Outings in
2010 |
|
1 January |
Weather so cold minus 4 and snowing at home so we went by
car to Popham new year flyin and then onto wish AY a happy new year.
We wished we had been braver and flown. Ho hum........... |
14 February |
We had hoped to go to the VAC
Valentine flyin at Old Sarum. We went to the airfield and managed
to get in the air, but the visibility was not good and low cloud bringing
rain and snow showers forced us to just complete a few wide circuits before
landing and giving up. At least this time we got up in the air,
although not for long. Ho ho hum...... |
17 April |
VAC Daffodil fly in to
Fenland. The day started off very foggy at home. But we still
set off for the airfield and visibility improved the nearer we got to our
airfield. We took off at 10:15 and headed North for a fuel stop for us and
the plane at Turweston. Gosh Av Gas is getting so expensive!!
Anyway with AY full of fuel and us having a welcome cup of coffee we headed
West for Fenland.
On arriving at Fenland we landed on runway 26 and were
marshalled by the VAC to a safe parking spot. On signing in we were
presented with a lovely bunch of daffodils and found many "old" friends.
It seems such a long time since we had attended a fly in. Coffee and
bacon bap refreshed us and we walked the lines chatting to other aviators
before finally leaving for home.
What a wonderful day, blue skies, great friends and no wind
to talk about. Fabulous. |
9 May |
Once again we hoped to go to one flyin and ended at another.
We started off to go to the Great Vintage Weekend flyin at Kemble. We
had a 9:48am slot. We took off early with ten minutes extra flying
time. Viz was not too bad, we flew at about 1400 feet. A few clouds
were a bit lower and we encountered some light drizzle. But by the
time we reached Junction 15 on M40, yes we fly along roads the clouds were
almost on the ground. With too much controlled airspace around we
decided we did not wish to stray off course, so called up Kemble and
announced our decision to abort our attempt. Weather at Kemble was
very good. So close, but too dangerous. Kemble suggested we may
like to try again later as long as we avoided the time of their air display
(2pm)
We flew back to Popham only to discover they were holding a
Vintage Cessna flyin. We were the first to land. We took on fuel
and went for a coffee to find the cafe heaving with flyers all hoping to go
to Kemble or Compton Abbas.
After an hour or so we decided the cloud was not lifting
fast enough and took off to fly back to the airfield, wash the plane and put
her away. |
23 May |
Summer has arrived at last, so there was nothing better to
do than to go to Sandown, Isle of Wight. It is so long since we have
been down there. Arrived at the airfield and got the plane out,
telephoned Sandown as it is now an unlicensed airfield and arrivals must be PPR. Permission granted, we set off. Passed Popham, Lasham, down
to Butser's Hill, then with Portsmouth in sight we heard several other
planes announcing their arrival. We positioned for a left hand circuit
on runway 05 and landed safely.
We went across to the cafe and signed in, paying our £10
landing fee before we set off for the beach. It was getting very hot
by now and walking was quite hard. We were very pleased when we
arrived at our favourite cafe for a coffee and sandwich.
Eventually we decided we had to return and struggled uphill
to the airfield. On arrival at the airfield we saw the float plane we
had seen circling the airfield had landed. Wow what a sight. We
set off and had a wonderful flight home and then set to cleaning all the
flies off the plane. Summer had certainly arrived. |
9 July |
Is it really almost seven weeks since we flew last? I
the meantime however AY has gone through an annual, so that accounts for a
few weeks. Anyway we decided to play hookey and escape on a Friday. It
was so hot so we decided not to go too far. We trolled off past
Chilbolton, along the River Bourne. Martin always dreams of fishing
there, but it is too expensive. Past Salisbury Cathedral and onto
Compton Abbas. We have not visited there for many months.
Arriving we discovered a dear friend who still owns a share in one of the
planes at the same strip where we keep AY. We had not seen him in a
while and discovered he had been quite poorly last year but gladly he seems
to be fully recovered now after two back operations. It was good to
catch up with his news.
After a delightful lunch we took off and landed at Popham
for some fuel before returning to the airfield. Gosh it was very hot
and cleaning the plane was a really exhausting business.
Never mind we flew and it was great |
18 July |
We were a little restricted for time but decided we had to
go flying. We made a local flight and landed at Popham to get
fuel for us and AY and then back to airfield. There would be other
days for longer flights |
24 July |
Although it was rather hot we decided that maybe it might be
cooler on the coast and while Sandown is still available as an
airport we want to support it as much as we can. Few pilots are using
the airfield as it is now non radio and has no fuel.
Not put off we landed and headed for the sea. Lunch at
our usual cafe, bought some gooseberries on the way back at the nursery and
yet again a wonderful day |
8 August |
Weather rather warm, and not too much fuel in the plane, so
decided on a trip over White Waltham to get fuel for us and AY.
Bit of a struggle working out hw we used the new pumps at WW but eventually
filled AY up and headed to Club House t sign in and get some fuel for us.
Here we met friends and had a pleasant time chating and eating. Then
we took off to Popham to attend the Auster flyin. Wow wall to
wall Austers and a few other planes. Great attendance. We met up
with other friends and reluctantly flew home as the field emptied of planes.
We met the Antanov plane returning to Popham as it was about to join the
circuit. It does not look so big in the air!! |
28 August |
Each late bank holiday Saturday Henstridge hold a
Vintage aircraft fly in and classic car day. We try to support the
event and meet many friends. They do an excellent barbacue of burgers
and sausages and much of the profits go the the Air Ambulance stationed
there. Planes came from many areas. We enjoyed looking at both
planes and cars and chatting to their owners. After lunch the public were
invited to look at the planes and the airfield was closed to movements,
except for the model aircraft display. The high point of the day was
when the BBM Lancaster came over and performed some great circuits, banking
for photographs. Wonderful. Great day |
12 September |
We love going to the Flyins organised by the Devon Strut
and sadly this year we have not managed to attend too many. So we were
delighted to be able to get to Watchford Farm. The sun was out
and after a short stop off at Popham to take on fuel we headed off West.
We listened all the way down to the safety com radio which was being used
that day at Watchford Farm, and were pleased to hear many pilots announcing
their intention to land. We were going to have a great day. We
joined overhead and descended deadside, joining the rather busy circuit and
landed on runway 31. Following the marshall we parked. Not long
after, our very good friends Maurice and Janice arrived and we spent some
time catching up on news. The boys headed off to talk planes while us
girls enjoyed a chat. Lunch was very good and all too soon it was time
to head off home. What a great day. |
19 September |
We had in our diary that there was a VAC flyin at
Turweston on 19 September. It was not
until the evening before when looking up Notams we discovered that there was
an air display taking place. This was most unusual for a VAC flyin.
So a quick phone call told us that in fact it was a Wings and Wheels Classic
Day. We were in for a treat. We left home early and travelled to
the airfield. Took off early and flew North. The viz was quite
good but we flew through some light rain around Oxford area. Dislike
light rain as it stays on the windscreen, so was very pleased when we got
through and found dry, bright weather. Turweston radio was quite busy,
we joined the circuit and landed on the grass runway, we taxiied following
the marshalls. Quite a lot of planes had already landed and they were
still coming. Pinky the fuel tanker came towards us and we took on
fuel. Being a VAC member our landing fee was reduced.
We then took in all the other attractions for us to enjoy.
As well as many aeroplanes there were classic cars, motorbikes, tractors,
American jeeps, a motorised pushbike, stationary steam engines and many
stalls selling all sorts of wares. There was even a hover craft for
sale. People seem to have come from far and wide by all sorts of methods of
transport and were all having a great time.
Many of the exhibitors paraded round the exhibition ring to
the delight of the crowd, including a white hearse with a sign "his and
Hearse" visible in the back window together with a "vacancies" sign. A
Booker Jungmaster and a Walter Extra gave an excellent air display. An
Islander offered short trips around the airfield. Then at around 4pm a
Spitfire and Hurricane from the BBMF arrived and gave a wonderful display
over the airfield, they were en route between two venues but stayed long
enough to please the crowds. Great sight.
We took off and headed South for an exciting landing at our
airfield. Cleaned the plane and headed home after a long but very
enjoyable day. |
17 October |
The day was just too good to miss. We headed off to
the airfield and got airborne quite early. There were no fly ins that
we fancied going to and since the viz was extraordinary we decided to fly.
We flew past Popham, Lasham and then down past Butser Hill and on to
Portsmouth. Then East along the coast to Littlehampton, up the River
Arun, past Arundel castle and up to Cranleigh to go over our friend Paul's
house. He was working on his plane, it showed up very "yellow" outside
his house. Hopefully he will be flying it next year. Then on the
Guildford where Martin wanted some aerial photographs of the new building
next to where he works. Job done we flew along the Hogs Back, up past
Lasham again keeping a special look out for gliders. We then headed
for Popham to take on fuel and have lunch. Excellent sausage baguettes
if you are there over the weekend. Met another friend called Paul with
whom we had lunch and then headed back home. Almost two hours in the
air, and still we had to wash off the flies from the plane. Wonderful
day. |
13 November |
A reasonable day with a
light Westerly wind and very good visibility. Departed the airfield
heading South along the River Test past Chilbolton and then West passing
South of Salisbury, North of Shaftesbury, South of Henstridge and Sherborne.
Further West passing North of Crewkerne, North of Chard before landing on
runway 23
at Dunkeswell.
Took on fuel, parked up and paddled across a saturated airfield to pay the
fees and have lunch.
After lunch we took off and headed North West passing North of Tiverton and
across Exmoor arriving at the coast just West of Lynton/Lynmouth. Then East
along the coast to Minehead and inland passing South of Bridgwater, North of
Weston Zoyland and Glastonbury. Then along the Northern edge of Salisbury
Plain passing Westbury, Keevil and Pewsey before landing back on runway 11. |