Dear ETPSA Members

It was lovely to see so many brave souls at the New Year Party - despite the worst weather for many years.  As always, the Mess did us proud - thanks to Mark Skinner and his staff - and the evening was a great success.  About 60 members and their guests were able to make it through the snow and ice and you'll find a few photos in the Gallery.  Just for the record, I reckon the formal part of the evening, the AGM, was completed in about 23 mins! 

I'd also like to say thanks to the MOD Chief Test Pilot (our very own Treasurer, Gp Capt Tim Below) for hosting the Annual Test Pilots Dinner in March.  It was great to see so many ETPSA members at the dinner, and there was a wonderful mix of the ages with some of our older members taking the opportunity to talk to the current crop of working TPs from Boscombe and from Industry. 

Looking to the future, it's soon going to be Barbeque time again.  The date for this year's event is Saturday 5 September and you'll find a registration form in the next newsletter.  Of course, the best way to sign up is online, and  I'll be sending an ETPS eNews to let you know when online registration is open.  As always, the most important thing is to mark the date on the kitchen calendar now!  The major lesson from last year's BBQ was that we need to get the fires going earlier so that we can eat earlier…so we'll do that this year.  Also, after arctic conditions for the New Year Party and torrential rain at last year's BBQ, we're definitely due for fantastic weather on September 5th.  

Finally, a plea.  I made this request at the AGM and have had precisely no responses!  We need volunteers to sit on the committee and run your Association.   Whilst your current committee enjoy serving you, stagnation is not good.  Speaking personally, I feel strongly that if the ETPSA is going to continue to grow it needs new blood and new ideas.  When we started the Association back in 2000, we envisaged committee members serving for 3 years.  Several of us have now been around a lot longer that that. So please consider volunteering to serve.  We’ll be electing a new committee at next year’s New Year Party – but come forwards now by emailing Simon Seymour-Dale (secretary@etpsa.org.uk) or me at chairman@etpsa.org.uk. 

See you at the Barbeque!

Dave Best