Our esteemed leaders choppers
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Our esteemed leaders choppers
There's an article in the current UK AOPA magazine on that subject which is well worth reading - AOPA have brought together a panel of three GA pilots, all MPs, one from each party. Basically these three fellows have agreed to try and lobby for GA in parliament, as well as provide a degree of liaison with the GA community. They are...
Gerald Howarth (Conservative, fixed wing & aerobatic)
Nigel Griffith (Labour, helicopter pilot)
Lembit Opik (Lib-Dem, fixed wing + gliders, formerly paragliders).
I was particularly amused by the little snippet about Lembit Opik, who apparently was flying his party leader (Charles Kennedy if anybody's forgotten), from Hurn to Teeside in a PA31 when he handed his leader a note reading...
"Dear Leader. We are cruising at 200mph at 9,000 feet. I'm currently flying the aircraft and there are no parachutes. Would this be a good time to request the transport portfolio".
You've got to respect that sort of negotiating stance
G
Gerald Howarth (Conservative, fixed wing & aerobatic)
Nigel Griffith (Labour, helicopter pilot)
Lembit Opik (Lib-Dem, fixed wing + gliders, formerly paragliders).
I was particularly amused by the little snippet about Lembit Opik, who apparently was flying his party leader (Charles Kennedy if anybody's forgotten), from Hurn to Teeside in a PA31 when he handed his leader a note reading...
"Dear Leader. We are cruising at 200mph at 9,000 feet. I'm currently flying the aircraft and there are no parachutes. Would this be a good time to request the transport portfolio".
You've got to respect that sort of negotiating stance
G
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It's a good article.
Gerald Howarth is an old friend of mine, and it's true he's very pro aviation.
The only problem is that his views in general are to the right of Genghis Khan which rather limits his political influence in these modern post-Thatcher times.
Gerald Howarth is an old friend of mine, and it's true he's very pro aviation.
The only problem is that his views in general are to the right of Genghis Khan which rather limits his political influence in these modern post-Thatcher times.
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G-JCBJ is a C+ , a quite different beastie from a mere C
Actually, both parties have in the past chartered the SAME helicopter at different times - shock horror, just to confuse the press, making nonsense of the article.
Actually, both parties have in the past chartered the SAME helicopter at different times - shock horror, just to confuse the press, making nonsense of the article.
Last edited by ShyTorque; 7th Apr 2005 at 17:35.
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Lord Haughey (of Carlisle Airport and Haughey Aviation) seems to get kicks (or something) by loaning out his helicopters to the Tories and Labour. In 2001 he gave William Hague free use and he's doing the same to Howard for this Election. But, at Battersea on Tuesday, T Blair headed for Weymouth on a Haughey heli.......could this all be something to do with Carlisle Airport's desire for cash to expand ??
Haughey is the only person to have served in the Upper houses of both the UK and Eire parliaments.......£300m.....no.11 on the Sunday Times Rich List.
Today Howard flew in the same Sikorsky used by Blair on Tuesday. Has anyone told him ?
Haughey is the only person to have served in the Upper houses of both the UK and Eire parliaments.......£300m.....no.11 on the Sunday Times Rich List.
Today Howard flew in the same Sikorsky used by Blair on Tuesday. Has anyone told him ?
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Freebie - is that what I wrote ? No.
Both Howard and Hague have declared the flights in the Register at HOP - so they are free. Blair is, according to his party, chartering from Haughey.
The word "loaning" doesn't imply FOC.
Both Howard and Hague have declared the flights in the Register at HOP - so they are free. Blair is, according to his party, chartering from Haughey.
The word "loaning" doesn't imply FOC.
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BBC Report
As the main party leaders dash from one press conference to another by plane or helicopter, the Greens are travelling by bike, public transport or on foot.
The Greens say one of the parties' aircraft alone will release 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the campaign.
At a press launch in central London, Green Party candidates stressed their point by cycling around on promo ad-bikes.
Err, yes .......... 
Greens pedal campaign challenge
As the main party leaders dash from one press conference to another by plane or helicopter, the Greens are travelling by bike, public transport or on foot.
The Greens say one of the parties' aircraft alone will release 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the campaign.
At a press launch in central London, Green Party candidates stressed their point by cycling around on promo ad-bikes.
Charles Kennedy however is apparently ensuring that enough trees are being planted to make his ATR42 "carbon neutral".
I'd not choose to play myself, but British politics really is a marvellous spectator sport isn't it.
G
I'd not choose to play myself, but British politics really is a marvellous spectator sport isn't it.
G
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Oh, Love that press release!
Message sent:
"Dear Charlie,
Further to your press statement regarding tree planting, I will be at home on Thursday.
Please send your team round at 0900 prompt. I will be on hand to show them where I would like the trees placed.
Five dozen large Cypress Leylandii will be sufficient on this occasion, but I may be able to further assist your Carbon Neutral Campaign in months to come. I trust Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh will be along to assist as I may find a bit of decking and an archway that needs doing while the team is on site. Please be advised, the weather is a bit nippy just now, so do be sure to cover up your chest.
Yours sincerely,
Shytorque."
Great bunch of chaps, this Charlie Dimmock bloke and the Groundforce Team.
Message sent:
"Dear Charlie,
Further to your press statement regarding tree planting, I will be at home on Thursday.
Please send your team round at 0900 prompt. I will be on hand to show them where I would like the trees placed.
Five dozen large Cypress Leylandii will be sufficient on this occasion, but I may be able to further assist your Carbon Neutral Campaign in months to come. I trust Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh will be along to assist as I may find a bit of decking and an archway that needs doing while the team is on site. Please be advised, the weather is a bit nippy just now, so do be sure to cover up your chest.
Yours sincerely,
Shytorque."
Great bunch of chaps, this Charlie Dimmock bloke and the Groundforce Team.
