This was the inaugural trip of the
flying circus. Instigated and organised by Jim Heelan, few of us knew
anybody in the group apart from Jim. The intended destination was Sandown, Isle of Wight. For me this would have been my first trip across
water. All right, not exactly an ocean or even a sea, but it does make a
difference! So, all in all, an air of nervousness pervaded.
Steve M. and myself set off from Andrewsfield in a Cessna 152 with
Steve flying and me giving useless advice. Heading south towards Seaford,
the visibility was not terrific. As Kent started rising the cloud base
started lowering and the gap between began to look more and more like a
letter box. Steve and I both had the same thoughts about turning back,
although neither of us suggested anything at the time.
But, the Heelan weather magic was applied and when we reached the coast
it was as clear as a bell. A turn towards Southampton and we were skimming
along the coast in a much more confident spirit.
At this point we heard Jim making a radio call to Shoreham asking to
divert due to ‘turbulence’. Turbulence, what turbulence! We were quite
happy. Still Jim was the one with the qualifications and the experience
better follow him in. And like Lemmings all who heard the call did.
Two aircraft made it to Sandown, the remainder of us (three aircraft,
I think) had tea in Shoreham’s restaurant. The ‘turbulence’ turned
out to be in the pilot’s stomach; Jim was just being tactful. Still, got
to see our aircraft call-sign on the arrivals board!
An uneventful trip back, me flying the 172 with Sabina making
radio-calls to all and sundry like a true professional. I hate to say that
I could barely follow the patter – back down to earth then, after the
arrivals board ego-trip.
