So, here it is back at Redhill:
Purchased from Northern Ireland, it was a 4.3 hr flight back to Redhill. After taking delivery, lifting out was from a confined space and 3-up with 270kg of fuel took us to the yellow but not a problem. Through the Belfast city zone and coasted out at Ballywalter. Brushing the edge of the Mull of Galloway and Burrow Head (with Scottish Information all the way) we passed North of Carlisle and with poorer weather than preferred for a direct route over the Pennines, we took the valley route East into Newcastle's airspace, and turned South for a fuel stop at Durham Tees Valley.
From there it was almost a straight line to London City, but with Easterly landings the only crossing clearance offered was declined as it seemed to risk breaching the "Land Clear" rule for a single, so we routed East of the zone before crossing the Thames West of the QEII bridge and routing South of Biggin Hill for Redhill.
2.2hrs to reach Durham Tees Valley and 2.1hrs (with the detour) to Redhill. Well inside our fuel planning, landing both times with our reserve intact and a good margin beyond that.
First impressions - very good. She is a very smooth aircraft. Even with floates fitted we had a fast cruise (85% on the FLI) at 120knt IAS with 3 pax, 270kg fuel and with the wheels in the cargo bay. Slight vibrations from 110kt so we slowed to 80% on the FLI and maintained 110 to 115 knt IAS.
Weather was good throughout the journey with some rain showers that generally did not trouble us. Over the Irish Sea there was more, and lower, cloud and I was happy to have taken the shortest crossing point. It looks worse in this photo than it was, photo taken from the rear seat looking into a cloud bank we were descending to pass underneath.
Issues to solve:
1. Slight leak in the top left pannel of the transparancies. I stayed dry but Ken enjoyed the left seat less, I think.
2. The throttle needs adjusting - backing to the gate at 60% actually takes the turbine to 55% which is not self-sustaining
3. The tow-cart does not fit - different installation of the landing light compared to last machine - some welding of the cart needed.
4. No gas in the air conditioning
Aside from that, paperwork completed today for transfer and posted to CAA.
Nellycopter - not sure what you mean, Can you expand?