SO maybe the operators in the US are a bit further ahead than us and maybe in the UK we will follow this trend and get away from the” DONT TOUCH “Mentality .

Anyone is welcome to touch my aircraft at a show – I have a small container of polish and loads of soft rag with which they can ‘touch it’

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Best to give them a ring. I don’t think they’d have any objection were it not for the continual operation of the parachute school aircraft, (Known locally as the ‘meat bomber’). You’d need to know if they were active

They’ve now got two grass strips, one parallel to the main, the other crosswind.

Still only formally open Thursday through Sunday.

If it’s a problem, let me know and we’ll rendezvous at our strip (about 7 miles in a straight line) and fly across as a gaggle.

Moggy

Sorry to appear picky Moggy but some of your facts are a bit off the mark.
UK Parachuting at Old Buckenham does not operate “continually”, I should know because I am one of the pilots of said “meat bomber”.
It is a highly professional organisation and runs to exacting standards.

I can speak for my fellow pilots when I say that we will, and do, accommodate ANY aircraft flying in to Old Buck. On more than one occasion I have been in the hold at 12000′ to allow non-radio aircraft to land, with 6 jumpers behind me itching to get out.
In the descent I have shepherded lost aircraft and I have waited patiently at the hold for student pilots to make good their landings.

Yes you would need to know if they were active, a quick call would suffice.

Your post reads like Old Buck is a problem to fly in to when nothing could be further from the truth..

Blue Skies

DB

I went to most of the airfields in my area before picking somewhere for my lessons.
At a couple of the schools I went to I felt that the staff were a bit intimidating and just wanted to give me a couple of sheets of paper with prices on and push me out of the door. Others were more interested in pretending they were an airline training school. At one I was asked if I was intending becoming an airline pilot, he seemed dissapointed when I said I wanted to learn to fly for fun! I was also made uncomfortable at one and felt I was being patronised because I am female.
I picked the school I’m at because i was made to feel welcome as soon as I arrived, was given a cup of coffee straight away and shown around the aircraft. I spent the whole afternoon there just getting the feel of the place and was never given the impression that I was intruding.

Mel,

In all seriousness, and IMHO, you have made an excellent choice in flying school and, particularly, in your instructor, Dale. You will have the highest quality, expert tuition throughout your course, you won’t have to fly with anyone else until your flight tests. That in itself is very important for your continuation.
The aircraft are in top class condition both mechanically and visually, he is also adding to the fleet.
His method of teaching is of the highest professional standard, he is patient and calm at all times. You will have trouble finding a more skilful pilot/instructor.
As you know he is one of my formation pilots, we regularly fly close formation aerobatics in many types of aircraft including T6’s and I have complete confidence and trust in his skills when he’s 10ft off my wingtip, rolling and looping!!
Socially, his school has an excellent calender, with many events and trips organised, particularly to MoD Airfields and ‘behind the scenes’ opportunities.
He has organised trips to the Med, USA and other distant places.

I couldn’t overstate my recommendation to you.

Enjoy your course and Good Luck…

DB 🙂

you are just upset cause he chatted up your bird BN 😉

Only flown with her once – who knows!!
Looking forward to next sat… 😉 😉

was lovely to meet up with you at the airport yesterday, glad you really enjoyed yourself. Glad you survived the Dave Barrell experience!!!! Dale and I are really looking forward to seeing you and Big Nose Barrell for a meal out next saturday after your stearman experience!

Oi — less of the big nose!!
Good to see you guys too..
Mel loved it – can you post some pics if she can’t??

DB

And if in a Cessna150/152 don’t open the window. Helped to clean one out after someone had let his passenger do just that. The only clean area was a head shaped area immediately behind the pilot, just like in a cartoon. The fuselage fin and rudder was well spattered too!

Had one ‘front seater’ do it in the Stearman, I had briefed to “chuck” over the side, if it came to it.. I hadn’t said which side so I had to quickly anticipate which way she was going to go and get myself over the other side, however I still got part of it in the face despite ducking behind the windscreen!! UGH!

You’ll find a lot of good stuff here, including some humour and outright mick-taking. Don’t let it worry you.

MH

We’re not allowed – I’ve been told off for doing just that…

PM each other :rolleyes:

Sorry I didn’t realise that jovial banter was frowned upon. I’ve seen many other forumites doing it after all !! same old story – one rule for one and all that.
I’ve spoken to some people today who enjoyed reading that thread, as it involved them AND it shows the lighterhearted side of aviation.
Moggy – I hear what you say about cliquey thread but that is what we most definitely are not, we try to get as many people into our world of flying as possible – all are welcomed as equal friends – the more the merrier, we need all the support we can get in this country.
Obviously the Forum is more straightlaced than I thought, or, was made to believe.
I am sincerely sorry if I/we upset anyone….

I will have lines please and stand in the corner – where’s that dunces hat???

😮 😎 😎