Edgley EA7 Brooklands Optica surveillance Aircraft. GAV 4032-383
The Edgley EA7 Optica was a British light aircraft designed for observation work, intended as as a low-cost alternative to helicopters, retailing originally at around US$200,000. The Optica, designed by John Edgley and built by Brooklands Aerospace, had an unusual configuration with a fully-glazed forward cabin seating three across, reminiscent of an Alouette helicopter. Behind it was situated a Lycoming flat-six engine powering a ducted fan, twin boom cantilever tailplane with twin rudders and a high-mounted single elevator. The fixed tricycle undercarriage had the nosewheel offset to port. The wings were unswept and untapered, and the aircraft was of a fairly standard all-metal construction with stressed aluminium skin. The aircraft's distinctive appearance led to it being known as the "bug-eye" in some popular reports. It first flew on 14 December 1979 and 25 were built before a fire destroyed the factory. The Hampshire Police Air Support Unit currently occupies the "watch-tower" and is responsible for control of air traffic at Lee on Solent, it also operates a surveillance aircraft. In the past - police used the airfield for quite different activities - instructors trained police on the runway with police cars of the Daedalus naval airfield encompassing fast-driving techniques. The airfield has been the base for the Hampshire Police Air Support Unit since 1985. In 1987, the Authority agreed that the Hampshire Constabulary should operate a full-time Air Support Unit staffed by three pilots and two full-time observers supplemented by additional observers for the summer months. The staff for the air support unit came from within the Police Authorised Establishment. Activities are focused on valuable observation and photographic work. The main tasks also includes search (particularly in open areas), surveillance, traffic and patrol. Until recently it used Edgeley Aircraft Limited Optica Scout 1985-1990, and subsequently from 1990 used an Britten-Norman Islander.
Size: 5325px × 3610px
Location: RAF Fairford, England. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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