The North Weald crews arrived early, this was to be Russell’s first land
away since he obtained his NPPL, so Nick, (recent recipient of his IMC) was
set to P2 for him on the first leg in the Katana, (more later). Shane found
a 6 inch long, thin piece of copper tube laying in the foot well of the
Katana, which did not appear to have come loose from anything important, so
Russell carried on with the pre flight checks and hoped he was right.
Peter and Jo were planning their route at Andrewsfield when Bob called to
advise them of a 10.00am departure time, Peter thought he might be slightly
later than that as ASUD required fuel, all the forecasts gave a cloud base
of between 1500 and 2000 feet in the Oxford area, near the high ground, but
it was decided we would give it a go and see how we got on.
Blenhiem Palace's driveway
Bob was first away from North Weald, and set course, having reached
Bovingdon we decided to go south towards Compton VOR and then across the
higher ground towards Brize and Kemble. The cloud was at first very
scattered, but was becoming both thicker and lower. We tried to climb above,
but it soon became apparent that we would have to descend to pretty close
minimum safe altitude to get over the high ground. We were in the process of
locating a very tall mast just off track to our right, before conducting a
left hand 180 degree turn and heading home, when, as the ground started to
drop away the sky started to clear and we were back in glorious VMC.
The Statue of Victory
It was at about this time that Russell and Nick, who had chosen the
Northern route via Oxford's overhead, were circling Little Rissington
looking for a gap the Katana could slip through. They had also thought to
give up and return when a gap appeared and they were through and back on
route. Roddy, by now just behind the Katana, followed them through. Peter 15
minutes behind had no such luck and was faced with a wall of cloud and no
option but to return to Andrewsfield.
RAF Oakley (disused, except by microlights!)
Shane, Nick A & Bob were just starting lunch as Russell & Nick arrived.
We watched them taxi the full length of the runway and were then aware of
the fire crew heading off toward the threshold. It seems Roddy, so happy to
have arrived had performed a gentle pirouette for the onlookers. The Europa
is not so happy on 2000+ meters of tarmac and much prefers grass runways.
Anyway, nothing but a scraped stabiliser and his reward was to be parked
between two big jets at the opposite end of the airfield to everyone else.
Oliver intimated that he could have made a better landing!! After lunch it
was time to head back. Just as we headed out to the aircraft, Santa arrived
with a sack load of presents for the kids.
Punishment!
Aylesbury
Nick F & Shane swapped places for Nick to fly CC back, in what looked
like possible IMC weather, (time to get some use out of the rating)!! Shane
was to P2 in the what’s it called?? The three of us in CC were amused as
Shane made his first call, in a catatonia bound for North Weald.
The trip home was similar to the outbound leg as we all flirted with the
clouds. Nick now grinning in anticipation suggested we climb to get on top.
Bob obtained clearance from Brize Radar and up we went. Nick carefully
monitored the outside air temperature in case of ice, but the moisture on
the struts stayed liquid, so we carried on. Brize kept us on frequency
through the Oxford overhead due to our altitude, while passing Shane who was
now in cabana (??) to Oxford as they were at 1500 feet. Unfortunately we did
not hear what type Shane was in for the call to Oxfordl, but we felt sure
the controller would not have a clue what type it was.
Two Charlies out runs the clouds
From Brize to Farnborough Radar. Shane now in a caramba following about
ten minutes behind CC. Then into North Weald. As we taxied to the hanger, we
thought we heard Shane get "Katana" right as he called North Weald. But
after consulting with Shane in the Squadron, he was sure he got that call
wrong to. It would have been much easier to call it a DA20 !!
A very testing day, weather-wise, but good for the confidence, thanks to
all for coming.
[Text: Bob] [Photos: Nick Allum]
