Caernarfon Fly-in/bash 11th/12th October
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well - things didn't work out so well for the fly-in - long story to do with weather. so as far as I know. We only have one chipmunk flying in today. yesterday, we only had 3 aircraft fly in, and only one of those could have stayed for the evening bash.
WF
WF
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We were that Chippy. We braved very nasty turbulence in rotor downwind of Snowdonia, with cloud forming and dispersing in the rotor, some of it below which was a tad worry for us being in a VMC aeroplane.
There was a warm welcome from Welsh Flyer, and the museum was good. The lack of anyone else in the circuit allowed me to fly a continuous descending turn from close in downwind onto the numbers, which it's nice to be able to practice once in a while.
Where woz everyone else?
SSD
There was a warm welcome from Welsh Flyer, and the museum was good. The lack of anyone else in the circuit allowed me to fly a continuous descending turn from close in downwind onto the numbers, which it's nice to be able to practice once in a while.
Where woz everyone else?
SSD
Sorry we (myself and Brooklands) didn't make it. Looked at the Wx Sat am and decided that the weather in that part of NW Wales wasn't forecast as suitable (pity as most of the rest of the UK was CAVOK.
Anyway, went to Headcorn and had a pleasant few hours there instead.
Anyway, went to Headcorn and had a pleasant few hours there instead.
The Original Whirly
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I would have driven over on Sunday, but was far too late finishing at Hawarden. 
Why does everything in aviation take so much longer than you believe is possible? Sorry you had so few people, WelshFlyer. That's the problem with North Wales - weather. 
Anyway, when we get the C150 back from her Star Annual, which is also taking longer than expected, maybe we can fly over from Sleap and meet you and have our own mini-flyin. 
Why does everything in aviation take so much longer than you believe is possible? Sorry you had so few people, WelshFlyer. That's the problem with North Wales - weather. Anyway, when we get the C150 back from her Star Annual, which is also taking longer than expected, maybe we can fly over from Sleap and meet you and have our own mini-flyin.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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I deliberately didn't post my plans on this thread, because they were so volatile I lost count of the number of times they changed! At various points, I was considering getting a lift with Penguina, hiring a C172, hiring a Warrior, getting a lift with Saab, hiring an Arrow, and driving.
On the day of the fly-in, my latest plan was to fly in with Saab. Unfortunately, an early-morning check of the weather suggested that it would be beautiful over the whole country... except for Caernarfon. A flurry of phone-calls followed between myself, Saab, Penguina and Caernarfon airfield, and eventually the pilots for the day confirmed what I already expected - they weren't prepared to risk the weather (and the onset of a cold in Penguina's case helped the decision, too).
Thanks to WelshFlyer for doing his best to organise it. The fly-in season is drawing to a close now, but I'm sure there will be another one organised before too long
FFF
------------
On the day of the fly-in, my latest plan was to fly in with Saab. Unfortunately, an early-morning check of the weather suggested that it would be beautiful over the whole country... except for Caernarfon. A flurry of phone-calls followed between myself, Saab, Penguina and Caernarfon airfield, and eventually the pilots for the day confirmed what I already expected - they weren't prepared to risk the weather (and the onset of a cold in Penguina's case helped the decision, too).
Thanks to WelshFlyer for doing his best to organise it. The fly-in season is drawing to a close now, but I'm sure there will be another one organised before too long
FFF
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Well flyindutch, his two mates and I went on Saturday in a N-reg PA32. Routed almost direct form Wellesbourne. This was over cloud.
Grand day, superb scenery if a slightly bleek airfield.
Lunch was in a town pub by the castle. Food was cheap, bitter acceptable We sat next to three popsies, English so presumably students from Bangor?
Conversation within our party was mainly conducted in Dutch - or so they told me!
Returned route was via N Welsh coast and Hawarden. This was definately VFR. Even the ballooning fraternity were aloft so it was quite calm.
Unfortunately we couldn't stay.
Grand day out. I also thought about moving to Liverpool nd getting a new job.
Welshflyer even wore his tres chic high viz vest!
Grand day, superb scenery if a slightly bleek airfield.
Lunch was in a town pub by the castle. Food was cheap, bitter acceptable We sat next to three popsies, English so presumably students from Bangor?
Conversation within our party was mainly conducted in Dutch - or so they told me!
Returned route was via N Welsh coast and Hawarden. This was definately VFR. Even the ballooning fraternity were aloft so it was quite calm.
Unfortunately we couldn't stay.
Grand day out. I also thought about moving to Liverpool nd getting a new job.
Welshflyer even wore his tres chic high viz vest!
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Hadn't mentioned any possibility of going, but might have considered it if the wx at Perth hadn't been so abysmal. I was at the airport for 3 hrs waiting for it to clear and in that time, there was just the one a/c movement (IFR to Belfast).
Thanks for the effort put in to orgainising it, Welsh Flyer - hopefully it will be a bit less painful next time
[edited 'coz I can't tripe propperlee
]
Thanks for the effort put in to orgainising it, Welsh Flyer - hopefully it will be a bit less painful next time
[edited 'coz I can't tripe propperlee
]
Last edited by Circuit Basher; 13th Oct 2003 at 23:36.
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Bloody hi-viz vests!
Thanks for posting the photo BlueRobin!
I/We'd all want to thank everyone that did come and those that tried to come - what can I say? Some things (Like the weather) are uncontrollable, Hopefully It'll work out a little better next time.
Whirly, That sounds like a good idea, send me a private message, and we'll set something up.
Wf.
Thanks for posting the photo BlueRobin!
I/We'd all want to thank everyone that did come and those that tried to come - what can I say? Some things (Like the weather) are uncontrollable, Hopefully It'll work out a little better next time.
Whirly, That sounds like a good idea, send me a private message, and we'll set something up.
Wf.
Last edited by WelshFlyer; 14th Oct 2003 at 05:15.
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I to was stuck on the ground due to 12knots x-wind gusting to 20, outside the limits for my Chippy I'm afraid. 
Bit frustrating as I live in North Wales so its proberbly the only chance I'll get now of a local pprune fly in!
Is Caernarfon your local field WelshFlyer?
Bit frustrating as I live in North Wales so its proberbly the only chance I'll get now of a local pprune fly in! Is Caernarfon your local field WelshFlyer?
The Original Whirly
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Chipmunk2,
Where are you based? I fly from Hawarden and Sleap, and occasionally Welshpool. You can't be that far away. Looks like there are enough of us in this area to try a local PPRuNe fly-in if we get some nice high pressure days in the winter, even if we arrange it at short notice.
Where are you based? I fly from Hawarden and Sleap, and occasionally Welshpool. You can't be that far away. Looks like there are enough of us in this area to try a local PPRuNe fly-in if we get some nice high pressure days in the winter, even if we arrange it at short notice.
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Yep, Caernarfon is my local airfield. But normally I go a little further affield to Mona, as flying their C150 is not as expensive as the aircraft at Caernarfon, but I have started flying the Caernarfon PA28s.
I think that that's a good idea - a spur of the moment fly-in, if we had some good weather on one of the winter weekends, we should be able to do it
WF.
I think that that's a good idea - a spur of the moment fly-in, if we had some good weather on one of the winter weekends, we should be able to do it
WF.
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PIREP
Welshflyer et al.,
I don't really understand why so many cried off on Saturday - we were definitely legal VFR all the way from Stapleford. Even got a touch of sunburn during lunch at Shobdon (free landings...), then across to the west coast, piccies of Harlech castle, and through that convenient valley just south-west of Caernarfon.
We had planned to stay for a couple of hours and then get a lift up to Ynys Mon to see family and friends. Unfortunately when we arrived there was no-one there except your good self. We decided to pop over to Mona - a ten minute flight which saved us 45 minutes driving (each way).
As usual we were made very welcome at 'Mona International'
Sunday, we left just before lunch to head for Sleap. We immediately ran into the worst turbulence I have ever encountered in a light aircraft. I have to say I was struggling to keep calm. I hope my poor passenger hasn't been put off by the experience. Anyway, we arrived at a blustery Sleap - where I was a bit chuffed to hear they had stopped student flights due to the crosswind. Nearly all of my initial training was with crosswind so I had hardly registered it. Passenger said it was 'interesting landing sideways'
Still a bit choppy as we left Sleap - so we climbed to 5000' or so and followed the Severn down to Malvern, then OX, BNN and home - very tired.
So, sorry the fly-in didn't work out - but if you try again, I'll do my best to attend.
p.s. I nearly fell in lust with that Long-Eze that came in after us. (Now I see it's for sale... must be sensible...)
I don't really understand why so many cried off on Saturday - we were definitely legal VFR all the way from Stapleford. Even got a touch of sunburn during lunch at Shobdon (free landings...), then across to the west coast, piccies of Harlech castle, and through that convenient valley just south-west of Caernarfon.
We had planned to stay for a couple of hours and then get a lift up to Ynys Mon to see family and friends. Unfortunately when we arrived there was no-one there except your good self. We decided to pop over to Mona - a ten minute flight which saved us 45 minutes driving (each way).
As usual we were made very welcome at 'Mona International'
Sunday, we left just before lunch to head for Sleap. We immediately ran into the worst turbulence I have ever encountered in a light aircraft. I have to say I was struggling to keep calm. I hope my poor passenger hasn't been put off by the experience. Anyway, we arrived at a blustery Sleap - where I was a bit chuffed to hear they had stopped student flights due to the crosswind. Nearly all of my initial training was with crosswind so I had hardly registered it. Passenger said it was 'interesting landing sideways'
Still a bit choppy as we left Sleap - so we climbed to 5000' or so and followed the Severn down to Malvern, then OX, BNN and home - very tired.
So, sorry the fly-in didn't work out - but if you try again, I'll do my best to attend.
p.s. I nearly fell in lust with that Long-Eze that came in after us. (Now I see it's for sale... must be sensible...)
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Just to confirm what FFF said in his post - did my level best to make it, but if my cold had not occurred, the weather still would have done!
We were all very gutted here in L. Tahn, but having researched the place a bit, very much hope there will be another opportunity to pay a visit before too long!
Pen
We were all very gutted here in L. Tahn, but having researched the place a bit, very much hope there will be another opportunity to pay a visit before too long!
Pen
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Sunday, we left just before lunch to head for Sleap. We immediately ran into the worst turbulence I have ever encountered in a light aircraft. I have to say I was struggling to keep calm.
Yes, it was probably the worst I've encountered for quite a while. It makes you realise how insignifcant a small aeroplane is when it is being shaken, pushed. twisted, and shoved up down and sideways by those massive and violent forces. I found my usual 'tip of thumb and forefinger' on the stick had become a vice-like grip. Had to force myself to relax.
Thank heavens for good ailerons and a tight 4-point harness!
Very unpleasant.
SSD
Yes, it was probably the worst I've encountered for quite a while. It makes you realise how insignifcant a small aeroplane is when it is being shaken, pushed. twisted, and shoved up down and sideways by those massive and violent forces. I found my usual 'tip of thumb and forefinger' on the stick had become a vice-like grip. Had to force myself to relax.
Thank heavens for good ailerons and a tight 4-point harness!
Very unpleasant.
SSD
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Whirlybird
Fly out of a private site nr Prestatyn in North Wales. Frequent Caernafon and Sleap quiet often (sometimes at Sleap with a more exotic piece of machinery) for food & fuel. Are you learning to fly fixed wing or do you helicopter in to Hawarden and Sleap?
I learnt at Hawarden - fond memories!
I wouldn't mind having a go at a short notice fly-in either at Caernarfon or Sleap - equal distance for me.
Fly out of a private site nr Prestatyn in North Wales. Frequent Caernafon and Sleap quiet often (sometimes at Sleap with a more exotic piece of machinery) for food & fuel. Are you learning to fly fixed wing or do you helicopter in to Hawarden and Sleap?
I learnt at Hawarden - fond memories!
I wouldn't mind having a go at a short notice fly-in either at Caernarfon or Sleap - equal distance for me.
The Original Whirly
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Chipmunk2,
I instruct part time on helicopters at Hawarden. I have a PPL(A) from way back, and I recently acquired a share in a C150 which is based at Sleap - or will be if we ever get it back from its star annual! If you're ever at Sleap, have a look for G-ATKF, and a smallish woman with short dark hair, and come and say hi.
I instruct part time on helicopters at Hawarden. I have a PPL(A) from way back, and I recently acquired a share in a C150 which is based at Sleap - or will be if we ever get it back from its star annual!
If you're ever at Sleap, have a look for G-ATKF, and a smallish woman with short dark hair, and come and say hi.
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WF,
Bit belated but thanks for the effort and I am sorry that not more folks managed to come over.
We certainly enjoyed the trip over and the hospitality. The journey back was uneventful.
The weather was not bad but for those that are strictly VMC the prospect of encountering the soft fluffy stuff and the cumulus granitus is less than inviting. Equally not having 'official weather' and a diversion nearby with Valley closed over the weekends makes going a bit more of a serious decision than just 'going to have a look'
Hope you did not lose out financially.
Look forward to the next getogether, have to say that Sleap was looking rather inviting, basking in the lovely autumn sun. What is the food like @ Sleap?
FD
Bit belated but thanks for the effort and I am sorry that not more folks managed to come over.
We certainly enjoyed the trip over and the hospitality. The journey back was uneventful.
The weather was not bad but for those that are strictly VMC the prospect of encountering the soft fluffy stuff and the cumulus granitus is less than inviting. Equally not having 'official weather' and a diversion nearby with Valley closed over the weekends makes going a bit more of a serious decision than just 'going to have a look'
Hope you did not lose out financially.
Look forward to the next getogether, have to say that Sleap was looking rather inviting, basking in the lovely autumn sun. What is the food like @ Sleap?
FD