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Updated 25Jan12
2012 trips & Updates.
Blue Angels Reports.
Happy New Year.
Click pics above
to see trip reports
PROVIDING TOURS FOR THE AVIATION ENTHUSIAST FOCUSED ON HIGH STANDARDS AND VALUE FOR MONEY
Every effort is made to ensure that the information displayed is accurate. Travel arrangements
should not be made solely on the basis of information given here.
Want to see, photograph or fly in exotic aircraft? This non-profit making Society's purpose is to assist aviation enthusiasts
in enjoying the large variety of aviation facilities and activities around the world. We arrange aviation tours and holidays, visiting
airports, aircraft museums, military airplane establishments and airshows worldwide, with an emphasis on aviation photography. Membership
of the Society is open to any aviation enthusiast from any country who wishes to join and support the aims of the Society.
The Society's tours and visits are organised in co-operation with bonded travel agents, and designed to satisfying the
aviation enthusiast's aspirations. The Society is generally able to achieve much more as a group than individuals could
achieve travelling on their own, and draws on a wealth of contacts throughout the world.
BAES Statistics -
In the last ten years BAES groups have visited 40 different countries (21 European, and 19 others, including 32 US States, and 9 Canadian
Provinces).
In the same period BAES members have flown in 252 different aircraft types (193 excluding airliners). One member has flown in 125 types
whilst on BAES tours.
The BRITISH AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS SOCIETY
28a Frogmore Lane,
Lovedean
Waterlooville, Hants. P08 9QL
Tel/Fax:0044(0)2392 421903
Email: mail@baes.org.uk
Membership to the Society is open to any aviation enthusiast from any country who wishes to join and support the aims of the Society.
ENCOURAGING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS FOR THE BENEFIT OF AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS
Click below for the list of tours.
All tours are offered on a first come first served basis.
If you are interested contact Tel/Fax:0044(0)2392 421903
FULL TOURS always have an English speaking guide who is also a Society Member, understands what members want to achieve, and has been fully briefed on the arrangements booked.
MEMBERS' SMALL GROUP TRIPS(those with stars) are a co-operative venture by those going along, with one member taking the lead. Small group trips are normally dependent on at least one member volunteering to be a driver when a hire car is required. A planned route and proposed itinerary are provided, along with transport and accomodation arrangements.
If you are interested in any of the listed tours or trips, have any questions or need information regarding tours please do not hesitate to contact BAES where we will do our utmost to assist you. Tel/Fax:0044(0)2392 421903
2011
Oshkosh
Sandy McCaskie -
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip, Thunder Over Michigan a VG show, Oshkosh plenty to see, Richard was a good guide who helped contribute to a very enjoyable trip.
Clive Collins -
Very Good trip meeting my expectations and good VFM.
NW USA
Mike Green -
Another excellent trip to Washington State, flying opportunities nearly every day with yet more new types. I've flown in both Detroiters at Port Townsend, what could
be better - the Fairchild 71- you've got to try them for yourself. Looking forward to flying in John Sessions other aircraft next year!
Turkey
Stephen Williams -
Good trip although a bit expensive for Europe it was still value for money. More time in Ankara and Istanbul would have been appreciated.
Reunion
Ray Draper -
My first attendance at the reunion, what an excellent weekend good value and we had access to areas not normally open to the public. I will recommend BAES to my friends.
Pete Langsdale -
Excellent weekend and great value for money.
Dave Potter -
An excellent balanced trip meeting all my expectations - should have been longer.
Pensacola & USN 100
Jim Proops -
Very good trip, better breakfasts would be appreciated.
Ed Mason -
Good trip but was disappointed the two advertised base visits were cancelled.
Sun'n'Fun
Arnold Garside -
Overall, despite some disappointments, I'd say that the Sun 'n' Fun Trip was typically BAES, i.e. not everything went to plan but other (and perhaps better) opportunities
turned up to make up for those lost for whatever reason.
Paul Hodges -
Excellent trip with good value for money.
Barry Scott -
Being that I was only doing part of the trip it was much to my liking.
Mark Salter -
A great mix of flying, museums and airshows. I flew in nearly all the aircraft I had expected to plus some additional ones so I was very happy. The price of the tour was very
reasonable.
Australia
Pete Townsend -
Another excellent trip, I cannot think of anyway to improve the BAES trip to Australia unless Alan finds more people to fly with. With everyone Alan knows in OZ you
cannot ask for better arrangements and content. Only one suggestion comes to mind, we need some sort of drug to slow Alan down, his energy holds no bounds and I feel
drained as he goes searching for his contacts/flights. His commitment to the group makes the trip so much more enjoyable.
Geoff Monahan -
Thanks for another well organised trip, the work is appreciated. I managed 9 new types!.
2010
China
Ken Duffey -
Thanks to all - for the great companionship on the trip - and to Alan & George for organising it. Special thanks to Paul for his perseverance at the Shanghai Aviation
Enthusiasts Centre - if it hadn't been for his insistence on seeing someone 'in authority', we wouldn't have got in.... I must say that the China trip was the best I
have ever been on - the company was great (we all got on famously), the food was awesome, the sights were terrific (climbed the Great Wall and got the tee shirt), the
people were ultra friendly and the museums and airshow were superb.
Arnold Garside -
Good mix of aviation and tourism, local drivers and guides excellent. China has to be seen to be believed. Great trip.
New York State and CWH
John Sheraton -
Very good trip even though some aircraft at CWH not available and base visits cancelled both out of BAES control. Using a car made for better flexibility. Alan
was an extremely knowledgeable guide. Will recommend BAES to other enthusiasts.
Sweden
Dave Bowers -
A very good weekend with a pleasant leader and group of chaps. Special thanks to Peter Langsdale for his assistance.
Emmen
Paul Chapman -
Very good trip well organised with excellent accommodation. More short duration trips like this are welcome to members who have limited leave availability.
Hungary
Terry Allen -
Although an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable tour, a full day watching the arrivals would have made it perfect. Very friendly group of people at one of the best
airshows ever, I will be recommending it to all my friends. My thanks to all for making this tour happen.
Roger Bartley -
many thanks for organising an great weekend to a brilliant airshow. As usual a well organised trip.
Reg Warren -
good weekend airshow trip well led by Graham, good idea to leave the show early on Sunday to beat the crowds after a full day on Saturday.
Graham Spicer -
Much better than hoped for trip, content, price and company excellent. Could only be bettered by cheap beer!
Dave Bowers -
Good tour content with excellent hotels well positioned. Could do with more time on arrivals day and not leaving early on Sunday.
Albania
Lee Marsh -
Very well organised trip, Haxhi and John could not have been better. I would recommend BAES to others as good value for money.
Jason French -
Good value trip well led, a very good trip. Will go with BAES again and recommend them.
Stuart Greer -
Excellent good value trip meeting my expectations, with an excellent tour guide. Will recommend BAES tours to my friends.
Unnamed -
Many thanks for a fantastic trip, it was a real pleasure. Good value trip, it was everything that was expected. We did not get into the cavern at Kucove which was a shame but it was a military trip and we were in their hands.
Eire
Arnold Garside -
Good Value for Money although expectations not met due to the airshow cancellations however still a good tour thanks to Alan changing the tour content at short notice.
Reg Warren -
Very good trip even though the airshows were cancelled after booking.
Chino
Ray Draper -
Very good tour, pity no base visits but I understand why not,. Few problems with hotels but sorted out by Paul. I appreciated the ease with which my trip was organised by yourselves thank you.
Ed Mason -
Very good trip would have liked some base visits but out of your hands. Good accommodation and transportation. Good value trip.
Ken Otani -
Thank you very much for BAES doing me such a great favour for Chino and California Tour.
Werner Banninger -
Chino was a good BAES trip with an excellent guide in Paul Hodges. Good VFM and well recommended to other enthusiasts.
Reunion
Geordie Nairn -
Just a line or two to say thanks for a great weekend during the recent BAES reunion. The hard work that went into organising it was much appreciated. All
the best.
Peter Hall -
I would just like to say a very big thankyou for a quite superb weekend in Germany. I had a great time. All the visits were very good and intresting.
The hotel was top quality and with excellent food.
Colin Burgess -
Just a quick note to say any, many thanks to you and Deryn for a great Reunion. The museums were excellent, the bus drivers, real characters and the banter
was great.
Sun n Fun
Clive Collins -
On the whole I was satisfied with the way it went, my only negative comment would be about....the wasted day travelling all the way across to Jacksonville
for nothing. With regards to Terry's running of the trip it could not have been better...
Morocco
Paul R -
Very good trip achieving what was advertised and more. Escort catered for needs of photographers and spotters well. Will recommend BAES to others. Well
done Alan good trip.
Stephen Brennan -
A good trip with the day touring Casablanca and Rabat. Only two days are needed at the show. Good quality trip value for money.
Peter Davison -
A good trip although could have been better if permissions from the Chief of Staff had been arranged to see aircraft in the base (and other
bases). Would have been good to be there for the opening day.
Roy Crew -
Thanks also for the trip organisation, it was all I had hoped for.....Good variety of aircraft, loads of sunshine and a little bit of sightseeing.
Dave Bowers -
Very Good Tour, base tours would be good for another time. Well done Alan and Paul, I enjoyed every minute.
2009
Malaysia trip
Bert Stil -
Basic itinerary looked very good, air show and base visits with a museum and touristy things thrown in. Visits were far shorter than planned
and problems taking photographs. The tour content was excellent and the majority of hotels were very good, I will do more military trips with
BAES especially photographic tours.
Ian French -
While the tour was good, I was expecting more photo access. John did however have problems making contact with the RMAF Liaison Officer. There
did not seem to be any back up plan if things went wrong (as they did). I enjoyed the tour and will book with BAES again.
Simon Grigor -
Difficulties with photographs at bases, as with all military trips there is a 'risk', John tried his best to rescue the situation. He put in
extra visits not on the itinerary - excellent. Unfortunately not up to the usual BAES standard.
Les Bushell -
Appears to be a lot of confusion re photographing aircraft on the bases. Couldn't fault the coaches, coach captain, and guides. Overall - I
enjoyed myself; the trip was well planned - even though it didn't go off as planned. I would go on another trip.
Stephen Brennan
This trip was below the normal BAES standard I am used to, it did not appear to be well coordinated with the RMAF.
Serbia trip
David Bowers -
A good trip although the display line was a long way from the crowd; however perhaps future trips here should have extra time to attend
the rehearsals day and base visits if possible.
Serbia and Poland
BAES Member -
Both trips were good but time for sight seeing would have been welcomed.
Canada
Arnold Garside -
Excellent trip, fortunate to have been able to fit in two extra air shows, helped by the transport used. Alan up to usual excellent job.
CWH treated us very well, unfortunate some aircraft went unserviceable but a big thanks to them. Great value for money.
Mark Salter -
The tour had something for everyone, flying, museums, air shows and sightseeing. Alan managed to arrange some unique flying opportunities
and he worked very hard to ensure the tour ran smoothly including arranging the additional extras like the two airshows not originally
planned. It would be hard to improve on the trip, a well organised and enjoyable tour with BAES providing flying opportunities in aircraft
not offered by other group tours.
Olympic and Canada
Barry Scott -
Excellent trips with a good balance of activities and free time with great opportunities for flying, Alan managed a potentially difficult
job with his usual efficiency, good humour and the occasional beer. Expectations were exceeded and great value for money - I can not see
how the excellent content of the BAES trips and the high standard of accommodation could possibly be done for less. Looking forward to
2010 (bank manager permitting).
Olympic FLight Museum and western Washington.
Mike Green -
Port Townsend was a gem, fancy flying in (and flying) a Stinson Detroiter and six others! Then theres Olympia itself WOW again. Where
else in only six days could you have got 21 flights, 14 in new types. All at a very reasonable price. I've never known anybody so good at
chatting up aircraft owners to organise flights as Alan Key.
Mark Salter -
A superb tour with some unique opportunities for flying in unusual aircraft. As always , it was extremely well organised. This tour
more than met the very high standards I have come to expect from BAES trips. As always , Alan worked very hard to ensure everyone got
what they wanted , and he even managed to arrange some extras which were not on the itinerary.I would highly recommend BAES to anyone
who enjoys flying in classic aircraft. No other tour group can offer the quality and variety of flying opportunities that BAES does.
Trev Bartlett -
People talk of the "WOW" factor, but everything that was planned by Alan and BAES worked so well that over a week since leaving Seattle
I still have a smile on my face. The fact that everything as advertised was available, the weather remained good and there was a
smattering of unexpected flights (Widgeon, Ercoupe etc.), made this trip truly special. Flying in rare and vintage aeroplanes will
always have a relatively high price. Yes, to spend $900 on the Huskie is a lot of money, but compare this to the hire cost of a PA-28
in the UK, or the enjoyment of the flight itself (not to mention the photographic opportunities), and the cost is certainly not
unreasonable. In addition the fact that the team at Olympic put so much effort in making each and everyone of us happy made it even more
special. When I flew in the Zero Replica, apart from Bud Granley, there were five ground crew in attendance! This type of aviation
certainly does not come cheap! To be honest I think it was as close to perfection as was humanly possible. I am looking forward to the
next visit! Once again a big thank you for all that you did for us
Barry Scott -
The flying opportunities presented are not readily available anywhere else (nor are they offered with such enthusiasm!) The success of
the tour is directly proportional to the effort that the Tour Guide puts in – Thanks Alan. I can’t think of any practical way
in which this tour could have been improved. I am looking forward to the next visit to our friends in Washington State.
It is the society's intention to regularly add reviews of BAES organised trips to give a real impression of the fun and excitement our members enjoy travelling together. You will find links to reports of recent trips below, most of which include photos taken by members on those trips. Older trip reports can be accessed by using the Archive button.
This page contains links to internet sites for places on the BAES Report list
or that we have close links with.
Current Committee members are listed below with their email addresses. Any questions about tours or the Society, or suggestion for this site can be submitted to mail@baes.org.uk or write to the address on the 'BAES Aims' page.
Photo CDs are now available for many BAES trips grouped by region or country. Each CD holds over 500 photos supplied by members
as supplied to us by those members, and are offered for personal use only - not for publication without specific
permission obtained through this Society.
Disks cost £15 each to members and £20 to non-members. A full list can be found on the Photo Disk Order Form which can be printed below. Any queries should be
addressed to photos@baes.org.uk.
