Pilatus/Britten-Norman aeroplanes
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
My Trislander time was on the oil patch in Scotland. Regular Aberdeen-Sumburgh/Unst. The only occupant of the RHS would have been an oily bear.
I flew in them a few times between Jersey and Alderney back in the 1970s. As far as I can recall, passengers weren't weighed, although the pilot did tell people where to sit. Strange how the one sitting next to him was always an attractive female with a short skirt, and good legs. Unfortunately, I didn't qualify under any of these criteria!
We sometimes weighed pax at Tingwall (Shetland) when there were full loads. Any baggage or freight that tipped the scales afterwards went to its destination on the next flight. Foula, Fair Isle and Outer Skerries dwellers often turned up with 'miscellaneous' items well over their personal limit but it wasn't a problem if there were empty seats.
Occasional incoming flights carried a cardboard box relocating a hedgehog that was banished from Skerries for eating ground-dwelling birds' unhatched eggs (no trees in the windswept islands for nests.)
Occasional incoming flights carried a cardboard box relocating a hedgehog that was banished from Skerries for eating ground-dwelling birds' unhatched eggs (no trees in the windswept islands for nests.)
Last edited by stevef; 5th Sep 2023 at 19:21. Reason: Clarity
We sometimes weighed pax at Tingwall (Shetland) when there were full loads. Any baggage or freight that tipped the scales afterwards went to its destination on the next flight. Foula, Fair Isle and Outer Skerries dwellers often turned up with 'miscellaneous' items well over the limit for a BN2 but it wasn't a problem if there were empty seats.
Occasional incoming flights carried a cardboard box relocating a hedgehog that was banished from Skerries for eating ground-dwelling birds' unhatched eggs (no trees in the windswept islands for nests.)
Occasional incoming flights carried a cardboard box relocating a hedgehog that was banished from Skerries for eating ground-dwelling birds' unhatched eggs (no trees in the windswept islands for nests.)
The BN freight lashing rings for the seat keyhole slots were a real pain when using nets for the dedicated food supply runs. Vickers rails would have been a better solution all round.
A slightly annoying aircraft to maintain but I liked it more than efficient - but characterless - American twins.
What better aircraft for Outer Skerries!
It's the dictionary definition of a niche aircraft
I did two trips with Loganair both in G-AVRA whilst I was detached to Sumburgh then years later I flew with Peter Cadbury in G-BESO a couple of times and also with Capt Mickey Munn of the Red Devils in G-AXDH. Although I didn't have a twin rating, Mickey let me fly it back to Farnborough from Duxford even down to landing it, proving it wasn't difficult to fly.
That's interesting - very few people have any memories of the Skean Dubh - especially the next morning.
Remember the days when people would come in and shout "I need a welder out at Forties tomorrow? Any takers??"
Remember the days when people would come in and shout "I need a welder out at Forties tomorrow? Any takers??"
