RAFGSA Chairman’s Official Blog Page

24 October 2011

In my last blog I mentioned that I would be handing over the Chairmanship of the RAFGSA to Group Captain Ted Richards at our AGM on the 21 October. This we did and I am pleased to announce that Ted now has the Chair. I also said that I would be taking over the Presidency from Air Marshal Phil Sturley which we also enacted.

So this will be the last time that I write this blog and I would like to take the opportunity to say a few thank yous. As many of you will know, Phil Sturley took over as the Chairman of the RAFGSA in 1994 during a period of extreme turbulence for the Association which included a number of equipment and financial challenges. He then went on to be the President some 9 years ago and in the intervening 17 years he has led the RAFGSA to being the vibrant and healthy organisation that we see today with a healthy balance sheet and a modern and well equipped fleet of aircraft. He has also overseen the move of the association back from Germany and the Centre from Bicester to Halton. During my 4 years as Chairman I have frequently enjoyed his support and wise counsel. Phil now moves on to being a Life Vice President of the RAFGSA and I know that he will continue to help us keep the RAFGSA on the right trajectory and be fully involved in our activities.

As I hand over to Ted I would also like to record my heart felt thanks to my executive team for their outstanding support which I know they will continue to give Ted. As I reflect on the last 4 years, we have achieved a lot. We have transitioned to charitable status and have become a registered company. We have an Air Cadet Youth Scolarship Scheme throught the GAPAN and have modified to of our K21s for the Battle Back Scheme at the JSAT (G) which are supported by Boeing. Our fleet goes from strength to strength and our Regional Clubs are thriving. We have futher cemented our ties with the BGA, re-written our governance to reflect our charitable status and we continue to manitain an enviable safety record. But we still have a number of challenges not least of all membership and the protection of our enchroachment status.

So as I sign off my last blog a big thank you to everyon who has helped and supported me during the last 4 years.

Keep the string in the middle!

Sean Reynolds