Club Meeting 15th May 2026

Welcome: After the completion of the AGM, incoming president Ted Collett welcomed members, guests and today’s speaker, Club member Derek Long.

President Ted introduced Club member Derek Long to tell us how he built the Piel Super Emeraude-CP328 light aircraft.

Derek began his talk by describing his life long interest in flight, beginning as a young boy making Airfix models leading to making a radio controlled glider. Having successfully started Severn Metals , his own business, Derek told us how following having glider pilot lessons at Nympsfield his wife Sally gave him a birthday gift of flying lessons at Staverton airfield. This led to Derek becoming a flying instructor.

In 1999 Derek and his business partner bought a planned built aircraft partially constructed, and using this friend’s garage commenced with building the plane. It was during this time that Sally, Derek’s wife, suffered a serious illness from which thankfully she fully recovered.

The aircraft construction was completed in 2003 and was registered with the CAA with the title G-SAZZ after Sally’s nickname. In 2004 Derek won the Planned Built Aircraft Trophy.

Derek finished his fine and informative talk by describing his time as a commercial airline pilot.

After questions from the floor the president gave the vote of thanks and members showed their appreciation with a round of applause.