Piper Fly-in - Sunday 4th May

Despite the weather not playing ball the first Breighton fly-in of the season picked its way through the murk and gloom inbetween the showers. With most of the UK experiencing very similar weather it was perhaps not surprising that the Piper count was down, however, a number of aircraft did brave the elements.

Our hand-jiving prop-spinner doing the time warp before an approving Magister pilot! (Tom Wray)

(ABOVE) A Jungmann pilot in thoughtful repose. (BELOW) The Bell 47 - wait 'til the stretchers are attached to the skids then we can take FIVE!! (Tom Wray)

(ABOVE) Walter Extra's finest in crop-dusting mode! (Tom Wray) (BELOW) The Auster V landing (Ronald Richardson)

(ABOVE) Anyone call a (Mini) cab? (BELOW) Bellanca Citabria (Ronald Richardson)

The Pitts! As for the weather...! (Ronald Richardson)

Many thanks to Tom Wray and Ronald Richardson for their photographic record of the event.

Breighton Airfield - Public Access

In an address made during the AGM it was stated that the new change in policy regarding public access to the airfield is now total which regrettably means that members of the general public will no longer be allowed to attend the popular fly-in events and airshows held there.

"As a small organisation operating an airfield with very limited space and infrastructure, not to mention ever increasing visitor numbers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to implement the necessary public safety regulations which, coupled with rising insurance costs, has led to this regrettable conclusion. In short, we have become victims of increased legislation and, ironically, victims of our own success."

This summer's planned series of fly-in events will only now be open to visiting aircraft, Real Aeroplane Club members, their families and close friends.

The Company is painfully aware that this will be very disappointing news to many, especially those who make regular treks to the fly-in's. The suggestion being made here is that they take up Museum Club membership which allows access to the airfield throughout the year for just £25 per year.

Pre-arranged group visits may still be possible at certain times at the discretion of the management, and staff/volunteers will of course endeavor to accommodate visits by former RAF Breighton personnel where possible.

The Real Aeroplane Company are keen to stress that their aircraft restoration work and aircraft collection remain unaffected (see other news stories) and that the airfield itself will continue to function as normal, remaining open to visiting aircraft and their crews seven days a week.

The events list for the 2008 season are is as follows:

Sunday 4th May - PIPER FLY-IN & 'AT HOME DAY'
Sunday 8th June - AUSTER FLY-IN & 'AT HOME DAY'
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August - AERONAUTICAL PAGEANT, CLUB TREASURE HUNT & BBQ
Sunday 7th September - RV, HELICOPTER AND 'AT HOME DAY'

What's this - MiG alley awash with a heady cocktail of napalm and the anthemic strains of Wagner's 'Flight of the Valkyries'? Alas no, it's Taff at Breighton in his new wokka-wokka! Da-da-da-daaa-daaaahh, Da-da-da-daaa-daaaahh...! (Liz Sweet)

Other news...

G-TAFF
Tony Smith's Jungmann, G-TAFF, is nearing the end of it's refurbishment which has seen it completely recovered and much of the internal 'plumbing' replaced. The aircraft, which Tony has owned for almost twenty years and now almost considers a member of the family, is currently being repainted and should fly again very soon. Tony has also recently acquired a Bell 47 helicopter, a type made famous by the MASH TV (See pic above).

Other Breighton based aircraft...

The Mew Gull is currently on jacks while a problem with it's brakes is being rectified, however, this is only minor and the aircraft should be flying again very soon. The DR1 Triplane replica has also had a cosmetic make-over and should shortly reappear as the Red Baron's infamous mount.