Keeping Britain at the forefront of Aviation
Air League Flying Day – A Great Success
Jul 22nd
This year’s annual Air League Flying Day at Bicester proved to be a great success with a massive improvement in numbers from previous years. Over 40 glider launches were carried out, allowing every young member to have at least one flight with some even having two. With glorious weather and an abundance of thermals, average flight times were in the region of thirty minutes, allowing young Air League members to really get some hands-on time.
The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Windrushers Gliding Club who facilitated the day. Also on hand were instructors from the Upward Bound Trust and together they provided over six instructors which ensured the day ran smoothly. A range of gliders were flown during the day, including the legendary Slingsby T21 Sedbergh, a glider which was a lot older than the average age in attendance!
Towards the end of the day, the Twister Duo made an appearance. One of the newest air display acts on the airshow circuit, the two single seat composite kit aircraft provided a fantastic aerial finale to a fantastic day. The weather stayed strong throughout the whole day, and on into the evening, providing a glorious backdrop to the legendary Bicester barbeque where young members had the chance to exchange flying stories in a relaxed atmosphere, whatever their level of experience.
Thanks to the support from Today’s Pilot and Oxford Academy of Aviation, all those attending left with a ‘goody bag’ packed to the brim with aviation related books and pamphlets.
If you are a young flyer reading this and are not a member of the Air League, join now and take advantage of the many scholarships and bursaries available.
Newsletter – Jul/Aug 2010
Jul 11th
The forthcoming UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) is being conducted in a most politically charged climate. While the elevation of defence to the top of the political agenda has been a long time coming, the only definitive message that has emerged over recent weeks is that the UK government has already concluded that the current defence programme is unaffordable and big changes are on their way. As a result it faces a huge challenge in deciding what to do about it. Speaking at the RUSI on 14 June, Defence Secretary Liam Fox said that the SDSR would have to make a clean break from the thinking of the past and will be “ruthless and without sentiment”.
Also in this issue:
Aeronautica
Annual Reception
Members news
Bicester: Gliding, Sunshine and Barbeques
Jul 8th
This year’s flying day at Bicester Airfield was a huge success, a massive improvement in numbers from previous years. Over 40 glider launches were carried out, allowing every young member to have at least one flight. Some were even lucky enough to have two! The weather stayed strong throughout the whole day, and on into the evening, providing a glorious backdrop to a stunning air display and the legendary Bicester barbeque.
A massive thank you goes out to Scott Pendry, John and Cherry Mack. Without their extensive prior planning, the event wouldn’t have nearly been as well organized as it was.
More pictures will be coming shortly…watch this space!
2010 Scholarships and Bursaries
Jun 28th
2010 saw the Air League rewarding 78 lucky members with various Flying, Engineering and Gliding scholar-ships and bursaries. Read more about the 2010 winners and details of the sponsor here.
Your Air Experience Flight Needs You!
Jun 23rd
As a teenager, your first Air Experience Flight (AEF) as an Air Cadet can be a life changing experience. For some it is the first time in an aircraft and for almost everyone it is there first time at the controls of a powerful machine, particularly one that overcomes gravity and operates in three dimensions. It is an experience that opens a young persons mind to new horizons whether in terms of personal achievement or career aspirations in aviation, aerospace and in the services. Our industries and the armed forces need people made of ‘the right stuff’, they are crucial to the United Kingdom in terms of global communication and standing, sustaining a high technology industrial base and credible defence capability and earning valuable export revenues in an increasingly competitive World and ensuring a secure environment for international commerce.
Air League Annual Reception Recognises Aviation Excellence
Jun 13th
London, 10th June: On Tuesday 8th June, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, patron of The Air League, hosted the League’s Annual Reception in the prestigious surroundings of St James’s Palace where around 100 certificates and badges were awarded to youngsters who had completed powered flying, gliding and engineering scholarships administered by the Air League Educational Trust (ALET). The evening also recognised a number of aviation professionals who have made outstanding contributions, notably Wing Commander Michael Douglas and Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart for their services to the Air Cadet Organisation, and to the British Gliding Team for winning the European Championships in 2009. The Jeffrey Quill Medal for outstanding contribution to the development of air-mindedness in Britain’s youth went to recently-retired Director of the RAF Museum, Dr Michael Fopp, while The Air League Gold Medal went to Tony Edwards for his outstanding services to the causes of the Air League over many years. More >
Engineering Taster Day: 2nd September 2010
With over 80 years’ experience in aerospace engineering, Marshall Aerospace is one of Europe’s leading privately-owned aerospace companies with all the capabilities of an aircraft manufacturer. Marshall Aerospace has extensive experience in the conversion, modification and maintenance of military, corporate and civil aircraft, and all of these aspects – including design, manufacture, test and certification, and logistic support – are firmly backed up by a dedicated team of over 1,750 highly trained personnel and an exceptional range of facilities. More >
Newsletter – May/Jun 2010
May 22nd
There has been much political rhetoric from both sides of the House on the pivotal role of high-technology manufacturing in the recovery of the UK economy. The Defence sector represents 300,000 jobs and 10% of the UK’s manufacturing output. With an annual turnover of £35 billion and a 21% share of the global market, Defence exports alone support 65,000 of these jobs. But these are economic facts and they are of strategic importance. Of more strategic importance is industry’s role in equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces in Afghanistan, a most complex and dangerous theatre of war. And there will be other such challenging operations in the future.
Also in this Issue:
A political view
It’s a vision thing
The RAF in defence priorities
Aeronautica
Members news
Newsletter – Mar/Apr 2010
Mar 11th
The Government’s Defence Green Paper, entitled “Adaptability and Partnership: Issues for a Strategic Defence Review” was published on 3 February. It arrived in the midst of renewed press speculation concerning the survival of three separate British Armed Forces, and as defence spending continues to shrink as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product.
Also in this Issue:
Knighthood for Life Vice-President
Aeronautica
Thin blue line
Industry News
Members news
