BWPA regional groups spring into action
The BWPA regional groups are a fantastic way to connect with other members in your area. There have been many catch ups and events as the weather has improved across the country. Let’s see what everyone has been up to…
Midlands
The Midlands group continue to enjoy shared successes and flying news. The group have celebrated a number of recent achievements, including first solos, landaways and completion of Private Pilot Licence exams.
On 23 May, the group enjoyed an online social, sharing updates on recent trips, exam knowledge and other news. The group are looking forward to a fly in picnic at Bicester Aerodrome on 10 June, with a discounted landing fee offer for BWPA members. With space for up to 35 aircraft to fly in (with PPR), members from all regions are welcome!
Essex
Over the Easter period, the Essex group enjoyed an online social to find out what members had been up to over the winter months. They also met at Duxford in February, where they enjoyed a tour.
The Essex group is planning a number of other events later in the summer, including a social lunch and fly in at Earl’s Colne Airfield – keep an eye on the BWPA events page for further details.
The Essex team strike a pose at their Duxford social
North West
Several North West members met in April at the Skymaster Pub (on the site of the old Burtonwood Airfield in Warrington) for lunch and to look at each other’s aviation memorabilia. Members brought their logbooks and BWPA Gazettes and newsletters stretching back to the 1990s!
In May, eight members attended Manchester Flight Sim Centre at Barton Aerodrome for a taste of flying airliners. The Manchester Flight Sim Centre very generously offered all members a complimentary 15-minute session, under instruction, in either the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737 simulator. They then flew in a Rockwell Commander simulator, which is built into a real Rockwell Commander airframe. Afterwards, they were treated to a look around a real Boeing 747 cabin and cockpit. It was a whole morning of aviation on a gloriously sunny day, and everyone had a great time.
A fun day out at the Manchester Sim Centre
Scotland
Our Scottish regional group met up in Glasgow, at the Pilot Career Fair and Training at the end of March. This was a lovely opportunity for members to see each other in person and share excitement around further training and career opportunities.
With this group being spread across a large area, it can be logistically complicated to arrange in person meet ups, but the group hope to arrange a summer fly in. In the meantime, they continue to enjoy WhatsApp chats and online socials.
The Scottish team at ACS in Glasgow
South
In April, a small group of South members had a creative evening of pottery painting (accompanied by a glass of wine!). This proved to be a fun and relaxing evening.
Earlier in April this month, the group enjoyed a meet up at the RAF Club in central London. They started with a tour by another BWPA member. The group took time to admire the art, memorabilia and the building itself, as well as learning a little about the history of the club. A pre-dinner glass of fizz in the elegant bar was enjoyed before a delicious dinner in the restaurant. This event was very popular with those attending, so we hope to run another event in the future.
The South group has seen many flying milestones, and members love seeing shared photos of flying adventures.
The South Group at the RAF Club in London
BWPA members are welcome to join one or more of the regional groups, no matter where they live. Login to the members’ area and select your choice from the regional groups list within your BWPA account and the regional representative will be in contact to welcome you.
Keep an eye on our events page for regional group events local to you.
