Wessex Aviation Network

East Boldre This book tells the story of the pioneering flights from 1910 to 1920.

Saturday 2nd December Middle Wallop - Museum of Army Flying Event

Santa will be making a special flying visit to the Army Flying Museum on Saturday 2nd December. The Army Flying Museum elf will greet visitors and tickets include the opportunity to have a professional photograph taken with Santa in our Scout helicopter. There will also be Christmas themed family craft activities for everyone to enjoy. Each child ticket includes a drink and Christmas biscuit from our Apache Café and accompanying adults can enjoy a complimentary tea or filter coffee. There will be a fun festive trail around the Museum and if that wasn’t enough, children will be able to collect a special gift from the Army Flying Museum elf. Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB. https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/events/naval-aviator/

Monday 4th December Hedge End - Hampshire  Industrial  Archaeology  Society (HIAS) Talk

SS Shieldhall:   Keeping a 67 year old vessel operational. All meetings  are held at the Underhill Centre, St. John's Road, Hedge End, SO30 4AF at 7.45 PM on the first Monday of the month, unless stated otherwise. Visitors Welcome. Free Car Parking. https://www.hias.org.uk/meetings.htm

Tuesday 5th December Bishop's Waltham – Bishop’s Waltham Aviation Group Lecture

Jack Froelich – ‘Flying the Boeing KC135’ Jack makes a welcome return to relate his experiences of flying the Boeing KC135 Stratotanker with the USAF in the 1970’s. This follows his 2019 talk on an earlier period with the Caribou in Vietnam. The KC135 entered service in April 1957 and is only now being replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus. Jack’s presentation promises to again be well informed and entertaining. Doors  open at 7:45pm with presentation starting at 8:00pm. We meet in the Church Hall, off Free Street Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire SO32 1EE. A location map and directions can be found in the 'ABOUT' section of this site. The fee for each meeting is normally £3.00. Website www.bwavg.co.uk.

Wednesday 6th December Romsey - South Hampshire Historical Aviation Society (SHHAS) Talk

Britain's V Bombers by Andy Richardson. Andy gives a first-hand account of how these deadly but arguably beautiful aircraft kept Britain safe during the 1960 Cold War era. The talk covers the need for the development of these awesome machines how crews were selected trained and lived before concluding with how events would have unfolded if they had ever been tasked to launch an attack in anger. All meetings 7.30 for 7.45pm start. Romsey Working Men's Conservative Club. Non-members very welcome (£4 on the door). Contact Mike Webster wmcbug+AT+aol.com

Wednesday 6th December Guildford - Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) Surrey Network

The talk traces the history of Christmas Celebrations through the Victorian period and explains how Saint Nicholas became Santa Claus bringer of joy and happiness. The talk will be presented by Helen Naylor. 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Free to attend. East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, Leatherhead Surrey KT24 6QT. https://events.theiet.org/events/rms-the-history-of-christmas-celebration/

Thursday 7th December Yeovil - Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES) Yeovil Lecture ****

Presents from the Skies - How a Helicopter Flies. Santa is always looking to explore new technologies for delivering presents as quickly and safely as possible, so naturally the use of helicopter technology is something he has been developing for many, many years. Some of Santa’s Helpers from Leonardo Helicopters Yeovil, the home of British Helicopters, have agreed to give us an exclusive talk on current and future rotorcraft technologies. 18:00-20:00 Approx Finish.  Main Hall at Yeovil College, Main Hall, Kingston Building, Yeovil College, Mudford Road, BA21 4DR. RAeS & AWASA Members FREE, Non-Members £2. If you have any queries, questions or would like to provide feedback, do not hesitate to contact the Branch via Yeovil+AT+aerosociety.com

Thursday 7th December Southampton - Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES) Solent Lecture ****

We are pleased to announce that our next double lecture.   Safran Helicopter Engines: Rotorcraft propulsion strategy to Net Zero & Transforming Aerospace Casting from Dark Art to Data Driven Science. CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines UK  Nick Earl will present an overview of Safran Helicopter Engines and its current portfolio of gas turbines followed by a snapshot into the future of rotorcraft propulsion.   Following Nick’s presentation, Safran Supplier Development Engineer Dr Victoria Thomas will uncover the “Dark Art of Aerospace Metal Casting” by the application of science and data in the modern foundry. Doors open 18:15 lecture starts 18:30. Venue:   46 (Physics) Room 2005 Building, Highfield Campus University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ .Contact Mike Westby Secretary 01980 556600 email solent+AT+aerosociety.com. http://www.solent-raes.org.uk

Saturday 9th December Bournemouth– Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Wessex Area Lecture ****

Christmas Event – Hovercraft Museum and Festive Lunch. This event is open to all. Please do bring along family, friends and any colleagues who are interested. Membership is not required. Portsmouth and IOW’s Final Event of 2023! A group visit to the Hovercraft Museum in Lee on Solent with guided tour and talk given about the key exhibits. 10:00 - 15:00. Adults Museum only £5.   Lunch £16. This will be followed by a festive lunch at the Bun Penny Inn PH. Online booking officially closed 25th November but spaces may still be available. PortIOWChair+AT+IMechENearYou.org.   https://nearyou.imeche.org/near-you/UK/Wessex/event-detail?id=21687

Monday 11th December Andover - Andover Strut

The Andover Strut meets on the 2nd Monday in the month at Popham Airfield (EGHP). Visitors welcome.   We normally gather at around 19:30 for a 20:00 start. Tea, coffee and  biscuits  available throughout the evening. http://www.andoverstrut.org.uk

Monday 11th December Chichester - Arun & Chichester (Air) Enthusiasts Society Air ACES

Concorde the legend by Phil Holt. What better way to rediscover the grace and glamour of perhaps the most beautiful aircraft in history than this nostalgic presentation from Air Traffic Controller Phil Holt? Concorde was the first aircraft that Phil spoke to "live", after being posted to Heathrow Airport in 1978. The ingenuity and expertise of designers, to the crews who flew Concorde, are rekindled. However, it was not all "plain sailing", the Americans and the fuel crisis conspired to almost the ending of her life in the 70's and 80's, but the loyalty of Concorde's passengers carried her through. Nevertheless, Concorde was prematurely retired in October 2003. Phil Holt will also recall the celebrities and humour as he involves you in the "Concorde experience"!   Members £5/Guests £7. 19:00 for 19:30 start. The Avisford Park Hotel, Yapton Lane, Walderton, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0LS. Contact David Batcock on 01243-823007 or email info+AT+airaces.org.uk

Tuesday 12th December Salisbury – Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) ONLINE Presentation

Old Sarum Airfield from beginning to early 30s by John Sharpe MBE. Having spent 43 years in the RAF John retired at Boscombe Down and immediately began the development of the Aviation Collection and oversaw it's relocation to the Old Sarum Airfield. As project Director he has built up the collection in two rare WWI Hangars. His interest in the development of the airfield led him to write a highly successful short history. Starts at 19.00 ONLINE. Non-members and members whose email address is not known to BDAC who wish to join a presentation need to register securely with BDAC via the website. http://www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/

Tuesday 12th December Salisbury - Salisbury Area IMechE Arnold Barks Lecture 2023 ****

"The mathematics that can stop an AI Apocalypse" Presented by Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE PhD HonDSc. The late great Professor Stephen Hawking once said: "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race." So how do you prevent an AI from taking over the world? 18:30 to 21:30. Salisbury Guildhall. Standard Tickets £15 include wine and canapé reception.   https://nearyou.imeche.org/near-you/UK/Wessex/Salisbury-Area/event-detail?id=21539

Tuesday 12th December Farnborough - Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES) Farnborough Lecture ****

Data Responsibility in Today's Modern Digital Aviation Ecosystem. Speaker Olly Walters Technical Director TAG Aviation Europe. Aircraft generate huge amounts of data which if used correctly can be effective and useful. Such examples are highlighting the aircraft’s reliability and premature fault detection but on the flip side, the data can equally be used for commercial exploitation. This lecture will discuss how data requirements are handled in current supplier agreements. 19:00 - 21:30. Lectures are now held at the Westminster Theatre, Farnborough College of Technology (FCOT), Boundary Road, Farnborough, GU14 6SB. The Westminster Theatre is in the UCF Study Centre building close to the main entrance in Boundary Road. Contact jo.davies+AT+raes-volunteer.org or farnborough+AT+aerosociety.com.

Tuesday 12th December Salisbury – Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) ONLINE Presentation

Old Sarum Airfield from Beginning to Early 30s – Sqn Ldr John Sharpe MBE RAF (rtd). Starts at 19.00 ONLINE. Non-members and members whose email address is not known to BDAC who wish to join a presentation need to register securely with BDAC via the website. http://www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/

Wednesday 13th December Cirencester – Cirencester Science and Technology Society Lecture
Why does Rudolf have a Shiny Nose? Chris Budd OBE, Professor of Applied Maths, University of Bath. 7:30 pm. Sir Emrys Jones Lecture Theatre, RAU. Cirencester GL7 6JS. All lectures are open to the public: Entry for full-time students is free, other visitors are asked to make a donation of £3. https://www.cirenscience.org.uk/events/lecture-programme

Thursday 14th December Bournemouth - Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES) Christchurch ONLINE Lecture ****

Space Debris Removal The Road to Commercial Viability by Alex Godfrey Business Development Manager Astroscale. Large commercial satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) provide essential services but increase the number of objects in key orbits. This raises the risk of further debris creation and could ultimately make these orbits unusable for future generations. Commercial services for post-mission disposal are now essential to maintain the safe use of LEO orbits for the benefit of humankind. This event may be used for anyone pursuing professional recognition, or further development, as evidence for your  CPD  records and we can provide a Certificate of Attendance. This lecture will be presented using the Zoom platform.   You do not need a Zoom account to take part.   To book your place, please e-mail christchurch+AT+aerosociety.com.

Thursday 14th December Newport - Royal Aeronautical Society (RAES) IoW Lecture ****

From Biggin Hill to D-Day – A Very Secret Radio War. Tim Wander - General Manager, Marconi Communications (Rtd.). This is the untold and recently researched story of a very secret war – a programme that would transform a prototype television service into RADAR and a listening station on Culver Cliff into the secret code breaking station X…Bletchley Park. Leading on from Tim’s RAeS lecture - From the Brooklands to the BBC, he will tell the story of how Royal Flying Corps (RFC) pioneer radio engineers lead the BBC to develop television and how this work transformed into RADAR, FM radio, and shortwave international broadcasting. 18:00 - 19:45 BST. Isle of Wight College - Main Hall. Medina Way, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5TA. All Are Welcome - RAeS Members and Non-Members. Contact Lewis Chatwin Secretary RAeS IoW Branch. More Info:- Graham Thomas - secretary+AT+aerosocietyiow.co.uk

Friday 15th December East Boldre - New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association Talk

By popular request, Marc Heighway will repeat his talk on the history of Beaulieu Airfield from the lead-up to its construction, into wartime, and through to modern day. The talk includes never before seen photography and film from the airfield, tales of bravery, inspiring stories and strange events that happened at the RAF and USAAF Station, plus tributes to the many men who lost their lives. It also includes a visual tour of what remains today. Doors open 7pm. Tickets £5 in advance from nfhwa.org.

Southampton Model Aeroplane Club

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