‘First class’ Wings and Wheels event despite the damp start

Fog and showers prevented an 80-year-old Hurricane landing on the island yesterday, but that did not stop people coming to the event.

‘It has been first class,’ said organiser Rob Le Page as people poured in during the morning as the weather improved.

The family fun day gives the public a chance to go air-side at the airport.

‘Usually you would need all sorts of security checks, so it give families an opportunity to get up and close with the planes and to see the hangar,’ said Mr Le Page.

As well as raising funds to help with the running costs of the Aero Club, money is also donated to Channel Islands Air Search.

‘Channel Islands Air Search really is our eyes in the skies,’ said president David Hugo.

‘It’s a unique operation, all of our crew are volunteers and are all on call at all times.’

The funds raised for CI Air Search will go towards the service’s running costs, which are about £300,000 a year.

‘We love Wings and Wheels because it is a chance for us to showcase the aircraft, which helps raise awareness and also vital funds,’ said Mr Hugo.

‘Anyone in our community could need Channel Islands Air Search at some point, it’s a really valuable service.’

Mr Hugo said that there had been a lot of people visiting the plane to look at the cabin and learn about some of the technology it carries which can help in emergencies.

‘There has been a steady stream of people and it seems to be getting busier and busier,’ he said.

‘We are really grateful to the Aero Club for hosting this event.’

Iconic Spitfire is a big draw

THE Spitfire was always going to be a hit with visitors to the Wings and Wheels event.

Harry Bourgaize, 14, and his sister Hollie, 12 both enjoyed the chance to get a closer look inside the famous Second World War fighter aircraft.

'I love Spitfires and this has been a really good opportunity to see them,' said Harry.

Harry is a plane enthusiast and said he enjoys chances to see inside planes, whereas sister Hollie said she was not so interested, but the Spitfire caught her attention as well as the Channel Islands Air Search plane.

'It's amazing to get to see all the planes,' she said,

'I really liked seeing the Spitfire.'

Budding pilot in his element

AVIATION enthusiast Casper Green, 12, enjoyed the looking at the aircraft in the hanger.

Casper has been taking flying lessons with the Aero Club as well as spending time in the flight simulator, and hopes to become a pilot when he is older.

'It's amazing when you're up there,' he said.

'I have loved planes for as long as I can remember.'

At the Wings and Wheels event Casper said he enjoyed looking at the Piper twin-engine aircraft.

'I like the twin engine because that's like the one I have been learning in,' he said.