A group of high-flying business friends who met at North Weald airfield are on the lookout for sponsors as they aim to become the world's first private aerobatics team.

Kenneth Lyndon-Dykes, Chris Hudson, Mark Grimshaw and Keith Hartley come from all corners of the country and very different occupations but they all share one common passion. Flying.

Looking for sponsors - these business friends hope to become the world's first private aerobatics team

They have now bought a fleet of four Folland Gnats, the aircraft used by the Red Arrows flying display team, and now hope to take their hobby to a new level by becoming a professional team.

Chairman of saddle making company Saddleworld, Kenneth, 53, said: "North Weald is a real mecca for plan nuts and it was here where we all met and became friends.

"There isn't an airfield like it anywhere else. It has such a variation of planes and equipment kept here and the people who use it are real aviators full of enthusiasm."

The Gnats each cost around £150,000 but the running costs are also very high.

Father of one, Kenneth said that when you add up the amount of fuel they use plus running, maintenance and storage the planes cost around £800 an hour.

He added: "The money needed is colossal but the feeling is beyond description and my love of flying is inexplicable."

Now the quartet are on the search for a company or several to back their project and make their dreams a reality.

"We have already applied to some large companies like Jaguar, Microsoft and Orange to see if they are interested but I would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved."

For more information call 07973 501873.

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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