| 25 November 2007 - A
peaceful flight to Dunkeswell - or so we thought |
| Sunday started off bright and
dry with a clear sky and light winds so decided it was worth trying to
fly. Got to to the airfield around 10:00 and after a speedy uncover and DI
were airborne before 10:30. The wind at the airfield was slightly higher
than at home but was essentially an acceptably light north westerly.
We trundled west past Salisbury, Compton Abbas, Henstridge, Yeovil,
Crewkerne, Chard and then onto Dunkeswell. The further west we had
travelled the higher the wind became and the more it veered to the north.
On reaching Dunkeswell it was a very brisk northerly but no matter as they
have a runway (35) which was almost into wind and landed quite softly on
the tarmac after a bit of a float |
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| On the ground it was more
tricky as taxiing crosswind on tarmac required quite a lot of braking to
stop weather cocking but we made it to the pumps and took on fuel. We then
taxiied onto the grass and we noticed the aeroplane would not easily turn
left to line up to park so turned it completely around to the right and
went for a lunch. Since the cafe was not really interested in our custom
unless we wanted the full carvery, which did look very tempting we decided
it may not a good idea to stay for too long and settled for coffee only. We
were informed that the forecast was for strengthening and gusty winds from
the North. If this weather came through our home airfield as well and
before our return then we may have trouble landing |
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|
| Back in the aeroplane we
tried to taxi along another runway to reach the start of 35 but the
crosswind component from our right required constant left braking to
stop weather cocking and the brake offered little resistance. We started
off in the desired direction and then the tailwheel would break out of
lock and the plane wanted to groundloop very quickly to the right!! |
| There was nothing for it but
Jan had to get out in the cold and walk the length of the runway steering
via the back end. At the runway intersection she got back in and the
plane was still difficult to steer via the brake pedals. So we took
off from the intersection and headed for home listening to the weather on
Popham radio. |
| We arrived back at the
airfield and thankfully the wind was still a light north westerly. Martin
decided to arrive on the ground as slowly as possible and right at the
start of the runway allowing time to open up the motor if he couldn't keep
it straight on landing. To this end did a full flap approach and touched
down straight and slow. The wet grass being hugely draggy slowed us down
to taxi speed very quickly and without the need to brake. |
| Oh well at least the
aeroplane is back safely and we did fly, albeit somewhat stressfully |
