AirPilot DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 6 Diary DECEMBER 2014 9 Technical and Air Safety Committee Meeting House 12 Company Carol Service St 's Cornhill AI R PILOT 12 Christmas Supper The Counting House THE HONOURABLE 19 Office closes until 5 Jan JANUARY 2015 COMPANY OF 5 Office opens AIR PILOTS 13 Education and Training Committee Meeting Cobham House incorporating 14 Trophies and Awards Committee Meeting Cobham House Air Navigators 20 Benevolent Fund Board of Trustees AGM RAF Club 20 Environment Committee Meeting Cobham House PATRON : 22 9th General Purposes and Finance Committee Meeting Cobham House His Royal Highness 22 5th Court Meeting Cutlers' Hall The Prince Philip 22 Court Election Dinner Cutlers' Hall Duke of Edinburgh KG KT FEBRUARY 2015 3 Technical and Air Safety Committee Meeting Cobham House GRAND MASTER : 26 10th General Purposes and Finance Committee Meeting Cobham House His Royal Highness 26 6th Court Meeting Cutlers' Hall The Prince Andrew Duke of York KG GCVO MARCH 2015 3 Education and Training Committee Meeting Cobham House 9 Annual Service St Michael's Cornhill MASTER : Dorothy Saul-Pooley 9 AGM, Installation and Supper Merchant Taylors' Hall LLB (Hons) FRAeS 19 Lord Mayor's Dinner for Masters Mansion House 20 United Guilds' Service St Paul's Cathedral CLERK : 20 Lunch with Fan Makers' Company Skinners' Hall Paul J Tacon BA FCIS APRIL 2015 9 Benevolent Fund Board of Trustees Meeting Cobham House Incorporated by Royal Charter. 16 1st General Purpose and Finance Committee Meeting Cobham House A Livery Company of the City of . 23 Assistants’ Dinner Cutler’s Hall 23 New Members’ Briefing Cobham House PUBLISHED BY : The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, 30 Luncheon Club RAF Club Cobham House, 9 Warwick Court, 30 Cobham Lecture Royal Aeronautical Society Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5DJ.

EDITOR : Group T Eeles BA FRAeS EMAIL: [email protected] VISITS PROGRAMME Please see the Flyers accompanying this issue of Air Pilot and previous editions of Guild [email protected] News or contact Liveryman David Curgenven at [email protected]. FUNCTION PHOTOGRAPHY : These flyers can also be downloaded from the Company's website. Gerald Sharp Photography 12 Dec Ladies visit to Bank of England View images and order prints on-line. TELEPHONE: 020 8599 5070 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.sharpphoto.co.uk

PRINTED BY: Printed Solutions Ltd 01494 478870 Cover photo: The highlight of the 2014 Air Display Season was undoubtedly the Except where specifically stated, none of the material presence of two airworthy Lancasters, made possible by the visit to this country of in this issue is to be taken as expressing the opinion the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster ' Vera'. It was a tremendous act of the Court of the Company. of faith to fly this irreplaceable aircraft over the Atlantic, and back again at the onset EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : of autumn. An unscheduled engine change took place at Teeside on August 29th The copy deadline for the February 2015 edition following a failure of a seal in the supercharger of the no 4 engine, but this was the of Air Pilot is 1 January 2015 and should be sent only snag encountered during the six week tour. Huge crowds attended those to: The Editor, Air Pilot, Cobham House, 9 Warwick Court, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5DJ. events where both Lancasters appeared, so much so that at Duxford on 14th September an air taxi service using an aircraft of similar vintage, a Catalina, had to TELEPHONE : 020 7404 4032 be employed to move participating air and ground crew from their hotel in FAX NO: 020 7404 4035 EMAIL : [email protected] Cambridge to Duxford because of traffic congestion. A report appears on page 21. WEBSITE : www.airpilots.org Contents

News Round Up ...... 4

Gazette ...... 6 A message from The Master’s Message ...... 7 your Editor... You will find in this issue a long article Trophies and Awards Banquet 2014 ...... 8 describing the wonderful Trophies and Awards Banquet held in October, which Trophies and Awards Winners 2014 ...... 11 includes a unique 'Bird's Eye View' from the Master. As ever, the deeds of those who The Sir Frederick Tymms Lecture 2014 ...... 17 received awards are truly inspiring, it is amazing that every year the Trophies and ’s link with the Air Pilots ...... 19 Awards Committee manages to find so many heroes in the world of aviation. Another 'Bird's Eye View' was given to the Super Connie at Farnborough ...... 20 Company's Luncheon Club in September by Upper Freeman Jo Salter, one of the very Lancaster Dividend ...... 21 first fast jet female pilots in the RAF, who entertained us with a highly amusing Flying Scholarships for the disabled ...... 22 description of her experiences. A report can be found in News Round Up. Comemmoration of the commencement of WW1 ...... 23 As I sit here typing this editorial, I am listening to Radio 4's Desert Island Discs Company Visit to Stow Maries ...... 25 which is featuring one of the Company's most illustrious members, Liveryman Captain , describing his Company visit to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre experiences. It struck me again how diverse and Memorial Flight ...... 26 our many members' activities are and how they can be found in many unusual places. Liveryman Richard Piper falls into this From the Desk of the DAA ...... 28 category; he describes flying in a Super Constellation, and experiencing an air taxi service provided by a Catalina which was also being flown by a member, Freeman Jeff Boyling, ferrying aircrew from Cambridge to Duxford because of traffic gridlock caused by the two Lancasters at the September Air Show. Freeman Ron Gammons tells his story of the Tiger Moth expedition to Amiens to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War and Freeman Steve Bridgewater writes about flying with the Breitling Team at Fairford, an interesting comparison to the . As ever my grateful thanks go to all contributors, without whose efforts there would be no magazine for you to read. Now that the year is drawing to a close, it only remains for me to observe that now we have launched no fewer that six issues of Air Pilot, our newly titled Company magazine, we are well and truly airborne. May I wish all of you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year; keep sending in those articles and photos ! Assistant Tom Eeles Honorary Editor News Round Up

AFFILIATION WITH HMS OCEAN arrangements available were designed for MEMORIAL TO AIRMEN AND A DEPUTY Following the decommissioning of HMS male pilots. As a consequence of the MASTER Illustrious the Company has received an shortcomings of this equipment she later Past Master Artur Thorning reports that official invitation for an interim affiliation participated in the 'RAF women's on a recent visit to Plymouth he visited with HMS Ocean, pending the urinary pad trial', which involved testing and photographed the Airmens’ commissioning of HMS Prince of Wales, the pad whilst undergoing 7g in a Memorial on Plymouth Hoe. It is a the second new carrier which the centrifuge !! It was an inspirational talk general memorial for all British airmen Government has confirmed will enter which was acknowledged with acclaim who died in 1939 - 45. It also covers the service. by all present. After a vote of thanks was ashes of Air Vice Marshal D C T Bennet given by the Master, notice was given that CB CBE DSO of Pathfinder fame who the next Luncheon Club event would be was Deputy Master of the Guild of Air LUNCHEON CLUB on 5th February 2015, when Liveryman Pilots and Air Navigators (as it was then The Air Pilots' Luncheon Club gathered Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dodworth will titled) 1944 - 46. again at the RAF Club on 24th describe the Harrier's entry into service. September for a special Ladies Day celebration. Some 85 members and guests dined on a delicious traditional meal of NEW VFR AIRSPACE GUIDES FOR roast lamb with mint sauce, the LIVERPOOL AND DONCASTER gentlemen having been encouraged to Air Traffic Services Ltd, who provide air wear colourful blazers, ties and button traffic control for Liverpool John Lennon holes; those who failed to comply were Airport and Robin Hood Airport suitably admonished and fined. Amongst Doncaster Sheffield, have created a VFR the diners were no fewer than three Airspace Transit Guide for GA pilots female Livery Company Masters, four flying around these airfields. There is a Past Masters, three Wardens and huge amount of GA activity into and numerous Assistants of the Honourable around both of these airports, and each Company and a number of new has suffered (and continues to suffer) members who were given a warm more than its fair share of airspace welcome. After the meal Upper Freeman infringements. In an attempt to highlight Jo Salter, one of the first ladies to qualify the main visual features, and to assist as an RAF pilot and fly operational pilots in navigating around these areas sorties on a Tornado squadron and more successfully, the guides have been instruct on the Hawk gave a wonderful produced by the Air Traffic Controllers talk on her experiences titled 'A Bird's themselves ! It is hoped that GA pilots in Eye View'. Her experiences might well these parts of the country will take the have discouraged a less determined time to look at the guides and contribute individual. For example, at role disposal towards a reduction in airspace after training she was about to be sent to infringements, meaning safer flying for multi-engined aircraft simply because of everyone. The guides are live documents, her gender until her instructor told the which will be updated and amended as Board to cover her photo and review her necessary, and have been designed to be performance again; she was re-roled to tablet-friendly for convenience. fast jets. She was met on arrival at her The guides are located at first front line squadron by the senior https://googledrive.com/host/0B2OO_KO navigator, who told her bluntly that she XE22bcINWRWpUTjhFZmM/index.html was not wanted. Neverthless she coped (Liverpool) and with all the challenges with great https://googledrive.com/host/0B2OQ_KO humour, including how to manage on XE22bTHIsamRTLTR4dHM/index.html long transits when the only relief (Doncaster)

4 RIDGEVIEW WINERY VISIT Meunier were selected, emulating Walking around the vineyard Rain in the early hours of the 19th “l'assemblage” of the great Champagne September gave way to mist hanging in producers. the steep escarpment of the South On bud burst in April, very large candles Downs in Sussex, as fifteen ladies in big tins are lit overnight if frosts are gathered with the Master for the threatened. The grapes begin to ripen Honourable Company tour of the and sugar levels rise about mid August. Ridgeview Winery. Founded in 1994 by This is termed the 'veraison', at which Chris and Mike Roberts, Ridgeview is a time, if yields are too high, a 'green family-run enterprise dedicated to harvest' removes the grapes that would producing the highest quality sparkling ripen later than the main bunches. The Bottles in their cages wines. The winery has won numerous grapes are picked by hand in October, awards internationally for the quality of according to their acidity and sugar its wines and Her Majesty the Queen levels, which can vary over hours. sometimes serves Ridgeview wines to Ridgeview has invested in high tech distinguished visitors. winery equipment to complement the This area of Sussex shares the same quality of the vineyard. The first pressing geology and a similar climate to the produces the finest quality wine - the Champagne region of France, and so is 'cuvée'. A fermentation with a ideally suited to the varieties of grapes champagne sourced yeast is followed by used for sparkling wines. Under the rules the malolactic fermentation, prior to the of the appellation, only sparkling wines assemblage, which produces the desired A view of the vines from the Champagne region of France blended wine. The 'liqueur de triage', a can bear the term champagne, though we mixture of wine, sugar and yeast is added learnt on our tour that the production of to trigger a fermentation in crown- French champagne owes its existence in capped bottles.The bottles lie in cages for part to Englishman Christopher Merret a month, during which time the gas who was instrumental in the addition of cannot escape and is dissolved. The yeast sugar to still wine to produce the famous drops as the cages turn, adding flavour to fizz. the wine. The sediment is removed by Our tour was impressively informative the 'remuage', traditionally carried out by about both the vineyard and the state-of- hand, but now by machine, dipping the overlooking the vineyard and the South the art winery, giving an excellent neck of the bottle in a glycol bath to Downs. There we sampled six of technical background to a memorable freeze and remove the plug of sediment. Ridgeview's wines under expert advice. visit. Three months rest adds the final Some of us were driving, so reluctantly Ridgeview's first vines were planted In complexity. rationed our tasting carefully, before 1994. Thirteen French clones of Our visit ended with a tasting session and facing the dilemma of deciding which Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot buffet lunch in the Tasting Room we might buy before we left.

AWARD OF 2014 SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES CERTIFICATES The 2014 Scholarships and Bursaries Certificates were presented to their recipients by the Immediate Past Master at a ceremony following the Court Meeting held in Cutlers' Hall on 13th November. After the presentation of Certificates recipients and their families joined Court members and Past Masters for a Buffet Supper in the Great Hall Back row standing - Left to right: Alice Goodwin, Jakub Niemiec, Kishan Dohil, Immediate Past Master, Alice Bartlett, Craig McGregor, Arvydas Cetyrkovskis, Colette Carroll. Front row sitting - Left to right: Dominic Registe, Carolyne Sibley- Harris, Steven Birchall, Peter Douet, Sion Maghsoodi, Esther Lisowski . . 5 REPLACEMENT REQUIRED FOR RUNNING PILOT APTITUDE TESTING AT RAF CRANWELL

Amongst the many and diverse We are now urgently looking for are sufficient assessors available for the activities in which the Honourable someone with the right background in debriefing of the candidates which is Company in it's previous life as the commercial and/or military pilot conducted on a one-to-one basis. The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators has selection and training to take over Company office deals with all matters become involved is the provision of responsibility for running the scheme. connected with finance. aptitude testing for prospective The current team are mostly reaching commercial pilots using the well the age when there is a need for A number of Company members have established Officers & Aircrew someone not just younger but who can recently volunteered to help out with Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell. bring fresh ideas to expand and the debriefing. They or any other pilot Set up 20 years ago not only has it been reinvigorate a service which is unique with the appropriate experience are successful in encouraging youngsters to in it's independence, operating totally find out in advance whether it is worth welcome to put themselves forward to without any commercial pressure. investing huge sums of money in take on a very rewarding role in helping Apart from continually promoting the expensive training but it was followed and advising those with ambitions to be scheme, the task mainly consists of by some of the major flight training airline pilots. Applications in the first organisations conducting their own in liaising with the Pilot Aptitude place to the Clerk please. house testing thus conserving valuable Department at Cranwell, arranging resources. dates for testing and ensuring that there Past Master Clive Elton

GAZETTE APPROVED BYTHE COURT 13 NOVEMBER 2014

ADMISSIONS Kathryn Ann CHAPMAN Dr Stephen James STEWART As Upper Freeman Kishan Singh DOHIL Captain Peter David John TERRY Captain John Alexander CREW Alice Rebecca GOODWIN Colin Roger TITMUS Anouschka Christina D'SOUZA (OS) Alistair John HAMMOND Captain Leslie David HANCOCK (HK) Daniel Edward McCORMACK Daniel David HESS Craig William McGREGOR DECEASED Captain Brett HOLDEN Thomas Charles MENOGUE (HK) Fred CRAWLEY Captain Peter Clayton HUDSON (HK) Dominic REGISTE Oscar 'Owen' HUGHES (AUS) Flight Lieutenant Richard Larry KEELING Lieutenant Matthew WINWOOD Captain Kerwin John KILLIAN (HK) Robert MACDONALD Michele Alexandria MACLEOD RESIGNATIONS David Richard NORTHOVER ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE COURT Shahzad ALI Captain John Hugh RICHARDS 13 NOVEMBER 2014 Wayne CAVE (NA) Ian SMITH Captain Barry WALDRON (OS) REINSTATEMENT Timothy HIETT Captain Lucy Burwell YOUNG (NA) As Freeman Barry McFADZEAN Hilda Joyce GIRDLER Alan MUSASULA (HK) Nigel OATES As Freeman ACCEPTANCE OF Amy Morgan Emily BANNISTER NOMINATED ADMISSION Giles PORTER (NA) Gigi CHAO (HK) Sir Peter RIGBY William Garth GUNSTON Upper Freeman Jonathan SHOOTER Robert Frederick HARRIS Travis WILLIS (NA) Roger Hamilton THEAKER Vanessa UMBA (OS)

REGRADE David WILLIAMS As Associate To Livery Joshua YEOMANS Alice Katherine BARTLETT Alan BURROWS Antony BELLAMY Peter Lawrence CHANDLER Steven Michael BIRCHALL Captain Maurice Leslie Faulkner KNOWLES FORFEIT ALL BENEFITS Arvydas CETYRKOVSKIS Jeremy John RUSSELL Edward BAILEY

6 The Master’s Message DOROTHY SAUL-POOLEY

Whilst you will not be reading this until imposed on us in Europe, but had you I am almost back from the Master's tour appreciated that the effect of these of the regions, the first couple of regulations is far wider than Europe? In paragraphs was written on board a BA order to carry out business selling and 747-400 en-route to Singapore. The maintaining Eurocopter products, (which extraordinary past seven weeks of are of course made in France), EASA dinners, lunches, visits and meetings since approvals and all the other customer The Master and OCYorkshire University Air the summer recess culminated in our countries' approvals have to be held. Squadron prepare to fly in a Grob 115E Tutor hugely successful and enjoyable Trophies (Currently 15 jurisdictions from Taiwan and Awards Banquet (about which you to Sri Lanka). Modifications require redeveloped a few years ago, a complete can read more elsewhere in this Supplementary Type Certificates to be perimeter fence was erected and security magazine). sought - these are mainly held on the F tightened dramatically. There are only two small training facilities at Seletar, Some of the hospitality received by the and N registers as STCs are practically each owning only one or two very old Master is spectacular, but the common unknown in Asia.Type rating training and Cessnas and there was little opportunity thread through all of the activities is the recurrent training is carried out within for private pilots to fly. Indeed only a friendship and mutual belief in the the facility and the crossover between restricted licence can be achieved in benefits that the Livery as a whole can EASA and local licences is an enormous Singapore, so most people go overseas to bring to the City, to young people and to challenge, as there are, in many cases, no complete their training. those in need. Provision of educational equivalents. opportunities, charitable support and An opportunity to try out the simulators The Wings over Asia group of about 60 practical assistance to the vulnerable, was not to be missed and allowed your members have a lovely pilots' lounge research and sources of expertise are Master the chance to attempt a deck with the walls covered in historical inextricably linked within our landing in an AS365 Dauphin on a tanker photographs. They now own companies. It is surprising how at night! “Firm” was the instructor's approximately 19 light aircraft ranging frequently the various trades represented comment on her efforts! from R22 and R44 helicopters through PA28, Cirrus SR22 to DA42 and by the different Livery Companies seem The next day, a visit to Bombardier, who TBM800 and many adventurous flying to overlap and how small the world also have a maintenance and after-sales appears to be when viewed from within facility at Seletar, revealed similar stories trips have been organised for group the Livery movement. about the enormous costs and members in recent years. Having Leaving the familiar surroundings of the complexities relating to approvals experienced the rigidity and complexity UK to embark on a round the world trip required to be held in order to carry out of the security required just to get is exciting and also daunting and a chance their business. Business jets of many airborne, one can only admire the group's to see how big the rest of the world is! It registries were evident both in the hangar tenacity in keeping GA alive in was, therefore, rather delightful to and on the Bombardier apron. It was Singapore. discover that the relief Captain on board clear that the FAA system was infinitely In order to go for a short local flight, the 747 was a former Flight Instructor preferable to the European regulations, across the border to Johore in Malaysia, student from about 11 or 12 years ago! but both sets of approvals had to be where we were to carry out a couple of After landing in Singapore, I was invited maintained in addition to Singaporean, touch and goes, it was necessary to have onto the flight deck to meet the rest of Malaysian and many others. Keeping up filed a flight plan hours in advance, with the crew and gently suggested that they to date with all of the different sets of a specific route, via set waypoints, might consider joining our Honourable regulations is a full-time job. EASA together with all the passengers' passport Company! approvals were required mainly because details, rather like we do in the UK to go Singapore is not a usual stop for the many business jets are now on the Manx over to France for lunch. Then we had to Master's tour, as there is no regional register (M) which piggybacks the EASA drive out of the premises where the FBO committee based there, but an ex Royal system. All agreed that the costs to is based, into the terminal building area, Navy helicopter pilot, who renews his FI industry both in administration and go through security, passport control, wait ratings with us every three years and was certification fees had become a serious for a vehicle to collect us and take us formerly General Counsel with Airbus, is deterrent. airside before arriving at the aircraft, even now MD at Airbus Helicopters (in reality The final aviation visit in Singapore was though we could see it from the window Eurocopter products) in Singapore. The to ‘Wings over Asia’, the brainchild of a of the FBO. It was 39 degrees Celsius and visit to their facility at Seletar Airport couple of local enthusiasts, who were at 1500 feet in the non air-conditioned (the old RAF base) was enlightening. We perplexed by the authorities' complete aircraft it only dropped to 32 degrees! have all been criticising EASA and the lack of understanding of the needs of The flight had to follow the prescribed complexity and cost of the regulations GA. When Seletar airport was routing as set out on the flight plan, the

7 maximum altitude permitted was 1500 reminder of how simple things generally regulation, so let us hope that the CAA is feet and the local area for general are in the UK! able to implement some of the proposals. handling was extremely small, taking Whilst those of you in the UK who are Reductions in fees are being made in only about five minutes to fly right interested in the recommendations of the some areas and perhaps more around it. Many times we were asked to GA Red Tape Challenge Panel and the proportionate costs and charges will be hold for up to ten minutes before Government's recently published 56 page achieved. proceeding to the next waypoint, circling over the dense palm forests in thick haze, response, it is useful to realise how free It is sobering to experience the rendering lookout and spotting other the airspace really is in parts of Europe. difficulties encountered by those trying traffic a severe challenge. The return to We have already seen some positive to enjoy the same hobby in other parts of base required further security checks and moves to simplify and rationalise the the world and worth remembering that completion of new immigration forms, requirements for PPL training, especially the grass is rarely as green on the other stamps in the passport etc. It was a sharp in examinations and more widely in GA side of the fence!

RECOGNISING ANOTHER YEAR OF OUTSTANDING AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT The 2014 Trophies and Awards Banquet THE EDITOR

On Wednesday 23rd October the 2014 Trophies and Awards Banquet, preceded by a Court Meeting, recognised another year of outstanding achievements by both individuals and organisations in civil and military aviation. The Court Meeting, held in the Guildhall crypt, saw the Clothing of twelve new Liverymen, Dr S J Stewart, Wg Cdr G P Collins, Mr C R Titmus, Mr P Chandler, Mr E Strongman, Mr G S Foster, Mr J J Russell, Captain J P Legat, Captain H M Burton, Captain P D J Terry, Mr R M H Weeks and Captain M L F Knowles. The Master also presented Master Air Pilot Certificates to Mr R Horton, Mr A Booth, Mr E Scott, Captain D T The Master with the newly-clothed Liverymen Holloway, Wg Cdr K F Trasler, Sqn Ldr S J R Harcourt, Mr M J Grierson, Miss C L Cooper, Captain B R Hawkins, Captain B H Vracas, Captain M J Metcalf, Captain R H Fry, Captain C Mohan as Param, General Rodzali bin Daud, Gp Capt J H Benjamin and Captain M L F Knowles. A Master Air Navigator Certificate was presented to Lt Cdr N Cunningham. The Court greeted the Clothing and Certificate presentations with acclaim.

The Master with recipients of Master Air Pilot and Air Navigator Certificates

8 The Master greets HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Guest of Honour, on arrival After the Court Meeting members and their guests enjoyed a Champagne Reception in the Old Library as uniformed personnel of the London Wing of the set about their organisational duties with customary efficiency.The traditional Guard of Honour was provided by the Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company. The Guest of Honour at the Banquet was His The Banquet was served in the Trophies and Awards the Master Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent magnificent medieval Great Hall; the addressed the diners. She concluded by KCVO, Liveryman of the Honourable Beadle led in the the Master and the proposing the Toast to the 'Award Company. Other senior guests included senior guests to the customary slow Winners and Guests'.The Guest of Air Marshal G J Bagwell, representing the handclap. After the newly clothed Honour, responded. Both speeches were Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral R Liverymen and Master Air Pilot and Air greeted with acclaim by all present. Full Harding, Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm, Navigator recipients had been transcripts of the Master's and the Guest Mr I Locks, Master Stationer, Mr I recognised, the Master announced that of Honour's speeches can be found by Smith, Master Coachmaker, Air the Diamond Nine March, composed by accessing Aviation Matters/Company Commodore C Luck, Commandant Stubbs and Policy and Comment/Public Speeches RAF College Cranwell, Group Captain J commissioned by the Honourable on Company website. Hunter, , Company to recognise 50 years of display M Bigaoutte, Air Advisor Canadian High flying by the Aerobatic Commission and Colonel T Willis, Air Team, would be played. The recording Attache US Embassy. was greeted by applause from all the diners. Music during the meal was provided by the London Banqueting Ensemble, who played a number of spirited pieces, including an excellent rendition of the Post Horn Gallop that was greeted with acclaim by the diners. The Banquet concluded with a Sung The Ceremony of the Loving Cup Grace, the ceremony of the Loving Cup and Toasts to the Queen, the Royal Family and the Lord Mayor andThe City The Master and the Guest of Honour process into the Hall of London Corporation. Before the presentation of the Trophies and Awards the Guest of Honour presented a Certificate to Squadron Leader Montenegro, Red Arrows leader, to mark the 50th season of display flying by the Team. The Trophies and Awards were presented by the Guest of Honour; the recipient's citations can be found on the Company's website, and a selection of photographs and abbreviated citations of the recipients can be found at the end of The Master and the principal guests this article. After the presentation of the The Post Horn Gallop was played...

9 The Master then invited all to join her in Photographs taken at Guildhall can be a Stirrup Cup in the Old Library, after viewed and ordered on line direct from which members and guests made their Gerald Sharp Photography. Visit way , those staying at the RAF www.sharpphoto.co.uk or telephone them Club travelling by buses which got them on 020 8599 5070. to their destination before the Cowdray Room bar closed.

EDITOR'S NOTE when not being vigilantly supervised, not The Master, whilst languishing in a departure the look required in the photographs! lounge somewhere in the Far East waiting for How is it that successive generations of a connecting flight on her Tour of the Regions, Masters, many with engineering wrote her 'Bird's Eye View' of the event, qualifications and similar, have failed to reproduced below. stabilise the gyrations of the badge? Then there is the question of A BIRD'S EYE VIEW pronouncing names correctly, always a challenge in a worldwide profession, the Unless you have already been Master of welcoming of the new Liverymen as ...in a highly entertaining style. this Livery Company, your experience of “brother Liverymen” regardless of sex. The Hon Editor watches in amazement the Trophies and Awards Banquet will be Presenting certificates and shaking the very different from that of the Master! In correct hand simultaneously, whilst the days leading up to the Banquet, the ensuring that the certificate is facing Master is aware that the Cobham House forwards, is up the right way and belongs office will be frenetic with the to the appropriate recipient and trying to preparations, the table planning, silver ensure that the smile is natural towards cleaning, fine tuning of details. The the camera; still smiling after 30 Master will be having nightmares about presentations! “The Speech”! The rapping of the gavel at the right In addition to the usual female fripperies point to signal the end of the meeting such as visiting the hairdresser and having and then not tripping over on the way one's nails done, ensuring that the outfit out. The solemnity and dignity of the The Guest of Honour, the Master and leader of the Red is ready with all the necessary accessories, occasion must not give way to ribaldry Arrows with the certificate marking 50 years of displays the Master is feverishly packing for “the and mirth. Tour” and is suffering from severe sleep Endless photographs in endless deprivation, as last minute changes to combinations with the award winners The Speech cause sudden bouts of and keeping that constant smile! The fear wakefulness in the middle of the night. of something being caught in one's On the way to London, the train grinds teeth…! The shaking of many hands - to a halt, broken down!! The Master has what a variety of handshakes! When to start out early, in order to reach the there is a Royal visitor, increased Guildhall to preside over the Court protocols are observed, so after greeting meeting held in the Crypt and catches early arrivals who are announced into the bus with other guests from outside the Old Library by the Beadle, the IPM the RAF Club. Unable to manage the steps in as the relief crew. The Master The Master's speech was greeted with applause... hooks on the new dress, which would joins the Clerk at the Lord Mayor's require the elasticity of a contortionist, a entrance to meet the Royal and ...and the Guest of Honour's was light, friend is dragooned into the necessary greet His Royal Highness. Then it is up witty and amusing. “dressing” of the Master. Traffic is light (whoops, more stairs!!) to the Print and the Guildhall reached in record time. Room to present HRH to the members Twelve Liverymen are to be clothed and of the Court and official guests. More 18 MAP/MAN certificates presented. smiles. More photographs. Ample opportunity for pitfalls! Firstly, Once the dinner gong has sounded, the the fur-edged robe is worn over the long throng of members and guests swarm evening gown giving rise to numerous into the Great Hall and search out their trip hazards every time a step or staircase places. There is a hubbub of excitement is encountered! Next the chain and and chatter as friends meet and greet badge, heavy around the neck - the each other. Then the Beadle raps the badge has a habit of rotating 180 degrees gavel and announces the Master and

10 official guests. A fanfare accompanies the and the of the Loving Cup glances around the room - are they slow handclap and the stately procession explained to new guests. The Master has yawning, bored, already asleep, chatting of robed and badged officials makes their to start a Loving Cup in each direction amongst themselves? Anyway, no sooner way to the top table. After the chaplain down the top table, so has to endure started and it's over and there seems to be has said grace, the Master stands and double tasting of the dreadful brew! some clapping - a feeling of relief - the announces the names of the newly Somehow all of that is achieved and then toast is proposed, the first sip of cool clothed Liverymen, inviting them to the business of the evening starts- the champagne after the abstemious evening! stand and be acknowledged in the presentation of 20 amazing awards. Time to relax? Well, no, not quite yet. traditional way. This year saw a novelty as The clerk reads the citations with HRH is now on his feet. He is light, the Master reported the commissioning expertise and clear diction, precise and witty, amusing, relevant and interesting - of a piece of music, the Diamond Nine, concise. The challenges for the Master they love it! Applause. All we have to do to celebrate the 50 display seasons of the and HRH are manifest - the rather now is process out and enjoy a stirrup Red Arrows and the first airing of this ornate and comfortable armchairs cup, conversations and greeting the many piece accompanied the first course. At supplied to the Master and HRH have to least the “dressing gowns” are taken away be negotiated in order to present the friends! at this point. certificates and medals, plus the Fewer hazards on the way out minus the Whilst all of the members and guests are sometimes very heavy trophies have to be heavy robe and chain. After the farewells partaking of fine wine and the delicious balanced, all whilst smiling, shaking to official guests and HRH, it is back to menu, the Master is sipping water and hands, rotating through 180 degrees for the RAF Club for the after- party! Never barely notices the food or its taste, on the photographs and all the time trying has champagne tasted so good. Heaps of best behaviour and engaging the guests not to get one's dress caught under one chatter, congratulations and jolly on either side in good conversation. All of the chair legs. Imagine the indignity of laughter. Was it worth it? Did you all the while, the Master is surreptitiously the Master falling flat on her face, legs enjoy yourselves? Well, that makes it all akimbo, dress ripped off her back?! glancing around to check that all is well, worthwhile and the Master is heartily that nothing is amiss. There is great And then it is time for the The Dreaded glad that it was achieved without humour in the performing of the post Speech. No, it is not state of the nation or mishaps. horn gallop and the tone and mood of a rallying call, but those nagging voices in the evening is considerably lightened. the head are insistent - is it too long? Too And now it's off for the world tour for six The toasts pass off without stumbling, short?Too serious?Too boring?Too quiet weeks…. without spillage, the sung grace is sung for those on the dais to hear? Furtive Dorothy Saul-Pooley

TROPHIES AND AWARDS WINNERS 2013/14 The following are the abbreviated In 1955 Michael joined the private DERRY AND RICHARDS citations that were read at the Trophy and family company, becoming Chairman MEMORIAL MEDAL Awards Ceremony. Full citations can be and Chief Executive in 1989, following found on the Company website. his father's retirement. Throughout his distinguished long service with Marshall of Cambridge, Michael has been AWARD OF HONOUR instrumental in developing exceptional trans-Atlantic relationships, and through this, Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group has become a 'world centre of excellence' on Cl30 Hercules aircraft as well as gaining an enviable worldwide reputation on a remarkable range of other aircraft. A few months after graduating with a Sir Michael is a firm advocate of training degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and providing support to young people Mark Bowman started a 35 year career in and, in particular, encouraging careers in military aviation spanning front-line fast- aviation. His vision, energy and support jet operations to his current role as Chief Test Pilot Combat Aircraft at BAE Michael Marshall gained his PPL in 1949 for aviation and the aerospace industry Systems. and subsequently served as a RAF has been nothing less than exceptional. National Service Pilot between 1950 and Sir Michael Marshall's lifetime He joined BAE Systems as the Harrier 1952 flying Meteors and Vampires, achievement and contribution to project test pilot flying every type and eventually becoming an RAFVR Flying aviation is recognised by the Award of mark of the Harrier. He became the Instructor. Honour. Typhoon project pilot in 2004 and is the

11 longest serving test pilot in the Typhoon process. Flt Lt Hubbleday is an In a world where journalists are often programme and the only one to have individual who has shone brightest criticised for their lack of understanding flown all seven of the UK development among a highly talented group of of aviation issues, the 'Helicopter Heroes' aircraft. trainees; he is accordingly awarded the Sir team is a shining exception. For their Mark has the rare ability to engage and Memorial Award. advancement of public knowledge and influence at a strategic level both within awareness of this element of aviation, the the company and with senior customers, BBC 'Helicopter Heroes' crew, THE JOHN LANDYMORE TROPHY as well as a capability to dive into minute represented by the Network Editor Ian detail using his encyclopaedic systems Cundall, Chief Pilot Andrew Lister, and knowledge to develop and improve every Programme Producer Andy Joynson, is element of aircraft design. awarded the Award for Aviation Journalism. Mark's invaluable contribution to military fast jet aviation over 35 years, from front line to flight test has delivered SWORD OF HONOUR sustained, significant and meritorious service to his country and to the development of the art and science of test flying. Mark Bowman is therefore awarded the Derry and Richards Memorial Medal. To be presented to Daniel McCormack at a later date. SIR ALAN COBHAM MEMORIAL AWARD AWARD FOR AVIATION JOURNALISM

Over the past 38 years, John and Martha King´s use of clear, simple, and fun teaching methods have made aviation more accessible to thousands of pilots and maintenance technicians all over the world. The Kings launched their flying business Flt Lt Hubbleday is an outstanding junior For the last seven years, programme out of a spare bedroom in the early officer assessed to be at the very top of makers from BBC English Regions have 1970s. Today, their company operates out his peer group and was awarded his RAF been embedded with the Yorkshire Air of a dedicated complex in San Diego, Flying Badge with Distinction; an Ambulance. accolade that is reserved for very few California, and 'King Schools' continues For the last four years, they have flown as trainee pilots. to revolutionise pilot training by fully-trained HEMS crewmen and pioneering the development of new It was clear from his earliest general women - line checked and trained to training courses. There are many handling sorties during training that Flt navigate. They have flown in excess of hundreds of pilots throughout the world Lt Hubbleday was a talented aviator and, 3,000 sorties, assisting pilots and medical who know John and Martha and regard in aerobatics and circuit flying in crews on urgent tasks, often with lives at them as not only their personal aviation particular, he quickly displayed an innate stake. mentors, but as friends. feel for the aircraft, and his attitude With audiences of up to 3 million, the Through the years, the Kings have been toward instruction quickly identified him 'Helicopter Heroes' series has ensured dedicated champions for the cause of as an exceptional trainee. In recognition that the work of HEMS helicopters improving the risk management practices of his flying achievements, he was across the UK has been given a valuable of general aviation pilots, and they speak awarded numerous trophies and showcase. The programme is now on air to thousands of pilots each year on accolades during training. in 12 countries around the world and a aviation safety. Additionally, away from flying, Flt Lt spin-off series is filming in Australia. The For an exceptional contribution to Hubbleday acted as a volunteer for team's work has contributed greatly to General Aviation, spanning nearly 4 numerous fundraising events, raising public understanding of many of the decades, John and Martha King are significant charitable donations in the issues facing HEMS crews. awarded the Sword of Honour.

12 MYLES BICKERTON TROPHY deterred him from display flying and throughout the nineties and even currently he can be seen displaying historic aircraft at air displays all over the UK. John's continued significant contribution to the RNHF as a pilot mentor, coaching and encouraging new RNHF pilots, allows them to make the transition safely from the Chipmunk to the Swordfish The Blades is the only full-time civilian and ultimately the Sea Fury, or Sea aerobatic team in the UK. Hawk, thus ensuring that RNHF pilots The team was founded in 2005 by Andy are suitably qualified to display historic Offer, a former leader of the Red aircraft to the general public in a safe Arrows, and Chris Norton, a Liveryman manner. of this Company. There are eight pilots Needless to say that the UK Air Display including five full-time display Circuit would have been a less interesting performers. All of the pilots are former and potentially less safe arena for the MASTER'S COMMENDATION members of the RAF and the display general public if so many pilots, both After many years flying helicopters team members all flew with the Red military and civilian, hadn't benefitted operationally, and subsequent tours as a Arrows. from John's wisdom and so many people fixed-wing QFI in NI and RAF The Blades made their debut had not witnessed his graceful displays. John Beattie's outstanding contribution Barkston Heath, Maj Mark Martin performance in 2006, and since then to 'warbird' display flying is recognised by became the Army Aviation Standards have performed as part of the 80th birthday celebrations for The Queen at the award of the Hanna Trophy. Officer for fixed-wing, a post he held for Balmoral Castle, and entertained the nine years. general public on many occasions, giving CFS TROPHY During his time in AAvn Stds, Army highly acclaimed demonstrations at fixed-wing strength grew from 7 to 42 numerous airshows and sporting events. pilots, the fleet tripled in size, homeland In recognition of their work which has commitments more than quadrupled and brought pleasure to many and helped to make the public more 'air minded', the there were enduring deployments to Blades Aerobatic team, represented both Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout tonight by Andy offer and Chris Norton, this period of rapid expansion, Maj is awarded the Myles Bickerton Trophy. Martin became the bedrock of Army fixed-wing operations and he was HANNA TROPHY instrumental to its success - its transformation in the modern era would Over a 23-year career in the RAAF Ian not have been possible without his Fogarty distinguished himself as an professionalism and personal sacrifice. instructor of great empathy, ability, and compassion. He attained the coveted It is rare for one person to have had such status of an A1 instructor, was awarded influence over a whole area of defence the AFC and also helped establish the capability and, following his retirement then new RSAF Standards Squadron in after 34 years service, he has left a lasting its development. legacy. Mark Martin is a humble man who has gone the extra mile in every Beginning his 'civilian' career with respect; he is truly worthy of formal , he spent 7 years instructing in Saudi Arabia before joining recognition and is accordingly awarded John Beattie has been a stalwart of the Cathay Pacific where, for the last 17 the Master's Commendation. UK Air Display circuit for over 40 years. In 1986, John joined the years, he has been a flight simulator Historic Flight, and became Flight instructor. This respected airline A SECOND MASTER'S Commander in 1991, before retirement employed him, effectively without any COMMENDATION from the Royal Navy in 1994. civil flying and certainly no airline To be presented to RAAF Air Mobility After life in the RN John took up a experience. However, his ability and Group at a later date. career with the airlines, but this never application proved worthy of their

13 assessment and today, he is regarded as JOHNSTON MEMORIAL TROPHY AUSTRALIAN BI-CENTENNIAL one of the airline's best, and is certainly AWARD their most requested simulator instructor. Ian Fogarty has amassed some 8,000 hours in single-engine jets, the vast majority of which is instructional time, 1500 hours in single engine helicopters, and over 12,500 hours in airline simulators. There are many, worldwide, who owe their careers, military and civil, to the dedication and skill of this man. It is in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to the art and craft of flying instruction, and to his students, that Ian Fogarty is awarded the CFS Trophy. The USAF 3rd Special Operations Squadron operates the MQ-1B Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft in multiple SIR JAMES MARTIN AWARD theatres around the globe from control stations at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 3rd Special Operations Squadron was the first USAF squadron to Captain Patrick Murray began his flying develop a quick-reaction expeditionary RPA capability. This emerging career in the Royal Air Force in 1971. competency has furnished commanders During this time he had an exchange with the presence of armed Intelligence, posting to the Central Flying School of Surveillance and Reconnaissance the Royal Australian Air Force before coverage worldwide, in austere and starting his civilian flying career in 1986 contested environments, in very quick with Cathay Pacific. In 2001 he was time and with limited external support. appointed to the Australian Civil Since its inception in late 2012 the 3rd Aviation Safety Authority, where his Capt James Cunningham was Special Operations Squadron Rapid work included oversight of one of the instrumental in raising air safety Reaction package has been called upon first trials of the Multi - Crew Pilot awareness, firstly at the AAC base at by senior US leaders in five special forces Dishforth Airfield, and subsequently Licence (MPL). contingency response operations, wider across all three Services. He delivering timely and effective Since 2008 he has been an Associate implemented the new Defence Aviation intelligence and surveillance for Professor and Director at the Aerospace Error Management System at that base, commanders often only hours after the Strategic Study Centre at Griffith the first in the AAC, conducted the initial deployment of the resource. Training Needs Analysis and liaised with University in Queensland where he the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) In recognition of this development and instigated an award for the Australian and civilian aviation safety consultants. operation of new airborne systems, the Region of this Company in the form of His Occurrence Investigation staff work members of the 3rd Special Operations a fully-funded Master of Aviation was adopted as the ideal template and is Squadron USAF, represented tonight by Management Scholarship. now used by the MAA as Best Practice. Lt Col Eric Schmidt, are awarded the His impact in this area of flight safety was Johnson Memorial Trophy. Pat Murray has made a an outstanding significant across all three Services, and contribution to Australian Aviation exceptional. through his training input, research, GRAND MASTER'S AUSTRALIAN For his outstanding leadership, MEDAL philanthropy, and his extensive work, in professional, diligent and meticulous To be presented to the Ageing Aircraft the areas of flight safety and cockpit and manner in which he carried out his System Audit, the Tactical Fighter aviation management. Accordingly, enduring flight safety duties James Systems Program Office, QinetiQ and Captain Patrick Murray is awarded the Cunningham is awarded the Sir James ' Martin Award. Jacobs Australia at a later date. 'Australian Bi-Centennial Award

14 MEMORIAL TROPHY THE AWARD OF MERIT developed markedly, led by a British SME, Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV), which has finally solved a number of the problems with mainstream originally outlined by Barnes Wallis. Since 2007, HAV has designed, developed, assembled and flown an entirely new type of aircraft. The Airlander flew in 2012 under a US Army programme, and the aircraft has now been brought back to the UK for preparation for its first UK flight at the end of 2014. Currently, it is the largest Ron Price has made a huge contribution aircraft in the world, with the longest to the field of aviation in Canada during endurance and the biggest hull. a period of 25 years. In addition, he is a HAV has 21 patents related to very capable fixed wing and seaplane technologies of this aircraft, and the pilot and has accumulated a considerable innovations are not just the integrated amount of experience in his lifetime's design, but the use of materials. All of flying. these are innovations in their own right He was the President of the Abbotsford and have permitted a hybrid aircraft not Bill Black learned to fly in 1960 before International Airshow from 1998 to 2012 reliant on mooring masts and huge eventually starting to fly commercially steering it to its successful place in the ground support. with the fledgling Ritchie Air Services in calendar of airshows in North America. For this exceptional and innovative Te Anau, New Zealand, where he flew Ron's generosity in allowing the Guild, development in aviation, Hybrid Air floatplanes before he was given a ride in as it was then, to have a presence at the Vehicles, represented tonight by three of the first helicopter ever to visit the area Abbotsford show as well as providing the those involved, is awarded the Sir Barnes and immediately realized that this was fledgling Region with office space Wallis Medal. the type of flying that he wanted to contributed very directly to the follow. formation of the North American Region. Without his support and GRAND MASTER'S COMMENDATION Apart from initial rotary type-training, enthusiasm this would never have Bill has been basically self-taught. He was happened and the Honourable Company a pioneer in venison recovery and of Air Pilots owes Ron much gratitude mountain flying and has been involved in for this. saving a great many lives, by day and night, often in freezing temperatures, For his leadership and assistance in hazardous winds, low visibility and at developing the North American Region, high altitudes. based at Abbotsford, Liveryman Ron Price is awarded the Company's Award of In over 25,000 hours of helicopter flying Merit. he was involved in only one accident in which no blame was attributed to him. Bill flew in over 500 search and rescue THE SIR BARNES WALLIS MEDAL Flt Lt Eddy was the Captain of a C17 of missions including 313 mercy missions. 99 Sqn tasked with an emergency He is a paragon of experience in his evacuation of 45 civilians from Juba, environment, possessing exceptional South Sudan. During the long flight aptitude and unrivalled flying skills, ever from Brize Norton, and ten minutes fostering good airmanship and always from the approach into Juba, Flt Lt Eddy willing to mentor other pilots. Now in was advised that the runway was blocked retirement and still keenly flying his own by a crashed Boeing 737 at one end. gyrocopter Bill can reminisce on an era Despite this, and with great skill and in New Zealand aviation the likes of professionalism, Flt Lt Eddy executed a which will never be seen again. He has flawless landing in the most testing of been flying for 55 years and accumulated circumstances. However, on arrival it some 29,600 flying hours. soon became clear that far more than the For his unique and outstanding personal Barnes Wallis was instrumental in getting expected 45 people wanted to be contribution to New Zealand aviation, the British industry started with evacuated and he had to act instantly Bill Black is awarded the Jean Batten his contribution to the R100. In recent before a security curfew closed the Memorial Trophy. years, the lighter-than-air industry has airfield. After an engines running refuel,

15 he took-off just as the airfield closed, to maintain flight on one engine to the 'Rescue 193' a RN Sea King helicopter evacuating 182 civilians, using all airport. from RNAS Culdrose was launched on 1 available seats and strapping more than But to compound matters, just as the February this year to assist a RNLI 100 passengers to the floor. plane came in to land, as Capt Waters lifeboat in rescuing a French fishing Then, just 12 hours later, Flt Lt Eddy and shut off the levers to reduce power he vessel under tow. 'R193' arrived his crew were once again in the Juba found it to be jammed-on at about 70 overhead, in the dark of a very stormy overhead for another evacuation task that per cent. All sorts of warning lights and night, to assess the scene. Visibility was proved to be equally difficult. This time, noises were sounding and the cockpit less than 4000 metres, with 30ft waves after 45 minutes in the hold, and low on suddenly became a very noisy place. and 45 Kts of wind. Hovering at 60 feet, fuel, Flt Lt Eddy decided to conduct an With engine No 1 jammed on, the plane the swell was so severe that the relative approach without ATC clearance and came in at 180km per hour faster than it height of the fishing vessel was carefully navigated his aircraft through should have been. On first contact with fluctuating between 20-100 feet from the areas of lowest traffic density. Despite the runway, the plane glanced back up in 'R193.' With the weather deteriorating his best efforts, he was forced to break-off the air, rolling steeply to the left before rapidly, the boat drifting towards the two approaches due to conflicting the Captain was able to regain control rocky coast and capsize imminent, 'R193' airborne traffic. Undeterred, he tried and settle it back on the runway. As they now had to react quickly and alone. again, landing on his third attempt and could see the end of the runway The lifeboat was repositioned downwind subsequently evacuating another 93 approaching fast, they instinctively and the fishermen instructed to jump civilians. Flt Lt Eddy's exceptional applied reverse thrust and, amazingly, the into the sea, one at a time and swim clear judgement, dogged determination and aircraft stopped only 300m short of a of the vessel. Pre-positioned ready for an outstanding service in the air led directly very long runway. But, because they had immediate rescue of the survivors, the to the safe evacuation of 275 civilians landed at over 400km/hr and still winchman, PO Adams, made his first from South Sudan. He is accordingly managed to stop before the end of the recovery, fighting through significant awarded the Grand Master's runway, the brakes were superheated and swell and spray to make contact with the Commendation. the temperature gauge soared to more first man in the water. Adams then than 1000C. No passenger had a scratch quickly made himself ready and on them from the landing, but realising conducted the rescue of a 2nd fisherman. HUGH GORDON BURGE the possibility of the tyres exploding and Quickly returning for a 3rd fisherman, MEMORIAL AWARD rupturing the fuel tanks in the wings Adams was this time fully submerged directly above the , the captain beneath a large wave. At that point, close took the decision to evacuate the aircraft to exhaustion and having ingested sea using inflatable slides. A number of water, Adams had to inflate his passengers and crew were injured during emergency lifejacket to assist his own the evacuation process, but all survived. efforts to remain buoyant. Once on the The two pilots were the last to leave the surface again, he continued to the 3rd plane. A subsequent investigation found survivor and conducted another contaminated fuel to be the cause of the successful recovery to the aircraft. By this engine malfunctions. For their calm, time Adams was vomiting from the professional actions, resulting in the effects of ingesting sea water, but once saving of all 322 lives onboard Flight 780, again agreed to be lowered down to the About 110nm short of HK, on an Capt Malcolm Waters and First Officer sea. otherwise routine flight from Indonesia David Hayhoe are both awarded the of a Cathay A330 with 322 passengers He conducted a further 2 rescues during Hugh Gordon Burge Memorial Award. and crew, a warning suddenly indicated which he was dragged just above wave that the No 2 engine had stalled. The top height and battered by severe wind crew set the No 1 engine to maximum PRINCE PHILIP HELICOPTER RESCUE and spray throughout, but the aircraft thrust and requested a priority landing. AWARD could not maintain position sufficiently But then, another stall message was to effect the rescue of the last fisherman received, this time for the No 1 engine - who had now drifted towards the meaning that neither was now producing lifeboat, and was, with great difficulty, any thrust. able to be recovered by its crew. The crew had only a few minutes before This was an exceptional rescue in they would be at sea level. With no extreme conditions using the highest precedent or clue as to what was causing standards of crew co-operation, flexibility the problem, all the Capt could do was and determination to overcome a series slowly move the thrust levers in the hope of severe and unexpected challenges. PO power would somehow return to one Russell Adams' actions were, in engine. Gradually, power returned particular, meritorious and deserving of intermittently, but importantly, sufficient recognition. However, this rescue mission

16 was a team effort and the entire crew of To compound matters, one of the pair of landed in the desert to conserve fuel and Rescue 193 is accordingly awarded the Chinook aircraft experienced a fault, await support, but with supporting fire Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award. leaving the mission leader to complete from the replacement Apache proving any troop extraction alone. The situation insufficient, the opportunity to recover was deteriorating rapidly - one of the AWARD OF GALLANTRY the troops was diminishing rapidly. troops was shot in the head and the Apache attack helicopter providing The Captain, recognising that his crew airborne support was in the process of offered the soldiers' only chance in this being replaced, having expended all its ever more dangerous situation, knew that munitions. he would have to extract the troops As the Chinook neared the primary under direct enemy fire. Despite the landing site, the troops advised that the obvious danger, the helicopter made its enemy had set up an ambush and were approach, eventually managing to recover prepared for its arrival. Despite this the stricken soldiers. The Army ground warning, with the lives of the soldiers in commander commended the crew for mortal peril, the crew persisted to fly their bravery and tenacity under fire inbound to the extraction location. during the rescue operation. For their Beaten back by heavy enemy fire on the On 20 September 2013, a pair of outstanding courage and professionalism, first attempt, they showed immense Chinook helicopters inserted a number with little regard for their own safety in of soldiers to a location in Afghanistan to bravery in making two further attempts the face of a highly determined and well carry out an operational mission. The to reach their stranded colleagues, on trained enemy, all members of the soldiers were delivered without incident, each occasion manoeuvring their aircraft but soon after the insertion called for at the very edge of its operating Chinook crew Sqn Ldr Steven Deyes, Flt extraction, advising that they were envelope, at very low level to evade Lt Andrew Smith, Flt Sgt Daniel Baxter pinned down and now involved in a enemy fire. Unable to reach the soldiers and Sgt Jonathan Frank are deserved heavy exchange of fire with the enemy. in spite of their valiant efforts, the crew recipients of the Award of Gallantry.

The 2014 Sir Frederick Tymms Memorial Lecture THE WONDERFUL MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AIR TRANSPORT AUXILARY REPORT BY THE EDITOR at the RAeS Headquarters, 4 Hamilton world where The ladies of the ATA with a Spitfire Place. Some 60 Masters and Clerks from civilian pilots were 32 Livery Companies, along with many employed to fly members of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, were present. • The first to pay women to ferry Following an introduction by the Master, military aircraft. Clare set the scene as follows: • The first to allow civilian women to fly ''Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and fighter aircraft. thank you for inviting me to deliver the • The first to allow women to fly four- This year's Sir Frederick Tymms Sir Frederick Tymms Lecture on the Air engine aircraft. Memorial Lecture was delivered by Clare Transport Auxiliary - fortuitously in the • And finally, remarkably, the first Walker, a Liveryman of the Company. In month that the ATA celebrates the 75th organisation to grant men and women 2012 she was inducted into the Women anniversary of its founding. But I choose equal pay as a matter of policy. 1st Top 100 Club of the most influential to begin my lecture at the end of the women in hospitality, passenger By the time the ATA flag had been story. transport, travel and tourism. After a lowered, the members of the ATA could career in national newspapers and The date is November 30 1945. The hold their heads high because, magazine publishing, aged 50, she gained place: . The event: collectively, they had: her fixed-wing single-engine licence, the final lowering of the Air Transport • Ferried more than 308,000 aircraft. then her helicopter licence and finally Auxiliary flag, marking the disbandment • Flown 87 different types of single- her multi-engine rating. Along with her of one of the most extraordinary aviation engine aircraft. close involvement with the RAeS, her organisations that has ever existed. Just a • 46 types of twin-engine aircraft. other interests include classical music and few months after it was founded, on • 11 types of four-engine aircraft. she is Vice Patron of the Docklands September 3 1939, two days after Britain Sinfonia Orchestra. declared war on Germany, it became: • And 4 types of flying boat The Lecture was held on 24th September • The first organisation anywhere in the • Making a grand total of 148 different

17 with a Short Stirling bomber

A group of male ATA pilots aircraft types. military aircraft, in particular the iconic engineer, with no accidents. Rosemary • At its peak in 1944, there were 22 ferry Spitfire and then the big four-engines, Rees recalled an argument with a Wing pools, bases or stations. most of the source material about the Commander about a York she was ATA comes from their autobiographies collecting. She wrote ''He said it was so • By the end of the war, its pilots had and biographies. Surprisingly, few have heavy compared with my five foot three flown more than 742,000 hours. been written by men. So if I seem to and seven stone weight. I pointed out • During the course of five years, 164 of concentrate too much on the women, I that I was not proposing to carry it, but the ATA's 1,318 pilots were women. 26 apologise, but there is considerably more on the contrary, make it carry me.'' American women signed up and other source material from and about them.'' Diana Barnato-Walker suffered some countries represented included Clare continued to enthrall her audience embarassment when, whilst barrel rolling Australia, New Zealand, Canada, with the story of the ATA and some of a Spitfire, a powder compact shot out of Poland, Holland, Chile and South the extraordinary characters that worked one of her pockets, scattering face Africa. for it. These included Stewart Keith- powder everywhere. The ATA's Chief • Because of the difficult conditions they Jopp, a journalist described as an Flying Instructor, the legendary flew in and the pressures they were 'incredible, one-eyed, one-armed die- Archibald Robert Octavius MacMillan, under to deliver as many aircraft as hard of the last War,' Wal Handley, the was given resposibility for developing a possible, 154 ATA personnel lost their speed track ace, Philip Wills, shipping comprehensive training programme for lives, of whom 14 were women. director and glider expert, F D the ATA. One of his ideas was the • In total, 86 ATA pilots, including 11 Bradbrooke, editor of Aeroplane production of Ferry Pilots' Notes, which women, received honours including magazine, and Bill Harben, who had enabled ATA pilots to fly aircraft they had CBE, OBE, MBE and the King's recently flown back from Africa with his never seen or flown before. These Notes Commendation forValuable Services in two newly-acquired pets, a cheetah and a were written on both sides of a small the Air. chimpanzee.The ATA ladies were equally card, carried by pilots for each flight. An Now that's the worst of the figures out of exotic. They included Diana Barnato- illustration of how good these were came the way, we can get down to some of the Walker, daughter of one of the Bentley from , who was tasked to ferry wonderful stories about the ATA pilots Boys and It girl of the period, the an older, rarer aircraft, the Blackburn and their routines. The man whose diminutive Joan Hughes, only 5ft 2ins tall Roc: ''I sat in the cockpit and read my inspiration created the ATA and who but a brilliant pilot and instructor, Lettice notes how to start the Roc. Then I remained at its helm throughout the war Curtis, Liveryman of this Company, started her and while she was warming was Gerard d'Erlanger, a Director of what , head of the women's up, I read how to take off, then I took off later became British Airways. Two of its section and Faith Bennet, an actress and while I was flying to Hamble, I read best-known pilots were Flight Captain married to a Hollywood producer who how to land - and I never had a , the first person to fly the returned to England to do her bit for moment's worry nor a moment's wonder Atlantic solo from east to west, and his King and country. , as to how something worked - it was all even more famous ex-wife, Amy another lady pilot, apparently said during there!'' Two women,VeronicaVolkerz and Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from a flight back to base in an Anson as a Mary Ellis, even managed to fly the England to Australia - only the third solo passenger after delivering an aircraft: Meteor 3, Britain's first jet fighter. flight. Although the men vastly ''Imagine all those people down there. Inevitably there were casualties, the outnumbered women, it was the 164 They're probably thinking as they look highest profile lady to lose her life was women who flew as ferry pilots who up: 'brave bomber boys off to do their Amy Johnson, who broke the rules and created the most media interest - both stuff' and actually inside are a lot of flew above cloud and ended up losing then and now. No doubt many of you women knitting.'' Despite all the dire her life. here will have seen recent television warnings about women not being Clare also outlined the role of women programmes, including one entitled physically strong enough to fly four pilots in other nations during the War, Spitfire Women. Because it was the first engined aircraft, they ferried hundreds describing the experiences of women time women had been allowed to fly with only the assistance of a flight pilots in Germany, Russia and the USA.

18 France, on the other hand, made no use aeroplanes all day every day - weather fairly certain that they never will again. of its female pilots, to their huge permitting. Despite their achievements, it Now there are far fewer aeroplanes, frustration. One was quoted as saying wasn't until 1991 that the RAF employed costing several millions a-piece. There is ''Knit ? They want us to knit ? I don't its first operational female pilot, 46 years no place in the air now for partially even know how to knit. I want to fly.'' after the end of the ATA. British Airways trained civilians.'' No doubt she was In conclusion, she said '' When the war waited until 1987 to take on board its right. The was a ended, there were so many pilots looking first female pilot, 8 years after she had unique organisation, not so much the for jobs as the RAF scaled down its first completed her training with them. Lost Child - the initial call sign of its Air operations and civil aviation started to So, as we look back at the remarkable era Movements Flight - more a child of its of the ATA and its many achievements, find its feet in a changed world, that there time, never to be repeated. It was the will we ever see anything like it again? was no room for the women as right organisation in the right place at Almost certainly not. That soon became professional pilots - no matter how many the right time, staffed by the right people apparent to some of the ATA women aircraft types they had in their log books, - and it served our country extremely how many thousands of hours they had who accurately predicted that, as aircraft well.'' flown or how many honours they had became more complex, only those who won. The vast majority of ATA women have undergone the most thorough and Clare's outstanding presentation was pilots accepted that, once the war was specialist training could ever fly such greeted with acclaim by all present. over, it was time for them to fade into the machines. Following a vote of thanks from the background again and return to family Rosemary Rees described the ATA as '' A Master Elect, Squadron Leader Chris life. But a few raged against a system that phenomenon of the Hitler war...Never Ford, those present enjoyed a reception had shown them how wonderful life before had civilians participated to such on the balcony of the RAes could be when you were paid to fly an extent in aerial warfare. One can be Headquarters. Amy Johnson’s link with the Air Pilots PAST MASTER PETER BUGGÉ Sorting and cataloguing the material in race, who ran a company the archives at Cobham House is an called Air Taxis at Stag interesting excercise for several reasons, Lane where Amy Johnson one being that it shows what a small had learned to fly and world aviation was before the Second where she had gained World War - the same names seem to her Ground Engineer's occur in various activities in the wider licence. It was one of aviation scene as well as in connection Hope's aircraft that Amy Amy Johnson with her husband with the Guild of Air Pilots and Air bought, and Hope was a Jim Mollinson Navigators, as the Honourable Founder Member of the Company of Air Pilots was then called. Guild and a member of the Foundation the Guild. It is a reminder, perhaps, that This was evident when I read Amy Council. Also at Stag Lane, one of Amy's the full title was originally The Guild of Johnson's biography, 'Amy Johnson' flying instructors was CaptainValentine Air Pilots and Air Navigators of the (Collins 1967), written by Constance Baker MC AFC, who was another British Empire. Babington Smith. Founder Member. I found the copy of 'Amy Johnson' that Amy's flight from England to Australia in Following her successful arrival in provided most of the detail above in the 1930 is well known as the first by a Australia, Amy Johnson received a library at Cobham House and it has a woman pilot and was completed in a telegram of congratulations from Sir stamp '14, South Street' on the flyleaf. Gipsy Moth, G-AAAH, which she called Sefton Brancker inviting her to become This was the Guild address between 1965 'Jason', the registered trademark of her an Honorary Member of the Guild, to and 1969 which suggests that the book, father's business. She was able to buy the which she replied accepting. The copies which was published in 1967, might have aircraft when she was assured of financial of both these telegrams which are in the been presented to the Guild by the support by Lord Wakefield (who owned archives are, I think, in the handwriting author. This theory is supported by the the Castrol lubricants company) who of Lawrence Wingfield, our first clerk, existence of two signatures on the title provides the first connection with our and it is his care in recording and page, one of 'Jack' Humphreys who Company as he was an HonoraryWarden preserving so much of the early taught Amy her ground engineering at of the Guild; he had also been Lord correspondence concerning the Guild Stag Lane, the other of Thomas Mayor of the City of London in that allows us an insight into its formative Scarborough, the engineer at Prestwick 1915/16. Furthermore, Amy's years. who had assisted Amy into her Oxford introduction to Lord Wakefield was After Amy arrived in Australia she was at aircraft on the day before she was lost in arranged by Sir Sefton Brancker, the one stage flown in one of ANA's X the Thames estuary on 5th January 1941 Director of Civil Aviation and our first aircraft from Brisbane to Sydney; the and who gave evidence to the Master. pilot was Charles Ulm, joint owner subsequent Enquiry. In view of the The next connection is Captain Walter of ANA with Kingsford-Smith and with significance of these signatures I have Hope, a winner of the King’s Cup air him a (Honorary) Founder Member of placed this book in the archives.

19 The Super Constellation at Farnborough Super Connie at Farnborough LIVERYMAN RICHARD PIPER

Farnborough was rather special this year, delight in sharing the pleasure this sufficiently forVFR flight but limited the not only displaying at the airshow with aircraft brings. Walking across the ramp height we could climb to. This was no the Great War Display Team under the gave plenty of time to revel in the hardship as we had wonderful views as watching eye of Past Master Rick dolphin like shape of the fuselage and the we tracked down to Goodwood initially, Peacock-Edwards and Liveryman John dainty triple fins. The influence of then along the coast past Shoreham to Turner (who were on the Flying Control Howard Hughes and his notorious turn around at Brighton before coasting Committee) but I was very fortunate to attention to detail certainty bore fruit in in at Littlehampton, past Arundel Castle be invited by Freeman Ben Griffiths for a the exquisite appearance of the aircraft. and returning to Farnborough after some flight on the Super Connie on the Originally operating as a military 45 minutes. The crew were working hard Monday afterwards as a guest of transport, the interior is very spacious to safely navigate at this level with the Lockheed Martin and Breitling. I grew with about half the cabin area set up as assistance of two GPS's, a CAA 500k up near Farnborough where my father seating and the rest open. The absence of chart and the local knowledge of former worked at the Royal Aircraft overhead lockers gave a real feeling of BA Captain Roger Mills. Establishment for many years, so space and during the flight we were free It was an interesting contrast to the Farnborough has many special memories to wander around the cabin, take pictures normal navigation of the original - not least the classic airshows. through the large windows and look into transoceanic flights, where the navigator As a child my first flights were on the cockpit which, unlike today's has his own station outside the cockpit turboprops and jets such as the Britannia , has no door let alone one that is with aircraft instruments repeated to aid and Comet, and apart from a Bristol locked! Having a few radials of my own, DR navigation and an astro porthole Freighter trip with the family car to I could not resist asking if I could unstrap together with a sextant tube in the roof Oostende, I had never experienced and film the engine start from an over for taking sightings. In a similar manner, piston airliners before.Therefore with my wing window (there being no seats here) the engineer's station seated sideways on passion for radials, it was a real treat to be Again this was no problem and I could the starboard side has it's own set of invited to have a trip on one of the most savour the usual smoky radial start of the engine controls and instruments to iconic piston airliners, the Super 3250 HP Curtis Wright. Noise levels carefully nurture the engines. Constellation. We were told to report at were very reasonable during the taxi and A wonderful end to the Farnborough the well appointed TAG facility ready for run up checks on the runway before we weekend and my thanks go to Ben, a 9am flight. However, the weather had launched. Even with takeoff power set, Lockheed Martin, Breitling and the team other ideas and there was a delay to wait the noise levels were not that high but who fly, preserve and maintain the Super for the low cloud and mist to lift indeed sheer music to radial aficionados. Connie especially Captain Ron de Jong sufficiently for the VFR operations the The only area that modern aircraft have and his crew. You can find more Super Connie flies under. The crew that the edge is in air conditioning. information at their website operate the aircraft are all volunteers and The aforementioned weather had cleared www.superconstellation.org.

Interior views of the Super Constellation

20 Lancaster Dividend Our “bus” for the trip to Duxford LIVERYMAN RICHARD PIPER

The air show scene was dominated this season during August and September period with the presence of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster FM213 “Vera” in company with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s own PA474 “Thumper”.This was a wonderful enterprise by the Canadians supported and hosted by the BBMF to provide emotional memories to many. It also provided an unexpected dividend at the Duxford September Air Show. The Great War Display Team (GWDT) had a busy Saturday displaying at Romsey, White Waltham and finally Duxford and after landing were told there was some bad news - due to the expected crowds on the Sunday because of the presence of the two Lancs, the aircrew bus would be GWDT members me, Pete Bond, Liveryman Vic GWDT members Vic, Bruce Dickinson and Alex Lockwood and Alex Truman Truman leaving the hotel an hour earlier and would not even be taking us to Duxford but Cambridge. After the initial Boarding at Cambridge led by Liveryman Vic Lockwood confusion, it was quickly explained that Plane Sailing PBY-5a Catalina would be providing three shuttle trips to ferry the display crews so they would arrive in time for briefing and displays. Cue much excitement from even the most experienced display pilots! We were briefed that the flight would be 3 minutes and after take off we would be free to move around the aircraft. In the event, the wind meant a change of runway so the flights were over 10 minutes, but no one was complaining. The Catalina team were very organised and the GWDT took the second flight and, as the pictures show, thoroughly Touch down at Duxford Deplaning at Duxford enjoyed the experience. Observing the traffic congestion from the panoramic blisters, we could further appreciate the privileged form of transport. We even had the pleasure of seeing both the two Lancs and the Catalina displays after our slot. Thanks all at Duxford and Plane Sailing for this novel air show transport.

21 FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE DISABLED CAROLYNE SIBLEY-HARRIS 2014 SCHOLAR Aviation Flying School' run by Fiona all. I gained in so much confidence as the Luckhurst and Ray Proost. I was paired course progressed, and I loved ground up with another fellow scholar, Sherrill school too, that by the end of the second Semple, with whom I clicked instantly week I was up in 'George' and did my with when we first met at the four day best unassisted landing ever! Flying in the selection process at RAF Cranwell. I was Shadow, with its large wingspan and looking forward to challenging myself incredible full vision, felt like being a again with something that really would bird. The slightest movement on any of totally stimulate my brain. I needed to the controls made the aeroplane react prove to myself that I could still learn, straight away, and we soared through the achieve, and also manage all this with sky. The C-42 was also sensitive to each limited energy and physical limitations. I movement on the controls, but reacted a I was extremely fortunate to receive one wanted to feel that I was living again. I bit slower than the Shadow. Two very of the relatively small number of knew that however hard it got I would different feelings, with two different scholarships that are offered each year never give up, as the lure of flying was types of aircraft. How lucky was I… from FSDP (Flying Scholarships for too strong, and the support I had around Learning to fly from scratch in a short Disabled People), with my sponsor being me would help me achieve my dream of amount of time (25 hours of flight time, the Air Pilots Benevolent Fund. I had being able to pilot an actual aeroplane. plus ground school, over a period of four always wanted to fly and therefore The first two days of the scholarship was weeks with a break in the middle to studied Physics at 'O' Level and started mixed with so many differing emotions, consolidate what we have been learning), studying it at 'A' Level, but my careers from being scared, overwhelmed, to and managing my disabilities, has made officer at the time told me that they don't terribly excited, and I really had to let me realise that I still have capabilities and accept women pilots so it was pointless to myself go and not fight it. After I landed am able to grasp at life, and not only that, continue. I was devastated by this, but as on day three I went into the hanger and I can hold my head up high again and tell I could draw well I went down the art just burst into tears from so much bottled the whole world that I can actually fly an route instead and had a very good career up emotion and frustration that I had aeroplane! My confidence is returning, art directing national magazines and hung on to over the years, as I realised and I don't hide away anymore. I find I newspapers. what I was actually doing. And what I can now talk about my disabilities clearly, About ten years ago I had to stop work had just done was to fly myself whereas before I would try and pretend as Art Editor on as I (instructor at my side!), using all three that all was fine and be secretly frustrated sustained many work injuries in my axis, over Stonehenge, our amazing with myself that it really wasn't. I feel wrists; arms and shoulders; neck and equivalent to the pyramids!! I did it. I was happy again. I am not going to let this back; and right knee. I was also diagnosed able to coordinate my body with my feeling and sense of pride go and I now with M.E./C.F.S. (Myalgic brain, actually relax for a bit whilst flying, want to continue to fly and get my Encephalomyelitis), which made me bed and feel a great sense of release and PPL(M). I have already taken four out of bound and have no energy to sustain freedom, both physically and mentally. the five exams, and passed them, I have even a short conversation. I also have an With 'Shadow Aviation' the aeroplane soloed twice, and I can also fly two types underlying condition of Hypermobility my 'wingwoman' (as we called each of aeroplane. The experience that I have Syndrome. Seven operations and almost a other) Sherrill and I were flying was a C- gained from my scholarship is truly a life- decade later I am able to sustain periods 42 microlight called 'The African saver, and I'm not exaggerating. The thrill of activity, but felt that I really had Queen'. Our instructors, Fiona and Ray, of learning and mastering an areoplane nothing in my life anymore that I was also teach in a Shadow microlight, which must surely continue for as long as a pilot physically and mentally able to achieve, I referred to as a 'half plane'. I was offered flies, along with the sense of freedom and apart from getting through a day, pacing to go up and fly in the Shadow, 'George', feelings of achievement. I don't want to in small activities, and seeing doctors, but it looked quite frankly like a long let any of that go, so watch this space... physiotherapists and consultants. I was clear coffin to me and I was not keen at The Shadow very good at covering up how miserable I was feeling and hiding myself away. The C42 Then I found out about the flying scholarship on the television and that tiny ember buried deep down in my head started to glow. I felt that I had a way out. My flying scholarship took me to Old Sarum in Wiltshire with 'Shadow

22 Commemoration of the commencement of WW1 FREEMAN RON GAMMONS Al Fresco lunch, Amiens courtesy M Derrett With August 2014 came the opportunity Director could not be found and without to mark the commencement of that that no organised display could be held at terrible conflict and in particular the either of the two locations. involvement of the Army aircraft of 2 The basic plan was that the group would Squadron which became later the RFC. leave Headcorn at midday onTuesday the In particular the arrival of the first 12th, led by the BE2 and routing via machine on 13th August 1914 on French Swingate Down [the original stepping soil of Lieutenant Hubert Harvey Kelly off point for Harvey Kelly] and in a BE2 at Amiens. The Western Front congregate at Abbeville which would be Association, and in particular their Vice the base for the expedition. The church President Graham Parker, started services were planned at Amiens at 11.00 planning a full three years before for the on the morning of the 13th and the later commemoration and had underwritten one at Arras at 5pm on the same day. A the reasonable costs of the return to Abbeville for an overnight Boddington/Slater BE2 replica to be before the return to UK on the 14th, present and be the centre piece flying at hopefully for most in time for the De the two major ground based services Havilland Moth Club (DHMC) major intended, the first one at Amiens in the Woburn event due on the 16th and 17th! morning and the second, later on the same day at Arras. The planned day, Late on in the planning came the news intended was of course August 13th that the replica BE2 would be joined by safely tucked up at OldWarden! All credit 2014, exactly 100 years after that first two more full size replicas shipped from to Matt Boddington for his sterling effort arrival. New Zealand, and there was much effort to reach Headcorn! It was understood In order to bolster the aircraft numbers expended in trying to assist with their paperwork! This was all looking good! that on landing he sought two things, a the Moth Club’s Display hangar and a bar, in any order! team of Tiger Nine were invited via John But things were not to continue However all was not lost, for the Gilder who took on most of the liaison smoothly, Hurricane Bertha made her work. That then led to a more general unwelcome presence felt and it became members of the DHMC are not easily invite to Moth biplane aircraft to join in. obvious that the rendezvous at Headcorn deterred! By late onTuesday 12th we had The invitation caused a flurry of entrants on the Monday for theTuesday departure six Tigers and one Hornet present at and rather quickly a list of some 23 was not going to happen for most. But Abbeville, with more at Headcorn aircraft was amassed mostly flying on hope sprang eternal for the Tuesday, but promising an early flight to France on the Permits under the LAA banner. again strong gusty winds over the Wednesday. The Aero-Club d' Abbeville- Buigny Baie de Somme, based at the But before one could fly, came the southern half of the UK deterred most airfield were most helpful and the hotel paperwork, including of course although the BE2 Boddington/Slater did on site managed by Pascal provided agreement for Permit aircraft into make it to Headcorn but it went no France, and including a number with further and the two NZ ones stayed much needed sustenance and some military markings which need special safely in a hangar at Old Warden with accommodation! clearance. Peter Gould, a DHMC one of the intended pilots describing the Next morning Wednesday 13th August member in France, worked with the very roll response of the BE2 as being the Hornet flown by Past Master Dick helpful French DGAC to obtain the approximately 25% that of a Tiger Moth. Felix and Mark Preston was despatched relevant permissions which came Those familiar [who isnt] with the first to Amiens to deliver the RFC through very quickly. However despite aileron response or rather the lack can Commemorative wreath for the start of the efforts of many, a French Display understand why the BE2s remained the service at 11.00 while the six Tigers

Crossing the Channel - courtesy J Gilder Arras here we come - courtesy M Glanfield Locals at Amiens - courtesy J Coker

23 Swingate Down airfield - courtesy J Gilder

appreciation of the courage of the pilots in the early aircraft 100 years ago. The majority of the group returned to the UK on the Thursday, early departures missing the squall line of thunderstorms sweeping up the channel, later departures regretted not getting up earlier! To our Shadows over a cemetary - courtesy J Gilder knowledge no mechanical problems were manifest and everybody returned were arranged in two "vics" of three for at the evening dinner at the airfield 40 safely with the majority making their a flypast at 11.30 followed by a stream people toasted the "Gentlemen of the way to Woburn to fill their week of landing and simultaneous shut down in RFC", all having gained a better aviation involvement! front of the large crowd, many clad in Dressed for the occasion at Amiens - courtesy I Ponsford 1914 garb. This was greeted by the crowd with six spontaneous rounds of cheers! During the lunch, kindly provided by the Aero Club de Picardie and the Western Front Association, another four Tigers and the only airworthy Queen Bee arrived direct from Headcorn to join in. That made twelve all told and we were delighted to see them! The lunch was worthy of some Michelin stars and was very much appreciated by all. A flight during the afternoon took the group to Arras, routing overhead many of the cemeteries and war memorials in the area, providing a telling reminder of the extent of the casualties during that terrible conflict. On arrival at Arras the Aero Club had laid on coffee and a small reception. Just before 5pm the majority took off to return to Abbeville but by chance [!] passing on track overhead the Citadel where the main service of commemoration was timed to start at 5pm. Apparently the Welsh choir had just completed the opening hymn when the loose formation passed by, greeted we understand to spontaneous applause by the thousands of people there, who could well have been forgiven for thinking that the flypast had been extensively choreographed. The ceremony at Arras closed with a flypast of a Tornado, appropriately enough from 2 Squadron. The return flight for the Tigers to Abbeville was without any incident and Thiepval Memorial - courtesy J Gilder

24 Company visit to Stow Maries LIVERYMAN PAUL SMIDDY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE EDITOR Eight or so fixed wing aircraft, together Gothas and Zeppelins using the estuaries with a couple of rather shiny helicopters, of the East Coast as primary navaids, not to mention a fair few motor vehicles, Stow Maries was busy - particularly at became time machines for the day. Their night. However with such squadrons pilots and passengers, alighting on a grass largely operating obsolescent types airfield in a backwater of Essex, were retired from the Western Front, morale Paul Smiddy's Glastar transported back a century. For we were was not of the highest. Moreover pilots privileged to be shown around the only were posted there with minimal training: extant WW1 airfield in the UK, Russell recalled one pilot with only three moreover by its saviour and rejuvenator, 15 minute solo flights in his logbook Russell Savory. After tea and coffee in the before arriving there! atmospheric café hut he related the saga With a manning level of nearly 400 at its of how he came to resuscitate this rural jewel. “Up at sunrise and sunset every peak, Stow Maries was a large site. The day”, this man is clearly not only recently erected war memorial lists the endowed with enormous energy and names of 10 pilots, most of whom were 19, the eldest 23. Excavations on the site commitment, he is also a polymath: race Past Master Epton presents the Company's plaque engine designer, race car engineer, and donations by locals have resulted in ornithologist, conservationist, educat- copious and interesting displays of ionalist - I have probably omitted artefacts relating to the squadrons based another few strings to his bow! He there. Russell is almost evangelical in his acquired the Stow Maries site near desire to use the airfield for the benefit of Maldon in 2004 for business premises, local schools. He has instituted a 'rocket and his early clearance work revealed the challenge', the first of which resulted in relative completeness of this WW1 site. 19 schools attempting to launch 2 eggs to This had reverted to agricultural use precisely 825' and return them unscathed soon after the Armistice, but to terra firma. The winners were a girls The restored buildings and water tower demilitarisation did not prevent its being team, he noted. bombed by the Luftwaffe in WW2! The conservation aspect of Stow Maries Whilst much has been achieved, (and also fuels the interest of the young - there help from the Lottery was welcome), are five species of owls in residence, for much remains to do. Savory, now the sole example, and Russell showed examples of driver, alongside trustees he has some of his stunning wildlife recruited, is looking for £2m from the HLF to reconstruct several hangars. He photography. The variety of wildlife has has obtained a II* listing to protect the been greatly enhanced by the absence of site from the ravages from any planners of pesticides during its agricultural use. the future. After a tour of the site, in his concluding talk Russell mentioned he is also The Memorial As film maker Peter Jackson looks to relocate his 40 odd vintage/WW1 fleet looking to enrol four schools into the from New Zealand, Russell hopes that LAA's Build a Plane initiative. Warden several will find a home in Essex. This Chris Spurrier was sufficiently moved to would enhance his overall objective - to volunteer a £100 donation to this create “a living museum with smells”. project (“for a propeller”) from the Stow Maries was one of several fields Company's Benevolent Fund, rapidly created in the early years of the war to seconded by your author. throw a protective ring around London. Thus ended an uplifting visit to more 37 Sqn operated from there, and also at than an airfield. It was back to the 21st C Rochford and Goldhange. With the by car, aircraft and helicopter! The Officers' Mess, currently unrestored

25 Company visit to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight FREEMAN JEFF WORTH AND LIVERYMAN PAUL SMIDDY PHOTOS COURTESY ASSISTANT JOHN DENYER

Opened in 1988 by farmers Fred and evolved as a walk-round WW2 Harold Panton, the Lincolnshire Aviation experience accommodated within several Heritage Centre (LAHC) Museum was preserved buildings. initially created as a memorial to their The main hangar contains Lancaster 'Just older brother Christopher who was Jane' and the C47A but around the side killed in action during the night of areas are historical features including March 30/31, 1943. The Museum is relics of excavated aircraft parts and a situated on the former WW2 airfield of Spitfire front fuselage. Examples of RAF East Kirby. The LAHC has now bombs include replicas of Tall Boy and expanded to become a Memorial to the Grand Slam in company with a number 55,500 Bomber Command aircrew lost of period service vehicles. Close by are The visitors are briefed at the BBMF during WW2. The main attractions are Nissen huts, one of which displays a LIVE TAXI, 'JUST JANE ' the Lancaster NX211 'Just Jane' and briefing room laid out for a Berlin raid - This is a fascinating and evocative Douglas C47A N473DC. quote of the time 'a room full of smoke, experience.Visitors line up alongside 'Just 'Just Jane' performs taxi runs on sweat and fear' Another is an aircrew Jane' to watch the start up preparations. programmed days from March to billet showing beds scattered with Helmeted crew signal from the cockpit. personal items but empty spaces November This aircraft was built for the Fire crew raise thumbs-up. A whir of announce non-returning aircrew The cancelled Far East campaign but held in starter motors, engines cough, exhausts Memorial Chapel holds a Roll of store until sold to the French Navy emit smoke, then the rasp of four Honour naming 848 servicemen who After retirement the Lancaster was Merlins. The warm up and taxi are a were lost flying from East Kirby from refurbished and flown to the UK. living reminder of the actual time when 1943 to 1945. Thereafter, following several owners, it anxious personnel lined up to wave was purchased by the Panton brothers A Home Front exhibition illustrates crews off on a mission that might only be and after spending some years as Gate wartime civilian lifestyle, including ration one way. As the captain increases at RAF Scampton it was books, gas masks, evacuation activities, an Merlins' power 'Just Jane' moves forward moved to East Kirby in 1989. Anderson Shelter and farming giving those watching a nerve tingling The C47A is aWW 2 veteran that served equipment. experience. The run takes place on the with USAAF, RAF and RCAF and took The control tower is set out exactly as at grass area and is disappointingly slow, but part in Operations Neptune (D Day), a wartime operational airfield. Every nevertheless visitors see, hear and smell a Market Garden (Arnhem) and Varsity floor contains a relevant diorama of piece of historical re-enactment by a (Rhine crossing). It is airworthy and equipment and personnel and features veteran aircraft. As 'Just Jane' returns from earns its keep participating in air shows realistic sound tracks. A windsock with the taxi run seemingly from a mission, and re-enacted WW2 parachute drops real bullet holes in it sways in the wind visitors can imagine themselves as part of An interesting internal feature are the alongside. the real Bomber Command scene and inscriptions scratched on the inner The RAF Escape Society award winning experience an atmosphere of relief and joyous welcome back. fuselage sides made by troops in transit. exhibition contains innovative historical LAHC holds other aircraft for restoration artefacts used to assist evaders and The crew run up the four Merlins for a including a Percival Proctor, a Handley escapers plus the repatriation routes few moments providing a quartet of Page Hampden plus several large pieces provided by the Dutch and French sound like no other, then at shutdown a of aVickers Wellington. The Museum has Resistance. reflective silence occurs. Editor's Note. Following the visit to East The BBMF's C47 Dakota The BBMF's Lancaster undergoing maintainance Kirby, the Company members stayed overnight in the Petwood Hotel, which once served as the Officers' Mess for 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, when it was based at nearby RAF Woodhall Spa. After dinner they were given a presentation by Liveryman AirVice Marshal Paul Robinson on the plans to set up a Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial. Liveryman Paul Smiddy reports as follows.

26 THE INTERNATIONAL BOMBER aircraft, or were murdered once they had COMMAND MEMORIAL CENTRE parachuted to the ground. Of the 26,000 Once upon a time the groups of Bomber Command fatalities, their strangely dressed males would have been average age was but 20; 25% were non- the (officer) aircrew of 617 Sqn relaxing British. The chance of baling out of a A rear view of the Dakota in their mess. These days they are groups wounded Lanc was given as only 12%, and the chance of surviving a tour was of golfers (I am told Woodhall Spa is were greeted by Sqn Ldr Jeff Hesketh, only 27%. something of a Mecca for such things). now an 'ambassador' for the BBMF, but The Company group quite definitely The Lincolnshire memorial will cost its Nav Leader from 2003 to 2010, with raised the sartorial tone a notch when we £5.5m, and it intended that it will in due 8,000 hrs in his log book. course record all 26,000 names, although gathered for dinner at the very He gave us a succinct history of the unit, the first phase will incorporate only those atmospheric Petwood Hotel. founded in 1957 at Biggin, and receiving lost from Lincolnshire. The adjacent Liveryman Air Vice Marshal Paul its Lancaster in 1973. So although it is as International Interpretation Centre will Robinson gave a very illuminating talk, much about commemorating the brave include the study of the suffering of the which resonated with our experiences members of Bomber Command, it has German civilian population. This will be earlier in the day at East Kirby. retained its original title. Its fleet strength named the Chadwick Centre after Avro's Lincolnshire - with no less than 46 has varied over time, but currently gifted designer. The museum will have operational bases in WW2 deserved its consists of 6 Spitfires (of which 4 are links with the Luftwaffe Museum at name of 'Bomber County' - was keen Merlin-engined), 2 Hurricanes, 2 Gatow (where I was struck by the dress to celebrate its military heritage at a Chipmunks (for tailwheel training), 1 uniform of Goering - before his single focal point. The Master had joined C47, and of course PA474, the much Nuremberg diet!). The original design of 10 veterans at the internment of a time loved Lancaster. Like the Reds, its public the Lincoln memorial, some 50m tall, capsule at the site of the proposed exposure is enormous - 1.25m at was shot down by English Heritage. It is museum 2 miles South of Lincoln Bournemouth over this year's 4 day now a mere 31.09m - coincidentally the Cathedral. More than half of Bomber festival, with 7-8m members of the wingspan of a Lanc.The target deadline is Command's 50 main bases were in the British public seeing the BBMF at some June 2015, which will be the anniversary county, which with 2500 men per base stage during a typical year. At an annual of the Lincolnshire Magna Carta. Paul made for a massive military presence. cost, Jeff noted, of less than half Jonathan concluded his informative if very Liveryman Air Vice Marshal Paul, son of Ross's BBC salary (or 1.5 days' budget sobering talk with the glad news that the a Spitfire pilot, and an ex CFS man for a Typhoon squadron)! On the other Heritage Lottery Fund had just decided himself, bombarded us with statistics. 617 hand, its fees for a three ship 15 minute to grant £2.5m for the Museum's fitting Sqn arrived at Woodhall Spa in 1944 display are extremely reasonable. out. under the command of Leonard The unit has unusual staffing: of only 28 The next day Company members visited the Cheshire, who proceeded to evaluate his engineering staff, only 14 are full-time Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a pathfinding ideas in a P51 Mustang. The (they are all Reservists) - they are clearly Company affiliated unit. Liveryman Paul pathfinding role was then taken by 627 both capable and committed. Similarly of Smiddy continues the story. Sqn, and it was with this squadron that the aircrew, only the Boss, Sqn Ldr Guy Gibson eventually met his fate. Duncan Mason, and Flt Lt 'Parky' If the mood in the dining room was of BBMF Parkinson (who seemed well known to a typical Honourable Company And so on to RAF Coningsby, and that certain female member of the Company bonhomie, it took on a certain chill widely loved unit, the Battle of Britain party) are full time on the Flight. when Paul transported us back 70 years Memorial Flight. Coningsby itself was Jeff then showed a very well received to the night 617 Sqn, at the height of its rather busy as it was providing a 2005 TV documentary on the role of the Tallboy activities was sent to bomb the temporary home for many of flight. This covered a lot of ground, but Kembs barrage on the Rhine north of Waddington's aircraft displaced whilst the one issue was perhaps of greatest interest Basel. One crew either died in their latter's runway was being resurfaced. We to many members - the extensive

27 briefing for flights over London on engine failure drills in the single-engined aircraft. BBMF members know they are committed to ditching in the Thames, and neither Spit nor Hurricane is known to be good ditchers, so to speak. The process of converting onto the fighters was well shown, which was apposite since our visit coincided with the one day of the year when putative Spitfire pilots were being put through their paces by the OC in one of the Chippies. I imagine it was as tense a grading flight as these Tornado and Typhoon pilots had ever endured. Jeff imparted a final piece of good news - the Flight might be receiving a Mosquito from Norway - and not just to be a hangar queen.

We were then escorted around the The Master Elect and the Master at the BBMF hangar, the first stop being the C47, The Master which was a true WW2 warbird, inspects the complete with inscriptions by nervous aided of course by using lower boost interior of US paratroopers on its bare interior. The settings than was common in wartime. the Lancaster BBMF is particularly proud of its Mk2 The finale was crawling around the Spit (one of the 'baby' Spits - ie Merlin- Lancaster, or at least its rear end. The engined, in Flight parlance) which is the absence of its H2S, as it began its winter oldest flying Spit in the world, complete deep service, left a gaping hole in the rear with 2 bullet holes from a Me109, and 4 fuselage which 'elf'n'safety regs deemed confirmed kills. The Mk6 Spitfire achieved 60 missions in 60 consecutive was too dangerous for the Company's days. The Flight is of course considerably pilots to negotiate! We were all rather aided in keeping such veterans where soberly shown how difficult it would be they belong by the emergence of a to abandon a Lanc in an emergency, Spitfire manufacturing industry in the whilst it was also obvious that the life of really was a huge privilege to UK, and the BBMF clearly enjoys a a tail gunner was both uncomfortable, see the BBMF's assets at close quarters, symbiotic relationship with many of and very much under threat. There were and with such an informative guide. Long these contractors. Serviceablilty is also too many anecdotes to list here, but it may the Flight continue.

From the desk of the Director Aviation Affairs LIVERYMAN JOHN TURNER

INTRODUCTION unmanned air vehicles. These, together Aviation safety remains a focus for our with a potential solution to one of the work, both in professional committee shortfalls of the barometric altimeter, are discussion and in responding to covered below. response submitted at the end of consultation requests from a number of CONSULTATION October. bodies. We have become increasingly We have become involved in a plethora • The economic impact of the General involved in the latter and our work with of consultation activities recently as Aviation (GA) sector in the UK SKYbrary continues to address the follows: aviation safety theme. Also I wanted to commissioned by the UK Department mention 'reporting fatigue', which is • House of Lords Call for Evidence on for Transport - consultants have asked causing concern within our professional the civil use of remotely piloted for assistance in gathering data to committees and this year's EASA Safety vehicles (RPAS) in the EU - Air Pilots support this work and we have Conference that focussed on General response submitted in September circulated a survey questionnaire to all Aviation and included discussion of • CHIRP 5-year review - Air Pilots UK members; member’s responses will

28 be routed via myself to maintain • Volcanic Ash: Guidance for Flight two radios that never seemed to work anonymity. I also hope to provide the Crews while flying low level but was critical to consultants with assistance from • High Altitude Flight Operations tactical formation management and members of the UK Education & safety. Eventually the Station Flight • Unreliable Airspeed Indications Training Committee to further inform Safety Officer interrogated the RAF's and guide their work. The consultation • Hot and High Operations incident report database to see how often closes on 27 November. • Wake Turbulence Hazard - A Pilot the problem had been reported; he found • CAA consultation into the future of Check List that after a plethora of reports soon after the CAA Medical Department - • Deep Stall the aircraft's introduction to service, there circulated to UK professional • Engine Core and Fan De/Anti-icing had been hardly any for a number of years. Officially, the problem had gone committee members and UK members • Crew Resource Management with aviation medicine connections, away! This was because all the pilots • Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) the deadline for response is 11 knew there was a problem but after December. There are fears that the • Engine Failure DuringTakeoff - Multi- submitting many incident reports they CAA will close its medical department Engine Transport Category Aircraft saw no sign of the problem being fixed that will not only lead to the loss of an • Aquaplaning and even less reason to continue important independent source of • Hypoxia submitting further reports. Reporting fatigue had set in (and delayed resolution medical knowledge but also leave • Cockpit Automation - Advantages and of the radio issue by a number of years). doctors issuing aviation medical Issues certificates unsupported and the pilots Laser attacks continue to threaten the • Hydraulic Problems: Guidance for who rely on them unable to fly (or to drivers of almost all forms of transport. Flight Crews work) for unnecessarily long periods. Yet tightening of legislation, whether to • Oxygen Systems These are examples of where we are able limit the import/purchase of high power to provide specialist information and • Cabin Fire lasers or to punish the perpetrators of hopefully to influence future policy. As • Monitored Approach attacks is unlikely if laser attacks on ever, the quality of our consolidated • Flight Crew In-Seat Rest aircraft are not fully reported. Those response depends critically on the reports also need to include a description • Use of Radio Altimeter information provided by individual of the potential impact an attack could members. My thanks to all who have • Flying a Visual Approach have had; it might be self-evident to any taken a little time to support requests to • Recovery from Unusual Aircraft pilot but a magistrate, judge or legislator date; if you've not been asked to Attitudes needs to have everything fully explained contribute so far, my thanks in advance • Energy Management during Approach for them to understand. (We know that distraction in the cockpit or on the flight for any time you can spare to help sustain • Ice Contaminated Tailplane Stall the quality of specialist information you deck can be a killer but many non-fliers • Aircraft Fire Risk from Battery- provide. will consider distraction just a minor powered Items Carried on Aircraft inconvenience.) • Aircraft Fire Detection Systems Similarly, the dwindling number of flight SKYBRARY • Ice Induced Roll Upset crew fatigue reports is particularly Over November and December we • Aerodynamic Stall Awareness and worrying at a time when many airlines revise articles we have previously Avoidance are introducing fatigue management endorsed. You do not need to be a • Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Systems systems. Fatigue management systems member of my small band of reviewers to have suffered by their introduction in • Flying a Manual Go-around help with this; the views of all members parallel with relaxed crew duty are welcome and invaluable in helping to regulations. Nonetheless, they are ensure our articles remain up to date. As REPORTING FATIGUE probably here to stay and have the a reminder, my email address is The last thing anyone wants to do after potential to offer real safety benefits in [email protected] . Endorsed articles will long hours at work is to volunteer for the longer term. However, they can only soon be marked with our Crest as more paperwork, especially if that ever be as good as the data input from 'Content Controller' but in advance of paperwork seems superfluous or crews as well as managers; a fatigue getting that implemented, all the articles ineffectual! Perhaps as a result, the management system deprived of crew we have endorsed to date are listed number of pilot reports on crew fatigue fatigue data could be catastrophic. below; anyone wishing to view an article and laser attack appears to be dwindling. should find it on-line by entering The message from our Technical and Air At the same time, there is a general “SKYbrary -article name” into a search Safety Committee is to please make feeling that crew fatigue is becoming an engine. every effort to keep raising safety reports increasing problem and that the number - on whatever topic - when issues occur, • Emergency Turn of laser attacks, particularly at certain even if you are reporting a 'known • Mitigating Risk for Non-Standard airports, is undiminished. problem'. If for any reason formal Flights I'm reminded of a time many years ago reporting doesn't work for you, please • Bird Strike on Final Approach: when everyone who flew the Hawk jet revert to one of the confidential human Guidance for Flight Crews trainer had real trouble with one of the factors reporting mechanisms such as

29 CHIRP; the rate of reporting on any calls for EASA to confine itself to setting figures are reversed (25% due to pilot's particular topic will always be a powerful safety objectives, which by their nature attitude to risk, 75% due to lack of skill). indicator of emerging safety trends, so do not change too quickly, then to allow As one contributor put it, “the best safety each report is important, even if it safety implementation to occur locally, device on an aircraft is a well-trained appears to have little impact or point at with a full understanding of local pilot”. Of course, in this context training the time of writing. conditions consists of more than providing someone There are large variations in GA safety with the skill set, it also requires across the world and even within Europe. providing them with the correct and EASA SAFETY CONFERENCE GA in UK was described as safe enough enduring mental attitude and approach Rome 15/16 October to risk. Towards simpler, lighter, better rules but not risk free while in the United for General Aviation States (US) GA is perceived as safe to Amongst the plethora of statistics, one some extent but little aircraft are stood out in particular: When This conference opened with considered inherently risky; the GA commercial pilots fly in GA aircraft in recognition of General Aviation's (GA) accident rate in Finland is three times the US they experience the same importance as a source of commercial air that of UK and GA accident rates in the accident rate as GA pilots who do not fly transport (CAT) pilots and that the likely US are much lower than the overall commercially; this is not a uniquely US impacts on GA of unmanned air vehicles European Union (EU) rate. arising as statistics from Finland show (UAS)/ Remotely Piloted Air Vehicles exactly the same. (RPAS) and their regulation would be Lower accident rates in US were discussed. As is often the case, the attributed variously to the US approach It was also surprising to see the contrasts conference provided a chance to to training requiring biannual aural time between GA and road vehicle safety and contemplate flight safety issues in the with an instructor and the relative ease of technologies; GA safety has not improved round and to hear a broad set of applying aircraft variations (e.g. the significantly since the 1980s but in that opinions. installation of angle of attack gauges) and time there have been dramatic the availability of instrument ratings (IR) improvements in road vehicle safety. At and instrument approaches to GA pilots. one time, a Cessna172-class aircraft Is GA safe enough? Approximately 50% of US GA pilots would have cost the same to buy as a Patrick Ky, the new Executive Director have an IR that includes the ability to fly Mercedes S-Class saloon. Today's EASA, noted that 250 GA pilots are an instrument approach to published Cessna172 is little changed in technology killed each year within the EU; a figure minima. GA pilots in US also tend to fly terms from its older equivalent yet it is he thought was too high. Almost all EU more hours each year than EU GA pilots about three times the cost of a modern GA accidents show airmanship failures because fuel (as well as the cost of Mercedes S-Class that is streets ahead of though many also relate to structural or regulation) is cheaper. Some its older equivalent in terms of safety engine failure. EASA is now committed commentators noted that official features and reliability. to changing the way it works and wants promotion/encouragement of EASA has moved into regulating light to deal with the real safety problems in membership of Type Clubs (of which aircraft relatively recently and, as many in the most effective way, which it has learnt there are many US) was also significant, the UK are aware it is much more costly might not be through applying rules. as pilots belonging to Type Clubs are to operate an EASA-regulated light EASA at last realises it can't make GA much safer than pilots who do not. This aircraft than one that falls under the CAA safer by increasing regulation (although also seemed to support the view in Annex 2; many also chose to operate some areas must be regulated) so it is mentioned earlier that peer N-reg rather than G-reg for similar building a dedicated team and road map pressure/learning has an important role reasons. Certain parts of the GA for GA. in enhancing pilot safety. community were also at pains to point Conference delegates felt that whereas Correlation between flying hours (pilot out what appeared to be ridiculous regulating organisations might work well currency/recency) and GA accident rates anomalies. Some gliders fall under EASA for CAT, it does not work for GA. seems self-evident though no regulation while heavier microlights do Several observed that it was more government representative expressed an not; fitting an engine to a glider can important to ensure the senior appetite to reduce tax rates on fuel in EU remove it from EASA regulation and individuals (instructors) at flying clubs - to improve GA safety there. There was a mean the pilot no longer needs a licence who are role models for GA pilots, suggestion that the introduction of to fly it! Similarly, while microlights can display the right values and methodology electric-powered light aircraft (two of have certificated synthetic vision systems to ensure all pilots under their charge which I was able to watch at this year's installed at cost, fitting the same system in have the right approach too. Farnborough air show) could give EU a licenced aircraft would cost 20,000 Furthermore, it was felt that a 'safety gap' pilots the chance to fly more often and, if euros; as a result, the system (and safety can arise where GA pilots lack IR rules permitted, to spend more time benefit it would bring) is not fitted! continuous mentoring/peer group practicing in the instrument pattern! Quite rightly, EASA were challenged to observation and development. EASA is Separate analyses by FAA and New match their cost of regulation to that of progressively replacing the multitude of Zealand show that 75% of GA fatal Annex 2 aircraft. national regulators in Europe whereas accidents relate to the pilot's attitude to CAA felt that EASA is too slow and GA activity and challenges are often risk, while only 25% relate to a lack of hidebound by process and should focussed very locally which prompted skill but for non-fatal accidents the delegate more to National Authorities.

30 Examples for improving GA regulation weighing up to 125 kg but now want innovative approach by EASA. included permitting uncertified to approve vehicles over 150 kg to • Manned GA could benefit longer term modifications where it is self-evident allow civilian use of ex-military RPAS from a more relaxed EASA approach to that they provide a benefit (e.g. AoA for mail freight within controlled regulation but might also find itself gauges) without 're-inventing the wheel' airspace. excluded from some areas to facilitate and driving GA regulation to consider • Germany is about to authorise a CAT RPAS approvals. unmanned operation for the transport only 3rd party risks and not to worry • Performance Based Navigation is about whether GA pilots are judging the of medicine. enshrined in the pilot licence, not in risk to themselves correctly. Even so, and • EASA want (GA) RPAS to stay clear of the aircraft fit. (An interesting thought perhaps mindful of some of the statistics manned GA. in terms of GA!) quoted above, CAA suggested that at the • A general approval for RPAS operation same time a 'suitability test' - to allow the within the operator's visual line of sight • Over-regulation impedes safety. removal of a pilot licence from GA pilots below 500' is to be expected. (EASA is • Any increase in regulatory burden who should not be flying - would also be considering a ban on all manned GA diminishes safety by decreasing extremely useful, though there was no flying below 500' except for take off understanding and increasing suggestion as to how that might be and landing.) acceptance of compromise. implemented! • A new Flight Information System • A pilot's flying hours are inversely might be required to allow RPAS proportional to his regulatory cost operators to comply. burden. Remotely Piloted Air Vehicles/UAS • There may be a need for new UK CAA leads (manned) GA regulation EASA were proud to be expediting the equipment for all users below 500'. in Europe; EASA is following in the introduction of unmanned vehicles in (ADS-B - mandatory?) same direction.There might be a role for Europe. Europe leads the world in the Hopefully EASA's approach to number of approved civil RPAS proportionality in regulating RPAS the Air Pilots in: operators, a number were now able to operations might inform and ease the • GA pilot mentoring/risk awareness self-certify their activities and rapid regulation framework they have imposed etc. (unless GASCo is adequate). regulation change was being introduced on manned GA. • Assisting with CAA to support the EU RPAS industry. Language proficiency remains a thorny thoughts/standards for 'licence EASA's self-proclaimed proactive efforts Flight Crew Licencing issue in Europe: removal'. in the RPAS field were considered by FCL.055 requires a pilot to be proficient • Facilitating a global GA incident many delegates to contrast markedly in English or the language used for radio reporting/lessons learned forum. with their efforts in manned GA communications involved in the flight. regulation. Many were quick to Many small German GA airfields use NO MORE MISS-SET ALTIMETERS or highlight EASA had introduced flawed German only and recently a German TRANSITION LEVELS? pilot was fined 500 euros for speaking in rules for manned GA then knowingly As technology advances it offers new French at a French airfield when he did left them in place until the next '5 year' possibilities. The barometric altimeter change cycle. Another delegate asked not have French language proficiency on has served for many years; it has also how EASA could expedite regulation his licence! GA pilots in Europe now caused serious incidents and fatal change and permit self-certification for tend to avoid using the radio at all if accidents when pilots have applied the RPAS while he, who actually sat in his there is any doubt! Level 4 English aircraft when it flew, was not offered self- proficiency might be over-stringent for a wrong pressure setting. Aviation can be certification and had to wait years for GA pilot who only operates locally? extremely reluctant to accept change so EASA to correct its own errors. do look at www.airpilots.org/file/ 1661/the-case-for-geo-height.pdf to see the Notwithstanding the angst, a number of Summary advantage of using GEO (satellite-based) RPAS facts worthy of note emerged: The principle thoughts emerging from height source over baro-height. The • From a regulator's perspective, RPAS the conference were as follows: Technical and Air Safety Committee, need only protect against mid air • GA safety performance varies widely who sponsored the paper, look forward collision and death or injury to those across the EU and the world. to hearing your views. on the ground. (Damage to property • Sharing of lessons - incident reporting can be covered by insurance!). etc. - could be improved greatly. Happy Christmas and a prosperous and • States that have been successful in the • Increasing GA pilot hours should successful New Year. introduction/authorisation of RPAS increase GA safety. place the operator, not the air vehicle, at • For GA 'see and avoid', more ADS-B the centre of the safety argument. would make a positive safety impact. • Sweden, Norway Japan and UK come • NATS are supporting development of a at the top of the list of nations with the new low-cost, strap-on unit. greatest number of approved civil • Civilian RPAS operation is being RPAS; USA have not authorised any positively encouraged in the EU. civil RPAS. • GA seems to benefit from a lack of • Italy has authorised civil RPAS regulatory history that allows a more

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