Club News November

Win for Spanish flyer!
Island Air Races
24-25 September
Alderney

AS always, the Alderney flying club made the racers of the Royal Aero Club welcome for the fi nal race of the season. After weather threatened on the Friday, all but one had arrived for the traditional Friday night end-of-season bash. The weather improved overnight and all was set for the Saturday race, the Flightline Trophy and Eagle Airways Trophy.

The course was over six laps, starting at the airport and direct to Fort Raz almost in line with the takeoff direction, followed by an acute 130? left turn to the next turning point, Fort Albert. Coasting out here we headed for the Island of Barhou (now inhabited so the 500ft rule applies), then on the eight mile leg out to the Casquetes lighthouse. Here we make a 170- degree speed sapping high G turn back towards the airfi eld and off again on to the next lap.

The race was won by Spanish competitor, Air Traffi c Controller Gabriel Gomila Frau who had fl own his Jodel from Palma, Majorca. Second was Martin Kellet (Rallye), followed by Geoff Boot (Sia Marchetti). The Eagle Airways trophy was won by Peter Earp and awarded for the first twin over the line.

After a somewhat controversial season, the British Air Racing Championship went to Craig Beevers fl ying Ultimate High's Bulldog. The European Championship was won by John Kelsall (Van's RV7), and the Mossey Preston Award went to Geoff Boot.

Season over, the work begins for 2006 which starts with the air race school held at Kemble in April for prospective new racers. There are some new venues, and also the 75th Anniversary Schneider Trophy Air Race at Bembridge. - John Kelsall (words & photos). W: www.airraceuk.com

York Microlight Fly-in
23-25 September
Rufforth

This was the third and fi nal fl y-in for 2005 and the day got off to a great start as it dawned bright and sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky. Wind was light, although it picked up during the day with a crosswind on the main runway.

However that didn't stop around 40 aircraft coming in throughout the day from Scotland, Northampton and Lancashire. A variety of aircraft from Qs to Quiks, plus three-axis microlights from Rans to a Bambi, and even a Piper Arrow arrived to enjoy the traditional curry.

The merriment carried on into the night with a well attended BBQ and disco, the last few staggering to bed at 5am! We hope to do it all again next year and maybe beat the number of visiting aircraft. - James Hardstaff.

Ploughs to proprllers Fly-In
1-2 October
Rougham

This event - bigger and better than 2004 - had a 1940s theme with wartime military and commercial vehicle displays, and participants decked out in US and British uniforms. The audience was entertained with music and nostalgic 1940s dance routines. Sunday brought a variety of classic cars including MG owners, along with over 30 classic and vintage tractors.

Almost 60 aircraft visited the airfi eld on Sunday and a dozen more the previous day - many in keeping with the vintage theme of the event, with 1940s Austers, Luscombes and Aeroncas. Unusual aircraft included the only fl ying Tipsy Belfair and one of the very few fl ying Chrislea Super Aces. Many modern aircraft also took the opportunity for a late summer sunny Sunday flight, with types such as a Trinidad Tobago lining up alongside a Starduster SA300 and a brand new Falco F8.

Microlights were in abundance with everything from fl ex-wings and a diminutive Minimax up to Skyrangers. They stood next to quite diff erent aerobatic types such as a Pitts S2C and a Yak 52 - such is the variety of aircraft Rougham attracts. W: www.roughamairfield.org

Solent Aviation
18 September
Popham

The Solent Aviation Society held their Fly-in with around 80 aircraft arriving. Various trophies were awarded including Best Warbird, Most Meritorious Journey, Best Pietenpol, the Osprey Trophy, Best Giro and Most Mature Pilot. Photos: www.solent-aviation-society.co.uk

ON THE FLY

AERONCA ON FINAL
The last official Aeronca Club fly-in of 2005 was to Old Buckenham and the day was blessed with superb visibility, sunshine and light winds. Nine Aeroncas - three Champs and six Chiefs - made the trip. Aeroncas travelled from all points of the compass, the longest journeys being from Reg McComish (G-BRCW) and Steve Waddy (G-IVOR) who bought their Chiefs from Devon and Cornwall. Reg and Steve also received theaward for Most Meritorious fl ight. - Dave Martin

ANGEL CITYANGEL
City Flyers, the California-based arm of Enstone Flying Club (yes, that's right!) has just taken delivery of an Elite simulator fi tted with a Garmin G1000 glass panel. W: www.usajaa.com

WILTS WINNERS
The Wiltshire PFA held a fl y-in at Lower Upham on 18 September and among the 47 visiting aircraft on the day were six Eurostars from Lichfi eld and a group of Austers from Devon.

STAPLEFORD SEMINAR
Stapleford Flight Centre held an open day on 15 October for students looking to train from ab initio to a Frozen ATPL. The day was very popular and attended by over 60 potential students, many of whom will be starting in the next few months. W: www.flysfc.com

BIGGIN AWARD
Biggin Hill Helicopters have recently won a MATRA (Multi-Agency Threat and Risk Assessment) Award for outstanding security and safety procedures.

BRIMPTON'S BONUS
Brimpton Flying Club have just donated ?2000 to Thames Valley Air Ambulance after a season of successful fly-ins. At each fly-in donations were made towards the Air Ambulance which also made an appearance at the airfield.

NAV WITH NERO
If you think your navigation is up to scratch and you have a taste for Italian cuisine, Old Sarum Flying Club is hosting a navigation competition and Italian Night. Tickets ?7.50 per person, open to teams of four and above. Contact James on 01722 322525.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS
The Shuttleworth collection's final flying display of the year had ideal conditions for these extraordinary flying machines. They took to the sky for a breathtaking display, recreating the feeling of the Edwardian period, WWI and peacetime flying of the 1920s and 30s.