Apologies to all our visitors here, but various technical issues have meant that any updates of our activities have taken a while to update, please be assured that we regularly look in and we value your interest and any comments made here.
Most of the activity over the winter involves maintenance rather than flying, the jets in particular require a large amount of work to keep them fresh for the air show season ahead. Many of the Yak-52s and light civil aircraft also make the most of the winter to be worked upon, and some aircraft have benefitted from refinishing.
HFL have also been continually supporting some of the other aviation companies based at St Athan, particularly in providing vehicles and manpower in looking after large commercial jets.
| Latest aircraft to emerge from the hangar in new colours is Cessna 172, G-NWFG, of the North Weald Flying Group which now looks very smart in the new Boeing Dreamliner scheme!
| | | | Glorious Beech 18 HB275 / G-BKGM arrived with HFL in December 2012 for winter servicing and a refinish. | | Most of the activity over the winter involves maintenance rather than flying, Hunter T.7 XL573 has been undergoing a major service, as has Jet Provost T.3 XM479.
| | | | The Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundations' Hunter T.8C, N-321 / G-BWGL, has been undergoing work since early January 2013 and is soon to depart again, while its hangar mate, a Hunter F.6 awaits its turn to arrive from Holland.
Meanwhile Hunter T.7 WV318 has also been in for work since October 2012.
| | Jet provost T.5A XW325 emerged from its paint and refinish in November 2012, and looked resplendent in its fresh colours during its first post work flights in early December.
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The air show season is almost over, a damp summer has meant that not a great amount of flying has been undertaken, however a huge amount of maintenance work has been going on within the hangar.
Besides the Hunters, Gannet, Pembroke, Sea Prince, and the fleet of Yak-52s, work is being carried out on a Jet Provost, Dornier Do 27, Bulldog T.1, and many other light and homebuild aircraft.
Mick & Homer posing with one of the 'Ice Pilots' CL-215s.
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Hunter Flying Ltd were pleased to be able to assist the newest business at St Athan, Cardiff Aviation Ltd, in the ground handling of their first two arrivals. Two Canadair 215s of Buffalo Airways (of TVs 'Ice Pilots' fame) presented an unusual sight when they arrived on the 6 th October.
HFL also provide handling for other airfield users and ECube solutions.
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Another unusual sight in the UK, is this 1958 Dornier Do 27, initially ordered for the German military as a forward support and spotter aircraft, the type want on to successfully serve many air forces, including Portugal, where this example came from before being registered as G-BMFG. HFL have just completed inspection and maintenance of this lovely old aircraft.
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The Red Star Rebels have moved closer to being a team with the completion and flying of L-29 Delfin G-DLFN at the beginning of September. The three ship have been flying and practicing display manoeuvres together, ready for next seasons' air shows.
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Three Red Star Rebels' L-29 Delfins together. All pics: James Thomas
| Meanwhile, Jonathon Whaley's Hunter 'Miss Demeanour' has been displayed at Farnborough, Eastbourne seafront, and Bournemouth air shows.
Below, Yak-52 and Chipmunk being handled by HFL.
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John Hurrell about to depart to Farnborough with 'Miss Demeanour'. All pics: James Thomas
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| After weeks of bad weather, some of the HFL fleet have been making the most of the sunshine and flying again
On the 26th, two of the 'Red Star Rebels' L-29 Delfins made their first flight as a pair, four of the display pilots have now experienced flying the jets. Hopefully the next L-29 will be flying soon.
On the same day Hunter T.7, WV372 (G-BXFI), was delivered to North Weald by Chris Heames, on behalf of a new owner there.
XL573 streaming a 'chute on landing.
| Hunter F.58, G-PSST 'Miss Demeanour' now has a second pilot, Jonathon Whaley has recruited former Red Arrows leader Sqn Ldr Ben Murphy to share some of the display flying work load. Ben will fly as 'Flapjack 2'.
'Miss Demeanour' also attended the well known Farnborough air show on the 13-15th of the month
Jonathon Whaley congratulating Ben Murphy on 'passing out' on 'Miss Demeanour'.
Hunter T.7 XL573 (G-BVGH) has also been very active in the month, in the capable hands of BAEs John Hurrell.
XL573 demonstrating the smokey cartridge start. All pictures: James Thomas
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| Gerald Williams took the second Delfin, G-BYCT, to be made airworthy for the new 'Red Star Rebels' team up for its first flight, in gin clear skies on the 28th. This aircraft has needed considerable work by the dedicated team of engineers. | Meanwhile Hunter T.7 XL573 has been flying, and Pembroke WV740 ground run since minor maintenance. |
| Today saw the first flight of G-DELF, the first of four L-29 Delfins to make up the new 'Red Star Rebels' display team, took to the air for its first post restoration flight.
Two aircraft are ready for flight, with the other two nearing completion, the work has been performed by a band of about ten dedicated engineers and painters at Hunter Flying Ltd. | The new display team is the vision of Gerald Williams and, who along with Mark Southern, conducted the flight today.
The Red Star Rebels hope to perform and be available for air show appearences this year |
 Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundations' Hunter T.8C, G-BWGL 'N-321' heading back to Leeuwarden on 1 June, after its maintenance period at HFL. Picture credit: Stu Carr |  HFL has been trying out a new TBD aircraft mover on the Pembroke. Picture credit: 'H' |
 Hunter eye view of Hunter Flying Ltds' home, hangar E2, bldg 406, St Athan. Picture: Steve Salter Last week saw the sad departure of Hunter GA.11 XE685, when Andy Hill delivered it to its new operators, HHA, at RAF Scampton.
Meanwhile the Percival pairing is now complete, with the arrival by road of Percival Sea Prince WP321, which will join Percival Pembroke WV740.  Andy Hill giving HFL a nice upper wing view of XE685 |  Percival Sea Prince T.1 WP321 being reassembled. Pictures: James Thomas |
 The HFL team with 'Miss Demeanour' Hunter F.58 'Miss Demeanour' was taken up for its first post major servicing test flight today, renowned for his fantastic air displays, owner/pilot Jonathon Whaley conducted a 30 minute trouble free flight.  'Miss Demeanour' enjoying the sunshine |  Pictures credit: James Thomas |
It was a busy week for HFL last week,
Jet Provost T.5, XW325 (G-BWGF) arrived for servicing with HFL, meanwhile Hunter T.8B XF357 'N-321' (G-BWGL) of the Dutch Hunter Association completed its first post servicing test flight.
Well known display Hunter, F.58 G-PSST 'Miss Demeanour' has just had a major service and is being reassembled.
The newly arrived Pembroke, WV740 (G-BNPH) was taken up for its first flight and circuits with its new owner.
Newly arrived Jet provost T.5 XW325 and some of the HFL crew
Percival Pembroke C.1 WV740 tucking its gear up on take off
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Hunter T.8B N-321 getting airborne for the first tIme since its servicing
'Percy' Pembroke and crew. All pictures credit: James Thomas
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http://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2012-05-14/hunter-flying-move-to-st-athan/Hunter Flying Limited and its fleet of Hunters, Delfins, and YAK-52s made it on to the television news today when Welsh AM Business Minister, Edwina Hart, visited the facility at St Athan. She met with owners John and Nadine Sparks as well as some of the engineers employed by the company. Click the link above to view the ITV Wales news item on the visit.
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