Date: 02/04/2011
Time: 11:30 - 12:25 (10:30 - 11:25 GMT)
Aircraft: Eurostar EV-97 - G-CEDV
Time: 15:05 - 16:30 (14:05 - 15:30 GMT)
Aircraft: Ikarus C42 - G-CFHP
Kemble and Shobdon
I think I am seeing a pattern occurring here. Once again we have crap visibility.
We
had intended to take both Eurostars and one C42, with a team comprising of Colin,
Jac, Ian, Roy and me (in no particular order). Fate had different ideas, but
worked out OK G-CERE had had a bit of an overrun at some farm strip and sustained
some damage to the leading edge of one wing. It had been bought back to Popham
on a trailer. About the same time, Roy had to cancel due to work commitments,
so we were left with two aircraft and 4 pilots - great.
I think the original plan was to go to Abergavenny, Shobdon and Kemble, but the winds weren't conducive for Abergavenny, so we chose Kemble, Shobdon, Gloucestershire and back to Popham. Eventually we get on our way, with me flying Colin in G-DV. We fly up to junction 15 of the M4 and enter the Lyneham zone, then along the motorway to junction 16, then north to Blakehill Farm. I call Kemble, but I'm asked to wait whilst they have some aeros display. I orbit over the lakes and then I'm allowed to join downwind, which involves passing the airfield to the south to actually get to the downwind leg. I land and then are directed to park on the tower apron.
We sign in and find out that we should have PPR'd - seems we haven't been for a while. I think we get away with it because the guy apparently started the Popham Spitfire Flying Club with Dick.. We go and get some tea.
Next
leg, Colin flies me to Shobdon. We head north-west over the Severn and then
past Hereford. As we get towards the airfield, we can see the hills on the background.
We join, land, park-up and wait for the others. We go into the nissen hut cafe
for some tea and food and have a look at the chart. However, time has marched
on, and we realise that there isn't enough time to land at Gloucestershire,
even though we are going right past it. And someone has a plane booked after
our slot.
So I get the long leg back to Popham in the C-42. I take off and have to wait until we have cleared the ditch before turning crosswind. The route back is pretty much that same as the outbound, except passing to the north and east of Kemble.
Once again, nearly Wales, but not quite.
