PopulonFlying

The Popular Flying Association is the representative body in the United Kingdom of amateur constructors and operators of ultra-light and group operated aircraft.

Editorial

HE 24th Paris show was noteworthy from the British light aircraft point of view because at long last, with the Beagle-Auster Airedale, we were able to compete on equal terms with the American and European entries. In the post-war years, as all members of the p.F.A. are only too painfully aware, Britain has greatly lagged, to put it mildly, in the light aircraft field.

Managing

CONTENTS

1. Eorronrer.

2. AusrnAlrA's Lrcnr ArncRarl Boou.

4. Lrcrrr Amcupr Rour.ro-up.

6. "WHrnE ANGELS FnrrR ro TREAD.,,

8. TnB Bnrrrsn Cn.trrBNce.

10. Wrrn TuE Gnoups.

12. OprnATroNS AT WooDVALE.

13. SarurE To A VETERAN.

14. AmcnAFr CoNSTRUCTToN AND MAINTENANCE.

16. P.F.A. MnunBnsnp Cnuparcx.

Individual membership Cf the P.F.A, (two pounds per annum) entitles each member ,o popur,,qn FLvrNc .free of charge. Additional copies mav be obtained .from P.F.A .Headquarters at Londondjerry House, 19 Park Lane, London, l,y.l, at ls. 6i. including postage.

To back this welcome challenge to the American, French and ltalian competition the Business [Isers Association has been formed. This association includes the Pressed Steel Co., the manufacturers of the Beagle range, McAlpines and [Inited steel and one of the principal objects of the exercise is to help to popularise the use in country of light aircraft for the business executive. It is highly appropriate that our president, Mr. peter Masefield, who has long been a leading protagonist of the idea of British executive aircraft, should be the driving force behind the Beagle project.

The two Beagles so far to take to the air, the Airdeale and the Terrier, made their public debut at Baginton, Coventry, at the recent Shackleton aviation week-end and aroused a good deal of public interest.

An encouraging sign that Britain is awakening from its prolonged light aircraft slumber is that in the rast nine months the number of light aircraft registered for private or business use jumped by some 4\y"-from 376 to 522and the number is steadily rising. That is splendid news indeed.

This renewed public interest in private and executive flying has come none too soon. If Britain finally decides to enter the European Common Market, and there are certain signs that suggest that this may be so, the British light aircraft industry will have to be ready to supply a vast potential market on competitive terms. To compete successfully the industry requires strong Government backing and the support of a light aircraft-minded population.

THE EDITOR.