Chairman’s Messages

Chairman’s Messages

Message from Chairman

Dear Member,

Four important points to note and action:

HAC CHRISTMAS SOCIAL – TUE 9 DEC
Just one week to go to the 2025 HAC Christmas Social. Starting at 1930hrs in the RAFA Clubhouse and finishing when the last one leaves! Cash (and card) Bar. Everyone welcome, inc family and friends. To make this a free event, we need everyone to contribute an item of food – not too many mince pies please! 

CENTENARY DINNER – SAT 7 FEB 2026
We have now successfully booked the Chiltern Forest Golf Club and secured an outstanding menu choice. We can confirm that the ticket price will be just £39.50 per person which will include wine at the table (the Bar will remain open til 2359hrs and the prices are similar to a pub). We will write again next week to take bookings – tickets numbers will be limited.

HAC FOB REVIEW
The HAC FOB will be reviewed this week and updated on 1 Jan 26. Any bids for updates should be sent to opsman@haltonaeroclub.co.uk ASAP.

NIGHT RATING TRAINING – JAN-MAR 2026
We plan to conduct Night Rating training (probably at RAF Benson) in early 2026. Numbers will be limited and some members have already signed-up. If you would like to register your interest, please email deacon.brown@haltonaeroclub.co.uk 

Regards,
Mark
M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

First Thursday Social

First Thursday Social

First Thursday Social – 20 Nov 25

See what you all missed a special evening arranged for you ! Picture courtesy of Sam.

(Actually RAFA Club hosting a “Dining In Night” on Friday !)

I am sure the cold weather restricted attendance, those that did come were Samantha Davis, Deacon Brown, Steve Thorogood, Arthur Gill, Brian Lindsay, new member Jake Peel and myself.

We all enjoyed the evening and found plenty to chat about and the consensus was to continue in 2026, but meet at HAC. 

The possibilities of “group outings” were discussed to places like Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Aircraft Restoration Company (Duxford), RAF Museum Hendon and many more, we would welcome suggestions for additional or alternative venues.

Bomber Harris room at RAF High Wycombe coming soon and visit to Martin Baker to be arranged in early 2026.

Dave Scott

Chairman’s Messages

Message from OIC

Message from HAC Chairman

Dear Member,

Please continue to make the most of this great autumn weather and keep the bookings full. However, with BST coming to an end in 3 weeks, we look forward to a great evening programme as follows:

TUE 7 OCT – MISSIONARY AVIATION FELLOWSHIP – 1930hrs
The MAF is the world’s largest humanitarian air operator. Our very own David Tester will talk about aviation bringing help, hope and healing to people in remote places. Snacks to follow, cash bar open from 1900hrs.

NEW!! – 3rd THURSDAY OF THE MONTH SOCIAL NIGHTS
Dave Scott has arranged access to the RAFA Clubhouse for HAC members to socialise from 2000hrs on the following days:
> Thu 23 Oct
> Thu 20 Nov
If successful, this will continue throughout 2026 – please show your support.

TUE 4 NOV – FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR – 1930hrs
The progress, the set-backs (including the Mayday diversion in Germany) and the revised schedule.

TUE 9 DEC – HAC CHRISTMAS SOCIAL – 1930hrs
The traditional Christmas venue of the RAFA Clubhouse will see food and drink served from 1930hrs – more detail on BYO food to follow.

Regards,

Mark
M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

Add in more text boxes if you wish, and split into multiple columns.

NATS Visit Sep 25

NATS Visit Sep 25

The Day We Went to NATS

(and the Beach!)

On Tuesday 23rd September a party of 6 HAC members (Deacon, Dave Scott, Arthur Gill, Rachel Willson, Sam Davis and Andrew Dady) travelled down to visit NATS at Swanwick on a trip set up by one of our 2025 JROPSS scholars (Josh Blake – who until recently worked there before being posted to Akrotiri() and coordinated by Dave.

On arrival at Swanwick the party were joined by Steve and Glo Thorogood and were shown around by Tim Chapman and Billy Evans. Their guided tour and the  visits to the appropriate sections were  most enlightening and very interesting. It certainly gave the visitors an insight in  to the great work NATS do in supporting our GA flying. Steve and Glo certainly enjoyed meeting up with a number of their former work colleagues at NATS, real nostalgia.

The HAC team enjoyed a snack lunch and refreshments  in the “Mermaid” next to the Hamble River, after which Steve and Glo departed on their way home. The Halton party thought the weather was so good that it was too good an opportunity to miss and went down past Lee-on-Solent Airfield to the sea front. They decided that it would be wise to stay a while and miss the evening rush hour ( Ed:  a very thin excuse!) so found a Fish & Chip Shop and sat on the sea front, some choosing to paddle in the sea and do some stone skimming, before watching a beautiful sunset over the Solent, before heading home.  The team were even treated to a Spitfire flypast!

Rachel (in her good size people carrier) drove everyone to Swanwick, the sea front and safely home to Halton, where they arrived at 21.00. So a long but thoroughly successful day was enjoyed by all.

 

Halton Aero Club
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