Naomi House & Jack's Place.

Santa-Naomi-HouseSince 2012, if not earlier, The Gazelle Squadron Display Team has supported Naomi House & Jack's Place, a Childrens Hospice in Hampshire. We raise funds via collections tins at our static events and of course we fly The Easter Bunny and Father Christmas in to visit the children. 

On 14th December we will once again be flying Father Christmas in with a sack-full of gifts for the children and once again Bruce and Paul, the Owners of the Display Team will be donating presents for Father Christmas to give to the Children. 

Please can we ask that you consider joining us in supporting them by either donating via their website, or if you prefer you can deliver any presents you may wish to donate to The Gazelle Squadron HQ at Landmead Airstrip before the 14th December.  Alternatively please visit Naomi House's website, read a few of the testimonials of the essential work that they do and please consider donating.

 

 


Our Busiest Year !

a sky full of aircraft

It's been a very busy year for us so far, made even busier by a number of late confirmations into our show calendar, namely Bournemouth and Ayr, we remain busy from late August through until the end of September, with Longleat and Abingdon finishing off our 2024 show season.

In addition we have an intensive display training and assesment programme in the next few weeks, which, if succesful will secure additional airborne Flight Diplay Director (AFDD) qualificatons for us, these will broaden our capacity to provide self administered aerial displays at private events.  

Our aircraft continue to perform well with terrific serviceability rates - testimony to the skill and endeavour of our engineers. 

Finally, we have to tip our hat to Airbox Systems, who, for many years have provided us with unrestricted access to their RunwayHD flight planning software and the news of the product's retirement has been met with heavy-hearts throughout the Team.

We would like to publically thank Airbox Systems for their past support and wish them every success for the future.


 

A Flying Start

627-Night-Hawk

We're enjoying a terrific start to the 2024 season with excursions to Shuttleworth and RAF Cosford. Sadly the Abingdon show organisers were obliged to postpone due to late issues with the MOD  who are the Landowners. It has now been rescheduled to 21st September 2024.

In addition we've added a few new members to the Squadron, who will undoubtedly enhance our offering to the UK Airshow scene. 

Late (confirmation) events include Wallop Wheels and Wings, organised by the Museum of Army Flying which will see a number of us back in Hampshire for the day enjoying some nostalgia.

Additionally we've agreed to fly ZB-627 into RAF Odiham for a static display on their families day. Historians amongst you may know that ZB-627 spent much of her life at Odiham as an (NVG) route reconnaissance aircraft for 7 Sqn RAF when conducting sorties on Night Vision Goggles (NVG), she featured a unique green livery, which she now sports once again. (As shown)

Loose-formation-transit

The reception we receive from or display audiences is truly humbling and our displays clearly invoke many fond memories amongst those that have been blessed to work with this wonderful aircraft in previous decades. 

It's clear that they appreciate our efforts and the very many messages of support on social media are hugely appreciated.     

Our Lynx renovation project (XZ-678) is progressing nicely...

 

 


Springing into Spring

Bruce - cheque

2024 is under way and the shows just keep on coming - it's set to be our busiest year ever!   

Over the coming weeks we have an intensive weekend of flying training and getting back into the saddle under the watchful eyes of the CAA who will be assessing us for our Display Authorisations. (DA's).

Without a CAA issued DA, no pilot can fly a display routine.  

We headed West to Weston-Super-Mare in mid-April to present a £2,500 cheque to The Helicopter Museum to support their Military History weekend and help them to continue their great work in preserving rotary aviation's heritage.

A latecomer to our show calendar is the Teignmouth Airshow which gives us a very busy July - The full list of 2024's events schedule can be found on our events page.

Our next public event is a four ship aerial display in support of our good friends at the Abingdon Air & Country Show on 18th May.