Summer Season Plaque Launched To Raise Over $561,000 To Keep
The Iconic Warbird Flying
Here we have a real good news-bad news scenario. The good news
is that tt was confirmed Wednesday that the last flying Vulcan, an
iconic example of British technical achievement, has comfortably
passed all the vital safety checks that will allow the aircraft to
embark on her biggest display season ever. The bad news? To
hit the season with stable finances, the charity that operates her
must raise over $561,000 (£350,000) before the end of May.
One of the reasons is the imposition of new European VAT
regulations.
File Photo
To help raise the money, a package of supporter benefits is
being launched that includes a special Summer Season Plaque that
will carry the names of campaign supporters on the famous bomb-bay
doors. Subscribers to the Summer Season campaign will also receive
a personalized certificate and entries into the Flying Fund Draw,
which selects one name each month to win nearly $900 (£558)
and ten names to win about $90 (£55.80). Readers can sign-up
here, where
there is also a Q&A.
"Following successful completion of her £120,000 winter
service program, the last flying Vulcan is in excellent condition
and will be taking to the air much earlier than in previous years.
This will allow us to visit more airshows across more of the
country, including many areas that still have fond memories of
Vulcans from their 27 year operational life," says Vulcan to the
Sky Trust chief executive officer Dr Robert Pleming. "Last year she
was seen by around two million people. This year, we hope that more
than three million people will enjoy her spectacular displays."
The aircraft was returned to the air in 2007 following
exceptional support from the British public, the Heritage Lottery
Fund and from a number of company sponsors. Since then, the Trust
has strengthened its commercial activities and its engagement with
the aircraft's supporters. There is a new eNewsletter with
fascinating pictures, news, competitions and technical updates, a
Facebook page, the online shop has an extensive range of
merchandise and almost 1,500 people visited the aircraft over the
winter.
But Pleming is quick to sound a serious warning. "I have to tell
you that due to factors beyond our control, we risk running out of
money ahead of the air show season."
One significant reason is that the VAT regulations applying to
large non-commercial aircraft like the Vulcan were changed with
very little warning at the beginning of January. In practice, this
means the sudden imposition of 20% VAT on all the parts and
services for the maintenance of XH558, which up until then were
zero-rated. On top of this new burden, the fuel budget is now
nearly double that originally planned.
"When we add these extra costs to her ongoing operational
expenses, we need to raise an additional £350,000 by the end
of May to ensure that XH558 arrives on the air show circuit with
stable finances," says Pleming. "This amount is rather smaller than
in previous campaigns and we have longer to raise it - a sign of
the growing strength of the Trust - but that doesn't mean that we
can fly XH558 without the support of her many friends."
The Vulcan team is also trying to raise additional funding for
its educational activities. "We have already delivered education
packs for 7-11 and 11-16 year olds that have been very well
received," says Pleming. "If we raise an additional £50,000,
not only will we extend the audience to all Key Stage age groups,
we will also be able to offer the package nationally in an award
winning format."
The Trust is also looking for Sponsorship Coordinators to help
raise money by organising local fundraising and events. Anyone
arranging ten standing orders will receive a high-quality framed
picture of XH558. "It is absolutely vital that everyone who values
the sight of XH558's magnificent delta profile appearing over the
trees helps however they can," emphasises business development
director Michael Trotter. "She costs £2million a year to fly
and maintain so even with the growing success of our commercial
activities, we still rely on her supporters to keep her
flying."