History of the BMPA

History of the BMPA  >  1991

1991 Spring Meeting, March 9-19, Hatfield

The Airlines Divison of British Aerospace cancelled this meeting because of an MOD directive aimed at security during the Gulf War. However, the managing directr - approached personally - allowed the visit (although the war continued). The marketing display centre, flight test centre and final assembly hall were seen. Sadly at that time, 1500 redundancies were in the offing. And Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association was held to consider costs incurred in repairing the Guinness Cup and the results of the questionnaire, from which no strong feelings emerged although it was felt there should be more scientific content at meetings.

1991 Autumn Meeting, September 6-8, Southampton

Accommodation was at the Hilton Hotel 6 past president medallions were presented by retiring President Harry Holm to past presidents attending the meeting. This meeting attracted on of the largest turnouts to date with some twenty aircraft (six UK, two French and no less than twelve German) and 88 members and guests, including 10 children. The programme included a tour of Winchester and of Southampton University's aeronautical department, where gas turbines, wind tunnels, artificial intelligence and simulators were in action. At the AGM, the 25th in the Association's history, it was all change in the committee as Geoff Fearnley became the new President, Brian Pickard became Hon. Secretary, Mike Bagshaw Hon. Treasurer and Gordon Taylor President elect.

1991 Lectures

  • To Poland and back - medical weekend in Krakow (Pickard and Bagshaw)
  • The BAE 146 (Taite)
  • Flight simulators, gas turbines, wind tunnels and artificial intelligence (McLean and Southampton University team)