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SERIAL: 1139
REG: G-AYCK
Basic training aircraft/Two seats/Fully aerobatic
Year of manufacture: 1947
Engine: 145hp Gipsy Major 10 Mk2
Max Weight: 1816lbs
Cruise Speed: 85 knots
Photo courtesy of Mark Wagner, aviation-images.com |
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Built in Morocco in 1947 and served with the French Air Force training school at Carcassonne. During this time "1139" led a charmed life for the most part, being selected by the Commanding Officer as his personal communications aircraft. After twenty years of service, it was de-commissioned and sold into private hands, given the French civilian registration of F-BANE.
In 1970 the aircraft was sold to the famous Rothmans Aerobatic team and brought to the UK registered as G-AYCK. The team operated "CK" as the number 2 aircraft in their 4-ship display routine, during which time it was flown by several famous aerobatic pilots such as Neil Williams, Manx Kelly and Iain Weston.
Sold again in the mid-1970s to private owners, "CK" was put into storage in 1980 following damage in an accident at Crowland Airfield. In 1991 the aircraft was bought by Cathay Pacific 747 Captain John Graham, who had it completely rebuilt by Classic and Vintage Aircraft near Southampton, a superb restoration which took four years. John kept "CK" in Jersey until reluctantly selling it to the Real Flying Company at Shoreham in April 2003. |
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SERIAL: C1-0608
REG: G-BZGA (WK 585)
Basic training aircraft /Two seats/ Fully aerobatic
Year of manufacture: 1952
Engine: 145hp Gipsy Major 10 Mk2
Max Weight: 2100lbs
Cruise speed: 90 knots
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Built in 1952 C1-0608 began Royal Air Force service with the Edinburgh University Air Squadron (Turnhouse) as WK585. It was transferred to Glasgow UAS (Scone) in 1965 and was there until 1974 when it then became one of the aircraft operated by 12 Air Experience Flight, based again at Turnhouse. Here 585 stayed, flown by service pilots giving Air Cadets their first taste of flying in a military aircraft until the mid-1990s when it was dismantled and put into storage.
Along with a number of the last Chipmunks in service, WK585 was put up for auction at Phillips in March 2000 and acquired by Propshop at Duxford in the form of parts. It was civilianised during the rebuild by ARCo at Duxford and sporting a new engine, was finally flown again in April 2001 with the civilian registration G-BZGA. ARCo operated "GA" along with their two other Chipmunks as a basic trainer for pilots moving on to the tailwheel warbirds in their charge.
Propshop sold "GA" to the Real Flying Company in April 2003 who have operated it from Shoreham ever since. This Chipmunk is now used for training existing pilots on to tailwheel types, also allowing members of the public to experience a trial lesson in a classic and with its aerobatic qualities, "GA" is ideal for aerobatic tuition. |
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Basic training/Touring aircraft
Four seats
Engine: 160hp Avco Lycoming O-320
Max Weight: 2440lbs
Cruise speed: 105 knots
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We at the Real Flying Company currently operate a small number of Piper PA28 aircraft. These popular modern training aircraft are ideal for general tuition from basic to advanced level.
With four seat capability and a generous fuel capacity, these make excellent touring aircraft for the qualified pilot to hire and 'go places'.
The PA28 family of aeroplanes have been one of the most reliable and popular of the American Trainer/Tourers since their introduction in 1960. Their significant presence in the flying clubs/schools in the UK serve as testimony to the versatility and appeal of these superb machines. |
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Sport and Aerobatic Trainer
Two seats
Engine: 300hp Avco Lycoming AEIO-540
Max Weight: 1625lbs
Cruise speed: 160 knots
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| This aircraft was built in 1995 at the Extra factory in West germany and shipped to the U.S. Extra Importers, Aro Sports Inc. facility in Florida U.S.A. registered as N123EX. It spent two years in Florida as Aero Sports demonstrator aircraft for the 300L model. In 1997 the aircraft was sold to the Red Baron Aircraft Company of Chino California, who operated 'EX' on the airshow circuit in the Far East, mainly Japan and the Philippines until 2002, where ownership of N123EX passed to the D'Island flight school at Tinian Airport, Guam. From here it made its way to a private owner in Japan, remaining on the U.S. register throughout. Early in 2005, the aircraft was acquired by British Airways 747 Captain Dave Cooke (Aerobatic competition pilot and RFC instructor) and shipped from Japan back to the Extra factory in Germany, where it had begun life 10 years earlier, for a complete refurbishment and issue of the UK registration G-11EX. Dave finally flew the aircraft to the UK and its new home at Shoreham Airport in August 2005. It is now operated on his behalf by the Real Flying Company, for those wishing to experience a flight in one of the world's ultimate aerobatic machines. |
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WWII Advanced Training Aircraft
Two seats
Engine: 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Radial
Max Weight: 5300lbs
Max speed: 210 mph
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| The North American T6 Texan (also known as the Harvard, or SNJ) was
designed as an advanced fighter-trainer. It could be fitted with armaments,
and some variants also served as ground attack aircraft. G-TEXN was
originally built during World War 11 to train Allied pilots. On completion of
their training on the T6, pilots would convert onto fighter aircraft such as the
P-51 Mustang and Spitfire. In 1950 it was re-manufactured to an improved
post-war standard. Designated the 'G' model, many changes were
incorporated including the fitting of extra fuel tanks in the root of each wing, a
redesigned canopy, and a steerable tailwheel. Given the USAF serial number
49-3072, it flew with Training Command until 1963 when it was sold into
civilian hands. With the U.S civilian registration N2807G, the T6 was based in
Florida and Chicago until 1980, when it was imported into the UK and
registered as G-BHTH. Following a landing accident in March 1995, the
aircraft has been the subject of extensive restoration. Re-registered as G-TEXN, it is now painted to represent a 1944 U.S. Navy SNJ. A flight in the T6 is
a fantastic opportunity to take the controls of a genuine warbird and
experience a piece of aviation history. |
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ALL REAL FLYING COMPANY AIRCRAFT ARE MAINTAINED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AS DICTATED BY AIRWORTHINESS REGULATIONS COVERING ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UK. WE AT RFC TAKE SAFETY AND SECURITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND ARE HAPPY TO INVITE YOU TO COME ALONG AND VIEW OUR AEROPLANES AT ANY TIME. |
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