Sgt Anthony John Ayre - RAF Flying Clubs' Association2 Sgt Anthony John Ayre Sgt Anthony (Tony) Ayre, an Engineering Technician (Avionics) by trade, had provided 29 years of exemplary

The Spirit of

Ayre

Background storyboard regarding Sgt Anthony Ayre’s death and

The RAF Flying Clubs’ Association (RAFFCA) aspiration to complete his

Pitts S2E Kit Aircraft Project, named The Spirit of Ayre

Sgt Anthony John Ayre 4 Aug 1967 - 21 Jul 2014

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Sgt Anthony John Ayre

Sgt Anthony (Tony) Ayre, an Engineering Technician (Avionics) by trade, had provided 29

years of exemplary service to the Royal Air Force (RAF) before he was tragically killed on 21 July

2014. Having spent a week of summer leave with his mother at his house near RAF Leuchars, and

set to return to his place of work at RAF Halton the next day, Tony was travelling to a friend's house

for dinner when he was involved in a fatal road traffic collision; impacting his motorbike into the rear

of a small queue of stationary traffic positioned on the blind side of a hump-backed-bridge, he

suffered a horrific injury and died at the scene.

A much loved son and extremely popular serviceman, the loss of Tony is still proving difficult

for many to accept. Truly a one-off, his character, values and persona typified everything that the

Service stands for and, whilst never marrying, he enjoyed a special closeness with many service

families, friends and colleagues. In simple terms, he was one of those people who you occasionally

have the privilege to meet in life and never forget - for all of the right reasons.

Living his life 'to the max', Tony worked hard but played even harder. An active member of

many Service sports associations such as the RAF Flying Clubs' Association (RAFFCA), challenge and

achievement was his mantra for life. Having gained his Private Pilots Licence with the RAF Akrotiri

Flying Club in 2003, he had immersed himself in the world of light aircraft flying and served on

numerous RAF Flying Club Committees. A talented engineer, he was considered a valued ‘asset’ at

each of his member clubs and there is no doubt that his selfless commitment in ensuring aircraft

were serviced and maintained ultimately allowed many others, namely Junior Ranks (JRs), to

experience the joy of flight at very little personal cost. As a pilot, he had continued to develop his

skills, achieving various qualifications and organising flying expeditions over challenging and

unfamiliar environs. However, for Tony, the challenge presented by one particular flying discipline

stood head and shoulders above all others - Aerobatics.

Gripped by the experience of a few (short) previous aerobatic 'taster flights', Tony was

delighted to learn that RAFFCA was holding an inaugural (novice) Aerobatics Competition at RAF

Cranwell on 6 May 14 and viewed the opportunity as a means to progress his ambition. The British

Aerobatic Association (BAeA) had kindly agreed to host the event, the main aims being to encourage

sporting competition and afford servicemen and woman the chance to experience, and hopefully

become enthused by, the discipline of competition aerobatics. The format used by the BAeA for this

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type of event was quite simple - participants would fly a short training flight with their nominated

instructor in the morning and then, in the afternoon, fly their rehearsed aerobatic sequence above a

judging panel with as little instructor input as possible.

Having secured himself a place at the competition, Tony was allocated a seat in a Pitts S2

aircraft alongside Mr Simon Abbott, his nominated instructor. The Pitts aircraft was a considered

choice, given the fact that Tony had recently purchased his own Pitts S2 kit which he had begun

building in his workshop (his room within the Sergeants’ Mess!) during the course of the previous

few months. The competition would therefore afford two major opportunities for Tony: to fly

competitive aerobatics and, in so doing, for him to experience the handling characteristics of the

very same aircraft type that he was building.

Tony's sheer excitement on the eve of the Competition, had prevented him from sleeping

and therefore he had decided to be the first at the airfield (0500!) and greet his fellow competitors

with arrival bacon rolls and tea - such was his way! However, at that particular hour, neither Tony or

anyone else could have ever predicted what an amazing day was about to unfold. From the outset,

he was consumed by the presence of aerobatic aircraft and highly experienced instructors; nervously

chatting away whilst helping to prepare his aircraft, Tony was truly in his element and if anyone was

going to win the 'big smile' competition it was definitely him. Taxying out for his training session,

Tony and the Pitts looked liked they had known each other for years and upon his return, his 'big

smile' had grown even bigger. A hearty pat on the back from his instructor indicated that the

training had gone well. In fact, much better than expected with a specific comment being made that

Tony's flying skills certainly did not belie his very little (if any) aerobatic flying time - a 'natural'

maybe? The afternoon brought the added ingredient of competition with each of the 22

competitors taking to the sky in turn to execute their aerobatic dance in front of the BAeA judges.

What had begun as a relaxed day, had suddenly become a rather tense one with each flyer anxiously

watching and evaluating each other's performances. Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir John Allison had

kindly attended the event and agreed to present the awards for the top 3 places. For the first time

in the day, the entire aircraft pan area fell silent as the BAeA Chairman gave a résumé of individual

performances before presenting an envelope to Sir John. Having revealed that a young SAC from

RAF Leuchars had won 3rd place, and with 2nd going to a member of the RAF Cranwell Flying Club, it

was with great delight that Sir John announced that the winner had achieved a quite incredible score

of 81.86% - that person being Sgt Tony Ayre. Utterly delighted and amazed by his performance and

experience, he returned to the Sergeants’ Mess that evening and drafted a diary entry which he

entitled "The Best Day of My Life".

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It would be fair to say that when the devastating news of Tony's death was promulgated, the

immediate minds-eye images and thoughts of those closest to him probably included the aerobatics

competition day and the photographs taken of him receiving his award from Sir John. The eulogy

delivered at Tony's funeral included many references to his selfless support of RAF flying clubs, his

aspiration to build a Pitts aircraft in which he could compete and, of course, extracts from his diary

entry.

Shortly after the funeral, Tony’s mother, Joan, contacted RAFFCA and indicated that she

would like to donate the Pitts aircraft project to the Association in the hope that it could be

completed and made available for service personnel to learn to fly and share in Tony’s passion for

aerobatic flight. Extremely honoured to accept Joan’s most generous offer, the necessary actions

were taken to ‘protect’ the aircraft for future generations and an application made by RAFFCA to

form the Ayre to Air Charity. The aircraft, officially registered as G-PULR but christened ‘The Spirit of

Ayre’ was subsequently relocated to a suitable workshop at Derby Airfield, with access to specialist

aircraft engineers, equipment and supporting infrastructure. Mr Paul Ford, an aircraft engineer

based at the airfield and with previous experience of the Pitts type, was aware of the story behind

the project and kindly accepted to officiate as the aircraft’s prime builder and project lead on behalf

of RAFFCA.

In accordance with the wishes of Tony’s family, the Spirit of Ayre, once completed, will

primarily be operated from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire but moved to other RAF Flying Club

locations as and when required. As detailed within the Charity application, the primary aim of the

Ayre to Air Charity, through the Spirit of Ayre aircraft, is to promote and develop the sport of

competitive aerobatic flying, at the lowest (non profit making) cost possible for any member of the

RAF and others that may be eligible, regardless of rank or seniority. A secondary aim will be to

display this very special aircraft across the UK and International display circuits and its future ‘stage -

appearance’ has already generated significant interest from the public, aircraft enthusiasts and

fellow aerobatic pilots alike. The aircraft’s unique paint scheme, designed by Tony’s family, is superb

and will draw the eye and camera lens in both the ground and airborne environments.

Now some 2 years into the build phase, the Spirit of Ayre is ~85% complete and the work

thus far has been signed-off by a licensed inspector. With the upper and lower wing sets complete

and fitted, the main fuselage covered and a powerful 200 HP Lycoming aerobatic engine and

propeller positioned ‘up front’, the Spirit of Ayre is looking as though she is almost ready to take to

leap into the skies. However, it has not been an easy road - the build and component costs incurred

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so far have been considerable and, had it not been for the generous support of various internal

(RAF) and external organisations, as well as a great deal of voluntary effort, the project may well

have floundered.

The project is tantalising close to completion but, having now almost exhausted the project’s

financial and physical resources, there is a very real risk that a ‘tactical pause’ will need to be taken

whilst additional support from a third party is sought. A recent project review has confirmed that

there are just four, relatively minor and straightforward, areas of the project remaining to complete:

1. Final engine fitting, snagging and testing (including procurement and fit of an exhaust system) 2.

Purchase and fitting of avionic instrumentation 3. Painting and finishing 4. Flight testing and

signing-off by the national authority. The total cost to complete these work efforts is estimated at

£25K and would take approximately 24 weeks. Therefore, if support is forthcoming in the near

future, the Spirit of Ayre could be airborne this year with the aim being to formally introduce her

during 2018, the RAF’s Centenary Year.

And so, in summary, the completion of The Spirit of Ayre Pitts S2 aircraft is RAFFCA’s number

one priority and immediate focus. However, although with the end very much now in sight, the

project cannot progress unless investment from a third party, or a portfolio of supporters, is

secured. Ultimately, the completion of the project will serve as a fitting tribute to Sgt Ayre's

exemplary service career in the RAF and, in particular, his selfless support to RAF Flying Clubs and

Junior Ranks wishing to learn to fly. The formation of the Spirit of Ayre Charity will ensure that the

aircraft is protected and operated in accordance with the aims of the Charity for generations to

come. Undoubtedly set to attract a great deal of media and PR-related interest during the

immediate years ahead, the introduction of the Spirit of Ayre is eagerly anticipated. And to imagine,

a Junior Rank or ab-initio pilot taking to the skies in the late Sgt Anthony Ayre’s beloved aircraft, to

enjoying the thrill of aerobatic flight for the first time, during the RAF’s Centenary Year of 2018,

really would be a fairytale ending to a tragic story.

Attached (page 6 onwards):

Photographs taken during the RAFFCA Aerobatics Competition

A few Photographs of Sgt Ayre’s Pitts S2 kit (taken shortly after his death)

Extract from Sgt Ayre’s diary dated 3 May 2014 and entitled “The best day of my life”

A pictorial timeline showing the project’s progress up to Jun 17 (**separate document)

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Above: A Pitts S2 Aircraft - as flown by Sgt Ayre during the RAFFCA Aerobatic Competition. The Spirit

of Ayre is identical to this aircraft type.

Left and below: Sgt Ayre enjoying a ‘nervous

joke’ with his instructor Simon Abbott and

helping to prep his aircraft.

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Above and below: Sgt Ayre immediately after flying his training and competitive aerobatic sequence

with his instructor.

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Above and below: ACM Sir John Allison (retd) awarding Sgt Ayre with 1st Place.

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Sgt Ayre’s Pitts S2 Kit Aircraft (G-PULR): Fuselage and Wing Sections shown shortly after Sgt Ayre’s

death.

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Above: The RAFFCA Competition Aerobatic Squad and Event Competitors - 3 May 2104

Sgt Anthony John Ayre

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Sgt Anthony Ayre, diary entry dated 3 May 2014 and entitled “The Best Day of My Life”.

"Startled at the thought of sleeping in for the aerobatic day I woke up only to realise that it was still

dark outside. The clock said 04:30 and I kidded myself I best go back to sleep. It was no good and I

was far too excited, the only thing to do was to get up. Arriving on the very quiet airfield at first light

I went through the aerobatic sequence in my head again and again. By 0600 I was so happy to see

the first people arriving and got cracking - knocking out the bacon butties. We were all soon in

briefing and allocated to an instructor and aircraft for the day.

Strapped in, engine running, I was asked if I wanted to taxi for runway 08. Having not flown a Pitts

for over 10yrs, and that was for only 3 very short flights, I thought it best to get as much feel for the

aircraft as possible. Weaving away along the taxiway, checking the route forward, hidden by the

engine in front of me was clear, I soon lined up ready for take-off. Feeling honoured I opened the

throttle and in what seemed like seconds we reached 3,000ft and I established myself in the training

area. Here I was instructed on my many errors as I attempted each of the six aerobatic manoeuvres.

With patience of a saint and nerves of steel my instructor Simon Abbott demonstrated and critiqued,

but all too soon we were called into the display box to perform the sequence. Indicating to the

judges that I was ready to start by rocking my wings 3 times I felt fare from confident. The first

manoeuvre a 270’ turn left went well followed by a 45’ dive down which once corrected by Simon

felt more like 90’ down. Pulling level as not to bust the min height of 1,500ft I looked left and pulling

hard entered the loop. Looking forward at the 12 o’clock position I was absolutely amazed to see the

horizon level, the first time today that I had got it right - I kept reminding myself to use the horizon

as my reference. With boosted confidence pulling out of the loop I looked left again and sat the Pitts

on it’s back to enter the stall turn. Climbing away vertically on full throttle I patiently waited for the

little bit of string on the end of the wing to wiggle, indicating me to initiate full left rudder and full

right aileron. As we pirouetted around the left wing I was wide eyed heading straight for the ground

yet quite stunned how smooth it all felt. Pulling out level I travelled back up the display box for the

half Cuban manoeuvre, looking left again I pulled for a ¾ loop. Again passing the 12 o’clock the wings

were level. Pushing at the 9 o’clock and heading off in a 45’ straight down line whilst inverted I

counted to 3 and rolled upright, a further count to 3 and pulled level ready for the aileron role.

Raising the nose slightly I became conscious of Simon hooting and roaring from the back but too

engrossed and pushing the stick hard left for the last manoeuvre it was not until we were wings level

that I realised he was expressing his amazement that I had actually pulled it all together. We laughed

and joked all the way down-wind to land. What an amazing flight.”