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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 0045.PDF
LETTERS short service commissions, or even at the 38/16-year point. Maintaining flying squadrons of the RAuxAF would enable such aircrew to be kept avail able to the Service in a number of worthwhile roles, such as offensive support, inshore maritime patrol, and air transport—both rotary- and fixed-wing. Even air defence should not be ruled out, since 60 per cent of the continental air defence of the USA is provided by the Air National Guard. Second, flying squadrons of the RAuxAF would enhance the capability of the RAF to sustain operations over a longer period, and make good the heavy losses which would inevitably take place in offen sive air operations, especially in central Europe. Third, flying squadrons of the RAuxAF would enhance the level of contact between the civil community and the RAF, which is negligible in many parts of the country, especially in the industrial areas of the Midlands, the North, Wales, and Scotland. Fourth, and finally, the regular Air Force should look with favour, not jealousy, upon the RAuxAF since, as your editorial explains, flying squadrons of the RAuxAF would provide additional flying appointments for regu lar instructors. At the same time they might encourage regular officers not destined for the higher ranks to leave the Service, thus providing a less frustrating path to the most senior ranks for the high-fliers. JOHN WILKINSON M.P. House of Commons London SW1A OAA Helmets: the last word SIR—On the matter of helmets in light aircraft (Dr Fleming v AVM Cairns), I started flying in my thirties, a decade ago. Like many PPLs, I didn't know what to do with my qualification, but was cynical of navaids and could see no sense in burning 6gal an hour to abstain from alco hol in a neighbouring flying club's greasy-spoon cafe. Furthermore, I was a very timid pilot, so to gain con fidence and concentrate experience I started towards competitive aerobatics in a Slingsby T.67M. It's a safe sport if one takes sensible precautions. I always com plete preflight checks, wear a five-point harness, parachute, nomex flying suit, gloves . . . plus a helmet. Surprisingly, nobody makes the derogatory remarks which Dr Cornel Fleming expects. I also wear the same kit when driving my 130 m.p.h. homebuilt "four-wheel motor bike"—except for the para chute: there isn't room! ERIC MARSH Cavendish Aviation Cavendish Hotel Baslow Derbyshire DE4 ISP IN BRIEF • The 54(F)Sqn Associ ation's annual reunion on May 15 will be an evening cruise on the Thames, departing from Westminster Pier. All ex-members of 54(F)Sqn are invited. For further details contact Fg Off Peter Birch on 0603 737361 ext 455. • A. J. Roberts (84 Elland Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 2QR) is researching a book on "foo fighters", strange aerial phenomena seen by aircrew of all nations during the Second World War. He would appreciate first-hand accounts, book and maga zine references, or theories as to the nature of the phenom ena. WHAT'S ON April 11-12 RNZAF: 50th anniversary air show: Auckland, New Zealand. April 12-1 5 National Air Transportation Association: Annual meeting; Peabody Hotel, Orlando, Florida. April 14 RAeS Aerodynamics Group: One-day symposium—Wingtip flows and wing devices; 4 Hamilton Place, London W1; tel 01 -499 3515. April 27-30 American Association of Airport Executives Northeast Chapter: Annual international show symposium; Buffalo, New York. animals? Relief programmes? Rescue missions? SFAIR! Bush strips? Rig moves? SFAIR! SFAIR means reliability, security and flexibility with our economical, made to measure service designed to satisfy all your clients, near or far. The near impossible is an every day event for SFAIR. We carry everything, even whales! Contact SFAIR for the solution to your logistic problems. SFAIR CARGO AIRLINES Your own cargo fleet. 92, Amiufdcs Cramps Elysffs, F750M, PARIS. France. Td+33-]-45 62 0O55. W« 643201. Fax +33-1-44 62 26 70 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 4 April 1987
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