News,Awards and Treasures

I know its a long time since I have written, I really did think that you had all had enough of me! but I have had a number of requests for an update so despite the fact that I really don’t like to, “shoot a line” here is possibly the last post on the blog. The reason I say “possibly” is because I am considering diversifying and opening up the subject matter of this blog…. so much effort has been put in to developing the site by Dave Hallsworth and the 2 Tims that it seems to be a waste to let it go. Let me know your thoughts.

Back from the Cape

After a month of hardwork (in a warm hangar thanks to RGV) The RV7 is now back in standard configuration, so on my 50th birthday I was able to take Anna flying in the aeroplane that she had helped so much to build. We are looking forward to travelling together around Europe and doing some ordinary things in 2011! Now that the long range equipment has been removed XF feels particularly spritely! Rama Knight and the team from Garmin came over and took some super photos after Anna and I had flown over the snow carpeted Cotswolds. There is nowhere like the Cotswolds

Winter wonderland

RV7 Flight Deck

 

THE BRITANNIA TROPHY

For the British aviator or aviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviation during the previous year.

Awarded to Captain Stephen Noujaim

Anna and I went to the RAF Club with Martin and Zaza Barraclough for the Royal Aero Club Annual awards. I am thrilled to say that like Alex Henshaw before me I have been awarded the Britannia Trophy for my flight to the Cape and back in 2010. The award means a great deal to me in view of the previous recipients both friends and heros. We are delighted.

I was surprised and amazed to receieve a beautiful model of a silver Mew Gull comissioned by the Henshaw family in memory of one of the greatest British aviators that ever lived. Unfortunately Alex’s son could not be there to give it to me himself and so Martin Barraclough made the presentation on his behalf. To receive the Britannia trophy and the Chailey Lambert Mew Gull in the space of 2 days left me awestruck. Martin gave such a generous speech which culminated in the completely unexpected presentation of this super prize. I was almost moved to tears at the emotion of it all, not helped by the fact that Anna was in full flow. We had a wonderful evening at the Air Squadron spring dinner and the memory of the evening and the presentation of such a fabulous memento will live with me forever……….fantastic!

The Silver Mew Gull

Keep flying and as they say “Never give up, never surrender”

Stay safe

Steve