WHATS NEW?

Sunday 13th August.


Club member Peter Barker is going to host the Club at his lovely home in the Surrey Hills. Landing is very easy. Peter and Margarette will be serving lunch by the pool and Peter will be offering tours of his hangar. This is a very sociable event and guests are welcome. Please book via the Club membership system.

Friday 4th August


Club Chairman, David Monks, has arranged a very special visit to The Headquarters of The Flying Bulls at Salzburg, Austria. The visit includes a guided tour of Hangar 8 which is off- limits to the general public. Hangar 7, the museum of Red Bull, will also be open to visit.

Booking is via the membership system; priority will be given to Club members. Numbers are limited.

SUMMER EVENTS PROGRAM


There is a Summer events program shortly being released to members. Events include the HCGB Treasure Hunt and a fly in and lunch in Surrey. Several other events are still provisional so please check the membership booking system where both events above have gone live and as other events are confirmed they will be added.







THE HCGB TREASURE HUNT


Saturday 29th July at Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, EGBW. This event is open to all members and any non members who wish to attend. Members can book via the Club membership system and anyone else wishing to attend, please contact david@djme.co.uk. Further information to follow...

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1926 - 2022

The summer edition of the Royal Aero club newsletter has been published - click here to read

BOOKING DIARY FOR 2022 IS NOW OPEN!!


John Dadson has arranged another year of events for us all to take part in. The events are all live on the booking system - click here and go straight to the booking system!

HRH The Prince Philip.


HCGB Honorary Member and Member 101, His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.


1921 - 2021



The Prince Philip arriving at a helicopter fly in

2021 AGM


The HCGB AGM will take place on Sunday 7th March 2021 at 11.30am  on Zoom. All members will receive details from Jeremy James in due course. Save the date!


This years speaker is club member, Dr Jason Hill who is going to talk about the Hill Helicopter Project - don't miss it!

NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST 2021


Andrew Taee, British Helicopter Team pilot and medal winner, has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours List 2021, the notice reads as follows:


"Today, Andrew was awarded by Her Majesty the Queen, a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). The Award has been published in the New Year's Honours list. 


Andrew has received the Award in recognition of 25 years of support and exceptional achievements on behalf of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and his other charitable works. The Award has come as a complete surprise to Andrew. We thought you would be pleased to know."



I'm sure you will all join in sending Andrew sincere congratulations!


SPEAKER CONFIRMED FOR 2020 AGM

We are fortunate to have secured the attendance of Major (retired) Rich Pillans from the Historic Army Aircraft Flight for the 2020 AGM to give a presentation to members.

Rich has had a fascinating career including conducting experimental flight testing on the Apache, Chinook, Puma, Lynx and Dauphin helicopters. He has also flown the Chinook when he was the Chief Test Pilot at Boeing.He is also bringing Major (retired) Stephen Murray-Twinn AFC to join us. It promises to be an excellent presentation.


Date for your diary!

The HCGB AGM is being held at Coombe Abbey, Coventry, on Sunday 1st March 2020.

It's the first outing of the new year for the Club. There is plenty of space to land at the hotel and there will be a car available if you don't fancy the walk to the front door! After the business is over, we've a three course traditional Sunday lunch to look forward to. A very sociable day out and guests welcome. All details to follow from Jeremy.
The New editor of Rotor Torque!

Introducing David Rawlings. He is already compiling the next edition and is very keen to hear from the membership. Planning a trip? Been somewhere nice? Want to write an article? Contact David!

david.rawlings@7letters.co.uk
The HCGB is now on Facebook. 

Find us and like us - join in with our new social media platform!

Heli UK Expo 2019

Despite the weather trying its level best to stop play, after two days of waiting we were able to fly the Heli UK Expo Challenge Cup and the 1st leg of FAI Helicopter World Cup. Crews from Poland, Czech Republic and Germany joined the GBR crews to battle for medals and trophies.
Our very own Stuart and Chris Rimmer who the gold (!) medal in the slalom races and the silver medal in the fender. They also took second place in the Heli UK Expo Challenge Cup - a good day out for team Rimmer. Congratulations!

there will be a full race report in the Autumn Rotor Torque

 AGM SPEAKER 2019 CONFIRMED


Thanks to the hard work of club member, John Dadson, we are delighted to have secured Flt/Lt (Ret'd) Colin S Bell DFC AE FRICS IRRV (Hons) as this years speaker.


Flt LT Bell  served in WW2 on operations as a Mosquito Bomber Pilot. He was born in 1921, joined the Royal Air Force towards the end of 1940 and his flying training was carried out in the United States of America prior to their entry into the War (before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour) in December 1941. 


Following Pearl Harbour and having been commissioned into the RAF, Colin Bell as retained by the American Army Air Corps as an advanced single engine flying instructor responsible for training American and British Cadets. On his return to the UK in 1943, he converted to twin engine Mosquito Bombers and joined 608 Squadron (Pathfinder Group) based at Downham Market in Norfolk.

During his tour of operations he carried out 50 bombing raids - all over Germany- 13 of them over Berlin. Subsequently, he was transferred to ferry duties bringing back newly built Mosquitos from Canada to the UK with stop-offs at Goose Bay, Labrador,  Bluey West 1 (on the West coast of Greenland), Reykjavik in Iceland, and finally into Prestwick in Ayrshire, Scotland.  He ended his full time RAF service in 1946 flying out of Blackbushe nr Camberley carrying Diplomatic mail to Embassies situated in various parts of Europe and Africa. 


His talks are fascinating and not to be missed!!
HCGB AGM - Sunday 3rd March 2019

The AGM will be held at Coombe Abbey Hotel in Coventry on March 3rd commencing at 11.30am.

Tea and coffee will be available from 10.30am and helicopter landing has been arranged - contact Jeremy for landing information.
Traditional Sunday lunch is being served after the meeting and bookable in advance only, the cost is £38 per person including a drink.

Our guest speaker is Colin S Bell DFC AE. He joined the RAF in 1940, his training was carried out in the USA and served in WW2 on operations as a Mosquito bomber pilot, he has some amazing recollections of WW2 and its not to be missed. He will speak after the AGM.

Lunch can be booked via the new membership portal.
New Chairman for The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom

David Monks makes HCGB history by becoming the first member to be voted as Chairman of the Royal Aero Club. He succeeds Patrick Naegeli after six successful years at the helm.

After his election David was delighted to be voted in and is very much looking forward to the challenge of being Chairman.  He continues in his role as Chairman of the HCGB and as UK FAI CIG delegate.

Congratulations!
The Royal Aero Club
New membership system underway

Work is underway with our new membership system provider, GOMembership, to automate much if not all of the current membership processes. The aim is to try to be "live" for the 2019 membership renewal date.



The Royal Aero Club awards 2017

The awards ceremony held in May of 2018 at the RAF Club in London saw a few familiar faces presented with various honours by His Royal Highness, The Duke of York.

Roy Harford was presented with a Royal Aero Club Bronze medal for his unstinting efforts and work over the years providing the club with an excellent social calendar; Rob "Rob the Gob" Hughes was awarded a Royal Aero Club Bronze medal for supporting the Clubs annual Air Games in his role as commentator , something he has done since 2014; David Monks and Hugh Barklem won the Queen's Cup at last years event at Wycombe Air Park becoming the first ever rotorcraft winners of the Queen's Cup  and Major Tim Peake CMG who probably requires no further introduction was presented with the FAI Yuri A Gagarin Gold Space Medal. Major Peake, former Apache Test pilot, was also awarded the Royal Aero Club Gold Medal for 2016 as he was unable to collect it last year due to his Astronautic commitments.

pic from left to right: Hugh Barklem, David Monks with the Queens Cup, Major Tim Peake, Roy Harford and Robert Hughes


The only flying example of the British made, Bristol Sycamore is coming home!

Red Bull's world famous Flying Bulls are bringing the Bristol 171 Sycamore to the United Kingdom this June. It will be at the Helicopter Museum in Weston - super- Mare on Monday June 11th. The arrival at the museum will be one of the very rare opportunities to see the Sycamore in flight, it will be appearing as a static display at several UK air shows. 

To the left there is a short movie made by Club Chairman, David Monks, who flew to Salzburg shortly after the Sycamore was airworthy - speakers on!
Click here for further details

Bell 505 UK launch.

HelixAV is proud to announce the launch of the Bell 505 to the UK market.

The first two European  505's have arrived in the UK and both will be on the UK register. The first aircraft is at the point of grounds runs with CoA/ARCS being issued this month.

To celebrate this and to officially launch the aircraft, HelixAv is inviting HCGB members to the official UK launch to be held at White Waltham Airfield on 21st April 2018. This will be a brilliant event where you will be able to see the 505's up close and find out about the aircraft.

To attend please complete the form on the members section to receive your official invitation.


FAI CIG Meeting, Lausanne 8th & 9th March 2018.
UK FAI CIG delegate David Monk and alternate delegate eRoy Harford will be attending on behalf of Great Britain.
A full delegate report will be published here after the meeting concludes.

The Winter Edition of the Royal Aero Club newsletter is now available for download along with the Europe Air Sports Newsletter.

Winter Newsletter Europe Air Sports Newsletter
FAI recognises Helicopter Museum

The FAI has recognised The Helicopter Museum in Weston super Mare as an "FAI Recommended Venue for Education". The museum houses exhibits such as The Queens Royal flight and Bell UH-1H "Huey".
David Monks, FAI CIG UK delegate, presents Elfan ap Rees, FAI CIG Vice President and Museum founder, with the Recommended venue certificate. They are pictured in front of G-LYNX the current world speed record holder.

The museum is always worth a visit and now that's official!


Robinson Safety Course availability in Mallorca.

Club member, Johnny Greenall at Balearic Helicopters is holding a Robinson safety course in the sunshine from October 26th to 28th 2017. 

Dick Sandford , also a club member, is taking the course over both days and the itinerary includes two days of ground school, dinner with Dick and a one hour flight with R44 flight training on Saturday.

There are two places left and Johnny is offering these to club members at a 10% discount €1,485.00 inc IVA. For more info please contact Johnny direct johnny@balearic-helicopters.com



Helicopter Event at Royal Aeronautical Society, London Tuesday 10th October, 18.00hrs.
Bruno Guimbal, the designer of the Cabri G2 helicopter, has been invited to give the 2017 Cierva Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London on Tuesday 10th October. The UK currently has the world’s largest fleet of Cabri helicopters and several HCGB members are already Cabri owners. 
Bruno will be speaking about his motivation to produce the Cabri, his design philosophy and the very different processes of Certification by both EASA and the FAA. We can also expect to hear reference to the parallel programme on behalf of a third party to develop a diesel powered drone derivative of the Cabri. What other possibilities might that open up? Earlier this year Bruno Guimbal was awarded the 2017 Breguet Trophy for his contribution to rotorcraft technology.     
Please book directly with the Royal Aeronautical Society. Refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions please contact Cabri owner Roy Harford; rhar107@aol.com
Check the Royal Aeronautical Society Website
British claim for FAI world record - Peter Wilson has world record ratified by the FAI.
HCGB Club member Peter Wilson has had his record attempt for speed over a recognised course ratified by the FAI. 
Peter flew from Booker to Stellenbosch in South Africa and back again to successfully claim three world records in his R66 G-DIGA earlier this year. After successfully completing the journey, Peter submitted his dossier to back up his world record claim.
Congratulations to Peter!
FAI Proficiency Certificates
Applying for proficiency certificates is a relatively easy process which can be done by completing a simple application form. There are three to apply for - bronze, silver and gold. The requirements for Certificates of Proficiency are here for downloading along with the application form. Once completed, please email david@djme.co.uk as the form requires the signature of the FAI UK delegate for verification.
 
FAI Certificates of Proficiency
Open Day at HeliGroup, Oxford Airport
HeliGroup is hosting an informal and relaxed open day at Oxford Airport on the 30th July 2017. They will have a number of Guimbal Cabri G2’s on display along with an additional Cabri available for short demonstration flight for interested parties.
Refreshments will be presented over the course of the event. They wish to provide the UK helicopter community with the opportunity to fly into Oxford, meet the team, have a look at the G2 and generally socialise with likeminded owners.
If you are interested in attending, please email your details to sarah.harper@heligroup.com.
Places are limited
Heli Expo UK is just round the corner!!
This year promises to be a great event with three races being run side by side - The Queens Cup, The Heli UK Expo Challenge Cup and the first leg of the Helicopter World Cup.  As well as UK crews there are crews from Russia, Belarus, Austria and the Czech Republic taking part. June 1st is practice day and the main event is over two days - June 2nd and 3rd. Join us in the HCGB members marquee - prebooking is essential.
Complimentary tickets available on line for entry to Heli UK Expo and booking for a place in the marquee is via Jeremy James in the normal manner. A Heli UK Expo ticket will not give entry to the HCGB marquee.
The Globe Theatre, London
The performance schedule is attached for the  2017 Globe summer schedule. Similarly to last year, the CAA are going to distribute an Aeronautical Information Circular for us and NATS are re-issuing the Terminal Control TOI which was in place for the past 4 seasons. In 2013 the  position of the Globe Theatre was confirmed as: WI 1NM RADIUS LOCATION 513028N 0000552W (GLOBE THEATRE, CENTRAL LONDON). Consideration to the theatre has been requested.
Globe Performance Schedule 2017
The latest Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom newsletter is available for download
Spring 2017 Newsletter
The HCGB is delighted to announce it will be hosting the Queen's Air Race Challenge Cup for 2017. The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom awarded the event to the HCGB. Her Majesty The Queen approved the gift of the trophy to the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom in 2010 and events were held in 2011 (British Aerobatic Association), 2012 (British Microlight Aircraft Association), 2013 (British Balloon & Airship Club) and 2016 (British Model Flying Association). The trophy is of Irish silver and dates from around 1719 . It has the Royal Arms on one side and the words “The Queen’s Air Race Challenge Cup” on the other. The Air Challenge Cup will be flown at Heli UK Expo at Wycombe Air Park 1st to 3rd June and will be awarded to the winning British crew. The Cup will be awarded to the winning British Crew and will be presented to them at the annual Royal Aero Club Awards at the RAF Club in Piccadilly as well as the presentation to be held when the event has ben flown. This is a very unique opportunity for British crews and entries are being accepted from crews who wish to participate.
Share by: