channel ditching
This accident has really got to me. A terrible tradegy.
I didn't know Martin personally, but I too am an ex-microlighter, and I flew a R44 to Australia 10 years ago. I'm also exactly the same age as him and share the same name.
On the day of the accident I was flying the exact route he was (as far as Italy and then onto Morroco), starting from Blackpool. We passed Staverton around 14:30.
We had intened to fly straight to Lydd, but we re-fuelled at Blackbush, since we had to divert around some crap weather near Benson. This meant that we didn't have enough fuel to get to Lydd, hence the Blackbushe refuel. We filed for Le Touquet there.
From Gatwick onwards the weather was challenging (to put it mildly), but about 10 mile before Lydd there was a nice bit, so we climbed to 2,000 ft where I contacted Le Touquet and got a weather report. This was about 16:00 ish. Having listened to the man in the tower, I decided enough was enough and we diverted to Lydd where we stayed the night.
We awoke to the news of Martin's terrible accident, which did nothing for our confidence, and waited for the weather to improve. By about 12:00 it had improved sufficiently for us to go, and we headed out across the channel, ending up at Blois, (near Tours), which was our intended destination. Again, the flying conditions were very, very challenging.
Today, I write to you from near Grenoble, by the Alps in France. I waited until 14:00 to take off, even though it was CAVOK by about 12:00. I cannot tell you how difficult it can be to remain calm and patient when you can see the weather is CAVOK at point of departure. Experience has taught me that this patience is one of the best qualities of anyone who is PIC. I am now 2 days behind my intended schedule, and I have had to re-arrange my whole week.
When I landed near Grenoble - and I had to divert yet again - I was flying in drizzle, between layers of scattered cloud and rapidly deteriating VMC. Not dangerous, nor illegal, but most definitely very unpleasant.
It's likely that the pressure of the publicity, the fantastic mission which Martin was undertaking, and the anxiety of missing crossing clearances in weeks to come (you usually only get a 24 hour entry clearance into countries such as Burma and you have to apply weeks in advance) will have influenced the "go/no go" decision he made.
TOT mentions that we should not let this accident be in vain. I agree. So fly with care, with confidence, and make sure you can land when you need to.
With deep respect and sadness,
Big Ls