Date: 6/7/2010
Time: 11:30 - 12:35 & 14:10 - 15:10 (GMT)
Aircraft: Ikarus C42 - G-CDHR
Sandown with Gill
A long time ago, Gill would have been referred to
as my friends sister (Trevor flew 17/8/2008), but I have known her far too long
for that description now. We arranged to go flying previously, but the weather
was marginal, so we postponed it until today.
My
booking was moved to HR, but we have plenty of time as it isn't needed back
until 6pm. There is a reasonable wind from the south, so aiming for Sandown
is a better idea than Bembridge, due to rotor off the ridge between the two
airfields. After fuelling and checkout, we are off on runway 26. It's a bit
bumpy, but not too bad. The visibility isn't too bad either. Gill is suitably
brave and comfortable about the flying. I was told once that she used to go
gliding - it turns out in conversation, that she actually went once. My impression
that she had some pilot experience turns out to be false.
We
head off over the New Forest keeping suitably low due to the airspace height
restriction. Gill tells me that she is achieving two ambitions in one - apart
from wanting to go flying, she also has always wanted to go to the Isle of Wight.
We cross the Solent at Hurst Castle and turn towards The Needles - once again
it's smoother once over sea. After a two stage turn round The Needles (and obligatory
photos), we head along the south coast towards St. Catherine's. Gill has go
with joystick for a while, then we come across a seaplane flying along at a
low level. We put in an orbit to avoid it, but then it turns around - fortunately
we are at suitable height to be clear of it. At St. Catherine's point we turn
up towards Sandown and join overhead. It's a bit more bumpy here to make it
a little more challenging as we land on runway 23. We park up and go to the
cafe. There are three other planes from Popham already here, including two microlights
from MAC.
We
enjoy some tea and bacon/sausage sandwiches and sit outside in the sunshine;
benefiting from our extended timeslot, so no hurry.
Eventually,
we decide to set off home. After a quick checkover we take off on 23 and head
off north back to the mainland. In passing, Gill asks where Osbourne House is
- it turns out that she is a bit of a National Front (sorry - that should be
Trust) fan. A quick turn and we head towards Cowes for a quick orbit round the
grand old building. Then back down to Ryde and across the Solent to Gosport
and a nice view of the Spinnaker Tower. Along the coast to Hayling Island and
an orbit here to see that my parents boat (and hence my parents) had returned
from holiday.
The journey home was rather uneventful, heading
north to Butser Hill, and then back to Popham via Ropley, avoiding Lasham where
they have a Gliding competition running. We join overhead and land on 21.
A really nice day out - certainly beats going to
work!
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My
booking was moved to HR, but we have plenty of time as it isn't needed back
until 6pm. There is a reasonable wind from the south, so aiming for Sandown
is a better idea than Bembridge, due to rotor off the ridge between the two
airfields. After fuelling and checkout, we are off on runway 26. It's a bit
bumpy, but not too bad. The visibility isn't too bad either. Gill is suitably
brave and comfortable about the flying. I was told once that she used to go
gliding - it turns out in conversation, that she actually went once. My impression
that she had some pilot experience turns out to be false. 
