Who will be in the air on December 17th?
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Sorry to hear that the weather hasn't been cooperating for everyone! Over here in The Netherlands the day started with some clouds but the afternoon was CAVOK!
So I took out a C172 and did some sightseeing together with a mate of mine. Got back to the airfield (EHLE) with the sun low in the sky and did three circuits while it slowly sank towards the horizon. Brilliant sight to have a sunset at the time of landing (although having it right in front of you while on finals isn't all that great!). Shutdown was at 15:30 GMT so I finished my flight just within the first century of powered, controlled flight!
Local aerobatic pilot Frank Versteegh commemorated the centenary by attempting to visit all the airfields in the country (except glider fields). The goal was 25 but he managed 26 take offs and landings during the day, all at different airfields in Holland!
So I took out a C172 and did some sightseeing together with a mate of mine. Got back to the airfield (EHLE) with the sun low in the sky and did three circuits while it slowly sank towards the horizon. Brilliant sight to have a sunset at the time of landing (although having it right in front of you while on finals isn't all that great!). Shutdown was at 15:30 GMT so I finished my flight just within the first century of powered, controlled flight!
Local aerobatic pilot Frank Versteegh commemorated the centenary by attempting to visit all the airfields in the country (except glider fields). The goal was 25 but he managed 26 take offs and landings during the day, all at different airfields in Holland!
Not so N, but still FG
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A big crowd and a very festive atmosphere at Waltham, with aircraft of every type milling around. The wintry sun and moderate haze made for two atmospheric flights, with a landing a little after sunset from the second one. Unexpectedly, the circuit was very quiet at 1535, and one lucky aviator had the field all to himself for a departure at that time. It wasn't me, as I was sitting strapped in at the controls but waiting for a friend to land and leap out of his Cub and leap in beside me to complete his total of four types for the day. A very good day.
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We took 9 microlights and a Jet Ranger from Essex to Bembridge for lunch in the Propeller Inn.
I was in the air at 07:45 and landed back at 16:05. A real dawn to dusk day.
Best of all, during the day I passed my 100 hours of flight.
11 other microlights turned up at Bembridge, but we only saw 7 GA come in. I guess everyone was at OW. Irrespective, the Prop Inn was packed solid.
On the way back we flew along the coast to Newhaven before heading North. A fantastic days flying and we were in the air at 10:35 and 15:35, so had both options covered.
I was in the air at 07:45 and landed back at 16:05. A real dawn to dusk day.
Best of all, during the day I passed my 100 hours of flight.
11 other microlights turned up at Bembridge, but we only saw 7 GA come in. I guess everyone was at OW. Irrespective, the Prop Inn was packed solid.
On the way back we flew along the coast to Newhaven before heading North. A fantastic days flying and we were in the air at 10:35 and 15:35, so had both options covered.
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Good to hear about everybodys trips yesterday.
I managed trip to Duxford. When we got there it was a
pleasure to find it was a reduced landing fee including free museum entrance to celebrate the day. There was a good
GA turn out with a constant stream of arrival and departures
all afternoon.
I would post some photos but not sure how.
It was definately a better than average flying day
I managed trip to Duxford. When we got there it was a
pleasure to find it was a reduced landing fee including free museum entrance to celebrate the day. There was a good
GA turn out with a constant stream of arrival and departures
all afternoon.
I would post some photos but not sure how.
It was definately a better than average flying day
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What a fantastic day!
In the morning, we flew from White Waltham to Barkston Heath in a PA28 to collect my new toy. Flew right over the top of some Harriers taking off. The Barkston boys were practicing their formation take offs and we could see smoke from the Reds practicing at Scampton in the distance. Flew said toy (T67) back to WW over lunchtime. A bite to eat and some aeros and circuits later in the afternoon (recovering from a spin at 15.35) and a couple of solo circuits as the sun went down. The atmosphere in the club house was excellent. This is what days off should be about and it makes up for missing Concorde.
Here's to the next 100 years and the 200th anniversary fly-in on Mars! We'll still probably be debating whether it was Burt Rutan or some farmer in New Zealand or some random Brazilian who put us there...
In the morning, we flew from White Waltham to Barkston Heath in a PA28 to collect my new toy. Flew right over the top of some Harriers taking off. The Barkston boys were practicing their formation take offs and we could see smoke from the Reds practicing at Scampton in the distance. Flew said toy (T67) back to WW over lunchtime. A bite to eat and some aeros and circuits later in the afternoon (recovering from a spin at 15.35) and a couple of solo circuits as the sun went down. The atmosphere in the club house was excellent. This is what days off should be about and it makes up for missing Concorde.
Here's to the next 100 years and the 200th anniversary fly-in on Mars! We'll still probably be debating whether it was Burt Rutan or some farmer in New Zealand or some random Brazilian who put us there...
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I have to agree, what an amazing day! Went to Le Touquet for a fine seafood lunch.
Beautiful calm conditions. L2K a bit hard to see in the haze and into the sun (though being right next to the estuary helps!), but coming back I could see the British coast from the French side (about 40 miles or more).
I also got my 200 hours P1 on the same flight, so a double cause for celebration.
RD
Beautiful calm conditions. L2K a bit hard to see in the haze and into the sun (though being right next to the estuary helps!), but coming back I could see the British coast from the French side (about 40 miles or more).
I also got my 200 hours P1 on the same flight, so a double cause for celebration.
RD
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10.35 - I was taking a photo of a Tornado F.3 formating alongside, with me @ 15,000 feet over the North Sea in a TriStar courtesy RAF Brize Norton/216 Squadron
12.15 - in the jump seat of the TriStar @ 500 feet doing a flypast over Brize to commemorate the 100 years
15.35 - I was taking a photo of the Boxkite at Old Warden, with me @ 15 feet over the grass on the tower (so not flying, but no on the ground!!) courtesy Shuttleworth/Airbedane
So all in all most chuffed with myself, and the hospitality of those mentioned above
Edited to add the actual pics taken at 1035/1535.
12.15 - in the jump seat of the TriStar @ 500 feet doing a flypast over Brize to commemorate the 100 years
15.35 - I was taking a photo of the Boxkite at Old Warden, with me @ 15 feet over the grass on the tower (so not flying, but no on the ground!!) courtesy Shuttleworth/Airbedane
So all in all most chuffed with myself, and the hospitality of those mentioned above
Edited to add the actual pics taken at 1035/1535.
Last edited by DamienB; 19th Dec 2003 at 04:42.
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A truly excellent day. As Wycombe has already said the airfield was very busy. There were at least 100 members of our club (WAC) who wanted to fly on the day. Almost the entire fleet was used (the exceptions being the aircraft used for CPL/IR training). The club put on an excellent event, providing mince pies, sausage rolls, nibbles and drinks through the day. We also raised over £300 for the RAF benevolent fund in a raffle
I managed to fly a circuit in each of four different types. I started in the Cessna182S, then moved to the 152 (which I hadn't flown for about 8 years!). I followed the 152 with the PA28, and finished off in a 172 taking off just before sunset, and landing about ten minutes later. I had hoped to fly a twin as well, but one went U/S with a starter problem on Tuesday evening, and the other was busy all day doing IR training.
ATC were absolutely superb in managing all the aircraft. The circuit was very busy: regularly having five or more aircraft in it. I was later told it was one of the busiest days ever at the airfield!
I managed to fly a circuit in each of four different types. I started in the Cessna182S, then moved to the 152 (which I hadn't flown for about 8 years!). I followed the 152 with the PA28, and finished off in a 172 taking off just before sunset, and landing about ten minutes later. I had hoped to fly a twin as well, but one went U/S with a starter problem on Tuesday evening, and the other was busy all day doing IR training.
ATC were absolutely superb in managing all the aircraft. The circuit was very busy: regularly having five or more aircraft in it. I was later told it was one of the busiest days ever at the airfield!
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It was a wonderful day wasn't it? The sky in the south east was as full as it is on a summer weekend; there was obviously a mass boycott of paid employment by the nation's private pilots.
I made the short flight from Denham up to Old Warden, passing over Luton on the way. I arrived in the middle of the Boxkite's first display and had a good view of it as I and a dozen others circled above. As soon as the display finished we all sorted ourselves out and landed without any dramas. By late morning there were so many aircraft there that later arrivals had to park on the far side of the field.
It was my first visit to Old Warden for years, and the first time that I've ever flown in there, so it was a doubly special occasion for me. After two or three hours looking around the museum and watching the flying I flew over a private strip near Daventry and let a friend take my aircraft for a quick flight just so that he could get the date in his logbook too. Then back to Denham just before sunset followed by a night flight to Southend and back as a passenger to admire the lights of London, followed by a curry with a big group of fellow pilots to round off the day.
A superb end to a great flying year, and striking to think of everything which has happened in the world of aviation in the last 100 years. My grandmother is 101 - amazing to think that it is all contained within the liefspan of people still alive today.
A few shots from Old Warden:
And to nicely sum up the day -
I made the short flight from Denham up to Old Warden, passing over Luton on the way. I arrived in the middle of the Boxkite's first display and had a good view of it as I and a dozen others circled above. As soon as the display finished we all sorted ourselves out and landed without any dramas. By late morning there were so many aircraft there that later arrivals had to park on the far side of the field.
It was my first visit to Old Warden for years, and the first time that I've ever flown in there, so it was a doubly special occasion for me. After two or three hours looking around the museum and watching the flying I flew over a private strip near Daventry and let a friend take my aircraft for a quick flight just so that he could get the date in his logbook too. Then back to Denham just before sunset followed by a night flight to Southend and back as a passenger to admire the lights of London, followed by a curry with a big group of fellow pilots to round off the day.
A superb end to a great flying year, and striking to think of everything which has happened in the world of aviation in the last 100 years. My grandmother is 101 - amazing to think that it is all contained within the liefspan of people still alive today.
A few shots from Old Warden:
And to nicely sum up the day -
General Manager at North Weald (!) sent to collect a special passenger for her first flight while I got the aircraft ready.
She had never flown before (even on holiday) and in fact has never been outside the UK.
Whilst airborne she knew where we were all the time and even recognised the road she used to live in.
In nearly 40 years I have to say that she was the most relaxed passenger that I have ever flown.
Got on ITV and BBC News too!
Florie was 100 last June.
She had never flown before (even on holiday) and in fact has never been outside the UK.
Whilst airborne she knew where we were all the time and even recognised the road she used to live in.
In nearly 40 years I have to say that she was the most relaxed passenger that I have ever flown.
Got on ITV and BBC News too!
Florie was 100 last June.
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Just a reminder
If you were airborne on the 17th please go here and register your flight.
You don't have to be an AOPA member, you can print out a commemorative certificate, and it's FREE!
Mike
If you were airborne on the 17th please go here and register your flight.
You don't have to be an AOPA member, you can print out a commemorative certificate, and it's FREE!
Mike
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What a delightful day!!
Very relaxed start with cawffee at White Waltham before my co-pilot flew us to North Weald, lousy ATC, fab bacon buttie, great atmosphere. Then on to Rochester via Thames Estuary -absolute pig to find and land into sun on 20. Caff taken over by West London Aero Club by the looks of it; chicken currey demolished. In q of ten 'planes to depart;don't know young lady on ATC, but she did a fabulaous job!!
Then back to White Waltham via o/h at Biggin and special VFR (tks heathrow Director), Brooklands museum (hats off), Virginia Water lake, + view of Smith's Lawn where Prince of Wales kept his plane in the '30's, Ascot racecourse and always delighted to call point Echo for rejoin at WW. My co-pilot, ex-BA 757 skipper, never been so close to ground across SW corner of LHR zone (usually at 3000' on Dover or Seaford departure...) and celebratory pint of Spitfire ale (what else could it be) at WW -great fun!! Lots of
.
Also grabbed 2.1 hours WW-Shobdon-Filton-WW with DOG.400 day b4 as tail gunner and navigator. Ruff!!
DOC
Very relaxed start with cawffee at White Waltham before my co-pilot flew us to North Weald, lousy ATC, fab bacon buttie, great atmosphere. Then on to Rochester via Thames Estuary -absolute pig to find and land into sun on 20. Caff taken over by West London Aero Club by the looks of it; chicken currey demolished. In q of ten 'planes to depart;don't know young lady on ATC, but she did a fabulaous job!!
Then back to White Waltham via o/h at Biggin and special VFR (tks heathrow Director), Brooklands museum (hats off), Virginia Water lake, + view of Smith's Lawn where Prince of Wales kept his plane in the '30's, Ascot racecourse and always delighted to call point Echo for rejoin at WW. My co-pilot, ex-BA 757 skipper, never been so close to ground across SW corner of LHR zone (usually at 3000' on Dover or Seaford departure...) and celebratory pint of Spitfire ale (what else could it be) at WW -great fun!! Lots of
.Also grabbed 2.1 hours WW-Shobdon-Filton-WW with DOG.400 day b4 as tail gunner and navigator. Ruff!!
DOC
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I had a club aircraft booked at Barton for several months so by Wednesday was agog with excitement at the prospect of commemorating the Great Day.
Along with 50 or so other club members we sat glumly in the club house hoping for a break long enough to fly. With a lapsed IMC and club rules to be obeyed there was no chance of sneaking around the circuit.
Annoyingly the skies cleared and the viz started to improve just as the sun went down! That capped it for me and I sloped off home despondant.
I was doing OK about it until I made the mistake of logging on tonite to see dozens of pix showing clearly blue skies and happy smiling people. Whilst being happy for all who managed to fly and commiserating with those forced by circumstances beyond there control to remain ground bound I am now totally fed up.
I stopped enjoying living up North some time ago but seeing those shots has convinced me that I need a radical rethink about my flying base.
Ah well only 25 years to the next anniversary
Sir George Cayley
The air is a un-navigable soup that enve-laps Bartons sodden door
Along with 50 or so other club members we sat glumly in the club house hoping for a break long enough to fly. With a lapsed IMC and club rules to be obeyed there was no chance of sneaking around the circuit.
Annoyingly the skies cleared and the viz started to improve just as the sun went down! That capped it for me and I sloped off home despondant.
I was doing OK about it until I made the mistake of logging on tonite to see dozens of pix showing clearly blue skies and happy smiling people. Whilst being happy for all who managed to fly and commiserating with those forced by circumstances beyond there control to remain ground bound I am now totally fed up.
I stopped enjoying living up North some time ago but seeing those shots has convinced me that I need a radical rethink about my flying base.
Ah well only 25 years to the next anniversary
Sir George Cayley
The air is a un-navigable soup that enve-laps Bartons sodden door
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We had a cracking flight from Cambridge to Wellsbourne
(nr Stratford) in the most beautiful conditions, blue sky,
smooth air etc.
Following an excellent 'Touch-Down' cafe all day breakfast,
my compatriot and I were ready for the return to base.
The only flying issue was landing back onto Cambridge 23
where time & sun rendered the runway invisible bar
the PAPI lights...
-- Andrew
(nr Stratford) in the most beautiful conditions, blue sky,
smooth air etc.
Following an excellent 'Touch-Down' cafe all day breakfast,
my compatriot and I were ready for the return to base.
The only flying issue was landing back onto Cambridge 23
where time & sun rendered the runway invisible bar
the PAPI lights...
-- Andrew
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Managed a quick 25 minutes in the Cub at lunchtime and spent the rest of the day 'Controlling' (although sometimes it was just a Damage Limitation Service)
Cotswold Aero Club flew well over 100 people during the course of the day and there were a total of 479 movements, ranging from a Discus glider to a Falcon 50!
Cotswold Aero Club flew well over 100 people during the course of the day and there were a total of 479 movements, ranging from a Discus glider to a Falcon 50!
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Waited until it got dark then got my night rating current. Four circuits with an instructor who threw all the combinations of lights and no lights at me then one solo. A beautiful evening to be flying even if we did reject one aircraft on account of it was iced up preferring to take a warm one.
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Well done to PH-UKU ... looks like we might see him on that Record Breakers programme one day 
WORLD RECORD MARKS 100 YEARS OF FLIGHT
At exactly 3.35pm on 17 December 2003, 100 years (to the minute) after the Wright Brothers' first flight, Piper Warrior G-BSYZ touched down at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (GPIA). The aircraft and 3 pilots (John Douglas, Hamish Mitchell and Alistair Mackinnon) from Glasgow Flying Club, had just completed a record 100 take-offs and landings during the day.
Starting at 8am the team left GPIA and headed out for the Island of Islay where they completed over 80 circuits before a (prepositioned) refuelling stop at Campbeltown. Returning to Islay they completed the 99th landing and then headed back to Prestwick for the 100th landing. They will now be submitting the official log sheets to Guinness Records for confirmation.
The anniversary was an opportunity paying tribute to the spirit of all who endeavour to fly in honour of the achievement of Orville and Wilbur Wright. It is also a reminder that it is General Aviation and the "little guys" who are the bedrock of commercial aviation, providing essential support, particularly to remote communities. Without General Aviation, continually squeezed out by Government and airports alike, where will tomorrow's airline pilots come from?
Commenting later, Hamish Mitchell said they were extremely honoured to participate in the Anniversary celebrations, but slightly sad that they had made it back to Prestwick - "we were hoping to get stuck on Islay and stay overnight at the Ardbeg Distillery!"
The team would like to thank Highland and Islands Airports (Islay and Campbeltown), Prestwick Flight Centre, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, Glasgow Flying Club and Air Traffic Control at Islay and Prestwick for their exceptional help on the day.
Source: Glasgow Prestwick International Airport News Story
WORLD RECORD MARKS 100 YEARS OF FLIGHT
At exactly 3.35pm on 17 December 2003, 100 years (to the minute) after the Wright Brothers' first flight, Piper Warrior G-BSYZ touched down at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (GPIA). The aircraft and 3 pilots (John Douglas, Hamish Mitchell and Alistair Mackinnon) from Glasgow Flying Club, had just completed a record 100 take-offs and landings during the day.
Starting at 8am the team left GPIA and headed out for the Island of Islay where they completed over 80 circuits before a (prepositioned) refuelling stop at Campbeltown. Returning to Islay they completed the 99th landing and then headed back to Prestwick for the 100th landing. They will now be submitting the official log sheets to Guinness Records for confirmation.
The anniversary was an opportunity paying tribute to the spirit of all who endeavour to fly in honour of the achievement of Orville and Wilbur Wright. It is also a reminder that it is General Aviation and the "little guys" who are the bedrock of commercial aviation, providing essential support, particularly to remote communities. Without General Aviation, continually squeezed out by Government and airports alike, where will tomorrow's airline pilots come from?
Commenting later, Hamish Mitchell said they were extremely honoured to participate in the Anniversary celebrations, but slightly sad that they had made it back to Prestwick - "we were hoping to get stuck on Islay and stay overnight at the Ardbeg Distillery!"
The team would like to thank Highland and Islands Airports (Islay and Campbeltown), Prestwick Flight Centre, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, Glasgow Flying Club and Air Traffic Control at Islay and Prestwick for their exceptional help on the day.
Source: Glasgow Prestwick International Airport News Story
