Well what can I say, nobody dared
think we would actually fly anywhere as what seemed like the last several
attempts had ended up straying not too far from the clubhouse bar.
Anyway came the day with all the
usual suspects turning up, Robert and myself in UD from Andrewsfeild, Nick
and Paul with XK at North Weald and Steve (Wingco) going it alone from
Stapleford in ID. There were some noticeable absentees I must say with some
pretty pathetic excuses.
Allegedly Bob was painting ceilings
at his son's flat. Some say he couldn’t afford the fuel for his Jab. What I
say is that at only 15lts fuel burn per hour that can’t be true, even Bob’s
not that tight. Allegedly Richard Trott was being dragged around wedding
shops to look at bridesmaids outfits. Someone cruelly suggested he was
trying them on for himself. We very quickly erased that thought from our
minds. As for Shane he went missing due to allegedly having to mind his 16
year old daughter and friends (hmmm).
XK at North Weald. Crossing the Thames.
I arrived on time and checked out UD
and wandered back to the clubhouse wondering where Robert was. He eventually
turned up late muttering under his breath about beer and food and maybe a
little to much consumed. I left him muttering and rang the others to see
where we were going as the weather actually looked not bad for once. After
several calls and checks on weather we decided on IOW Sandown. I started
plotting and asked Robert to put the winds in. The usually intelligent Rob
looked perplexed and muttered something about would I like to fly the first
leg and he would nav/radio. To this I agreed.
We all decided a similar route, past
Rochester, south to Newhaven, then turn West past Shoreham and onward to
Sandown. Chocks away about 10.00 local; viz was good but a bit bumpy. I
departed the circuit to the South and requested frequency change to Southend
Radar. Robert by now had realised we were airborne and I suggested that as
he was my radio and navman that he talk to Southend. He muttered something
again so I thought best to call them myself. FIS confirmed on track and
looking good. Overhead the Thames I change to Rochester and suddenly realise
Robert isn’t talking much and I don’t think he realises where we are either,
never mind I do.
Steve saving Rob's life. Sandown under clouds.
After a few minutes the coast
appears about 20 miles away. I look at Robert who has turned yellow, his
head back and eyes shut. I said "you ok"? "Not really" comes the reply "but
don’t worry I will be". Over the coast and I change to Shoreham and hear
Winco in ID and Paul and Nick in XK taking to ATC.
Robert now has turned a mixture of
yellow and green and looks like he is a zombie. Once again I say "you ok?",
Rob mutters "no". Right I thought this is where I might have to call a
Pan-Pan and wiz into Shoreham with a sick passenger, I hope the press might
be there to interview me and photo the hero pilot that saves his friend's
life.
G-VOID touches down. Wingco.
As I am listening to Shoreham info
working out the circuit pattern and what to say to the waiting press, Robert
suddenly throws of his headset and reaches to the back of the plane and
produces a cheap supermarket bag to chuck up in. I was horrified, it
wouldn’t have been so bad if it were Harrods or even Marks & Spencer but not
Aldi! I quickly went to the back folder of my kneeboard and handed Rob my
precious Air India sick bag. I asked if he wanted to land and unbelievably
he said no go on. Luckily the bag wasn’t used and as Selsey Bill went by
Robert started to look almost human and started talking coherently.
I changed frequency to Sandown and
received joining instructions. Then about 1500ft below we saw Wingco pass,
tracking about 40 degrees to the right of us. Robert by now had handed back
my sick bag back and grabbed his camera to get some shots of Wingco stating
that Steve must be joining from the North opposite to our plan. No problem
we decided, just need to keep an eye open for him as we both join downwind.
Under the wing. Approaching the Needles.
We heard Nick call final as we were
descending dead side, I went overhead and turned downwind. Halfway through
my downwind landing checks we heard Wingco call downwind, that’s handy we
thought he must be behind us. Isn’t that ID crossing 90 degrees in front of
us the now wide awake Robert exclaimed? Yep there was no mistaking the
colour scheme of ID and the T tail, a split second of doubt went across my
mind, are we going the right way? Rob quickly confirmed we were and kept
look out for ID in case it reappeared.
The Needles. Alum Bay.
I turned and called final and got UD
set up for landing. Then for everybody to hear came what sounded like a
religious confessional from Wingco, and I quote” sorry Sandown radio,
positioned myself incorrectly, leaving circuit repositioning and will call
when downwind” Sandown replied politely. Then out the blue comes another
transmission from an unknown aircraft saying” I don’t think I would have
confessed to that” which I’m sure made Steve feel even better. We landed and
parked just in time to hear Steve call downwind and then watch him land on
the correct runway. Credit to Wingco really because it was his first solo
trip in ID and without doubt you can’t beat a second set of eyes / brains
when you are still becoming familiar with a new aircraft.
Cowes. Hastings.
Not long after we landed Mike
Sarling turned up in his beautiful looking C172 G-SMRS and joined us for
lunch.
The usual bacon butties banter and
micky taking ensued in the restaurant. Paul and Nick decided on a three
course meal, throwing caution to the wind, both financially and in terms of
weight and balance. The weather at Sandown was great. I suggested a stroll
would be nice but I think the memory of the Pete yomp from last time was
still too fresh in the minds of some.
Headcorn. North Weald.
We then checked our flight plans for
the return trip. Robert was now fully recovered and took the controls of UD
for the return leg. We all went a similar and uneventful route home after a
circuit around the island and returned to our respective airfields. Nick and
Wingco drove to Andrewsfield for a couple of beers with Robert and me to
recount the day’s events.
It was a great day once again in the
spirit of the Heelan’s Flying Circus.
[Text: Steve R, who is currently working on the second
part of his autobiography, "Crossing the Atlantic in a Vickers Vimy"]
[Photos: Nick & Rob, click here to see the them all]
