Aerobatics at Duxford 28/29 May - **Cancelled**

[PhilW]

Aerobatics competition hosted at Imperial War Museum Duxford
gets Royal approval

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to welcome the very best British aerobatics pilots on
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May, as they compete for the Duxford Trophy.

The 2011 Duxford Trophy promises to be even more visually exciting than in previous years, with
an enhanced competitive zeal amongst the pilots, leading to more dynamically exciting displays.
For the first time, The British Aerobatic Association has been granted the right to award the
inaugural Queen’s Air Race Challenge Cup to the winner of its Speed Aerobatics contest at IWM
Duxford on Sunday 29 May.
Queen Elizabeth II has followed in her grandfather’s footsteps in recognising achievements in aviation
sport through the Queen’s Air Racing Challenge Cup in association with the Royal Aero Club. The
Royal Aero Club Council voted for the British Aerobatic Association to award the first Queen’s
Cup to the winner of the Duxford Speed Aerobatics competition.
The trophy, made of Irish silver, bears the Queen’s Coat of Arms and dates back to 1724. At 287
years old, it becomes probably the oldest active sporting trophy in the UK.
The King’s Cup was originally established by King George V as an incentive to the development of
light aircraft and engine design. An annual British handicapped cross-country air race, the King’s Cup
was first contested on 8 September 1922.
During its years as an RAF fighter station, Duxford was home to a number of pilots who entered the
King’s Cup Air Race, including Flying Officer Richard L R Atcherley, who was a pilot and Qualified
Flying Instructor with No.29 Squadron at Duxford, equipped with Sopwith Snipes. He was the
winner of the King’s Cup in 1929.
Hubert Jones had already competed in the King’s Cup when he was appointed Commanding Officer
of No.19 Squadron in 1925 and he continued to compete in the Air Race during his time at Duxford.

IWM Duxford upholds the tradition of those wartime aerial aces in its annual hosting of The
Duxford Trophy. Participants in the 2011 competition are amongst the most skilful aerobatic pilots
in the UK, with proven records in competition at Advanced and Unlimited levels. They include
members of the British Aerobatic Team representing Great Britain at international events.

Come and see the adrenalin and excitement of competition aerobatics at Imperial War Museum
Duxford and see the winning pilot claim the first Queen’s Air Race Challenge Cup.
The Duxford Trophy is included in standard admission to the Museum and, as usual, children aged
15 and under go free.

[Edge]

Duxford have cancelled the weekend of aerobatics. This statement was just released by the BAeA

I'm afraid that I have this afternoon been advised by Mick Martin,
Duxford's Head of Airfield and Security, that for reasons beyond their
control they now find they are unable this weekend to meet the ATC and
airfield staff manning levels stipulated by IWM regulations and their
insurers, and thus at short notice they are forced to cancel our event
there.

I have expressed some strong views to them regarding the lateness of
this decision and the considerable degree of commitment, planning and
training that has already been expended by many members, but to no
avail. In practical terms it is too late now to make satisfactory
alternative arrangements for two whole days of competitive flying this
weekend, but be assured that we are already working to relocate this
important event to a workable location at a later date

Very unprofessional of them cancelling only 2 days beforehand when many people and pilots had spent large amounts of money preparing.