and cakes during the day. East Soar Farm is under the left base leg for runway 11. It is a fairly short walk to the farm down the footpath from the airfield and a good spot to take light refreshments. Never before has there been a watering hole so close to

the airfield. Schalk Herselman is the man to contact on 01548-561904. Best Regards, Christopher Howell . ______

Tailwheel Size Matters! Hi All, Can I pass on a little story? A few weeks ago I was at the Farway Common fly-in (Terry Case's strip in Devon). There were a few Jodellers including Mike King, who rebuilds Jodels at nearby Branscombe. The talk turned to tailwheel shimmy and Mike remarked that my tailwheel tyre looked 'a bit small'. (I think he was being polite!). Who among us gives consideration to the condition of a solid tailwheel tyre, if everything seems to be functioning properly?

A few days later, with Permit up for renewal, I took a closer look. (I used to get bad tailwheel shimmy on a hard runway) and measured the diameter of my nominally 6 inch tailwheel tyre. It was down to just above 5 inches (after 47 years, perhaps no surprise!). Half an inch of solid rubber removed all the way round represents quite a reduction in mass and gyroscopic force. So, a replacement tyre was procured from Watts Aviation (ouch! £75; their last one). The aircraft was jacked up, the old wheel was removed, tyre removed from rim; bearing found significantly corroded, but functioning. That was also replaced, of course. It's all back together. Still no tailwheel shimmy, and good for another 47 years..... I pass it on, FWIW. Regards, Graham Clark DR1051 G-BHTC, Oaksey Park. ______

Goodwood - free landings for pre-66 aircraft. Initially mentioned in a post on Flyer forum, it's now been confirmed by the Goodwood GA Manager that to encourage increased use of the aerodrome by vintage and classic aircraft landing fees are now waived for private aircraft constructed pre-1966. The only caveats appear to be: touch and goes are still chargeable, and the concession does not apply to event days. PPR by phone (01243 755061) is required but the good news is that hi-viz jackets are definitely not!!! Goodwood is a great place to visit, with a triangle of grass runways making things a little easier for us taildraggers. There is a lot to do and see in the local area, and without leaving the aerodrome the motor race track is frequently active and the club restaurant is a cut above the usual airport cafe.

The normal fee currently would be £18.07 so this is a quite significant concession. This initiative by the Goodwood GA Manager deserves support, so I look forward to the skies over West Sussex being darkened with vintage types including Luscombes ... and Aeroncas of course! [and Jodels – Ed] Regards, Rich Valler ______

10 Invitation to Tug Racing from the Wessex Strut. The Devon and Bristol Strut’s have been invited by the Wessex Strut to compete in a tug racing day at Henstridge on 17th September. Unfortunately, this coincides with our Belle Vue fly-in and on the same day we’ve been invited to over-fly the Bridport Hat Festival. If any Devon Strut members wish to participate, please contact the Wessex Strut’s John Howe on [email protected] ______

Save Plymouth City Airport Campaign – A Call to Arms by Tug Wilson Since the headlines announcing the closure of Plymouth airport, there seems to have been a deathly hush from the GA community in general. Come on guys; this is one of our airfields that is going to disappear under the developer’s JCB. If this had been Dunkeswell there would have been a storm of protest. So why so quiet on the Plymouth front? Most people seem to shrug their shoulders and bow to the inevitable where Plymouth is concerned. Well look around: Rochester, Lee on Solent, Bembridge and many other airfields have been rescued from the developer for GA. So let’s have a go at saving Plymouth. The Devon Strut should be fighting tooth and nail to protect one of the airfields in its area. Let’s get the ball rolling. What about a protest fly-in to EGHD, perhaps in September to gather as many GA aircraft as possible to support our airfield? Apathy never resolved anything.

I have picked up the gauntlet because, whilst there was a great deal of mumbling and grumbling, there appeared to be no direct action. I have organized a meeting for the 1st September with Alison Seabeck MP, Jonathon Drean, (city councillor), FOST (RN Flag Officer Sea Training helicopters), British International Helicopters. Plymouth Flying School, Plymouth aviators & other airfield users, in order to try and find a way forward for GA.

I have also been in talks with David Draffen (PCC Cabinet) who has been supportive and informative. This has been accomplished with the much appreciated assistance of the Devon Strut members based at Plymouth (EGHD). The situation at the moment is that Sutton Harbour Holdings will close the airfield at the end of the year. PCC are in talks with FOST and SHH in the hope that FOST will remain active at the airfield so it will be for FOST to decide if GA will be allowed to stay although SHH will retain the lease. A “change of use planning application” will take two or three years to process. In that time, it is hoped to find another commercial aviation company to buy the lease from SHH and keep the airfield open. Our hope is that we can persuade FOST to retain GA for that period of time.

This may be a "David & Goliath" fight, but to register your support for our campaign, please write to David James, the Head of Strategic Projects in the Department for Development and Regeneration at Plymouth City Council at [email protected] Tel: 01752 304 571 and copy your letter to me, the LAA, your local councillor, Allison Seabeck MP and anyone else you can think of. Regards, Tug Wilson [email protected] ______

Smeatharpe Wings and Wheels Steve, A brief word of thanks to you and the Devon Strut team for looking after the air side of the weekend so well, despite the challenging weather. All the feedback I've received has been very positive. The aircraft certainly generated a lot of interest, were all superbly presented, and we're grateful of course to the pilots - all of whom seemed to enjoy their visit and talking to the public. A special thank-you for your displays which were very much appreciated by everyone and helped to make the weekend a successful event all- round. All the best, Graham Weller (South West Airfields Heritage Trust)

[photos in next month’s newsletter – Ed] ______

Welcome to New Members (total now 222)

Richard Farrer, of Newton Abbot. Richard is a member of the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club and is Safety Officer for the South Hams Flying Club at Halwell.

11 Bob Broad of Taunton. Bob is an ex-navy engineer and co-owns Jodel D112 G-BHHX with John Anderson at Watchford Farm. He is currently upgrading to an NPPL-SSEA from having previously owned a Thruster microlight.

Tony Giblett, from Plymouth.Tony flies Robin DR400-180 G-BPHG based at Plymouth and is a retired mechanical engineer who has a

workshop with lathe & milling facilities.

Jason Nuttall from Sherbourne, Dorset. Jason works in structural testing at AgustaWestland Engineering. He is restoring a Sopwith Pup to airworthy condition.

Christopher D'Oyly of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Chris has Piper PA28 180C G-AVSP at Dunkeswell.

Bob Page of Taunton.

Christopher Gough of Illminster, Somerset. Christopher flies Robin DR400s G-CEKO, G-GCIY and G-GCRO with the Robin Group at Exeter.

Adrian Bonwitt from Alton in Hampshire. Adrian flies commercially and has a share in group owned RV8 G-DAZZ at Wishanger. Wisely, he is planning on re-locating to the southwest!

Roy Taylor from Shaftesbury. Roy keeps RV9A G-RUVY at Henstridge and is building a Bowers Fly Baby.

David Smith of Buckfastleigh. David owns Cessna 182Q G-BJVH at Plymouth.

Mike Challoner of Stalbridge, Dorset. Mike fliers his RV6 G-CFDI from

Henstridge and holds an ATPL.

Kevin Jones of Tavistock. Kevin flies commercially and has recently acquired a share in Aeronca 11AC Chief G-IVOR at Bodmin.

______

Adverts See http://www.devonstrut.co.uk/pages/adverts.htm including the following:

½ share - Jodel D120 G-BHXS . Phil Foden 01409 220299 / 07527 449820 [email protected]

1/3 share - Jodel DR1051 G-BYCS at Branscombe. Colin Brown 07932 720180 or Mike King 01297 680360.

Headsets for sale. Telex model no. MRB600, twin plug and David Clark 5-pin model 12451G-07. Price £25 each. Contact Gordon Cameron 01805-804207

Rans S6 ESD Coyote 11 G-MYGP For Sale 1992 tailwheel microlight, at Dunkeswell. £6,500 ONO. David Millin Office: 01803-663012, Home: 01803-875601, Mob: 07919-685079. 12

1/2 share - Eggesford Auster A61 Terrier2 G-ASMZ Bryn Andrews 01237-471908. ______

September Free Landings Pilot: Blackpool, Sandtoft, Cambridge and Beccles. Flyer: Sturgate, North Coates, City Airport Barton, Fenland, Dundee and Causeway. ______

Fly-Ins August 29th Bodmin - Lady Aviators Pete White 01752 406660 / 07805 805679 Sept. 2nd – 4th Sywell – LAA Rally http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/rally.html Sept. 11th Watchford Farm Brian Anning 07779-143439 Sept. 17th Belle Vue Don Easterbrook 01805 623113 Sept. 24th Elstree – Herts Strut Fly-In [email protected] 07549 525108 www.herts-strut.org.uk ______

Tailpiece

13