31 May 2008- Light Aircraft
Association Fly in - Devon
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The LAA flyin was set for
both days over the weekend at Dunkeswell. However the weather looked
more favourable for the Saturday, so we opted to go then. An early
start got us airborne around ten o'clock, our friends were to follow later
(they are night birds!) Weather on track was good as we routed via
Stockbridge, South of Salisbury and North of Shaftesbury. Beyond
there the visibility fell away quite rapidly and we became aware that the
weather was poor in the Yeovil area. |
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Decided to divert to Henstridge and take on
fuel giving the weather a chance to improve. Always nice stop at
Henstridge, but we were amazed at the amount of water in the fields
surrounding the airfield. We thought the locals had taken up growing
rice!
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After a welcome bacon bap and coffee we
decided to attempt the rest of the journey to Dunkeswell. The first
part had a very low cloud base but when we reached the hills West of Chard
the base went up with the hills. Dunkeswell circuit was busy and we
joined down wind, landing on runway 05. We were on the ground just
behind the Eggesford contingent of Nigel Skinner, Richard Webber and the
rest of the Squadron.
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We were a long walk from the club house, but
enjoyed viewing the planes on the line. While having a snack we saw
the fantastic Beech 18 start up and fly some low passes, making a
magnificent sound.
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We then met up with our friends, the two Pauls.
Paul S is famous for his Bulldog formation flying and Paul K has just
purchased an Escapade so he spent ages on the Escapade stand talking with
the experts and visualising where he hopes to be in ?? months time.
The debate goes on regarding how long it will take, where to build it and
where to base it. But it will be YELLOW. To further celebrate
Paul K's birthday the following day (1 June) we bought him an Escapade hat
which he is proudly wearing in the picture below.
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On the way back to AY we met our good friend
Maurice Bush who was playing hooky from building his newly acquired Sport
Cruiser kit. On the return trip there was a sizeable rain shower around the
Yeovil area which we cleared to the South. The rest of the return
flight was in calm air and very pleasant.
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