MEDWAY AIRCRAFT PRESERVATION SOCIETY Ltd

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MAYORS VISIT TO ROCHESTER AIRPORT AND MAPSL

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A visit by the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway, Councillor Stuart Tranter and his wife Sarah, to the workshop of MAPSL on Wednesday 24th August 2016 saw them give their support for the current project, the restoration of a Rochester built Short Scion Feeder Airliner.  Accompanied by Dr. Anne Logan, Assistant Warden of the Rochester Bridge Trust, Councillor Sylvia Griffin-Rochester South and Horsted Ward and Erica Jones, the PR representative of Maxim-PR, the visitors were welcomed by MAPSL Chairman, Malcolm Moulton and fellow directors.  A tour of the visitors centre was followed by a visit to the main workshop where the volunteers were working on restoring this rare aircraft which began its life at Rochester Airport as a float plane in 1937.  Introduced to the team leader on the project, Robin Heaps, it was explained to the assembled guests that the work on the Scion was only possible thanks to a generous grant from The Rochester Bridge Trust and the continued support from BAE Systems. 

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After refreshments, a visit to the control tower showed just how an airport controls the aircraft flying in and out with the Mayoress particularly, having an interest in aviation, putting some interesting questions to the controller, Julia Camp.  A tour of the main hangar courtesy of the airport manager Kelvin Carr concluded the visit shortly after which the Mayor was pleased to send the following email:-   

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“It was a pleasure to meet Malcolm Moulton, the chairman, the directors and volunteers and to see first-hand the fantastic highly skilled work they are doing to restore and preserve historic aircraft, which came from this area.  I came away thinking this is as much about our future as out past.  Not only will their work ensure Medway’s fine engineering past is available for all to see, it is an indication of the skill and dedication and creative work available in Medway today; and that is an opportunity for future investors in Medway.  So it was no surprise to me to learn that this team are working with and supported by world leading organisations such as Greenwich University and BAE Systems. I hope that plans to build a hanger and display area as part of the exciting airport development project are able to go ahead, as part of wider ongoing regeneration plans for Medway.”   

Stuart Tranter

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For further information please contact MAPSL.