I'm pleased to announce that, thanks to a lot of hard work by Keith, Mike,Phil and Steve, the 2007 Luscombe Tour is now set in stone and looks to be even more fun than last year!         

The Tour, unusually, will start off with a Curry and Beer night on the Friday evening, 22nd June, for those who wish to fly down to Popham, ready for an earliest departure at 9.30am on Saturday morning of the 23rd June. This gives you all the opportunity to fuel up {in many ways!} the night before. Camping facilities and the club house will be available with Mike Cross supplying the Beer and Curry - think I've got that right - right Mike?? Mike deep thanks to Dick at Popham for allowing us these facilities.          

Having learnt from our successful 2006 Tour, departing at 09.30am from Popham on Saturday morning is CRITICAL if this going to run on time! Arriving at Bicester, a well known gliding club at 10:15 for tea/Coffee and Bacon Butty {world famous!} we then depart for Sackville Farm, beside old RAF Bedford, for a two hour lunch/BBQ and 'chin wag' - a lovely surrounding.

Departing Sacville Fm at 13:45pm, we fly across to Fowlmwere, arriving at 15:10, who are very keen to see us and there, in the shadow of Duxford, we can enjoy what has got to be one of the loveliest grass strips in the country!          

Well watered,  at 15:10, we fly off N/E bound for Marshland, 6' below sea level, and as always, we can get some stunning photos of us posing along the way! Arriving at marshland around 15:50 we settle into more story telling, over a cuppa and take off, around 16:45pm, West Bound on our final leg, for Northampton {Sywell} arriving about 17:30, for a well ear's Beer and excellent food in the Aviator Hotelwhich is on campus, looking across at our Luscombes stretching as far as the eye can see on the newly cut grass! Should be a good night..!          

Having refuelled at Sywell the night before, we depart, bright eyed and bushy tailed{??} at 09:30 {CRITICAL!} for the beautiful strip of Croft Farm, 3nm N/W of Pershore, arriving at 11:15am to meet up with chaps flying with us across to Shobden for lunch. An hour later we depart for a scenic trip across to shobden, arriving at 11:50 for a 2 hour lunch at their well respected airfield with lots going on - and we are promised lots of fuel this year!          

Rolling down the Runway at 13:50pm, we head Southbound for our favourite - Oaksey Park for more tea?Coffee and photo shoots. There will be a possibility of visiting Badminton on the way, will let you know more later. The final leg will be into Old sarum, departing around 15:35pm and arriving 16:20pm for a wind down cuppa and fond {I hope!} farewell..          

The timings are based on 75 knots, still air and I hope pilots will be able to join us along the way as these times are pretty realistic.

A mail drop will be going out shortly, outlining the Rally and the Tour. My no is 07968,980624 if you wish to call me regarding these two events. The chaps running the show over the two days, with Loud Hailers, are Keith Old {BSSA} phone no 0798,5966870, Phil Laycock{AGMI} no 0795,2559378 Mike Cross{BTCH} no 0771,2128821, and last but not least Steve Martin{EITE} no 0777,5712466. You can contact these sterling chaps on the day, who will advise you of any changes or confirmations to the program.      

 One noteworthy point regarding Sackville Farm, the threshold of Rny 13 is displaced by about 300 meters due undulating ground but this still leaves you 730 meters to play with! Fowlmere has a bird sanctuary{RSPB} to the North, so please avoid this.      

Fuel is available at Fowlmere and on arrangement with Sacville Fm {probably Mogas} and Bicester's fuel is a major cross country!! Fuel is available at all other destinations.      

As per last year, Sally has given you links on the Tour itinery which should give you all you need to know regarding circuits, field lengths etc. The 'Lads' will brief  you all about anything pertinent regarding the next destination and Mike Cross will be publishing information concerning Notams or significant problems{danger areas etc]on route. For a bit of fun, we'd like, as it worked well last year{ Keith??}, a volunteer as to lead a particular leg!       Finally, I hope you can all make a special effort to join us, as the photo opportunities and 'fun' factor will be enormous! The magazines, once again will be watching closely! I hope visitors will join in also! We pray for fine, calm weather!     

 Nige 'bertie' Barratt

(In order for you to plan your weekend, the scheduled times can be found here)

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