RFA have been invited to assist with the logistics and ground operations for the WAC 2009 at Silverstone between 19th and 29th August. It will be a very busy couple of weeks but should be fun. - Watch this space for further details.
You may care to look at the following link: http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?mnk=410&id=396&description=Aero+GP+in+Abu+Dhabi It was shown on Channel 5 at 8.00 p.m. Monday 23rd February.
Al Ain Aero GP 2009
What a great project to start the New Year!
Mike and Pauline travelled to Al Ain in Abu Dahbi, on the 20th January to run the ground operations and administration of the first Aero GP of 2009. The Aero GP was the Headline event of the Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2009 and it was a great success.
The team was based throughout at the Intercontinental in Al Ain which is a great venue, for anyone looking to combine business and pleasuure in the sun.
As always, Pauline did a fantasic job coordinating the transporation from the airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, accomodation, daily movements and departures. Given the variety of temperaments of the team of 60 pilots, film crews, including 5th Gear and journalists this was no mean feat. The team had travelled from the USA, Egypt, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Japan and the UK, so it is clearly an achievement that they all arrived and departed on time, in good humour and without a hitch!
Mike by contrast had the easiest task, according to Pauiline anyway! Having got the aircraft and freight there in a number of containers his major tasks were to coordinate the construction of the race course and the pyrotechnic special effects. There is little doubt that his sense of humour was tested to the limit but without labouring the point, everything eventually worked as planned!!
RFA are looking forward to the next Aero GP wherever and whenever it may be, dates and venues are still to be released. We look forward to being involved again with what has to be considered the most exciting new sporting event in the world!
Some extracts of comments received regarding RFA ’s contribution towards the Al Ain Aero GP 2009 below:
I can’t think of a single thing that could have been done any better as far I am concerned. I’ve been Air Racing 35 years and have never been to a more seamless event. I say this in all faith, even when Digital Computers put the might of their organisation into the Schneider Trophy, it was not as good as your organisation. I do hope to meet you again.
Many thanks for your hard work, it made the event very special to me.
Steve Alexander - Chairman of FARA ( Formula Air Racing Association), a member body of the Royal Aero Club
From my perspective the aspects of Al Ain which you and Pauline controlled were flawless. I got off the airplane in Dubai and was met by my driver as soon as I cleared customs. He had a sign that said “Aero GP.” It was a no brainer. Transport in and out daily went great. I was very happy with the course layout and the pylons. Transport back to the airport Sunday went like clockwork and the breakfast boxes Pauline arranged were much appreciated.
All in all it was a great event and I miss you guys. Looking forward very much to the next one.
Smokey - Aero GP Pilot
Pauline, just a quick note to say a big thank you for your efforts in organizing the rabble you had to contend with, it was very much appreciated. Mike, without your help it would have been much harder. I could also see the difficulties you were experiencing, very frustrating it must have been for you.
I do hope that we will work with each other again in the future.
Thank you
David Cox - Pyrotechnic Controller, Paines Fireworks Ltd
Everything from my point of view was just fine on the organisational front.
Pauline was great and makes a lovely mum - a big thank you to her from me.
Brendan O’Brien - Commentator
It was a great pleasure to have you & your team with us; both of you were the most cooperative organizers I have met and I hope that we were up to your expectation.
Radwa El Masry - Sales Manager Intercontinental Hotel Al Ain
Mike is back in Nigeria to run some more Maritime training for the Nigerian Government and an Oil Company. There will be 3 courses, the first a 4 day Port Facility Security Officers course in Calabar on the Cameroonian border. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 30 students.
After Calabar Mike moves by helicopter to a Floating Processing Storage and Offloading Platform (FPSO) to run 2 maritime security training awareness and familiarisation courses for the entire crew of over 50.
It is certainly an interesting project and is providing a welcome return to a warmer climate just before Christmas!
Happy Days!
RFA Projects have been retained by Flying Aces Ltd again to run ground operations for the next Aero GP which will be held at the Al Ain Air Show 28th -31st January 2009.
Mike flew out to Dubai on 23rd November to meet with the Air Show organisers and recce the venue which is in the UAE between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Air Show has been running for 7 years and is a key feature in the aviation world in the Middle East.
The site being in the desert will present a variety of challlenges including setting course markers for the races and putting together a pyrotechnic simulation area for the target bombing phase of the competition.
There are less than two months to go so it will be a busy time for the team however the sunshine will make a pleasant change from the UK winter weather during the last 2 weeks of January.
See below a selection of students comments and feedback regarding the October 2008 Nigerian Maritime Course:
- Mike has complete Mastery of ISPS and as a result coupled with his style of presentation all students found it both interesting and easy to assimilate the content.
- Mikes’ knowledge is outstanding and the course was admired by all students.
- Very good and thought provoking, re-awoke my sub-conciousness in security matters
- The course was well organised and well administered there is little room for improvement.
- The coure is worth all of the effort put in by the instructors, I enjoyed it and highly commend the organisers.
- Very Intersting and educating.
- Please keep up the good work.
A pleasing result!!
Another Fast Ball - Proving RFA Projects are always Ready For Anything!!
Background
At 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 1st October, whilst taking a short break in the sun and sitting next to the swimming pool in Portugal, Mike received a call from London asking if he could run 3 Maritime Courses in Lagos - Nigeria, sure he replied, when? Departing UK on Saturday evening to be in Nigeria for 10 days came the reply!
Suffice to say, having returned to the UK on Thursday evening and spent Friday at the Nigerian High Commision aquiring a visa, it normally takes at least a month, he left Heathrow on the night flight to Lagos on Saturday evening! He then flew down to Port Harcourt where the courses were to be run, the first of many changes to the plan. Nothing is impossible!!!
Training Package
Subsequently he wrote and delivered a 4 day Port Facility Security Course for 20 students.
The second change was to write and deliver 2 one day, Pre- Deployment and ISPS Security awareness Courses for another 50 students, the original plan had been to simply deliver a standard ISPS Awareness course.
The courses were provided for a Major Oil company who are about to deploy the largest Floating Production, Storage & Offloading platform in the AKPO oil and gas field, 108 nautical miles south of Port Harcourt, off the coast of Nigeria.
Summary
All courses were delivered within specified time frame and the client was very, very satisfied with the course content, structures, method of delivery and instructors knowledge.
Roll on the next call for help!!!!