Events at White Waltham Airfield
WLAC and Joystick Club (JSC) Speaker Night Programme 2025/2026
White Waltham Airfield together with The Joystick Club have been busy arranging an exciting programme of live talks to take place in the Clubhouse over the winter months.
All talks start at 7.30pm and supper will be available from the bar from 5.30pm. These events are usually for Club members, for more information please contact Operations on 01628 823272. Further information on Joystick Club events is available from Mike Clews (mgclews@gmail.com) or via the Joystick Club website.
| 2025 | Speaker/Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal | ||
| Berkshire & District Classic Car Club Meet - BADCCC | 2nd Wednesday of the month. April to September. Last meet on Monday 15th September. | Cars arrive at 6pm. Kitchen will be open serving Bacon + Sausage Baps and Chips. Available to all members of both WLAC and BADCCC |
| September | ||
| Wednesday 3rd | Sue Adcock - Farnborough Centrifuge | Explores the RAF’s centrifuge training at Farnborough, showing how pilots withstand extreme G-forces and prepare for high-performance aircraft operations. |
| Thursday 18th | Richard Poad - A History of White Waltham | 5 Part Lecture Series beginning on 18th Sept for 5 weeks, Each lecture costs £10, for a total of £50 for all lectures. Tickets to White Waltham - 90 years of Aviation History |
| Monday 22nd | David Taudevian - Flying the Typhoon | Insights from a frontline Typhoon pilot, covering the aircraft’s capabilities, missions, and the experience of flying one of NATO’s premier fighters. |
| Wednesday 24th | Paul Beaver - Biography of R J Mitchell | An engaging look at the visionary designer of the Spitfire, charting his life, innovations, and impact on British aviation history. |
| October | ||
| Wednesday 1st | Open Mic Night | David and Michael Coe host! always good fun to perform or watch the talented performers. email dcoe@wlac.co.uk to register for a 15min slot. |
| Wednesday 8th | Paul Baxter - The London Eye | Behind the design and engineering of the London Eye, revealing its challenges, construction, and how it became a global landmark attraction. |
| Monday 20th | Laura Brown - The Met Office | Explains the science and technology behind modern forecasting, how weather data is gathered, and why accurate predictions matter for aviation safety. |
| November | ||
| Saturday 1st | WLAC Bonfire Night | Our annual bonfire and firework night! Enjoy a warm mulled wine with tasty food from the BBQ. Plenty of light up toys available for the kids too! |
| Monday 3rd | Alexander Norman - Captain de Havilland's Moth | The story of de Havilland’s iconic Moth aircraft, its impact on general aviation, and how it opened flying to a wider audience. |
| Wednesday 19th | John Tye - From The Orphanage to The Edge of Space | A remarkable personal journey from childhood adversity to flying Concorde, pushing boundaries of human potential and technological achievement. |
| Thursday 20th | WLAC Quiz Night | The first of our Quiz Nights over the winter period. 10 slots available for teams of up to 6 people. email thebar@wlac.co.uk with team name and numbers to enter. £2 per person entry. Kitchen open! |
| Monday 24th | Sir Stephen Hillier - CAA Chairman, ex RAF Air Chief Marshal | Reflections on leadership in aviation, from commanding Tornados to regulating civil aviation, and the challenges of safety in a fast-changing industry. |
| December | ||
| Wednesday 10th | Paul Kenny - The Life of Whitney Straight | The extraordinary career of Whitney Straight, aviator, businessman, and racing driver, whose adventures shaped both motorsport and aviation in the interwar years. |
| Monday 22nd | Pete Bish & Ian Haskell - JSC AGM, Quiz and Talk | An evening of club business, fun quiz challenges, and a short talk, bringing members together to round off the year. |
| 2026 | Speaker/Event | Info |
| Janaury | ||
| Wednesday 7th | Stuart Eves - Flying on Other Planets | Explores spacecraft and drone concepts for Mars and beyond, examining how flight might work in alien atmospheres across the solar system. |
| Monday 19th | Chris Goss - Military History | A vivid exploration of World War Two air campaigns, examining tactics, aircraft, and the stories of airmen in the European skies. |
| February | ||
| Wednesday 4th | Geoffrey Matthew - Flying The DH106 Comet | First-hand experiences with the world’s first jet airliner, describing its pioneering design, passenger service, and lessons learned from early jet aviation. |
| Monday 23rd | Dacre Watson - Aden | Recollections of operations in Aden during Britain’s withdrawal, highlighting the military, political, and aviation aspects of this turbulent campaign. |
| March | ||
| Wednesday 4th | Mark Fitzgerald - The Gnat Display Team | A look at the legendary Gnat display pilots, their daring aerobatics, and how they captivated crowds with precision flying demonstrations. |
| Monday 23rd | Tony Bray - Glider Pilot Regiment | The story of the wartime Glider Pilot Regiment, covering their training, combat missions, and pivotal role in airborne operations of World War Two. |
| April | ||
| Wednesday 8th | Black Robertson - TBA | TBA |
| Monday 20th | Steve Markham - Building and Flying a Spitfire Mk26 (TBC) | A builder’s journey recreating the legendary Spitfire in kit form, with insights into the challenges and joys of flying a Mk26 replica. |