You may be right Charlie – but I’m afraid I’m not sufficiently naïve to put the future viability of my business in the hands of others, regardless of who they are or their motives. At least having the place in France gives us options for the long term………

You can keep the Eurofighter Bruce – you know my fancy for sporty little Italian numbers – I’ll have a MC.202 Flogore if you don’t mind!

I’m afraid ignorance of the facts will sadly play a large part in the decision process of a large number of people. There will always be an element who will be swayed one way or the other without actually finding out the facts for themselves and without looking at the potential impact on their employment and other aspects of their life. Regarding the future if the UK leaves the EU – do you really think I’m prepared to entrust the future viability of my business to the likes of messers Cameron and Johnson and whatever fudged trade deals they can negotiate?

You mentioned that your business operated in Europe for 50 years – are you still operating in the market? Do you not have concerns that any post “out” vote negotiations will impact your business?

Really?

Arrogant? Maybe. However it is based on my experience of being able to travel freely within the EU, operate a business on a level playing field and live where I choose on the continent. I don’t take this freedom lightly and those who vote to leave based on some naive belief that life outside the EU will be all nice and simple need to fully understand the issues this could very well bring and the implication on British business.

And if this come across as arrogant, I make no apology to you whatsoever, as it is myself, not you, who is responsible for the continued success of my business and my ability to pay my way in life. I’m sorry, but I have no time for those who want “out” – they do not pay my bills and are not responsible for the welfare of the people my business employs.

As I said before, the EU is far from perfect, but it will still be there is the UK votes to leave. And if you wish to trade with the EEA, EU legislation will still impact UK business to exactly the same extent. We do not stand to gain some utopian national independence – to believe that is simply foolish folly. What we stand to lose is the level playing field access one of the worlds largest markets which happens to be right on our doorstep.

That’s an arrogant suggestion to make.

My business traded across Europe for nearly 50 years, I owned a house in France for nearly 20 years, I have visited most countries in Western Europe and many several times a year for very many years. I love the people’s and cultures and diversity of Europe. But I strongly dislike the operation and aspiration of the EU and will be voting to leave.

We’ve imported a great deal of aeroplane parts (and airframes as well) from mainland Europe and the ability to simply conclude the deal and turn up at the port without any requirement for completing reams of paperwork, justifying one’s self or paying importation duty is testament to the fact that while the EU may still have issues that have to be worked out (but then so do most national sovereign governments), the system actually works well.

Additionally, (from a non-aviation context and off-topic – sorry!) my UK registered and based business operates in Norway, the Baltic States, France, and will shortly start to operate in Sweden, all without undue red-tape. We own a home in France which we were able to achieve without any red-tape and can visit at the drop of a hat without having to ask anyone for permission.

I can’t help but believe that one’s attitude towards the EU is mainly defined by whether you can be bothered to actively get off your backside and take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Tug

Does anyone know of a similar tug which may be available? Thanks

While I’m sure that the owner has very good reasons for donating this to IWM and this should be respected, I sincerely hope that IWM, who already have a Mk.1 in their collection, have enough imagination and drive to see the merit in continuing her flying career and we do not look back in a few years time and view this as another of those FFS moments.