BRIMPTON AIRFIELD NEWS

Provisional Fly-in dates for 2007.  Note in your diary...

Spring Fly-in......................................Sunday May 6th
Mid-summer Fly-in...........................Sunday June 24th (camping available the night before)
Late summer Fly-in..........................Sunday September 2nd
 

late summer fly-in, 3rd September 2006
The weather got us in the end! 
After two seasons of fly-ins blessed with good weather and lots of visitors our luck finally ran out last Sunday.  After a couple of days of dreadful conditions, the forecast suggested an improvement for Sunday, so we held our breath and hoped.  Lo and behold, as advertised by the Met Office The clouds cleared away during the day leaving blue sky and sunshine.  Unfortunately, the forecast Strong Wind Warning of 25kts gusting 35 knots was also accurate.  Conditions were so turbulent that no intrepid airmen visitors turned up.  Neither did our ever-popular modellers, so we were left with a fly-in that was rather light on aerial action.

There was some good news.  John Fairey arrived as arranged with Provost T1 'FW' to join Chris Edmundson, our Display Director and pilot for Provost 'VF'.  The conditions being very bumpy they wisely decided against the full sequence with both aircraft, but we were entertained by each one individually and  some short sequences with them together in the sky.    John then took the Saab Safir up and gave us a short display, so we were not completely denied aerial entertainment.

There was also possibility that the Edge aerobatic aircraft returning from the equally weathered out Red Bull Air Races at Longleat would give us a fly-by on their way back to White Waltham.  They wisely chose to go straight home.

There are some small aircraft that are less affected by wind conditions - powerful turbine helicopters.  We got a radio call from one-such machine.   "Brimpton Radio, helimed 24 inbound from the East.  Request joining instructions"    The Bolkow 105 operated by the Thames Valley Air Ambulance  making up for an otherwise slightly disappointing day by paying us a visit.  They have been to our fly-ins before of course, but what usually happens is the moment they land, they get a 'shout' and off they go again.  Not so this time - no emergencies to affect their visit of over an hour.  The crew joined the crowd to chat about their work and many took the chance to take a closer look at the helicopter that everyone hopes they never need for real!

As regular readers will know all the profits from our fly-ins go to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.  Before this event we were on target to beat last year's contribution of £2,000.  In spite of the bad weather, our event was well supported by many from the local towns & villages.  They were as generous as always, so fingers crossed - we are still on target to beat last year's donation to this worthy cause.

This was the last public event for the year, but Brimpton welcomes visitors in 'aerial carriages', 'motor carriages' and on 'shanks's pony' all year round, so if YOU want to visit our delightful airfield and chat aviation - give us a call.

Link to an appreciative Brimpton visitor - Martin Day's visit in Cessna 170 G-MDAY...here

2006 MID-Summer Fly-in a great success
Fine weather and Brimpton's reputation for putting on a good event with masses of friendly atmosphere contributed to the 2006 Summer Fly-in being the best yet. 
This year several new elements helped attract more people and more visiting aircraft.  The new land to the west of the hangar gives us a taxiway parallel to the runway with three intersections - so very little back-tracking is now needed making Brimpton a safer and easier airstrip to negotiate.  Expect further refinements to the new layout to make it even better.  Due to the increased real estate, some visitors were able to arrive on the Saturday and camp overnight. 

The greatly increased parking attracted more visiting aircraft than ever before.  We logged over 75 visiting aircraft from all over the UK.  The event was well supported by local people who arrived in very satisfying number to enjoy all the fun.

Brimpton Air Show - no, not a mis-print!  This year for the first time we held a small air-show fully certified by the CAA, complete with our own Show Director, Virgin 747 pilot Chris Edmondson.  The first event was of a display by one of the two  Piston Provosts flown by Chris.  Event two was something new for most Brimpton-ites - the very entertaining show from the 'Turbulent Team' who's delightful display was warmly applauded by everyone.  Our little air-show was rounded off by Alan House flying the Saab 91D Safir that also lives at the strip.

The air-show slot between 14,30 and 15.30 was Notam-ed, but we still had several aircraft call up for landing information during that time, proving two things.  Not all pilots check Notams!  Secondly, and we know this from other pilots - the AIS website is still cumbersome to use and does not always give up its information readily.

The day's fun was well supported by the usual burgers, bangers, strawberries & ice cream, all sorts of beverages and bonhomie for which Brimpton is famous.  Takings from landing donations were generous - a big thank-you to all those pilots who put more in the Thames Valley Air Ambulance collection boxes than we would normally charge to visit Brimpton.  Takings from the raffle, food & drink were also good, so with a bit of luck on September 3rd we will match last year's contribution to this vital emergency service.

Brimpton is getting well known!  Our little event was attended by two young ladies from the editorial staff of the Loop who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day and who promised to go back with a favourable report.

Thanks must go to all those Brimpton members, family & friends who pitched in to make the day a success.  Cooks, tea-makers, washers-up, cleaners-up, car parking supervisors, check in people, marshals, and radio operator all put in the effort to make the day enjoyable & safe for everyone.  The writer, being that radio operator is gratified to report that even at times when Brimpton was more like Heathrow, we had no incidents at all. 

Roll on the Autumn Fly-in!  September 3rd is the date for your diaries.  Don't miss it!

AIRFIELD CONTINUES SUPPORT
FOR VITAL  EMERGENCY SERVICE!
Brimpton Airfield, a tiny airstrip near Aldermaston raises £2,000 in 2005 for Berkshire Air Ambulance service.  An Air Ambulance spokesman said "Without people like Brimpton we would not get off the ground and many lives would be lost".  Alan House, the airfield operator said, "We hold three open days a year in the summer.  We get all sorts of interesting aircraft, vintage cars & bikes and lots of people come from the local villages.  Everyone has a really good time and all the proceeds go to the Air Ambulance.  We've been doing it for several years now.  It's a worthwhile cause and gives us a special reason for holding the events, so we'll go on doing it into the future".

The Berkshire & Chilterns Air Ambulance Trust is a charity and relies on donations from individuals, companies and people like the Brimpton pilots to continue operating. 

Berkshire Airstrip SECURE!  
Due to two vital changes in circumstances, Brimpton Airfield between Aldermaston and Brimpton can now look forward to the future after several years of uncertainty.  First, the planning application by French owned multi-national Lafarge to dig up the area for gravel extraction has been rejected.  On top of this, the need for the agricultural industry to diversify from pure farming has led to the airfield's landlords, the Wasing Estate now seeing the airstrip as a positive asset to its operations.  The final factor that changed Brimpton's fortunes is a new estate manager who looks to the future and is pro-aviation.  Quite a change from the past!

BRIMPTON AIRSTRIP NOW BIGGER!
More good news.  Airborne visitors will know that parking has always been a headache at Brimpton.  Not any longer!  From spring 2006 the Airfield is more than twice the size!  Resulting from recent negotiations with the Estate, the large area of land to the West of the hangar and clubhouse right up to the end of the runway is now part of the airfield.  its levelled, sown & mown &ready for use.  Click here to see the layout of the new parking & taxiing area.