Chinook Flight - RAF Odiham Families Day 2009

Описание: A short flight around RAF Odiham, home of the UK Chinook Force, Hampshire, England.
Locals to the area may recognise some of the landmarks, most notably, Odiham Castle (c.1207), the Basingstoke Canal and the historic village of Odiham. Aircraft enthusiasts may spot a C17 in a holding pattern, awaiting its slot at the airshow. Families day is the one day of the year where the airbase is open for family members of RAF airmen and women, to come along for a great day out. Airshow, aircraft displays, stalls, fairground rides and much more.
In 2009, the day this was filmed, controversy was sparked when a national newspaper reported the event in a disparaging tirade, claiming, "Airforce brats" were been taken for "joyrides at taxpayers expense." The subsequent public outcry was spectacular and forced the newspaper to apologise, when it was pointed out that these "brats" were the sons, daughters and wives of serving airmen, many of whom were currently away on operations in Afghanistan. Surely 3 aircraft for a couple of hours out of the year isn't too much to ask, to say thankyou to the families for supporting their loved ones in serving their country, is it? Especially when the short flights gave the aircrew valuable training in rapid turnaround of passengers and operating in congested airspace. Not to mention the amount of money raised for many worthwhile charities in a number of fundraising events. As a serving airman of the RAF, I was both sickened by the article and pleasantly humbled by the public response to it. Also on the plus side, my family and I had a great day!