LAA Strut News
T
he skies around Turweston have been buzzing in the last weeks with a combination of fair weather for flying and the easing of restrictions. One aircraft type you might be lucky enough to see is the Aeronca, designed and built by the Aeronca Aircraft Corporation. The C-2’s distinctive design gave it the nick-name of The Flying Bathtub, in the 1920s, and later models include the Chief, Champ, Chum and Sedan. In Cornwall, Pete White, Chairman of the Aeronca Club of Great Britain, has been focusing his thoughts on flying for fun again and sent us the following. “The Aeronca Club of Great Britain was formed in 1992 after an Air Britain Aeronca-themed fly-in at White Waltham Airfield. This was instigated by Alan Biggs, who was soon joined at the helm by Roger Jones and then Pete White. The Club grew and established itself as a worthy and very active ‘type club’, which enables owners/operators to keep in contact and meet at regular fly-ins around the UK, with occasional trips to France and Ireland. “Roger Jones left the fold in 1994, and in 1997 Alan Biggs passed the reins to Pete White, who has been at the helm ever since. The Club has successfully maintained a casual approach but has gained more useful contacts worldwide for advice and spares with the help of the Club website (www.aeronca. co.uk), initiated by Bob Swan, then Jon Turner and now in the capable hands of Seth White. The stalwarts on the committee that assist in the running of our Club are Alan Crutcher, Reg McComish, Rich Valler, Derek Boyce and John Colgate. All are flyers of the Aeronca breed, a type that is very special in the world of US Classics. “Part of the joy of Aeronca ownership is being able to self-maintain the aircraft through the LAA Permit to Fly scheme, and it gives you the unique opportunity to really get to know your aircraft.
Struts 4U by Anne Hughes
Above Aeronca Club Chairman Pete White, left and fellow members enjoy a drink and a chinwag. Left A period Aeronca advert encouraging farmers to take up flying. Below A gathering of Aeroncas at a Club Fly-out.
The Club holds about six fly-ins a year around the UK, and we stay in touch using email to assist our members, and other enthusiasts, to make their ownership and flying of Aeronca aircraft as pleasurable as is possible. Have fun, fly an Aeronca!”
Informative
There have been many excellent and informative Strut Zoom evenings over the last few months, including David Cockburn’s fascinating talk, Chipmunk over Berlin, when he told us about working in Berlin during the Cold War. I’m sure it would be a popular talk for many Struts, should David wish to talk about his experiences again at a future date. His presentation had all the ingredients of a Cold War thriller! During the March edition of the LAA end of month zoom pub night, Noggin and Natter, we discussed the situation regarding Strut zoom evenings that are arranged after this
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