Aircraft General Discussion

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I should add that Aviation has been a major interest of mine as far back as I can remember but I do complain when somebody either forgets or ignores the rules.

Martin P

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

the sky's have been busy the last couple of days over my abode, in the mornings we've had a lone Chinook pass over West to East and then return late afternoon and today this afternoon we had an Apache come from the West heading I assume to its base, Wattisham in Suffolk, then this evening I spied three, I think, Chipmunks in line astern over towards Sandy.

Martin P

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Graeme Frew(one of our war bird pilots/owners) is taking his Yak 3 to the Reno races, his number is 35 as a tribute to Burt Monroe(fastest Indian). This is the first Kiwi team to the Reno Air Races.

Ian S C

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ian S C on 22/07/2017 11:19:50:

Graeme Frew(one of our war bird pilots/owners) is taking his Yak 3 to the Reno races, his number is 35 as a tribute to Burt Monroe(fastest Indian). This is the first Kiwi team to the Reno Air Races.

Ian S C

And I thought kiwis couldn't fly…

[Anonymous]

Judging by the sound we've had a Harvard flying around this morning. However, the sound of something more interesting got me out of the workshop this afternoon. I only saw it for a few seconds, at about a 1000ft and heading for Duxford, but I'm pretty sure it was a Hurricane.

The pilot must have been desperate, as it is as black as yer hat here, and we're surrounded by heavy showers this afternoon. Which is why I'm in the workshop and not flying the glider.

Andrew

Edit: Looks like the gliding club have put the toys away and headed for the club house.

Edited By Andrew Johnston on 22/07/2017 14:54:29

[Anonymous]

It's a triple woohoo moment! First, the gliding club 'phoned to say flying this afternoon is cancelled due to continual heavy showers. So no need to sit around at the club as a redundant tug pilot, equals workshop time. Second, they called literally a minute before I stepped out of the door, so no wasted journey. And third, since I was at home, I've just seen the B17 fly over, can't have been more than 600ft, superb.

Andrew

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Ducklington rally is on the Brize Norton final approach so since Thursday we’ve had C130’s, C17’s,A400M’s,Airbus refueling tankers, Gulf streams and Bae 146 nonstop.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 23/07/2017 13:49:22

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

East Fortune airshow was a washout on Saturday, some of the worst weather I've seen in 5 years of going to Dunbar every Saturday

Never heard a single engine all afternoon, that's how bad it was, I felt sorry for all the people who spend all year getting it organised

It's wall to wall blue sky today, 2 days later…

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Just had two Bristol Mercury radials fly over in close formation, assume heading from Duxford to Midlands area, with the fuselage of a Blenheim attached. Sounded lovely at a couple of thousand feet.

Martin P

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

That's a nice machine martin, I see it was built in Canada as a Bolingbroke for the RCAF. It sounds ok on the vidio I found.

Ian S C

[Anonymous]

This morning, while visiting a fellow engine builder, a DH Rapide flew over. Presumably doing an aerial tour of Cambridge and Newmarket. In just over a month I'll be on it for a flight over London.

Late this afternoon there was a late model Spitfire doing aerobatics over the bungalow, ideally positioned for me to watch the display.

To pick up on the comment by Martin my mum heard, and saw, the Blenheim midweek, and also saw it today, but flying the other way.

Andrew

[DrDaveParticipant @drdave]

A DH Rapide & a Dragonfly joined the Comet Racer at the Air Show at Old Warden today. Possibly the Rapide that you saw? At least the Red Arrows managed to complete their display without an incursion into closed airspace, unlike last year…

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Is there a website that tips you off where classic aircraft are likely to be?

[Anonymous]

Posted by DrDave on 06/08/2017 21:34:52:

At least the Red Arrows managed to complete their display without an incursion into closed airspace, unlike last year…

Yep, we had a missive from the CFI in the week instructing all glider pilots not cleared for cross-country to be on the ground half an hour before the NOTAM'd start time. The 6nmi radius is only about 3nmi from our airfield. Cross-country pilots were deemed to be competent enough to avoid the airspace, with the provsio that it they fouled up they'd be on their own in court.

Andrew

Note: The helicopter pilot who infringed last year was prosecuted

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Yes the Blenheim flew back over the village heading back to Duxford, 18:10 the Red Arrows flew over the village to do a display at Old Warden, I stood on my trailer A frame and could just see their display four miles away.

Andrew,

On my first day with the Duxford Aviation Society, circa 1981, I was approached by the DAS welfare officer who asked me if I had been up for an air experience flight, I said it was my first day to which he replied its your lucky day be at the barrier 12:00 opposite the Rapide you are going to Old Warden for the afternoon to the Air show.

I did as I was told and joined several others, we were invited aboard and the pilot went up front introducing himself, he started her up and we taxied out with a Cessna 172 following and when both aircraft were ready we took off with the Cessna jinking from one side to the other taking pictures, we arrived in circuit at the museum and came into the finals and touched down late and as we carried on down the runway with the tail up I commented to the chap next to me we were not going to stop in time when both engines wound back up again and we went around again, the second time we touched down we put the wheels on the grass earlier but still seemed a bit quick but stopped at the end in what I would call a small ground loop and taxied to our parking space. After the pilot shut everything off he got up and said sorry about that it was the first time I had landed this here and fully loaded. The return flight later on was no problem even though he had a long concrete runway to play with

 

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 06/08/2017 22:01:59

Edited By martin perman on 06/08/2017 22:03:42

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 06/08/2017 21:39:42:

Is there a website that tips you off where classic aircraft are likely to be?

Neil,

I dont know of one but as I'm close to Old Warden, Gamlingay and Duxford is not so far, I go on the Airfield/museum websites and they usually list what's expected on the day, I drive my wife round the bend as my ears are always tuned for the sound of aircraft, old/new and I drop what I'm doing and step outside.

Martin P

[DrDaveParticipant @drdave]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 06/08/2017 21:51:31

Note: The helicopter pilot who infringed last year was prosecuted

There, but for the Grace of God… Some years ago, my flying instructor suggested a cross-country flight to Sywell for that day's lesson. As we approached their airfield, I saw a smoke trail cork-screwing up into the air. Which was when I remembered the NOTAM that I had read that morning advising that they had an international aerobatics competition on that day. "Executing steep banked turn… "

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

A sad incident here in Oz **LINK**

Shoalwater Bay was one of my favourite destinations as a young digger. Nearly got blown up there twice but a great fishing spot. It's a big place, once flew for 1/2 hour in a Chinook below tree level along the dirt roads.

Condolences to the U.S. Marines and their families.

* Danny M *

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

All hell seems to have broken loose here today in Lytham St Annes (posh name for Blackpool). Rather like Dunkirk, everything that can get up there seems to have done so today. Not aware of any air shows locally but may be wrong.

They do final assembly and test flights of the Typhoon just up the road at BAE Warton, so we are used to them being thrown about on full afterburner. Apparently a few of them ended up in the Irish Sea.

And when I was scoffing my yogurt just now, one of them passed overhead, wheels down, coming in to land. They seem to work 7 days a week.

Murray

Edit – actually just seen 4 prop fighters in formation heading away. Sounds as if there may be a display after all. Thought I was losing it there….

Edited By Muzzer on 13/08/2017 14:24:17

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Talk of the Red Arrows reminds me of an incident that happened at a display at RAF North Luffenham, a good many years ago.

I was in my single handed dinghy on Rutland Water, sun shining and hardly a breeze to be had, so I let go everything and watched the display over the airfield, drinking a can of beer. The display ended (for me) with the famous Red Arrows bombburst. One plane came streaking towards me at what I thought was a much lower height than was prudent. He went straight over the top of my boat and then pulled up,

The result was the boat suddenly capsizing! At least I had the presence of mind to hang onto the beer although somewhat diluted in the process!

Andrew.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Not aware of any air shows locally but may be wrong.

Local publicity for today's Blackpool Airshow left a bit to be desired then !

Looks like the weather was nice for it.

Nigel B

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Muzzer on 13/08/2017 14:18:26:

They do final assembly and test flights of the Typhoon just up the road at BAE Warton, so we are used to them being thrown about on full afterburner. Apparently a few of them ended up in the Irish Sea.

I was near Cader Idris a couple of years ago when a Typhoon came over the top of me apparently following the road, turn for turn at treetop height +1.

[Anonymous]

Good grief; just heard a whump, whump indicating a low flying helicopter. Then a Chinook flew past a few hundred yards away. I could just see it over the bungalows behind me, so he was seriously low. Judging fuselage length versus height probably less than 150ft. Apparently military helicopters are cleared to gound level over most of the UK. Good job there aren't any high voltage transmission lines in the immediate vicinity.

Andrew

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I've been up mountains in Lake district and North Wales and looked down on both Hercues and Chinook. Seriously mind blowing when a Hercules does a tight turn in a valley, get it wrong and find out just how hard the ground is.

[Andy CarruthersParticipant @andycarruthers33275]

Saw a Nimrod parked up at Manchester Airport as we were taking off today, tucked out of the way beside a hangar

[Author]

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