Jim Flies F-35 for the 1st time.
Yakovlevs Team pilot Jim Schofield, who is in the middle of his F-35 tour in America, at USAF base Patuxent River, is one of a handful of test pilots flying F-35B and F-35C, and he advises the UK on the programme’s progress, he also flies F-18 chase aircraft. Here Jim is just about to get airborne in the beast for the very first time…..
Mount Toubkal Climb with BLGC
February 2012, Team Lead Jez makes the 14,000ft summit of Mount Toubkal Morroco.
As part of one of the charities that Team Yakovlevs support, the Bolton Lads and Girls club, Jez spent 10 days away from the comforts of the Team base in Somerset and climbed one of the highest mountains in Africa. The winter climb took him from the lowlands of Morocco to the very top of the High Atlas mountains at 14,000 ft covering a total distance of around 68km.
“The climb from Camp 2 up to the summit was a savage climb with ice axe and crampons, lasting well over 13 hours, but well worth it for the views from the top” stated Jez after returning from the summit.
Yakovlevs launch Nintendo 3DS game Pilot Wings Resort.
Nintendo 3DS Pilots Wings Resort launch with the Yakovlevs.
CLIC Sargent day at Henstridge Airfield
More than 300 people turned up to see the CLIC Sargent day at Henstridge Airfield, Somerset – and of course the Yaks were there to entertain the crowds, and especially the kids!
Thanks to CLIC Sargent children with cancer and their families receive support at home and in hospital from the day of diagnosis. Around eight aircraft made more than 100 flights for the children. The Yakovlevs were in hand to give a very special two-ship display, complete with a heart in the sky for all the children and their families.
“This is such an important charity to support, as almost all of us have had either someone in our family or circle of friends who has been affected by cancer,” lead pilot Jez Hopkinson said. “Any support we can give to the children and their families, is absolutely our pleasure.”
The team will be up in the skies in no time at all again – keep your peepers on our Forthcoming Events page to find out where you can see them next.
Flyer Magazine
For those who haven’t been able to get their mitts on a copy of FLYER Mag lately, we have put the story on the Yakovlevs on the website. Have a look, and tell us what you think!
Next month, we will also be putting up our eight-page newsletter, filled with everything the team has been up to over the past few weeks. (more…)
