Favourite memories of 2009?
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Bali H'ai
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May I be permitted 3 highlights this year?
The first took place on 23rd April when I landed a Piper Warrior G-JASE at Duxford Aerodrome near Cambridge. This followed a short flight from Marshalls Airport over many World War II and Cold War airfields in East Anglia.
The second highlight on 23rd May starting off at sparrows from Kuala Lumpur in a Singapore Airlines A330, transferring to an A380 at Changi and landing many hours later at Heathrow. The real highlight was arriving at Kings Cross around 9pm that evening to see an A4 locomotive "Sir Nigel Gresley" hauling a rake of antique British Railways coaches into Platform 1.
The third highlight on 19th July when I flew my Cessna Skylane into the skies of Malaysia at Bernam River Airfield and celebrated the 40th Anniversay of my PPL, obtained all those years ago in Cradock, South Africa.
A memorable year.
The first took place on 23rd April when I landed a Piper Warrior G-JASE at Duxford Aerodrome near Cambridge. This followed a short flight from Marshalls Airport over many World War II and Cold War airfields in East Anglia.
The second highlight on 23rd May starting off at sparrows from Kuala Lumpur in a Singapore Airlines A330, transferring to an A380 at Changi and landing many hours later at Heathrow. The real highlight was arriving at Kings Cross around 9pm that evening to see an A4 locomotive "Sir Nigel Gresley" hauling a rake of antique British Railways coaches into Platform 1.
The third highlight on 19th July when I flew my Cessna Skylane into the skies of Malaysia at Bernam River Airfield and celebrated the 40th Anniversay of my PPL, obtained all those years ago in Cradock, South Africa.
A memorable year.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: East of LGB
Age: 69
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What has been your 2009 aviation highlight? Mine has to be finally seeing the 787 fly!!! Happy new year all!
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,644
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
Seeing the Edwardians fly on a perfect autumnal evening at Old Warden...
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a couple.....
First would have to be flying on the 380, what a machine.
Second would be when my 11 year old muttered the words...."dad, can i get one of those books that you keep you plane reg's in".....converted !!!
First would have to be flying on the 380, what a machine.
Second would be when my 11 year old muttered the words...."dad, can i get one of those books that you keep you plane reg's in".....converted !!!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: london
Age: 59
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont worry mate, im sure he/ she like most other normal kids will grow out of it, they soon realize there lots far more interesting and exciting things to do in life than lurking around windy airport perimeters with a flask of tea for company frantically scibbling down a/c reg numbers
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Age: 81
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Simonchowder.
Yes, you are correct, but small beginnings like this frequently lead to a lifetime interest [and career for some] in Aviation. Including me.
Yes, you are correct, but small beginnings like this frequently lead to a lifetime interest [and career for some] in Aviation. Including me.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sussex,UK
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This will probably seem a bit lame to most, but as one of the crew that "walks" the Atlantic on the little baby bus, for me, it has to be seeing the LCY-JFK route finally come to fruition.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont worry mate, im sure he/ she like most other normal kids will grow out of it, they soon realize there lots far more interesting and exciting things to do in life than lurking around windy airport perimeters with a flask of tea for company frantically scibbling down a/c reg numbers
Nice post to make in the "spotters forum"
Im 35 and havn't "grown out of it", glad in a way as it got me started at the airport and sees me in the position I am today with a nice big house, two lovely kids, wife, two nice cars and errrr....very comfortable money wise.
Oh and by the way...yes there are types who "lurk" at airports taking down numbers....and bloody good luck to them....but as most things in life, spotting does have other sides to it...like sat in Luxury Hotels or on beaches in some of the worlds nicest places "frantically scibbling down a/c reg numbers " with a nice cold beer for company.
You should be careful with whom you tar your brush....
Nice post to make in the "spotters forum"
Im 35 and havn't "grown out of it", glad in a way as it got me started at the airport and sees me in the position I am today with a nice big house, two lovely kids, wife, two nice cars and errrr....very comfortable money wise.
Oh and by the way...yes there are types who "lurk" at airports taking down numbers....and bloody good luck to them....but as most things in life, spotting does have other sides to it...like sat in Luxury Hotels or on beaches in some of the worlds nicest places "frantically scibbling down a/c reg numbers " with a nice cold beer for company.
You should be careful with whom you tar your brush....
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking as a non-spotter, I would have thought spotters were using digital cameras these days rather than notebooks, so getting a date & time stamp as well. But then I'm a non-spotter. It's beyond me. And I gather now most gliders have a G-reg those are being 'spotted' as well. Oh well...
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking as a non-spotter, I would have thought spotters were using digital cameras these days rather than notebooks
Nope...most still use the old fashioned notebook...I still do, but only as a back up....you see I have Kinetic SBS-1 rigged upto a laptop, that searches the skies giving me accurate real time radar coverage, which links into my Database (ADQ) and tells me if there are any aircraft in the area that i have not seen before...if there is it sends me an alert telling me where it is etc etc.
Nope...most still use the old fashioned notebook...I still do, but only as a back up....you see I have Kinetic SBS-1 rigged upto a laptop, that searches the skies giving me accurate real time radar coverage, which links into my Database (ADQ) and tells me if there are any aircraft in the area that i have not seen before...if there is it sends me an alert telling me where it is etc etc.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Age: 81
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Simonchowder.
Always unwise to try to fathom out what other people find interesting as a hobby . At the very least they are passionate about something, and therefore are much more interesting than other people who have no hobby at all.
Someone mentioned exotic beaches and cold beers at same whilst watching aircraft. Must get to St. Maarten again!! I'm not a spotter by the way.
There are [somewhat unbelieveably] people who go out in all weathers with a bag of sticks to hit a white ball repeatedly into a hole, then fish it out and hit it again. Didn't see much point to that at all, but each to his own, I guess. Happy New Year, and to the spotters, hope you make the ones you wish for.
Always unwise to try to fathom out what other people find interesting as a hobby . At the very least they are passionate about something, and therefore are much more interesting than other people who have no hobby at all.
Someone mentioned exotic beaches and cold beers at same whilst watching aircraft. Must get to St. Maarten again!! I'm not a spotter by the way.
There are [somewhat unbelieveably] people who go out in all weathers with a bag of sticks to hit a white ball repeatedly into a hole, then fish it out and hit it again. Didn't see much point to that at all, but each to his own, I guess. Happy New Year, and to the spotters, hope you make the ones you wish for.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Age: 81
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Coming back from Oshkosh Airshow this year, got on board, empty seat next to me, wife at home, and I'm thinking 'this is where the pretty 18 year old finally takes the seat next to me'. Well, I saw her come down the aisle, she was 17, first trip out of the States, beautiful, intelligent, and a lovely overnight companion to Heathrow. Thankyou Denise.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Driving a Train.
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I almost forgot, other that a front seat helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, the highlight would have to be clearing snow and ice of AA 777's & 767's as well as watching a light change on an AA 777.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Early morning mid-October 2000 ft approaching Compton VOR admiring the mist covering the various rivers like a meandering smoky snake.. Reminded me why I love flying so much. Happy New Year to all
Adam
TrafficPilot
PS: I was once a "spotter" and proud of it. Never understood the bitchiness some pilots show towards other aviation enthusiasts.
Adam
TrafficPilot
PS: I was once a "spotter" and proud of it. Never understood the bitchiness some pilots show towards other aviation enthusiasts.