Khaosai,

Hi there, Not sure if it's the Aboyne incident that you're referring to by "out West," but if it is it was definately WP...I was working for the club at the time. If that's not the one, then sorry if I've picked you up wrong, and could you let me know which one you are referring to.

Like GS, I also did my first solo in JM in '85. I was out of Aberdeen by the time JM was destroyed and am not sure of the circumstances, but going by DO's post, I would surmise that it had an accident and was subsequently destroyed by fire. If so, can anyone fill in the details on where / how etc.

Thanks.

Can't find the details on AAIB website but from memory here goes.
G-BHJM crashed after failing to climb sufficiently following a practice forced landing. On board was an instructor and student or it could have been mutual flying during the instructor course.
Rising ground on the climbout was given as the cause. I think this may have occurred in the vicinity of Bennachie. The aircraft was probably repairable until the fire service turned up and cut open the cowling and while cutting the battery connections caused a spark which set fire to the aircraft.
At this time the flying club at Aberdeen was owned by Tayside Aviation and the accident probably occurred between 1990-1992.
I flew 'JM a few times when it was based at Dundee and I always remember it as the dog of the fleet with a poor climb and an iffy radio. In fact it flew like a seagull...........with a bag of chips under one wing!
DO.

Hi,

that sounds about right. Rising terrain whilst on a PFL. Commercial GFT sortie at the time. I took lots of pics that day but JT has them now as a reminder to how lucky both he and the student were.

Was pretty close to the Loch of skene i think.

Thanks for that DO, fills in the blanks.

JM never seemed to have the rate of climb that it should have possessed, and indeed didn't seem to fly quite right after going through the wires at Insch, during it's days with Pegasus. As my noble steed for my first solo though, it does hold fond memories !!

I worked for Peter as a general dogsbody then instructor from 1977 until the end of 1979 when I went to do my commercial.
IIRC JM was the first of the 152's we got. Compared to the 150's (100hp Continentals) and the 150 Aerobats (130 hp Continental) (now that was a good a/c albeit without inverted oil and fuel) the 152 (110 hp Lycoming) was pretty gutless.
Kevin Wiggington is retired but still fying light a/c in the EDI area and Fiona is in Houston I think.