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The Spirit of
Ayre
Background storyboard regarding Sgt Anthony Ayre’s death and
The RAF Flying Clubs’ Association (RAFFCA) aspiration to complete his
Pitts S2E Kit Aircraft Project, named The Spirit of Ayre
Sgt Anthony John Ayre 4 Aug 1967 - 21 Jul 2014
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Sgt Anthony John Ayre
Sgt Anthony (Tony) Ayre, an Engineering Technician (Avionics) by trade, had provided 29
years of exemplary service to the Royal Air Force (RAF) before he was tragically killed on 21 July
2014. Having spent a week of summer leave with his mother at his house near RAF Leuchars, and
set to return to his place of work at RAF Halton the next day, Tony was travelling to a friend's house
for dinner when he was involved in a fatal road traffic collision; impacting his motorbike into the rear
of a small queue of stationary traffic positioned on the blind side of a hump-backed-bridge, he
suffered a horrific injury and died at the scene.
A much loved son and extremely popular serviceman, the loss of Tony is still proving difficult
for many to accept. Truly a one-off, his character, values and persona typified everything that the
Service stands for and, whilst never marrying, he enjoyed a special closeness with many service
families, friends and colleagues. In simple terms, he was one of those people who you occasionally
have the privilege to meet in life and never forget - for all of the right reasons.
Living his life 'to the max', Tony worked hard but played even harder. An active member of
many Service sports associations such as the RAF Flying Clubs' Association (RAFFCA), challenge and
achievement was his mantra for life. Having gained his Private Pilots Licence with the RAF Akrotiri
Flying Club in 2003, he had immersed himself in the world of light aircraft flying and served on
numerous RAF Flying Club Committees. A talented engineer, he was considered a valued ‘asset’ at
each of his member clubs and there is no doubt that his selfless commitment in ensuring aircraft
were serviced and maintained ultimately allowed many others, namely Junior Ranks (JRs), to
experience the joy of flight at very little personal cost. As a pilot, he had continued to develop his
skills, achieving various qualifications and organising flying expeditions over challenging and
unfamiliar environs. However, for Tony, the challenge presented by one particular flying discipline
stood head and shoulders above all others - Aerobatics.
Gripped by the experience of a few (short) previous aerobatic 'taster flights', Tony was
delighted to learn that RAFFCA was holding an inaugural (novice) Aerobatics Competition at RAF
Cranwell on 6 May 14 and viewed the opportunity as a means to progress his ambition. The British
Aerobatic Association (BAeA) had kindly agreed to host the event, the main aims being to encourage
sporting competition and afford servicemen and woman the chance to experience, and hopefully
become enthused by, the discipline of competition aerobatics. The format used by the BAeA for this
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type of event was quite simple - participants would fly a short training flight with their nominated
instructor in the morning and then, in the afternoon, fly their rehearsed aerobatic sequence above a
judging panel with as little instructor input as possible.
Having secured himself a place at the competition, Tony was allocated a seat in a Pitts S2
aircraft alongside Mr Simon Abbott, his nominated instructor. The Pitts aircraft was a considered
choice, given the fact that Tony had recently purchased his own Pitts S2 kit which he had begun
building in his workshop (his room within the Sergeants’ Mess!) during the course of the previous
few months. The competition would therefore afford two major opportunities for Tony: to fly
competitive aerobatics and, in so doing, for him to experience the handling characteristics of the
very same aircraft type that he was building.
Tony's sheer excitement on the eve of the Competition, had prevented him from sleeping
and therefore he had decided to be the first at the airfield (0500!) and greet his fellow competitors
with arrival bacon rolls and tea - such was his way! However, at that particular hour, neither Tony or
anyone else could have ever predicted what an amazing day was about to unfold. From the outset,
he was consumed by the presence of aerobatic aircraft and highly experienced instructors; nervously
chatting away whilst helping to prepare his aircraft, Tony was truly in his element and if anyone was
going to win the 'big smile' competition it was definitely him. Taxying out for his training session,
Tony and the Pitts looked liked they had known each other for years and upon his return, his 'big
smile' had grown even bigger. A hearty pat on the back from his instructor indicated that the
training had gone well. In fact, much better than expected with a specific comment being made that
Tony's flying skills certainly did not belie his very little (if any) aerobatic flying time - a 'natural'
maybe? The afternoon brought the added ingredient of competition with each of the 22
competitors taking to the sky in turn to execute their aerobatic dance in front of the BAeA judges.
What had begun as a relaxed day, had suddenly become a rather tense one with each flyer anxiously
watching and evaluating each other's performances. Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir John Allison had
kindly attended the event and agreed to present the awards for the top 3 places. For the first time
in the day, the entire aircraft pan area fell silent as the BAeA Chairman gave a résumé of individual
performances before presenting an envelope to Sir John. Having revealed that a young SAC from
RAF Leuchars had won 3rd place, and with 2nd going to a member of the RAF Cranwell Flying Club, it
was with great delight that Sir John announced that the winner had achieved a quite incredible score
of 81.86% - that person being Sgt Tony Ayre. Utterly delighted and amazed by his performance and
experience, he returned to the Sergeants’ Mess that evening and drafted a diary entry which he
entitled "The Best Day of My Life".
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It would be fair to say that when the devastating news of Tony's death was promulgated, the
immediate minds-eye images and thoughts of those closest to him probably included the aerobatics
competition day and the photographs taken of him receiving his award from Sir John. The eulogy
delivered at Tony's funeral included many references to his selfless support of RAF flying clubs, his
aspiration to build a Pitts aircraft in which he could compete and, of course, extracts from his diary
entry.
Shortly after the funeral, Tony’s mother, Joan, contacted RAFFCA and indicated that she
would like to donate the Pitts aircraft project to the Association in the hope that it could be
completed and made available for service personnel to learn to fly and share in Tony’s passion for
aerobatic flight. Extremely honoured to accept Joan’s most generous offer, the necessary actions
were taken to ‘protect’ the aircraft for future generations and an application made by RAFFCA to
form the Ayre to Air Charity. The aircraft, officially registered as G-PULR but christened ‘The Spirit of
Ayre’ was subsequently relocated to a suitable workshop at Derby Airfield, with access to specialist
aircraft engineers, equipment and supporting infrastructure. Mr Paul Ford, an aircraft engineer
based at the airfield and with previous experience of the Pitts type, was aware of the story behind
the project and kindly accepted to officiate as the aircraft’s prime builder and project lead on behalf
of RAFFCA.
In accordance with the wishes of Tony’s family, the Spirit of Ayre, once completed, will
primarily be operated from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire but moved to other RAF Flying Club
locations as and when required. As detailed within the Charity application, the primary aim of the
Ayre to Air Charity, through the Spirit of Ayre aircraft, is to promote and develop the sport of
competitive aerobatic flying, at the lowest (non profit making) cost possible for any member of the
RAF and others that may be eligible, regardless of rank or seniority. A secondary aim will be to
display this very special aircraft across the UK and International display circuits and its future ‘stage -
appearance’ has already generated significant interest from the public, aircraft enthusiasts and
fellow aerobatic pilots alike. The aircraft’s unique paint scheme, designed by Tony’s family, is superb
and will draw the eye and camera lens in both the ground and airborne environments.
Now some 2 years into the build phase, the Spirit of Ayre is ~85% complete and the work
thus far has been signed-off by a licensed inspector. With the upper and lower wing sets complete
and fitted, the main fuselage covered and a powerful 200 HP Lycoming aerobatic engine and
propeller positioned ‘up front’, the Spirit of Ayre is looking as though she is almost ready to take to
leap into the skies. However, it has not been an easy road - the build and component costs incurred
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so far have been considerable and, had it not been for the generous support of various internal
(RAF) and external organisations, as well as a great deal of voluntary effort, the project may well
have floundered.
The project is tantalising close to completion but, having now almost exhausted the project’s
financial and physical resources, there is a very real risk that a ‘tactical pause’ will need to be taken
whilst additional support from a third party is sought. A recent project review has confirmed that
there are just four, relatively minor and straightforward, areas of the project remaining to complete:
1. Final engine fitting, snagging and testing (including procurement and fit of an exhaust system) 2.
Purchase and fitting of avionic instrumentation 3. Painting and finishing 4. Flight testing and
signing-off by the national authority. The total cost to complete these work efforts is estimated at
£25K and would take approximately 24 weeks. Therefore, if support is forthcoming in the near
future, the Spirit of Ayre could be airborne this year with the aim being to formally introduce her
during 2018, the RAF’s Centenary Year.
And so, in summary, the completion of The Spirit of Ayre Pitts S2 aircraft is RAFFCA’s number
one priority and immediate focus. However, although with the end very much now in sight, the
project cannot progress unless investment from a third party, or a portfolio of supporters, is
secured. Ultimately, the completion of the project will serve as a fitting tribute to Sgt Ayre's
exemplary service career in the RAF and, in particular, his selfless support to RAF Flying Clubs and
Junior Ranks wishing to learn to fly. The formation of the Spirit of Ayre Charity will ensure that the
aircraft is protected and operated in accordance with the aims of the Charity for generations to
come. Undoubtedly set to attract a great deal of media and PR-related interest during the
immediate years ahead, the introduction of the Spirit of Ayre is eagerly anticipated. And to imagine,
a Junior Rank or ab-initio pilot taking to the skies in the late Sgt Anthony Ayre’s beloved aircraft, to
enjoying the thrill of aerobatic flight for the first time, during the RAF’s Centenary Year of 2018,
really would be a fairytale ending to a tragic story.
Attached (page 6 onwards):
Photographs taken during the RAFFCA Aerobatics Competition
A few Photographs of Sgt Ayre’s Pitts S2 kit (taken shortly after his death)
Extract from Sgt Ayre’s diary dated 3 May 2014 and entitled “The best day of my life”
A pictorial timeline showing the project’s progress up to Jun 17 (**separate document)
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Above: A Pitts S2 Aircraft - as flown by Sgt Ayre during the RAFFCA Aerobatic Competition. The Spirit
of Ayre is identical to this aircraft type.
Left and below: Sgt Ayre enjoying a ‘nervous
joke’ with his instructor Simon Abbott and
helping to prep his aircraft.
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Above and below: Sgt Ayre immediately after flying his training and competitive aerobatic sequence
with his instructor.
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Above and below: ACM Sir John Allison (retd) awarding Sgt Ayre with 1st Place.
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Sgt Ayre’s Pitts S2 Kit Aircraft (G-PULR): Fuselage and Wing Sections shown shortly after Sgt Ayre’s
death.
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Above: The RAFFCA Competition Aerobatic Squad and Event Competitors - 3 May 2104
Sgt Anthony John Ayre
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Sgt Anthony Ayre, diary entry dated 3 May 2014 and entitled “The Best Day of My Life”.
"Startled at the thought of sleeping in for the aerobatic day I woke up only to realise that it was still
dark outside. The clock said 04:30 and I kidded myself I best go back to sleep. It was no good and I
was far too excited, the only thing to do was to get up. Arriving on the very quiet airfield at first light
I went through the aerobatic sequence in my head again and again. By 0600 I was so happy to see
the first people arriving and got cracking - knocking out the bacon butties. We were all soon in
briefing and allocated to an instructor and aircraft for the day.
Strapped in, engine running, I was asked if I wanted to taxi for runway 08. Having not flown a Pitts
for over 10yrs, and that was for only 3 very short flights, I thought it best to get as much feel for the
aircraft as possible. Weaving away along the taxiway, checking the route forward, hidden by the
engine in front of me was clear, I soon lined up ready for take-off. Feeling honoured I opened the
throttle and in what seemed like seconds we reached 3,000ft and I established myself in the training
area. Here I was instructed on my many errors as I attempted each of the six aerobatic manoeuvres.
With patience of a saint and nerves of steel my instructor Simon Abbott demonstrated and critiqued,
but all too soon we were called into the display box to perform the sequence. Indicating to the
judges that I was ready to start by rocking my wings 3 times I felt fare from confident. The first
manoeuvre a 270’ turn left went well followed by a 45’ dive down which once corrected by Simon
felt more like 90’ down. Pulling level as not to bust the min height of 1,500ft I looked left and pulling
hard entered the loop. Looking forward at the 12 o’clock position I was absolutely amazed to see the
horizon level, the first time today that I had got it right - I kept reminding myself to use the horizon
as my reference. With boosted confidence pulling out of the loop I looked left again and sat the Pitts
on it’s back to enter the stall turn. Climbing away vertically on full throttle I patiently waited for the
little bit of string on the end of the wing to wiggle, indicating me to initiate full left rudder and full
right aileron. As we pirouetted around the left wing I was wide eyed heading straight for the ground
yet quite stunned how smooth it all felt. Pulling out level I travelled back up the display box for the
half Cuban manoeuvre, looking left again I pulled for a ¾ loop. Again passing the 12 o’clock the wings
were level. Pushing at the 9 o’clock and heading off in a 45’ straight down line whilst inverted I
counted to 3 and rolled upright, a further count to 3 and pulled level ready for the aileron role.
Raising the nose slightly I became conscious of Simon hooting and roaring from the back but too
engrossed and pushing the stick hard left for the last manoeuvre it was not until we were wings level
that I realised he was expressing his amazement that I had actually pulled it all together. We laughed
and joked all the way down-wind to land. What an amazing flight.”