Berlin Tempelhof

To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift and the closure of one of Europe's most historic airports. This historic airport is due to cease operations by the end of 2008 after first opening in 1923. This will be a great opportunity to get this in your logbook.

Exercise PLANE FAIR - The RAFFCA expedition to Berlin

Berlin! The very name still resonates down the years. In 1948, just 3 years after the end of WWII, the Allied Powers in Germany turned from victors to saviors as they launched a seemingly impossible operation to sustain the city of Berlin by air. And so Operation PLAIN FARE was launched.

This year, RAFFCA's expedition commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Fly the northern corridor and visit the historic airfields of Lübeck-Blankensee and Berlin-Tempelhof, which lies at the very heart of the city. Come and join is on Exercise PLANE FAIR.

In addition to the plan for a fly-out with friends from other RAFFCA clubs, this year’s trip will also incorporate a Staff Ride to strengthen the focus on air operations. Each participating club will be asked to prepare and deliver a short brief on an aspect of the Airlift. Subjects could include ground logistics, air planning and coordination, air traffic control etc. Service staff, MOD staff and contractors would then be eligible for reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs within Staff Ride rules.

The outline itinerary is:

• Thurs 3 Jul - Arrive in Lübeck-Blankensee (EDHL)
• Fri 4 Jul - Briefs on Airlift, brief on route and competitions, fly Berin-Tempelhof (EDDI)
• Sat 5 Jul - Further stands, visits Berlin Airlift memorial & museums etc, free time
• Sun 6 Jul - Commence departures as required

We also plan to manage some simple competitions that are aimed at promoting professional and precision flying standards. Elements will include flight planning thoroughness, in-flight record keeping, time-over-target and time between points. And points mean prizes...

The aim of the expedition is to encourage as many RAFFCA pilots as possible to participate in an exciting, enjoyable and educational expedition. It will be of interest to those who have 'gone foreign' before and to novices who would like to experience the thrill in the safe and supportive company of a friendly group. A typical distance (from Wyton) is about 550nm each way, so about 5 hours flying time.

3rd - 6th July 2008

RAFFCA funding is available at 40p/sm and we are awaiting approval of to run the exped as a Staff Ride. Whilst this will require some effort on behalf of participants, the advantage will be that Serviceman, and certain civilians, will have duty status and be able to request T&S from their Stn budget. Sufficient RAFFCA funds were voted at the AGM to subsidize one aircraft per Club. If not all Clubs enter, remaining funds will be distributed to a second aircraft based on when a completed booking form was received; so book early.

For More information, see the Pathfinder Website http://www.pathfinderflyingclub.co.uk/

Competition

• RAFFCA Trophy
• Concourse d’elegance
• Flight Planning
• Navigation Exercise
• RAFFCA Assistance with Flying Costs available

Duty Status for Servicemen

Contact RAF Wyton

01480 52451
95271 x 5298 Tony Edge
95271x 5771 Colin Robertson
95271x 4012 Colin Williamson