Popham, full story and pictures.!!

[BRL]

Excellent fly-in. Good to meet some of you at last, especially good to see Pilots Pal in her 'Daisy Duke shorts.Pweeeeeeeewee.. :) Thanks to The NR Fairy for taking us for a spin in his hellicopter,(my first time in one) that was ace..!!! I took some photographs and as soon as i get them done i will post them here. WX was great, not a cloud to be seen, brilliant.

It got a bit tricky(busy) at about 11ish. We were told by the man on the ground to space out a bit as we were all a little bit close. Many thanks to the pilot of Cessna AI who not only managed to cut us up once on finals, but again(after the go-around) even after we called short finals. :mad:

Huge thanks too for Ace Rimmer for sharing his plane with me. Great stuff, many thanks. :)

[Keef]

Yep - great fly-in. We in G-UTSY and Cusco in G-AYAC both had to go-around from short finals because of some fine local pilots cutting in front of us. Is there a "locals have priority" rule that we missed somewhere?

But where was everyone? I downloaded the list of who was going, and saw very few of them. The only PPrune folks I met were Whirlybird, AerBabe, Velvet, JohnL, IFollowRoads, Cusco, SteveR, Stiknruda, and InFinRetirement. Don't think I forgot anyone. I even wore my yellow tabard with "Keef" on the back.

We arrived at 1100Z and left 1350Z - they both seemed to be peak hour for arrivals and for departures.

Got some fabulous pix of the Kentish Fledgling in the CAP10, though.

[stiknruda]

I only went because of Aerbabe's outrageous postings and didn't meet or see her so I can only conclude that either:

a) she wasn't there
b) she isn't a babe!;)
c) I was in the gents when she was outside and when I was outside she was in the ladies (or gents!):confused:

Met Ghenghis and Wycombe and said hello to FNG - but I already knew who they were although I'd not met them!

Mrs nr Fairy was very helpful when my someone in a C1?2 started up and blew my hastily replanned chart across Hants. So pls thank her Mr Nr Fairy.

Gerard - need yr e-address to pass onto a young chap who owes you a thank you letter, I've just changed ISPs and have lost a lot of my old data.

The M25/A12 on the way home to E Anglia looked chokka :D

My first circumnavigation of the London zone - interesting because not as busy as say Jo'burg or LAX but the number of gliders around Odiham/lasham was quite impressive and flying a PFA type meant keeping clear of built up areas - hence the lines on the chart!

Little Rumble and I did some aeros on the way back then went home for tea, stickies and medals!

Good day out - thank you all.

Stik

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

There were quite a few other PPRuNers around...

I flew down with Flying for Fun in G-OMIK, a rather nice Europa, and flew back with FNG in G-BXFE, a very splendid Cap 10b.

And had a most splendid day meeting lots of great people :D

One thing wasn't so good - I had to run to a C172 which had started to roll backwards down the slope and I managed to stop it. It would have gathered speed and probably ended up running into another aircraft. My arms still ache from stopping it, then I used my foot as a temporary chock. The lovely HelenD then fetched some chocks. And when I finally met up with the crew they were in the process of removing the chocks and told me that it didn't need them as the brakes were on :eek: :rolleyes: I pointed to the tracks in the grass which indicated it has moved about 15'. They left fairly shortly afterwards.

And the bu66ers didn't even thank me for stopping their aeroplane from getting trashed. :rolleyes:

HelenD - did you enjoy your flight in a flexwing? :D

[Genghis the Engineer]

A thoroughly pleasant day for me, and I seem to have seen more people than Keef did (including him, despite the fact that he apparently didn't see me), and a very good range of aircraft.

Took 3 Ppruners up in the flexwing, two here HelenD and Whirly, the other was male so didn't stick in the mind so much, nothing personal I promise. For those who want to note it in their logs..

Reg G-MNKZ
Type: Southdown Raven-X
Captain: Me.
Sortie 1 (male Ppruner) 1030-1100
Sortie 2 (HelenD) 1340-1400
Sortie 3 (Whirly) 1530-1645 (all times Zulu).

Thanks very much to NR Fairy for the trip in his R22, and commiserations (but complements on putting professionalism before pressonitis) for having to leave it behind after your engine overspeed. I owe you a couple of beers at-least, and if you need local help in extracting the Robbo, give me a shout.

Very glad, 3 years after promising it at another (non Pprune) fly-in to finally take Whirly flying, not only is she good company in the cockpit, she's lightweight so I could get a decent climb rate out of my 38shp engine on a hot day! We must do it again.


And to everybody else, great meeting you, great flying with you, great not hitting anybody in the utterly chaotic circuit just before lunch, and look forward to seeing you all at the next extravaganza.

Genghis.

N.B. I took some pictures, and will post them once the weather deteriorates, at the moment I'm having too much fun!

[SteveR]

Yep, a lurverly day, and thanks very much to Keef for the ride down.

I didn't socialise too much, I guess I'm just a miserable old git ATM, but I did have a splendid time laying around on the grass and on the periphery of some conversations.

Popham's a very nice place, particularly 'cos of the left turn that peeps have to make on departure from 08 - those of us lounging around watching the aircraft get a fab view as they bank and exit stage left.

(and the next one is?.............)

Steve R

[FlyingForFun]

An excellent day!

Paulo was unable to make it due to a case of food poisening. However, for anyone who was interested in his Swanwick visit, he told me to pass on the message that he'll arrange something during the week. And, since that left my passenger seat free, I took PPRuNe Dispatcher down to Popham with me, flying in formation with FNG.

Once we arrived, I went in an R22 (thanks Nr Fairy!), flew upside-down in a Cap 10 (thanks FNG!) and took a total of 4 PPRuNers in the Europa. Not to mention meeting a few old friends, renewing a couple of old acquaintances, and getting to know a load more people who will hopefully become friends. My regrets were not getting to talk to everyone, and not getting to fly in the flex-wing, but unfortunately the day was far too short.

Keef - I saw you, but only from behind as you were leaving. Sorry.

Stik - AerBabe was definitely there. And she's definitely a babe (she'll deny it, but she's away for a few days so she won't see this until Tuesday at the earliest!) So that rules out a) and b). The third option - c) - is possible, but I think it's more likely that because she's a babe, everyone was offering her rides, so she wasn't on the ground for very long at a time! :D Thankfully, you - and most other people - left before the start of FFF + AerBabe (with a bit of help from Velvet) Musical Extravaganza - and those who were still around left very quickly after we started! But I think Irv got some photos.....

Despite a couple of people being cut up by the locals, I thought the standard of airmanship was excellent, considering the airspace was very busy, and the speeds of the aircraft in the circuit were, well, varied to say the least. I didn't hear anyone complaining about the flying of any PPRuNers (except for the guy on the radio shouting at me coz I forgot to turn left on climb-out to avoid the petrol-station :rolleyes: ), and most of the locals were well-behaved too.

I definitely think we need another one - anyone want to suggest a location? And whoever it was that picked such a beautiful day for this one - 4 months in advance - should definitely pick the date! :D

FFF
-------------

[djk]

it was a fab day, I was my usual quiet self.
so in case anyone is wondering, then that quiet person dressed in black was me :)

many thanks for NrF for the lift from Thruxton
it was my first flight in a heli and throughly enjoyed it, definitely looking forward to the next fly-in :D

hopefully it won't be a long way off before I'm able to make it to a fly-in under my own steam :D

[Keef]

I'll remember to bring my spare set of eyes next time! Yes, FFF - we met! I just didn't connect the "real" name with the PPrune handle.

Took a few pix - nowt special, apart from a rather nice one of a certain pair of Pitts. See http://www.keithj.dircon.co.uk/pophampitts.jpg

It's a big file, so don't growl at me!

[The Nr Fairy]

Well, it was all going fine until the last 30 seconds.

We ( dj and moi ) had a pleasant trip over from Thruxton, wondered what all those "overhead join" and "downwind" thingies were for while we were on finals from about 5 miles out !

Had fun giving people rides - it's nice to see other people having fun in a helicopter and it is also the first time I've done something like that. Thanks to Send Clowns and Whirlybird for a sterling job on the ground handling - if you want to have a go in a helicopter sometime let me know !!

I did manage to spoil it just - and I mean just - before we departed. Having run through the pre-start, start and post-start checks, I'd finished the pre-takeoof VAs and, as normal, wound up from 75% switching the governor on at the same time - the next step is to lift to a hover - that's how close I was to "just departing". Next thing I know, engine anr rotor RPM are off the top of the scale and the governor switch appears to be off. No choice but to shut down and check with an instructor as to the course of action. That involved getting dj to Newbury train station by road, going to Thruxton to pick up my car, and then going straight home for a beer to console myself.

And when an instructor's first words after you tell him you've had an overspeed are "Oh ****", you know it's not going to be a good answer !

Apart from that - excellent day, nice weather, good people, nice to meet you all, and can someone tell me where to get a T-shirt like Reddo's ?

[SimJock]

Agreed it was a good day, we should coordinate our arrival/departure times better next time around though rather than have a 'rush hour'.

We met the 'local' in the Cessna who cut up some Ppruners, he was looking to apologise but could not find the pilot/s concerned, he is also in his 70's and still going strong!

Looking forward to the next one :)

[The Nr Fairy]

Piccies from my camera now available on the web - here (http://www.fototime.com/inv/E4039516E75EA9B) .

No identification - I'll add those in later, but please let me know if you want to have a black strip face, or not appear at all.

[djk]

NrF,

On piccie 4 keef is the one with the hi-vis jacket, with JohnL to the right of the pic and SteveR is the one with his back to the camera, dunno who the one almost out of the photo on the left is

[Ace Rimmer]

What a day, Met up with BRL out to the Arrer get fired up (already been to the pumps to top off not a soul on the radio) and whoosh the whole world and his dog decide that this is the moment to go fly. 20 mins later "G-VL can you accept an immediate?" Too bloody right! And we're away climb to 3,200 and head for GWC to intercept the 320 from radial (which takes you direct to Popham (handy that). On a day that's just made for flying I guess you should expect others to feel the same and sure enough. A fella can't get a word in edge wise.

With about 10 to run I say to BRL I guess we'd better talk to Popham but by the time we get to talk to Farnboro LARS we're not only there but completing our second orbit of the field at 3000. The circut was to say the least interesting BRL's (the human TCAS) head is on a swivel calling traffic - But I guess we hadn't heard that "locals have the right to cut up everybody" rule either. Never mind, only the two go arounds (or was it three?)
As a matter of fact I think having read the postings above, I had a chat with the bloke in the Cessna - nice old codger hope I'm still flying at his age.

Good to chat with Fuji, In Fin, Irv, the guys with the shiney new 172 (300hrs on the clock) sorry I'm crap at remembering names etc etc.

On the return more surprises fully expect to join overhead at Shm at 2,500 (they do that when it's busy before stepping down to 2,000 for a standard join) so stay high overhead Littlehampton. Then they (Shm App) say "Would you like a straight in for 07?"
... ok continue you're number 2 to a Cherokee on short final (You WHAAAT?) Time for a bit of energy management with a wave to the Dove opposite direction paralelling the coast at 500'. A greaser (really BRL that was the runway they really should roll it or something). Park shut down cover on look at the nose wheel...It's bang on the spot! Bid farewell to BRL...

Damn it was a good day

[White Shadow]

WS arrived latish, so missed the rush-hour. Seems it was interesting....
Anyone else miss a joining QFE? (seems more friendly than a QNH).
Lovely day - lovely place, lovely weather, lovely aeroplanes. lovely people.
We must have another one.
WS
ps. Whirly - have you had your sleep yet, after that D-toD?

[Captain Airclues]

I'm very jealous!

I spent the day in bed with a heavy cold/flu, listeneing to all the aeroplanes flying overhead on that beautiful day.

Bad timing or what?

Airclues

[poetpilot]

Similarly to above, apologies and all that for not getting there.

I went down to sort the Minor out on Saturday. Needed a ground run first, with cowlings off to check for oil leaks after the maintenance done to it.

Heaved it out of hangar, doing my back in Again :mad:

Did all the right things, pushed the right knobs, pulled the right switches, swung it till I was:mad: in the face and the b****y thing still wouldnt start.

gave up, pushed it into the hangar (doing back in again :mad: ) and retired to clubhouse for a chillout. Somewhat pacified by an excellent multi-balloon ;aunch from Barton last night at 8pm.... quite a sight.

I'm going to Sywell next week for the Flyer get-together though, in G-BFZT Aerobat. May see some of you there.

[Whirlybird]

A really really good day out.

After 9.7 hours flying and a 19 hour day on the Friday doing the Dawn to Dusk, common sense (which I do have on odd occasions) said it might be safer not to fly. I was staying with my D2D co-pilot in Oxfordshire, so I drove down. Really nice to see you all - and I remember meeting (in no particular order) Genghis, Aerbabe, Velvet, Send Clowns, Nr Fairy, Big Red L, FlyingForFun, Keef, White Shadow, *********, InFinRetirement, Irv, and HelenD. There were probably more, but hey, I was tired.

stiknruda , not sure if I saw you, but I love the purple Pitts.

Nr Fairy , I enjoyed being your ground crew, and my commiserations about the overspeed. On a more serious note, I did the identical thing about 18 months ago, but you were more on the ball than I was; I didn't catch it till the climbout, and caused a lot of very expensive damage :( . But mine was minutes; yours was seconds, and hopefully won't be too bad. But I always remembered putting the governor on, even after it was proved to me that there was no other way the RPM could have gone so high ( I originally thought I'd turned off the governor with my sleeve when I pulled the cyclic trim in the climbout). So I wondered at the time, and I'm now wondering again, if it's possible to flick the governor switch but only get it partially on? If so, it needs to be more widely known. It seems odd that two of us should do the same thing. I've spent a long time believing that my memory was at fault due to being tired and stressed at the time.

On a more positive note, Genghis , many thanks for the microlight trip I've waited three years for. :eek: It would have been nice to do it on a day when I wasn't dropping with fatigue, had aching back and shoulders, and felt decidedly wimpish about anything new. Well, that's my excuse for freezing with terror as we took off, sitting in what felt like a child's car seat balanced on top of a cross between an aerial motorbike and a hang glider. But I quickly got over it, and it was...er...rather fun. You can see as much as in a helicopter, and it's kinda nice not being enclosed (translation; Whirly is a masochist and rather enjoys freezing to death). Anyway, this morning somehow found me searching Learn to Fly guides for the nearest place with flexwings, only for a trial lesson you understand, absolutely nothing more. Have I said this before, oh dear... Well, at least it's cheaper than helicopters.

White Shadow , nice to meet you, and I drove home and slept for about 10 hours and feel lots better; thanks for asking.

See you all at the Gatbash I hope. :)

[PilotsPal]

Airclues,

So sorry you weren't able to join us - we did wonder what had happened to keep you away.

It was a hugely enjoyable day, GL and I had a gentle hour's flight down to Popham and were fortunate enough to be able to land without the mandatory go-rounds that so many others seemed to be doing.

NR Fairy - a huge thank you for the flight in the R22, which I enjoyed enormously.

Buttons - Mrs Buttons and your hospitality knows no bounds and the drive back to your place was a big part of the fun. Haven't checked the lottery numbers yet but rest assured if it was my lucky day yesterday, I'll take the car off your hands, no trouble!

Good to catch up with many old friends and add a few new faces. Fabulous weather yesterday and today and now I'm heading for the garden with a nice bottle of white to enjoy what remains of today!

[stiknruda]

Whirly - alas we didn't meet but thanks for loving my aeroplane! Now when the PFA allow me to build a Pitts Model 12 (and yes - I have asked them!!) I'll paint it purple, too and take you for a spin - erect of course:D

Stik

[HelenD]

I had a great day at Popham everyone is so nice and it was great to meet you all. i arrived earlier than planned and left later than planned. The flexwing flight was interesting i diddnt realise what wind was like, guess I am too fragile for open cockpit stuff.
I caught the sun as many others probably did.

[Evo7]

I certainly got some sun - I'm a similar colour to stik's Pitts today... :)

[FNG]

My go around was self induced as I flew too tight a circuit to avoid going up the chuff of the microlight in front, even though rush hour hade not yet started. Also managed self induced mini ground looping on roll out owing to being lazy on left brake and throttle. I didn't meet enough people (a) because I'm a social failure and (b) because I spent too much time faffing and flying, but I enjoyed the day very much.

Al, I'll email you when back in the office. Genghis, I'm sorry that time didn't permit us to trade flights in the flexwing and Cap 10, but hopefully next time.

Enjoyed some upside downy stuff with FFF (who flew a nice loop, hitting his slipstream on the way out) and the Kentish Fledging, who made a fair stab at his first aileron roll. FFF and I also registered a kill on another aerobatic type after a short turning fight, although we bounced him and he didn't make much effort.

I suggest that Popham in early June should be an annual fixture. Shall we do an end of season one somewhere else in September or October?

Anyone at Project Propeller next Saturday at Kemble? I'm taking a Typhoon guy with a DFC, so absolutely, positively no ground looping permitted.

Thanks to FFF for the organisational effort and to Irv and others at Popham for the hospitality.

[Irv]

-Congrats to whoever picked the date - you got the weather right!
- I forgot to keep the pprune sign-in list from the counter - there were many names on it. I can't believe everyone saw it though, as the bucket of chocolates by it was still half full at 5pm when I left. (not sure how long they lasted AFTER that - I alerted aerbabe to the chox, which seemed to be news to her, then left!)

[Genghis the Engineer]

Whirly,

Microlight clubs and schools directory at http://www.bmaa.org/clubsintro.htm

Cheers,

G

[Wycombe]

....Ace, it was me in the "shiny new 172", G-WACM - it's about 6 months old and 300hrs came up on the Hobbs as we taxied in (it is a Club a/c after all, but a very nice one).

Good to meet so many of you.....ideal venue, great weather (yes, I'm the same colour as Stik's Pitts today aswell!), fab day all round really!

Saw G-ENSI the Bonanza arriving as we were taxying out to leave....pity for the guys in that a/c that most of us had left by that point (about 3.20)

Will definately have to become a regular thing...and I'll be there if it does!

[carbheatcold]

What an excellent day! Thanks to all those involved in putting it together. Look forward to the next one.

Who achieved the longest flight to get to Popham?

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

FNG gave me a lift back to White Waltham in the Cap10. What he's too modest to mention is that his landing & rollout at WW were rather good....

He let me fly the Cap10 from the climbout from Popham into the overhead at WW. I now have a severe case of the *I wants* :D

[long final]

Had a wonderful day, was thoroughly unsociable throughout, ate and sat in the sun all afternoon - VERY red face - great to see all the traffic, though I appeared to arrive at the same time as everyone! - five in the circuit when I was there. :eek: Met a few of you all and got a new one for the book. Good day.

Regards,
LF
:)

[Belgian Chap]

hi carbheatcold,

don't want to steal the show, but i flew in from EHSE-EBOS-EGHP in two hops 2:40 total flying time, IAS 100kt, with the dutch registered PH-SPE, took me the exact time back to seppe EHSE in one go. 5:20hrs is another good day's entry in the logbook for hour-building!
Nice to have met some ppruners Ghengis,Keef,Taildragger,IFR, etc...
See you definately at the next fly-in!

Regards,

Peter

[Hersham Boy]

Sounds like you all had a great time... I consoled myself slightly over mising the event by hearing a lot of traffic transiting Farnboro' MATZ and passing by Lasham while I was on Farn LARS returning from a triumphant solo to IOW. Maybe it was PPRuNers?

Next one...next one.... :)

Hersh

[Taildragger]

Good day out and great to put some faces to the names.
Reddo's T-Shirt looked good on her and gave a serious message to all who looked at it.!!
Got Aer Babe and Velvet off the ground in the Dragger and down to Sandown for a cuppa and some cheap fuel.
Nr Fairy ..... Heard you call a shut down as we departed because of the overspeed situtation. Spoilt an otherwise fine day ...... sorry it ended that way.
Look forward to seeing you all agan.

[Genghis the Engineer]

A few photos, deliberately degraded so as not to melt anybody's modems. If anybody wants the full 3Mpix (about 300k each compressed) version of any, drop me an Email and I'd be glad to oblige.

Ppruners aeroplanes....

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham-1.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham0.jpg

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham1.jpg

Conversation around a Europa....

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham2.jpg


NR Fairy becoming airborne with pax, Whirly in background protecting tailrotor from self propelling FOD

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham3.jpg


NR Fairy again...

http://www.btinternet.com/~guy.gratton/popham4.jpg



(c) Genghis 2002

[Keef]

Summat adrift there, Genghis. I see no pix and no URLs

[BRL]

I can see them clear as a bell......... :)

[distaff_beancounter]

Lovely pickies on my PC, Genghis

Perhaps Keef needs a modem upgrade :D

[stiknruda]

Must confess that living out 'ere in the country does have it's benefits - no ADSL: frame 2 shows a whole bunch of taildraggers, except for one poor chap who arrived in a spamcan,

my - what two gorgeous biplanes!!

Cumprimentos,

Stik

[Keef]

Ah! 'Tis not the modem - 'tis the software. Mozilla (proper HTML only, none of the non-standard Microsoft stuff) can't see the pix. So Keef fires up Internet Eggsplorer (spit!) and there are the pix.

Nice of the Pitts Pair!

[skua]

FNG

I will be at Kemble next w/e. I have a tail gunner, a QFI, and one guy whose career I have yet to find out. Picking them up form Manston. But if it is half as much fun as the one I did 2 years ago, I am really looking forward to it. Are you in the CAP 10?

Sorry I could not make Popham, but a 4 day bank holiday weekend is such a rarity I had to make use of it, and went round Brittany. Huge fun. The locals were very helpful, even when I had a brake failure. I would thoroughly recommend it (Brittany, not brake failure!).

See you at Kemble.

SKua

[FNG]

Yes, I'll be coming from Waltham in the Cap 10. I went to last year's one, which was a great day. See you there.

[AerBabe]

Stik, I was definitely there! Although Taildragger did whisk me off soon after I arrived for a quick trip to IOW for fuel (thank you :) )
Thanks also to FFF for: a) organising the whole thing (and thanks to Irv for that as well); b) the chance to fly about in his new toy; c) playing with me :eek: ; d) saying I'm a babe :p

I didn't get the chance to meet as many people as I would have liked too - why didn't you all stay longer?? Definitely have to do this again!

BTW... told you Velvet would provide good weather. Couldn't have asked for better :)

[Taildragger]

My pleasure Aerbabe[/B] Next time, I will supply in flight catering. ie: Sweeties little girl.!!

[AerBabe]

:eek:

Have you got puppies I can play with too? :D

[AerBabe]

No more photos or amusing stories anyone? :(

[Send Clowns]

Oi, Stiknruda - don't you suggest that Aerbabe is not a babe! As FFF suggested she was away being given flights most of the time, even I didn't see her much during the day :(

[AerBabe]

Yeah... but you're biased... AND we spent the rest of the bank holiday together :p

[The Nr Fairy]

SC :

I'd heard rumours that lots of other men were taking her to heaven and back . . .

[Send Clowns]

Mmmmm, I got the best bit, AerBabe ;)

Yes, Nr :( can't afford an aeroplane so lose my girl to the richer men.

[Fujiflyer]

Sorry I couldn't make it in the end. I was disappointed but can't really complain though, as we had a fantastic flight down to Menorca :)

Glad that you all had a brilliant time, hope we can have another fly-in,

Rgds

Fujiflyer :)

[AerBabe]

Hey Fugi, glad to hear you had a good trip. Hope you took lots of photos! How did it go with junior? :)

[Fujiflyer]

The trip down was fantastic. Coming back was a drag - we hated leaving Menorca plus the weather was poor. I'll post more details under a separate title (probably use the one I started previously on the topic), so that I don't spoil this one. The piccies are under:

http://photos.yahoo.com/fujiflyergbckt

I've added a handful so far - more will follow.

Hannah was perfect for the journey, Andrew slightly less so ;)


FujiF

[TheKentishFledgling]

Many thanks to all helped organise the day....great fun!

Now I've got my new name sorted out, i'm gonna try and post a bit more regularly on here!

FNG - have been trying to email you, but it's not letting me :mad:
Many thanks for the Cap ride....really enjoyed the aeros, and you have a lovely aeroplane :)
Will keep trying to send the email for the time being :(

Thanks also Keef and Cusco who gave me lifts to and from Rochester for the event, it was great fun (sorry i was so attracted to the seaside Keef - it's sommat with us ikkle kiddies and the beach!)

tKF

[Keef]

Wotcher tKF! Glad to see you on t'list.

Seaside? Nah, 'twas dear G-UTSY fancied a holiday!

Great to fly with ya. Must do it again soon!