BLADES magazine
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: UK
Absolutely agree about the inconsistency of any kind of subscription.
I've really enjoyed the issues I've received, but not now seen one for several months - and I think I'm a typically good target for many of their advertisers.
I've really enjoyed the issues I've received, but not now seen one for several months - and I think I'm a typically good target for many of their advertisers.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: in a skip
Got mine yesterday.
I've just spent 10 minutes wondering where to start.
Maybe a discussion about Phil Croucher's advice to buy a helicopter on completion of PPL, or Alan Mann Aviation Group implying (surely they can't be serious!) that you can train to fly on an Agusta 109. Perhaps they mean that you can train to fly an Agusta 109. I have to confess, I'm still reeling from Captain Q's revelation in an earlier publication that helicopters can't fly backwards.
Maybe I could start with ignoring the schoolboy grammatical errors.
No, can't be bothered.
And if anyone finds any errors -grammatical or otherwise- in this post, just remember that I've not charged you £2.75 to read them.
I've just spent 10 minutes wondering where to start.
Maybe a discussion about Phil Croucher's advice to buy a helicopter on completion of PPL, or Alan Mann Aviation Group implying (surely they can't be serious!) that you can train to fly on an Agusta 109. Perhaps they mean that you can train to fly an Agusta 109. I have to confess, I'm still reeling from Captain Q's revelation in an earlier publication that helicopters can't fly backwards.
Maybe I could start with ignoring the schoolboy grammatical errors.
No, can't be bothered.
And if anyone finds any errors -grammatical or otherwise- in this post, just remember that I've not charged you £2.75 to read them.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
I picked up on both of those points, but far be it from me to question those with more experience... Whilst I can see the sense in a cheap aircraft to build hours and then re-sell, I'm fairly sure you can't do a PPL on a 109 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Kings Caple, Ross-on-Wye.orPiccots End. Hertfordshire
Blades & Loop
Happily received my October issue of 'BLADES' today and a good read it is with some nice articles and news items. Still no October LOOP tho' ... anyone able to confirm confirm it has appeared? DRK
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Here.
Hi Dennis,
This is confusing: I've just received my 'Bi Monthly' copy of Blades! But you said you had just taken delivery of the October issue yet mine says November on it!
If it is 'Bi Monthly' then it should say October as it follows Issue 10 February, Issue 11 April, Issue 12 June, Issue 13 August so Issue 14 should be October yet the one that arrived through my door yesterday says Issue 11 November!!!!
Was there ever an October issue?
As regards Loop, that arrived yesterday too...........Issue 62 November.
This is confusing: I've just received my 'Bi Monthly' copy of Blades! But you said you had just taken delivery of the October issue yet mine says November on it!
If it is 'Bi Monthly' then it should say October as it follows Issue 10 February, Issue 11 April, Issue 12 June, Issue 13 August so Issue 14 should be October yet the one that arrived through my door yesterday says Issue 11 November!!!!
Was there ever an October issue?
As regards Loop, that arrived yesterday too...........Issue 62 November.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 12
From: lake district
spoke to a friend tonight who came in from work wet and tired yet was glued to blades from the moment he came in and never bothered with his bath!!! i want a copy please!!!!
how does a mere mortal like me pay for a subscription!!!
chris.
how does a mere mortal like me pay for a subscription!!!
chris.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Kings Caple, Ross-on-Wye.orPiccots End. Hertfordshire
Blades.
Sorry K77 ... you have to make make allowances for we COFs .... yup, mine says November too! And November LOOP arrived at the same time but I still don't know if an October issue came out. Anyone help?
My piece on the double DFC, 90 year-old ex RAF ... ex Armstrong Whitworth 'Whitley' bomber instructor at 1940s RAF Sleap should be with the Loop December issue. (And he's still instructing at Sleap Aerodrome today.)
Dennis Kenyon.
My piece on the double DFC, 90 year-old ex RAF ... ex Armstrong Whitworth 'Whitley' bomber instructor at 1940s RAF Sleap should be with the Loop December issue. (And he's still instructing at Sleap Aerodrome today.)
Dennis Kenyon.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: Land of damp and drizzle
Oddly enough, I've just received a copy of Loop (no Blades), despite not being a subscriber or having given them my details in at least 3 years (or having had anything else out of them in said 3 years). Or, in fact, having anything to do with fixed-wing aviation.
I suspect Loop's admin/subscriptions dept are easily confused, poor dears.
I suspect Loop's admin/subscriptions dept are easily confused, poor dears.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Kings Caple, Ross-on-Wye.orPiccots End. Hertfordshire
Blades
Thanks for the check K77 ... much appreciated.. I've completed a piece on the Essex Police ASU flying their EC 135 so I guess the Editor will now publish with the December Blades. Hope you lads out there enjoy our writing work. I've no complaints as I get to fly types that wouldn't normally come my way.
Take care all, Dennis Kenyon.
Take care all, Dennis Kenyon.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Coventry, UK
Subscription?
What concerns me now is that people seem to be getting Blades who are not paying for it!!
I used to get it delivered FOC, then got a letter enclosed with it saying that it was moving to a subscription fee.
My partner did the honours and I got the Nov issue delievered ok, the question is - Did we need to bother if some people are still getting it for nowt...
I'm not moaning as I enjoy the content but I do wonder how/if some people are still qualifying for a 'freebie'?
Jeff Hall
PPL(H) R44
I used to get it delivered FOC, then got a letter enclosed with it saying that it was moving to a subscription fee.
My partner did the honours and I got the Nov issue delievered ok, the question is - Did we need to bother if some people are still getting it for nowt...
I'm not moaning as I enjoy the content but I do wonder how/if some people are still qualifying for a 'freebie'?
Jeff Hall
PPL(H) R44
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Hmm, not sure about doing a PPL(H) on a 109, but you can certainly fly one as a PPL(H) holder, provided you do a mini-CPL(H) course with a long title 
Continuing the lateral thinking theme of my article, if you know someone with a 109, it may be beneficial for them to give you cheap flying because they may otherwise pay much more in tax - I'm not an accountant so get advice on this (maybe whirls knows something about it). It would appear that larger helicopters can only be written down over shorter periods if they do lots of flying (say over 600 hours per year). For some reason, the taxman thinks they don't need so much maintenance (yeah, I know, go figure).
Similarly, a helicopter that doesn't fly a lot still needs maintenance every 60 days or so - and it goes unserviceable more often. You may know such an owner who would be willing to help out with hour building in return for a small contribution.
I know of at least 2 people who have bought their own helicopter and built their own hours - one even set up his own AOC and hired his own pilots. He was doing so well, he nearly didn't bother finishing his licence. He's now flying a 76.
Phil
Continuing the lateral thinking theme of my article, if you know someone with a 109, it may be beneficial for them to give you cheap flying because they may otherwise pay much more in tax - I'm not an accountant so get advice on this (maybe whirls knows something about it). It would appear that larger helicopters can only be written down over shorter periods if they do lots of flying (say over 600 hours per year). For some reason, the taxman thinks they don't need so much maintenance (yeah, I know, go figure).
Similarly, a helicopter that doesn't fly a lot still needs maintenance every 60 days or so - and it goes unserviceable more often. You may know such an owner who would be willing to help out with hour building in return for a small contribution.
I know of at least 2 people who have bought their own helicopter and built their own hours - one even set up his own AOC and hired his own pilots. He was doing so well, he nearly didn't bother finishing his licence. He's now flying a 76.
Phil