Leicester
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Sywell
Sywell is well worth a fly in. It has lots of grass runways, bar and food at the Aviator Hotel, more food at the Pilots Mess, also the Horseshoe pub within walking distance (go out of the main entrance, turn right, and follow the road around the corner to the roundabout).
Leicester
I've been reading elsewhere about a threat to build a new "eco-town" on land which would include the current Leicester airfield - do we have a thread aready running about that?
RC
Leicester is a fantastic place to fly from, many runways, uncontrolled, great bar and food.
Has anyone got any experiences of Sywell. Thinking of flying from there in the near future
Has anyone got any experiences of Sywell. Thinking of flying from there in the near future
Leicester
I've been reading elsewhere about a threat to build a new "eco-town" on land which would include the current Leicester airfield - do we have a thread aready running about that?
RC
Last edited by rotorcraig; 28th Feb 2008 at 12:44. Reason: Correct grammar & spelling
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Leicester Airport
A truly great place to be, especially if you like Pitts Specials or Taylorcraft!
Peter Holloways Ryan PT22 can be seen flying there most weekends. A Stearman arrived recently too.
Great restaurant - cheap and wholesome. Legendary fry-ups. Licenced bar.
Jackboot.
Peter Holloways Ryan PT22 can be seen flying there most weekends. A Stearman arrived recently too.
Great restaurant - cheap and wholesome. Legendary fry-ups. Licenced bar.
Jackboot.
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Posted on another forum this week it but reflects my impression on Leicester.
Saturday is club day, to be spent with friends, flying and talking about flying. Last Saturday was no different, except that the sky was British grey instead of Italian blue, and the after flight drink was beer instead of grappa.
I like Leicester.
The multiple grass and hard runways disposed so crosswinds are never a problem.
The big black enormous hangar, filled with Pitts, microlights, modern plastic fantastics, family Cessnas and vintage delights with tail wheels.
The white clubhouse with tower atop, filled with a functional school, a well stocked bar, and with a special feeling of warmth and friendliness.
A Ryan PT22 is bouncing the circuit. A beautiful aeroplane, I admire the courage of the crew in facing the cold brisk wind in an open cockpit.
I still have to get into the clubhouse when Rob walks up to me. “You and me are going flying. Now.” Refusal is not an option, nor a desire.
We had flown together in the Blue Cream Talyorcraft the last time I was in England, a lovely experience. This time we fly the sparkling red and white
G-BREY.
A quick launch of the prop, taxi to runway and line up, Rob says “she’s yours”. Just as well the 11kt wind is straight down the runway. The rudder is sharp, sensitive and precise. My feet less so. More or less straight, tail up, after a while I realize I have to pull to get airborne. I am behind in getting climb speed, sort of level off at a 1000ft, but exact altitude is optional and we bimble up and down against the headwind. 100mph IAS on 65hp is, for me, an unexpected achievement on so little power. Below, the vast flat countryside is a nice change to my usual Italian view of cluttered fields, hills and shoreline.
The overcast clouds un-patch, bright rays of sunlight streak through to illuminate the sparse villages and green pastures. Little is said as we fly along, words not needed to share the moment.
We turn back, countryside now racing by. Downwind, final, a bit of power to make it to the runway. Rob silently pulls the carb heat, normally an option to Italian climate pilots.
“Follow Cub speeds” is pronounced over the headphones. The Taylorcraft is not destroyed upon landing, Rob calmly not moving while I wrestle touch down, zigzagging, wing lifting and other acrobatics while banging the wheels hard on the ground.
Second T&G, Rob shows me what a proper landing is meant to be like. Third and fourth times, I try to emulate. This is a hotship compared to the worn workhorse Cubs I fly.
The wind increases on every approach. On last final tower calls 18kts. I envy the Pitt pilot preceding us, slipping precisely down to a soft touch down.
Rob does the last landing lined up with the taxiway, touching down softly on the grass just in front. It is always great to witness a pilot in perfect harmony with his aeroplane.
Back at the clubhouse my Italian friends, in full view of our flying antics, brutally comment my easily identified approaches and touchdowns. I shrug it off as envy.
Different skies, different clubs, but always the same true happy atmosphere when true flyers get together.
Saturday is club day, to be spent with friends, flying and talking about flying. Last Saturday was no different, except that the sky was British grey instead of Italian blue, and the after flight drink was beer instead of grappa.
I like Leicester.
The multiple grass and hard runways disposed so crosswinds are never a problem.
The big black enormous hangar, filled with Pitts, microlights, modern plastic fantastics, family Cessnas and vintage delights with tail wheels.
The white clubhouse with tower atop, filled with a functional school, a well stocked bar, and with a special feeling of warmth and friendliness.
A Ryan PT22 is bouncing the circuit. A beautiful aeroplane, I admire the courage of the crew in facing the cold brisk wind in an open cockpit.
I still have to get into the clubhouse when Rob walks up to me. “You and me are going flying. Now.” Refusal is not an option, nor a desire.
We had flown together in the Blue Cream Talyorcraft the last time I was in England, a lovely experience. This time we fly the sparkling red and white
G-BREY.
A quick launch of the prop, taxi to runway and line up, Rob says “she’s yours”. Just as well the 11kt wind is straight down the runway. The rudder is sharp, sensitive and precise. My feet less so. More or less straight, tail up, after a while I realize I have to pull to get airborne. I am behind in getting climb speed, sort of level off at a 1000ft, but exact altitude is optional and we bimble up and down against the headwind. 100mph IAS on 65hp is, for me, an unexpected achievement on so little power. Below, the vast flat countryside is a nice change to my usual Italian view of cluttered fields, hills and shoreline.
The overcast clouds un-patch, bright rays of sunlight streak through to illuminate the sparse villages and green pastures. Little is said as we fly along, words not needed to share the moment.
We turn back, countryside now racing by. Downwind, final, a bit of power to make it to the runway. Rob silently pulls the carb heat, normally an option to Italian climate pilots.
“Follow Cub speeds” is pronounced over the headphones. The Taylorcraft is not destroyed upon landing, Rob calmly not moving while I wrestle touch down, zigzagging, wing lifting and other acrobatics while banging the wheels hard on the ground.
Second T&G, Rob shows me what a proper landing is meant to be like. Third and fourth times, I try to emulate. This is a hotship compared to the worn workhorse Cubs I fly.
The wind increases on every approach. On last final tower calls 18kts. I envy the Pitt pilot preceding us, slipping precisely down to a soft touch down.
Rob does the last landing lined up with the taxiway, touching down softly on the grass just in front. It is always great to witness a pilot in perfect harmony with his aeroplane.
Back at the clubhouse my Italian friends, in full view of our flying antics, brutally comment my easily identified approaches and touchdowns. I shrug it off as envy.
Different skies, different clubs, but always the same true happy atmosphere when true flyers get together.
Professional Student
I flew into Leicester a couple of weeks ago on my CPL QXC & found it to be quite a nice place, and the airport staff (those manning the pumps in particular) were very helpful.
I've also been to Sywell, and once witnessed Bose making a daring covert appearance
(his fame spreads as he was pointed out to me!)
I've also been to Sywell, and once witnessed Bose making a daring covert appearance
(his fame spreads as he was pointed out to me!)
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Trying to get back to the Leicester thread 
I've been reading elsewhere about a threat to build a new "eco-town" on land which would include the current Leicester airfield - do we have a thread already running about that?
I've been reading elsewhere about a threat to build a new "eco-town" on land which would include the current Leicester airfield - do we have a thread already running about that?
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Whatever your thoughts on (the legend that is 
) BoseX, his actions, alleged actions, or your thoughts on Sywell (and Bose and I disagree on this one); the content and feel of your posts G-BORI is nothing short of abhorrent.
It is a shame when an open forum has to be censored, but in this case I am fully behind the mods - this is not the place for a slanging match (not that you would have got one by the looks of Bose's good humour)....
Would the mod's consider deleting the posts, to avoid thread drift and the negative connotations that personal jibes bring to a forum perhaps??
Edit: Thanks BRL. Feel free to delete my post as well if you want - its probably not relevant now!
) BoseX, his actions, alleged actions, or your thoughts on Sywell (and Bose and I disagree on this one); the content and feel of your posts G-BORI is nothing short of abhorrent.It is a shame when an open forum has to be censored, but in this case I am fully behind the mods - this is not the place for a slanging match (not that you would have got one by the looks of Bose's good humour)....
Would the mod's consider deleting the posts, to avoid thread drift and the negative connotations that personal jibes bring to a forum perhaps??
Edit: Thanks BRL. Feel free to delete my post as well if you want - its probably not relevant now!
Last edited by HeliCraig; 11th Mar 2008 at 13:26. Reason: Thanks!
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Hi Craig! Our last posts crossed...
You are right there is a plan to create an "Eco Town" on Leicester... the Co-Op, who own the land plan to sell it (I stand to be corrected)... I believe the club have a while left on a lease though.
I can't find a seperate thread for it... but the BBC have an article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7086570.stm.
See you soon Craig,
Craig!
You are right there is a plan to create an "Eco Town" on Leicester... the Co-Op, who own the land plan to sell it (I stand to be corrected)... I believe the club have a while left on a lease though.
I can't find a seperate thread for it... but the BBC have an article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7086570.stm.
See you soon Craig,
Craig!
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JP has moved on to pastures new, although he still visits reasonably regularly. The aforementioned Dave Biddles is now CFI of Leicestershire Aero Club.
The grumpy chap on the radio during the week has also moved on, so the Air Ground service is much more friendly (phew!).
There's a lot more rotary traffic than there used to be as well, but they seem to be quite civilised.
Curry nights are still on Thursdays, with monthly bar quizzes, and there are monthly gatherings on Saturday nights as well. This weekend (3rd) is March's offering of Pie and a Pint, lights can be turned on as required while there's someone there.
The grumpy chap on the radio during the week has also moved on, so the Air Ground service is much more friendly (phew!).
There's a lot more rotary traffic than there used to be as well, but they seem to be quite civilised.
Curry nights are still on Thursdays, with monthly bar quizzes, and there are monthly gatherings on Saturday nights as well. This weekend (3rd) is March's offering of Pie and a Pint, lights can be turned on as required while there's someone there.
