The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom

On behalf of British Microlight Aircraft Association

David Roberts OBE – 1945-2026
It is with great sadness that we report the death of RAeC Vice President, David Roberts OBE.
David started flying in 1969 when he took up gliding as a member of the Worcestershire Club.
David served as Chairman of the Royal Aero Club between 2008 and 2012 and was appointed as a Vice President in 2012. David represented the RAeC at the highest level both nationally and internationally.
David served as a Board Member of Europe Air Sports (EAS), a pan-European organisation representing over 600,000 air sports and recreational aviation pilots, aircraft owners and operators. He was elected President of EAS in 2009 and initiated an approach to the European Commission that led directly to their 'GA Roadmap'.
David also served on the board of the European Gliding Union for some years, and as Chairman of the British Gliding Association from 2000 to 2006.
David was primarily a glider pilot and owner but had also been a PPL(A), at one time owning his own vintage Auster. He was a long-term member of the Cotswold Gliding Club. He had a varied professional career, mostly as a Finance Director or in similar roles, including as FD of the UK Meteorological Office and of the UK’s military aircraft deep repair and maintenance facilities.
We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Gillian, his family and many friends worldwide.

Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd

Have you heard of The Pooleys 2026 Photo Competition?!

Got a shot of the sky, the airfield, or the flight that you keep coming back to? This is your chance to put it to work.

Last year’s winner Sean L had his image on the front cover of the 2026 Pooleys catalogue and calendar.

This year, that could be yours.

The prizes are worth entering for:
* A Pooleys 2027 Flight Guide package
* £250 in Pooleys vouchers
* 2 copies of the 2027 calendar featuring your winning photo on the front cover
* A place on the front cover of the Pooleys catalogue
13 runners up will also feature in the 2027 calendar and each receive a complimentary copy.

To enter, post your aviation photo on Facebook or Instagram, follow us at Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd and Pooleys Aviation Academy then tag us in your post and use

No social media? No problem. Email your photo directly to [email protected]

The competition runs until September. Full details and terms are at the link in bio.

generalaviation

The Helicopter Club of Great Britain today celebrates 60 years since taking to the skies!

This time next week, the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 FAI F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft will be getting underway at BMFA Buckminster. The start of the competition will also mark the first time in 48 years that the FAI - World Air Sports Federation F4 World Championships will have been held on UK soil.

The long range weather forecast is shaping up nicely and tickets for both spectating and camping over at the Championships are now on sale. We'll hand over to Event Director, Graham Kennedy, to tell you more about the general sale of tickets and how to secure yours...

"You are now able to book your spectator tickets for the 2026 FAI F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft taking place at BMFA Buckminster from Friday 10th July to Saturday 18th July.

This is via the Events and Courses tab of your JustGo BMFA membership portal at:

https://bmfa.justgo.com/

Or, by clicking the link at the end of this message. Please read all the information below before purchasing tickets.

EVENT SCHEDULE

To aid you with deciding on which day to attend, please refer to the schedule below. Please note that only a selection of aircraft will fly on each day and the exact flight order will not be known until the day before. This flight order is also subject to weather.

Friday 10th July – RC and CL Static + RC Flight Judging

Saturday 11th July – RC and CL Static + RC Flight Judging

Sunday 12th July – RC Static + RC Flight Judging

Monday 13th July – RC Static + RC and CL Flight Judging

Tuesday 14th July – RC Static (am only) + RC and CL Flight Judging

Wednesday 15th July – RC and CL Flight Judging + Tethered Car Demo

Thursday 16th July – RC and CL Flight Judging + Tethered Car Demo

Friday 17th July – RC Flight Judging

Saturday 18th July – RC Flight Judging (estimated 1300hrs finish)

DAY VISITORS

Advance booking of tickets is essential to assist with traffic and parking management on, and around the contest site.

When purchasing a ticket for a specific day the first ticket will be at the full price of £10.00 and includes parking, at the same time you should also then add a ticket for any passengers in your vehicle, these will be priced at £5.00 each.

Any £5.00 ticket purchased does not include parking.

If purchasing a ticket for the same day that is for a 2nd vehicle this must be done as a separate transaction.

Parking will be in the field to the left of the drive entrance to the BMFA National Centre. A golf buggy will be operating on a shuttle service. Blue Badge Holders will be directed to a designated area within the Contest Site.

A separate ticket must be purchased for each day you wish to attend.

NATIONAL CENTRE CAMPING

This is available in 2 blocks of 5 night stays, either from Thursday 9th to Tuesday 14th or from Tuesday 14th July to Sunday 19th July, respectively.

Arrivals are from 1400hrs and departures are by 1200hrs.

Camping fee includes daily spectating ticket. Wristbands for the relevant date will be given on arrival.

Generators are permitted during the hours of 0800hrs and 2200hrs
BBQs are permitted must be off ground (no grass scorching).

No fire pits permitted.

Dogs must always be on a lead.

SEWSTERN VILLAGE HALL CAMPING

This is available in blocks of 2 night stays starting on 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th July. Arrivals are only permitted on these days.
Suitable for vehicles of less than 7m total length.

Camping fee for this location does not include daily spectating tickets. This must be added for each person at the time of booking. Wrist bands to gain access to the championships will be ready for you on your arrival.

Access to toilet facilities provided within the Village Hall. Note, there are no shower facilities (you may use the shower facilities at the National Centre).

Arrivals are from 1400hrs. Departures from 1200hrs, however, there will be a clearly marked holding area to leave your caravan at this location, if attending the Championships on date of departure.

Information on access will be sent via email once booking is confirmed.

Please ensure all tickets are purchased in advance to avoid disappointment.

Link to purchase tickets:

https://bmfa.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=CED9ECB0A16ED91E6FC2D96C0E7EF70785DF0C93

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds if you are unable to attend."

https://worldscale26.bmfa.uk/

Robinson Helicopter Company 🚁

As day three of Operation Eagle Hawk gets underway, here’s an overview of the multi-leg route to the United States for the Red Arrows and RAF support aircraft.

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Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd

The Pooleys 2026 Photo Competition is now open.
Got a shot of the sky, the airfield, or the flight that you keep coming back to? This is your chance to put it to work.

Last year’s winner had his image on the front cover of the 2026 Pooleys catalogue and calendar.

This year, that could be yours.

The prizes are worth entering for:
* A Pooleys 2027 Flight Guide package
* £250 in Pooleys vouchers
* 2 copies of the 2027 calendar featuring your winning photo on the front cover
* A place on the front cover of the Pooleys catalogue
13 runners up will also feature in the 2027 calendar and each receive a complimentary copy.

To enter, post your aviation photo on Facebook or Instagram, follow us at and then tag us in your post and use

No social media? No problem. Email your photo directly to [email protected]

The competition runs until September. Full details and terms are at the link in bio.

generalaviation