21/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Dum Dum airport is a very odd little place in India. I particularly like their style of announcements as per this slideshow..you will need to have headphones or switch on your speakers.

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14/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

During my week in Kolkata I talked alot about what it is like to fly light aeroplanes. During my flight home, i could not stop thinking about getting back in the air in the left hand seat of the PA28. My first call once i got back was to Terry at Cranfield and i booked his PA28.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day for flying. I chose to go on my own and enjoy spending some quality me time with myself and watching the world. My first time flying to Gloucester. The Landing fee was a bit steep but nevermind. I had planned to fly to Kemble, however due to the Royal International Air Tattoo, there was no way that i was going to get caught up in all the various restrictions in the NOTAMS. So i chose the diversion airfield for Kemble, which is Gloucester.

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09/07/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

On October 13th Full Circle will be launched at the Menier Chocolate factory London. The show is in aid of Rotary International’s vision for a polio free world. Here is a slideshow of the mad mad mad but wonderful week i have just had in Kolkata, my birthplace.

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29/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

10 young carers from Spurgeons joined us for the day to take flying lessons. Here is a slideshow with music - if you wish to view the webpage and a slideshow without music please click on the group image below…

to view to the slideshow without music click on this image….

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25/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The Menier Chocolate Factory opened in 2004 and later that year had its first West End transfer (Fully Committed). It has received numerous awards including the prestigious Evening Standard Theatre award for Outstanding Newcomer 2005.

Throughout its history, the building has been inspired by both individuality and the pursuit of quality. Built in 1870 to house a chocolate factory, this unique space now comprises an art gallery, restaurant and theatre. Having maintained the original exposed wooden beams, unusual cast iron columns and an amazing brick feature interior.

Full Circle will be exhibiting between 13th October - 19th October 2008. Gautam Lewis of Freedom in the Air will  photograph the locations of his early childhood in Kolkata, India for a London photo exhibit coinciding with World Polio Day: 24 October. Read the rest of this entry »

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17/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Gautam Lewis will photograph the locations of his early childhood in Kolkata, India for a London photo exhibit coinciding with World Polio Day: 24 October.

The exhibit, entitled “Full Circle” will focus on Rotary’s worldwide efforts to eradicate polio, and will feature Gautam’s story, as a polio survivor from London who traveled to his birthplace of India to immunize children against the disease.

“Full Circle” will include a mix of Gautam’s childhood photos juxtaposed with new photos he takes in Kolkata. It will also include photos of Gautam immunizing children against polio by photographer Jean-Marc Giboux, interspersed with Jean-Marc’s photos of children being immunized in remote regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Full Circle exhibition will run between Oct 13th – 19th 2008 at the Menier Gallery, London.

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11/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Various versions of the Smiling Wings slideshow and movie depending on what operating system you use can be viewed by clicking on the below links.

- Click on the image to play Smiling Wings Movie

- Picture Slideshow

Quick time movie version with music
Flash 8 versions with music
Html slideshow without music

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07/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

All the Smiling Wings pilots and parents had a very special day out on Friday at Cranfield. This quicktime movie version may take a while to load depending on your internet speed, but it will load. Here are 2 other versions if you cant view…

Flash 8 versions with music
Html slideshow without music

I am really overwhelmed at the effort people made to make the day so very special for the children. I wish to thank the following people, David Wilkins, Lisa Borges & Gerry at Cranfield Airport management team and press office, Mike Willoughby, David Coulson, Donald Putnam and Terry Akeroyd who provided the aeroplanes and the instruction. To Sebastian Pooley for the wonderful goody bags that each child received and finally to the helpers and the film crew Read the rest of this entry »

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03/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The first time i met William Hynett, Britten-Norman’s Group Chief Executive was over a beer at Aero Expo 2007, High Wycombe. BN is the only independent aircraft manufacturer left in the UK. They also assemble Cirrus in their factory on the Isle of Wight. I went there once in a PA28 out of Lasham. Andrew Mackay-Johnstone (one of the trustees of Aviation without Borders) is a very close friend of the man who runs Cirrus and promised to take me flying in a Cirrus SR22 - the same planes that BN assemble…I found this great picture of an Islander (also made by BN) on the web

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26/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

On May 22nd 2008, Brian Catchpole went Solo. CONGRATULATIONS Brain, you really deserve to have this special feeling all student pilots get when flying solo for the first time. The strongest memory i have from my solo flight is the great sense of achievement and freedom - my report from that day can be read here..

I first met Brian when we were shortlisted for the Flying Scholarship for the disabled selection board at RAF Cranwell. Neither Brian or myself were selected for the flying scholarship and we have not given up our dream Read the rest of this entry »

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20/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

I opened my eyes this morning to glistening sunshine beaming through my curtains. I got myself ready, sent some emails and then called Terry Ackeroyd at Cranfield to check if India Oscar was available for me to do a navex to White Waltham. I checked to see if my Flight instructor friend Bruno would be working but no, it is his day off today.

Read the rest of this entry »

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16/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Flying is more controversial than ever. As the world’s population grows and flying becomes more affordable, the appeal of jetting off on holiday outshines the darker side of aviation - its carbon footprint.

So how is flying affecting our climate? - I went to the Science museum to find out more

Does Flying Cost the Earth - The funniest videos are a click away

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07/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Peter Burkin who i met the other day at Connington sent me these great pictures that he took as i was taxiing to the departure point - great shots peter and thanks..

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