pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
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 Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 1:49 am Post subject: Remembrance Day |
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Hi All,
Not strictly Kolb, but certainly ultralight related.
I don`t know if this gets reported in the US but all UK casualties from Afghanistan etc , alive and dead are flown in to Lyneham which is the HQ of Transport Command.
Consequently all coffins are taken through the streets of Wootten Basset which is the nearest small town. The coffin is driven slowly as in a funeral with an undertaker in top hat, black suit and a long cane, walking ahead. It has become the practice for the whole town, plus friends and relatives of the dead, with representatives of local Ex servicemens organisations to stand, heads bowed, as the procession drives slowly by. They stop at intervals while flowers are put on the coffins. This whole thing happens much too often.
Somewhat as a by product of the feelings engendered by the constant showing of this on TV a fund called Help the Heroes has been set up and many organisations have held rallies etc.and made contributions
A few months ago hundreds of bikers rode through Wootten Basset to show support and this sparked the idea of a flypast of ultralights. Organisation was very tricky as Wootten Bassett is within Lyneham Control Zone. They were however very cooperative, and Kemble, a local airfield just outside the zone, agreed to act as the starting point.
All the usual problems of briefing such a large number of pilots on rendezvous, turning points, landing fields for aircraft after dispersal etc, were overcome and finally 135 ultralights flew together, including a special `missing man` formation over the town.
Apparently the multiple take offs from Kemble were quite spectacular. Ultralight pilots are not trained in formation flying but the whole group managed to fly together over the town without incident.
There was considerable coverage in the local press and on TV and the Mayor of Wootten basset wrote aletter of appreciation to our organisation..
A thoroughly worthwhile project, well organised and executed which can only foster a good opinion of ultralights which suffers too often from negative reporting of crashes, noise and nuisance.
Cheers
Pat
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