SPEAK OUT! BE HEARD! MAKE A POINT! EMAIL YOUR WORDS TO LOOP. DON'T BE MUTE. incoming@loop.aero
The ideas never stop
IT WAS thought-provoking to read your comparison of wartime innovation in new aircraft design, paralleled with the pressure designers are under today from the green lobby and so forth [LOOP, October]. It’s certainly the case that aircraft design comes forward in spurts and bounds, but it is most certainly always on a forward trajectory. Some of the machines you highlighted were completely new to me, and quite eye opening. The French ‘Akoya’ looks tremendous fun, and the American ICON really does look like something from a Bond film, but I do think I might struggle to fall in love with electric-motored aircraft – as much as anything, because I simply love the sound of a big lump up front straining to push out every last horsepower! Kev Parker
An African adventure
I ABSOLUTELY loved the tale of Charles Stewart flying an autogyro in Africa, and all the scrapes they got into. Things like that remind me that for decades pilots did things that now we regard as next to impossible, such as flying a Moth to Australia. Bureaucracy kills adventure. Alistair Young SOAPBOX
Sterling efforts by the British World Aerobatics team. Once again, the ones with the government backing win, though. Sam Harvey
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WHAT STATS?
I AM reading constant updates on what EASA has planned for this, that, and the next thing, that will have us all jumping to a new tune, all in the aid of safety. I’m curious to know, has EASA actually improved safety for GA at all? I am sure I read that the US safety record is at the same level as a whole, but that within EASA itself there are huge variations in the accident rates because of different countries. It makes me think that it’s the national authorities do all the important stuff. Ian Coates
I took the kids to Duxford for the first time this weekend. Full marks to everyone there for creating a real centre of excellence.
Finn McAlpine
My answer for the mystery engine tattoo: Pratt & Whitney PT6. Andy Franklin PW, or PWC? (Just kidding... it’s neither!)
PIPER JET PROGRAMME CANCELLED AS NEW BOSS SWINGS AXE + HAIL! Diamonds are tough + MAMA MIA! Italian Hurricane rep + GOATIE! A flying inspiration NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE 73 £3.40
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SMALL AIRCRAFT IN A BIG COUNTRY + FLIGHT DESIGN CTLS +
Could anywhere be better to test the brilliant Flight Design CTLS than one of Earth's most spectacular areas of natural beauty?
UK'S NO.1 VOTE FOR THE BEST FLYING INSTRUCTOR IN BRITAIN + DENNIS To lease, or buy? + BOB He said what? + NICK Advice for winter + ALAN How to improve +
ISSUE 73 ISSN 1749-7337
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EDITORIAL Editor Richard Fairbairn E: richard@loop.aero Staff Reporter Dave Rawlings E: dave.rawlings@loop.aero New Media Editor Philip Powell E: phil@loop.aero Creative Director Bill Spurdens E: bill@loop.aero Art Director Dan Payne E: dan@loop.aero Production manager Kevin Hilton E: kevin@loop.aero Chief Photographer David Spurdens E: david@davidspurdens. com ADVERTISING Sales Manager Chris Wilson T: 01223 497060 E: chrisw@loop.aero PUBLISHING Editorial Director Dave Calderwood E: dc@loop.aero Director Sam Spurdens E: sam@loop.aero Director Dave Foster E: dave@loop.aero CONTRIBUTORS Alan Cassidy Bob Davy Dennis Kenyon Nick Heard Stan Hodgkins Phil O© Donoghue Paul Bonhomme Dorothy Pooley
www.loop.ae ro NOVEMBER 2011 LOOP 17