Archie Liggat from Civil Air Support

 Archie Liggat is Chairman of the Civil Air Support Group.  He is a former RAF pilot, has been an instructor, a Display pilot, served in various theatres overseas including the Falkland Islands. He has spent the last years of his working life as a Commercial Pilot with BA. Now officially retired he uses his expertise and knowledge as Chairman of the Charity, Civil Air Support, a network of volunteers who use their own planes and fuel to provide safeguards for communities and the environment.

They will only provide help if there is no other alternative. They have 130 aircraft on call and 150 members. What they are not is an emergency service. They are split into groups such as aerial photography, Search Group, Transport Group and several others.

Around Scotland they have surveyed the coastline for plastics using high resolution cameras; have helped count seal pup numbers; have been used as a follow up to police aerial searches and have been used to assess the damage from storm Arwen in in 2021.

One of their most used functions is transport. They have transported Sea Eagles to the south of England, moved seal pups and moved blood. The NHS does not have the ability to move blood quickly to where it is needed and coordinating with blood bikes, Civil Air Support can help out.

After a fascinating talk and many interesting questions , Wilda McKinnon gave a vote of thanks,greatly endorsed by the members.