2025-03-31-accounts - The Waddington Flying Club

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Registered Charity no. 1155164

The Waddington Flying Club

Operating as

The Waddington Flying School

Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents

Page

1 – 3 Annual Report 4 Independent Examiner’s Report 5 Statement of financial activities 6 Balance sheet 7 – 10 Notes to the financial statements

The Waddington Flying Club

Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and Activities

The Royal Air Force Waddington Flying Club was established in 2003 and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission as The Waddington Flying Club in 2013. In 2021 the overseeing body, The Royal Air Force Flying Clubs Association (RAFFCA) was superseded by a new organisation, The Royal Air Force Sport Aircraft (RAFSA). As a result, the operating name of the club was changed to the Waddington Flying School (WFS) but the charity remains The Waddington Flying Club.

The object of the Waddington Flying School is:

‘The promotion of efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown by the provision and support of facilities and activities for the efficiency and well- being of Service personnel’.

This object presents the Trustee with wide powers, enabling them to provide charitable assistance to all elements of the Royal Air Force Community. The Waddington Flying School (WFS) has a main aim set by the Trustee:

‘To be respected for our professional and safe approach to flying training, management and airmanship, and to be admired for our friendly and welcoming atmosphere’.

Specifically, the aims of WFS are:

a) To provide effective flying training for Service and associated personnel in a professional manner, at the lowest possible cost.
b) Offer flying instruction leading to the award of a civil flight crew licence or rating.
c) Provide facilities that enable members to engage in flying related activities.
d) Encourage and promote an interest in aviation and aviation competition.

The charity delivers public benefit as it assists in providing Royal Air Force personnel with the necessary skills to carry out the Royal Air Force contribution to the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests.

Service Funds are established for the benefit of Service personnel to promote military efficiency which underpins esprit de corps and team working, and they help to encourage personnel to develop the character, spirit and attitude to face challenges associated with military service.

As a result, the Fund delivers a benefit to the general public in helping to provide personnel who are motivated, have high morale and are willing to serve the needs of their country and that of its public, at all times

The Waddington Flying Club

Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and Performance

The Waddington Flying School has largely maintained its configuration and structure from last year, with a small decline in membership. A significant factor in the decline in membership has been the reduction in airfield access associated with sanitisation of the ATZ during Red Arrows activity, exacerbated by difficulty in obtaining volunteers to act as Duty Member during periods of airfield closure (weekends, bank holidays etc.).

Following a lengthy repair, G-RFCB was returned to flying condition in mid-2024; however, RAFSA subsequently made the decision to sell both WFS controlled Tecnams. WFS is now operating one PA-28 (G-CLDK), plus one resident privately owned aircraft[1] . WFS flying[2] in 2024 has totaled circa 328 hours (BOBO), with 53% / 47% split between instruction and private hire respectively.

Instructor availability has been a major pressure on WFS output within the period, with 89% of instructional flying being conducted by Andrew Rake (28%) and Chelvin Hibbert (61%). Sqn Ldr Mark Discombe is expected to expand the scope of his instructional availability, primary duties permitting, however the reliance on Mr Rake and Mr Hibbert remains a key vulnerability for WFS. Paucity of FIs is a national issue, RAFSA have committed to looking into financial means of recruiting/generating additional instructional capacity across the organization.

The Junior Rank and Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JROPSS) remains a key deliverable. Two incomplete scholarships from 2023 were carried forward into 2024, both of whom successfully completed their scholarships to solo standard. Three additional scholarships were allocated to WFS in 2024, with two of these completed. Of note, AS1 Deborah La Porta made a creditable contribution to both RAFSA and WFS during her scholarship period; contributing to her receiving a Beyond Solo Scheme top-up scholarship to be completed in FY24/25.

In May, WFS were represented by Flt Lt Dan McHugh in the Tony Ayre Aerobatics Competition at Peterborough-Conington Airfield. A successful event, publicised by British Forces News, RAFSA have a desire to expand the scope of sporting activities further, this would give greater breadth in the offer to WFS members going forward.

Now settled into the new operating site at RAF Waddington, WFS have successfully passed their Fuels and Gas Safety Assurance Assessment; assuring the Head of Establishment that fueling operations are being conducted safely and legally. Furthermore, on behalf of the airfield operator, WFS provides an AVGAS provision to 2Excel Aviation when conducting trials activity with their PA-31 Navajo aircraft. This activity has brought unforecasted profit to WFS from fuel sales and assists in the turnover of bowser contents to avoid wastage. It is expected that this activity will continue in 2025 and beyond, although actual activity is unpredictable and should not be considered in the context of long-term financial planning.

Financial Review

Total incoming resources decreased by 12% in the year to £77,152 (2024: £87,678). Income from flying fees and instruction held at £48,567 (2024: £48,050), but subscriptions decreased to £10,245 (2024: £12,915), and grant income fell significantly to £2,374 (2024: £14,980).

Total operating expenses fell by 16% to £59,253 (2024: £70,546). Management and administration costs rose slightly to £13,839 (2024: £12,597). As a result WFS reported an operating surplus of £4,061 (2024: £4,535).

At 31 March 2025 WFS had total liquid funds of £47,249 (2024: £37,530).

Principle funding is received from subscriptions and flying activities from School members.

Some additional funding, for specific equipment or activity, is obtained from the RAF Central Fund and the RAF Charitable Trust through the over-arching organisation – the RAF Sports Aircraft Association.

1 G-BEZG

2 Not including G-BEZG flying.

The Waddington Flying Club

Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2025

All expenditure is made for the ultimate benefit and provision of services to School members.

The WFS needs a relatively low level of reserves, mainly to cover for the fluctuating aviation supplies market, principally due to the volatile nature of the price of oil. Additional reserves are created and held from time to time when future liabilities and expenditure is identified and the trustees consider it prudent to earmark funds to cover the outlay.

The Waddington Flying Club

Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

As an approved RAF Sport, overall governance of the Waddington Flying School (WFS) falls to the RAF Sport Aircraft Association (RAFSA). RAFSA is itself a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). However, the day-to-day management and control of the WFS falls to the Trustees and general management committee.

The Managing Trustee, Principal Trustee (also appointed as the Chairman) and the committee members are appointed by the membership of the School. The WFS Officer in Charge heads the general committee. However, all management decisions, acquisitions and expenditure are subject to the Principal Trustee’s approval.

Committee/Board of Trustee meetings take place every three months. The budget for the next financial year is set in April by the School Executive Committee for approval by the Members at a General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting ratifies the annual audited accounts of the School. Minutes are taken at each Committee and General meeting and are circulated electronically to reach the Trustee within 10 working days of the meeting for their approval.

The Trustees have continued a programme of work to identify procedures to mitigate risk and to minimise potential impact should risks materialise.

Administrative Information

The company is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales – Charity number 1155164

The correspondence address is: RAF Waddington Flying Club, RAF Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9NB

The charity is governed by its constitution which was adopted on 4 September 2013

Trustees

The trustees who served from 1 April 2024 to the date of this report are:

Air Cdre (retd) A Seymour Sqn Ldr C Hives Flt Lt N Whitehead

Approved by the Trustees on the 13th day of October 2025 and signed on its behalf by

Sqn Ldr C Hives

The Waddington Flying Club

Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Waddington Flying Club for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below

Independent Examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention:

a) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep the accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.

have not been met; or

b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J A D Mumby FCA Mumby Heppenstall, Chartered Accountants Wellingore Hall Wellingore Lincoln LN5 0HX

The Waddington Flying School

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 2 CURRENT ASSETS Stock - fuel Debtors Prepayments Bank 5 CREDITORS 6 Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS CREDITORS: amounts falling due in more than o NET ASSETS RESERVES 7 Operational Reserve Engine Replacement Reserve Project Reserves General Reserve	£ 46,693 1,875 - - 47,249 49,124 12,419 36,704 83,397 ne year 83,397 12,000 - - 66,207 78,207 Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - -	TOTAL 2025 £ 46,693 1,875 - - 47,249 49,124 12,419 36,704 83,397 83,397 12,000 - - 66,207 78,207	2024 £ 46,693 7,909 40,452 48,361 21,820 26,541 73,234 73,234 12,000 - - 61,234 73,234

The Waddington Flying Club

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)'. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and bas been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery - 20% on reducing balance

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

551111

The Waddington Flying School

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Disposals Charge for year NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 3. ANALYSIS OF INCOME £ a) Charitable Activities Flying/instruction fees 48,567 Exam fees 743 Subscriptions 10,245 59,555 b) Trading Sales - fuel and oil 15,223 Other 15,223 c) Grants and Donations RAFSA/RAFCT - Gift-Aid receipts 2,374 Closed ELC - 2,374 d) Investments Bank interest 912 - TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 78,065 Unrestricted Funds	Buildings £ 60,440 60,440 14,749 - 251 - 14,499 45,942 45,691 Restricted Funds £ - - - -	Plant & Equipment £ 25,910 25,910 24,908 - 251 25,159 752 1,002 TOTAL 2025 £ 48,567 743 10,245 59,555 15,223 - 15,223 - 2,374 - 2,374 912 78,065	TOTAL £ 86,350 - - 86,350 39,657 - - 39,657 46,693 46,693 2024 £ 48,050 1,056 12,915 62,021 10,677 - 10,677 8,500 2,916 3,563 14,979 655 88,332

The Waddington Flying School

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

4. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE £ a) Raising Funds Functions - b) Charitable Activities Fuels 25,790 Aircraft Hire 19,037 Aircraft maintenance 6,315 Insurance - Instruction costs 7,711 Training 375 Hangar relocation costs - Other direct costs 24 Depreciation - 59,253 c) Management and Administration Manager 6,622 Sundry admin exps 899 Cleaning & maint 1,323 IT, software 1,899 Telephone, internet etc 90 Travel & sub - Professional and consultancy - Independent Examiner Fee 800 Insurance 226 RAFFCA Subscription 1,190 Bank charges 790 13,839 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 73,092 5. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND £ HSBC Current 15,201 Reserve 22,048 Bond 10,000 Engine Replacement Fund - Cash - 47,249 Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ - - - - Restricted Funds £ -	TOTAL 2025 £ - 25,790 19,037 6,315 - 7,711 375 - 24 - 59,253 6,622 899 1,323 1,899 90 - - 800 226 1,190 790 13,839 73,092 TOTAL 2025 £ 15,201 22,048 10,000 - - 47,249	2024 £ - 21,038 15,380 17,821 5,116 9,155 137 818 1,081 - 70,546 6,548 486 90 1,741 120 25 - 810 158 1,464 1,155 12,597 83,143 2024 £ 6,394 21,135 10,000 - - 37,529

The Waddington Flying School

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

6. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS: Falling due within one year

Restricted Funds £ £ Creditors - Accruals 810 Payments received in advance 11,609 12,419 - 7. MOVEMENT ON RESERVES Operational Project Engine Reserve Reserves Replacement £ £ £ Balance at 1 April 2023 12,000 7,814 27,943 Transfers to/(from) (7,814) (27,943) Deficit for year Balance at 1 April 2024 12,000 - - Transfers to/(from) Surplus for year Balance at 31 March 2025 12,000 - - Unrestricted Funds	TOTAL 2025 £ - 810 11,609 12,419 General Reserve £ 67,838 7,814 (14,418) 61,234 4,973 66,207	2024 £ - 810 10,748 11,558 TOTAL £ 115,595 (27,943) (14,418) 73,234 4,973 78,207