Press Releases

Shoreham press release

19th December 2008 Shoreham Airport
Capital’s new Blackhawk set to prey on VLJs..!

Exeter based Capital Air Charter has taken delivery of the first ever commercially registered Blackhawk B200 aircraft in Europe.

This 9 seater executive aircraft, a heavily modified version of the popular Beechcraft KingAir B200 twin turboprop, is faster, more fuel efficient, has a longer range and shorter take-off and landing capacity than ever before.

The KingAir B200 has always been able to carry more people at lower cost on typical European routes than comparative executive jets, but because of its relatively low cruising speeds, some pundits had predicted it losing out as a result of the advent of new VLJ (Very Light Jets), cheap twin jets promising to carry 3-5 passengers around Europe at high speed and low cost.

The new Blackhawk aircraft, with uprated Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, BLR winglets, Raisbeck streamlining modifications and Frakes exhausts, climbs more quickly to cruising altitude, and once there cruises at speeds of well over 300 knots. This means that as well as providing more seats, space, comfort and baggage carrying capacity than comparative aircraft, flight times now compete directly with VLJs and other more traditional executive jets such as for example the Cessna Citation series.

The new aircraft is already well proven in the US and is incredibly popular with owners and charter operators there. Like one or two canny private owners in mainland Europe who have had the upgrades, Capital’s aircraft has had the Blackhawk modifications carried out by MCA Aviation at Shoreham Airport, under the watchful eye of Dave Marsh, Principal Surveyor of the Civil Aviation Authority in order to ensure full compliance and this will be the first on the European Commercial Register.

Malcolm Humphries, MD and Chief Pilot of Capital Aviation, said "We are very proud to be the first commercial operator in Europe with this fabulous new aeroplane. The KingAir has always been a great aircraft, the Blackhawk is now the perfect European executive transport."

Although this is the first aircraft of its type available for charter in Europe, performance projections are excellent. For example, a trip from Exeter to Cannes would have taken 2 hours 50 minutes in the KingAir B200, the new Blackhawk will get up to 8 passengers there in just 2 hours 15 minutes, with no difference in price!

Jim Allman, President and CEO of Blackhawk Modifications Inc, commented "The backbone of Blackhawk’s success is a solid understanding of what aircraft operators need. We are delighted that a company with the pedigree of Capital Air Charter has seen the clear benefits of this development in engine technology; and are helping us continue to arouse excitement in the turboprop fleet worldwide."

In these difficult financial times, when many companies are looking carefully at their European travel budgets, and wondering how they are going to persuade their shareholders that the gleaming executive jet on order or sitting in the hangar is justified, Capital Air Charter’s new Blackhawk looks like a lot of common sense!

MEDIA RELEASE

ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION (RAFA) SHOREHAM AIRSHOW

Following the success of this years RAFA Battle Of Britain Shoreham Airshow the organisers are pleased to announce that they will be handing over a cheque in excess of £100,000 to the RAF Association 'Wings Appeal'.

"Considering the current economic climate and the fact that the second day of this year’s event had somewhat inclement weather - we were delighted to have raised such a large sum" said Don Bean MBE - Airshow Organiser. "The money raised goes to the welfare and care for serving and ex serving members of the Royal Air Force and their families," he added.

Already plans are being made for the 2009 show which will be extra special as it is the 20th Anniversary event. "Discussions are currently under way with the RAF to get their support in several ways not seen at Shoreham before including some special flying displays to celebrate this milestone," said John Periam Airshow Press Officer.

To date the Airshow has raised almost One and a Half Million Pounds since it’s early days as a small fete and is now considered by many aviation publications to be one of the best Air Display venues in the UK creating an atmosphere unlike any other with it's 'Family appeal and cross section of military and civilian flying displays'.

An announcement will be made early in 2009 regarding our Patron - an invite has be officially extended to a member of the Royal Household to celebrate this important milestone.

Dates for 2009 are confirmed as AUGUST 22nd and AUGUST 23rd. Don Bean added. "We must also thank our many Sponsors for their invaluable support and the organising team and their helpers (all volunteers) which make this show the success it is - we cannot do without them."

Regular Media Release Updates will follow during 2009.

John Periam
RAFA Shoreham Airshow Press Officer
07976 788531
periam.photojournalist@btopenworld.com
Web Site wwwshorehamairshow.com

100th Instructor Student for SkyLeisure

On the 26th September Richard Worsfold became the 100th student and Charlie Withington the 101st to en-roll on the SkyLeisure Aviation Flying Instructor training programme. With many years of very successful Instructor training we felt a little celebration was in order. Cream cakes at least!

The JAA Flight Instructor Course comprises of 30hours flight training and 125hours ground school, culminating in a Flight and Theory Test leading to the award of an FI(R) Rating. SkyLeisure Aviation, together with the parent company Redair Flight Centres, has a long history of highly successful Flight Instructor Training. Students from all over the UK and Europe have travelled to Shoreham Airport to train at SkyLeisure such as Switzerland, Denmark and Portugal to name just three countries from which students have come to attend the F.I. course at Shoreham.

Students vary from fresh-faced young pilots keen to learn new skills and progress up the ladder of commercial achievement, to highly experienced airline pilots keen to get back to "real" flying! Student numbers are kept to a minimum on any one course to ensure a high level of one-to-one tuition necessary for the excellence expected by the school.

SkyLeisure is fully flexible in offering full or part-time courses that can be arranged around a students work schedule. As well as the JAA FI(R) rating and instructor night qualification, SkyLeisure is also an approved provider of Instrument Rating Instructor and Multi-Engine Instructor courses. Most training for the FI(R) is carried out on the Cessna 152 but as SkyLeisure also operates the Piper PA38 Tomahawk and this can be used to broaden the student’s experience if they are going to subsequently work on that aircraft. Although, most students ultimately move on to fly in the airline or corporate jet world they unanimously say that their experience as a flying instructor was invaluable. As well as the comment of "I learnt more about flying on my instructor course than any other", the time spent as an instructor equips a pilot with greater skill, capacity and experience that enhances the chances of that first job on the commercial ladder. Of course, most of our ex-students are working either for an airline company or corporate operator. It is always rewarding to hear the feedback that whether flying a Boeing 737, Airbus 310 or Cessna Citation the flying instructor course was the best investment of their flight training.

As well as F.I. courses, SkyLeisure is also approved to teach all types of commercial courses, with a fleet of ten aircraft from the C152 to the Piper Chieftain. Which is primarily used, together with the Piper Seneca’s, for Air Charter work all over the UK and near continent. If you would like any information please contact us at skyleisureav@aol.com or phone 01273 464 422.

Sky Leisure Charlie Withington left and Richard Worsfold right.

MEDIA RELEASE

SHOREHAM ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION BATTLE OF BRITAIN 2008 AIRSHOW

Record crowds attended this year’s RAFA Shoreham Airshow on Saturday 30th August with the weather on the organiser’s side and some stunning flying making it one of the best days since the event was founded 19 years ago. The early morning storms on Sunday 31st caused some initial concern but the weather cleared to make the day (with some last minute changes to the flying) another success with attendance lower than anticipated. We owe the display pilots a big thank you for making the most of flying slots on the Sunday before the low cloud came in late afternoon resulting in several crews having to base at Shoreham for the night.

"Comments received have heaped praise on the organisers for running such a spectacular event this year with some stunning flying using the backdrop of Lancing College and the Sussex Downs (which makes the Shoreham venue so different to many other shows)," said Don Bean MBE Airshow Organiser.

Air Marshal Philip Sturley CB MBE President of the RAF Association said "Shoreham have done it again with one of the best shows in the UK supported by so many wonderful pilots resulting in more funding for the Association which can only support members of The Royal Air Force past and present."

John Periam Airshow Press Officer added "We were of course disappointed that The Vulcan could not display on the Saturday due to undercarriage related problems and at the last minute the Royal Navy Swordfish had starter problems - but one must remember these aircraft have just been re-built and safety comes first - to keep them in the air flying for many years is of the utmost importance and we look forward to seeing them in 2009."

There will be a 20th Anniversary Airshow in 2009 (dates to be confirmed) and the organisers intend to make something special out of this milestone and negotiations are already under way to make sure this happens. (Watch this space).

A DVD of this years event has been made by 'Absolute TV' and it will be a lot different from the normal type of Airshow video. There were several camera crews filming on the ground and in the air and a lot of footage was taken. Jai Michael the Producer added "It is our intention to make this as eye catching as possible with some artistic element added giving the viewer a totally different aspect as to what is involved in running an airshow - there will be a lot more detail than the normal flying shots one sees on many aviation videos." Full details and a short promotional clip will be available soon on the airshow website www.shorehamairshow.com with relevant links to Absolute TV - Flightline UK and other associated aviation links for ordering.

To highlight any specific display would be unfair as all involved put on such wonderful and varied flying slots. Ben Dunnell editor of 'Aircraft Illustrated' said, "What is so different about Shoreham is that the organisers try to think of all aspects of flying and it is so nice to see many of the top Civilian Display Teams at one venue - it is not just a military event - it is a real pilots event and in speaking to them they really enjoy attending and it is very high on the display listings each year."

"We cannot do this event without you the media and we do appreciate your support - it is not easy for us and many of the team are not getting any younger so if there is anyone out there who wants to give us a hand do please contact us - it’s not easy but it is fun and that is what Shoreham is all about," said Don Bean.

We look forward to seeing you in 2009 and watch this space.

Thanks for being there (typo's and all)!

JOHN PERIAM
RAFA SHOREHAM AIRSHOW PRESS OFFICER
07976 788531
periam.photojournalist@btopenworld.com

'IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE IF REQUIRED - JUST LET ME KNOW'

18th April 2008 -- Albemarle Shoreham Airport Limited/Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council

A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said:

A very positive meeting took place yesterday between representatives of Brighton & Hove City Council, Worthing Borough Council and Albemarle Investment Syndicates.

Albemarle made it clear that they were committed to the regeneration of Shoreham Airport in accordance with our original vision for the site.

But as landlords we have to go through all the relevant legal and financial processes with Albemarle to make absolutely sure that the deal is sound.

All parties are working flat out to make this deal happen and secure the long term future of the airport.

We hope that councillors from both Brighton & Hove and Worthing will be in a position to formally consider the transaction in mid-May.

ends

Brighton & Hove's lead councillor for major projects, Garry Peltzer Dunn, said: It's important that the relevant legal and financial processes are followed. But following yesterdays meeting I am optimistic that the regeneration of the airport that we have been waiting for will be delivered.

ends

Worthing Borough Councillor Paul Yallop said: I am very hopeful that if a deal can be concluded it will be the start of a new and exciting chapter in the long and distinguished history of Shoreham Airport.

15th April 2008

Erinaceous Group plc (in Administration) has today sold its interest in Shoreham Airport to Albemarle Shoreham Airport Limited.

Albemarle Investment Syndicates already owns the commercial properties at Shoreham and the acquisition reunites the Airport into single control.

Albemarle remains commited to the regeneration of the Airport in accordance with the vision of the joint owning Councils when the Airport was originally sold in June 2006.

The Airport re opens for business immediately and we are delighted that this has taken place within a day of the Administration.

John Haffenden

Airport Manager

Shoreham Airport.