G-AWMT, the CATS Cessna F150H.

[wetspanner]

Hi all,
Just joined, first post and all that.

Very fond memories as my dad learnt to fly with CATS at Liverpool in the '70's and I used to sit in the car and watch.
Apparently now owned in Aberdeen, any other info, photos would be good.

Thanks in advance.
Pete.

[viscount]

I presume that you have found the thread 'Cheshire Air Training School' - a full company history and subsequent comment, derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/3731, which includes numerous references to G-AWMT and photos of this aircraft.

G-AWMT by MARTIN CHELL, on Flickr

Photo credit: Martin Chell (this image also appears on the 'Cheshire Air Training school' thread).

[wetspanner]

I have yes thanks, also spent many hours pretty much reading the same story in different forms on various other websites.
I was hoping someone may have some personal photos other than those already posted.
Again thanks for your reply.

[Deleted]

G-AWMT is still going based at Insch

Bob

[wetspanner]

Thanks for the info, may just brave the miles and try to have a look.
Cheers.

[viscount]

I've never been anywhere near Insch, but I don't suppose all that many enthusiasts have been there either! It is an airfield about 25 miles north-west of Aberdeen off the A96, or alternatively put, it is just under half way between Aberdeen and Lossiemouth. G-INFO shows the owning company to operate from an Aberdeen address. 'Mike Tango' has clocked up considerable number of years, and presumably hours, having been Cheshire Air Training School's first aircraft.

www.gmfc-insch.co.uk provides information about the airfield.

One that sahg should watch, as it would make a relevant candidate for preservation at Speke once its flying days are over.

[wetspanner]

Thanks for the SAHG info, never heard of them, now a keen follower!
I have got the address of the current owners, I may just have to turn up and make an offer!!!!?

Also thanks everyone for the interest............. so far.

[viscount]

Visited Dundee Riverside on 6th January 2011 and found Cessna F.150H G-AWMT picketed out on the long-term parking, grass apron - presumably a winter 'refugee' from further north.

Taken as nearly directly into the low winter sun, these are not the best of photos, but given the interest in this aircraft thought even the dark shadowy side would be of record. Clearly parked out on grass for the winter, she appears to be in good condition, although the frozen condensation inside the rear window can't be that good long term.

[wetspanner]

Just a big thank you to all for you continued info and pics. I honestly thought I may get 1 reply off someone who remembered the bird. A pat on the back to all concerned.
Again thank you.
Pete.

[lowflyer]

Hi,
Just to say G-AWMT is still at Insch and is airworthy after over 45 years.
When you think she will have spent most of her 45 years outside in all weathers.

My 1st Solo was 31st January 1973.

We used to mix in with BEA Viscounts, Eagle Airways 111's, the occasional Dan Air and once we had the French Concorde land on the new runway long before that John Lennon terminal was built. Not to mention the great Air shows.

Good old days.
Charlie.

[viscount]

As the subject of G-AWMT has been raised on PM by a new member, I'll post a summary of the airframe history of this aircraft that I've had on file for a number of years, freshly amended to include the latest change of ownership, waiting the right opportunity to use. Mostly from the CAA G-INFO public information site together with notes made during her time flying from Liverpool. There is just one Martin Chell image of 'MT on NWAN Forum - anyone have further pictures to illustrate her time with the grinning Cheshire cat logo? I have to admit (to my shame) that I don't have a single clear photo of her in my collections, being more interested in military aviation during the ´70s.

G-AWMT, Cessna F.150H, C/no.0360, Built Reims Aviation SA, France in 1968.

From new, French built Reims Cessna F.150H with constructor’s number 0360 was delivered to sales agents Gregory Air Taxis at Denham, registered G-AWMT with the CAA on 1st August 1968. Gregory's also purchased a new Cessna F172H G-AWMU at the same time. At this time savy agents were purchasing Reims Cessnas off the production line to get the import paperwork done before a change in import taxation rules, which is why nearly the whole of the G-AWU• block of registrations were allocated to import Cessna aircraft in early November 1968. On 27th February 1969 the CAA were notified that the aircraft had been chartered by Skywork Ltd of Stansted, but the initial C of A does not appear to have been awarded until 18th May 1969. The charter was ended 4th August 1969 and on 27th August 1969 the aircraft was acquired by used aircraft sales agents Shackleton Aviation Ltd at Nottingham/Sywell.

'Mike Tango' was selected by Dennis Dickinson as the most suitable aircraft with which to set up a flying school at Hawarden Airfield, Chester, the Cheshire Air Training School (CATS), with the CAA purchase paperwork dated 25th June 1970. The aircraft had been collected and flown to Hawarden mid June and the new Club’s first student training flight made on 18th June. However the tight security at HSA Chester made access to the airfield for a flying school operation a big problem. As a result on 22nd July after 5 weeks of frustration with ease of access not resolved, the operation moved to Liverpool/Speke Airport. Initial ‘office’ was a car in an airside parking area, but soon a Portacabin was erected beside No.3 hangar and space within the hangar, which was partly occupied by Vernair was rented. While G-AWMT was the Club’s first aircraft, she was soon joined by another Cessna 150 G-AWUS in July 1971, Cessna 172 G-AZLM June 1972 and G-BAYO July 1973. Although the arrival of CATS at Liverpool was initially contested by the established Liverpool Aero Club, competition generated interest and showed that there was more than enough business for both. In Summer 1978 G-AWMT was sold to a CATS member, JA Wright, but continued to be operated by CATS for several more years. With a C of A due and work required, the aircraft was sold to RV Grocott of Whitchurch and taken away by road on 29th September 1982, after 12 years of regular use with many student pilots learning to fly on ‘Mike Tango’.

With RV Grocott she was returned to the air and flown from Sleap and at times Whitchurch (where she lived in the small hangar beside the parachute school) for a further 12 years. On 1st March 1994 the CAA were notified of a change of ownership on purchase by RB Sandell of Leamington Spa, however only 6 months later on 18th July 1994 ownership transferred to Oilfield Expertise Ltd of Belfast. They used the aircraft for 6 years before selling ‘Mike Tango’ to new owners in Scotland.

She was purchased by M Paisley of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire with CAA notified 13th September 2000. Ownership passed to Strategic Synergies Ltd of Aberdeen, notified 8th July 2005. On 31st December 2014 on a census, the CAA were informed by Strategic Synergies that the aircraft had amassed 9,833 flying hours. During their ownership the ARC expired on 5th August 2016. Ownership of the now non-airworthy aircraft passed to M Paisley of Insch on 12th August 2019 who at the same time declared the aircraft to be no longer fit for flight. Although without a current ARC, the aircraft in August 2021 is still registered with the CAA.

For a 53 year airframe (as at August 2021) she has had relatively few owners and not moved around as much as some, the initial owners in the London Area and East Midlands for 2 years, at Liverpool for 12 years, Shropshire for a further 12, briefly back in the Midlands then to Northern Ireland for 6 years, spending the past 21 years in Scotland.

[lowflyer]

Hi,

Great to have the full up to date information on G-AWMT, Thank you.

When I made enquires by email with Inch, Nr Aberdeen in July 2014 regarding G-AWMT, having traced its movements. I found out it was still flying and Ken Wood at Inch kindly went outside on a beautiful day and sent me pictures of her looking great.

It's a shame to find out she is "retired" after about 48 years of long flying service. Amazing.

Fondly, because she was my first solo and I still have the certificate somewhere. I have her as the picture on my various social media pages, not that I bother with social media that much.

G-AWMT end of an era, shame. At least she bowed out gracefully, unlike her sister G-AWUS which I also flew. I seem to remember she had an intermittent brake problem for a while.

All the best and kind regards,
Charlie.