First fly-in of 2006 ?
 

In a couple of months we might just have some consistent weather and daylight. So....


.... is it time to start thinking about the first Private Flying fly-in of 2006?

I'd suggest that if we do late March or early April might work well, but any suggestions of where? Usual requirements apply - somewhere most of us can get to (and into), with good catering and ideally a few things to see.

G

Yep - I'm up for that!

I haven't been to Old Sarum, and belive they do a mean bacon butty, and have an interesting approach - any good as an idea?

DW.

Disagree with Old Sarum regarding the bacon butty. Was there a few months back, got two pieces of bacon between two slices of bread and not even any butter on it! Nice airfield though. :ok:

Well the bacon butties can be a bit mediocre at OS, but the full cooked lunch is fantastic.

We have been to Old Sarum before, apart from that it's a fantastic place with some wonderful local scenery so if the majority haven't been there, great idea.

G

What an excellent idea.... and there's even a small chance that I might be able to make it this time :ok:

I won't make any suggestions until I'm more certain that I'll be there, but I'm looking forward to it already.

FFF
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So that's four of us, any more for any more?

G

Perhaps we should contact Pooleys and get them to give a butty rating alongside other vital info such as LDA?!?!

On a more serious note, perhaps if we fix a date now more people may join in - I have a 1/10th share and you need to book well in advance in order to guarantee a date!

DW.

I am up for that ;)

(with the full intention of holding a PPL, if not, can a meagre stude come along)? :ooh:

That'd be an expensive dual navex mazzy :eek:

About 1.5 hours each way at 100kts?

Assuming you have your PPL by then, team up with another PPL, each flying one direction, stay overnight and make a weekend of it. Pay for 1.5 hours, and get 3 hours in that air ;)

I always find overnight trips are far more fun, and really make me value my licence;)

dp

T'was thinking of his comment of coming as a meagre stude DP,
had this image of Mazzy & instructor in tow, charging by the hour...:hmm:

Oh show a little confidence in him ;)

And if not, I suppose he could suggest a solo cross country "consolidation" flight :D

Failing that, he could promise the instructor free beer, and loose women would be there, so the instructor would think it was their idea :O

dp

I have no idea who most of you lot are as I generally only lurk here but it would be fun to find out more. Hopefully my aerial cash-drain (otherwise known as rebuild project) might be flying by then. Maybe your chosen date could be my target. If I am done, count me in.

I'm based near Southampton with just over an hours range at 80 knots (your ars* goes numb just slightly ahead of the fuel running out).

Ok so we are still looking for suggestions where.......How about Goodwood or Redhill?

How about Sunday April 2nd?

Fine by me. Never been to one of these fly-in's before, and never been to Goodowood before, so sounds cool, and runway's long enough even for me, which is a bonus!

DW

Count me in!

That's him persuaded then :E

I'm allergic to Redhill ! Just about the least GA friendly GA field in England unless it's changed markedly in recent months. Also they won't allow non-based microlights in, which would exclude many of our brethren (including me depending upon what I'm flying that day).

Suggested airfields (just summing up):
Old Sarum (http://www.oldsarumflyingclub.co.uk/)
Wellesbourne (http://www.wellesbourneairfield.com/)
Goodwood (http://www.goodwood.co.uk/aviation/)
Redhill (http://www.redhillaerodrome.com/)

2 April seems far enough in the future to plan for.

If it comes down to voting, I'm personally divided of that lot between Wellesbourne-Mountford and Goodwood, closely followed by the lovely (but to me, familiar) Old Sarum, and Redhill firmly at the bottom.

G

Goodwood & redhill are a bit on the far side for a day trip this time of year for me.
Wellesbourne Mountford sounds more realistic, as Beags suggested,
or maybe Gloucester?

Wouldn't recommend Redhill for a fly in.......... although it is a nice airfield with good ATC and choice of grass runways, there are no refreshment facilities on the Control tower side ( except a drinks vending machine ). Venturing across to the other side and things are no better.......... Last summer we arrived and went to an un-named flying school near the Bristows hangar on a hot August day in search of a cup of tea and some vittles ............
On enquiry at the reception desk / office we were told a flat " No "............... nothing else ,in a most unfriendly attitude, no suggestions about alternative venues etc,etc......... an very strange stance to take for a business !

I decided there and then that I wouldn't be persueing any additional flying ratings there ! :(

I can definitely second the comments about the Touchdown Inn at Wellesbourne - they're famous for their bacon and very popular with the local cyclists and motorcyclists, which is always a good sign. Bearing in mind the prevailing weather a hard runway could be handy!.