AVIATION GROUP:

This embryonic group will launch in the New Year, once arrangement has been made for a meeting venue. I am holding an interest list from members, most of whom are contactable by e-mail, plus two or three by snail-mail. All will be contacted during December, advising the location we will plan to use in Truro. Until then, please contact me with any query, or expressions of interest to join this group.

Cornwall has a great flying heritage, much of which was perhaps forced upon residents during the Second World War, when many suitable areas of flat, or relatively flat agricultural land was rapidly turned into airfields and advanced landing grounds, some of which have survived into current use, whereas we have seen flying disappear from many.

In addtion to ongoing service flying at RNAS Culdrose, including the helicopter SAR operations, we see flying all over the county. We have seen major changes following the recent demise military flying activities at RAF St Mawgan, which was reduced almost to care and maintenance. The base had opened up to civilian operations, alongside service operations many years ago, supported by the service infrastructure. With the final withdrawal of service flying in 2008, a major commitment was made by Cornwall Council, who took on the full upgrading or facilities of a service airfield, to meet the exacting standards of the UK CAA, to provide a fully approved civil operation as Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY). with new fire services, a new control tower and a full instrument landing system in compliance with the highest civil standards.

We have ended up with a very capable airport, fully able to support aircraft, right up to Boeing 747s or Airbus A380s should there be the need. Aside from civil routes, the airfield supports the operation of the Cornwall Air Ambulance and accommodates service flying training for helicopter crews, now being provided by Augusta Westland helicopters for overseas military crews.

Our Carrick U3A has previosly arranged two excellent visits to Newquay Cornwall Airport over the past two years and also to RNAS Culdrose. Aside from arranging such visits, there is scope to undertake presentations on some key aircraft programmes and restoration projects, such as the recent return of one of Vulcan V-bombers to the air over the past three years, plus discussion of what we intend to do with two brand new aircraft carriers, without planes to fly from them for many years!

Hopefully not too political, but we have to be realists!

Duncan Tribute (01872) 269792