PIK-Ben Lomond-PIK Photo Report

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this but never mind
Short report with pics of a flight from/to PIK on Pa28 ‘G-BVNS’ and some formation flying with Ce172 Floatplane ‘G-DRAM’ –

I was pottering about in the garden thinking of heading over to PIK for some sunset shots on a beautiful evening when I got an offer I couldn’t refuse, Radar contacted me asking if I fancied a flight in G-BVNS, well, if there’s anything I enjoy more than taking pics of an aircraft it’s taking pics from an aircraft!

Also aboard were Radar’s friend Andy and his wife Robina who was also like myself, on photo duties.
So after strapping in and the usual safety brief from Radar we headed out to Link ‘M’ for a r/w 13 departure after a departing Cargolux 747.

LX-KCV hurtles past on departure –

After departure it was a left turn out to leave the Zone at Irvine.

Heading north toward Ben Lomond with Seamill and West Kilbride below and Cumbrae on the nose –

Just after contacting Glasgow Approach on 119.1 Radar heard his friend Hamish inbound to GLA from the north-west in his mount G-DRAM so after changing to an air to air frequency they agreed to formate for some air to air pics –

Anyone spot G-DRAM? –

Seaplane at 4 o’clock –

This is exhilarating stuff and great flying from Radar and Hamish –

After about 10 minutes of formation flying G-DRAM was getting low on fuel so breaks off and heads for GLA –

We start to head north again and some quite spectacular scenery, here’s Ben Lomond –

Heading south again and there are quite a few Restricted Area’s around here, Faslane to the left of the nose and Coulport straight ahead, as long as you are at a certain height it’s ok to go over the top though, 2500 ft I think it was –

Faslane and the Shiplift on our port side –

Largs to Port Cumbrae to Starboard and Hunterston straight ahead –

Just after here Radar contacted PIK Approach and we were told to join the Zone at Irvine for a r/w 13 arrival but just before Irvine we were asked to head for Kilwinning to keep out of the way of a US Army Citation which was downwind left hand visual for r/w 13 (IIRC he was looking for St Andrews 😉 ) –

In the orbit over Kilwinning –

Back on left base for r/w 13 with the setting sun flooding the cockpit with fantastic light –

Turning finals for r/w 13, and after this shot I boobed big time, I mucked around with the settings and the pics turned out too dark –

Over the fence –

50 feet –

A perfect landing then taxy back to the Apron.

All tied down for the night –

Another fantastic flight and thanks to Radar again, also thanks to Hamish in G-DRAM, it sure beats weeding!