FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1963
1963 - 1975.PDF
778 FLIGHT International, 7 November 1963 The first Volmer Sportsman amphibian to be built by an amateur constructor, J. Wright Chappell of Vancouver, is photographed from the prototype Sportsman, which has now logged over 600hr (see also picture at foot of page) S PORT AND BUSINESS Ministry Develops Biggin Steps taken by the Ministry of Aviation to develop Biggin Hill Aerodrome as a major centre for private flying, as forecast by the Minister, were detailed in Croydon on October 25 by Mr C. M. Colbeck, the Ministry's Southern Divisional Controller. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Surrey and Kent Flying Club, Mr Colbeck said that the Ministry had taken over the "south camp" area of Biggin Hill on October 1 in line with the Minister's promise of a major private-flying role for the aerodrome. The club's annual trophies were presented by the guest of honour, Marshal of the RAF Sir Dermot Boyle, vice-chairman of British Aircraft Corporation, after a speech in which he recounted a miscellany of RAF pupil/instructor stories and suggested that Mach 2.2 supersonic airliners were a good thing. The Harris Trophy for the best all-round member went to Mr Ben Parker; the Thurston Trophy for the best ab initio pupil to Halton apprentice T. Brian; the Navigation Trophy to Mr J. Crosby for a return flight to Morocco; the Grece Trophy for safety in flight (extracting oneself from a tricky situation) to Mr Ted Farrow, the engine of whose Comanche had stopped while he was crossing the Alps; and the Clifford Wills Trophy for the member doing the most for his fellow-members to Mr H. R. Holledge, the club's vice-chairman and social secretary. Other speakers at the dinner included the chairman of the club, Mr Stuart Price, and Mr Holledge. RAF Skydiving Over 100 men and women from 31 RAF stations are waiting to qualify as members of the newly formed RAF (Abingdon) Sport Parachute Club at Weston-on-the-Green, near Oxford. The club's instructors are all from the RAF Transport Command No 1 Parachute Training School at Abingdon. At the club's recent inaugural meeting at Weston-on-the-Green, the chairman, Sqn Ldr M. S. Stamford, made the first jump from the club's D.H.89 Rapide, which was flown by Fit Lt H. L. Crawley, a Beverley pilot with No 47 Squadron. First UK Skymaster The first Cessna Skymaster other than demonstration models to be operated in Britain arrived at Cranfield on October 4 after its transatlantic ferry flight. The machine, G-ASKS, has been ordered by Rogers Aviation, the Cessna agents, for Mr Raymond Way, the motor dealer. It has been followed by G-ASLL (for G. & M. Air Interests Ltd), 100th Cessna to be imported since restrictions were lifted in 1960. With the recent introduction of special flying courses for business men, and the transatlantic ferry service to Cranfield, Rogers Avia tion now claim to provide "the most full comprehensive air service for industry in the world." Arrangements with associated com panies enable the firm to offer a variety of services including delivery from a large stock of spare parts, and "pipeline" service between New York and other main cities, aviation consultancy and sales, full servicing of all types of aircraft, charter work, world flight planning and aircraft operation. The company provides an air taxi service using both single-engined and twin-engined aircraft based at Cranfield. Below, second British-registered Cessna Skymaster (see news Item). At foot of page, the prototype Volmer Sportsman (right), with the Canadian-registered Sportsman built by J. Wright Chappell. Plans are available from Volmer Aircraft Co, 104 Providencia Avenue, Rurbank, California
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
