AeroSPARX make Channel Island History
The AeroSPARX Gliding Display team made history earlier this month at the 75th Battle of Britain Anniversary celebrations as they performed their aerobatics over Jersey, the first ever night display flight permitted over the Channel Islands.
The AeroSPARX team is made up of two world-renowned pilots – Guy Westgate and Tim Dews – who both flew to the Channel Islands in their Grob109b motor gliders for the day of displays.
The annual display welcomes many different aircraft which helps raise funds for the Royal Air Forces Association and during the day thousands of spectators lined Guernsey’s east coast to witness the gliders carve smooth lines across the sky in a series of graceful aerobatic manoeuvres. Later in the day the team made the short journey to Jersey for a night flight, which included the added sparkle of wingtip pyrotechnics and LED light shows.
This year’s air display was dedicated to the memory of Guernsey’s Lt-Governor Air Marshal Peter Walker, who sadly died suddenly the week before. The Guernsey Air Display 2015 also included the spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Team Raven, a Strikemaster and Pitts S2S formation as well as the Red Arrows.
Gemma Coomer was one of the spectators who commented on their Facebook page after their display in Jersey and she said “Saw the AeroSPARX on Thursday evening for Jersey air display and WOW!! Was definitely my favourite and really hope to see again. Well done guys.”
Being a leading aviation insurer Sydney Charles Aviation Services is proud to sponsor AeroSPARX and delighted that they were able to participate in the Channel Islands Battle of Britain Displays this year. Philip Lepp Director at Sydney Charles said, “It’s a real thrill to any AeroSPARX display and to see our logo zipping across the sky on the tail fins of both planes, well that’s an added bonus!”.
Group photo: From left to right: Tim Dews, AeroSPARX pilot; Philip Lepp, Marilyn Mahy and Jody Bisson from Sydney Charles and Guy Westgate, AeroSPARX Pilot. (Photo credit: Jon le Ray).
