BlogGAR – Glenn Beasley – Thomson 787 Training Flights
Glenn Beasley looks back on a summer of Thomson Airways’ Dreamliner encounters.
BlogGAR – Gordon Jones – Osprey Fast Roping
Gordon Jones brings us a blogGAR from RAF Mildenhall, where the 352nd Special Operation Group practises fast roping from the CV-22B Osprey.
Military Exercise – Capable Eagle / Joint Warrior 13-2
Exercise ‘Capable Eagle’, staged at RAF Leeming during October 2013, saw Royal Air Force and French Air Force aerial assets operating together to enhance military cooperation between the two nations. Steve Comber visited RAF Leeming to photograph the Exercise for GAR, with words by Rich Cooper.
Aviation Event Review – RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot XV
Thursday, 17 October 2013, saw RAF Northolt host the latest in a long line of night photoshoots with the specific aim of raising funds for the restoration of The Sir Keith Park Building (Building 27), the Battle of Britain Z-Sector Ops Room. Karl Drage was there for GAR. Additional imagery courtesy of Chris Wood and Kevin Jackson.
Aviation Feature – TLP Flying Course 2013-5
The last Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Flying Course of 2013 wrapped up at Los Llanos Air Base, Albacete, at the beginning of October. During the final week the base hosted 400 aviation enthusiasts from all over Europe (and a few other parts of the world!), who attended two Spotter’s Days on 1 and 2 October. Chris Wood popped down to Spain again to report for GAR.
Aviation Feature – US Forest Service water bombers, Lancaster Fox Field
The month of October is prime wildfire season in Southern California and various Government agencies have aircraft dotted around the state standing by to respond. Despite attempts to modernise the fleet, the majority of them are still former military aircraft. Chris Wood recently visited a few of them, under contract to the US Forest Service (USFS), at Lancaster’s Fox Field.
Airshow Review – Shuttleworth Uncovered & October Flying Day
The Shuttleworth Collection rounded out its 2013 airshow season with two events at the start of the autumn season. ‘Shuttleworth Uncovered’ on 22 September 2013 was a chance to get up close and personal with some of the Collection’s aircraft to a greater degree than at any other event held at Old Warden, whilst the October Flying Day on 6 October 2013 was the final chance to see some Collection favourites and a number of interesting visiting acts. Greg Marsh reports for GAR.
Aviation Event Review – Goodwood Revival 2013
Now in its 16th year, the annual Goodwood Revival is, perhaps, the world’s premier vintage motor racing event. Held on the famous Sussex race course, owned by Lord Freddie March, this is something of a mecca for motoring enthusiasts across the world. In fact, the event is so popular that advanced tickets sales are now capped, and the show was completely sold out by the end of July. Greg Marsh reports for GAR, with images as credited.
Aviation Event Review – Real Aeroplane Company Breighton Helicopter Fly-in 2013
Sunday 22 September 2013 saw the Real Aeroplane Company stage its helicopter fly-in at Breighton Airfield, Yorkshire, held in support of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Michael Frodsham guest reports for GAR.
Aviation Feature – Chinook HC4
As operations in Afghanistan continue towards a complete withdrawal by the end of 2014, Chris Wood reports from Salisbury Plain on the RAF’s latest addition to the campaign, the recently modified Chinook HC4.
Aviation News – End of an era as last flying Vickers VC10 lands at Bruntingthorpe
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire played a significant part in British aviation history today when K3 model ZA147/F, the final Royal Air Force VC10, touched down somewhat later than scheduled at 1604 local after poor visibility at RAF Brize Norton, en-route and at Bruntingthorpe delayed the original departure time.
Aviation News – Vickers VC10 ZA150/J arrives at Dunsfold to join Brooklands Museum
The ageing Vickers VC10 fleet now numbers just one following yesterday’s (24 September 2013) delivery of VC10 K3 ZA150/J to Dunsfold Park in Surrey on behalf of Brooklands Museum. Tom Mercer guest reports for GAR.
Aviation Feature – Competition Flying, Reno Air Races 2013
The 50th running of the Reno Air Races took place from 11-15 September in Reno, Nevada. Rob Edgcumbe was there for GAR and provides a look at how this landmark passed off and who proved to be the quickest in the “World’s Fastest Motorsport.”
Aviation News – VC10 retirement
Friday 20 September 2013 saw the Royal Air Force’s last remaining pair of Vickers built VC10s perform their final operational mission. Chris Wood reports for GAR.
Airshow Review – End of an Era at RAF Leuchars
End of an Era…….Kev Wills reports from the 65th and last ever airshow at RAF Leuchars. Images as credited.
Airshow Review – Wings Over Waukegan
The arrival of autumn brings a late flurry of airshows throughout the Midwest of the United States. One strong event is Wings Over Waukegan in northern Illinois. Rob Edgcumbe attended for GAR to see whether the weather would cooperate!
Airshow Review – Rocky Mountain Airshow 2013 at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Airshow isn’t on the radar as a major airshow, but it is the largest held in Colorado. Paul Filmer reports from his home state.
Aviation Feature – The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA)
The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has recently been granted approval to carry out helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) work at night, becoming the only air ambulance in the UK permitted to do so. Ryan Dorling guest reports for GAR from Cambridge Airport, the current home to one of EAAA’s present fleet of two helicopters.
Aviation Feature – World Jet Inc P-51XR N6WJ “Precious Metal”
In 1989 Thom Richard, a 17 year old from Sweden, arrived in the USA with $2,500 and a dream, an aviation dream. Chris Wood recently caught up with him to see how his dream was coming along.
Airshow Preview – RAF Leuchars Air Show 2013
Gareth Stringer previews this Saturday’s RAF Leuchars Air Show – probably the last event of its kind at the famous Scottish Station. Images as credited.
Aviation News: New colours for Midair Squadron’s Canberra PR9 XH134 / G-OMHD
Midair Squadron’s Canberra PR9, XH134 / G-OMHD, the world’s only airworthy example, saw daylight at its Cotswold Airport home briefly on 2 September for a photoshoot in its stunning new colours.
Airshow Review – Dawlish Air Show 2013
Few seaside shows on the UK airshow calendar are so eagerly anticipated as Dawlish. Set on the picturesque south Devon coast, the event offers a truly unique airshow experience and atmosphere. Shaun Schofield reports.
Aviation Feature – Cold War Jets Open Day, Bruntingthorpe
It’s August Bank Holiday weekend, the smell of Avtur fills the air and the sound of cold war jets resonate around the Leicestershire countryside. Shaun Schofield reports from his annual pilgrimage to Bruntingthorpe.
Airshow Review – Wings Over Waukesha
The beginning of autumn seems to bring a string of air shows to the Midwest of the United States. One of these events is held at Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Rob Edgcumbe travelled along for GAR to see the show.
Airshow Preview – RAFA Shoreham Airshow, 31/08-01/09/2013
In its 24th year, the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Shoreham Airshow, on 30 – 31 August, is due to present one of its finest flying programmes to date. Greg Marsh previews this popular airshow for GAR.
Aviation News – Ex-RAF Vickers VC10 K3 ZA148 Joins Classic Air Force Collection
At 1056 local on Wednesday, 28 August Vickers VC10 K3 ZA148 landed at Newquay Cornwall Airport to become a permanent part of the Classic Air Force collection.
Military Exercise – Saudi Green Flag Exercise Arrivals
On Tuesday, 27 August four Typhoons and two Tornados from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) arrived at RAF Coningsby for Exercise Saudi Green Flag 2013 which is due to start on 4 September.
Aviation Feature – Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Display Team
A regular visitor to the UK’s airshows since the 1980s, the Belgian Air Force (often referred to as the Belgian Air Component) F-16 demo remains a crowd favourite to this day. Gareth Stringer sat down with demo pilot Capt Renaud “Grat” Thys to talk about displaying the Viper.
Airshow Review – Thunder Over Michigan 2013
The 15th annual Thunder Over Michigan (TOM) airshow took place at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, between 9 and 11 August 2013. The fact this airshow was staged at all is a testament to the tenacity of the show’s organisers and army of volunteers, who worked extremely hard in times of adversity. David F. Brown reports for GAR.
Aviation Feature – Starokostiantyniv, Ukraine: 7th Bomber Aviation Regiment
Starokostiantyniv air base in western Ukraine is home to the Ukrainian Air Force’s 7th Bomber Aviation Regiment, flying the Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer. As a follow up to his recent article looking at the Ukrainian air defence assets based at Belbek air base in Global Aviation Magazine Issue 19, Nick Cross once again guest reports for GAR as he explores the unit’s history and the role it plays in the present day Air Force.