Helicopter wanted for Armed Forces Day 29th June

[Aubrey.]

Evening all, please forgive the short notice, but I have a request on behalf of my father. He's helping organise a charity fundraising event on Armed Forces Day Saturday 29th June in aid of Help for Heroes. They are hoping to have a helicopter land on site and maybe auction a short flight for charity. The event is at the Jolly Farmer pub in Cliddesden, just South of Basingstoke. It's running from 13.00 hours, all afternoon, there will be refreshments and a BBQ, all free for pilot(s) of course! They are aiming for 100-200 people in attendence.

The landing area is a large, long open wedge-shaped field behind the pub with permission for landing granted by the landowner. The field is in the Odiham MATZ (Odiham Approach 131.300). I've not seen the landing site, but a look on Google Earth shows the field being used for a kite flying event on the day the Google images were taken, and it appears to be large, open, free of obstacles and surrounded by hedges. It is right next to the M3 motorway. Access to the field will be restricted and marshalls will be present to keep public clear of the landing area. The organisers did have an aircraft booked to fly in, but they cancelled at short notice, hence the late nature of this request.

The coordinates of the field are 51.240594,-1.098536 and the grid reference is: SU 63015 49376

It's approximately 1550ft long, 300ft wide at it's narrowest point and 650ft wide at it's widest point.

Anyone flying in would be made enormously welcome and fed as many burgers/hotdogs as they can manage! And of course it's for a good cause.
Any interested parties please do PM me and I can put you in touch with the organisers to discuss it further.

http://s10.postimg.org/snolwg5iv/Field.png

http://s23.postimg.org/oz8p0fr0b/Screen_Shot_2013_06_19_at_19_16_40.png

http://s23.postimg.org/ois2rqsmz/Screen_Shot_2013_06_19_at_19_17_28.png

http://s23.postimg.org/wdy0stcvv/Screen_Shot_2013_06_19_at_19_28_00.png

[DirtDiver]

No i wish i had a helicopter, license etc :)

[nomorehelosforme]

Sorry no helicopter from me, but maybe post a charity link on here, I'm sure you will benefit from that also, good luck!

[Aubrey.]

The event is mentioned on the venue website: Home - jollyfarmercliddesden (http://www.jollyfarmercliddesden.co.uk)

and it's in aid of Help for Heroes - UK Military Charity (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk)

There's also the prospect of a few classic cars to look at too...!

[chevvron]

Just south of there are two places that had helipads, Preston House (Peter Cadbury) and another (Farleigh House?) which was owned by the son of T.O.M. Sopwith. If they were still around, I'm sure one of them would help.

[SilsoeSid]

You've probably thought of it anyway Aubrey, but have you contacted the units at Odiham? Although the raffled short flight idea wouldn't be available, you might even get a couple of ac depending what might be going on that weekend.
I think the Chinook display team are still based there.
RAF Chinook Display Team (http://www.raf.mod.uk/chinookdisplayteam/)

Free BBQ......you might even end up with whole squadrons :eek:


For next time, how about applying for a Red Arrows flypast;
RAF Red Arrows - Requesting a Display or Flypast (http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/displayinfo/requestdisplsyflypast.cfm)
:ok:

[nomorehelosforme]

Have you posted on the military air crew thread on here? You never know what might happen then!

[John R81]

2 things will cause you problems here

1. Silverstone, British Grand Prix. Many machines will be very busy that day
2. Clearance from CAA to land a machine close to a large gathering of people. You can get it but it takes time.

Sorry, but I cannot help due to (1) above; both my machines are busy that day. Good luck

[nomorehelosforme]

How are you getting on with running 2 machines, correct me if wrong a Robinson and an EC?

[John R81]

Pretty good, thanks for asking. The 120 is proving cheaper to keep in the air, surprisingly. The 12 year went ok, small area of corrosion on one mating face of the gearbox delayed things a little but now back in the air and engine not due until 2020. The R44 will run out of hours this year so her rebuild will be this winter. Thought about trading her out with 250 hrs but too difficult to find another Clipper2.

John

[nomorehelosforme]

Won't divert this thread will Pm you if ok?

[John R81]

See very short PM:O:O

[VeeAny]

John,

If there are only 100-200 people in attendance, I am not sure it would be something that would fall foul of any 'big group of people rules'.

Even if it did need permission, if I recall correctly, to land near an open air assembly of more than 1000 people just requires compliance with the relevant bits of AIP Gen 1.6.

Happy to be wrong, it would be a shame to not get this done if it was deemed to be difficult, just in case someone can help.

GS

[John R81]

Less than 1000 people then I agree. Unfortunately, I can't help out that weekend.

[SilsoeSid]

How is your search going so far Aubrey? Looks like a military request might be the way to go.

Aubrey, Aubrey.....you still here here here here?

[mickjoebill]

If Silverston is on try for a double, heli ride to the track and entry to F1.

Lucky punter could be picked up enroute to the track.

Start the auction now, deep walleted F1 fans giving money to the cause spreads your customer base...

And a charter operator donating one seat is less of a drama than taking 5 seats out of action...



Mickjoebill

[[email protected]]

Too late for mil requests - they are processed by the Participation Committee at the beginning of the year so very unlikely you would get anything at such short notice.

[SilsoeSid]

I guess the days of, "Anybody fancy taking a cab to the MG Owners club meeting at xxx on Sunday?", are long gone :(

[ShyTorque]

If Silverston is on try for a double, heli ride to the track and entry to F1.
Lucky punter could be picked up enroute to the track.
Start the auction now, deep walleted F1 fans giving money to the cause spreads your customer base...
And a charter operator donating one seat is less of a drama than taking 5 seats out of action...
Mickjoebill

A nice idea but I for one wouldn't be able to afford to pick up the tab for that trip!

[Aubrey.]

I believe they've approached Odiham and Benson too but with no luck at present. Shame it conflicts with Silverstone but there's still time, so keeping fingers crossed.

John - Kind of you to consider it though, shame your aircraft are busy!

[SilsoeSid]

Don't know how they stand on this kind of thing these days, but how about the Police unit at Benson?

[nomorehelosforme]

Ask for a fly past as so much going on this weekend in the south east?

[MOSTAFA]

Maybe ask the same SAR crew, the one that overflow the Royal? Wedding at the weekend or invite somebody royal to the gig.