From: Nigel Hay MILWEB (nigel@milweb.net)
Date: Fri May 06 2005 - 00:15:34 PDT
Many UK's MV collectors have had wonderful days in our vehicles at various
events with Sally B
We worked with the plane at many air shows providing period vehicles both
for effect and also to transport crew around.
So this is a very sad day so I hope you will look at their web
site.......all support welcome.
PRESS RELEASE
UK's last B-17 Flying Fortress, Sally B, grounded by European Regulations
On the eve of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World
War Two, new European regulations have grounded the UK's much-loved Boeing
B-17G Flying Fortress, Sally B.
This is because of crippling new EU third party liability insurance
requirements, based on aircraft weight, which have placed Sally B in the
same insurance category as a commercial airliner. The effect is an increase
in liability insurance of almost five hundred per cent, which is the
equivalent of a staggering one thousand pounds extra per flying hour, on top
of the already incredibly high running costs. But unlike a 737, Sally B
operates for only twenty hours a year, is on a Permit to Fly, and can
neither fly commercially, carry passengers, fly for hire and reward or fly
over built-up areas.
Elly Sallingboe, head of the aircraft's operating company, said 'In this
anniversary of the end of World War Two, Europe has managed to ground the
last B-17 in the UK. This is a bitter setback to the B-17 Team and Members,
who have put in over a quarter of a century of relentless hard work and
dedication to keep Sally B in the air. It seems the Government is powerless
to grant an exemption to this new regulation, which is destroying historic
aviation in the UK. It is particularly upsetting when you think that Sally B
flies as a memorial to over 70,000 Allied airmen who lost their lives in the
skies over Europe. The aircraft is ready to fly, and we will do everything
humanly possible to find a solution.'
So what are we doing about it? We have begun a national media campaign to
spread awareness of the aircraft's plight, raise the additional funds and
continue our fight for an exemption. We are positive that a short-term
solution will be found so that Sally B can continue flying this season,
starting with the Memorial Day Flypast over the American Military Cemetery
at Madingley on 30 May. This is undoubtedly her most important and poignant
event of the year, when we pay tribute to all those young men who sacrificed
their lives for our freedom, and especially as we mark the 60th Anniversary
of the end of the War.
We desperately need the public's help now, more than ever. Details of how to
support us can be found on Sally B's website www.sallyb.org.uk
People can also lobby their MPs to get this unjust law changed. MPs' contact
details can be found at www.theyworkforyou.com/mp
Everything depends on the public's reaction to our campaign and their
generosity in making donations to The B-17 Charitable Trust. But if no
permanent solution is found, this will be Sally B's last season flying in
this country.
For further information, please contact Sean Maffett, tel: (01451) 810100
e-mail sean@airsound.co.uk
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat May 07 2005 - 20:43:23 PDT