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Aviation History
1971
1971 - 0399.PDF
368 Flying Yet another Dragon is banished from St George's shores. G-ADDI prepares for departure (report this page) complete with special US registration honouring its place and date of birth. CSE's new runway at Kidlington Airport, Oxford, seen in the "Flight" photograph below, received BOT licensing recently. The 2,100ft, 640m runway, made from a taxiway on the north side of the field, augments the three grass runways on this second-busiest airfield in the UK SwiwHi 3 FLIGHT International, 18 March 1971 Dragon leaves UK One of the last two DH.84 Dragons remaining in the UK, took off from Headcorn airfield, Kent on February 21: a farewell take-off, for its destination was Rotterdam. From there it was shipped to the USA where it is to join a private collection of vintage aircraft. The aircraft was G-ADDI, built in 1934 to become the first aircraft for Railway Air Services who operated it for about five years. During the early 1960s it carried many tourists around the Blackpool tower, after which it lofted quantities of skydivers over Sywell for Chrisair. In recent years, it has been parked at Sywell while repairs were carried out and a buyer was sought. For what is reported to be a sadly small sum, the aircraft was finally lost to the USA. The Dragon, by today's standards, was remarkably economical. Its two 130 h.p. Gipsy Major engines enabled it to carry up to ten passengers plus pilot at 110 m.p.h., 177km/hr, while consuming about 12gal/hr. Unusual for an early twin was the fact that the aircraft was originally able to maintain height on one engine at 1,500ft, 457m while at an all-up weight of 4,2001b, 1,907kg. World Gliding Championships At the recent meeting of the CIVV (Commission Internationale Vol a Voile) in Paris, a number of important decisions relating to international gliding and powered gliding were made. The next World Gliding Championships will be held at Vrsas, Jugoslavia, in July 1972, while Waikerie, Australia, has been chosen as the venue of the 1974 championships which will be held in January of that year. Looking further ahead, the 1976 event is likely to be held in Finland. Beginning with the 1972 competitions a new prize, the 19m World Cup, will be awarded to the best-placed glider in the Open Class (open to any competing glider and not restricted to those of 19m span). This will be in addition to the prize awarded to the top-placed pilot, irrespec tive of the span of his aircraft. This rule will provide an incentive to those countries which are unable to enter top-performance gliders, and which would normally stand little chance of a high place in the Open Class results. A new rule applying in 1972 and subsequently is that the Standard Class will be permitted to employ dischargeable ballast, while simple fixed-hinge flaps may be employed as an alternative to airbrakes, beginning in 1974. The feeling is that these two relaxations will open the way to new developments in what started out as a movement to encourage cheap "no frills" gliding. No further changes in the Standard Class rules are anticipated. The development of gliders has now brought flights of 1,000km within reach of the few people who are fortunate enough to live in a meteorologically favoured region and who can take suitable opportunities when they occur. In recognition of such flights the FAI will award a special 1,000km diploma. Retrospective awards will be made in respect of such flights which have already been made. Beginning with the 1974 championships, a new category for self-launching motor gliders is proposed. The rules governing this class will be produced by January 1, 1973, in order to give the maximum time for the organisation of events in the 1974 competition. It will also be possible, using motor gliders, to claim the FAI Silver C, Gold C and Diamond gliding awards. For this purpose the aircraft will be required to carry an "engine-on" recorder in addition to the barograph, and will have to cross a designated start-line with the engine off. French facility A full overhaul and maintenance base for all types of light aircraft has been opened at La Rochelle-Laleu airfield by Avions Pierre Robin. Facilities include three covered work-bays as well as 2,200m2 of parking area. Guild participation The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators has accepted an invitation to serve on the Standing Joint Committee on Private and Club Flying and Gliding (Pacfag). Pacfag is responsible for assisting the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in keeping under review all matters affecting the development of private and club flying in the UK. *'
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