It has been publicly stated that colour schemes had an influence on the choice of airframe !

Security at many unlicenced airstrips is not in place. This tragic case highlights what happens when emotions run amok.The hunt supporter was angry and keen to confront the pilot. The pilot was aware of the angry manner of the hunt supporter which had been caused by repeated overflights at low level of the hunt . The pilot has one line of defence , in court he has said that he was afraid for his own safety if he stayed on the ground. He aimed to take off in a gap between the hunt supporter and a woman.

You can ponder the more common situation where a car thief has been spotted by you and you decide to stand in front of the car as he drives towards you to ,hoping he will stop before he runs you down.

Extras with the mags are fine by me, I can pass them on to others if they are not of my particular interest, I encourage youngsters this way.

Packaging is ok to keep the contents together, the earlier method of a thin collar of paper did not always keep the extras secure hence the bags.

Free content? on the net, of course those who live in cloud cuckoo land think this is the way ahead. However they ignore the creative writers, photographers, editorial staff and advertising crew(who keep the cover price lower).Payment is due for being creative which take skill, time and effort and the growing attitude which ignores copyright and insists that all content is available free and can be pirated will in the end kill off creative means of earning a living.

Call me cynical. I do not believe this is anything other than one of the many publicity stunts which Ryanair pulls. The passenger never existed and Ryanair has now obtained publicity across the world that they run an onboard lottery with a top prize of 10000 euros. Sure it will cost them a donation to charity(which makes them look good) but the publicity would have cost far more than that in paid adverts. And of course the passenger is not named.

I cannot understand the fuss over these low approaches, airliners performed low turns on approach to Kai tak and when everything is planned in advance and rehearsed then it is safe.

They have done some research, a stepladder was in view !

Good news, amazing what a van can carry. I am amused by the ice cream placard on the cammo cabin behind, if only we had that available on Tacevals !

have a neat Birthday James, and here is hoping you find more aviation treasure in the next year !