<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">It is with great sadness that we report the death of our long-term Patron, HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Prince Philip became Patron of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers (now trading as BMFA) in 1957 and<span style="color:#1f497d">,</span> despite relinquishing many of his patronages when he stepped back from public duties over recent years, he remained in place as our patron for a remarkable 64 years.&nbsp; Prince Philip also served two terms as Chairman of the Royal Aero Club and had also served as its President.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Prince Philip was a long-term aviation enthusiast, gaining his RAF wings in 1953 having been taught by Group Captain Caryl Gordon who had led the CFS Meteor Aerobatic Team in the 1950&rsquo;s.&nbsp; He also qualified as a helicopter pilot with the Royal Navy in 1956 and was awarded his private pilot&#39;s licence in 1959.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Many members of the Royal Family have flown solo during their training with the RAF or Royal Navy, but Prince Philip is the only one to have flown a civil aircraft solo. This he did in October 1959 when he flew a Turbulent from White Waltham. This was a significant occasion because it is the only time a member of the Royal Family has flown a single seat aircraft.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">He flew 5,986 hours in 59 types of aircraft, his final flight at the age of 76 was on 11th August 1997 from Carlisle to Islay. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We are certain that members will join us <span style="color:#1f497d">in </span>offering our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family at this sad time.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ian Pallister FSMAE</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">BMFA Chairman</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm; margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><img alt="" src="https://www.bmfa.org/Portals/0/Images/Directors/0512_RAeC-001_RT-sml.jpg?ver=2021-04-09-150946-950&amp;timestamp=1617976995117" style="width: 800px; height: 640px;" /></span></span></span></p>

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