SkyboltTrinny,
A great controversial post from a self declared fashionable, presumably female, flyer. I fear my finances and advanced years do not run to being fashionable and my flying suit is both surplus and the transatlantic version of a grow bag.
Perhaps that is why I am proud of my membership of the organisation which attempts to and does bring affordable flying to so many in the UK and, indeed, abroad.
I do not know of your background and ecperience, you are welcome to read mine on http://www.tempest.ndo.co.uk
With some 60 years personal involvement in GA and 51 of those as a pilot I do have opinions that can be backed up.
I know Phil Boyer, the AOPA CEO quite well. He is dynamic and the organisation he leads is perhaps the most effective along with the EAA in the entire world of GA. Just think of their membership numbers and particularly the income. I might get Sir Richard Branson to work for the PFA part time with a slice of that.
What I can say is that the recently formed GA Alliance which numbers most of the leading UK GA association players, including the PFA, has greatly impressed the DfT and the higher echelons of the CAA. The members of that excellent body are indeed dynamic and charismatic and well equipped to fight the present battles along with the ones ahead of us all.
For this years Kemble FFF the awful weather was a major adverse factor, as it was in 2004. Constructive criticism is always welcome but, as I have said before, carping destructively is not.
97% of the feedback I have personally received since the event has been favourable. Yes, changes will be made as they are after every event such as this. But remember, with over 1100 arriving aircraft this was the largest gathering of light aircraft you will find in the whole of the world outside North America in 2005.
Not bad for an organisation like the PFA, as you must agree. If you do not, then you have just sunk lower in my estimation.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
PS – Hell hath no fury…………………………………!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:diablo: :diablo: :diablo:
SkyboltSteve,
May I suggest, from a small degree of insider knowledge, that the PFA is rather like a swan on the river, total serenity above the surface and paddling like hell beneath it. As an association it has achieved a huge amount in recent years for its members and the whole GA community – all benefit from its efforts.
It is a democratic organisation with an EC elected by the membership. If you want change then put up for election NOW and persuade your fellow PFA members in your personal manifesto you are indeed worthy of their votes. It is all set out in the current issue of “Popular Flying”. Writing to forums like this actually achieves little but generates plenty of ineffectual hot air.
What the PFA really needs is the ability to make its efforts know to its members and the wider GA community. They really do a grand job but rarely blow their trumpet as they need to in todays world of ICT and instant communication. So much information yet so few readers. One of the future problems for G8 leaders right across the whole world.
As JFK said so memorably on his inauguration day “Ask not whet the PFA can do for you, ask what YOU can do for the PFA…………!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”.
Feedback is useful, carping is not. If you do have sensible suggestions for change then email the PFA CEO, Graham Newby, or the Chairman, Cliff Mort. They do listen… I know………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltWell said Arm Waver.
Either we stop knocking general aviation as it is here or we shall have to toss a coin to see which of us is to turn out the light on GA.
Work positively to improve it,,,,YES.
Join an appropriate GA organisation….YES.
Occasionally feel strongly enough about something potentially oppressive to GA and write or email your local MP and MEP’s….YES.
Knock it in a destructive fashion….NO, NO, NO………..for God’s sake NO.
Having had over 60 years in GA from aeromodelling as a 7 year old to enjoying our Skybolt this afternoon I have had an enormous amount of pleasure and owe it a great deal.
I hope it will be the same for generations to come.
It will not be unless we get our act together ………….NOW………….!!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltIt really was the weekend weather, both forecast and actual, that was the disaster. Not the event.
How many other events in Europe attract over 1100 arrivals in utter crap weather where I was glad to arrive by car…?? Answer – zilch, nada, niet, zero, nicht and rien. And that is still true in good weather too. A couple of years ago on a brilliantly hot weekend at Kemble the PFA attracted almost 2000 arrivals…………..!!!
Too many folk talk events down when they need talking up. perhaps it is the British aviation disease. At least for me my glass is always half full. not the reverse. Be positive or GA in the UK will disappear altogether.
I had a ball and so did everyone I spoke to there. OK there are always improvements that can be made – that is what the PFA wash-ups will try to achieve for 2006.
To a certain extent I am reminded of that old adage – “**** or get off the pot…..!!!”.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltGood grief……………….!! What a load of cobblers in some posts here.
I started off as a spotter to the extent that, as soon as I could, I joined the ROC after leaving my school’s ATC squadron. I still have a soft “spot” for the anoraks with their notebooks, pens, binoculars and cameras. They are just as much aviation enthusiasts as many pilots are. A significant proportion of PFA members are spotters and I would like to thank all of them for supporting the association whose engineering approvals from the CAA enable me to fly the Skybolt at the lowest possible cost.
Remember that all those engaged in actually piloting aircraft could fit easily into the old Wembley stadium and that includes the aeromodellers. We are a very small minority of the population and the addition of the spotting fraternity only increases the number of folk likely to oppose closure of a local aerodrome. In addition they are not likely to complain about aerobatis and circuits that make others remonstrate about noise from those highly dangerous flying objects overhead.
General Aviation just has to be a broad church. If the spotters want to worship then I for one will welcome them. Providing, of course, that they are sensible around aircraft and avoid intrusive rudeness when seeking the ideal photo angle.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 :confused: :p
SkyboltAs it is tomorrow, Thursday 30 June, I thought I would put this back at the top. It should be a fascinating lecture by Jimmy Dell.
AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…………!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You cannot beat that these days.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltJames,
My Arab cousin Group Captain Yasser Verifat, RJAF retd enjoyed it hugely. However his immediate deportation by the immigration authorities at the earnest demand of the CAA, which followed his gentle fluttering in a Tiger, did prevent him from fulfilling several lucrative airshow bookings. I fear the ongoing political situation does mean that his appearances in western countries since 2001 have not been possible.
My other cousins, Colonel Ivor Bolokov, SovAF retd and Captain Wyatt Werp, USN retd along with my ex-Luftwaffe uncle Major Ritter von Schiessenhausen and my great uncle Major Prique Bannock RFC retd, continue to be available for airshow appearances for the discriminating organiser.
The main problem is, I fear, an inadequate supply of valium and intoxicating liquor to quieten the concerns of those private owners of Tiger Moths who very occasionally permit one of my highly experienced relations to fly their aircraft.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
PS – Rendcomb is utterly magic as well as Utterly Butterly. A jewel in the crown of heritage aviation unlike anywhere else I know of in the world. However, as others have said, it is a very private place.
SkyboltFantabulous indeed.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltLooks as though it was a great weekend. Put off by needing to fettle our bird on Saturday and a fairly vicious forecast for an evening return to EGBG on Sunday. Needless to say the front stayed away till after dark, some 9 hours adrift.
Cheers and curses, foiled again,
Trapper 69
🙁 🙁 🙁
PS – PT came into Leicester with the Staggerwing on Saturday and followed me in. I rolled to the far end to clear the deck for him and then the Beech landed and called “rolling to the end”. He got my quick response – “Don’t you mean staggering to the end….???”. What a lovely airplane indeed.
🙂 🙂 😎 😎 😀 😀
SkyboltTo quote Basil Fawlty – “For God’s sake don’t mention the war………….!!!!!!!!!”. I do of course mean the verbal war between Blair, Schroeder and Chirac. We beat one in 1945 and rescued the other a year earlier so sucks boo to you……………!!
Seriously though, I would love to see a large contingent of both French and German warbirds and their pilots at Legends. They do add something special along with the pilot contingent from the USA plus a couple of New Zealand aces.
No matter what appears we are gonna have a memorable weekend.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
:dev2: :dev2: :diablo: :diablo: 🙂 🙂
SkyboltWhat a cracker. Hairyplane will just adore that one.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltA note from Curtis’ local International Aerobatic Club chapter –
As you all know, Curtis Pitts was laid to rest this past Wednesday in Naranja, Florida (Homestead).
Future members of IAC Chapter #37 (sanctioning pending) participated in a memorial fly-by and missing man formation.
The family couldn’t have been more pleased, and about 35 of them drove out to Homestead General Aviation Airport afterwards to check out the participating aircraft. Some had never seen a Pitts Special up close before! One of his great-grandaughters went for a ride in an S2B and had a blast. Considering the circumstances, it was a happy occasion for all involved!
The service was highlighted by testimonials by many of Curtis’ close friends and associates, including Pat Ledford, Will & Craig Teft, Don Lovern, Paul Goetsch and many family members. Although flying and aerobatics were a great part of Mr. Pitts life, his great passion for fishing and his distain for Game Wardens were brought up again and again!
Special thanks to the following pilots for their participation:
Jeff Miller – North American T-28A
Tommy Boreck – Pitts S-2-B (missing man)
Dan Salcedo – Pitts S-1-11-B (Best Biplane at Sun-n-Fun 2005)
Chris Kirk – Pitts S-1-C/S
Dale Evans – Acroduster II
Stan Holland – Super Cub (rebuilt by C. Pitts)
Jon Fox – Extra 300L
Doug Causey – Extra 300L
The service was attended by members of the FAA , and they along with about 100 others will swear that at no time did any aircraft violate any FAR’s……………! J
It seems to have been a grand sendoff. He will always be remembered as long as any of his designs continue to grace, or occasionally assault, the skies right round the world.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltThe eye of an artist without a long lens. What a nice change to see such crafted photography.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltHarvards can bite hard. My deepest sympathy to the families involved; however why were there two on board in an airshow practice? Totally unnecessary. Such flying carries additional risk, why double it in terms of risk to people. I have little doubt that both occupants were enjoying themselves hugely and doing something they loved; but one family too many is grieving today.
When will we ever learn……………..???????????????
A sad Trapper 69
SkyboltAbsolutely magic. Wonderfully nostalgic photography. Many thanks for posting. Bet there are some folk suffering from sunburn this morning; that low sun can really crucify any exposed skin.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
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