Off the top of my head - I don't have any notes or books to hand - the ANEC II was designed and built by the Air Navigation and Engineering Company(?) as an entry to the 1924 two-seater Lympne trials. The idea was to find a good training aircraft for the RAF, but the spec was too tight - the engines were too small and the tasks they had to complete not too relevant. In consequence many of the entrants were 'powered gliders', such as the ANEC II, the Wren and the HP Sayers. Few, if any of the trials aircraft were successul, but the series (I think they were held from 1923 to 1929) led to the Tiger Moth, so the aim was achieved and the rest is history.
Regarding the advertising of significant non-events such as the ANEC test, I'm afraid the answer is no. The pressures on the pilot and engineers for first flights are high enough as it is. They can do without the added pressure of letting the right people know (there are always one or two who believe they should have been told), and when there, the dissappointment to the spectators of a no-fly decision can also present added pressure to 'go anyway' - the eventual no-fly decision will then offend.
Remember that for such a machine as the ANEC, there are no pilot's notes, no drawings, no documentaion - except what can be found in period books, reports and mags. Handling qualities of these early machines are also something of a challenge when compared to their modern counerparts, even for a certified machine.
The first flight must be a no-pressure event, therefore, no pre-arranged spectators - if you happen to be there, then your luck will be in.
The current plan is to expand the flight envelope over the next few weeks, and serviceability and no major anomalies permitting, we hope to have a permit to fly for the aircraft for this season.
Last edited by Airbedane; 8th Mar 2004 at 15:33.