For the third year running, the team today accepted the invitation by City Airport Manchester (Barton) to display at their increasingly popular Aviation and Family Fun Day and Aircraft Fly In Event.
Meeting early in the morning at our rainswept Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ, all the teams four Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances, our Minibus, our Control Trailer and SAR Boat, journeyed to City Airport Manchester (Barton) where the airport authorities gave us an excellent prime spot right in the middle of the outdoor display area.
Unlike last year when blue skies and temperatures soaring to 28c / 82f greeted us, today it was rain rain and more rain, it did clear up though from early afternoon onwards.
Despite the wet, the event still attracted large visitor numbers, all enjoying this excellently run family day, with many aircraft arriving having taken advantage of the ’no landing fees’ on offer throughout the day, and the invitation to visit this historic and interesting airport.
For the aviation buffs in the team, (Including our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE and Vice President Alan James) there was much to see, from the based aircraft to visiting aircraft from Executive Helicopters, to a huge variety of Microlights, light helicopters, light aircraft, Sports aircraft, biplanes,autogyros and aircraft cockpit sections.
The based NWAA Helimed 72 was on (very) public display, with visitors queuing for the ‘inspection tours’ around the aircraft led by the aircrew Paramedics.
A funfair, numerous aviation themed displays, Classic Police Vehicles, Classic cars, GMFRS Eccles fire Appliance, GMP Tactical Aid Unit van, refreshment stands, Birds of Prey, ourselves and very close up opportunities to view all the based and visiting aircraft on display, made for a great day out for all the visitors present.
In total seventeen of our Call Out list members were present, fielding questions from interested visitors to our display.
Two members of our Support Group, Amanda Strickleton and Sarah Hindle meanwhile encouraged visitors to make ‘donation purchases’ from all the 2nd hand books we had available. (Thanks to Flixton girls School for a recent donation of four boxes of second hand books for us to sell)
With thanks to the airport authorities who allow us to fundraise at this fantastic local event, we raised £22.00 on our ‘Guess the name of the Meerkat’ competition, £35.79p in donations from our 2nd hand book sales, £9.00 from Team wristband sales, and £51.75p from very kind public donations.
So in total we raised £118.54p today to help with the running costs of the team.
During the day a Flex wing aircraft came to grief, flipping over during landing. Paramedics from the based Air Ambulance went to offer assistance to the pilot and his passenger, with the Airport Fire and Rescue Services, and GMFRS Fire Appliance present on display all also responding, alongside another GMFRS Appliance called to the incident.
Our assistance was not required, and though the aircrew had to be released from the airframe, fortunately neither was hurt.
As our departure time came then the sun finally came out! ah well hopefully next year will see a return to blue skies all day, and the need for sun tan lotion.
We would like to express our thanks to Mark Knowles, Airfield Duty Manager, City Airport Manchester, who so gladly invited us to this day.
