G-VFWE Hullavington 2005

[DubTrub]

Well, an absolute disgrace on two counts.
Firstly, no thread on PPRuNe PF on this (MC excepted)...and secondly, I haven't raised it.

Anyway, Wx looks better than forecast...about 15 kts straight down runway 23 for tomorrow (Saturday).

I'll be going...as I know several others too. Hope others with their PPR numbers will make the effort.

DT

[AerBabe]

I'll be there Sunday ... but in the tower. Hopefully, Vintage ATCO will let me out for good behaviour to have a look round.

[Mike Cross]

Vintage ATCO will let me out for good behaviour Looks like you're going to be cooped up all day then.

Mike

[Monocock]

I'll be there if this wx sorts itself out.

It's tipping down at the moment and it appears to be prolonged rain as opposed to a passing shower.

The bacon is in the oven and I'm sure it'll all be fine later...

[ozplane]

monocock, I hope the bacon went down well but did it stop raining? I'd hoped to go but it's been raining for about 3 hours on and off and doesn't look much better for tomorrow....b****r!

[Monocock]

Nope, the plane atayed in the hangar today. I went to the strip three times but made the same decision each time.

It just didn't feel right.

I'm going to make an early attempt tomorrow....

[Jodelman]

Set off for Hullavington this morning but only got about 25 miles before the cloudbase started to lower and it poured with rain. Carried on for a few miles but could see no improvement, so went back to the strip. The wind increased during the morning to the forecast 30k gusts with regular bursts of heavy rain.

The long TAFs for tomorrow don't look too encouraging.

[ozplane]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who wimped out although I feel sorry for the organisers as they usually pick good weather. The forecast on the Beeb didn't look too bad for the morrow. I'll try again.

[Mike Cross]

Made it on Sunday. Unfortunately not long before the airpark was due to open to the public the rain started. Shortly after closing again there was a rush of departures before the next lot came in.

The weather must have really hit gate receipts, I hope they had weather insurance.

Plane had a good wash on the way back to Popham.:*

[AerBabe]

I had a great day on Sunday, despite the weather. It looked very promising in the morning, with the sunlight streaming into our little white caravan, but the forecast rain soon appeared. It didn't stop everyone though - when I left I had counted over 200 movements, and there were still several aircraft to leave.

Vintage ATCO let me out in the afternoon for a quick look round, and I found Neville Duke signing books in one of the tents. :ok: Thanks for inviting me, vATCO. Can I do it again? Pretty please with a cherry on top...

[ozplane]

Aerbabe, I did wave at you as I taxiied past your little white van in my little white Airtourer on Sunday morning but it was too wet/far to walk over and say "hi" from the Control in that weather. I think you all did a super job and what a cracking airfield Hullavington is. I've seen rougher bowls greens. The departure at 1330 was a bit like a Battle of Briatin scramble to dodge the showers and I thought you were firing them off very well. Did anybody get stuck due to the weather?

[AerBabe]

I hope I waved back! I did when I saw people waving at us, although for some I think it could have been less a friendly hello and more a 'help, where do I go?'.

It was interesting watching how vATCO et al ran the ATC. First thing in the morning the ATIS was telling people to make their initial call downwind. By mid-morning the initial call was on final. On departure, aircraft were being called at the hold and given their clearance.

I am thinking of adopting 'Yellow high wing', for example, instead of bothering with all this type-recognition rubbish. ;)

[ozplane]

Oh yes, I got the wave. I think your comment was right about the cause of the waves. I must confess I was "temporarily unsure of my position" when I turned off 23 hard. Easy when you picked up the cones marking the taxiway but getting there was a guess on my part. I thought the best departure call-sign was "The camouflaged Auster slippng sideways on the grass" and that was before he got to the runway.

[Mike Cross]

One can only admire the way those with nous and skill shift large volumes of aircraft quickly and efficiently.

On departure my first call was to acknowledge my line-up clearance! The marshallers had got me to the hold and the ATC staff, with keen eyesight and good binoculars had my registration from the far end of the runway.

Mike

[vintage ATCO]

Did anybody get stuck due to the weather?

The Aeronca and Auster squadrons scrambled just before 1800 when Met. said it would be best and the Dart Kitten was the last to leave at about 1815. I think he had a problem starting.

Only the An-2 remained who was over-nighting because of a tech prob.

Nice to see all who made it.

[BRL]

Anyone got any pictures?

[AerBabe]

Here's one of Vintage ATCO working hard...

http://img262.echo.cx/img262/7856/steveflyer7zf.jpg

[LowNSlow]

Nah, he's Ppruning :E :E

[AerBabe]

And some of the Air Atlantique aircraft leaving.
Excuse the bird poo on the window. :D

http://img284.echo.cx/img284/221/aaformation0ci.jpg

[stiknruda]

Aerbabe,

I think I recognise a dH Rapide/Dominie/Dragon, a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer but the nearest one has me foxed, is it a Percival Prentice or a piston Provost?

Stik

[AerBabe]

'Tis a Prentice, my dear. You're much better than me at these things ... should have taken my Jane's spotter book that Kolibear gave me. :O

[paulc]

BRL,

try these :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGAKVFsuperaceVFWE220505IMG_2598.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallWD413ansonVFWE2205050IMG_2591.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGCBLIyak52VFWE220505IMG_2731.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGAPRStwinpintakeoffVFWE220505IMG_2604.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGBMPHdh82VFWE220505IMG_2738.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGAOJHdhmothmajorVFWE220505IMG_2703.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGAGHYdh82VFWE220505IMG_2677.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallVR259PrenticeVFWE2205050IMG_2583.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/LYBIGAN2VFWE220505IMG_2622.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallGAEXTdartkittenVFWE220505IMG_2752.jpg

[vintage ATCO]

You weren't the photographer who had to run out of the way of the Tiger trying to land 'off-piste' were you? :D

[paulc]

hehe - no - I was behind the crowd line beyond the dove pleasure flight booking tent - good place to be but a fair way from shelter.

I have more pics but am aware of the loading times if too many are added.

[paulc]

couple of Auster pics for Grob Driver

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallVF526AusterVFWE220505IMG_2652.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/PaulChandler/smallTW535AusterVFWE220505IMG_2649.jpg

[Grob Driver]

Thanks very much Paul... much appreciated!

GD