There were two meetings in 2017.
Spring Meeting: Sat 18th March 2017, Leicester.
This was a shared meeting with the Association of Aviation Medical Examiners (AAME).
Papers were given as follows:
Dr Adrian Chorley, “The Eyes Have It”. About the hazards of UV and blue light;
Dr Eleanor Ivory, “Modern Laser Eye Surgery”.
Professor Michael Bagshaw, “None so Deaf”. About hearing impairment and pilot hearing assessment.
Dr Jon Timperley, “To ROR or not to ROR and other ECG Questions”. About common ECG abnormalities.
The next two speakers were contributed by the BMPA.
Dr Carina Fearnley, “Eyjafjallojokull and other explosive mountains”. About volcanic ash and aviation safety. (This presentation was especially poignant, since Carina is the daughter of the late Dr Geoffrey Fearnley, a long-standing member and past-secretary of the BMPA.)
Prof. Graham Braithwaite, “When Regulations fail and investigation begins: A review of accident investigation.
Dr Sally Evans, “CAA Update”.
The event was concluded with the Gala Dinner on Sat evening, attended and enjoyed by many AAME and BMPA members.
Autumn Meeting: Fri 8 – Sun 10 Sept 2017 – Inverness.
The 2017 Autumn Meeting was based at the very splendid Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness and was enjoyed by all. Despite the uncertain weather, four light aircraft flew to Inverness airport, carrying nine members. Jonathan Brown was awarded the Guinness cup for his arrival closest to his ETA. Others arrived by commercial airline or by car. Fortunately, the weather stayed dry for all our outdoor events which included; the amazing Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George (a tattoo similar to the Edinburgh Tattoo), a boat trip on Loch Ness, a visit to Culloden Battlefield and Museum and a visit to a whisky distillery.
Being a military tattoo, all the armed services were represented. There were pipe bands, re-enactments of battles and, to impress all aviation enthusiasts, a display by a WW1 SE5A Sopwith Camel.
After the black tie dinner at Kingsmills Hotel, Jonathan Brown was presented with the Guinness Cup for his arrival closest to his ETA and Frankie Walters with the Pooley Quaich for long service to the BMPA and her ongoing work as auditor of accounts.
At the AGM on Sunday morning, Andrew Partner was elected President for a further year. David Hillam agreed to act as webmaster in order to take some of the workload from the Secretary.