STRUTS4U

he anticipation of an opportunity to spend a

Tfew days with fellow LAA members, after so long under restrictions, put a spring into the step of many LAA aviators and Struts during the months of preparation for what was initially the LAA 75th Anniversary UK Tour. Covid sadly put paid to that, but a Tour of England, planned for later in the year (early July) was arranged instead. It was therefore with heavy hearts that discussions at HQ resulted in another postponement of the tour until next year, owing to the forecast of particularly inclement weather, which it seemed would be pretty well following the route. However, the amount of work that goes into preparing for any event is sometimes unrecognised, so I thought it appropriate on this occasion to give an opportunity for a few of those who planned for the LAA 75th Tour to share their thoughts.

Neil Wilson was key to the overall organisation of the event and writes: “Before the weather caused us to cancel our 75th Anniversary Tour of England, I wanted to involve as many Struts as possible while touring our way around the country. Starting with the Wessex Strut at Henstridge with a fly-in we would then include the Cornwall Strut for a night at Bodmin, plus an evening meal and breakfast (as with all the night stops) was also arranged.

“On Tuesday morning, members of both Bristol and Gloster Struts were going to greet us at Kemble for coffee. Shobdon Strut were going to host us for lunch and help with any mechanical issues if required, while Cliff Mort and friends in the North Western Strut were to look after us at Barton as well as ferry us about to hotels. At Eshott the North East Strut were to join us for a BBQ lunch before we went to Breighton and joined both LiNSY Trent Valley and Vale of York Struts who were hosting and planned to give us lifts to nearby accommodation. Finally, on Thursday 8 July, we planned for lunch at Leicester with the East Midlands Strut.

“Strut coordinators and members were very helpful with information when I phoned local ATC at airfields and airports (Bristol/Manchester/Newcastle) and RAF stations whose airspace we were going to go near or transit, as a potential 50-60 aeroplanes may have caused a conflict had they not known of our intentions. Let’s hope for better luck next year, but as always the weather is one thing we cannot control!”

LAA Board Strut Coordinator David Millin commented: “There are a lot of ups and downs in aviation and I am not referring to variations in altitude! On the one hand you can have a great day out with blue skies and on the other hand you are afflicted with a huge weather-related disappointment. I am, of course, referring to the cancellation of the LAA’s 75th Anniversary Tour of England. As I sit here listening to the rain pounding upon the roof of my study, I think I should have been making merry with my mates at Bodmin Airfield, which was to be the first stop of the tour.

“Had the weather been favourable we might have gone on to Kemble, Shobdon, Manchester Barton, Eshott, Breighton and Leicester before making our way home. Never mind, perhaps next year. This is a reminder of the cost, both in time and money, that is expended with little gain on such speculations.

Struts 4U by Anne Hughes

75th Anniversary England Tour

Above A warm welcome awaited at Breighton despite work in progress on a new clubhouse. Fingers crossed for 2022! Photo: Andy

Wood.

Right The Sopwith Bar and Grill at Barton was ready to provide participants with sustenance throughout their stay. Photo: Cliff Mort. Thanks go to all the people who prepared for the trip, for the airfields that made preparations to accommodate everyone and above all to Neil, who coordinated the whole event. Let’s do it next year!” Thank you also to Cliff Mort who was looking forward to the tour’s arrival at Barton: “Part of the joy of flying is the making of friends from all parts of the country. Wherever we go to enjoy a fly-in, there are old friends to meet and new friends to make. This time though the friends were coming to us – that is the North Western Strut at Barton, or would have been if the weather had played its part in the scheme of things. “We had the Sopwith Bar and Grill ready with a fantastic ambience and plenty of volunteers ready to ferry pilots to and from their hotels. There was much disappointment when the tour had to be cancelled but I would rather have that than to see people stranded around the country due to bad weather. Here’s to next time, and don’t make that too long either!” The Vintage Aircraft Club were fortunate to spend the weekend before the planned tour up at Breighton, where preparations for the last night of the tour were eagerly anticipated. Charles Sunter, Chair of The Real Aeroplane Club, writes, “Here at Breighton Airfield the members of The Real Aeroplane Club like nothing more than to welcome and host visitors (well, perhaps we are rather partial to flying

too!). So, when Neil initially called me to ask about the possibility of the LAA Tour having a night stay at Breighton, the answer was unreservedly ‘YES’. “We’re in the midst of having a new club house built and our facilities are somewhat basic at present, but don’t let that deter you,” I said. “This doesn’t stop our caterers putting on a respectable menu from the temporary field kitchen. With a makeshift bar, overnight camping under the wing or ferry car rides to local accommodation and the ‘Breighton welcome’ or course, where better to come.

“With preparations in place, including plans for hangar tours and to demonstrate some of the collection aircraft, we were all set to ensure an enjoyable evening for those on the tour. No doubt you already know how this story ends – the weather had other ideas, and the tour was cancelled. But that’s OK! We’re not going anywhere and next year we will be delighted to extend the very warm Breighton welcome once again.”

Thank you to everyone who was involved in the preparations – we look forward to next year!

Strut calendar

Many of the Struts will no doubt be beginning to consider a possible move towards holding their meetings in person as the last of the lockdown restrictions begin, hopefully, to slip into history. Fingers crossed that is the case, though current Covid trends suggest Zoom could remain for a while yet.

Andover Strut: Spitfire Club, Popham Airfield, SO21 3BD. 1930. Contact keith.picton@ntlworld.com

Bristol Strut: BAWA Club, Filton, 1930. Contact: chairman@bristolstrut.uk www.bristolstrut.uk

Cornwall Strut: The Clubhouse, Bodmin Airfield. Contact Pete White pete@aeronca.co.uk 01752 406660 1 August – Lundy Sunday. 11 September – Strut Fly-In. 15 September 1900 – The Real Battle of Britain by Peter Channon.

Devon Strut: The Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter. 1930. Strut contact: david.millin@sea-sea.com 7/8 August – Cardiff Airport Fly-In. Contact Alan Crutcher 07802 863127.

East of Scotland Strut: Harrow Hotel, Dalkeith. 2000. Contact: inrgibson001@btinternet.com 0131 339 2351. 28/29 August – Fly in at Balado Airfield (about two miles West of Kinross) PPR essential Balado Airfield.

East Midlands Strut: The Plough, Normanton on Soar. Please contact: tonyrazzell2@gmail.com 9 August – ‘Building Blue Two’, the design and construction of a Carbon Fibre Composite GA aircraft by Andy Best. 13 Sept – ‘A history of Gliding – from George Cayley to Perlan’ by Roger Alton. Zoom link available for talks. We also have a Facebook group and upload recordings of some meetings where we have speakers. Gloster Strut: The Victory Club, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2SY. Contact: harry.hopkins@talktalk.net

Highlands & Islands: Highland Aviation, Inverness Airport. Contact: b.w.spence@btinternet.com 01381 620535.

Kent Strut: Cobtree Manor Golf Club, Maidstone, Kent. 2000. Contact: Steve Hoskins hoskinsltd@outlook.com 07768 984507. 18 September – Meet the LAA Day at Headcorn.

LiNSY Trent Valley Strut: Trent Valley Gliding Club, Kirton Lindsey. pilotbarry1951@ gmail. com http://linsystrut.wixsite.com/ website

North East Strut: Fishburn Airfield. Brunch third Sunday of each month 1130-13.30 at Fishburn Aviator Cafe. Contact: alannixon297@btinternet.com

North Western Strut: Veterans Lounge, Barton, Manchester, 1930 for 2000. Contact: cliffmort@btinternet.com 07813 497427.

North Wales Strut: Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle. First Sunday of the month – HEMS Bistro Café. 1300. Contact: Gareth Roberts gtrwales@gmail.com 07876 483414.

Oxford Group: Second Wednesday each month. New Venue from 11 August: Sturdy’s Castle Country Inn, Banbury Road, Kidlington, OX5 3EP. Contact LAAOxford@gmail.com www.oxfordlaa.co.uk

Redhill Strut: The Dog and Duck, Outwood, Surrey, RH1 5QU. Third Tuesday of each month at 1930. Contact: david@milstead.me.uk

Shobdon Strut: Hotspur Café, Shobdon Airfield, Hereford HR6 9NR. 1930. Meetings on the second Thursday of the month. Contact: Keith Taylor bushebiggles@sky.com August – Fly-Out to Welshpool. 12 September – Strut night. Southern Strut: The Swiss Cottage, Shoreham-by-Sea. 2000. Normal meetings will resume on the first Wednesday of the month when permitted. Contact palmersfarm@sky.com

Strathtay Strut: Scottish Aero Club, Perth Airport, Scone. Scone Clubhouse. Contact: keith.boardman@peopleserve.co.uk 07785 244146.

Suffolk Coastal Strut: Crowfield Airfield Clubhouse. 1900. Contact: Martyn Steggalls events@suffolkcoastalstrut.org.uk 07790 925142. 29 August – Monewden Airfield Open Day and Fly-in. September TBA – Weekend social and BBQ.

Vale of York Strut: Chocks Away Café, Rufforth East Airfield. Contact: Chris Holliday 07860 787801 valeofyorkstrutlaa@gmail.com www.valeofyorkstrutlaa.wordpress.com

Wessex Strut: Henstridge Airfield Clubhouse. Contact: neil.wilson@laa.uk.com Friday 6 August 1830 – Wessex Strut Evening ‘Bimble, Burgers and Beans’ at Henstridge Airfield. Fortnightly Strut walks organised by Wessex Aviators Leisure Klub.

West Midlands Strut: Navigator Café, Halfpenny Green Aerodrome 1930. Contact: Graham Wiley westmidlandslaastrut@ googlegroups.com Stuart Darby stuartdarby134@hotmail.com. or visit our website wmstrut.co.uk

West of Scotland Strut: Bowfield Country Club, Howwood, PA9 1DZ. 1900. Contact: Neil Geddes barnbethnkg@gmail.com 01505 612493.

Youth & Education Support (YES)

– Contact: Graham Wiley gw20home@ outlook.com

Thank you to all Struts and clubs for getting in touch. If you have any stories, items you wish to share or updates for the calendar, please contact me at struts@laa.uk.com

Where To Go

Summer is well and truly upon us and, with many of the restrictions melting away, more and more events are taking place without too much trouble. If common sense prevails, hopefully that will continue, and the great news of course is that the LAA Rally is definitely on.

Just three weeks prior to the Rally we have the Popham Microlight Fair, where of course the Association will be in attendance.

Our thanks to Dave Wise (dave.wise@btinternet.com) and the Royal Aero Club for the use of their data. See http://events.royalaeroclub.org/ eventeu.htm for more events, info and links.

AUGUST

1 Lundy Island Lundy Fly-in [PPR essential] 01752-406660/ 07805-805679 1 Old Warden Shuttleworth Air Show [see AIC M012/2021] 4 Duxford Flying Day [see AIC M044/2021] 6 Church Fenton – Leeds E. Private Flyer Exhibition [PPR- slots] 7 Compton Abbas Vintage Saturday Fly-in 7 East Kirkby LAHC Museum Air Show [advance booking] 7 Popham Classic Car Show & AngloFrench & Vintage Fly-in 7-8 Purleigh nr Maldon Echoes of History Mil Vehicles & Air Show 7-8 Headcorn Ops Military & Air Show 7-8 Sleap BAeA Aerobatics Competition [see AIC Y008/2021] 8 Popham Motorcycle Magameet & Anglo-French Fly-in 01256-397733 8 Seething SFC Fly-in 01508-550453 mailto: mutford@outlook.com 11 Duxford Flying Day [see AIC M044/2021] 14 Old Warden Shuttleworth Flying Circus Drive-in Evening Air Show 14-15 Popham Microlight Trade Fair 01256-397733 14-15 Harrowbeer 80th Anniversary Event (t.b.c) 01752-406660 14-15 Sleap VAC Fly-in 15 Halfpenny Green YouTubers Fly-in 15 Weston Super Mare Helicopter World Helicopter Day Event 19 Duxford Flying Day [see AIC M044/2021] 19-21 Conington BAeA Aerobatics Spt & Int Nationals [see AIC Y008/2021] 21 Bodmin Bader Braves FOG Charity Flying Day 01752-406660 07805-805679 21-22 Llanbedr RRRA Air Race 21-22 Sandhill Farm, Swindon Vale of White Horse GC Fly-in (PPR) 21-22 Popham Model Air Show [closed to full-size aircraft] 01256-397733 26-27 Clacton Seafront Clacton 150 Flypast (inc Red Arrows) 27 Sidmouth Seafront Air Show (inc Red Arrows) 27-29 Alderney Alderney Fly-in [PPR] 27-29 Silverstone MotoGP 28 Halfpenny Green Aerobility Fly-in 28-29 Rhyl Sea Front Air Show 28-29 Balado, nr Kinross LAA East of Scotland Strut Fly-in [PPR] 0131 339 2351 28-29 Fenland BAeA Aerobatics Competition [see AIC Y008/2021] 28-30 Glenforsa, Mull Vans RV Fly-in [PPR] 01680-300377 29 Little Gransden Air & Car Show 29 Breighton Chilton & Micron Engine Fly-in & BBQ 29 Monewden Airfield Open Day & Fly-in [PPR] 01473-737486 29-30 Chiltern Park Farewell Fly-in & BBQ [PPR]

SEPTEMBER

2-5 Bournemouth Sea Front Air Show (inc Red Arrows)

3-5 Sywell LAA National Rally & Exhib [PPR-slots] [see AIC Y054/2021] 01280-846786/ 01604-644917

3-5 Chatsworth Country Fair inc Airshow 3-5 Foxlands Farm, Cosby Victory Show 3-5 Weston Park, Shifnal Model Air Show (with some full-size aircraft) 4 Compton Abbas Vintage Saturday Fly-in 4-5 Old Warden Vintage Weekend & Sunday Air Show [see AIC M012/2021] 4-5 Leicester BAeA Aerobatics Competition [see AIC Y008/2021] 4-5 Popham STOL Competition 01256-397733 4-5 North Coates Summer Fly-in 01472-388850 9 Guernsey Guernsey Air Show (inc Red Arrows) 9 Jersey Jersey Air Show (inc Red Arrows) 10 Abingdon Threshold Pre-Airshow Dusk Photo-shoot [Pre-book] 10-12 Guernsey Guernsey Rally 10-12 Old Warden Shuttleworth Drive In Great Balloon Race 11 Bodmin LAA Cornwall Strut Fly-in 01752-406660 11 Abingdon Air & Country Show [pre book] 11 Sywell Young Aviators Day 11 White Waltham Fly-in (inc Navy wings) 11-12 Cosford RAF Air Show (inc Red Arrows) 11-12 Church Fenton – Leeds E. RRRA Air Race 11-12 Glenforsa, Mull Vintage Tailwheel Fly-in [PPR] 01680-300377 12 K2 Centre, Crawley Gatwick Air Enthusiasts Fair 01403-252628 17-18 Wycombe – Booker The Elite Lifestyle & Private Flyer Exhibition 17-19 Goodwood Revival Meeting 18 Barton – CityFOBA Fly-in [PPR] 0161-789-1362 18 Sutton Meadows Cambs MC Microlight Fly-in 18 Weston-Super-Mare Threshold Helicopter Museum Night Photoshoot [Pre-book] 18-19 Weston-Super-Mare Helicopter Museum Spotters Weekend & Memorabilia Sale 18-19 Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show (pre-book) 18-19 Headcorn LAA Kent Strut LAA Day and Fly-in [PPR] 18-19 Sywell Classic Pistons & Props Show 18-19 Rougham NW Marshalling Team Vintage Fly-in [PPR] 07592-018984 18-19 Old Warden Shuttleworth Model Show – airfield closed [see AIC M012/2021] 19 Halfpenny Green Project Propeller WWII Aircrew Event 21 Swanwick GASCo/Andark Sea Survival Training Seminar [pre-book] 01634-200203 23 Old Warden Shuttleworth Workshop Tour & Lunch 23-24 Windermere Waterbird Wings Over Windermere Event (including Navy Wings) 25-26 Leicester RRRA Air Race – Kings Cup 25-26 Breighton BAeA Aerobatics Competition [see AIC Y008/2021] 25-26 Silverstone Car Races British Touring Car Championship

BRISTELL UK

The Bristell NG5 is an aluminium alloy quick build kit plane which can be fitted with any of the Rotax 912 series engines. It is available in tricycle or taildragger configurations, carries 120 litres of fuel & burns 16 litres/ph @115 kts cruise. It has one of the biggest cockpits in class & has nose wheel steering. Stalls 34kts/ Vne 155kts. BRS parachute is an approved option. Now can be used for conversion training . High resale values. 600 kg Microlight ready to fly (RTF) NG5M’s and kits will be available late 2021.

New Hi wing B8 coming soon! It has 600kg AUW, strutless high wing, 1.25m wide cockpit, 150 ltr fuel capacity and a similar performance to the NG5, for those who like the ease of entry. High-wing BRISTELL B8

An airplane with a steerable nose wheel and an all-metal wing without struts. The large cockpit doors and the luggage compartment door are made of composite material. Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) 600 kg Empty weight 350 kg Fuel tanks capacity 150 l

Operational speed

Manoeuvring speed VA 97kts Maximum flap speed VF 78kts VD 174kts Never exceeded speed VNE 157kts

Power unit

ROTAX 912 ULS 100 Hp ROTAX 915 iS 141 Hp

Email: bristelluk@yahoo.co.uk Tel: Farry 07801068210 Tony 07790669163