LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
In recognition of his significant contribution to
design and engineering, RAeC Council member for
the BBAC, Don Cameron, was awarded an MBE in
the New Year’s Honours List. Don, and his
business Cameron Balloons, have been
synonymous with ballooning for many years. His
honour is richly deserved – congratulations, Don.
Don Cameron (photo:
Tom Sage)
Trying to
summarise Don’s
achievements in a
few short words is
impossible. I
would strongly
encourage you to
look up the history of Cameron Balloons on the
internet, you will find it a breath-taking read. His
balloons have been used for most of the
extraordinary ballooning records set in recent years.
Don also pioneered the development of specially
shaped balloons, and has built more ‘character’
balloons than all other balloon manufacturers put
together. So, the next time you look out in the
morning, and you see Bertie Bassett, the Disney
Castle, or the ghostly head of Van Gogh float past,
don’t immediately think of how much you might or
might not have had to drink the night before. Blame
the surreal vision on Cameron Balloons.
One of the most inspiring things about aviation is
that it is full of inspiring individuals. The Club is
looking forward to honouring some of them at its
Awards Ceremony, which takes place at the RAF
Club in May. We are very pleased that HRH The
Duke of York will be attending as our guest of
honour, and will be giving recipients their awards
personally.
Many people are involved in the organisation of the
Awards Ceremony. Breitling UK helps us with the
secure transportation of awards and trophies, and
with the publication of the very impressive Awards
Brochure given out on the evening. Aviation and
Breitling have also been synonymous since the first
aviation pioneers appeared in the modern era.
Aviation history features prominently in the
company’s marketing and branding activities. The
RAeC has some of the rarest and most iconic
aviation trophies, images and documents in its
collection. The Club recently met Breitling and
took the opportunity to look at a number of items
from the collection. It is hoped that Breitling might
use some of the Club’s collection in support of its
marketing activities. This is just one small way in
which we can thank Breitling for their help.
At this point, I’d like to shift the focus of my report
to matters entirely outside of the RAeC –
specifically, the Red Tape Challenge (“RTC”) and
the proposal for controlled airspace recently put out
for consultation by TAG Aviation, the
owner/operator of Farnborough airport on the
Hampshire/Surrey borders.
The RTC was launched last year with general
aviation identified as an area of focus. The RTC is
due to deliver its aviation report sometime after
April, and is supported by a Challenge Panel of
general aviation experts. The panel has delivered
its interim report. It makes for a very interesting
read. The report can be viewed at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/syste
m/uploads/attachment_data/file/276478/GA-
challenge-panel-interim-report.pdf and I urge
you to read it. It includes 53 draft
recommendations. If these are followed through,
then we should see a number of things happen that
will be directly beneficial to all areas of general
aviation. Of course, the operative word is ‘if’. The
RTC has ministerial-level sponsorship, the full
involvement of the CAA, the Department for
THE ROYAL AERO CLUB
OF THE UNITED KINGDOM The Coordinating Body of British Airsport Organisations
Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
President: His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG,
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2014
Transport, and has actively engaged with the
general aviation community. We should, therefore,
be optimistic that the RTC ought to be able to pave
the way for beneficial change. I, like many others,
will be awaiting its final report with keen interest.
I don’t like closing on a concerning note, but on this
occasion, I am going to have to. At the end of this
piece, you will find a body of text that I recently
drafted. Please read it carefully, and think about
how it might affect you.
Happy aviating.
Patrick Naegeli
Chairman
Farnborough Airspace Change Proposal
The operator of Farnborough Airport, TAG
Farnborough, has begun the formal process of
applying for controlled airspace.
Their proposals directly affect current controlled
and uncontrolled airspace across a large area of
southern England – not only in the immediate
vicinity to Farnborough Airport. If approved, their
airspace would extend:
Out as far as Reading and Aldermaston to the
north west
All the way from Farnborough to the
Solent/Southampton area to the west and south
west
Right down and off the south coast as far as the
south part of the Isle of Wight
Along the south coast to a point just north of
Shoreham
Well beyond Guildford to the east.
The base of many areas of existing airspace would
be lowered, and large areas of new airspace would
be introduced. Their plans represent the most
substantial redesign and increase of airspace in the
UK for many years.
You can find the details of what TAG want to do
through the following link:
http://www.consultation.tagfarnborough.com
If TAG get what they want, the likely impact on
general aviation would be significant. Pilots and
airfield/airstrip operators will be affected. The
impact would range from catastrophic for some
groups, through to extremely disruptive for others.
The impacts are not restricted to aviators and
aviation. Many other local groups are also likely to
be adversely affected.
The only party to benefit will be TAG.
At the moment, TAG’s proposals are out for
consultation up until 2 May 2014. TAG will then
formally submit their application to the CAA
sometime during the summer.
It is vitally important that everybody that is part of
the aviation community provides input to the
consultation and makes their opposition clear. The
main general aviation organisations are already
working closely and will be providing information
to help people understand the issues that are of most
concern.
So, if you fly in the south-east of the country, or
ever fly through the area, then please take notice.
Make sure that you read the TAG proposals,
and reflect on how they might affect you – you
should do this as soon as possible
Keep a regular watch on the air sport or general
aviation websites, forums and publications for
more information and advice – expect more
communications and advice to be available
shortly and then on a regular basis
Be prepared to submit your formal response to
the consultation process, but don’t do so until
you are ready to, or have been advised to by
your air sport association – you should be
planning on getting your input to TAG in
the early part of April
Don’t imagine for one moment that this will not
affect you. It will.
Don’t imagine for one moment that others will sort
the situation out for you. They won’t be able to do
that unless you play your part and actively support
the campaign to oppose TAG.
ROYAL AERO CLUB AWARDS
The names of award winners for 2013 have been
announced as follows:
The Britannia Trophy Jon Hilton – Nominated by BMAA
Prince of Wales Cup
2013 World Championship Team – Nominated by
BMAA
Silver Medals
Ayala Truelove – Nominated by BGA
Barry Plumb – Nominated by LAA
Stewart Jackson – Nominated by LAA
John Curtis – Nominated by BPA
Richard Carter – Nominated by BHPA
Russell Ogden – Nominated by BHPA
Bronze Medals
Robin Morton – Nominated by LAA
Stan Dauncey – Nominated by LAA
Terry Viner – Nominated by BMAA
Chris Draper – Nominated by BMAA
Paul Farley – Nominated by BHPA
Ed Cleasby - Nominated by BHPA
Royal Aero Club Diploma
Mike Randle –
Nominated by BGA
Paul Conran – Nominated by BAeA
Paul Dewhurst – Nominated by BMAA
Arthur Ord-Hume – Nominated by LAA
Royal Aero Club Certificates of Merit
Aware Project Team – Nominated by LAA
Ian Rickard – Nominated by LAA
David & Susan Dunn – Nominated by LAA
Barbara Moreton – Nominated by BBAC
Dr Sally Evans - Nominated by BGA
Ian Dandie – Nominated by BGA
Martin Shuttleworth - Nominated by BPA
Stuart Buchanan – Nominated by BMAA
Tim Wassell – Nominated by RRRA
Rex Levi – Nominated by RRRA
Norton-Griffiths Challenge Trophy
Mark Albery – Nominated by LAA
The President’s Breitling Trophy
Alicia Hempleman-Adams – Nominated by Jim
Crocker & Don Cameron
Breitling Certificate of Recognition
Devon Build a Plane Project (Naomi Green &
Nathan Borroughs) – Nominated by LAA
Nexus Aviation Journalist of the Year Trophy
Liz Ashley – Nominated by BPA
Certificates of Appreciation
Dr. Gillian Jenkins –
Nominated by HCGB
Michael Littler – Nominated by HCGB
Members of Prospect ATCO’s Branch –
Nominated by Aerobility
Richard Deakin – Nominated by Aerobility
Companion of The Royal Aero Club
John Downer – Nominated by the RAeC & RAeC
Trust
Ann Welch Memorial Award
Deepak Mahajan – Nominated by BMAA
Congratulations to all. The Awards Ceremony will
be held on Tuesday 13th May at the RAF Club.
BRITISH PILOTS AT INTERNATIONAL
EVENTS
Congratulations to Martin Robe, who came third in
the 2013 European Grand Prix for parascending
accuracy.
Well done also to Mark Benns, Tony Hebb and
Derek Richards, F1D team, for their team Silver
medals at the 2013 European Championships for
Free Flight Model Aircraft in Belgrade last August.
RECORDS and OTHER AWARDS
Don Cameron MBE – an appreciation by Derek
Maltby
Don Cameron is the designer and manufacturer of
the first hot air balloon to be constructed and flown
in the United Kingdom, in 1967. He set up
Cameron Balloons in 1969 from the basement of his
house in Bristol.
Through Don’s dedication, commitment and
leadership, the world of ballooning has seen a great
many triumphs and ‘firsts’ in endurance and world
records. Amongst the most notable was the first
helium/hot air balloon to circumnavigate the world
in 1999 followed by the same achievement three
years later by a solo pilot.
Under Don’s guidance, the first Bristol Balloon
Fiesta took place in 1979; this has gone on to
become the biggest annual balloon event in Europe
with over 140 balloons participating. This annual
event attracts more than 250,000 spectators and
continues to be a free event for all spectators.
Don is an iconic figurehead in the world of
ballooning; he is respected for his knowledge,
technical and innovative skill and practical ability
by balloonists worldwide. He has unique childlike
enthusiasm coupled with great engineering
prowess; it is very unusual to have both qualities in
an aeronautical engineer but ‘essential’ for a
balloon engineer!
Don’s ballooning achievements as a pilot include
being the first man to cross the Sahara and the Alps
by hot-air balloon, and making the first flight
between the UK and what was then the USSR in
1990. After an unsuccessful attempt in 1978 at the
first Atlantic crossing by balloon, his dream came
true in 1992 when he flew a balloon of his own
design from the US to Portugal and took second
place in the first ever transatlantic balloon race.
No one has contributed more to the world of
ballooning, especially in the UK, than Don.
World Records
Congratulations to Daniel Pangbourne for four
record-setting flights last July and August. In July
he set a new record with a flight from
Wolverhampton to Enniskillen at a speed of 175.9
kph. Two days later his return flight set a record
speed of 195.3 kph. Daniel was flying an AA-5B
Grumman Tiger. In August, Daniel took a Piper
PA-28-161 from North Weald Airfield to
Ronaldsway at a record 201.7 kph, returning at
193.2 kph, to set his fourth record.
And finally, on 29 July 2013, Douglas Cairns set a
new record of 214.34 kph for a flight from Omaha,
Nebraska to Madison, Wisconsin. Douglas was
flying a PA-28 Piper Cherokee. This was a
simultaneous record with Christopher Isler of the
USA, flying a Cessna 172 and Jason N. Harmon
also of the USA in a DA40 D Diamond.
European Records
Congratulations to Kirsty Cameron for a flight on 2
June 2013, which set two new European female
paragliding records. Flying an Ozone Enzo from
Lawley (Shropshire) to Dorchester, Kirsty set a
straight distance record of 210.3 km and a straight
distance to a declared goal of 208.2 km.
RAeC COUNCIL NEWS
At the recent Council meeting, a number of projects
were discussed. It was agreed to find funding for a
Future Airspace Strategy Programme Manager, to
oversee and co-ordinate work on the Future
Airspace Strategy, which should provide some
excellent opportunities over the next couple of
years. 50% of the funding had already been
sourced, and Council agreed that it would be a good
initiative for the RAeC to support. The RAeC’s
contribution for the first year is to be covered from
Reserves.
There are a number of active airspace consultations.
Among them, the RAeC has written to all councils
within the Southend area to draw attention to the
potential impact of proposed changes there.
FAI
Secretary General
The FAI has announced
the appointment of
Susanne Schödel as its
new Secretary General,
starting on 1 March 2014.
Schödel, a 41 year old
German native, combines
experience in airsports,
management of non-
profit organisations and
political matters. She is a world-class glider pilot,
member of the German National Gliding Team
from 2004 to 2013, twice winner of the FAI
Women’s World Gliding championships in 2009
and 2011 and holder of several gliding records,
including five African records and two World
records set last December and January and ratified
this week. She is also a volunteer for several
organisations such as the Dr. Angelika Machinek
association which supports young female pilots in
gliding.
FAI Sporting Licence Database
The database is now fully operational and details of
all sporting licences issued during 2014 will be
entered onto the database.
SCHOLARSHIPS and BURSARIES
de Havilland Educational Trust
The Trust has announced flying and engineering
bursaries for 2014.
The Fiona McKay Bursary provides five hours
flying on a Tiger Moth to assist in the conversion of
UK-based PPLs onto type.
The Amy Johnson Engineering Bursary is designed
to assist the personal development of engineers
involved with vintage aircraft. The closing date is
31 March and application forms are available from
RAeC Trust Bursaries
A reminder that the Royal Aero Club Trust bursary
scheme will be operating again in 2014.
Bursaries include the President’s Award (two
bursaries each worth up to £750), the Peter Cruddas
Foundation Scholarship worth up to £1,000, the
Breitling Bursary worth up to £750, and the
Bramson Bursary worth up to £500, as well as a
number of additional bursaries worth up to £500
each. Bursaries are available to those wishing to
advance from one recognised level of air sport to
the next and/or wishing to upgrade existing
qualifications.
Applicants must be British Citizens aged 16-21 and
permanently resident in the UK. Full details and
application forms are available at
http://www.royalaeroclubtrust.org/bursaries.
Applications must be submitted through your
member association by 31 March 2014.
REGULATORY MATTERS
Europe Air Sports
News of recent developments in Europe will shortly
be published in the EAS Newsletter, accessible at www.europe-air-sports.org/activities/newsletter/.
EVENTS and NEWS from RAeC MEMBERS
Short Brothers Blue Plaque
In September 2013 an English Heritage Blue Plaque
commemorating the Short brothers was unveiled at
Battersea by Jenny Body OBE, FRAeS, President
of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
The three brothers Horace, Eustace & Oswald Short
had their factory in Battersea, initially building
balloons and subsequently diversifying into
aeroplanes. They came to Battersea because
Charles S. Rolls was searching for a balloon builder
to design and construct his entry for the first Gordon
Bennett International Balloon race in 1906. Rolls
gave the Shorts the contract to build balloon
“Britannia”. Rolls, a founder-member of the Aero
Club, had a vision to establish a permanent
ballooning ground near central London with
professional aeronauts and balloon builders at its
core. Battersea and the Shorts fitted Rolls’ bill and
the brothers moved their business to Battersea. In
August 1907 Eustace and Oswald were appointed
Aeronauts to the Aero Club and built about 30
balloons at Battersea, mostly for members of the
Aero Club.
The partnership’s first order for an aeroplane came
from Frank McLean, a member of the Aero Club
and the Short No. 1 was built underneath the arches
at Battersea and displayed at the 1909 Aero
Exhibition. The focus of Shorts aeroplane-building
business later moved to Kent, but Battersea
continued to be used for Shorts ballooning and
airship activities until late 1919.
In 1936 a subsidiary Short company was
established in Northern Ireland and, after the
Second World War, the Kent-based arm of Shorts
business was transferred to Belfast where many
famous names were added to the litany of Short
aircraft and guided weapons. Shorts became a
subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier in
1989 and, in 1993, Shorts built their last complete
aircraft. Shorts are still in the front line of the
aircraft industry, building major structural
components for Bombardier using advanced
composite materials in their construction.
Surviving all of these changes, the corporate name
of the enterprise at Belfast – Short Brothers Plc –
still honours the three founding brothers.
RAeC Collection
The web-site at http://raec.sds.websds.net/ has been
developed to include a “News & Blog” feature and
a “Showcase” feature.
Red Bull Air Races
Following the announcement of the resumption of
the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in
2014, the FAI and the Red Bull Air Race
management have signed an agreement confirming
FAI’s official international recognition of the Red
Bull Air Race World Championship as well as
detailing the FAI’s support in the form of safety
supervision. The 4th race of the series will be held
at Ascot on 16/17 August.
Newsletter edited by Diana King. Please send items for future Newsletters to Royal Aero Club, Hebbs Acre,
Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2HG or to [email protected]
For further information on any items contained in this Newsletter, please contact the RAeC Office at 31 St
Andrew’s Road, Leicester, LE2 8RE or on 0116 244 0182 or at [email protected].