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FLY SKY HIGH AT FARNBOROUGH |
08/05/2008 |
 For the first time ever, The Blades have teamed up with the ‘Colonial Club’ corporate hospitality at Farnborough International Airshow, to offer a package to take you sky high…
Not only will you hosted in one of the most exclusive chalets, you will also be able to take to the skies with The Blades for a ‘once in a lifetime’ formation aerobatic flight.
This unique package is only available through the 'Colonial Club' and consists of the following:-
• Daily entrance ticket for Farnborough International Air Show 2008
• Free Parking
• A warm welcome by the reception team of the 'Colonial Club' on arrival
• Full access and use of the 'Colonial Club' facilities throughout the day
• Meet and chat with The Blades Aerobatic Team and Hostesses over morning tea / coffee / pastries
• Full passenger safety brief from Blade 3
• Don a Blades Flying Suit and flying clothing
• Private Transfer to The Blades Extra 300 aircraft Air Side escorted by hostess
• Experience a 'once in a lifetime' close formation aerobatic flight over Farnborough International and the Hampshire countryside
• Return to the 'Colonial Club' for post-flight debrief
• Enjoy a gourmet silver service 3 Course Lunch with The Blades
• Access the private balcony to view the afternoon's flying display and The Blades display
• Be looked after by our fully staffed team
• Enjoy afternoon Tea
• Experience the 'Colonial Club's' uniquely themed chalet including original aviation artefacts and a fully stocked bar
• 1700 Air display finishes - feel free to unwind in the relaxing 'Colonial Club' surroundings
• 1900 'Colonial Club' closes
You will be seated in the front seat of the Extra 300 special aerobatic aircraft and prepare for take off!!!
Flying in a 'sports' aeroplane is a special experience but when you look out to the side and see your fellow Blades passengers only feet away you will be experiencing what The Blades enjoy every day.
Your Blades pilot will talk you through the manoeuvres as you loop and roll over the Farnborough and Hampshire countryside. Climbing and diving in formation, only you will know how it really feels.
As a member of the 'Colonial Club' you will have the unique opportunity to fly with The Blades and watch yourself on your personal DVD for ever after.
It's an opportunity only available from the 'Colonial Club' at Farnborough International 2008 and with only 8 seats available a day, please don't leave it too late!
For further details please see www.colonialclub.co.uk or call The Blades on 01604 671309.
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HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE WILLIAM'S WINGS GRADUATION |
22/04/2008 |
 On Friday 11th April, The Blades displayed at RAF Cranwell as part of a Wings Graduation. The ceremony is as old as the Royal Air Force itself and is a celebration of its Pilots and Navigators being awarded their ‘wings’ and their official certification of their aircrew speciality.
All Wings Graduations are incredibly important as they represent the dedication and hard work through the training and the completion of their basic flying phase. However, this Wings Grad was a little special as it helped to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force, a date that was marked the previous week by a Flypast with the World Famous Red Arrows and four Typhoons over London.
This Graduation was also slightly unusual as the RAF had gathered together all its Fast-Jet and Rotary Students at RAF Cranwell as opposed to hosting individual graduations at their home bases. Attending the Grad was HRH The Prince of Wales who was there in both an official and personal capacity. He was there to award the aircrew their wings, and to support his eldest son HRH Prince William who was there to receive his own wings after his 3 month flying detachment to the Air Force from the Army, where he learnt to fly 3 types of the RAF’s aircraft.
The Students and their guests were treated to an exceptional ceremony in College Hall before moving down to the flight line to watch a huge selection of Flypasts and Displays. The flying including a 9-ship demonstration of Tucanos from RAF Linton-on-Ouse and a selection of aircraft flypasts from Tornado F3’s to VC10’s. The Blades were the only full time, civilian team to display and the 12 minute show went down a treat. It was the Teams 2nd public display of 2008 and it and whilst the weather did its best to curtail the display, The Team battled on and put on a great show.
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BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIPS |
21/04/2008 |
 To celebrate the British Touring Car Championship last weekend, the team at Rockingham invited The Blades to add a touch of aerial entertainment during the lunch break. It was The Blades debut display at the International Race Circuit and was one that was thoroughly enjoyed by both pilots and spectators alike.
“It is really exciting to be able to display at a new display site” said Team Leader Andy Offer “and it is an added bonus for it to be at such a great event”.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY THE BLADES |
01/04/2008 |
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLADES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAF |
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A NEW PILOT HAS LANDED |
25/03/2008 |
 2Excel and The Blades would like to present the newest member of the pack, Mark ‘Cutty’ Cutmore.
Cutty arrived at the Teams HQ in Northampton last week and is currently knee deep in training with The Team.
Cutty continues the line up of ex Red Arrows pilots and was in fact the Executive Officer in his last year on The Reds, second in command to Blade 1!
Cutty has only recently moved back to UK having been on secondment to the Royal Saudi Air Force as a specialist advisor to their National Aerobatic Team, The Saudi Hawks.
Photo: A mug shot! |
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2 EXCEL WINS CORPORATE SERVICE AWARD AT CONFEX |
13/02/2008 |
 International Confex, currently being held at Earls Court 'til the 14th February, is the largest Events exhibition in the country and attracts the industry's top professionals. 2Excel decided in November to arrange to exhibit at Confex and all efforts were made to make sure that the true corporate image was portrayed.
The efforts that the team have made though, have not gone un-noticed! An external auditor from the industry's trade press was given the task of choosing who they thought offered the best Corporate Service... and she choose 2Excel!!
2Excel's Directors and The Blades Pilots are still at Confex and will be exhibiting for another day. So if you're in London and looking for something extra-specially amazing, please visit the team in the Luxury Pavillion, Stand No. R513. |
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THE BLADES SEND EMMERDALE SOARING |
31/01/2008 |
 Just before Christmas on a bitterly cold day in Yorkshire, The Blades were preparing for their UK Soap debut. ITV’s hit TV Show Emmerdale had written the Aerobatic Display Team into their storyline earlier on in the year and the day had finally come to take to the skies.
The story begins with Viv and Val who are supposed to be taking part in a charity flight with The Blades but there is a twist to the tale, and without giving too much away, the most unlikely characters end up in the front seats of the aircraft.
The episode will be broadcast on Tuesday 5th February on ITV1 at 7pm and then again on ITV2 on the following day.
This is definitely one not to be missed!
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A VISIT FROM UPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL |
22/01/2008 |
 On Tuesday morning, Sywell Aerodrome became host to approximately 40 pupils from the recently opened Upton Meadows Primary School in Northampton. The children were treated to an in-depth tour of the airfield including trips to the Museum, Brooklands Flying School, Flylight and of course 2Excel- home of The Blades.
After being given the chance to explore one of the Teams’ bright orange and black Extra 300 LP aircraft, the children were asked to draw their impression of The Blades. The pictures astounded both teachers and pilots alike, with new paint schemes and designs being produced by the minute. The drawings were so fantastic that The Blades decided to put all of the childrens’ pictures up on their website, please go to Fans photos in ‘The Blades Zone’.
“It was brilliant to see such artistic flare, imagination and enthusiasm” said Blade 4 Myles Garland.
Winning picture drawn by Billy age 6
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HAPPY NEW YEAR |
04/01/2008 |
 A very happy New Year from everyone at 2Excel.
After a well earned break, The Blades will be returning to work at Sywell on Monday 7th Jan. With next year already shaping up to be incredible one there is plenty of work to be done. The Blades calendar is filling up not only with bespoke events and public Airshows, but also with unique and unforgettable Corporate Hospitality days.
Watch this space to find out more.
Photo by S Huntley
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