The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed "too British".

Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be "offensive" to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team "too militaristically British". Red Arrows pilots were said to be "outraged", as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being "too British" is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain .

The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world.

The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular.

It is to be hoped that common sense prevails.
If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link below…
 http://petitions. pm.gov.uk/ RedArrows2012/ ?ref=redArrows20 12

For the Aviators Ball charity auction, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust will be offering a day that money simply can't buy - the thrilling opportunity to spend a day next year with the ground support team for Avro Vulcan XH558 as she takes to the skies during the air display season! You'll be able to bid to spend an incredible day with this truly awesome aviation icon. Ear defenders are not optional. Happy bidding! Check out XH558 on http://www.vulcantothesky.com/

(Thanks to BDFA member Emrys Harries for organising this very special prize)

Miles Hilton - Barber has just joined the BDFA and will be speaking at the Aviators Ball in November. Miles has just become the first blind pilot to fly a fighter jet and has a string of records under his belt:-

His remarkable adventures in recent years, setting numerous world records in the process, include:

• Attempting to be the first blind person to reach the South Pole, in the process man-hauling a sledge over 250 miles across Antarctica
• Completing "The Toughest Foot-race on earth" - 150 miles across the Sahara Desert in the Marathon des Sables
• Climbing to 17,500 feet in the Himalayas
• Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt. Blanc- Africa's/Europe's highest mountains
• Running the 11-day Ultra-Marathon race across China from Gobi Desert to Great Wall
• Completing the "Coldest Marathon on Earth"- the Siberian Ice Marathon
• Crossing entire Qatar Desert non-stop day/night in 78 hours without sleep
• Circumnavigating 38,000 miles around world using 80 forms of transport
• Setting Malaysian Grand Prix lap record for blind driver in 200kph Lotus
• Setting new British high-altitude record for a tandem microlight
• Completing more than 40 skydiving jumps to date

We look forward to his support and inspiration.