VAC Daffodil – April 15th

….as I’d got Fenland loaded into the GPS I went up there yesterday and despite the wind being nearly down 26 it was 20kts gusting 28kts which made for a series of “adjustments” on short finals so you weren’t alone in that respect.

Crikey. My stalling speed’s 29 knots so I’d have needed more than adjustments!! 😮

One for the Luton Minor fans amongst you. The Luton at Top Farm, G-ATCJ, has allegedly been sold to somebody in Scotland and the new owner intends to fly it home. Brave soul.
If it’s any consolation, G-ASML, as I’d got Fenland loaded into the GPS I went up there yesterday and despite the wind being nearly down 26 it was 20kts gusting 28kts which made for a series of “adjustments” on short finals so you weren’t alone in that respect.

I don’t imagine we will hear much from ASML for a day or two. He is probably lying down in a darkened room, waiting for his ears to stop ringing!

Edit that; He must be better, since he wandered over Chesham this afternoon, like a slightly disorientated bee.

Correct on both counts! Ears still buzzing!! As a previous Luton owner Propstrike clearly appreciates the joys of four stub exhausts ending less than a foot away from the cockpit!

Actually although the viz was pretty awful on Saturday, it cleared just as I was thinking about turning back. I could even find Fenland first go!!

Yesterday’s sortie to Popham was possibly more challenging. A gusty crosswind over the clubhouse was making the approach to 26 even more ‘sporting’ than usual. I thought my landing effort – like a one-armed wallpaper hanger – was pretty shameful – then I realised that Cessna and Warrior pilots were doing it too!

Still there was one compensation, after bumbling back via Chesham, (yes I know it’s the long way round) I discovered I could ridge soar the Luton on the updraft from the Western edge of the Chilterns!

Thanks for the pic John – sorry I couldn’t keep up, but I did still make it to Fenland within 30 minutes of your arrival! 😀

Thanks to all that braved the initial clag of the day.
We had 42 on the books at the end of the day.
We had 5 in from Hinton-in-the-hedges alone!!!
There are pictures already ont he VAC’s web site (not brilliant photos I admit but some anyway)

Three from Bicester, Jodel, G-ASML and me in a Thorp. (2 @ 85Knt, 1 @ 50?!) c 1,000ft max ALt till just east of Peterbourgh then into the sun.

John

Thanks for the update “oag” and I’m glad you got some exercise. Clearly the weather was better at Fenland. I know of at least 3 crews from Top Farm who would have gone if the viz had been better.

I don’t imagine we will hear much from ASML for a day or two. He is probably lying down in a darkened room, waiting for his ears to stop ringing!

Edit that; He must be better, since he wandered over Chesham this afternoon, like a slightly disorientated bee.

It must have been an epic. The viz was pretty dire in the Cambridge area so I couldn’t make it. How many visitors turned up? The VAC have had some rotten luck with the weather this year so let’s hope the “Big One” in September breaks their duck.

OZPLANE

Give-or-take one or two we had about 40 visitors…………
Quite a nice selection as well……MH Broussard,Cessna O-1 Bird Dog,Cessna T303,Luton Minor,Yak 52,several Jodels etc.
Quite a bit of activity from Fenland’s fleet of based aircraft too……..
As a colleague of AW’s,I can say it was good to be able to do some marshalling at last,even if my arms are still aching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all pilots/crews who supported this event and hopefully see you all again
Colin

It must have been an epic. The viz was pretty dire in the Cambridge area so I couldn’t make it. How many visitors turned up? The VAC have had some rotten luck with the weather this year so let’s hope the “Big One” in September breaks their duck.

Bicester to Fenland and back, in a Luton !
Thats what I call an epic. Jolly good show, old fruit.

GASML

pic of you arriving attached, higher res version available on request by e-mail.

John (in the Thorp)

Just a gentle nudge – those wishing to fly in please ring the number on this page:
http://www.vintageaircraftclub.org.uk/evnt-ppr.html

Huh? :confused: What for?

Fenland available PPR by R/T, no NOTAM to say its not available to general visitors who just want to turn up by air on 15th April, vintage aircraft or not, member or not…

Andy

Fit an ADF (FNL – 401) then – worked every time for me! 😉

Andy

Yes, but I’d have to pedal even harder to keep the dynamo going!

😀

Just a gentle nudge – those wishing to fly in please ring the number on this page:
http://www.vintageaircraftclub.org.uk/evnt-ppr.html
Cheers
Now to start to pray to Mother Nature….

PS: Always thought it was a bit evil for the local flying school to send students on a land-away (admittedly usually dual) to Fenland, which they do quite often in the summer.

I see nothing changes then. I learnt at EMA mid eighties and remember being sent there on a solo land away. And it was much harder in those days because they didn’t have the long E/W runway (he says in dodery old bloke type voice) 🙂

LOL! Having been there on a number of occasions, I have to admit that seeing Fenland can be a challenge. In fact, on more than one occasion I’ve been caught re-identing, tapping the ADF, etc, etc just to convince myself that it still was indeed still correct in pointing towards a location where there appeared to be no airfield whatsoever! 🙂

Andy

PS: Always thought it was a bit evil for the local flying school to send students on a land-away (admittedly usually dual) to Fenland, which they do quite often in the summer.

Fit an ADF (FNL – 401) then – worked every time for me! 😉

Andy

Ah yes, though I seem to remember that my problem was compounded by the fact the aircraft was fitted with an ADF, but sadly not functioning correctly :confused: :confused:

Fit an ADF (FNL – 401) then – worked every time for me! 😉

Andy

Aiming to try, if weather – and my ability to find Fenland – allows!

Glad it’s not just me who’s had their moments trying to find Fenland 😮

Aiming to try, if weather – and my ability to find Fenland – allows!