BMPA History

2002 Autumn Meeting, September 6-8, Newcastle

Frankie Walters (BMPA President) organised this meeting for us. It was based at Newcastle on Tyne and on offer were jet provost flying, an introduction to archaeology from the air incorporating a flying competition and night clubbing - the hotel was on the Quayside in the heart of clubland! The AGM was held during this meeting as well as the Guinness Cup Competition and our Annual Dinner. A full weekend package for two people cost £375, for one person the fee was £225. Reports will follow in the autumn newsletter.

Andrew Clymo writes:

Newcastle fulfilled its promise of new sights and flying experiences, good food and excellent fellowship. The city has benefited from large injections of European money i.e. our money returned earmarked, and has an extensively redeveloped waterfront district on the edge of which was our hotel.

Friday's weather forecast was less than encouraging. Those who did fly avowed that they barely glanced at their instruments all the way but I think they all had the appropriate rating tucked up their sleeves in case of need. Arrivals were well scattered through the afternoon and evening and were greeted in their room by a comprehensive collection of local guidance. The first duty of the evening was to walk to La Tasca for Tapas. 'La Tasca' is the name, 'Tapas' the purpose and 'for' a preposition. The programme advertised lots of Sangria or beer, both true, but not the equally huge quantities of food. Many of us not experienced in Spanish ways found ourselves wiping our fingers in conclusion just as the main dishes were put before us. A friend of mine says 'never diet when away from home' and I took her advice. By the end of the evening our company was near complete and rather more than replete. However some of the (fool?)hardier souls went on to join the amassing army of clubbers. The scene was much like Broad Street in Birmingham but on the slope rather than flat. Makes for interesting walking even when sober. I never did get a coherent account of the proceedings but one gathered they were up to expectations.

Wallington, now National Trust owned but until recently the home of the Trevelyan family (note the Cornish origin), provided a Saturday breakfast of proportions and quality to satisfy even the most exacting of our trenchermen. We were then glad to be seated for a matching intellectual and academic feast of archaeology from the air. It was astonishing to see how human interference with the landscape has left signs from two or three thousand years ago even when on the surface nought is visible. The ensuing tour of the overt and covert parts of the house produced an insight into more modern developments and especially the need for constant maintenance inside and out if preservation is to be accomplished.

Lunch at Newcastle Aero Club was advertised as simple. If that was so I guess the charas must come from miles around for the complicated one.

The afternoon was devoted to one of the raisons d'etre of our association, to wit flying. Many members took the opportunity to have a go in a Jet Provost. (see Sqn. Leader Bagshaw's contribution) All came back with dreamy expressions on their faces. The rest of us went off on a nav. exe planned by madam president in cahoots with her archaeology and aviation advisors. Some went in their own aircraft and others in Club ones with instructors. The tour went North and then East to the coast before coming back to base. The weather militated against perfection but there were some creditable performances in site recognition. My experience was of early scud running with the ground mostly in sight and rather close. Our instructor was I hasten to say ex commercial with squillions of hours on Comets and things. There were storm cells further North but we saw lots of sheep and once we were away from the hills some striking archaeological sites. It was a great introduction to both aerial archaeology and the district. Prizes were awarded in due course. I was pleased to share one even if it was for the boobies.

Trinity House, whence we went for dinner, is a name familiar to everyone and synonymous with lighthouses and buoys. I had never thought where the name might have come from and had no idea the house still existed. It does and continues in use (since 1536) as the headquarters of The Corporation of The Newcastle upon Tyne Trinity House. Their business is looking after the welfare of seafarers on the North East coast. The house is full of remnants of this day-to-day business and memorabilia of that continuous enormously long service. It is a working building not a museum and so to get the most out of it a guided tour is de rigueur. The tours, in our case glass in hand and to the gentle skirl of Northumbrian pipes, are conducted by volunteer enthusiasts. Overrun was the order of the evening. The dinner that followed was, of course, up to our usual high standard.

The Baltic Flour Mill, recently re-opened as an arts centre, has lately attracted adverse comment in the national press for its shambolic organization. Our experience was entirely in accord with this. At one stage, the weather being so nice, there was a move to hold the AGM outside and standing at the southern end of the new award winning Eyelid Bridge. That's one better than the Privy Council. However, once the logistics had been sorted, and the annual business disposed of, the halls were a sight to be seen and the exhibits therein were definitely 'different'. Lunch in the top floor restaurant suffered from some of the same difficulties as earlier affairs and a sharp outburst from the Presidential Consort was required to rally and stiffen the troops. Eventually all but a few who had to leave early (i.e. on time) were served and many lingering over their desserts and coffee were able to discuss the events of the weekend. The conversation was of airborne archaeology, Jet Provost joys and sailing and storms on the high seas.

Andrew Clymo

Michael Bagshaw writes:

The Newcastle Jet Provost Experience

Gosh. Its 24 years since I last flew a Jet Provost Mk3A yet here are my hands flashing round the cockpit doing the checks as if it were only yesterday (wonder if I'll remember how to fly the thing). Just shows what a good bit of kit we have in long term memory (thoughts of riding a bike), and what good training we received from the RAF Central Flying School.

Airborne, undercarriage up before 125 knots. As we climb through transition altitude and I run through the pre-aerobatic HASELL checks, I detect a hint of apprehension from Ian in the right hand seat. It might have something to do with the devilish horns which are sprouting from my Mk 4B helmet and the glint in the eye as I recall my trophy-winning display aerobatic sequence. After all, if I break the aeroplane we can't just land and ask the flight sergeant to give us another one.

I had my own slight unease when there was no connection of leg restraint garters to the ejection seat and we didn't remove the pins to make the seats live after strapping in. (I had similar disquiet when Geoff Fearnley arranged for me to do some instructing in a civilianised Mk5 at Southend a few years ago.)

24 years ago I would never have predicted that one day I would actually enjoy flying a Mk3A, yet here I am having the time of my life. We instructors at Cranwell used to refer derogatively to the Mk3A as the constant thrust, variable noise machine. (We much preferred the Mk5A, with its more powerful engine, quiet pressurised cockpit, better oxygen system, crisper aileron response. Of my 1000ish hours flying the JP, only about 300 were spent in the draughty noisy cockpit of the Mk3A - my prerogative as flight commander.)

So here we go! Three quarter slow roll to the right, followed by a Derry turn away from the crowd. Up into a loop (oops - this is a 3A, not a 5A, so I get the burble over the top sooner than I expect. Unload a little, and it keeps flying), then straight into a reverse noddy stall turn. Wing over into a half reverse Cuban, followed by............. a voice from the right seat says "PLEASE don't pull too much G. I'll get into terrible trouble if we use up all the fatigue life".

So we stop showing off to the cheering crowd, and instead enjoy performing graceful aerial ballet. The devilish horns retract, but the wall-to-wall grin spreads right round the back of my head and meets in the middle of my face.

Lightning is flashing from a distant Cb (nothing to do with my devilish horns I hope), but the storm is moving away from the airport and it is time to land.

More nostalgia as we over fly Acklington, which used to be a flying training school equipped with Jet Provosts and is now an open cast coal mine. (I had similar nostalgia as we passed Ouston on the way out - Newcastle UAS used to be based there with Chipmunks.)

Speed below 140 knots, airbrakes in, undercarriage down (3 reds, 3 greens), flaps to take-off and indicating, fuel content and balance, harness tight and locked, brakes on, off, pressures exhausted. At 300 feet, speed below 125 knots, full flap and indicating. Speed 115 reducing to 90 knots at the threshold. Look into the distance along the runway, flare, smoothly close the throttle, and with a trundle we are back on Newcastle's wet runway.

Wow! Terrific! Fantastic!

Thanks to Frankie for the organisation, and thanks to the members of the Jet Provost group for so generously allowing us to play with their immaculate toy. Never seen so many BMPA members with such big grins.

But somehow I don't think nostalgia is what it used to be.

Dr Michael Bagshaw (Sqn Ldr - retd)

Programme

Friday 6th September

Arrivals by air to Newcastle Airport - transport provided to your hotel in the heart of Newcastle's exciting Quayside. For car arrivals parking is available at the hotel. By train it's a short taxi ride from the Central Station to the Quayside.

Evening meal at La Tasca - Spanish tapas with lots of Sangria or beer. Just the thing to get you in the mood to explore the vibrant nightlife of the Quayside (guided by one who has sampled it well!).

Saturday 7th September

Jet provost flying available all day - trips are expected to last approximately 30 minutes but longer trips can be arranged. This is an optional extra to the full programme.

Breakfast at Wallington - This is the stately home of the Trevelyan family and is now owned by the National Trust. There we shall be hearing from Tim Gates about 'archaeology from the air' and his photographs may well hold some clues for the flying competition later. Tim is not only one of the greatest authorities in this fascinating subject but he also acts as adviser to many university departments as well as the National Trust. This talk will change how you view the countryside from the air. We then have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Wallington to see why the National Trust will be closing the property for a year. Our guide will be the National Trust Historic Buildings Expert, Hugh Dixon, who is forfeiting his silver wedding morning celebrations to be our host. His knowledge of the treasures of Wallington is boundless. The trouble will be keeping him to time!

We leave Wallington for Newcastle Aero Club where a simply lunch will be served and we will start the flying competition. We hope to be able to visit the radar room to see if competitors are keeping to the correct course. If you come by car or rail we have reserved club aircraft with local instructors so that you can still take part in the flying competition for a small extra fee of £35. We are trying to ensure there is no advantage in having a local instructor as your pilot. There is no entry fee to aircraft owners using their own aircraft but if you have spare places to offer please let us know on the booking sheet - having spare eyes may be useful.

There will be a shuttle service to the Quayside or the Metro station throughout the afternoon for those who wish to explore the delights of our wonderful shopping centres or perhaps the new 'Centre for Life'. The climax of our day will be dinner at Trinity House - a unique maritime heritage dating back to 1505. Before dinner we shall be given a guided tour and introduction to the history of Trinity House. We will then enjoy good fellowship in wonderful surroundings and we shall have the gentle sound of the Northumbrian pipes to entertain us (not at all like the Scottish ones!).

For those with the energy there will be the chance to try the nightspots you missed on Friday.

Sunday 8th September

Breakfast in your hotel, then a choice of attending the AGM of the Association (members only) or taking in a bit of the life on the Quayside. We offer a guided walking tour tracing the changes to the Quayside since the keel boats. There is also a street market all morning, one of the oldest Sunday markets in Britain. At 11am we cross the new Millenium Bridge to the Baltic Flour Mill. It opened at one minute past midnight on 13th July - a novel launch of this brand new gallery. There will be a short private introduction to the thinking behind the gallery before you are free to roam at leisure. Lunch will be back on the Newcastle side of the bridge at the Malmaison Hotel, giving you the chance to take a last look at the river Tyne and the sights you have seen during an all action weekend.

We hope you will join us in the North where the nightlife is said to be the 5th best in the world. You will staying right at the heart of it all but your hotel is quietly tucked away from the revellers.