DHA calls in receivers

On October 1, Bournemouth-based historic jet aircraft restoration and maintenenace company De Havilland Aviation (DHA) went into administration. It had won worldwide recognition as restorer/operator of the world's only airworthy de Havilland Sea Vixen, XP924/G-CVIX, one of the most popular acts on the airshow circuit since its return to the air in May 2000. Britain's only airworthy former Red Arrows Hawker Siddeley Gnat, XR537/G-NATY, was also restored and operated by DHA.

On October 19 a source close to DHA said, “Active discussions are currently under way to retain the crucial CAA A8-20 maintenance authorisation in some shape or form at Bournemouth”. Both the Sea Vixen and Gnat are owned by Julian Jones, who led a consortium that acquired DHA in October 2005.

This is just a taster — see December's Aeroplane magazine for the full story.