254, after 6 months of groundschool and 2 weeks of flight training, finally sent their first member solo on Thursday. With about 100hrs logged before joining AP254, Ado was the first 254er to take the controls!

This historic event was captured on both film and on still photos (both of which will be appearing on ap254.com soon), and didn’t quite go according to plan! The circuit began with a flawless taxi and take-off, and after a somewhat extended downwind leg Ado was told unexpectedly by tower to turn back direct to the airfield (the reasons shall become clear shortly!). He executed this with the military precision we have come to expect from the founder member of the A4 Taxiway Club, and carried out a 1000ft flyover, as his adorning AP254 fan club watched in awe on the apron below. Another circuit began, and this time, the downwind leg was more normal, and the flight concluded with a textbook landing. As Ado jubilantly taxied back to parking, his fans heard the real reason for the flyover – over the radio Goodyear Ground asked Ado to discuss the limitations of the Goodyear Airspace with his instructor, as if someone flew past the I-10, they were in Luke AFB Airspace! (Note:- Ado denies this was him, and it was a generic request from the tower to all pilots for him to forward on. The photo below, however, was later received from an anonymous USAF F-16 pilot, scrambled from Luke AFB to intercept the intruder. Records show that this was indeed Ado’s aircraft!)

Despite this he taxied triumphantly back to the ATCA Parking area, and proceeded to take the wrong taxiway to get back to his spot!

In an exclusive interview with ap254.com after his flight, Ado said “I did not take the wrong taxiway, I merely took the later taxiway to get closer to the cameras so that you could have a clear record of this historic 254 first solo!” He also said “I did not infringe Luke Airspace, I extended my downwind leg because I was following Mark and Rich, and they did an extended downwind. Wait a minute, where did you get that photo, give it here…” This reporter then promptly left.

Keep your eyes on ap254.com for news of future firsts from AP254!

To unwind from the intense flying and practice for the Oxbridge aero rowing race, 254 have come up with a novel way to take full advantage of the pool facilities. en garde!

Created by the founder brothers; TCP,Boris,Sav and freddie, the rules are simple... it involves a dual between 254 members across the width of the main pool (yes! we do have two!) where each member selects their choice of weapon (lilo) and commences battle in the middle of the pool.

From the movies that follow you will see our founder brothers fighting to impress the single female at goodyear

Luc Bijjon was not quoted, and infact never said "zeese crazy English have reinvented the amazing sport of fencing, Fantastish!!"

The Brotherhood of "En Garde! have been recruiting through the ranks of 254 for new recruits in order to pass these fine athletes to Airlines throughout the world. The selection has, however created many losers utilising skills net (see final caption)

Disclaimer:

The brotherhood of en garde would like to remind familly and friends that they are studying hard and not spending all their time lounging around the pool. We are all looking forward to our solos in the next few days!

Shocking accusations flew today when 254's Prankster Prince Adrian 'Ice Man' Ruaux Shocking accusations flew today when 254's Prankster Prince Adrian 'Ice Man' Ruaux was wrongly accused of playing a prank on none other than US President George W Bush's personal aeroplane Air Force One.

As pictured below, someone created an ellaborate prank video showing themselves climbing into a secure AFB and graffiting Mr Bush's 747. The video was all part of a publicity stunt by artist Marc Ecko to draw attention to freedom of speech. The stunt was staged in California and used a old 747 painted only to look like Air Force One. The full video can be downloaded from stillfree.com.

Unfortunately, when the video was released the prank backfired as all the world's news agencies instantly assumed AP254 must be behind the prank and in particular Ado. It was only several hours later when it was realised that the stunt was infact the work of Artist Ecko. Marc later said to ap254.com 'I was right darn disappointed that 254 got all ma publicity. I spent a long time planning that stunt ya' all hear. It took me over a week to paint that aeroplane and then all ma publicity went to that no good rootin tootin 254. Am as upset as a bear with a rattlesnake bite'.

Today say the take off of 254's future careers as everyone completed their first flights satisfactorily. Special thanks to Dusty for managing a 'tech' situation but still managed to adjust the schedule to ensure that we all flew. Anthony Petteford said "This is a remarkable day that we have been working towards for over 12 months now and it is wonderful to see the first 41 Oxford students at a now operational Goodyear FWB". To celebrate this monentus day, OAT threw a party for 254, 253 and our German hosts whom have made us extremely welcome with their hospitality and friendliness. It's just a shame that we have to beat them in the forthcoming World Cup! (Editor - Steady on old chap).

AP254 have officially arrived on site at the Fair Weather Base in Goodyear, AZ!AP254 (and some other course) have officially arrived on site at the Fair Weather Base in Goodyear, AZ!

The initial impressions seem to be that Goodyear is awesome! The facilities are great, the staff are great and the weather is...you guessed it, great!

 Stay tuned for plenty more updates and info on the new setup.