SkyboltThe first Woburn was in 1980 and apart from a couple of years they have been back every year since then. It is, quite simply, the most prestigeous social event on the UK flying calender with a fantastic atmosphere. The de Havilland Technical School hold their annual reunion there with some of the finest designers and engineers that this country has ever produced attending to see their old products in the air.
The weekends forecast is pretty abysmal so I for one am keeping my fingers crossed though my geriatric rhumatism gives me gip. I plan to fly in both the Tiger and Chipmunk aerobatic contests scheduled for Sunday afternoon so look out for the grey bearded old fart leaving his zimmer frame on the deck and ascending like Elijah’s flaming chariot into the heavens……………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
“Better a short life in the saddle, Lord: than a long one by the fire………….!!!!!!!!!!!”
Skybolt1963 when the McAully Flying Group bought Tiger Moth G-AMEY from Old Waden Engineering and I went down to fly it back to Little Snoring. A really sleepy place then with knee high grass and an unlimited choice of takeoff direction. S/L Jackson met us and accepted the cheque for around £450 complete with new CofA. Halcyon days indeed.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
Skybolt🙂
The CAA has given me the following advice.
They believe the system put in place in about 1999 is proving to be about as good as you can get, and its functioning is auditable. The most important thing is that the system must be fail safe.
Those interested should refer to the UK AIP Section ENR 1.1.5 and the frequencies for Drop Zone Activity Information given on CAA charts.
If they desire more direct liaison with the parachute clubs they should get a copy of BPA Form 192, available on the British Parachute Association website – http://www.bpa.org.uk and follow the links >Office> >Documents on-line>
>F192 DZ frequencies and contacts.
Here is the complete link –
http://www.bpa.org.uk/forms/docs/Fo…%20Contacts.doc
From the CAA perspective, the DZ activity notification system is set up to ensure that, for example, the pilot of a foreign corporate turboprop should be able to receive strategic information about a DZ that has been notified by the club as being active. Very often this information will be offered by the nominated ATSU without it even being requested. The nominated ATSU should also be able to provide the local frequency used by the club when asked. In addition, pilots who are more familiar with local operations can obtain up to date tactical information direct from the club (within the constraints that this is not an official information service – since when you call you have no idea who you are talking to or the quality of the information they provide).
It seems to work, and BPA does actively promote the system and monitors that the clubs are doing what they are supposed to do.
It is certain that any amount of measures will not prevent every wayward aeroplane from flying into danger, whether the errors are negligent or not.
The CAA hope this information will be of assistance.
They take the point about the protocols needing to be easily understood and will be pleased to consider sensible suggestions if it can be better explained. The limitation is that we cannot appear to give official sanction to any elements that are unofficial.
This puts the official perspective on the matter and I do think that there will be increased emphasis on the dangers present in and near parachute club DZ’s in future CAA safety evenings and GASIL publicity.
Hope this will assist in minimising the possibility of any repetition.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
Skybolt🙂
Well I will be there, at least if I am not it will be embarrassing since I am the Display Director. Sounds highly impressive but in reality I just have to juggle with the airshow items and produce a cohesive programme with reasonable variety. Dave Poile, the maestro who organises the event, has booked the items so I am a bit like a chef taking delivery of preordered goodies from Waitrose. Should be there from around 0930 with last minute programme shuffles and bacon sarnies.
Look for the oldish, fattish, greyish, follically challenged but hirsute, worried looking bloke and say hello, or whatever else takes your fancy.
(nearly everyone is bigger than me; so risk it…….!!!).
Lets pray for good weather and kind winds. It should be a memorable show.
Do come and swell the coffers for that great charity “Children in Need” – tell all your mates as well. It really is a great day out for all the family.
Trapper 69
SkyboltThe operation of ex-military aircraft on permits to fly is regulated through CAP632 and the maintenance through A8-20 by the CAA Safety Regulation Group at Gatwick. Rest assured before the Vulcan gets its permit to test, never mind permit to fly, it will have to satisfy those knowledgable guys from Gatwick. In addition the pilots will need Display Authorisations on type and I am sure the operator will only allow a fairly conservative display.
Nevertheless I do have considerable concern over the operation of such a complex aircraft especially when the costs will be quite formidable in comparison with anything else in the entire world.
If the worst should happen then the fallout might rival that expected from weapons that might have been dropped in its primary service role as the main UK deterrant for many years.
Trapper 69
SkyboltWell folks this is the final day to get your submission in if you have not already done so. It is no use bitching about the result if you have not participated. Whatever your views do take this rare opportunity for the aviation democratic process to work as it should always. “Never ask for whom the bell tolls………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltSad news but hardly surprising. The local area must have reached saturation point in terms of airshow attending opportunities at Kemble and with Fairford only around 15 miles away.
Commiserations,
Trapper 69
SkyboltThe Bu133 Jungmeister was IMHO quite the finest aerobatic machine of the 1930’s and is still a magic aeroplane today. I treasure my 30 minutes on type over 25 years ago.
Trapper 69
SkyboltNo contest –
It just has to be Erich Hartmann, the ultimate fighter pilot’s fighter pilot. Had the priviledge of meeting and talking with him along with Steinhoff and Johnny Johnson in the mess at Coltishall decades ago at their Battle of Britain day event when they invited several aces fron both sides for a convivial weekend in Norfolk. A great man who was quite the most modest pilot I have ever encountered.
Trapper 69
SkyboltYou are a brave lad Kev though I do share your views and fears for the warbird movement as a whole should there be, God forbid, an accident with the Vulcan.
It was a great aeroplane in RAF service yet the displays it gave in its final years at times bordered on the insane. Regular breaches of the minimum lateral separation distance applicable to the type did occur and at times the aircraft was thrown about like a fighter – totally at odds to its role in service.
I have no doubt that the present owners will keep a tight rein on the way it is flown as a civil aeroplane and the CAA-GAD airshow inspectors are certain to monitor the operation and style of flying closely. Nevertheless the effect of gravity can occasionally be grave in any flying machine, particularly one as complex as the Vulcan.
I wish the project well and fully appreciate that an enormous amount of effort has gone into it so far but will keep my fingers tightly crossed when it is airborne.
One last thought, airshow audiences and organisers are fickle creatures. Once the novelty has fallen off after, say, a couple of seasons then it will be almost impossible to fund the fuel bill alone for the bird. It will then not be long before it is grounded once more.
Trapper 69
PS – I well remember those last shows at West Malling and Cranfield where there was not a dry eye in the house. Fantastic but, as was once said, “C’est magnifique – mais pas de guerre………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
SkyboltSuch a shame. Considering the number of light aircraft that spend their lives tied down or indeed just parked out in the open at aerodromes and airstrips round the UK it is rare for such a happening.
Thank God our Skybolt has a secure and hangar rash free spot in a grand hangar at Leicester.
Cheers and sympathy,
Trapper 69
SkyboltThee big problem with Sunderland is that the venue has a concave crowd line along the beach and promenade so apart from the really light aircraft, VSTOL and choppers you cannot get closer than around 500 metres to crowd centre.
Thank God for the occasional convex crowd line such as at Old Warden.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltPhenomenal pictures. My sincere congratulations.
The display line set out in CAP403 for events such as this is, for aircraft up to 200 knots display speed, 100 metres MLSD from any spectators plus another 50 metres if doing aerobatics. The runway minimum distance from the crowd is just over 70 metres to cater for the traditional and, apparently immovable, Farnborough layout.
All you photographers seem to have very long lenses………………!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltLooks like a magic event. Pity the weather was crap in the Midlands otherwise I was tempted to fly up from Leicester.
Perhaps next year.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltWoodchurch is but once a year whereas Old Warden offers multiple opportunities to enjoy the magic atmosphere. My advice – go to Woodchurch. Wish I could.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
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