More than 20 members of the Junior Ranks based at RAF stations across the UK and Cyprus have been told they are to receive scholarships to learn to fly and achieve solo standard in a light aircraft.

They were among a record 367 applicants who applied to the RAF Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS) 2016.

The scheme was first launched last year as a joint venture by the RAF Flying Clubs’ Association and the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT). It proved so popular that an initial grant of £20,000 to fund eight scholarships was doubled by RAFCT Trustees to enable more Servicemen and women based at RAF stations across the UK and Cyprus to benefit.

This year, 24 scholarships were on offer thanks to an increased grant of £60,000 from the Trust. RAFCT Chairman Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson said Trustees have been overwhelmed by the popularity of the scheme.He said: “Clearly the word is out there among the Junior Ranks who recognise the many benefits, both personally and professionally, that learning to fly can bring. We’re making a difference to the lives of serving personnel in the UK and abroad by funding a wide variety of projects and are particularly keen to support initiatives that promote airmindedness.

“The popularity of the scholarship scheme among Junior Ranks may well result in even more support from Trustees in the future.”

Flt Lt Chris Hives, an RAF Flying Clubs’ Association executive and JRPSS project officer,said: “As soon as the application window opened, the popularity of the scheme was obvious and by the deadline period for applying we had received more than twice the number submitted last year.I was delighted with the response and, moreover, the fact that the JR cadre were clearly competing for a place on the JRPSS, as evidenced by the high standard of their applications. The job of the JRPSS Selection Board certainly wasn’t easy.”

Corporal Amy Foster, from RAF Brize Norton, who was awarded a scholarship in 2015, said learning to fly under the scheme was an experience that would stay with her forever.

She said: “I achieved solo flight after 14 hours. My instructor just hopped out of the aircraft with the engine running and told me I was on my own – I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The experience was a real confidence booster. If I can fly an aircraft solo – I can do anything!”

The successful applicants are: Cpl Anthony James Barnes, RAF Cosford; SAC Scott Brown, RAF Marham; SAC Liam James Conway, RAF Lossiemouth; SAC Grant Cowe, RAF Lossiemouth; Cpl Graham Dacres, RAF Coningsby; SAC Kieran Ashley Dinsdale, RAF Waddington; LAC Ryan William Durnall, RAF Coningsby; SAC Neil Dennis Foard, RAF Odiham; SAC Aaron AmerjeetGarcha, RAF Akrotiri; Cpl Sarah Halsey, DMRC Headley Court; SAC Michael Harrison, RAF Coningsby; SAC Jack Oliver Stratford Holmes, RAF Marham; SAC Elliott Hunt, RAF Waddington; SAC Shaun Kenrick Jamieson, RAF Wittering; SAC Charlotte Louise Lord, RAF Brize Norton; SAC Joshua Brandon Enzo Lyons, RAF Scampton; SAC Samuel Thomas Mear, RAF Benson; SAC Steven Nicholas Moseley, RAF Akrotiri; SAC Ben Richard Perfect, RAF Waddington; SAC David Charles Rainbird, RAF Brize Norton; SAC Thomas David Shepherd, RAF Lossiemouth; AC Andrew Shane Teece-Lockley, RAF Cosford; SAC Joshua Wardman, RAF Lossiemouth; Cpl Charlotte-Marie Williams, JHC HQ, Andover.

For more details visit www.JRFLY.co.uk

If you are an aircraft enthusiast you are unlikely not to have seen the youtube video featuring the Vulcan Bomber at Beachy Head (as seen in the image above).

The video gives Airscene it’s headline news for the Airscene 2015 awards, as the passion for the Vulcan bomber (in her final display season) resulted in over 50% of overall votes casts going in her favour. Vulcan XH558 received twice as many votes as the RAF Chinook (last years winner and 2015 Runner Up) and places her as Airscene readers favourite Solo Display.

That brings us quickly on to Beach Head at Eastbourne, which is home to the winner of the Best FREE Airshow “Airbourne”… summed up quite neatly by Mrs Paula Borthwick from Peacehaven “Eastbourne Airbourne …an amazing day out … goodebumps!” – for clarification, Airscene hasn’t checked if this is a typo.

Airbourne missed out last year to Dawlish Airshow, and to South Coast Rivals Bournemouth Air Festival in 2013, but there is no doubt that the public loves Eastbourne Airshow, and they deserve to be back at the top this year.

RAF Cosford slip down to 1st Runner Up place as Airscene readers give Duxford Flying Legends the nod of approval this year in the Best Airshow category.

Best Display Team goes (for the 5th year running) the the Red Arrows, although it does appear that the gap between the Reds and the other display team is narrowing – perhaps The Blades will win it next year?

Finally in the Best Aviation Museum Category, Cosford RAF Museum cling on to the top spot, narrowly beating IWM Duxford by just 15 votes. North East Aircraft Museum squeeze out Fleet Air Arm Museum this year and are placed 3rd with 10% of the votes.

Thank You to everyone who voted – these are not industry awards, they are YOUR awards and do provide a valuable window on the public perception of how the airshows and museums are doing. That is not to say that we shouldn’t all as aviation enthusiasts be extremely proud of them ALL… now start planning your visits for 2016.

*For full results please visit http://www.airscene.co.uk/airscene-awards-2015.php

2015 has seen the launch of Air to Air photography sorties through Timeline Events to accompany the superb evening shoots they already offer, giving special access to aircraft around the UK, in both static and live action events. Earlier last month I was lucky enough to take a space on the latest air to air shoot, with a Hawker Hunter Mk 58 owned and operated by the HHA.

Neil from Timeline Events always puts a lot of time and effort into events he organises, and this one was to be no exception. At the mercy of the ever changing weather we eventually took to the sky in a Beech 99 to make our Rendezvous with the classic Cold War Jet.

As we arrived at altitude and opened the roller shutter to prepare ourselves for the arrival of a British aeronautical design icon the anticipation grew. Within a few minutes everyone on board the camera ship got their first sighting of the Hunter as Jet skipped through the clouds and climbed to altitude to meet the waiting photographers.

The group were treated to a 40 minute flight in the presence of the Hunter, expertly piloted and guided giving all the photographers on board a chance to get shots in different angles and positions getting the most from the superb event.

Once the photo sortie was complete the Hunter pilot came in close and gave a wave before departing off to the horizon, signalling the camera ship to make its decent back to Terra Firma. Back on the ground it was apparent that it would take everyone a little bit of time to come down from the high they received from such a special opportunity.

Timeline Events are hoping to organise many more air to air sorties in 2016, so make a visit to the website a www.timelineevents.org and register for updates.

by Jonathan Wintle

Spitfire 10K RunDate: Sunday 6th September 2015

Time: 9.00 am

Location: RAF Museum London

Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in style with this brand new event starting and finishing in the magnificent surroundings of the RAF Museum in North West London.

There will be an onsite warm up session conducted in 1940’s period style. The race begins in the shadow of one of the RAF Spitfires and takes you on a special journey, including a section through the Bomber Hangar and around the iconic Lancaster, before leaving the Museum for two loops of a flat road course. Your finish will be commemorated with an exclusive Spitfire medal.

Entrants are also welcome to run in period costume

Entry form: http://www.nice-work.org.uk/assets/Spitfire%2010k%202015%20Entry%20Form.pdf

Avro Vulcan XM655 was third from last of the Vulcan bombers produced for the Royal Air Force, being delivered in late 1964, and was part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent force throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It is now owned by Wellesbourne Airfield, and is looked after by 655 Maintenance and Preservation Society (655MaPS) which is a volunteer organisation of Vulcan enthusiasts. XM655 is one of only two Vulcans remaining in ground running condition, the only one with the most powerful of the engine variants, the Bristol Olympus 301s. The aim of 655MaPS is to keep this fine example of British engineering in running condition for as long as possible and to raise much needed funds by showing her off to the adoring public on a regular basis with ‘fast taxi runs’.

2014 marked the 50th anniversary of XM655 entering service with the RAF and the 30th anniversary of her landing at her then new home of Wellesbourne Airfield. Our first event on the 15th of November 2014 was part of the celebrations to mark these milestones and saw just under a hundred photographers gather to capture some very special images. So successful was our first event that we have been invited back in October 2015.

Our event on the 24th of October 2015 will start at 15.00 with a welcome address from the Chairman of 655MaPS, Charles Brimson. Shortly after this we will start our photography taking advantage of the late Autumn afternoon light. There will be various cameos set up for you to enjoy, these will include ‘Cold War’ Re-Enactors that will be playing the parts of Ground Crew and Airman. The Society have some wonderful equipment that will also be at our disposal such as a genuine tug, towing arm and of course the all important payload loaded in the bomb bay (we are assured that these are models and not the real thing…). XM655 will be positioned on the taxiway directly in front of where she normally lives, this will afford us the luxury of a clear backdrop. After dark we will be lighting XM655 and will continue the theme of recreating cameos that represent those everyday scenes that were once commonplace on RAF Bases around the UK. To ensure you don’t miss any of the action there will be hot food and drinks available for you to enjoy (at extra cost) all evening just off to the side of where the photography will happen. The photography is due to finish around 20.00 with XM655 set in a full state of ‘ready to depart’, all her lights on and ground crew giving her pilot directions from the taxi way.

We hope many of you will wish to join us again or for the first time, so we therefore look forward to seeing you on the day.

Event cost £50.00 per person, or £40.00 per person for 655MaPS members. Members please contact Avril on membership@xm655.com to get your ‘one time use’ discount code. Discounts can only be applied at the point of purchase and we are unable to apply discounts retrospectively.

For more information on XM655 and how you can support the Society or become a member of 655MaPS please click this link to their homepage, www.xm655.com

CLASSIC FM PRESENTS:

VE DAY AT 70 – LIVE FROM THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

SUNDAY 10 MAY 2015

Classic FM will host a special VE Day at 70 concert live from London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 10 May 2015.

Presented by Classic FM’s John Suchet and Myleene Klass, the evening promises to be a spectacular celebration to mark 70 years since Victory in Europe Day. John and Myleene will be joined by a host of special guests alongside the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, as they reflect on a day that changed the world – 8th May 1945. Music will include Edward Elgar’s Nimrod, William Walton’s Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, Eric Coates’ Dambusters March and Gustav Holst’s Jupiter.

Classic FM’s John Suchet said: “Myleene and I are immensely proud to host VE Day at 70 as we mark 70 years since the end of war in Europe. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this world-changing moment in our history than an evening of the world’s greatest music at the Royal Albert Hall.”

Tickets are now on sale and can be booked by visiting www.royalalberthall.com or by calling the Royal Albert Hall box office on 0845 401 5045.

RAF Cosford have scooped two top slots in the Airscene Awards 2014…

Firstly the RAF Cosford Airshow, which failed to make the shortlist until last year when you voted it into 2nd place has this year been voted “Best Airshow” by Airscene visitors. Airscene reviewer Dave Briers praised RAF Cosford efforts to sort out previous years access and traffic issues, and cites the harnessing of resources such as the RAF Museum as contributing to the overall pull of Cosford…. “Organisation and Innovativion with a “Can & Will Do” attitude – that’s Cosford!“.

No change in the order of the top 3 for the Best Aviation Museum as RAF Cosford Museum hangs on to first place for the 2nd year running. Duxford stay in 2nd place while the Fleet Air Arm Museum stay in 3rd albeit with a lot less votes than 2013.

The most interesting battle always seems to come from the “Best FREE Airshow” award.. Bournemouth and Eastbourne both stay in the top 3 again this year, but it was the Devon faithful out in force this year to help secure the award for Dawlish Airshow.

Well done Dawlish! This is what a couple of your fans had to say…

“This must be the best free show in UK! The bay is so picturesque and lends itself to this theme.The atmosphere is electric, many viewing spots for all to get a good angle on the show. Many restaurants and amenities so convenient for visitors. They come in droves! The town is very welcoming, good communications and on the spot railway station too.I have lived here 18 years and it has only rained once on the day but the show went on!” – Christine McCarthy

“What a venue with the planes coming over the hill from Teignmouth, awesome.” – Guy Bannister

In the Best Solo Display category it was the Typhoon which triumphed this year, with Vulcan XH558 and the RAF Chinook taking 2nd and 3rd place respectively (both having won this award in previous years).

Last but not least – the “Best Display Team”…

There has been so much commentary and an outpouring of emotion, not to mention silencing of crowds up and down the length of the UK; whenever the BBMF put in an appearance in 2014, as the public lapped up the sight of not one but two Lancaster Bombers flying side by side – truly a once in a lifetime event! So what happened here???

Well – the Red Arrows won again – that’s what, and for the 4th year in a row! BBMF grabbed 2nd place and The Blades came 3rd. This shouldn’t perhaps be a surprise as the Red Arrows are truly as British as Bangers & Mash, and in the good old game of Rock, Paper, Scissors – excitement beats nostalgia.

Maybe at the end of the day, the BBMF and the Canadian Lancaster needed a category of their own this year. So the award for the “Best Tugger of Heart Strings” goes to….

**Full results can be found at: www.airscene.co.uk/airscene-awards-2014.php

It is with a sense of dismay that Airscene has received a notice from Zazzle about an alleged intellectual property rights infringement.

Zazzle have so far refused to provide the requested information relating to what the actual infringement was, as the image concerned was one of my own. When asked why Boeing would ask for a single mousemat Showing a Boeing aircraft and with the name Boeing in the descriptive title about the product, Zazzle again made no response, however have now removed all products from their website which carries an image of a Boeing (well at least the 747) – apologies to all those who have also had their products removed!

Zazzle’s response….

Now if anyone has the email address for Boeing’s legal representative… I for one would love to find out what this is all about. Zazzle kept me on hold and refused to connect me to the Content Management Team. Do feel free to share this article – it might force a response from someone.

The Royal Air Force Museum is offering competitive Christmas Party packages that start at as little as £71.00 per person plus VAT. Rates are available November and December 2013 – book by the 5th of September 2013 and win a free bottle of champagne!

Take your guests on a Christmas journey back in time to the 1940’s, a time of heroes and villains; to dine and dance underneath the Avro Lancaster or enjoy a drinks reception beneath the famous Spitfire.

Various packages are available from ‘the Dam Busters Bouncing Bomb’ to the ‘Battle of Britain’s Finest Hour’ with unique features that will make your Christmas party a memorable evening.

Packages start at as little as £71.00 per person plus VAT and this includes: venue hire; catering; furniture and staff; event lighting; Christmas novelties for the tables; disco and dance floor. Drinks packages start at £16.00 per person plus VAT.

“The evening was a great success and was commended by all guests, the venue was spectacular. I would like to thank you for your professionalism and hard work in the months leading up to the event, the evening ran very smoothly and I could not have wished for more assistance throughout.” – Rolls Royce

The Royal Air Force Museum also offers daytime function space for conferences and meetings. The museum day delegate rates start at £45.00 per person plus VAT.

For further information about hiring any of our spaces please contact the Corporate Events Team on 0208 358 4848 or email events@rafmuseum.com. 

The Royal Air Force Museum is located just 20 minutes from Euston on the Northern Line and is outside the congestion charge zone, close to the M25, M1, A41 and A406.

Artist and competition sponsor Terry Jones released two fundraising prints following the tragic deaths of two Red Arrows pilots John Egging and Sean Cunningham. The proceeds from the sale of these prints reaised money for the John Egging Trust and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund – both very worthy causes.

Both prints are available now as limited edition double remarque prints…

Tastefully painted tributes to eachof these skilled aviators and the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team whose dedication to duty is an inspiration for us all. This offer comes complete with the option of eight different borders containing hand drawn images by the artist. You can be assured that regardless of which borders are chosen, these double remarque prints will only have a run of 150 in total for each pilot, making this limited edition even more of a rarity.

This opportunity is a must for any Red Arrows fan or anyone who wishes to add these unique pieces of artwork to their private collection. Each print is individually numbered, signed by the artist, and is issued with a Certificate of Authenticity. As stated previously, proceeds made from all prints sold will go to the Jon Egging Trust and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Please note that whilst all proceeds from the sale of these prints will go to the respective charities, remarque’s are an addition to the prints and do not form part of the charitable donation.

http://www.terryjones-art.co.uk/red%20arrows%20special%20remarque.htm