Facebook - Spreading the word

I have now joined facebook to give a more personal view of the fly2help -Aerobatic Challenge Weekend. With daily and weekly updates on various aspects of the challenge including details and images on fundraising, Open Days, Road shows and indeed the physical challenge.

Please visit me on facebook, join in and become part of the fly2help - Aerobatic Challenge Weekend group which has now been set up. You will see photos of me in training to bulid up my physical stamina and see the sheer pain on my face as I try to get fit.

Click here to join facebook.

To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.

The Real Flying Company

The Real Flying Company have confirmed their support by donating a flight in a Stampe SV4c based at Shoreham Airfield.

The aircraft was built in Morocco in 1947 and served with the French Air Force training school at Carcassonne. During this time "1139" led a charmed life for the most part, being selected by the Commanding Officer as his personal communications aircraft. After twenty years of service, it was de-commissioned and sold into private hands, given the French civilian registration of F-BANE.

In 1970 the aircraft was sold to the famous Rothmans Aerobatic team and brought to the UK registered as G-AYCK. The team operated "CK" as the number 2 aircraft in their 4-ship display routine, during which time it was flown by several famous aerobatic pilots such as Neil Williams, Manx Kelly and Iain Weston.

Sold again in the mid-1970s to private owners, "CK" was put into storage in 1980 following damage in an accident at Crowland Airfield. In 1991 the aircraft was bought by Cathay Pacific 747 Captain John Graham, who had it completely rebuilt by Classic and Vintage Aircraft near Southampton, a superb restoration which took four years. John kept "CK" in Jersey until reluctantly selling it to the Real Flying Company at Shoreham in April 2003.

Robb Metcalfe will pilot the aircraft for the challenge. No stranger to flying classic aircraft Robb himself is the owner of a Bowers Fly Baby 1A aka Junkers C1.

Many Thanks to Lisa and all the team at The Real Flying Company.

To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.

Flying High with Ultimate High

Ultimate High the Kemble based advanced flying training school have donated an Umlimted Aerobatic Flight in a high performance aerobatic Extra 300 with pilot Mark Greenfield.

Powered by a 300bhp Lycoming engine, the Extra300 is an ultra-light-weight, state-of-the-art, high-technology display aircraft. The carbon fibre wing is stressed to +/- 10g and the huge full span ailerons produce a roll rate in excess of 360 degrees per second. It also has breathtaking vertical performance. The Extra 300 is one of the leading aircraft types in the world of unlimited competition aerobatics.

I would like to thank Helen Tempest, Mark Greenfield and all the Team at Ultimate High for the fantastic support they have given to the challenge.

For further information on Ultimate High click here.

Yakovlevs

Jez Hopkinson team leader of the Yakovlevs Display team has pledged the teams support for the fly2help Aerobatic Challenge Weekend. The team flies Russian aircraft made by the Yakovlevs design bureau. These reliable and robust aircraft were designed for training and world class aerobatic competitions.

Leading the Yakovlevs is the world's most powerful Yak 52, known as the Super 52. This unique two seater aeroplane was specifically developed for the team. Following in close formation are three single seat Yak 50s. These world championship aerobatic aircraft were much loved for their sparkling performance, manoeuvarability and grace.

I would like to thank Jez and the team for their kind support they have pledged for the challenge.


For further information on The Yakovlevz click here.
To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.

Goodwood Aeroclub support fly2help

Goodwood Aeroclub have confirmed their support with the flying schools 1943 Harvard T-6 aircraft. The North American T-6 Harvard, or Texan, was an advanced trainer aircraft for the allied forces in the Second World War. Pilots learnt to fly on the De Havilland Tiger Moth, for their basic training, before progressing onto the Harvard. Advanced training in air gunnery and bombing, were all carried out on the aircraft, before the pilot progressed on to the single seat Spitfire, Hurricane or Mustang.

It was at the Goodwood Fly-In and Air Display in May 2008 that I first met Mandy (fly2help) and the person who inspired me to do this Aerobatic Challenge in the first place. "I would like to thank Steve and Dieter at the Aeroclub for their kind support."

For further information on the Goodwood Aeroclub Click here.
To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.

CAP10C

Further support and aircraft have now been comfirmed with the Tiger Clubs CAP10C based at Headcorn in Kent. Dave Evans will fly the CAP10C (G-CDCE) which was origianally built in 1973 by Avions Mudry & Cie as a CAP10B. The aircraft joined the Tiger Club fleet in May 2005 after being rebuilt to CAP10C standard.

Thank you to Dave Evans for donating his spare time for the fly2help challenge.

For further information on the Tiger Club Click here.
To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.

TEAM GUINOT- Confirm Participation

Team Guinot are the first to confirm they are to participate in the fly2help Aerobatic Challenge Weekend, with a seat in the front of a Boeing Stearman Bi-plane. Based at the WWI airfield at RFC Rendcomb in Cirencester, Gloustershire, the Team are known on the Air Display circuit for their dazzling wingwalking displays. The Stearman, or Kaydet as it was also known as, was built in the United States in the 30's and 40's and was widely used as the country's primary basic trainer.

A huge thank you must go to Vic, Martyn and all the team for their kind help and support. To find out more about Team Guinot Click here
To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.