FLIGHT REFUELLING

 

We would like to thank Cobham plc for kindly sponsoring our domain name, extra web space and e-mail forwarding contracts. Cobham plc designs and manufactures equipment, specialised systems and components supplied primarily to the aerospace, defence, industrial and communications markets - and operates, maintains and modifies aircraft, particularly in relation to special mission flight operations.

Cobham plc owns many companies around world, the oldest and perhaps best known of which is Flight Refuelling Ltd.

Refuelling aircraft in flight has been practised in the USA since 1921 either as a stunt, or as a means of enabling endurance flights to take place. However, no attempt had ever been made to provide a system for regular commercial use. In 1934, Cobham plc's founder Sir Alan Cobham formally registered Flight Refuelling Ltd. Despite many successful experiments and trials, work was suspended at the start of World War II. In 1948 the company moved to Tarrant Rushton airfield near Wimborne in Dorset and the following year were demonstrating the "plug-in" probe and drogue refuelling system, which is the basis for the refuelling system used by many air forces and navies around the world today.

After 32 years at Tarrant Rushton, Flight Refuelling Ltd moved to new premises in Wimborne. In 1985 its airfield division became FR Aviation Ltd which now operates as the flight operations arm of Cobham plc. FR Aviation is based at Bournemouth International Airport and operates over 30 aircraft from both there and Teesside International Airport in the UK as well as at other airports throughout the world. The company is primarily engaged in providing contractorised air defence training to the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and other NATO forces.

 

For more information about the Cobham plc group of companies please visit www.cobham.com