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Newsletter January 2011

(For a PDF Version, click here).

Airfield

Many of you will have noticed that work has begun this week on the development of the clubhouse and hangars. A walkway will be built to link the hangar and clubhouse. Inside the club house, a training room will be developed for Essex Air Ambulance, with alterations to the kitchen and toilets. Two new briefing rooms will replace the current instructor area. The hangar will be designed to fit the needs of the Essex Air Ambulance crew and helicopter. Plans are available in the clubhouse for everyone to see.

New hangars

The hangar doors have now arrived and work is moving swiftly on. There is one hangar available for rent. If you are interested please talk to Mick or Bill. Earls Colne Airfield is pleased to have The Sandwich Inn joining us over the next few months. They will be able to offer hot and cold food. We wish them all the best. My thanks goes to Phil Ryder for his continuous Support and help with the VAT Change, and up keep of the front computer system. Also to Nigel Willson for his support in keeping the website updated. I would like to welcome Kim on board who has taken on the roll of doing the day to day finances of the club. Good luck to her.

Up keep of the airfield

Visitors to the airfield always continue to comment on how well kept the airfield is and all the staff endeavour to maintain the upkeep to high standards. I would like to thank Bill Cameron for his continuous grass cutting and maintenance of the airfield. As many have seen the new hangars are coming along and work will soon be completed. It’s that time of the year again where we need to put our husbandry in to action. With the current weather that we have had it’s time to keep to the hard surfaces where possible. With your help we can keep the grass fit for use in the summer.

Fire crew

Without the fire crew and ground staff we would not be able to operate as we do on a daily bases. My thanks goes to Victoria for her continuous training she does with them. We would like to welcome some new blood on to the crew. Chris Howe, Jack Plumb, Liam Nayler, Simon Sorrell. The fire crew recently held a two day training course, although the weather wasn’t on their side a good days training was had by all. All the fire crew passed their practical side. Many thanks also to Robin Waters and Gordon Spooner for helping in transforming the fire truck earlier in the year.

Air to ground radio

My thanks go to Arwyn Jones for his regular support with his Air to Ground and PPL radio courses.

Student Social side

The EGSR student pilots network is a social network dedicated to supporting students, pilots undertaking training at EGSR. It is officially sanctioned and supported by Anglian Flight Centres but independently managed by Jon Miller.

Night Flying

October saw the start of another season of night flying. Our night flying instructors are as follows: John Pickering Monday, Tuesday, Saturday Robin Rudderham Wednesday and Saturday and by arrangement. Paul Young Saturday Robert Devereux Sunday James Stock Saturday Dave Trouse Tuesday and Thursday

Instructors

We are pleased to announce the arrival of two more instructors Christian Archer and Tony Barber. We have a wide variety of instructors that are available Monday – Sunday. John Pickering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Dave Trouse Tuesday and Thursday Javid Karim Monday, Wednesday and Friday Robin Rudderham Wednesday, Saturdays and by arrangement Digby Dogherty Thursday, Friday, Sunday James Stock Saturday Robert Devereux Sunday Paul Young Saturday Tony Barber By arrangement Christian Archer By arrangement Nigel Willson By arrangement (Class Rating Instructor) Brian Alton By arrangement (Class Rating Instructor) Thank you to all the instructors for their continuous support over the last year and during the difficult weather conditions, I know it’s not been easy.

IMC Ground School Course

“ A very good course”, “Good Content”, “very enjoyable” and fully absorbing” Very well presented, enjoyable with humorous interludes!! Just some of the comments from the recent IMC ground school course run by AFC instructor Nigel Willson, I’d like to pass my thanks onto him for doing that. 21 people came on the 5-session course and all though it was thoroughly worthwhile both to new to the art, and the old hands that just wanted a refresher!! Everyone walked away with both course notes, a resource CD and the knowledge required for passing the IMC written exam and a good grounding in instrument flying – not to mention some fantastic tips on the “easy way” of doing things. Watch out for a repeat performance of the course in April 2011, it’s partially full already.

Communications Ground School Course

“ROLL UP, ROLL UP!” The Radio Telephony ( RT to us who like short hand) course is due to start on January 6th for 4 sessions finishing 18th January. (Tuesday and Thursdays). Learn all you need to pass the PPL written exam, plus a good grounding in the practical aspects of speaking on the radio. Preparation for the R/T practical exam is also included. Nigel Willson again will present this; you are guaranteed a thorough foundation. Included are tips and tricks from hard earned experience on how to make your life easier as a pilot, and how to make best use of the equipment available in the aircraft. We even have seasoned pilots coming along to refresh their skills and to learn how to sound professional enough to get those elusive controlled airspace transits. Oh, and pictures and names of controllers including a tame one we’ve captured that will be making a “guest” appearance

Formation Training Day

 Despite a dismal forecast, and one of the formation instructors calling in unwell, 10 intrepid formation aviators turned up to learn the art of formation flying at AFC in a variety of Cessna’s, pipers and Robins. With grateful thanks to Dale Featherby who travelled in at short notice to make up the instructor short- fall, all agreed it was a day to remember. We plan to hold another formation day early 2011 – so keep watch on your email and the AFC website for details. These incredible days get booked up faster than you can say, “smoke on, smoke on, GO!”

Air Search Essex

It’s been an extremely busy year for Air Search Essex. The ASE open day, which was held in conjunction with the Essex Air Ambulance copter kids day, was an extraordinary success. The TV and Press were there to document the event and gave us gleaming reviews in many of the local papers. Neil Smith and Robin Rudderham took film crews up so watch out for some excellent footage from the air. Air Search Essex would like to thank everyone at EGSR, Yvonne Vincent and of course the Essex Air ambulance personnel, ambulance and fire personnel who ran an excellent joint show. For more information on becoming a member of the Air Search Essex, please contact Yvonne Vincent, Neil Smith or go to the website www.airsearch.co.uk

Essex Air Ambulance

Strictly Air Ambulance comes to Brentwood in Aid of Essex Air Ambulance! The second Strictly Air Ambulance event in aid of Essex Air Ambulance is fast approaching and the Charity is calling on all dancing fans to join them for this fantastic night out! Join Essex Air Ambulance and celebrity guests at The Brentwood Centre on Friday 4th March 2011 for a spectacular evening of dance and entertainment all to raise vital funds to keep the life-saving helicopter flying. Su and Alex from Heart Breakfast will perform in the show and compete in the dance competition. They will be given training in preparation for the event. The host for the evening will be Martin Day from Heart Breakfast with celebrity guests still to be announced. This is a chance for ‘Strictly’ fans and Essex Air Ambulance supporters to enjoy some fantastic dancing and world class entertainment all in aid of a very worthy cause. Wendy Byland, Events Manager of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust said, “We are getting ready for our second Strictly Air Ambulance event and we are all really looking forward to it. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Heart and the Brentwood Centre to host a night to remember. It’s going to be an exciting event with some fantastic celebrity guests, a great opportunity to enjoy a fun filled night of dancing and music plus support the work of the life-saving helicopter at the same time!” Tickets are £12 (concessions £10) each and for more information and to book visit EssexAirAmbulance.uk.com

Essex Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes Unite for Great Essex Feast Essex

Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes volunteers are joining forces for the 2011 Great Essex Feast. The Feast will consist of a series of parties designed to raise money for these two much-loved Charities, while also being fun for both hosts and their guests. We are calling on the people of Essex to host a party over the weekend of 12th and 13th March 2011. Hosts can choose to hold a dinner party on Saturday evening, invite guests to lunch on Sunday or even have brunch or organise a coffee morning. Parties can take any form, from fish and chip suppers, to street parties for neighbours and grand, black tie affairs for 100 guests. It is up to each host to decide. The key objective is to raise money by asking guests to make a donation. The proceeds will be split equally between both Charities. The 2011 Great Essex Feast follows the success of the 2010 Great Essex Feast when more than 70 people held parties and more than £20,000 was raised. This year we hope there will be even more hosts and more donations. Carolyn Rogers from Brentwood, one of the hosts in 2010 held a ‘Mother’s and Daughter’s’ lunch for nine of her friends. She said: “I just thought it was a really good idea. I know how important and difficult it is for the Essex Air Ambulance to raise money for the cause and, as we know, the service saves many lives across Essex.” Another host said: “We think it is a really fun way to raise money – we had a great evening, entertaining our friends.” Nicola Ramsden, Chairman of the 2011 Great Feast, said, "I'm excited that volunteers from both Charities are working together to organise the Great Feast. I hope that lots of people will want to hold parties to support the great work that these Charities do. Both Help for Heroes and our local Air Ambulance rely on us all to give what we can - and it's great to be able to do that and have some fun at the same time!" Would you like to host a party? The idea is for you to invite guests and entertain them as you would a normal party. The only difference is that you ask your guests to make a donation which will be split equally between Essex Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes. There is no fixed amount; the more they donate the more help the two charities can do to save lives and to rebuild lives. If you would like to be a Great Essex Feast host simply visit EssexAirAmbulance.uk.com or call Wendy Byland on 0845 2417 690. All hosts who register will receive a Great Essex Feast registration pack, which includes invitations to send to guests, suggested recipes and cocktail ideas plus a free gift. Register early for a chance to win a signed copy of Nigella Lawson’s new book, ‘Kitchen’; five lucky winners will be drawn from the first 50 registrations received. Too many friends to invite to your party? Then encourage some of your friends to hold their own parties: the more the better!

Regards,

Mick Manders