Posted by Flightline UK on 27/01/2008 under Aerobatics and Competitions, Display Team News and Dates | 
The Yakovlevs new sponsor helps the team become even greener! (From the Yakovlevs Official Website)
For most of us it’s a struggle to drive our empty bottles to the local recycling facilities every so often — try running a four-aircraft display team through more than 60 displays a year, without doing any damage to the environment.The Yakovlevs Display Team, the UK’s premier aerobatic team, is launching a new scheme that will make them the first, and only carbon neutral display team on the scene, with the help of their new sponsor, Salisbury-based insurance broker Emery Little.
The Yakovlevs will offset all their carbon emmisions, with the help of Emery Little’s GreenFly carbon offsetting program. For the team, this is another step in the process of making flying not just better for the environment, but also safer for the pilots and their audience. Lead pilot Jez Hopkinson has already developed a new kind of eco/enviromentally friendly smoke oil with Shell Aviation, which is classed as safe for human consumption, produces whiter smoke, and even makes the aircraft’s paint last longer. The new smoke oil was launched by the Yakovlevs last year, and is now used by most teams in the display world.
“We are delighted to have Emery Little as a major sponsor,”Jez said.”The combination of the GreenFly initiative and Ondina EL means that we believe the Yakovlevs are now the world’s most environmentally friendly air display team. It is a pleasure to work with Nik Little and James Moreton, I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Emery Little.
The GreenFly scheme means that participants can submit their projected flying hours for the year with a quotation request, and have their carbon emmissions purchased to help spare the environment.
James Moreton, head of aviation at Emery Little added: “It is great to be associated with a leading UK based air display team. In particular with Jez and his highly experienced team, whose commitment and ethos to best practice within the aviation industry and the environment fits exactly with Emery Little.”
For more information on how to get involved with GreenFly, visit the Emery Little website by going to the Our Sponsors page. Keep your eyes on this site too, as more updates will be posted soon.
Posted by Flightline UK on 24/01/2008 under Any other business |
The Lydd Airshow management team, along with key decision makers at London Ashford Airport (Lydd), have reluctantly decided to cancel Lydd Airshow 2008. They had planned to run the event on the weekend of the 28 and 29 June.
Lydd Airport managing director Zaher Deir said he was disappointed to announce the cancellation of this summer’s event. More than 20,000 people attended Lydd Airshow in 2006 (its debut year) and 2007 and the event had quickly established itself as a major draw in Kent’s tourism calendar attracting in the region of 25,000 people.
He said: “Staging such a large-scale public event has been a huge organisational challenge and has been very costly. For the last two years Lydd Airshow has relied solely on Lydd Airport for its full financial support. To safeguard its future we recognised that a major sponsor was needed to help cover the cost of staging the airshow at Lydd but, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to attract a suitable sponsor.
“LAA is simply unable to keep covering the full cost of the airshow, so we have had no option but to cancel for this year.”
Mr Deir held out hope that the Lydd Airshow could return. “We will look into holding the airshow for 2009 provided we can secure sufficient funds. Looking further ahead, we would hope to run this popular family event every other year from there on.”
More than £20m has been invested in upgrading facilities at Lydd and the airport is currently involved in a long-running bid to gain planning consent from Shepway District Council for a new passenger terminal and an extension to its runway.
For more information visit www.lyddairshow.co.uk or www.lydd-airport.co.uk
Posted by Flightline UK on 17/01/2008 under Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows |
Many thanks to Sqn Ldr Andy Pawsey of the RAF Events team for supplying the latest infomation on RAF support fro the upcoming 2008 airshow season.
As promised, here are the plans detailing RAF support for the 2008 display season. As ever, these plans are subject to change but have reached a level of rigidity that makes it suitable for transmission with a good chance of going ahead as planned. Be warned, this is going to be l-o-n-g! I make no apologies as I am trying to give you the full picture.
First, the context . . . .
Some individuals may disagree, but the RAF does not exist in order to provide numerous and unusual combinations of aircraft in camera viewfinders. Before disappearing under the anticipated volley of “Why no more solos”, “Why no massive 90th flypasts”, “Where have all the statics gone” etc., I would like to remind those that need reminding that the RAF, like our fellow armed services, continues to be heavily stretched. We are under increasing operational, financial and equipment pressures. A search through other UKAR threads will provide background information for anyone that needs it. PR, image and reputation remains important but clearly comes down the pecking list compared to other tasks in direct support of the UK’s Defence Mission. Recruitment remains a hot subject. Fortunately, the RAF Engagement Strategy continues to provide the mandate for a range of presentational activities including support for airshows and other events.
Secondly, the shows . . . .
We have all sadly read about the demise of some of the UK shows for this year. So, I am especially pleased to announce that the RAF has returned to its full compliment of shows for 2008 – Cosford, Waddington and, making a welcomed return, Leuchars. Sacrifices are already being offered to the weather gods!
Thirdly, the teams . . . .
After a fantastic 50th Anniversary Season last year, the BBMF will have a more “traditional” season supporting a range of airshows and ceremonial events with the familiar yet unique combinations of Spitfires, Hurricanes, Lancaster and DC-3. The number of requests and the number of displays performed continues to increase year-on-year. Like all the teams, they will also continue to perform a range of ground-based activities to schools, organisations, veteran groups, etc. The BBMF also plan to venture out to in to Europe and are especially looking forward to trips to Berlin and Poland.
The Falcons will continue to take the RAF to places that other assets cannot reach. We all hope they have an injury free season. The issue of jump platform availability remains. It is frustrating to all concerned when the Falcons loose a weekends worth of displays as late as the Thursday before due to C-130 unavailability. We hope to utilize the DC-3 more as a platform where appropriate. This works better for lower altitude descents when you can clearly see the guys exiting from the DC-3. Compare the BBMF 50th descent with the Cosford one! We are also looking at other alternative platforms. The exit from the Chinook at Southport worked very well.
The Red Arrows will continue to wow audiences with their outstanding formation aerobatics. UK appearances will be down on recent years due to the tour of Canada and the USA. This will be a disappointment to those looking forward to seeing the Red Arrows at shows in June. We have already received many complaints which we have sympathy with. Perhaps this should be remarked upon in the “When will the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels and Snow Birds next display in Europe” thread? The same applies to sending other RAF teams and solos in to Europe.
Next, the solos . . . .
Last season saw a big reduction in the number of RAF solo displays. Something that had been going on, albeit at a slower rate, for a number of years. I am, at least, pleased to say that the run downhill has been halted!
No 22 Gp will be providing solo displays by Tutor, Tucano and Hawk with display numbers similar to the 2007 levels.
No 1 Gp will be providing a solo display by the Typhoon again with display numbers similar to the 2007 levels.
Support from JHC has yet to be confirmed. We all hope to see solo Chinook display again this year.
The loss of the solo Harrier was felt by everyone. This was recognised at the highest level where efforts were made to reinstate the display for 2008, without success.
Work is in progress to try and get another aircraft out on display doing something “a little different”. Still much to be done so not going to raise expectations at this stage.
On to, the Role Demo . . . .
What an “interesting” Role Demo season it was last year!! The Role Demo tends to polarize people especially those that still wrongly think that having the Role Demo means you loose out with other display assets. Suffice to say that the response from all angles and levels has been over-whelming good. We will be providing a Role Demo for this season and we look forward to incorporating the lessons we learnt from last year’s Role Demo to produce a truly spectacular display. We will probably have x2 versions of the Role Demo each demonstrating different air power roles and so utilizing different display assets. The following Role Demo assets, common to both versions, have been confirmed:
- x2 Tornado F3 +1 Spare
- x2 Tornado GR4 +1 Spare
- x2 Hawk
- x1 E3-D
I am awaiting confirmation of additional heavy and rotary assets.
The following events have been afforded Priority 1 status for 2008 and will host the Role Demo:
- Cosford (1 Jun 08)
- Biggin Hill (7 – 8 Jun 08)
- Kemble (15 Jun 08)
- Waddington (5-6 Jul 08)
- RIAT (12-13 Jul 08)
- Sunderland (26-27 Jul 08)
- Southport (6-7 Sep 08)
- Leuchars (13 Sep 08)
Last year, we failed to deliver a Role Demo further north than Cosford! I am personally delighted with the P1s for this year. Excellent extant Organiser/Events Team partnerships will be reinforced whilst opening up new potential at new venues. Coverage of the North West, North East and Scotland is most welcome. Sunderland will be “interesting” as it is a true over-water venue. Many of you will know that we tried to include Southport as a late addition last year.
I will not give much more away at this stage about the routine(s) or the general approach adopted for the Role Demo. Suffice to say it will be big and loud with a balance between spectacle and realism. This is not theatre, it is demonstration. Best of all is that we will be free of a number of aspects that were huge constraints last year. Although we will not have any more practise time than we did last year, we will certainly have more planning time. Spirit of Adventure was a huge constraint for last year since it dictated much of what went on in the routine. We have a clean sheet for this year.
Also looking forward to additional Role Demo aspects where appropriate eg parking plans that facilitate interaction whilst on the ground (Kemble and Biggin Hill), bolstering with home-based assets where authorised (Waddington and Leuchars), etc.
And then, miscellaneous stuff . . . .
Getting close to the end (phew!). Although nothing firm yet, we hope to provide a number of “specials” similar to those seen last year ie RAFAT and x4 BBMF Fighters, Spitfire and Typhoon, etc. Fellow UKAR’ians have provided me with plenty of ideas!
Plans are coming together for much better use of ground assets. Limited headway was made in this area last year. We hope to do better this year.
Oops – nearly forgot the RAF 90th. Plans are still being put together as to what will happen where. I suggest you reign-in your optimism of seeing massive flypasts. For some anniversaries we have had funding to buy-in civvy ex-RAF aircraft. We have no additional resources to devote to a 90th commemoration and so rely on Organisers to buy-in suitable displays to compliment our current aircraft if they feel that is appropriate.
Save the best to last? Probably! We do intend to have a Spitfire/Typhoon Heritage Pair display for a very limited number of displays. This will be a fully integrated routine akin to the USAF Heritage Flt and the Spitfire/Tornado routine of the 1980s.
And finally . . . .
So, that’s it! Some will be happy, some disappointed. Much realistic thought has gone in to the plans for 2008. For instance, the Role Demo was not a certainty. Although deemed a success, perhaps a different method would be more effective for this year thus avoiding the dreaded “2nd Season” problems. Perhaps a different approach will be adopted for 2009!
Posted by Flightline UK on under Royal Air Force |
From the BBC News Website
The Red Arrows aerobatics team could move from their base at RAF Scampton, according to the head of the air force.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpey said he hoped the elite flyers would remain in Lincolnshire and a decision was expected to be made in 2008.
There has been speculation that the team may move as part of a review currently being carried out by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
ACM Torpey said RAF Waddington was a possible location for the flyers.
He said the unit were a “complex operation to run” because they needed to practice three times a day when preparing for a touring season.
“What we’re doing is looking at the most appropriate base for the Red Arrows. There are a number of options… and Waddington is one of them.
“They may move but we haven’t decided the best location for them at the moment but they will be staying in Lincolnshire, I would hope.”
Posted by Flightline UK on 15/01/2008 under Warbirds and Classic Jets |
Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future.
As promised in the last message, here is news on our progress towards delivering Vulcan XH558 back to UK air displays later this year. To minimise duplication, I have written this as an update to my last message of 10th December, which is reproduced below.
The next phase in the new life of XH558 takes the aircraft from today up to its first public display. In funding terms, we estimate that it will cost about £575,000 to meet our target of returning her to public display on 1st June, an amount which is consistent with our estimated gross annual running costs of about £1.6million.
Following on from the enormous financial goodwill shown by many companies, and by Marshall Aerospace in particular, in enabling us to achieve the first test flight on 18th October, we have chosen to avoid the risk of future fiscal embarrassment by electing to pay for any major work before it starts.
Whilst the largest proportion of the £575,000 pays for the monthly £70,000 baseline costs of salaries and other vital items, the steepest part of the new challenge is the upfront outlay of £85,000 required now to restart the test flight programme. The costs of the display work-up flights and aviation insurance are the other major elements making up the total.
This leads me to our revenue generating activities.
Donations are continuing, with some significant donations coming from well-known companies, some of which fund the repayment our extremely patient creditors following first flight. We continue to seek major donations not only of cash but of support-in-kind, from many different types of companies, groups and individuals, linked to project milestones, through for example fund-raising dinners and events at Bruntingthorpe. However we cannot be confident that this is a source of revenue on which we can rely in the longer term.
Gaining commercial sponsorship remains our primary objective for the majority of the longer-term funding of our operation. As we had hoped, the First Flight has proved pervasive in establishing our credibility with potential sponsors, and contributed to a massive £1million’s worth of publicity over 2007. However the current economic conditions are extremely unhelpful: many companies are tightening their belts. True to our philosophy of never giving up, we have decided to go where the cash is: the Middle East. We already have one potential line of significant interest, but as mentioned in my last message, it may well take some time to carefully bring these opportunities to fruition. If any reader of this message has certain knowledge of a potential sponsor, please contact Michael Trotter, our Business Development Director, on +44 (0)7803 141483.
With our migration from a major capital project to an ongoing flow of commitments, we have been looking for ways to match our funding streams to the profile of our costs.
It’s clear that the Vulcan to the Sky Club, which has almost doubled in membership over the past year, is home to our strongest, most loyal and active supporters. In return for a modest annual subscription, the Club offers a range of member benefits, and is also able to remit a proportion of its income to the Trust. I have agreed with the Club’s Committee that a significant growth in the Club’s membership is not only achievable, but would reflect the sentiment of supporters and also provide a proportion of the ongoing revenues now needed by the Trust. The Club, with the support of the Trust, is therefore embarking on a significant membership drive. (As an example of one of the benefits, the presentation that I made to the Club’s members on 12th January is downloadable from the Club Area on this website.)
We are undertaking a detailed review of our future requirements for our operating base. Our primary needs are clearly operational and maintenance feasibility, and affordability (including grants), however we also need to take into account the location as regards visitor access and catchment area, timescales and notice periods. Because of the sensitivity of some of the discussions, I can’t at this stage tell you more, but will do so as soon as appropriate.
We continue to firm up arrangements for the 2008 season with display organisers, whose enthusiasm to include the Vulcan is only tempered by our need to charge a reasonable appearance fee to offset our costs!
Finally, we have launched the first stage in our Education Programme, with the announcement in December that our Partnership Primary School, Huncote Primary, will be trialling the first formal components toward the end of this month. In addition, if you are the member of a group or an association who would value a lecture or a visit, please contact Miriam Tong, our Education and Access Manager on 0116 247 8145.
I will publish a further update in March, unless there is significant news beforehand. The Avro Vulcan XH558 programme continues to be unique and challenging, but also exciting and inspiring. I’m sure that 2008 will end as 2007 just has, with a whole lot of joyous memories.
Thank you for staying with us.
Robert Pleming – Chief Executive, VTST
Posted by Flightline UK on 13/01/2008 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events |
The latest release from the Yorkshire Air Show website
The Yorkshire Air Show is due to become bigger and better following an announcement by the organisers to run the two day event bi-annually.
Following a couple of years of exceptionally bad weather, the break will allow the organisers time to implement new drainage systems to combat wet and boggy areas of the airfield which have affected the smooth running of the show.
The organisers are planning to augment the flying displays with a range of exciting events on the ground to provide non-stop entertainment throughout the two days.
Part of the money earmarked for next year’s show will be allocated to the one in 2009 to cover the dramatically increased costs needed to stage the larger event.
Commenting on the decision event director, Ken Cothliff, said:
“We were extremely proud that, unlike many shows and events throughout the UK this summer, we did not have to cancel but instead, under difficult circumstances, delivered an air show to entertain the many thousands of people who came along to see us.
“Despite holding the event in August, the last two years have proved that we cannot rely on the weather. By reducing the dependency on aircraft for the show, we can guarantee fabulous entertainment even if we have the odd aeroplane that cannot fly in.
“Elvington’s 3000 metre runway is one of the longest in Britain and has been used to break all sorts of speed records. It therefore gives us so much scope with regard to the type of exciting displays we can run on the ground.
“We have had some terrific support from our many sponsors, most notably the Yorkshire Post, and we want to ensure they have a show of which they can be justifiably proud.
