Centennial Celebrations

Hello everyone,

Those of us ‘in the know’ are well aware of the significance of December 17, 2003, but are your non-flying friends, relations and neighbours?

In order to raise the profile of the centenary of powered flight the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and Popular Flying Association (PFA) are all planning events to catch the attention of the local and national media and get as many people involved as possible.

The RAeS and PFA have joined forces to create the National Aviation Awareness Week (NAAW) to be held between December 13-21. The idea of the week is to encourage those involved in aerospace to do everything possible to promote their particular area of interest. For more information about how YOU can help log onto http://www.naaw.org.uk

In its own attempt to mark the historic anniversary AOPA is planning a celebratory fly-out of as many powered GA aircraft as can be mustered into the air during the hours of daylight on December 17, 2003.

AOPA is inviting any pilot who intends to take part in this event to register his or her intention on a dedicated web page that can be found at http://www.aopa.co.uk/celebratory_flyout

Pilots do not need to be members of AOPA to take part, the main idea is simply to involve as many powered aircraft, pilots and passengers as possible, so the more the better. Following their flight, pilots are requested to confirm their details on the web.

After all the flight confirmations have been recorded, the total mass of the aircraft, plus pilot and passengers that achieved flight on the day will be calculated. Only powered aircraft in the GA category (includes microlights) will be counted, and, for the purpose of calculating the total mass carried aloft on the day, only one flight per aircraft. The number of people carried aloft will also be totalled, allowing for an aircraft to fly more than once with a different set of people on board.

Just a circuit is enough to qualify and AOPA says it hopes that the opportunity is taken to fly a passenger who has not flown in a GA aircraft before, and introduce them to the experience.

We, collectively, are in a position to help promote the real significance of the centennial and the challenges ahead, and in doing so gain the attention of the general public and young people in particular. Are you going to do your bit?

Today’s Pilot magazine plans to include photos of NAAW activities and pilots undertaking their centennial celebratory flights. If you or your club would like to be included don’t forget to send details and photographs directly to me at [email]stephen.bridgewater@keypublishing.com[/email] or post them to Today’s Pilot, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ

Best wishes,

Steve

Stephen Bridgewater
Assistant Editor – Today’s Pilot Magazine