Archive for October, 2011

Archive for October, 2011

This years calendar competition is now closed and has been handed over to the judges. Results are published over several days beginning on 16th October and final set on 23rd October.In Airscene’s “One More Competition” I am inviting you to see how close you can get to the overall overall results.

Its not a big prize but I am offering a years free advertising on Airscene to the winner and have arranged the same on the Uradnet banner network of your choosing. (advertising can be for a website or for a specific product placement - websites or products which are deemed to be offensive or indecent will not be promoted).

To enter…

Select your favourite 12 entries from the 83 shortlisted at http://www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2012calendar.php, then award points from 12 (for the best) down to one point.

Put your selection in a text file (include your name and town at the top) and email to 2012cc@airscene.co.uk

Entries must be received BEFORE 16th October.

Winner will be the person who has the highest number from the judges selection in their own selection. In the event of a tie, a points system is used for positioning.

Good Luck

Tags: Competition, More, One
Posted in Airscene Competitions
Celebrating the Tiger Moths 80th Birthday at the Autumn Air Show
Sunday, October 9th, 2011

The IWM Duxford Autumn Air Show (Sunday 16 October) celebrates the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the iconic Tiger Moth with a superb display by the Tiger Nine Team, which will see nine Tiger Moths in close formation in the skies above Duxford.The Tiger Nine formation team was created in the summer of 2005 in response to a request for a flypast of nine Tiger Moths at the 25th de Havilland Moth Club Rally at Woburn Abbey.

Having risen to the challenge, the newly-formed team went on to perform its full display routine for the next season.

A challenging aircraft to fly in a formation display, the Tiger Moth requires a mature discipline and expert flying skill, particularly when operating a large group of Tiger Moths simultaneously.

There is something quintessentially British about a group of men from a diverse range of backgrounds, including airline pilots, ex-RAF pilots, a farmer, a sales executive, a company director, an anaesthetist and an RAF Wing Commander, coming together for the camaraderie and fun of flying such a special aircraft.

The Tiger Nine team is the only team in the world to have nine Tiger Moths in close formation. Its crowd pleasing, spectacularly entertaining display will be a significant highlight of the Autumn Air Show 2011.

The Tiger Moth

The de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth, designed by Geoffrey de Havilland, was first flown on 26 October 1931 by de Havilland Chief Test Pilot Hubert Broad.

The RAF ordered 35 dual-control Tiger Moth Is which had the company designation DH-82. A subsequent order was placed for 50 aircraft powered by the de Havilland Gipsy Major I engine which was the DH-82A or, to the RAF, Tiger Moth II.

The Tiger Moth entered service at the RAF Central Flying School in February 1932. From the outset, it proved to be an ideal trainer, simple and cheap to own and maintain. The Tiger Moth required a sure and steady hand to fly it well, enabling instructors to easily weed out inept student pilots. Whilst generally docile and forgiving in the normal flight phases encountered during initial training, when used for aerobatic and formation training, the Tiger Moth required definite skill and concentration to perform well. A botched manoeuvre could easily cause the aircraft to stall or spin.

Percival Leggett trained on Tiger Moths during the Second World War in Cambridgeshire:

“The Tiger Moth is easy to fly. No vicious tendencies at all. It’s very responsive to the controls.

Most people, I think, found landing rather tricky, because…it is quite a small aeroplane, with a very small undercarriage. It is very close to the ground. And coming in to land one finds it difficult to decide just at what point you should draw back the stick to land the aircraft. Most people tend to start easing off too high, with the result that either the aircraft stalls or they miss the airfield altogether.

But that apart it’s a good aeroplane - very reliable. We did have one engine failure from one of the pupils but he managed to force land it in a field. It’s a good aeroplane, and still flying today!”

By the start of the Second World War, the RAF had 500 Tiger Moths in service. During a British production run of over 7000 Tiger Moths, a total of 4005 Tiger Moth IIs were built during the war specifically for the RAF.

The Tiger Moth became the foremost primary trainer throughout the Commonwealth and elsewhere and remained in service with the RAF until it was replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952.

Post-war, large numbers of surplus Tiger Moths were made available for sale to flying clubs and private individuals. Inexpensive to operate, the aircraft took on new civilian roles including aerial advertising, air ambulance, aerobatic performer, crop duster and glider tug.

www.iwm.org.uk/duxfordairshows

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Tags: 2011, Air, Autumn, Duxford, News, october, Show
Posted in UK Airshow News
High Flyers Set To Display At Show
Saturday, October 8th, 2011

A year after its launch, Air Tattoo Event Services (ATES) will be showcasing its successes at The Showman’s Show in Newbury later this month. The air events arm of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises will take the opportunity to highlight the range of events it has organised around the country during the past 12 months.

These include being awarded three-year contract to organise an annual airshow for the National Museum of Scotland, at East Fortune; a Spitfire flypast for a corporate training day at Ashorne Hill in Warwickshire; it provided a static Spitfire for Armed Forces Day in Littlehampton and also a Jet Provost display near Wolverhampton.

ATES Flying Display Director Norman Webster said: “This has been a great year for ATES. Since its launch it has provided a wide range of aircraft to a variety of events. The great success of the East Fortune Airshow this summer has probably been the highlight. Despite the current economic climate ATES is attracting interest around the UK from private clients to local councils looking to feature aircraft either on the ground or in the air as part of events they are organising. We have received excellent feedback from all of our clients and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”

Feedback received from organisers at Ashorne Hill said that booking a Spitfire flypast as a surprise ending to their annual conference was a “masterstroke” and “a truly amazing end to the day”. The organisers said: “The Spitfire pilot performed the most amazing aerobatic display to gasps and screams of delight as he twisted and turned. I can say that this was one of the most exciting events I’ve been involved with.”

A spokesman for Littlehampton Town Council, commenting on its Armed Forces Day event, said: “The Spitfire team provided by ATES was very professional and enthusiastic which helped make our event extra special. The response from visitors has been extremely positive. They really enjoyed getting up close to such a brilliant and immaculate aircraft.”

ATES offers a service providing aircraft and logistical support for a flying display, airshow, flypast or static exhibit. For further information please contact Air Ops Deputy Director Robert Windsor on 01285 713300 ext 5497 or Norman Webster on ext 5329. Email enquiries should be sent to norm.webster@rafcte.com. For further detail, visit www.airtattoo.com

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Tags: 2011, Newbury, News, october, Show, Showmans
Posted in UK Airshow News
Airport launches 2012 Flying Scholarships for young people
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

Record numbers of young people, with dreams of becoming a pilot, aviation engineer or air traffic controller, are expected to apply for a place on Cotswold Airport’s 2012 Aviation Scholarships programme.

The scheme, which was first introduced four years ago, gives teenagers aged between 14 and 18, the chance to embark on a career in aviation and gain experience and training close to home.

The programme, which is funded by Cotswold Airport owner and chief executive Ronan Harvey and run in conjunction with the airport-based fly2help charity and flying organisations on the site, has already helped change the lives of dozens of young people for the better.

And it is now inviting applications from young people in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire with a view to filling the 10 available places on the 2012 scheme.

Last year saw a record number of applications and, based on greater exposure and annual increases since the scheme’s inception, it is anticipated that the 2012 programme will attract even more.

Mr Harvey’s daughter Suzannah, who is a director at the airport, said: “We were thrilled that so many people applied for a place on the 2011 programme and to see the enthusiasm and dedication shown by all who took part was a clear indication of just how much of a difference the scheme makes.

“We’re anticipating another good year in terms of the number of young people applying and I’d encourage anyone with an interest in a career in aviation to do so.

“Not only is it a fantastic experience but it really helps the students take their first footsteps towards what can be a very rewarding career in aviation, whilst allowing them to build contacts and make new friends at the same time.”

During the scholarships, students experience flight, receive tuition at the airport’s aviation ground school, see at first-hand the work of air traffic controllers, flying instructors and engineers and receive expert guidance from aviation professionals.

The programme has already helped change the lives of many young people, and former scholars, such as 17-year-old Joshua Dutson, have already hit the headlines.

Joshua, who lives in the Cotswolds, said the scholarships helped him turn his life around after he became seriously depressed as a result of bullying at school. He now hopes to embark on a career as an air traffic controller.

Meanwhile, fellow former scholar Barney Rowland managed to fly solo several months before passing his driving test, after spending time on the programme, and has since achieved his Private Pilots’ Licence (PPL).

Charity Manager for fly2help Sue Bennett said: “We are extremely pleased to be playing our part in yet another aviation scholarship programme.

“It’s fantastic to see the difference the scheme makes to those who take part and we look forward to welcoming another new intake.”

Application forms are available on the fly2help website www.fly2help.org or by calling 01285 771177.

The closing date for applications is January 31, 2012, and interviews for the short-listed candidates will be held the following month.

The scholarships will run from April 2 to 5 and April 10 to 13.

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Tags: 2011, charity, fly2help, News, october
Posted in Promotions