Astrasim Expo - Flight Simulation Shows & Events

The British weather did not do us any favours over the weekend. With torrential rain all day on Saturday, this affected much at this year's event including the flying of aircraft (trial flights) and a proposed aerobatic display for all who came along.

Around 300 people braved the unseasonal weather, including one visitor who walked from the local railway station. Not even the rain and gloom could dampen the spirits. This year we had more attractions more stands and stalls. The flight simulation community was well catered for, with VA's the local user group alongside full size simulator in the shape of an Aero Delfin and all the software and hardware any simmer could want supplied by Flightstore.

Aircraft on display included a replica of the famous Fokker Triplane. This Fokker Dr. I 'Dreidecker' replica represents one of the most feared fighter aircraft of World War One. The type was used to devastating effect by the legendary Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) circa 1918, in whose colours the aircraft currently displays. Despite its outward appearance the aircraft is powered by a modern Lycoming engine. It was also recently used in the movie 'The Fly Boys' A truly magnificent aircraft and one your unlikely to see as close as this! This was alongside The Jungmann which was designed specifically to provide ab-initio training for military pilots during the inter-war years, albeit in the guise of an aerobatic aircraft, the first prototype being rolled-out in 1934. So successful was the design that by 1941 some 4000 airframes had been built worldwide (many built under licence in Spain and Czechoslovakia). After the war the aircraft became a popular competition aerobatic aircraft. G-TAFF (owned by Tony 'Taff' Smith), has recently been refurbished at Breighton. It is the aircraft in which Tony flew solo from Australia to the UK in the late 1980's.

Ian Brookes brought a more futuristic aircraft along in the shape of a Aero Delfin L29 this was was a military jet trainer aircraft that became the standard jet trainer for the air forces of Warsaw Pact nations in the 1960s. It was Czechoslovakia's first locally designed and built jet aircraft. Many people had a opportunity to sit inside this aircraft and fly a simulated flight. The most amazing thing about it, is that all the gauges and switches work, giving the 'as real as it gets' experience.

The Sherburn User Group have grown significantly over the past twelve months and this was clear to see with some fantastic new self built cockpits on display. John Crossland was showing his replica PA28, designed and built by Dave Lidgley which was proving to be one of the main attractions at the show. The VA community was also attracting interest, whether you were interested in fast jets or the airliner side of simming.

The show this year for the first time introduced other aviation related organisations, including the Yorkshire Gliding Club, who this year are celebrating their 75th anniversary. Real Simulation who own and run full size simulators, Boeing 737 and Phantom F-4 from their base in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Diamond Aircraft one of the world's leading general aviation manufacturers brought one of their DA40 TDI to the show. Our thanks go to Paul from Diamond for managing to fly up on such an awful day. For folks who prefer four wheels to three or two in some cases! We had a great display of prestige sport cars courtesy of Gateforth Motors. Jaguar, Ferrari and Porsche to name but three.

Morley Models and D&S Helicopters brought some fantastic RC models along, not only aircraft but cars and boats, in fact just about anything that could be controlled remotely!

For children we had a giant bouncy castle and some fun aviation stalls, with Toms Paper Plane Challenge proving very popular on the day for young and old! Jackie and her husband brought along an antique and collectables collection, with some great old aviation memorabilia .

But the main aim of the show was to try and raise awareness and some money for the Alzheimer's Society, we would like to thank everyone who donated their loose change to this good cause a total of £27.46 was raised.

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped out on the day. We tried to cater to all who came along by giving something a little different to the norm.