AIR PILOT OCTOBER 2019:AIR PILOT MASTER 24/9/19 19:32 Page 1 2 AirPilot OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE 35 AIR PILOT OCTOBER 2019:AIR PILOT MASTER 24/9/19 19:32 Page 2

Diary

OCTOBER 2019

AIR PILOT 2nd Election of Lord Mayor Guildhall THE HONOURABLE 7th Pilot Aptitude Testing RAF Cranwell COMPANY OF 17th GP&F Air Pilots House (APH) AIR PILOTS 24th T&A Banquet Guildhall incorporating Air Navigators NOVEMBER 2019 PATRON: 2nd Flying Club AGM White Waltham His Royal Highness 7th ACEC APH The Prince Philip 14th APBF APH Duke of Edinburgh KG KT 21st GP&F APH Court Cutlers’ Hall GRAND MASTER: His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew DECEMBER 2019 Duke of York KG GCVO 4th AST/APT APH MASTER: 12th GP&F APH Malcolm G F White OBE Annual Carol Service St. Michael’s, Cornhill

CLERK: Paul J Tacon BA FCIS

Incorporated by Royal Charter. A Livery Company of the City of London.

PUBLISHED BY: The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Air Pilots House, 52A Borough High Street, London SE1 1XN VISITS PROGRAMME EDITOR: Please see the flyers accompanying this issue of Air Pilot or contact Liveryman David Paul Smiddy BA (Econ), FCA Curgenven at [email protected]. EMAIL: [email protected] These flyers can also be downloaded from the Company's website. FUNCTION PHOTOGRAPHY: Please check on the Company website for visits that are to be confirmed. Gerald Sharp Photography View images and order prints on-line. TELEPHONE: 020 8599 5070 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.sharpphoto.co.uk GOLF CLUB EVENTS Please check on Company website for latest information PRINTED BY: Printed Solutions Ltd 01494 478870 Except where specifically stated, none of the material in this issue is to be taken as expressing the opinion of the Court of the Company. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: The copy deadline for the December 2019 edition of Air Pilot is 1 November 2019. The address is: Cover photo:The have been on Exercise WESTERNHAWK 2019. 52A Borough High Street, London SE1 1XN. The aircraft are shown performing a mixed formation flypast with the USAF Our telephone number remains unchanged Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightnings, down the Hudson River TELEPHONE: 020 7404 4032 alongside New York on 22nd August 2019. See item in News. EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.airpilots.org Courtesy of the MoD©Crown Copyright 2019. AIR PILOT OCTOBER 2019:AIR PILOT MASTER 24/9/19 19:32 Page 3

A message from your Editor... One of the attractions of a flying career is that one’s workplace is above and removed from earthly concerns. Similarly GA pilots are drawn by the ability to set aside the humdrum worries of earthlings or their working life.And earthly concerns just now in GB are dominated by the dreaded B****t.Arguably all pilots only swap these concerns for another set – weather worries,ATC delays, company fuel management edicts, and so on. However we seem to have entered an era where aviation is being subjected to political pressures from many sides. Nowhere is this more egregious than in the Chinese government’s deplorable interference in the affairs of Cathay Pacific and its indirect influence on the conduct of Cathay staff, including aircrew. Closer to home, for many members, is the rare event of a strike by BA pilots.When commercial aviation started a century ago, only very wealthy passengers could afford to travel.Their aerial chauffeurs were much less wealthy.A hundred years on, and commercial air transport has become democratised to such an extent, and pilot salaries have risen strongly, such that aircrew are, at least in short-haul, demonstrably wealthier than their human cargo. BA pay scales, aired so broadly in public in recent weeks, will not of course be news to most Members, but I doubt whether many passengers, stranded or potential, will consequently have much sympathy for the striking aircrew.The publicity may however have the slight benefit of stimulating consideration of an aviation career for more pecuniary-minded youth! Whilst not wishing to be judgmental on this topic, I note that an FT journalist commented that BA pilots “are not natural troublemakers” (perhaps you know an exception or two that proves the rule!), and are “thoroughly professional” (obviously). On the other hand, the CEO of IAG (owner of BA), a former pilot himself, has been conspicuous by his absence from public platforms on this issue. However let us not become too depressed by the ingress of politics into our world of aviation.There are occasional glimmers of light. The CAA continues its process of derogating the oversight of lighter aircraft to member-driven organisations such as the LAA. Paul Smiddy - Editor

Contents

News Round Up & Gazette ...... 4

Master’s Message ...... 7

From the Desk of the DAA ...... 8

Gazette ...... 9

Company visit to RAF Brize Norton ...... 10

Trophies and Awards 2018-2019 ...... 12

Zero to Zoom! Young Air Pilots at RIAT ...... 13

The Pumps, the Shouts and the Fire Dart ...... 14

The Company visit to Broughton ...... 16

Jottings on Malta G.C...... 17

A Visit to Martin-Baker Aircraft ...... 20

Britain (and the Air Pilots) at its best ...... 23

Master’s Garden Party ...... 24

Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2019 - a personal view ...... 25

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News Round Up INTER LIVERY SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS their tenancies extended for another year. The respective chief executives made Do you wish to barrel past the Coopers, All that is bar Take Flight, the flight their case at a talk at the LAA Rally at slice the times of the Barber Surgeons, school based there, which led the the end of August, and solicited make the Vinters drown their sorrows, campaign to save the airfield. The local suggestions for a name for the new entity. leave the Security Professionals searching council still wishes the site to continue as This editor’s suggestion would be British for the key to your success, make the an airfield and has initiated the process Sport Aviation – the initials carry a Stationers look rather stationary in your for a Compulsory Purchase Order. pleasing historic resonance! vortices? Yes all that is possible if you The next step is a formal motion at the LAA AGM on 20 October. See hearken to this call for volunteers. It is POLITICS that time of year when Sam Rutherford http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/ Is possibly a subject from which we turn 2019/News/LAA_BMAA_Rally.html is again assembling a team for the Inter- to aviation to escape. But one cannot Livery Ski Championships. As ever the help but notice that after the arrival of event is being ably organised Boris Johnson as Prime Minister we now by the Ironmongers at Morzine in the have our fourth Aviation Minister in just French Alps, on January 22-24. See over three years, in the form of Paul https://www.liveryskiing.com/. Good Maynard, MP for Blackpool North & skiers, particularly those with racing Cleveleys. He is not a pilot, unlike Grant experience, can contact Sam at Shapps, who has had to relinquish his [email protected]. role as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA), upon his welcome appointment as Secretary of State for RED BULL / THE FAI / LESSONS IN Transport. RISK MANAGEMENT It is rather sad to see that, under pressure Red Bull is ceasing sponsorship of the from the Chinese civil aviation regulator, Air Race series at the end of this season CAAC , Cathay Pacific had to eject its (which has just concluded). At the time CEO Rupert Hogg, and his deputy Paul of writing no replacement sponsor has Loo. Moreover Cathay aircrew have been popped up. The loss of this series is fired for participating in the Hong Kong having dire consequences on the pro-democracy protests. Most recently, operating budget of the Fédération AIRFIELD NEWS the Company’s chairman has also been Aviation Intérnationale (FAI) – the Is unremittingly bad. The axed to placate the Chinese. international body which oversees air fraternity - in the shape of Lasham sports. Such organisations only trim staff Gliding Society has lost its judicial and resources with the utmost reluctance, review of the CAA’s decision to accede LAA/BMAA MERGER and its member sports face the possibility to TAG’s request for a swathe of Class D The Light Aircraft Association (which has of a significant rise in the fees charged by airspace around Farnborough.This will many of our members in its number) is in the FAI from next year. make existing GA congestion in the merger talks with the British Microlight At the LAA Rally, Nigel Lamb, ex- surrounding area more acute. Aircraft Association. This was stimulated Rhodesian Air Force, and Red Bull by EASA’s initiative to remove aircraft up champion in 2014, gave an excellent talk Old Sarum has had an eventful few to 600kg MTOW from its jurisdiction. months : its owners had their quest for on how he approached risk minimisation LAA chief executive, Liveryman Steve in air racing. Now retired from that planning permission for 462 houses on Slater, and the BMAA’s boss Geoff the land refused, and have now given all caper, he thoroughly enjoys touring in Weighell, quickly found very common his RV. operators of businesses on the airfield ground on this issue. The joint three months’ notice to quit. It looks like organisation will have more than 11,000 operations at this historic airfield (it members, and oversee more than 4,000 opened in 1917) will cease on 31st aircraft on Permits to Fly. A pooling of October. resources makes eminent sense. At the At Wellesbourne Mountford the very least it will ease the task of the businesses located there having been CAA’s liaison with the General Aviation refused right of appeal regarding the sector! application for tenancies, have just had

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REDS IN USA Our affiliated unit, the RAF Aerobatic Team,has left its loved ones behind for a Summer tour of North America.This has produced some iconic images, some of which are reproduced below (all ©Crown Copyright 2019). Some of these show a mixed formation flypast the Hudson River in NewYork with US F22 Raptors, the USAF Thunderbirds, and F35 Lightnings. This is the Reds’ first North American tour since 2008.

defect rectification and troubleshooting South East Coast Ambulance Service. on aircraft from the Airbus family. He Her long term aim is to manage activities trained in the Emirates Aviation with a safety plus medical content, for University, receiving an Advanced example in an Air Ambulance or Search Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance and Rescue setting. Engineering in 2015, and his aim is to Stephen Smartt is undertaking the Air become a team leader and eventually an Transport Management MSc, and has aircraft maintenance manager. also recently become a Liveryman of our Ingrida Petniune is enrolled on the MSc Company. He is working as a for Air Safety Management course. All Nippon Airways, based in Tokyo and Currently based in the UK working as flies the Boeing 767, and when in the ACADEMIC BURSARIES 2019 Senior Cabin Crew for Norwegian Air UK is also an aerobatic instructor and From Assistant Prof Marion Wooldridge Shuttle, she is originally from Lithuania, ATPL theory instructor. Before working (Chairman, Air Pilots Academic Bursary and obtained her PPL in 2014 at Kaunas as a pilot, Stephen was a police constable Awards): Airfield, coincidentally where I also in the Metropolitan Police, but had As usual, the selection panel interviewed undertook a period of aerobatic training always been interested in aviation, the shortlisted applicants over two days in over twenty years ago. Ingrida (photo obtaining a PPL in 2000, and ATPL in July, and three Bursaries were awarded. below) obtained a degree in economics 2008. He is now close to completing the The panel were pleased to see that we fromVilnius University in 2012, and after MSc, and his aim is to progress as far as had several applicants from the MSc initially working in the financial sector he can in the Air Transport industry, Aircraft Maintenance Management switched to the aviation sector in 2014, something that he is adamant the course this year, as well as the usual initially in ground services before knowledge gained on this MSc course numbers from MSc Air Transport becoming cabin crew. She has recently will greatly facilitate. Management and MSc Air Safety also taken on the role of Fatigue and The panel has no doubt all the bursary Management. We still await the first Safety Representative in her section, and recipients will prove to be good applicants from the recently established in her spare time is involved with the ambassadors for aviation and air safety, MSc Airports Management course. and very worthy of their awards. We were also very pleased to be able to award one bursary to an applicant from GASCO each of the three represented courses. From Stephen Hayman: Ataque Shah is studying Aircraft The GASCO AGM was held 31st July in Maintenance Management, and despite the AAIB premises Farnborough, the additional challenges of being followed by the quarterly meeting. interviewed via Skype, impressed the panel with his enthusiasm and ‘can-do’ Items arising:- the Ditching and Sea attitude. Ataque is a Licensed Aircraft Survival course was to be held on 1st Technician in Etihad Airways August and was full.This was deemed to Engineering, based in Abu Dhabi, where be a great course for those wishing to fly he undertakes day to day maintenance, over the water. There will be another

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next year. The courses on Weather also CORRIGENDUM being very popular, next being 10th MEMBERS IN ACTION – A CALL The larger photo on p 16 of the August October. Airspace infringement TO ARMS! issue should have been credited to Ian continues to be a huge problem with the The Editor would really like to Davies. statistics not getting any better. Dr Mike feature a page or two in every issue Bromfield of Coventry University gave a of members pursuing their craft, talk on Loss of Control in Flight. They sport, or leisure activity with aircraft. are doing extensive research in this area Shots of a sunrise on the , ARTICLES FOR AIR PILOT and are seeking volunteers if you have a a walk-round on the pan, or simply The Editor welcomes any contributions. free day or two in Coventry.This is very a beaming smile at five thousand feet But please: rewarding work (I know,been there done (or FL300), would be gratefully 1. Send text as a Word document, not it!) Following the meeting most of us received. Air Pilot is one of our most embedded in the e-mail. And were given a guided tour around the important shop windows, and we definitely not as a pdf. AAIB hangar, fascinating but very should ensure that our non-member chilling at the same time.Two aircraft had readership is aware of the breadth of been in accidents that very week!! Also our activities. 2. Put your name in the Word doc. the remnants of the Southend Hunter. 3. Send photos as jpegs of greater than A DIFFERENT SORT OF 1meg resolution (if using a mobile INSTRUMENT PANEL phone check it is not taking small file sizes).And don’t embed them in text. On a fascinating recent tour of Classic Team Lotus, the Editor was particularly taken with this Lotus 56B. In typical off- 4.A large number of decently sized the-wall Colin Chapman fashion, it was photos are perhaps best sent via a powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbine Dropbox file. (Ask your children or engine developing c 450 bhp (and needed grandchildren if you are not familiar no gearbox because of its broad torque with this technology!) curve).We were told this was originally in a helicopter. The instrument panel therefore bears more relationship to that of an aircraft than a normal F1 car.

FLYING CLUB The Popham event to which the Editor went was well attended. The Old Buckenham lunch numbered just one aircraft – Chris Fopp made it in his Bulldog with a friend. The Home Counties contingent appeared to have been put off by some forecast mild dampness!

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gliding, light aircraft, military aircraft, and have been able to attend – thank you. Master’s Message of course commercial and business There is more in the pipeline and the By Malcolm GF White OBE aviation. We have embraced the most daunting challenge is for Past unmanned community and I predict that Master Cox and Denise, and me and I hope you have enjoyed a summer space will be next. How about Tim Mistress V to face our Young Members holiday break. Peake, Upper Freeman (Space)? We have (and others) in the Inter Livery Quiz It is hard to ignore the constitutional so much to offer. Night on 16 October. He who shouts crisis which surrounds the United Meanwhile, business does not stand still the loudest might win – so we are in Kingdom, and indeed in our Air Pilots’ between Court Meetings, or indeed my with a chance! Thank you, Colin. Hong Kong region. Also, the disruption Message in our magazine. I have been In closing, it has been agreed that Air to commercial aviation, be it in the air or struck by the tempo of work in Head Pilots should be signatories to the on the ground; the continuing work to Office led by Paul Tacon and his team. Aviation Skills Charter. Potentially this is sort the Boeing 737 Max; and indeed a Also, our engagement with the an important opportunity and there will debate I have engaged in with our Grand Corporation of the City of London, be more on this as we refine the detail on Master over VAT and flying fellow Livery Companies and our how we can both contribute, and benefit. training. But that is discussing politics, so Affiliated Units. I will move on. On a lighter note V and I will join the I feel progress has been made with our City of London Sheep Drive on 29 This is my “no deal exit message” as young membership; the safe keeping of September. Our start time on London come Halloween 2019,V and I will be in mentoring, the closure of 9 WCL; and Bridge is 1637! Join us if you can if only Ottawa. Since my last Message our life the milestone of the formal opening of for a drink in Borough Market has not stalled, and V will add her our splendid Head Office on 17 afterwards. Beyond that we look forward thoughts at the end. But all who we have September. This takes graft and should to the Trophy and Award Banquet and met have commented on what a vibrant not be underestimated. Which brings me then packing our bags the next day as we Company we represent. And that is our to reflect on our other activities and head off to visit our overseas Regions.We role as Master and Mistress. engagement. The number of events and will be back in time for the Carol Service visits have been considerable, and there But there is business to address as we on 12 December and my visit report will will more detail on that in this edition. represent both a City Livery Company follow in January 2020. So, don’t expect But a few headlines. and an industry which faces a complex to hear much from us between now and and growing future, but in my view offers The Summer Garden Party at Biggin then. a huge opportunity.When you consider Hill nearly became an Autumn Garden And on that note Mistress V wanted to our membership, you cannot ignore the Party, but around midday the skies add some thoughts. wealth of experience which is our cleared, and we were able to enjoy a backbone and which we can exploit, be magnificent display. A display supervised Nothing really prepares you for it in the UK, or overseas.And do so from by Past Master Peacock-Edwards as the becoming a Mistress, so in aviation terms every level from primary school, to a Deputy Display Director. Rick was on I have tried to “Wing It”. But not teenager who wants to fly, and to the old the other side of the airfield – so without the support and advice from and bold like me who can perhaps help unusually he missed lunch. There’s those who have been there before and as a Mentor. commitment for you. Also, on a day the friends around us. But it is a joy to support the Company during Malcolm’s Since my June Message many have which marked the 79th Anniversary of year as Master. celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the what became known as "The Hardest Apollo 11 landing in the Mare Day" in the , and one of As M has said many times the Tranquilities. I was privileged to meet the largest ever air battles in which the opportunity to fly used not to reach Buzz, as it was for many of us to meet the Luftwaffe lost approximately 69 aircraft everyone, and in many circumstances that Commander of Apollo 13 , Jim Lovell, at and the RAF lost 68. So, while a draw remains the case today. But life has our T&A Dinner in 2013. But it on the day, this was perhaps the turning changed. When I attended my local prompts me to think – how did they get point. Makes you think.Vanessa and I will comprehensive school, flying was never into this business? Well back on earth it represent the Company at the Battle of mentioned as a career, or even fun and started at a young age. And in my view Britain Service in Westminster Abbey on we live near Elstree. Fast forward a few this adds value to why we should support 15 September. more years and our daughter’s girls’ young people to become involved in Other highlights have included visits to school didn’t mention flying as a aviation; why the young members of our Martin Baker, Brize Norton, Odiham, possibility either; let alone engineering. company are crucial to our future, and the Tower of London and Waddington. But today women, young and the more why our engagement with the wider To David Curgenven, Graham Powell, mature, just like theWAAFs inWorldWar aviation community is so important – the Secretariat and those of you who II are back in the cockpit as captains,

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instructors, military pilots and more. As immense. represent a modern and active company. you will know better than me flight can In the meantime, I have been privileged Finally, it is fun. In the last six months I be a life-changing experience. That is to represent our Company at many City have met many new faces and made new why the RAF Museum (where I work) Events. M has even let me go solo! But friends which I am sure will endure has placed so much emphasis on Access there have been some common messages: beyond my time as Mistress. It has also and Learning. In the past year we have fellow consorts have been surprised by been a real education which I cherish seen 70,000 primary school children the size and reach of the Honourable and will never forget. I look forward to attend half day classes at our two Company; impressed by our relevance to seeing you at the T&A and if not, then Museum sites. The response has been the future and a phrase often used – you before Christmas.

From the Desk of the Director Aviation Affairs Liveryman John Turner

INTERESTED IN AVIATION? At a time when the demand for qualified Two things caught my attention as I air pilots, engineers, scientists prepared to write this article: and technicians is forecast to far outstrip the available applicants, the answer to that • (RAF) Typhoons deployed to Amari Airbase in Estonia question takes on added significance for this year, in support of Baltic Air commercial air transport, general aviation Policing, have been scrambled much and aviation & aerospace industries. more often than during earlier Each of us may have been lured into a deployments. This year the Typhoons career in aviation by some memorable have intercepted Russian Su-27 & Su- personal experience, or by a more 30 Flanker fighters, and IL-22 Coot & gradual realisation that developed over IL-76 Candid command time, or by something entirely different. post/transports that were operating For instance, I was intrigued from an around the Baltic states. early age by the and Chipmunks pilot, before joining the UK aerospace • A fleet of drones has been deployed in repeatedly flying on apparently industry and continuing to fly as a test the Canary Islands to stream live video prescribed paths above my garden pilot. My personal experience is not to the police to help apprehend bad (actually they were in the circuit at unique. I’ve met many people who can drivers. The drones will be used on Ipswich Airport). However, it was at five describe a similar ‘airshow moment’ and years old, when my father took me to a main roads (where 75% of fatal who obtained a pilot’s licence a year RAF Wattisham Open Day where I saw accidents occur) rather than before their driving licence. Equally, the black Hunters of 111 Squadron’s motorways, and will target drivers using when discussing this with industry flight mobile phones, not wearing seat belts, perform formation test engineers, about 50% claimed an overtaking when they should not or , and I sat in the cockpit of a airshow first launched their interest in putting motorcyclists, cyclists or Meteor, that I became firmly set on engineering and aeronautics. pedestrians at risk. becoming a pilot. (I even recorded the Personal anecdote is informative, but it is Therefore, it was tempting to write about impression the air display left on me in unlikely to guide government policy or whether we have entered another Cold my school notebook.) Once I was old War, and whether drones can actually enough, I joined the spending unless supported by hard monitor road traffic closely without which allowed me to visit a different evidence. That evidence is extremely causing accidents by distracting drivers . RAF station for a week each summer, to difficult to gather; neither the military But instead there is a more pressing fly my first solo in a and eventually, nor industry asks or records what matter to consider: everyone in our though a Flying Scholarship, to gain a inspired people toward their chosen Company will have an interest in private pilot’s licence. Thereafter, I was careers. Now, the heritage & airshows aviation (many would say it is a passion) , lucky enough to go on to study physics work group of the UK All Party but the question is - “How did that at university and then fly with the RAF Parliamentary Group on General arise?” as a fighter pilot, flight instructor and test Aviation (APPG-GA) hopes to remedy

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this through a research project. The • What career (or non-career) was 10.0 Our Strategic Properties primary focus will be on the extent to the result? This is not just about “To be recognised as a professional professional pilots; whichever part of which airshow and aviation museum authority on safe aviation operations aviation you are or were active in, we experiences drive people into careers and to make a significant impact in provide economic or scientific benefit the delivery of our purpose”. In spanning all the sectors of aviation that and stimulus through our involvement. generate enormous economic benefit for support of this objective we seek to:

the country. This has our full support, • Whether you are happy to be identified 10.1 Help enable and deliver especially if it highlights the factors that (or wish your remarks to be education, training and access to the instil in people the desire to become anonymous) in any report. aviation sector pilots. We can target our efforts toward encouraging others to follow in our So that I can keep my Inbox under 10.2 Engage in the government-led footsteps, so please take part if you are Science,Technology,Engineering, and control, please use the title INTERESTED IN AVIATION in any asked to participate. Mathematics (STEM) initiative. email response to [email protected] and Of course, there may well be many if you would rather write a letter, please answers to the question “how did your In this instance I feel the potential variety post it to the office address. interest/passion for flying/all things of members’ responses will need a less I look forward to receiving your response aeronautic arise?”, that fall outside the constrained approach than and reporting the consolidated outcome focus of airshows and aviation museums. SurveyMonkey questionnaires that we’ve in a future article. used in the past. Therefore, I hope you An informal survey of our members can spare the time to send me a short cannot provide either the sample size or email describing the following: scientific rigour that the APPG-GA is seeking. Nonetheless, it will illuminate • What sparked your decision to follow a the things that made us set off to do what career in aviation? Was there a seminal we do and can help towards achieving moment or did the idea develop over our strategic priorities. To quote from time? Perhaps it was a simpler matter our 2017 Strategic Plan: of opportunity or economics?

GAZETTE APPROVED BYTHE COURT 12 SEPTEMBER 2019

ADMISSIONS As Upper Freeman Richard DAVIS As Upper Freeman Tom KEABLE George ENGLISH (NA) Richard ABOBTO Oliver FERRARIO Benjamin James Bansal BARTON (HK) As Freeman David HODGES (HK) Richard DAWE Alexander BEATTY Anthony Frank FESCHE (HK) Edward COLES-GALE (HK) Suleman HUSSAIN Sahil HATHIRAMANI (HK) Chieh LING-LI (AUS) Jake KENNY David Gene McKENNEY (NA) Irvin John LEE Dany Jean Joseph POITRAS (NA) DECEASED Geoffrey LEWIS Gareth Edmund SHAW (HK) Sir Michael MARSHALL Richard William Goodair THRELFALL (HK) Keith MORRIS (HK) James Graham TAYLOR David NEWBERY (HK) As Freeman Alan NG (HK) Jason ECONOMIDES (Hons) RESIGNATIONS Fahim AHMED Raymond OSBORNE As Associate Theodore ALGIRE (HK) Anthony John Charles PLOWMAN (HK) Kelvin CHAN (AUS) Alan ANDERSON (HK) Andrew QUESSY James Richard WILLIAMS Ronald AUSTIN (AUS) John RICHARDSON (HK) Stephen AYRES Finian SALTER ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE COURT Mark BEVILLE-ANDERSON Simon SPARKES 12 SEPTEMBER 2019 James BURNHAM REGRADE Aileen CHAN (HK) Peter WILLISON (HK) To Livery Jackie CHAN (HK) Steve Wing-Chi WONG (HK) Alexander TANO Richard CLARKE (HK) Keith WRIGHT (AUS)

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Company visit to RAF Brize Norton, 6 September 2019 By Liveryman Nick Wilcock

It had been something of an early start by Air Steward, Cpl Tom Burrell, who for many on Friday 6 September, for we met us as we boarded. Although the had to be at the designated car park at aircraft was fitted with more than 250 RAF Brize Norton in time for an 0630 seats (in a far more generous seat pitch start. Dawn was just breaking as 18 than usually encountered in airlines these members arrived to be greeted by our days), and as there were only 18 of us, host for the day, Flt Lt John Hall, who is there was plenty of room. However, himself an Upper Freeman of our regulations required that we all occupied Company. The purpose of our visit was a small section of the aircraft for take-off to fly in an A330 Voyager aircraft of the and landing. Even though the aircraft RAF's tanker force, thanks to the kind was one of the first to be delivered, the Imagery obtained by use of the A310MRTT Mission Computer System software generosity ofWg Cdr PeteThorbjornsen, interior was in pristine condition and it the OC of 101 Squadron, one of our was very obvious that Air Tanker takes During the transit, I took the affiliated units (on which I was proud to great pride in maintaining their aircraft opportunity to plan the mission using the serve for many years when flying the in such showroom condition. A310MRTT Mission Computer System VC10K). Call-sign MADRAS 52, our aircraft was software developed by FunkeAVIONICS After boarding our coach, we were loaded with roughly 75% of its GmbH, in order to produce a screenshot transported direct to the air terminal, maximum fuel capacity, and over the for this article when replicating the flight where we were efficiently checked-in. course of the flight we were planned to later. [Editor’s note – I hope it’s more Those who'd had a long journey enjoyed offload 39 tonnes of fuel to our receiver reliable than my Funke 8.33 radio which a very welcome coffee before we went 'trade' in 3 hours on a tactical air failed after 18 months!] Interestingly, the through the usual airline-standard refuelling area off the coast of Airbus Mission Planning System security check. If only all airports Northumberland. Due to exercise provided for Voyager is not yet approved employed staff as friendly and constraints, we were required to be 'on for use, so the RAF still uses traditional professional as those we met at Brize! task' earlier than strictly necessary, with planning and management methods During the short wait to board our the first receivers not due until later. As doubtless familiar to all those who have aircraft, I met some members of the this was a multi-national exercise, our operated tanker aircraft of earlier Luftwaffe who were flying in another customers were to be Typhoons of the generations. aircraft, for it transpired that we were RAF's 2 and 29 Squadrons, as well as Once on the refuelling area at 0915, the flying as part of EX COBRA similar aircraft of the Italian and German crew trailed the wing hoses and WARRIOR, a very large multi-national air forces, to whom the aircraft is known completed the necessary checks, whilst exercise. We would be supporting 'Red as the Eurofighter 2000. Air' (the 'bad guys'), whereas a Luftwaffe exploring the weather in the area in A310MRTT and anotherVoyager would After pushing back at 0825 local, we order to remain clear of cloud and any be supporting the 'good guys'. The were soon airborne from Brize Norton's turbulence. We were free to walk about RAF's Voyager force uses aircraft and RW25,the astonishing performance and the aeroplane and to visit the flight deck, services provided by Air Tanker under a quietness of the Voyager bearing marked but before very long the first pair of PFI contract, costing over £1M per day; contrast to the 'roar of the four' of the Typhoons joined up allowing ample although the force itself is made up of VC10 - something for which the local opportunities for enthusiastic 101 Squadron and 10 Squadron, it population is extremely grateful as noise photography - the best possible form of operates as a single force with no real complaints are virtually unknown these in-flight entertainment. This is an differences between the two squadrons. days, we were told. After completing the opportunity denied to passengers There are two types of Voyager in RAF Standard Instrument Departure, our travelling in the USAF's KC-46A use: the KC2 which has wing AAR pods route took us toWhitegate, a waypoint in Pegasus tanker as, in contrast to the A330, only, and the KC3 which also has a Cheshire, from which we crossed the KC-46A has no fuselage windows centreline hose. We were to fly in Manchester's airspace at FL220 to the and has rather austere palletised seating - ZZ330, a KC2, captained by Capt. Chris Pole Hill VOR, before turning overhead 'Rendition Class' travel, as it has been Heijs of the Royal Netherlands Air RAF Leeming to fly north to a waypoint described by some! Force. He was supported by co-pilot Flt off the coast near Alnwick in order to Over the following 2 hours the crew Lt Steve Caryer, and Mission Systems remain clear of the exercise area, then transferred some 34.5 tonnes of fuel to Operator, Sgt Andy Pemberton, as well as direct to the refuelling area: the receivers. We left the area at 1225,

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and professionalism of all with whom we came into contact at RAF Brize Norton was all too clear to see, and on a personal climbing to FL270 and routing towards note I was very pleased to note that the Leeming, before being cleared direct to Voyager force is clearly maintaining the the eastern edge of the Lichfield standards of flexibility and efficiency in Corridor, crossing through the corridor air-to-air refuelling for which the RAF is at FL140. At the western end, we began justly held in high regard. Our grateful the descent towards Brize Norton, thanks go to Gp Capt Dan James, Station landing from an ILS approach exactly 5 Commander of RAF Brize Norton,Wg hours after take-off. Wg Cdr Cdr Pete Thorbjornsen, OC 101 Sqn, Thorbjornsen came to meet us at the and to our excellent hosts Flt Lt John aircraft; Past Master Rick Peacock- Hall and Cpl Tom Burrell, as well as to Edwards then gave a short speech of Capt Chris Heijs and his crew. thanks, remarking that all his previous tanking experience had been 'from the other end' in his time on Lightnings, Phantoms and Tornados, before presenting Pete with a cheque made out to 101 Sqn funds which will be used for supporting the squadron's nominated charities. All too soon we were on our way back to the car park having enjoyed a superb visit, meticulously arranged by Liveryman David Curgenven. The pride

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TRAINING Trophies and Awards 2018-2019 The Glover Trophy The following are the awards approved by the Court for the 2018-2019 Lieutenant Michael Plant RN year. Presentations will take place at the Company’s Trophies and Awards banquet to be held at the Guildhall in the City of London on October 24th. The Trophy 673 Squadron Army Air Corps LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION TO THE The Brackley Memorial Trophy AEROSPACE INDUSTRY British Airways Fleet The Pike Trophy The Award of Honour Dorothy Saul-Pooley Stuart Sendall King FRAeS The Johnston Memorial Trophy Carol Louise Cooper RAF Tornado GR Force FOR OUTSTANDING COURAGE OR DEVOTION TO DUTY FOR SERVICES TO THE COMPANY The Myles Bickerton Trophy The Sir Alan IN THE AIR Captain Jeff Milsom BSc(Hons) The Master’s Commendation Memorial Award Flight Lieutenant Christopher Stradling Ruth Mary Cundy The Hanna Trophy

The Master’s Medal Nigel Lamb REGIONAL AWARDS Rob Caine MBE The Grand Master’s Australian Medal MA RAF FLIGHT TEST RAAF Aircraft Research and Winchman Paramedic Carlton Real The Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown Development Unit Memorial Trophy The Prince Philip Helicopter Test Pilots of the F-35 The Australian Bi-Centennial Rescue Award Integrated Test Force: Award Caernarfon Rescue 936: Nathan J Gray; Captain Kate Simmonds; Nathan Higgins Lieutenant Commander Peter Wilson; Captain Dave Kenyon AFC; Squadron Leader Andrew Edgell; Winch Operator Richard Taylor QGM; The Captain John Ashton Major Michael Lippert USMC. Winchman Paramedic Alistair Memorial Award Drummond. Captain David Evans SAFETY AND SURVIVAL The Sir James Martin Award FLIGHT OPERATIONS The Jean Batten Memorial Award The Sir Medal Lieutenant Jonathan Moore RN Glyn Powell and Warren Denholm Major Thomas W Aseltine

The Cumberbatch Trophy AVIATION MEDIA The Grand Master's Medal Class I Peter R The Award for Aviation Journalism Aaron Keith Pearce Balcomb AAC Ben Dunnell

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Zero to Zoom! Young Air Pilots at RIAT By Associate Becky Kwo Teamwork was at the forefront of the combined with the disappointingly Young Air Pilots effort to mount an ‘British’ weather on Saturday meant the exhibit at RIAT. We had a three week TechnoZone marquee was very busy deadline to staff and organise an Air indeed. We held our own against our Pilots stand to fill in for a last-minute immediate neighbours - the impressive dropout at the TechnoZone, the STEM- and engaging stands from Airbus, focussed RIAT marquee. A sustained Lockheed Martin and GCHQ to name a social media campaign proved fruitful few We gave youngsters of all ages a taste and so to Fairford we went. A little of skills required to be a pilot, and offered sprucing of the stand was completed on information about our scholarships. A Star Wars invaders my kitchen floor as Georgie Millington particular highlight of the Friday was an and I used our Blue Peter skills to mount unexpected opportunity to meet Tim scholarship posters. Roger Gault, an Peake, who was gracious enough to talk honoraryYoungAir Pilot [Ed: it’s a broad to team members about flight training church!] and grass-roots YAP supporter, and take a ‘selfie’, before being also deserves a mention for making interviewed by local news in front of home-grown fliers advertising the Air Airbus’ Mars Rover. Pilots’ Flying Start website and other Saturday promised better weather, and useful pilot careers resources. the busiest day of the show was reflected Our team assembled from all over, at our stand. Despite more air displays, we although Amy Palmer wins the prize for maintained a steady stream of business coming the furthest (Belfast), and Liam with many young people and their Bennett for the most road miles families passing through. The tantalising (including 2X return trips from sound of fast jets and display teams London). The team was looking sharp roaring overhead saw our volunteer team and dandy thanks to a very generous rotating in and out to have a gander at Invaded by a star:Tim Peake donation from Sebastian Pooley, YAP the air displays. A mass exodus was seen founder, of someYoungAir Pilot branded to watch the Red Arrows and BA100 polo shirts. BOAC-liveried Boeing 747 flyby. It was Setting up was very easy thanks to the a stirring moment of inspiration for our superbly organised RIAT machine, and team of young pilots, most of whom are we were ready for the influx of still at some stage of training, young schoolchildren on the Friday. Admission hopefuls gazing up at the pinnacles of to RIAT was free for under 18s on this both commercial and military aviation. day, and many schools and youth groups Other highlights among our volunteers availed themselves of this, which, included the A400M doing mind (and

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physics)-bending manoeuvres, the at RIAT offered a valuable opportunity hard work and enthusiasm. The Spanish Harriers and pleasingly noisy F- for Air Pilots to engage with young Honourable Company of Air Pilots made 18s. people in the early stages of their a lasting impression with the future Pilots Beyond young people, we were also education and career decision making, a and Air Traffickers who came to our trend in line with the industry’s practice stand in the TechnoZone. We can’t wait visited by many other members of the of aiming for engagement at a younger to see what we can bring to the table in industry, including prospective Air Pilots age. We were proud of being able to RIAT 2020 with more than three weeks’ members and pilots from aviation convey not just a variety of knowledge planning. The countdown is on and we organisations we aspire to join. A and experience from our volunteer pool, are looking forward to next year- see you particularly excellent memory was but most importantly enthusiasm for our there! If you're a young member (or watching the Master, Malcolm White, chosen industry, sharing our own stories young at heart) and would like to come experimenting with some ‘unusual from scholarships and careers.We have all along and volunteer for a day on the attitudes’ on the new Air Pilot iPad ‘Plane benefited from someone in Air Pilots or stand next year - please get in touch. Lander’ programme. Other notable guests elsewhere in that industry volunteering included Chewbacca and Darth Vadar their time and enthusiasm, and it was from the Star Wars films, accompanied by very rewarding to be able to carry on that a phalanx of Storm Troopers. tradition. It was delightful to see the next A special thanks goes to Jon Hill for not generation of aviation, in the form of just working on the stand but giving our future engineers, air traffickers, and of volunteers tours of the Voyager static course scholars and pilots. Having a stand display, and to all our volunteers for their

The Pumps, the Shouts and the Fire Dart By Assistant Elizabeth Walkinshaw If there is another visit to Dowgate Fire We were split into two groups, one going Station with a trip on the Fireboat, then to board the Fireboat Fire Dart at you need to be there! A thoroughly Blackfriars Pier, only a short walk away as enjoyable, educational and interesting day they had brought the boat to us, instead was had by members and partners on of our having to go to Lambeth pier - Friday 26th July with all coming away about a 45-minute walk away. saying it was such a great visit. I was in the second group who stayed at Dowgate Fire Station is unique in that it the station and were given an interesting is the only fire station located within the insight into the world of Fire City of London. It serves an area of Investigation.The fire investigation dogs, approximately two square miles, and is a however, had been on such a long duty dedicated station with all firefighters the day before that Sherlock and Simba being full timers. They do not prioritise were having a well-earned rest that day call outs, always responding with blues but we hope to see them on the next and twos. Tasks are many - fires, floods, trip.This part of Dowgate Fire Station is rescues, traffic collisions to name a few. a very important asset to the City as they As is the wont for the emergency investigate where the fires have started services, when we arrived, ‘the Pump’ and how they have spread; the dogs are had been called out to a fire on the highly trained to identify ignitable District Line but returned later in the substances. There were some items, such morning. We were lucky as they had as domestic machines, wrapped up at the been continuously out the day before back of the station as evidence under Fireboats, Fire Dart and the spare, Fire from about 9am to 8pm on multiple call investigation. Flash. They are expecting a new outs or ‘Shouts’, because of incidents Soon it was our turn to swap with the replacement boat soon for the fleet. caused by the intensely hot weather. other group and we made our way down These boats are called ’Wave Patrollers’. There are four teams with five crew who to the pier to be kitted out with life They are fast (30 knots), twin engine, cover 24 hours on a two days/ two jackets, before enjoying a superb trip up single-hulled landing craft with a flat nights/ four days off rota. and down the Thames. There are two bottom and reinforced keel. The water

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pumps can deliver 1800 litres per minute. fitness and, of course, the ‘Shouts’. There is a crew of four. The Station Commander, James We were told that they tackle fires, from Chapman, is also an Incident the water, on buildings facing theThames Commander and he takes control of a and also on boats. They also rescue and larger incident. At one time the Fire tow boats in trouble. Another aspect of Station of course used horse drawn fire their work is rescuing people and animals engines, but today’s machinery are from the water. One sadly that was in the hugely efficient, extremely well- news was the lady who had been equipped Mercedes vehicles. We were knocked over Westminster Bridge during shown so much that I am going to talk the terrorist attack and the crew of Fire about only a small part of the equipment: Flash used their specialist equipment to • The thermal imaging machine is used breathe clean air for 15 minutes in the bring her on board. Cold water shock is to identify sources of infrared radiation, smoke. a huge problem caused by falling into which is particularly useful in dark or Our next experience of the packed day water below fifteen degrees and the smoke-filled environments. It is was to watch the Fire Drill with ladders, Thames is colder than this. interesting to note that it does not see rope, fire hoses and a dummy rescue.The For interest, the crew man who chatted through glass. It is also one of the items ‘Pump’ was reversed out of the building to me was asking if his Yachtmaster that can be targeted for stealing as it is and the hoses were connected to the Certificate would be helpful to him to an expensive item and, seemingly, it is hydrant. Locating the nearest hydrant to ease his training as he wanted to learn to very useful to identify places growing a fire is the first task of the driver. The fly and the boat driver already flies cannabis. ‘Pump’ has an in-built tank with limited helicopters. I believe the Station had a • The cutting tool is extremely heavy capacity.The ladder requires four fireman helicopter in previous years but no more. and a crew man will need to hand over to carry it.This reached up to the fourth As we docked back at Blackfriars pier, a to a colleague when cutting open a floor of the building. Two firefighters large wave rocked the boat from one of vehicle as it is so physically demanding. climbed up, throwing down a rope, the passing large boats and caught Dennis It is hydraulically powered and known taking up the hose to tackle the fire and unaware as he had removed his grip from as ‘The Jaws of Life’. An amazing piece subsequently, rescuing the ‘dummy’ from the rail to turn to disembark. The of kit. the building.A great drill. Fireman, with great speed, steadied • There are two types of breathing The last part of the action-packed day Dennis and said, jokingly, that he could apparatus - one or two cylinders. One was an experience of the fire hose - point mark that down as a rescue! cylinder weighs about 15 kilos and has and squirt! A huge amount more than a After our fantastic journey on the a duration of about 31 minutes when squirt, though, as Denis’s car experienced Thames, we met up with the other group breathing normally but, of course, this when members and partners used his car for a lovely, quick lunch at the Banker is reduced if breathing heavily. With as a target since it was parked in the which is just round the corner from the specialist training, firefighters can use courtyard. At least he didn’t need to go Fire Station. the two-cylinder version which weighs through the car wash on the way home, Our afternoon then continued back at 23 kilos and has an extended time of 47 and was heard to say that he was glad he the Fire Station where we were shown minutes, breathing normally. had closed his windows! and told about much of the equipment Nowadays, the time left is monitored A huge thank you to Chris Green who carried on the ‘Pump’.All this equipment from outside the fire but, before this, suggested the visit, David Curgenven for is checked at the start of every shift to individuals had to monitor their own organising another great visit, Dave ensure it is all there and in working order quantity left which was much more Bulbrook (Borough Commander), James (sometimes items are borrowed by other difficult.They always go in and out, in Chapman (Station Commander), Brin teams if their engine is farther away at an twos, and those going in and out are Powell (Fireboat Commander), the Fire incident and also targeted by thieves). monitored. Investigation officer and all the dedicated This is part of the routine for the day • There are now fire escape hoods kept firefighters who gave us so much of their which also encompasses training, physical on board to enable those rescued to precious time.

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The Company visit to Airbus Broughton By Assistant Ed Pooley In a relatively rare foray ‘up north’, a types including the Mosquito, Hornet, assembly sequence. By enabling the select but diverse group of members Vampire,Venom, SeaVixen, Dove, Heron intelligent application of robots and ranging from a relatively young Aer and even a few Comets. When the site removing a lot of the heavy manual Lingus pilot about to get his command to owner changed to in drilling and integration issues, this our Master Elect paid a visit to the most the early 1960s, it became the home of change has enabled the factory to meet modern part of the Airbus UK the -inspired British design the increasing demand for A320 family manufacturing presence on 4 July.Those and manufacturing success story that wing-sets which we were told is flying in had beautifulVFR weather both became the HS125 programme with currently 58 per month - up from 50 in to and from Hawarden and were final assembly continuing at Broughton 2017 and soon expected to increase to absolved from landing fees too. Despite until 1996. 60.The only other A320 family wing-set the excellent weather, one of the fliers The role of the UK as the Airbus wing build locations are Tianjin, China and even insisted on flying his Cirrus north design and manufacturing dates back to Mobile,Alabama which turn out 4 wing- on an IFR flight plan at FL 100 without the expertise Hawker Siddeley brought sets a month to meet their local assembly realising that getting descent might not to the original A300/A310 aircraft wing needs. be a controller priority and when last design from their Trident days. As A320 wing construction was the first to seen was wondering whether it might be Hawker Siddeley was folded into BAC incorporate fibre-reinforced polymer and worth cancelling an already filed similar and finally into BAE Systems, the UK we were informed that whilst the A320 return flight plan in order to reduce the established its position as the designer of wing ribs are still aluminium (55 % of the likely time spent airborne. wings for the A320 family at Filton and weight of each wing), the spars and skin Our introduction reminded us of the the type’s main wing assembly site was are made of much lighter weight GFRP history of manufacturing at what was established at Broughton. Division of the (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer). The until fairly recently known as Hawarden work shares in Airbus aircraft has always 33 aluminium ribs in each wing come (as the aerodrome within the site still is). followed the proportion of national from South Korea and a day and a half in The location was approved in 1936 as a investment, and when the UK took a the first bay sees them attached to the government Shadow Factory when 20% share in Airbus in 1979, the UK front and rear spars.The structure is then aircraft production was being stepped up confirmed its specialist role and has since moved to the next bay where, in 10 days, in response to the increasing risk of been responsible for the design and top and bottom ‘covers’ (the wing skin) hostilities in Europe; Armstrong assembly of wings for all Airbus types and are attached with re-useable temporary was given the job of running the site.The their variants.This arrangement has so far bolts in a quarter of the holes which will first of over 5000 Vickers Wellington survived the exit of BAE Systems as eventually be used to permanently secure bombers rolled off the line on 3 April holder of the UK share in Airbus in the structure. Moved to the third bay,the 1939 while construction of the factory 2006. It currently assembles over a temporary bolts are removed and two was still not quite complete. Production thousand wing sets per year, although I seriously impressive automatic precision of these continued until 1944 and in that did hear talk of Spanish labour costs drilling machines, one working from final year, a new world record for the being cheaper. below and another from above make the fastest production assembly of an aircraft Our visit this time was to the East 4,500 final bolt holes in 4½ days. Then was set when aWellington was built in 24 Factory which assembles A320 family it’s on to the fourth bay where the hours 48 minutes from start of assembly wings leaving the other two factories on temporary bolts are taken out, a vacuum to first takeoff. the site to assemble wide body wings for lifting machine removes the upper and Some Lancasters were also built at the A330 and A350 families, as well as lower skin in turn to allow the precision- the site but after the war’s end, the those for the final A380s before drilled holes to be de-burred and the government’s manufacturing priority production ceases. As soon as we got structure is then secured with permanent became Prefab housing, which was the onto the walkway overlooking the bolts, a process which uses 3 jigs and sole output from 1945 to 1948. Older beginning of the wing assembly line, an takes 9 days. members may remember many of these obvious difference from such lines in the Then it’s time for metrology validation lasting well beyond their design life, past was immediately evident. Since and some final quality checks with the presumably confirmation of the quality 2017, the build is carried out with the vacuum lifter in use again to move what of their design and/or the standard of wings in horizontal jigs not the vertical is by now a 12 tonne wing. This then manufacture. After the Prefab years, de ones previously used and has changed goes to an adjacent building where the Havilland took over the site and began from parallel static assembly of wings in fuel system is installed before each wing- manufacture of some well known aircraft situ to a to a semi-automated ‘flow line’ set is taken to Bremen in a Beluga for the

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installation of electrics, hydraulics, and system is in place just in case air transport is only just within North , the flight controls as well as the slats and should for some reason not be possible. majority of its 6000 employees live in the flaps. From there, they are delivered to When we asked how they managed to Principality and tend to be long-term the final assembly lines in either transport A330 and A350 wings by road, employees. Apparently 70% of the senior managers currently at Broughton started Hamburg or Toulouse. we were told that they don’t, given much work there as apprentices and each year It was interesting to learn too that not all lower final assembly rates for these larger there are 1000 applicants for 140 junior types - and of course all the A380 wings A320 (‘single aisle’) wings leave vacancies. All in all, it was a very Broughton by Beluga. Production have always travelled to Toulouse almost interesting day evidently enjoyed by all - resilience requirements mean that a few entirely by boat. yet another success for our hard-working sets go by road to ensure an alternative Finally, we learned that although the site visits team.

Jottings on Malta G.C. By Liveryman Graham Powell

It has been twenty five years since I first celebrity players. the small screen. Over the sea and visited Malta to participate in the Malta The glass of champagne on arrival was without sight of any land mass, boredom Air Rally of 1994. Reviewing an old log very welcome, and we were both was relieved by asking passing BA book, I am now quite surprised how I impressed to see parked next to us a shiny airliners to pass on our position reports. was prepared to set off in our Socata new Piper Malibu flown in by a Swiss Sitting comfortably in their pressurised Tobago with just 500 hours total time. pilot and his Japanese girlfriend. We tubes, they thought we were absolutely With my co-pilot Barry, we made it couldn’t help overhearing a question by crazy flying long distance VFR, with a successfully, routing via La Rochelle, the very efficient arrivals team. Could single engine, over the sea. One even Cannes,Alghero, Cagliari, to Luqa. suggested there were sharks in the you please tell us why you have arrived Mediterranean just to cheer us up! But We were determined to do well in this exactly an hour earlier than expected? Figari did eventually appear where we competition, and we were aided by Apparently, this couple spent the entire Barry’s purchase of a new secret weapon. expected it to appear, and we were on the stay not talking to each other! It could This was an “atomic clock”. It proved its way home. Our return route was then via have been us if we hadn’t had the atomic usefulness at FL80 abeam Sicily,when we Tarbes, Biarritz and Guernsey. Our very clock on board and doubled checked our worked out that we had an hour to lose first long distance flying adventure! flight planning! due to the Malta time zone. So the flaps Since that adventure many years ago I We must have done reasonably well on came down, and the throttle was have read some of the history of Malta, reduced. It was critical to make our the spot landing because Barry was and had been particularly interested in its allotted arrival time at the Gozo beacon. presented with an amber Maltese falcon, important strategic role during WW2. So It all worked out after a last minute dive, which lived on his shoulder at the Awards when the opportunity to visit the Island and we were within five seconds of the Dinner and for days afterwards. and the city of Valetta appeared this year, target time. Then on to Luqa for a spot At the end of the Rally we set off initially I was hooked, particularly as surrounding landing arrival. Our registration G- to Figari and helped along by an early the city are a number of important sites GOLF made the front page of the local GPS system (no Sky Demon in those connected with that period. newspaper, but we were certainly not days), we followed the magenta line on I am certain that all members will

BAC 111 Bird Dog Fiat GR91

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Hurricane Lightning Meteor

remember that the George Cross Medal British, there is plenty to see which some further links to this fascinating was awarded to the island of Malta by reflects our long military influence. location. King GeorgeVI in 1942.The medal with Museums worth visiting to understand Spitfire Mk 9 EN199 its inscription “to the brave people of the the WW2 history include the Lascaris was originally presented by the RAF to Island Fortress of Malta” is still on display War Rooms with tunnels, the Malta at the Malta Air Scouts in May 1947, but today. Its award recognised the heavy War Museum with underground air raid the early storage facilities were not strong German and Italian bombardment, and shelters, the Saluting Battery, and Fort enough to prevent souvenir hunters.The the island’s suffering and stoicism. With Rinella. vandalised wreckage was collected in very limited food supplies and the As an aviator, the Malta Aviation 1974. But the task of renovation proved difficulties of convoys getting through Museum was top of my list.This involved beyond the capabilities of members at the U-boat blockades, it was calculated an easy 25 minute bus ride from the city that time. In 1992 a project team set that fuel and food supplies were down to to the museum’s site at the former RAF about re-building the Spitfire to static only a few days. But air superiority was Ta ‘Qali. From the ground there is little display standards; this task took two and a eventually re-established, and the tide to see of the original airfield, but for half years, and used parts collected from turned. In July 1943 the Allies used Malta aviation enthusiasts, the museum is a the sea bed around the island, as an advanced base to invade Sicily.And must see. It was first established in 1974, manufactured parts made locally, and the rest, as they say, is history. and comprises three substantial hangars donated and renovated parts. Malta achieved independence within the packed full of display aircraft and Alongside the Spitfire in the same hangar Commonwealth in 1964. It was declared memorabilia, fully justifying its position is Mk11A. Z3055 a Republic under the next Maltese as the National Aviation Museum of was built in 1941, and was one of a group Labour Government; after the Malta. of 44 flown off HMS Ark Royal in May termination of the Military Base Frederik, my guide there, had an 1941. Barely a month later, in July 4th Agreement in 1979, the British military encyclopaedic knowledge of all the 1941, the aeroplane was ditched, after an left the island. On 1st May 2004 Malta exhibits. He explained that with the engine seizure due to fire; the pilot was became a member of the European collection having grown to fill three lost. The wreckage was found again in Union. hangars, extensive links now exist with 1995 on the sea bed at a depth of 40 With the investment of millions of UK air museums and restoration groups metres. This aeroplane has now been Euros, Valletta has become a bustling worldwide. These links pool specialist restored to taxiing condition.The salvage capital city, with modern architecture information and knowledge. work started in September 1995 and was mixed alongside more traditional The list of aircraft present on site is far finally completed ten years later. buildings.The avant-garde architecture of too long for this short article but I am Completing the line up in the Air Battle the Parliament building is particularly compelled to mention a few of the more of Malta hangar is a de Havilland impressive. interesting exhibits in the hope that there DN82A Tiger Moth. (G-ANFW) An But with a long history involving the may be within our HCAP Membership, airworthy fuselage had been bought but

Meteor NF11 Piper L4 Cub Scrapyard

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Spitfire Swordfish remains Texan

the wings needed replacement. The Lieutenant Mark Eynaud who flew the summer of 2000, the aircraft was aeroplane was dismantled, re-skinned, re- type with the RAF in Germany. overhauled and re-sprayed by Museum built, and first flown again in September BAC 1-11 Cockpit Section. This was members and now wears the colours of a 2010 at Luqa. acquired in May 2006 from Medavia. Royal Naval Air Station Hal Far (HMS At the rear of this memorial hangar are Constructor number 202 was first Falcon) based 750 the skeletal remains of Fairy Swordfish registered as Court Airlines G-AXMH, Squadron T22 trainer. HS491. This is one of the rarest WW2 then as G-BDAS and G-OBWB, finally In 1999 the Malta Aviation Foundation aircraft, and it represents a long term ending up in Nigeria as 5N-BBP. A acquired FGA.6 future project. The parts were purchased short-haul airliner which entered service WV826, and it reflects the long and from Canada, after a major donation, and after the French Sud Caravelle.The later historical links with the Fleet Air Arm in arrived in Malta in September 2004. entry date gave the 1-11 an advantage the post war years. WV826 has been Specialist help is going to be needed to with greatly improved engine fuel painted to represent a No.804 Squadron bring the Swordfish back to life. economy and reduced operating costs. FGA 6 aircraft coded 161 of the Suez This is a sentimental aeroplane for me as F8 WF714: this has Crisis period, hence the black and yellow for eight months in the early 70’s, I used been acquired by one of the Museum’s identification stripes. to take the first British Caledonian flight biggest benefactors David Doulton, who Current restoration projects include the from Gatwick to Glasgow on a Monday served with at RAF Ta’Qali with 600 display standard Rolls Royce Griffin morning returning on Friday evening. Squadron. It arrived by trailer direct from engine, mounted on its homebuilt the UK in May 2011. De Havilland Vampire T11 WZ550 engine stand. Final painting is now was bought by the Malta Aviation Gloster Meteor NF14T WS774: was complete.This is a shiny example of the Society and arrived by container in gifted to the Museum by four donors and type and is splendid. arrived in a dismantled state from the UK October 1996. It was donated to the There are plans to put together another in December 2006. A Night Fighter Museum from funds generated by the towing tractor from the collection of Trainer version is displayed. Malta International Air Show. In the rusty parts resting behind the hangars. Gloster Meteor T7 WL360: arrived at There I also found two the Museum in 2006 and is undergoing Hastings cockpit sections, resting side by restoration and so is not currently on side in the Maltese heat. All the display.This is the 2 seat trainer version. paintwork is long gone, but just the Lightning F2A distinctive shape of the cockpits remain XN769: This exhibit comprises the from this post-war, tail-dragger, RAF entire nose section, and front transport aeroplane. A sad graveyard for undercarriage and cockpit. It is in the red these once proud aircraft. and yellow colours of 92 Squadron to My sincere thanks again go to Frederik represent the Maltese fighter pilot Flight my guide who bought the museum exhibits to life for me on this visit. To convey HCAP links with the Museum, it would be good to see a HCAP shield in their trophy collection. Perhaps in the future, and with continued visits from HCAP Members, we might even consider a donation to encourage their continuance of local aeronautical Vampire Sea Hawk restoration activities.

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elsewhere around the world. In addition A Visit to Martin-Baker Aircraft to ejection seats, it manufactures By Liveryman Alan Jackson crashworthy seats for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. All current ejection A party of thirty members of the killed in 1942 while testing the MB3 seat designs are type-specific. Honourable Company was doubly prototype; its engine failed, and the A very important achievement for the privileged on 13th August. We were aircraft cartwheeled after striking a tree company in recent years was winning the treated like royalty on our visit to stump in the ensuing forced landing. ejection seat contract for the Lockheed Martin-Baker Aircraft; and among our Much affected by Baker’s death, and Martin F-35 fighter, with the US16E number were three members whose lives following an invitation from the Air seat.This seat’s operational speed range is had been saved by Martin-Baker ejection Ministry to look at means of escape for from minus 30 knots (presumably just the seats.At the time of our visit, theirs were fighter pilots, Sir James dedicated himself F-35B!) to 600 knots. In the case of the among the 7,615 lives saved by the and the company to pilot safety, and F-35B with the lift-fan in use, a fan company’s seats to date. In reflective ejection seat design became the failure results in automatic ejection; pilot mood, our host, joint managing director company’s focus. The first successful reaction times would otherwise result in James Martin, reported that the first airborne test ejection was made at 320 an unrecoverable and inevitably fatal person to eject successfully in an knots and 8,000 feet altitude by Bernard pitch down beyond ninety degrees. This emergency, Jo Lancaster from an AW-52, Lynch, from a modified Meteor F3, in feature is active at speeds between zero had died a few days before our visit, aged 1946. Lynch went on to conduct a and 240 knots. The seat is capable, 100.We noted that thanks to his seat, he further 30 ejection tests. While the without adjustment, of accommodating had lived 70 years longer than would company still uses two Meteors for seat pilots weighing between 57.6 and 135.6 otherwise have been the case. testing, mannequins have been used kilos, uses an integrated harness, and has We received an introductory briefing instead of humans since 1963. head and neck support to protect ejectees from Steve Roberts, head of business The company has grown substantially from the g-loaded weight of today’s development. This included some since then. It has a worldwide market complex helmets. Beyond F-35, the spectacular ejection footage, which share of 51%, and has manufactured over company is now working on projects emphasised that ‘ejection is all about the 70,000 seats, with more than 17,000 related to sixth generation fighters.Auto- parachute’. Remarkable engineering remaining in service in 54 countries. eject capabilities in future may include enables parachute deployment in From these numbers one may deduce the monitoring of physiological signs to significantly less than one second from that significantly more than 10% of all initiate ejection. seat activation.This allows most seats still seats sold may be expected to save lives. A tour of the factory, museum (with in service to be used, inverted, as low as The Vietnam War was a high point for example seats from the ‘pre-mark 1’ 180 feet above ground level; in addition, seat use; eleven lives were saved in one onwards) and engineering facilities of course, to the zero/zero capability of day in 1969; and of the total lives saved to followed, in three groups, each with two many of them when the right way up! date, 2,400 involved ejections from guides. We noted the extensive Martin-Baker Aircraft was established in McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms. experience apparent in many of the staff, 1934 by Sir James Martin (engineer, At Denham the company has a 22-acre and were pleased to hear that the inventor, and father of the current joint- site, with more than 500,000 square feet company has a thriving apprenticeship MDs), and pilot CaptainValentine Baker, of manufacturing space. There is scheme. We were introduced to the assisted by financier Francis Francis. Until additional space at the company’s test company’s design capabilities and 1945 the company made aircraft, airfield at Chalgrove, and its 6,200-foot processes, including the use of including the MB2, MB3 and MB5 rocket test track is at Crumlin in computational fluid dynamics modelling, fighters. All of these flew, but none Northern Ireland. The group has a simulation tools, 3-D computer-aided proceeded into production. Baker was presence in the United States, and design, and physical wind-tunnel testing.

Not many 2 ship Meteor formations these days!

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Ejection Stories by members on this visit and I’m on my back with the chute 1. Richard Lotinga - Ejectee No 3246 falling around me. I had 3 seconds in the chute. I activate the Quick Release and On the 1st December 1981 I was a Flight roll over out of the harness and then feel Lieutenant on Standards Squadron at the pain, oh boy does my back hurt. I RAF in South-WestWales.I was crushed two vertebrae and lose about conducting a Give Back Dual in a 5mm in height. Hey, I don’t care, I’m Hunter T7 on a 79 Squadron Instructor, alive.Thank you Martin Baker. which essentially was testing his ability to instruct a student on low flying and I looked for my compatriot and I see him navigation. standing up about 200 yds away. As it All had gone well for 50 minutes of low turns out his chute opened as he hit the level flying when we ‘broke’ into the ground and as there is a ballooning effect circuit at RAF Brawdy,aiming to land on as the chute opens he landed like a runway 15. I was flying the T7 and feather standing upright. Half a second turned downwind with flap and gear later… being lowered. I gave a handful of power I can hear the fire engines and the SAR to the throttle but ignored the power helo racing to get to us and the helo setting until I was assured of a ‘sticky’ wins. Strapped onto a stretcher and taken undercarriage being lowered. I looked at to Withybush Hospital at Haverfordwest the power gauge and thought, that’s not and then eventually to Wroughton Hospital near Swindon for a total of 3 Cockpit design advice for customers right and pushed the throttle further forward to gain more power but to no weeks in bed. Let out on the 22nd features among the company’s services. avail.We were already in the turn to finals December and told not to lift anything Following an excellent buffet lunch, we but I realised that without any power we for 3 months. I got married on the 16th were taken by coach to the company were not going to make the runway. I January and my bride carried the suitcase airfield at Chalgrove. There, in the announced to ATC ‘Tower, we have a and I her handbag to our honeymoon in sunshine, the company’s two Meteors (of problem’. We rolled out at about 90 Paris. The French taxi drivers could not a total of eight or nine used by the degrees to the runway and tried to work it out. company over the years) awaited us. We kickstart the engine by switching on the Thank you again Martin Baker. had a briefing about the aircraft operated emergency booster pump but all that did by the company from its chief pilot,Andy was to put the engine into reheat for 2 2. Mike Beech Gent.The aircraft include two Beechcraft seconds, which since the engine wasn’t King Airs, extensively used in Europe equipped with reheat burnt out the back 25 Aug 1981, RAF Gutersloh including trips to the Crumlin location. end. I remember looking up to the (Germany), 3(F) Sqn, Harrier GR3, Andy described the process of moving instruments and seeing the engine RPM XZ139 (it had my name painted on it). the Meteors from the military to the civil rocket up then slump back, looked up at Second flight of the day at about midday register, involving both the CAA and the the rapidly approaching Welsh was to complete a post major servicing MAA, to permit continued use of the countryside and said ‘Let’s get out of air test, then join up with 3 other aircraft aircraft for their raison d’être, ejection here’. My compatriot saw my seat for some low level 2v2 combat; my seat trials. While this process was disappear and agreed that was a good idea squadron commander was to lead me ultimately successful, we may all give and pulled his handle. attacking the 2 other aircraft. thanks that we did not have to be I pulled the handle at about 150 feet, The air test went well and 15 mins after involved. very late. Up to now everything was in t/o we were at 500ft and 480 kts starting Andy and John Hurrell (from BAE normal ‘movie’ time but now I go into an attack on our targets. Suddenly, my Systems) then treated us to a magical picture mode. Bang and the canopy aircraft felt as if it had flown into a display of the two Meteors. Your scribe disappears – Blue Sky (I’m lying on my thermal and gained some lift then – could not remember the last time he had back looking at the sky as the drogue wham – the aircraft pitched violently seen two Meteors airborne together, and chute deploys) – Big explosion right in upwards and flick rolled several times in he was certainly not alone in that. After front of me, orange, white and red fire both directions. It was quite a scary the display there were photographs in (I’m now almost face down as the main event! However, although completely front of the jets, including of our three chute deploys and at that moment the jet out of control, I could see I was going ejectees, who were presented with gifts hits the ground) – jerk as I am in the fully upwards so decided to stay with it and try from the company. By coach back to deployed chute. Now back into movie to regain control. Denham, where there were mementoes time. I look up at the fully developed Unfortunately, I was being thrown for the whole party, and very grateful chute, down to the rapidly approaching around so violently I couldn’t read any of farewells to our hosts and guides.A most ground and recognise a left rear landing. the instruments, not even the head up memorable day, and many thanks to Have just enough time to get into the display.The gauges I really wanted to read Chris Ford for organising it. correct posture and I hit the ground, roll - nozzles, flaps and tailplane position

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indicators - were only the size of a 20p so little time for my parachute landing I angry - my training , and me, looked like piece, so no chance of seeing those. didn’t see it) which attracted every they were going to end prematurely. Things had calmed down a little now. military fighter for 50 miles around. I was However the chute stayed full and I hit The control column was useless so I set so concerned there would be a mid-air the soft ground hard, next to a very about moving the nozzles and flaps all collision above me I asked them to RTB. surprised cow,but almost none the worse with no apparent affect to my flightpath. A Puma of 230 Sqn picked me up, flew for wear ( although on subsequent flights I had reached about 2000ft and was now me to the base hospital.There I was given I was VERY careful on placing my in a low speed stall with deep wing rock( the all clear by the docs, so I was back in harness straps) ! +/- 60 degrees AOB) but not nearly as the bar by 2130 hrs for a few beers and a The jet crashed in the only farmyard for violent as my initial high speed stall. I happy reunion with my Squadron. miles around, without injuries, and did heard the other pilots in the formation The cause of my crash was determined not burn, the fire warning was, in fact, transmitting things like “ what’s Benchers very early the next day: the control rod to false due, I believe, to moisture in the doing up there?” and “looks out of the tailplane had become disconnected sensors. control to me” but was still preoccupied from the stick – the last input from me in regaining control. had been nose up so the PFCU ran away As the drag overcame momentum I now to full nose up deflection - fortunately. started descending it at an increasingly Now in the clear and medically fit I rapid rate. Then, my Sqn Cdr’s voice asked the Boss if I could go flying. “Go broke my concentration as he was on then...”he replied, most generously in screaming over the radio “Eject. Eject. my opinion! So, just over 24hours after Get out Mike.” I suddenly realised that I ejecting I was airborne again in a Harrier was now closer to the ground than I had GR3 – one that did not have my name thought and going down very rapidly: on it this time – and I got back for lunch. time to go, and quickly. I must add that only my complete I kept my right hand pushing the stick confidence in my ejection seat allowed Three chaps who have a lot for which to thank fully forward and pulled the ejection seat me to try and recover from a catastrophic Martin Baker! handle with my left hand. Bang. situation. Only excellence engenders Although it only takes a couple of such confidence. So thank you very seconds from initiating ejection to being much to all at Martin Baker for another in your chute I can affirm that time 38 years of life and over 20,000 flying dilation exists. I remember being clear of hours. my aircraft, still strapped in my seat and watching the ground very close and coming up quickly – “damn. Left it too 3. David Gladwin late” I thought and then another mighty My ejection was on my first flight on the tug and I was in my chute. JP 4, after flying the Mk 3 on the first half I watched my aircraft crash just ahead of of my wings course at 6 FTS Acklington. me and then quickly released my survival At the top of a loop the fire warning light pack to reduce the chances of injury on and clangers activated, it was not a drill. landing. I could see I was going to land in My QFI took control, carried out the fire the corner of a ploughed field , just drill to no avail. The fire light remained missing some tall trees. I prepared for a on, there was a strong smell in the “back left landing” but there was no cockpit and he ordered me to eject. wind so landed like a sack of potatoes Pulling the face screen, I heard the after just a few seconds in my chute. canopy go and after what seemed an I just sat there for a couple of seconds eternity,less than 1 second, the seat fired, thinking “well that was exciting – 30 14,700 feet, 120 knots. Freefall in the seconds ago I was flying a Harrier now seat, into cloud, all sense of time lost. So, I’m sitting in a field in Germany.” just as about to do a manual separation, Hilarity set in and I thought I should do the chute deployed with a terrific bang what my boyhood reading had taught me and the seat fell away. – bury your chute and start running! As it opened a tear had developed in the The 3 other aircraft in my formation chute which began spinning and I was were circling my crash site and I was the able to release only one clip on my PSP, second RAF pilot able to transmit up to so the spinning became worse without them on my locator beacon that I was the stabilisation of a lowered PSP. OK. However, still heavy with fuel, my Expecting the parachute to candle crash resulted in a massive fireball (with because of the tear, I was angry , very Richard Lotinga's rather important seat handle

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Britain (and the Air Pilots) at its best By Liveryman Stephen Slater One of the privileges of being a member times, including the execution of Queens of the Honourable Company is the Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and opportunity to experience some of the Lady Jane Grey, within the walls on unique traditions of the City of London. Tower Green during that bloody era of The recent visit to the Tower of London English history. Spike’s encyclopaedic to witness the Ceremony of the Keys was knowledge is based on an intensive six- a typical example - demonstrating both month training course and the Air Pilots’ and British tradition at its comprehensive examination that every best. Yeoman Warder must complete before As with every Air Pilots event, it offered donning the famous ‘Beefeater’ uniform an opportunity to meet with fellow for the first time. flyers, catch up with old friends and new, Following the tour of the wards, blessed with the added incentive of a chance to with late-evening sunshine, the Air Pilot visit England’s oldest ‘working’ castle.The guests were invited to partake of Tower of London was established by refreshment in The Keys, the Yeoman William the Conqueror in 1078, with Warders’ private club located within the original buildings such as the famous Tower walls. Established in 1483, it is White Tower forming the core of apparently the oldest private drinking concentric so-called wards, built during club in the world! As with all Air Pilots the reign of Kings Richard I and Edward ‘socials’, the atmosphere was convivial I. The general layout has remained the and fun, culminating in our Master same since Edward I completed his final presenting Spike with a commemorative rebuild in 1285. Air Pilots plaque, to add to those The oversight of these wards is of course decorating its walls. the responsibility of the 37 Yeoman The keys reference of course, points to Warders who, under the command of the the focal point of the evening’s visit; the Chief Warder are the ceremonial opportunity to witness the Ceremony of guardians of the Tower of London. All the Keys, held every evening at theTower Yeoman Warders are retired members of of London when the main gates are the armed services and to be appointed, locked for the night. Dating from the one must be "a former Warrant Officer, 14th Century, it is said to be the oldest class 1 or 2, or in exceptional military ceremony in the world and circumstances, a Staff Sergeant", must certainly the only one to have been have earned the Long Service and Good observed without a break. It has only Conduct Medal, and must have served been delayed once, due to enemy action for 22 years in the regular armed services. at the height of the Blitz on eastern The 46 members and guests of the Air London in 1940, but still went ahead Pilots were the guests of the Yeoman once bombing ceased. We were then ushered to follow the Warders for the evening, hosted by To be a close witness to such a historic Warder Spike Abbott who became a ceremony is a true privilege.We stood by Escort to the foot of Broadwalk Steps Yeoman after 35 years’ RAF service Traitors Gate in the dusk as at 9.53pm where the main Tower Guard was drawn culminating in serving as Master Aircrew precisely, as the Chief Yeoman Warder, up to meet them, then as the clock of the on VC-10s, C-17 Globemaster and C- dressed in Tudor watchcoat and bonnet, Waterloo Barracks struck 10pm, the Last 130 Hercules. Spike’s selection as host and carrying a candle lantern donated by Post was sounded. I’d defy any of our could not have been more appropriate as the Honourable Artillery Company party not to have goosebumps. he had served on 70 Sqn under the marched with the Escort to the Keys, on command of Past Master Chris Ford, our visit carried out by a detachment of Following the ceremony, further who was one of the guests, as were fellow the Scots Guards, down Water Lane to refreshments were offered at The Keys, Past Master Chris Spurrier, and our the Bloody Tower archway in front of us, although many with longer distances to Master and his wife, Malcolm andVanessa where the sentry challenged the party to travel chose to leave forthwith. I am White. identify themselves with the immortal delighted to confirm all Air Pilots were Spike guided us on a tour of the Tower’s words: “Halt! Who comes there?”. “The key buildings includingTraitor’s Gate, the keys”. “Whose keys?”. “Queen able to escape and to our knowledge at Queens House and Beauchamp Tower Elizabeth's keys”.“Pass Queen Elizabeth's least, none remained incarcerated in the and its history from Norman to Tudor Keys.All's well”. Tower!

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Master’s Garden Party By Past Master Chris Hodgkinson I suspect most of the record number of broken cloud base. The Concorde attendees – 146 members & guests – set Captain on that day recently confirmed out on the Sunday to Biggin Hill more to me that he was VMC at all times. in hope than expectation for a fine flying Congratulations must go to the caterers day,since the morning rains did not bode since we were all well fed and watered. North American OV-10 Bronco well. The good news was that not all was My personal thanks to all of you who doom and gloom by any means since the responded to my request for photos, a rain cleared and it wasn’t even muddy selection of which appear below. underfoot. The most difficult thing to It must have been a good day since one accomplish all day was to find the correct of our guests (wife of an ‘anorak’ who VIP entrance through a golf course. was not sure about aviation events) said Those who attended the Garden Party at how much she had enjoyed the occasion. North Weald in 2001 will well recall the Special thanks from all of us are due to ghastly weather partially relieved by the Liveryman Graham Powell for his D Day Aircraft – Spitfire, P51 Mustang, P47 sight of a Vulcan in formation with successful organisation. Thunderbolt and Messerschmitt Bf-109 Concorde going in and out of the 700ft

‘Dak’ - One of 13,000 DC3/C47s ever built

Tigers (and one Moth Major DH60) formating with a BA 747-400? Or other way round?

Avro Lancaster

AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers - based in Cirencester

The Tiger 9 – 8 Tiger Moth DH82A and the one Moth Major (can you spot it?) Typhoon Tiger Crossover (Photos of the Tiger Diamond Nine courtesy of Howard Cherry)

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Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2019 - a personal view by Assistant Richie Piper This year represented my first experience especially relating to ensuring comfort on Sunday morning and meaning of what the aviation world simply knows with the hot conditions. Liveryman camping grounds and aircraft parking as “Oshkosh”. This is the massive event Stephen Bridgwater, who also has been areas were flooded and unavailable for combining an air show, fly-in, attending for many years as a journalist, use. Many aircraft delayed their arrival workshops, forums and exhibitions for a also added his experience and kindly accordingly but some made it in, dodging whole week at Wittman Field, where the provided guidance during the week. the bands of thunderstorms. This meant Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) aircraft could not park on the grass, and This year the EAA were marking the 50 owns a significant estate including motorhomes could not move onto the year celebration of the event (even Pioneer Airport adjacent to Wittman camping grounds. On the Saturday though the first fly-in occurred in 1953), regional airport. The EAA simply evening, the EAA encouraged campers to and AirVenture also marked the 50th describe it as the World’s Greatest shelter in the museum overnight, such anniversary of Apollo 11, the 747 and Aviation Celebration! I was invited to was the severity of the storms.This meant Concorde – how many remember how join with Past Master Chris Hodgkinson the organisers had a massive additional (who had been before some years special 1969 was for aviation? The workload getting things into position before), Liveryman Peter Benmax and his metrics associated with the event give from the Monday onwards. you an idea of the scale: 5,500 son. Peter makes globes with moving The actual event does not formally start volunteers, over 12,000 aircraft flying in miniature aircraft and kindly made one until the Monday but many go to watch including 2,700 show aircraft, nearly 900 for our new offices at Air Pilots House. the arrivals over the first weekend. The exhibitors and an attendance of 642,000 He was also attending for the first time arrivals procedure basically funnels people. Of the aircraft flying in, there and keen to source more aircraft lapel arriving aircraft down a specified VFR pins for further projects. were 1,057 homebuilds, 939 vintage route with clear visual turning points. We were given good advice by Past aircraft, 400 warbirds, 188 There are ATC positions miles from the Master John Hutchinson who has ultralights/light sports and 105 . airport on the designated route attended the event several times before, This year’s event was heavily monitoring traffic and giving aircraft the most recent being last year. His tips compromised by storms on the first their arrival clearance and tower greatly aided the enjoyment of the group, Friday and Saturday, closing the airport frequency.This can also include holding

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instructions at peak times. All this is people flew in the Ford Trimotors and event close at hand. detailed in a massive NOTAM 3,173 flew in the Bell 47s over the course Every afternoon there is an air show and supplemented by webinars to explain it of the week. on Wednesday evening there is a night- all in detail. A number of aircraft type The opportunity to wander around the time show, which is not just at dusk, but groups also schedule mass arrivals, having site whilst the exhibitors are still setting extends well into the evening’s darkness. gathered at nearby airports. up allows you get a feel for the layout as This involves display aircraft with smoke, Due to the volume of aircraft well as watch the arrivals. However, you flares, rockets, bright lights and LED movements, transmissions are only by need to be ready to follow instructions strips performing aerobatics. This year ATC normally with pilots from the volunteers, as an arriving aircraft there was even a jet truck which was acknowledging instructions by rocking may well be about to taxi through the buzzed by a Mig 17 below 50 ft before their wings (there was even a beer grass you are standing on to get their the closing fireworks display. brewed for the 50th anniversary called parking area, usually with two scooters The actual display flying splits essentially “Rock Your Wings”). The length of the riding escort. It is hard to believe this is into warbirds, aerobatics and homebuilt runway means there are four touchdown America with their culture of litigation parade passes. Particularly in terms of zones (three on the cross runway) but everyone follows the marshals’ advice warbirds, you should think volume rather marked by large coloured circles (blue, and it works well.There isn’t even a rope than spectacular or graceful routines. pink, yellow and purple) painted on the to separate you from the active runway There often will be three formations of main two 8,000 feet parallel runways. during normal operations or even the air T6s, T28s and T34s doing passes at The landing clearance is to touch down show, just a line burned into the grass, different heights and directions to start on your nominated colour (or is that which if you should even step on it, a the warbird section.When they launched color?) circle with aircraft landing in marshal will politely but firmly tell you 18, yes 18, P51s it saw three formations front and behind you - it is important to to step back. The same relaxed routine passing above the crowd whilst a simple keep up your speed on rollout! Descent applies even when warbirds are about to tailchase occurred over the runway.Pyros is initiated earlier than normal and turns start and taxi, the volunteers simply featured with some aircraft such as the onto final are normally at only a few creating a virtual barrier for people to A10s and B25s, to simulate an attack. It hundred feet. And all the whilst this is keep behind, and we are talking 20 feet was perhaps the P82 (Twin Mustang) that going on, pleasure flights are taking place typically. And it works, hundreds of got closest to the sort of flying display we in multiple Bell 47s and Ford Trimotors! thousands of people observe the rules so enjoy in the UK. It was interesting to Another of the statistics was that 3,051 they can experience this spectacular note that although there was a massive

Lady wearing her mother’s uniform from 50 years ago in tribute

Col Bud Anderson

Michael Collins

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sterile area in front of the crowd, there Throughout the day there are thousands There are many varieties of food outlets was much flying over the crowd by of workshops and forums going on and with the high temperatures, there are military, warbird and civilian aircraft where you can learn welding, riveting, free water stations to top up your bottles. whilst all the time pleasure flights in the fabric covering and painting techniques, Due to the size of the site, there is a Bell 47s continued.Apparently the rule is electrical wiring and countless other system of trams to save the wear on your as long as you are above 1000ft, you can skills to build your own aircraft.There are feet.These trams consist of a small tractor do what you want over the crowd. even stations near the museum for towing a covered trailer with seats, and a It terms of the aerobatics displays they children to try their hand at these skills conductor sitting on the back to ensure ranged from the crazy, jet assisted under supervision. I saw one group of all seats are filled and ensure safe biplanes and a twinYak 110 (twoYak 52s youngsters rivet an aluminium plate with operation. There are four main routes joined together), also augmented with a an EAA wing pin in the middle with with signed stops along the course. In jet engine, through more extreme aeros pneumatic tools. addition to this, there are school buses from Extras and their like, to the more The Theatre in the Woods is the main running to the campsites and the EAA basic figures from Bonanzas and RVs. presentation venue and provided some of museum. All this is free. There is also a Surprisingly the EAA does not fully the top speakers. Burt and Dick (when bus service to the base on Lake showcase the exotic warbirds which are he could get a word in!) Rutan spoke of Winnebago which costs £3 dollars for allowed perhaps 2 or 3 passes, whilst the their career as “homebuilders in Mojave” the round trip. homebuilds and trainers go on much and Burt’s philosophy for running a Past Master John Hutchinson longer, with many more passes. This is business.The top two principles were fun recommended the Aviators Club, which further compounded by the air to air for the employees, and fun for their is on the flight line and provides an air photo missions being launched without families. Profit came third. His two conditioned haven. In there you can sit displaying for the crowd such as the companies, Rutan Aircraft Factory and at circular tables and consume the Mosquito. However the military- Scaled Composites, created 389 initial inclusive soft drinks, breakfasts and supported American Heritage Flight, designs and nearly a hundred that took to lunches (plus dinner for the Wednesday comprising F-22, A-10, Mustang and the air, 49 of those aircraft had their night air show) and even ice creams. Spitfire, launched for such a photo sortie debut at Oshkosh. He also lamented the There are always interesting people to on the Monday evening and came back state of space exploration stating there meet and compare notes with at the having collected two F-35s.An F-22 and were only 5 US manned space launches tables. It is not cheap to enter at F-35, then tried to outdo each other in in 2004 and three of them were his! $100/day but it will help enable you the circuit for 20 glorious minutes, as the One of my highlights (and eagerly survive the week. You can also ask breaks to crosswind became more and anticipated in advance) was to meet and security (volunteers of course) if they can more dynamic, eventually throwing it listen to the two astronauts Michael call for a golf cart to give you a lift round 140 degrees and appearing to hang somewhere. I even got a lift from the in the air, staggering away on afterburner. Collins and Joe Engle, with Mike being Head of EAA Events to the press centre. The F-22 of course won. famous as the Third Man in Apollo 11. Whilst the session at the press centre was Everything is on the main site (including informative, their public appearance on some seaplanes, particularly the larger stage was a great double act, very Grummans and the Republic Seabees), amusing and skilfully led by Shuttle but the seaplane base is tranquil oasis you astronaut Charlie Precourt, as they should not miss.Via a narrow gap from recalled their careers and the moon Lake Winnebago three arms of water mission. You can view it yourself at provide a haven for seaplanes to moor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY The range of aircraft include Cubs, UmdeVYCQ4&t=759s which also Huskies, Cessnas, SeaReys and even the includes a session on the Lunar Module occasional Beaver and Caravan. The and the premiere of reprocessed original colour of each mooring buoy indicates film of walking on the moon plus a the holding of the ground tackle and multi-modal video of the landing. therefore what size of aircraft can be You can also find briefing areas in the moored. In previous years when strong Warbird andVintage sections, which have winds have turned aircraft over at the open tiered seating. By the open area in main site, the mooring line secured front of the seats, aircraft are wheeled in around the prop boss ensured no for the talks. It was fascinating to hear seaplanes were damaged.There is even a Col Bud Anderson talk about multiple valet-style service to take aircraft out to WW2 combats in the P51 with current the moorings, towed out by small boats Mustang pilots. I also listened to T28 with two arms that attach to each float. I pilots talk about flying their aircraft, recommend taking a pontoon boat tour making me nostalgic about when I used around the moored aircraft as well as DH60 Gipsy Moth to own one. watching take-offs and landings on Lake

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Winnebago. around 25 minutes and overflies the show superb after a very extensive restoration. Towards the Interstate 41 South there is a site above the traffic pattern. Outside the This included making a new jig to microlight strip at an angle to the main show period, the B17 tours the country replace the badly corroded fuselage runway where various kit aircraft selling rides to support its upkeep. frames after hard service in Australia, as perform demonstrations, and in the There an extensive vintage area and you the type migrated there having lost out evening there is a short take-off and will be overwhelmed by the variety of to the DC2s and Boeing 247s on landing competition for bush aircraft. In delectable aircraft on show. Like the passenger routes in the USA. addition, the paramotors fly early each Howard DGA? There will be 6 parked And don’t think it is just small aircraft on morning and evening in this area. It is together. Is the Waco your fancy? Even show. In addition to the B17 and B29, also here the balloons launch on the final more of them. There were also several there were various aircraft that flew in Saturday. Spartan Executives, with one in an and parked up for a few days. These The EAA operates a number of aircraft extreme state of bare metal polish with ranged from the 747 800F cargoliner to for joyrides. Onsite you can take the Ford RAF markings - gorgeous. As a De the C5 Galaxy (a small brake fire on Trimotor from the warbird area. This Havilland Moth owner, I could only find landing was eventually extinguished), flight last around 15 minutes and overflies one example but it was a superb Gipsy Hercules, P3 Orion used for weather the seaplane base. The price varies Moth recently restored over a 5 year chasing, Dreamliner and F15. throughout the week but is around $78. period after being collected in bits from Then there were the weird and unique, If you purchase your ticket before Canada. There was a host of Pietenpol with many of the Rutan designs, many 8:30am, there is a $10 reduction. I was Air Campers including a number with hundreds of Vans RVs, ranging to the lucky as I was pulled out of the queue for Ford A motors, the radiator totally more esoteric, such as the Dykes Deltas, the next flight, as they needed a single blocking the pilot’s view ahead! of which we found five examples. As additional passenger. The Bell 47 flights There were also some very rare and Chris mentions, there was even a operate for the EAA museum area from exotic aircraft including the three engine Japanese jet-powered flying wing, steered Pioneer Airfield. The flight is only 5 Stinson Model A, which, viewing its side by weight shift by the intrepid minutes for $49 but takes in most of the profile, seemed to be made of several designer/pilot laying across the top! AirVenture site. For around $450 you can aircraft, with top braced wings and With entrance for the week costing $120 get a ride in the B17 Aluminium forward sloping windscreen giving the plus EAA membership at a discounted Overcast. This operates from Appleton appearance of a ship’s bridge. Its $30 for the year (a member can buy two airport so it involves a bus. The flight is immaculate blue colour scheme looked entry passes), the event is exceptional

Seaplane Base One of many large formations

Seaplane Base from the Ford Trimotor Volunteer marshal “broom-assisted” scooter

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value and justifies its claim to be the recommend Mahonney’s. Events site plus the usual food and drink outlets. World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration. I continue in the evening at AirVenture The few places selling alcohol can only ,like everyone else who has been, was not such as the presentations at the Theatre in sell it after 1700.There can be mosquito disappointed and it exceeded my the Woods and many food outlets stay activity at dusk and there may be a few expectations. It is said, once you have open in the evening. A regular shuttle days of rain, so a disposable poncho can been, it becomes the standard to judge bus service runs to and from the EAA site be handy.As mentioned in the article, you everything else against. Hopefully this has taking around 20 minutes (but more than can buy tickets for the Aviators Club given you a taste and will encourage you twice that at busy periods), and continues which is air-conditioned, and the to see for yourself. to 2300 but runs less frequently and takes international centre behind it is free and a longer route in the evenings. has big fans to cool you. The Lemon Want to go to Oshkosh? At the show Chill is highly recommended – a tub of lemon sorbet. It is worth buying the How to get there There are online EAA resources and an app you can download to plan where you tickets for the Aviators Club quite early as The EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh takes want to go.The schedule for the air show they get fully booked, whilst the main place in July each year. Unless you are often bears no relation to what happens admission pass for the week can be flying yourself to the event direct, most but some performers share the actual bought later, and still get a $5 discount a people from the UK fly to Chicago flypro on social media.The morning sees few months ahead. O’Hare and then drive the 165 miles many aircraft taking off from 0700 to go north to Oshkosh, which depending on for local flights and includes big traffic will be around 3 hours.There is a Apollo 11 50th Anniversary formations of T6s, etc.The airshow each coach service twice a day during the One of key experiences I planned for, as afternoon starts around 1400 most days. show. mentioned in the article, was the tribute The 1,500 workshops are mainly in the to the Apollo 11 mission on its 50th The event officially starts on the Monday morning to avoid competing with the anniversary, and meeting Michael and runs through to the following sound of the show aircraft. EAA produces Collins. As anyone who followed the Saturday.However, the arrivals during the a newspaper in mini-tabloid form each Lunar landing in 1969 knows, it was a first weekend are worth considering. day which is handed out free (including worldwide phenomenon watched by Accommodation at the University accommodation) to over 600 million people and is still keep you informed. Friday sees the free Many places are booked up year after year considered by many as mankind’s greatest International dinner taking place which and the few hotels put up their prices achievement. Therefore, to hear from is barbecue style with wine and beer accordingly. Therefore there are three Mike Collins (many Air Pilots having included. Make sure you sign up at the main options: the University,house rental already heard from Neil Armstrong and International tent, it also helps them and camping. Many first timers use the Jim Lovell at previous T&As) was eagerly University of Winconsin Gruenhagen record how many overseas visitors have anticipated. The press conference Mike Conference centre accommodation.They attended. did along with Joe Engle was interesting rent out the student accommodation and Survival and factual, but I was not expecting the there is also massive student cafeteria for It is usually pretty hot and often humid so main session on the Theatre in the Woods breakfast.There are also a few bars nearby plenty of sun protection and rehydration. stage to be so hilarious, with Mike and in the evening but we can only really There are free water stations around the Joe providing a great double act. In case you cannot access the YouTube link referenced in the main article, I have summarised some of their stories to give you a flavour. Both Mike and Joe aimed to become test pilots at - “the place to be”. When Joe arrived, Mike was already there and they were scheduled to fly together for Joe’s Area Orientation check-out. Joe was determined to impress and planned extensively, including setting up multiple maps on a special kneeboard. They walked out to the F104 for the check flight, Mike being ready to fire up before Joe had even strapped in! Soon after take-off, Mike offered Joe control, and not wishing pass up flying time, happily agreed. However, the kneeboard was proving rather an NASA astronauts Charlie Precourt, Joe Engle and Michael Collins obstruction so he decided to take it off

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and place it on the side console. The General Branch who had his application Don Sorely, Head of Fighter Ops, to special kneeboard was difficult to lodge in front of him. He simply tore it up and confirm the reports he had rolled the X- on the console and so he tried to firmly told him, that is all. Joe didn’t know at the 15. He answered he had and explained locate it by pushing it in place. Now this time he was being kept to fly the X-15 the reasons why. Don Sorely said “ I console included the tip tank jettison program, and three of his flights were would have done the same thing myself switches and BANG, the left tip tank above 50 miles thus qualifying him for his but you better go and see General departed! Feeling he had already failed astronaut wings per the American Collins“. the check out before they had got very convention for the boundary of space General Collins, Head of Edwards Flight far, he waited for Collins to ball him out flight. He eventually joined the NASA Test, said he would have done the same - but nothing. Knowing him for years, he program in 1966, and was slated to fly in thing but would have to go and report remarked he was probably already asleep. the Apollo program but its termination General Branch. But what to do? Maybe he could get saw him fly the Shuttle instead. General Branch made him wait as he was away with it. He thought of blowing off Joe was asked if he rolled the X-15 to reading papers (it turned out to be the the right tip tank too, so it at least it was which he answer “Maybe”. He explained local newspaper) and said “Sit down. Did symmetrical. However, he decided to ask “There was a good reason otherwise I you roll it?” Engle replied “Yes I did” and “Mike, did you hear that thump?”. would be in Leavenworth today”. It was explained his reasons. Branch said “Well, Collins said “No” so Engle explained his first flight in the X-15 and he I would probably have done the same what he had done to which Collins described that it handled so beautifully as thing but you will have to go and see replied “Oh really, well it seems to be long as you remained within the Bikle” flying OK so let’s press on with the envelope and felt like a “good fighter”. When he saw Paul Bikle, Director of the check-out”. Joe was externally grateful He had never flown anything so fast and NASA Flight Research Center, he asked that Mike covered for him. so high before, and there was no guidance him the same thing. “Did you roll it?” They both spoke about their NASA system to help you return. On approach “Yes” and again explained why.“I would selection at a time when nearly every to the dry lake bed, he was concerned he have done the same damn thing but don’t Edwards test pilot (not following the was going to “overshoot that sucker” so do it again otherwise everyone will want previously famous exception of Chuck he did a sloppy slow roll to lose height to do it”.Thus the ban on rolling the X- Yeager) applied, so as not to miss out. whilst keeping the G low. It worked and 15 was instituted, thwarting the other test When Joe Engle had submitted his he landed without incident. pilots who wanted emulate him. application, he was called into see However, he was ordered to report to Mike Collins is very laid back with a

Warbird in Review Stinson Model A

SubSonex single-seater jet Mosquito

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slower delivery when he speaks ,but there recommend for the real inside view of moon before the end of the decade a dry sense of humour with it. When the space program. provided great focus to the Apollo talking about NASA selection he One question Mike constantly got mission. He felt the lunar operations explained “Two flight surgeons were frustrated with journalist asking (or could potentially provide a distraction assigned to me, and one looked in left ear interrogators as he calls them) “By and delay to the Mars mission rather than and the other looked in right ear, and as yourself, weren’t you the loneliest man, in a direct program. He did note that Neil they didn’t see each other, I passed!” .The all the lonely history of the lonely earth, Armstrong did favour the current also injected cold water into his ear and in your lonely orbit behind the lonely approach as he believed there were other subjected him to all sorts of centrifuge moon, all by your lonely self, weren’t you areas that needed to be researched before and vibration rigs. lonely?”. He responds with fake going to Mars. Among the various psychological tests indignation “Oh Jesus! I was King of were the Rorschach Ink Blot tests. Columbia, it was all mine!” Collins professed himself to be an expert People may not remember, but following Additional comments by Past Master at those but some of the things he saw the return to earth, the Apollo 11 Chris Hodgkinson were too rude to repeat! The final one astronauts were kept in quarantine for 21 was huge piece of white, blank paper. He For many, the aviator’s version of ‘See days as the scientists were concerned that Rome & Die’ would be visit the EAA Air said he could see “11 polar bears a deadly pathogen may be brought back Venture annual show at Oshkosh & die. fornicating in a snow bank”. He thought to earth from the moon.The chief means Not having been for 16 years I didn’t that was mildly amusing but not the of determining the outcome were 30 or need much persuasion when a chum examiners and he failed selection that 40 white mice in the quarantine quarters. suggested I join he and his son, and then year. The following year he tried again To while away the time, Collins was Assistant Ritchie Piper joined to make and when it came to white piece of paper reading John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and the fourth. Why four, because one of the he carefully said he saw “His mother and Men, and he concluded the success of the most reasonably priced and most his father, with his father being slightly Apollo 11 mission ultimately depended conveniently situated places to stay is taller than his mother”. He was successful more on the mice rather than man! Wisconsin University, which has suites of that year and joined the NASA An interesting Apollo 11 footnote is that four rooms. Make sure you get one that programme in 1963 as one of the of the Mission Patch, designed by Michael has a/c – we changed after a very short fourteen in Group 3, ten of whom would Collins, is the only one not to feature the first night. The bus to the airfield bus fly in space, but three would sadly lose crew’s names, as the crew felt it more terminal was a 3 minute walk and from their lives before they could experience a there they have shuttles – tractor drawn important to honour all the NASA and space mission. wagons on set routes carry you around industry staff who made the flight the airfield/flightline. Responding to the story as part of the possible. banter, Joe asked “You saw 11 polar There is food at the University Canteen As final comment, Mike expressed his bears?” to which Collins replied “Joe, also 3 minutes away – hardly haute view in favour of a Mars Express don’t sweat the detail”. In fact, in his cuisine more fuel. approach rather than the lunar staging book Carrying the Fire he mentions 19 plan that is currently favoured. He felt the Polar bears! Of all the Apollo books I simple and clear objective set by have read, this is the one I would President Kennedy to land a man on the The Immigration building at O’Hare was a complete and utter shambles, so Ritchie, who had come via Philadelphia, XP-82 Twin Mustang beat us to the car rental. So maybe outbound via anywhere on the east coast rather than ORD and direct home? Real anoraks will find even a week too short but probably 4/5 days will suffice.

Mustang beer carrier

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Field of T6s

Some of the more quirky/interesting aircraft:

M-02J Japanese designed and flown Grumman J2F Duck – used by all branches of US Homebuilt Dyke Delta JD-2 1960’s design weight-shift jet powered military & the Argentine Navy - only 50 built

F22 Raptor on left & F35A – Lightning II Peter’s son Louis by ‘his aircraft’ Fairchild Republic A10 Thunderbolt “Warthog”. The most frequent performer in the air display was somewhat surprisingly this ground attack close air support machine which went out of production in 1984. Since Oshkosh a $999,000,000 contract has been signed with Boeing to rewing.

A gaggle of P51’s F 82 twin-engined Mustang – designed as a long- range fighter as escort for bombing raids. Sadly/fortunately the war ended long before production units were available.

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