I think the main problem to future operation of piston-engined warbirds will be a lack of suitable fuel. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that for example the RR Merlin was designed to use 130 octane fuel but now has to settle for the only aviation petrol available today, namely the 100 octane AVGAS 100LL. This seems to be OK as long as care is taken with the power settings, but what will happen when AVGAS 100LL is no longer available? This is a real threat in my opinion; it contains more lead than any automotive fuel ever did (which doesn’t please the environmentalists) and the demand is decreasing (which doesn’t please the oil companies). In Africa, and even in Italy, it is already becoming difficult to get AVGAS 100LL, and whether a replacement fuel will suit a fire-breathing Merlin or P&W R-2800 gives me cause for concern.

I am not quite aware of the regulations in the UK but in Germany those nice looking 3-axis microlights have one big problem and that is weight. A German microlight must have a BRS system and its MTOW must not exceed 472,5 kg (recently upped from 450 kg to compensate for the BRS). One of those modern and sleek 3-axs microlights with a radio, transponder and a few other extra goodies here and there will easy weigh 300 kg – empty! Then add two passengers at a conservative 80 kgs each and that leaves you with 12,5 kg for fuel, which is less than an hours flying! This is in my opinion the main problem these aircraft have. Otherwise, for economy and fun they are hard to beat.

All by my own doing… 😀

Went out with the instructor’s blessing on one of my first solo flights in a Bölkow Monsun. When I came back to the airfield the wind had increased to about 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Although straight down the runway it was incredibly turbulent and I somehow neglected to maintain the correct approach speed, touched down way too fast, bounced twice before coming to a stop at the end of the runway. The airfield employees found it hilarious and wanted me to pay three landing fees… 😡

RE: Most Memorable flight?

Booked on the inaugural flight from Munich to Copenhagen on a BAe 146 with the now defunct Debonair, we were all requested by the PA to report at the Debonair counter in the Departures Hall – after having checked in! Customs/Security wouldn’t let us out the way we had gotten in but gave us directions to another exit, this resulting in a group of us being trapped between two one-way doors and having to pound the glass panes until Security “rescued” us. Anyway, the aircraft had technical problems but we would be put on an SAS flight, the Debonair employee told us while merrily amending the tickets in hand-writing. Further delays occurred at the SAS counter where they understandably were not accepting tickets amended in hand-writing. Meanwhile, no notice was forwarded to Copenhagen, where people waiting for the Debonair passengers were biting their nails down to their elbows thinking that the plane had crashed. Going back, we were relieved to see a Debonair aircraft actually waiting at the gate, even more so wehen were allowed on board, only to have spirits dampened by a cheerful announcement to the effect that the flight would be slightly longer than expected as we would have to pop by Mönchengladbach to pick up some other Debonair passengers marooned there with an u/s aircraft. Now, Mönchengladbach’s runway is raather short and I was thrilled to experience the BAe 146’s short landing and take off capabilities, but it was evidently not to everybody’s liking. The sight of a lone mechanic with a clapped-out van and a DIY shop aluminium ladder with his torso buried in the innards of the culprit engine on the other BAe 146 parked on the apron (which was now full) did also not give cause for much enthusiasm among my fellow passengers. As the icing on the cake, our luggage could be reclaimed in a completely different terminal back in Munich. I never flew with them again.

RE: Your nearest BIG airport?

EDDM 😉

RE: Scanner test

I think it is an ex Swiss AF Pilatus P-2 with black crosses over the red/white Swiss insignia.