tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31664373825607685712024-03-12T19:33:26.440-07:00WAC2009Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-3286188028851471242009-08-27T02:33:00.000-07:002009-08-27T03:09:39.402-07:00Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Silverstoneby Norm<br /><br />It's mid-morning and the team is still at the hotel. We are scheduled to brief at 1300, and continue with the Freestyle at 1400. The weather looks OK. Yesterday, was a no fly day. England was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">forecasted</span> to be hit with the remnants of hurricane Bill. It was blustery and wet, but not as bad as expected. The Team members elected to travel locally to see the sites. David and Martha invited Debby and me to visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Churchhill</span>. It is a magnificent palace on beautiful grounds. We had lunch in the Palace and then took the tours. Afterwards, all of us were invited to Nigel Lamb's (Red Bull Pilot) home for refreshments and dinner. Nigel and his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lovely</span> wife, Hillary, were great hosts. We shared many flying stories (a few about Kirby), and several glasses of wine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpZZhleyLiI/AAAAAAAABcE/x18VYuD1aGs/s1600-h/DSC01153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpZZhleyLiI/AAAAAAAABcE/x18VYuD1aGs/s320/DSC01153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374581638845050402" border="0" /></a>Some of the beautiful grounds at Blenheim Palace<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpZaoEDK-PI/AAAAAAAABcM/pYZE7IL7qXo/s1600-h/DSC01156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpZaoEDK-PI/AAAAAAAABcM/pYZE7IL7qXo/s320/DSC01156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374582849641576690" border="0" /></a>Blenheim Palace<br /></div><br /><br />Nigel and Hillary, thank you for a fantastic evening!!!!<br /><br />We then returned to the hotel, and called it an evening.<br /><br />As you may have already seen from the scores, your team did a very good job in the Q program. When the results were in, Jeff was in 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> place followed by Goody in 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>, Michael in 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>, and David in 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span>. Debby, Hubie, and Robert each flew well, in my opinion, but the judges disagreed with me.<br /><br />On Tuesday, we were able to fly the top 11 pilots on the start of the freestyle. Then darkness ended the day. We will restart the remaining pilots in a few hours. Unfortunately, Goody had more than 1000 penalty points during his flight. He had some outs, but the radar tracking system being used to track penalties captured him low on several figures. You just can't push the bottom of the box in international competition, especially when the tracking system is accurate to within a centimeter or two.<br /><br />Now, our team is going to need some help from the British Team, and a great flight from Jeff in order to bring home a team medal. Jeff has been flying very well. I know he will do well for you.<br /><br />Wish them good luck. More later.Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-2084294626399053022009-08-23T07:51:00.000-07:002009-08-23T08:24:14.927-07:00Mal Diaby Norm<br /><br />Most, if not all, of you who have been following this blog are probably aware that we lost Vicki Cruse in an accident, yesterday. Vicki was performing her "Q" flight in front of the judges when she was unable to recover from a 1 1/4 snap on a downline. The plane crashed on the grass inside the racing circuit. No one on the ground was injured. Assistance was at the site moments after the crash, but the impact was not survivable.<br /><br />Many of the competitors from around the world witnessed the accident. All are heart broken. Many have offered their condolences to the team and Vicki's family. All flying has been suspended until an investigation has been completed. The team members have met with the local police and the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch.<br /><br />A meeting of the team managers was conducted this morning, and all voted to continue the contest in Vicki's memory. I know that Vicki would have wanted the contest to go on. The contest organizers will restart the contest on Monday afternoon, weather permitting. Due to other Silverstone commitments, there will be no flying on Wednesday and Thursday. The contest will be shortened, and most likely will include the results of the Q program and the Freestyle. The 4-Minute Freestyle will be flown on Saturday.<br /><br />I have had the honor to have known Vicki for 14 years. Both of us flew Christen Eagles in competition, and later, the Edge 540s. We traveled to contests from California, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona to Nebraska, Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas. She flew contests in many other states, in addition. I will never forget the memories of flying on her wing tip to or from a contest, meeting new friends, and seeing old friends. Vicki was an extraordinary person. She was bright, street smart, unassuming, and possessed a twisted sense of humor. Many of you know how much she enjoyed pulling a prank on any one of us. I will miss her, greatly. I feel very lucky to have been one of her close friends. I am sure that you share my sentiments.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpFea5mF3XI/AAAAAAAABbk/LW-VTr1AxoM/s1600-h/JIMG_1037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373179646659911026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SpFea5mF3XI/AAAAAAAABbk/LW-VTr1AxoM/s320/JIMG_1037.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Good bye my dear, dear friend</div>Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-9792604508484462732009-08-21T02:18:00.000-07:002009-08-21T11:31:10.972-07:00Friday, August 21, 2009 - Silverstone<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/So7mZAZqhJI/AAAAAAAABbc/vOgTm6LIJ-Q/s1600-h/DSC01115.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372484722778342546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/So7mZAZqhJI/AAAAAAAABbc/vOgTm6LIJ-Q/s320/DSC01115.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Coffee Machine</strong></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/So7lX6C5A5I/AAAAAAAABbU/2nHR0cObX-g/s1600-h/DSC01114.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372483604380713874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/So7lX6C5A5I/AAAAAAAABbU/2nHR0cObX-g/s320/DSC01114.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Pilot's Briefing</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>by Norm<br /><br />The morning briefing began promptly at 8 AM in the briefing tent. Clouds were not an issue. The winds at 500 meters were within limits at 11.3 m/sec. The warm up pilots were launched at 9 AM. Then scud started coming into the box. A few moments later light rain began to fall. Now, we are on a weather hold, and it is raining. The forecast for later today is for isolated showers. It's not looking all that well, but tomorrow's forecast is more promising. Oh, well, weather can always change. Now you know why it takes 10 days to fly a WAC. If this weather keeps being uncertain, the team and I will need you to send more money in large denominations. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>At the top of the blog is a picture of a coffee machine that is in the lobby of the hotel Also, there is a similar machine at the Briefing Tent. It is really cool. There are about nine different buttons that you can press to select coffee, lattes, capucino (sp?), etc. You can also make your selection double strength. The process takes about 10 seconds, and it tastes pretty good. Way cool. My coffee group at the San Carlos Airport needs one of these.<br /><br />I will update this blog later today as something happens.<br /><br />Just prior to the 1PM lunch break, we were able to fly the warmup pilots and contestant #1. Lunch was from 1300 to 1400. The next pilot was in the air by 2 PM. When I left the airport about 6:15 PM, we had flown through Goody Thomas #21, and the plan was to stop at pilot #28 and 7 PM. The contest is finally underway, and there are happy pilots at Silverstone.<br /><br />Two of the US pilots have flown: Robert Armstrong and Goody Thomas. Both flew very well, but Robert received a 150 point penalty for not doing three wing wags on a free break. The scores will be posted and you can go to <a href="http://www.wac2009.com/">http://www.wac2009.com/</a> and see where everyone stands. You should also be able to link from this site, but I have not had an opportunity to check it.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we may complete the Q program. Vicki will be the first US pilot to fly. Michael next followed by the rest of the team. Wish them well. They are going to make us proud.</div>Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-62890975974800589662009-08-20T14:29:00.000-07:002009-08-20T15:52:31.363-07:00Wed night - Opening BanquetIt has been a crazy stay so far as you can tell from Norm and Vicki's posts. Weather, noise complaints, and maintennance issues have kept us from being able to fly as much as we would all like, but finally we are all in one place looking forward to the contest. Since Vicki and Len were working on the airplane last night they couldn't attend the opening ceremony and you have to hear about it from me.<br /><br />After the draw for order of flight and getting the early airplanes ready for the morning start, we all quickly cleaned up for the opening festivities. <br /><br />><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3Mq0VJp5I/AAAAAAAAAAU/MpIqdaqzxN4/s1600-h/IMG_6592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372174966496798610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3Mq0VJp5I/AAAAAAAAAAU/MpIqdaqzxN4/s320/IMG_6592.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The ceremonies began with mess beatings, not what you think (Norm is still ok). It really was a great drum corp (The Corp of Drums) which marched in and put on quite a show. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3KEwALsVI/AAAAAAAAAAM/eAc45F2k5hE/s1600-h/IMG_6585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372172113476825426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3KEwALsVI/AAAAAAAAAAM/eAc45F2k5hE/s320/IMG_6585.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>After some welcoming remarks by contest director Steve Green, we were served a wonderful dinner complete from the Lamb to the creme brule. (So much for trying to lose weight) The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marine of Collingwood played throughout the evening. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3MrArp-TI/AAAAAAAAAAc/PyeV6a73U08/s1600-h/IMG_6597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372174969812416818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uIf-8bOYppI/So3MrArp-TI/AAAAAAAAAAc/PyeV6a73U08/s320/IMG_6597.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Robert sleeping? ... or is he 4th to fly tomorrow?<br /><br /><div>After dinner, more welcoming remarks from sponsors, Jeff Zaltman of Flying Aces, Richard Phillips of Silverstone Circuits, Ltd., and Robert Heygate, Deputy Lieutenant of Northampshire. Nick Onn read the Competitors' Pledge and the competition was officially opened by Mike Heuer. Flags were raised and anthems were played. The finale for the night was dualing buglers, and what a performance! Everyone is looking forward to a great contest.</div>Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00187687898812850097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-14258458016406345442009-08-20T13:24:00.000-07:002009-08-20T13:31:50.572-07:00August 20 - Back to Conington and Finally Silverstone<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">by Vicki</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This morning Len and I are back in Conington where the weather is good, except for a nice crosswind. The first day of the contest is currently on hold; the winds are out of limits and there is scud going through the box on occasion</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2t2XQTfMI/AAAAAAAAAUM/O7268MASPzo/s1600-h/IMG_0667.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2t2XQTfMI/AAAAAAAAAUM/O7268MASPzo/s400/IMG_0667.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372141079989812418" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is the notice on the flight board at Conington this morning.</span><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Len and Joe are changing the ignition switch and will change out the left magneto shortly</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2qvifLY-I/AAAAAAAAATs/mnYaEiyLP1M/s1600-h/IMG_0664.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2qvifLY-I/AAAAAAAAATs/mnYaEiyLP1M/s320/IMG_0664.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372137664211018722" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here is Len putting the plane back together.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2p-uOu2oI/AAAAAAAAATc/YDF07qdQW2U/s1600-h/IMG_0665.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2p-uOu2oI/AAAAAAAAATc/YDF07qdQW2U/s320/IMG_0665.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372136825549675138" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here is a photo I took while Len and I were having lunch.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">It is now after lunch, the plane is ready to go except for fuel and I am waiting for the winds to die a bit here in Conington. It is about 20 kts gusting to 35 kts and about 70 degrees to the runway. Not my idea of a great place to takeoff and land. So far Norm says no flying is happening at Silverstone due to the wind being out of limits. The ceiling is good there and the wind is down the runway he says at 20 kts</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2rG4XpMnI/AAAAAAAAAT0/ioyAkZx7R0A/s1600-h/IMG_0663.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2rG4XpMnI/AAAAAAAAAT0/ioyAkZx7R0A/s400/IMG_0663.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372138065221988978" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Don and the guys have a very cool score board in the hangar and I couldn’t resist getting a photo of it.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Finally, another front went through followed by a little relief in the wind speed and direction and I went out on a test flight. Everything worked great, even the landing upon return. We fueled the airplane for the trip to Silverstone and I paid my hefty bill. Julie was kind enough to charge me only the shop wages for the three guys working on the plane. This was very generous of her, but the bill was still huge. I gave the guys team pins before I left and wished them all the best.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">The flight to Silverstone was uneventful (thankfully). I flew east Sywell and spotted Silverstone a few miles out. It was a welcome sight. I burned out the fuel in the wing tank circling east of Silvertsone, the came in for a good landing. Jeff and Norm were waiting for me, pushed me in the hangar and off we went to the hotel.</span></p></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-20120864256922533242009-08-20T13:14:00.000-07:002009-08-20T13:30:00.843-07:00August 19 - Art Deco and Shower Troubleby Vicki<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This morning I am typing from the hotel lobby at an amazing airport called Sywell. This airport is unreal, the runway is a huge grass strip and the facilities look like they are from the 1940’s. I am including a few photos here to get the point across. As I sit typing, sipping tea and trying to find a magneto, I am listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra played in the background.</span></span><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2DXmK7tmI/AAAAAAAAASc/3TYLGP4pt2U/s1600-h/IMG_0643.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2DXmK7tmI/AAAAAAAAASc/3TYLGP4pt2U/s320/IMG_0643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372094371929503330" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2FDLAZdqI/AAAAAAAAAS0/qEuVBIPe7ic/s1600-h/IMG_0647.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2FDLAZdqI/AAAAAAAAAS0/qEuVBIPe7ic/s320/IMG_0647.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372096220063430306" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2DmFq8okI/AAAAAAAAASk/4Rc2T4roy3U/s1600-h/IMG_0642.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2DmFq8okI/AAAAAAAAASk/4Rc2T4roy3U/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372094620903449154" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BEaOCyQI/AAAAAAAAASE/x5d8OXf2GQY/s1600-h/IMG_0639.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BEaOCyQI/AAAAAAAAASE/x5d8OXf2GQY/s320/IMG_0639.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372091843280554242" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BFXhHPSI/AAAAAAAAASU/hX2TAY41NNA/s1600-h/IMG_0641.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BFXhHPSI/AAAAAAAAASU/hX2TAY41NNA/s320/IMG_0641.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372091859735100706" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BE8N6PII/AAAAAAAAASM/v0aOfrKapHo/s1600-h/IMG_0640.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2BE8N6PII/AAAAAAAAASM/v0aOfrKapHo/s320/IMG_0640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372091852406799490" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2ErWR_eKI/AAAAAAAAASs/a--kVXu33sE/s1600-h/IMG_0644.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2ErWR_eKI/AAAAAAAAASs/a--kVXu33sE/s320/IMG_0644.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372095810773153954" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2FVtB2HOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/mD5PNd7OQ0I/s1600-h/IMG_0648.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2FVtB2HOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/mD5PNd7OQ0I/s320/IMG_0648.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372096538433952994" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2GjxioIOI/AAAAAAAAATE/7BaQQSOSX6w/s1600-h/IMG_0649.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2GjxioIOI/AAAAAAAAATE/7BaQQSOSX6w/s320/IMG_0649.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372097879674986722" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; 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margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">The British team is still here practicing and it was nice to see them. They are aware of my magneto problem and have offered some possibilities for me, which is great.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Len, Hanspeter and I headed out very early this morning for Sywell. Hanspeter/Debby’s plane is here and Len will be fixing the broken rudder pedal and then he and I will head to Conington to work on the Edge. Both mags are off and are being taken to a shop that overhauls Slick mags. The local mechanic at Sywell here offered to pull two new mags off an Extra he has sitting here and give them to me, but only the right one matches the Edge magneto. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2GzBK--lI/AAAAAAAAATM/ZPdlxxQbUdw/s1600-h/IMG_0652.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2GzBK--lI/AAAAAAAAATM/ZPdlxxQbUdw/s320/IMG_0652.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372098141568825938" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here is a photo Julie took of Robert, Me and Len outside the terminal. Julie flew the US flag for us today; Robert announced is as we were reclaiming the place, formerly home to the 457th Bomb Group and known as Glatton.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2H0PGmDxI/AAAAAAAAATU/kZhqjvv0T08/s1600-h/IMG_0654.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2H0PGmDxI/AAAAAAAAATU/kZhqjvv0T08/s320/IMG_0654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372099262000008978" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Arriving this morning, Robert flew a couple of practice flights in the area and noted that once he was in the pattern with all women. He also noted this sign in the FBO:</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Len, Robert and I are sitting at Conington waiting for a new mag to arrive. Turns out the right magneto was defective, not the left one. In retrospect, the magneto off the Extra would have had me flying by now, but we didn’t know. Fortunately, Don (the local mechanic) decided to pull of both mags and send them in. Turns out the shop here had three left mags, but no right mags (they are different). A mag is being driven from London by courier. We expected it before now but...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">The right mag appeared around 3:30 pm and went on promptly. A test run of the engine revealed no change in the engine. Robert decided to go back to Silverstone where he would just be slightly late for the 5:00 pilot briefing. The engine ran slightly better at higher power, so Len suggest I fly it around the pattern, which I reluctantly did. The engine ran ok, but three cylinders were quite hot. We did another run up on the ground, but the results were the same. So we decided to get a new left mag and try that. While waiting for the mag, Len and I went out for a quick sandwich at the local pub. The new mag arrived around 6 pm.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2sme0qdaI/AAAAAAAAAUE/YyvLrPW52WA/s1600-h/IMG_0657.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/So2sme0qdaI/AAAAAAAAAUE/YyvLrPW52WA/s320/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372139707631826338" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here is Joe putting on the magneto.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">After putting on this mag, we had high hopes for a smooth run. An engine run revealed that once again, the engine was not running well on the left magneto. Now we were getting stumped. Len decided we should check the fuel injectors, so they were removed and small bits were found in a few of them. Robert previously found some contamination in his fuel, so we sumped the tanks and found the same thing Robert had. We drained several gallons of fuel, pushed it outside and started it up. We were thinking positive, but the engine still would not run properly.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">After more thinking, our next step was to remove the p-lead from the left mag, being very careful not to bump the prop. An engine run this time found a perfectly running engine. At least we were getting somewhere. Len decided that having the plane in the contest hangar with the p-lead off was not a good idea. The planes are moved about to get others out and this was not the safe way to go. Joe hooked the p-lead back to the magneto and we kept working.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Our next task was to suspect the ignition switch. Don took the ignition switch out of his airplane. Len and Joe replaced the ignition switch and Len hopped in to try it. The engine ran horribly, just like before. Now we were all stumped. However Joe suggested we remove the wire to the Slick start shower of sparks. Len started the engine and it ran perfectly. It was 9:00 pm and Don, Joe and Henry were still there helping. We had finally found the problem.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">In the morning, we will remove the left mag and put the old one back on (so I do not have to buy two new mags), as well as the borrowed ignition switch. Len will try to start it without the shower of sparks and we will see what happens. After our discovery, we closed the hangar and everyone went home.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Len and I headed back to the hotel (just over an hour) were we were able to catch the last 15 minutes of the Opening Ceremony and share a creme brule Norm had saved for dessert. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-57784847000051878482009-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:002009-08-20T12:39:08.211-07:00August 20, 2009 Actionby Norm<br /><br />The short answer is that there wasn't any action. The Pilot's Briefing began at 8 AM. The 500 meter winds were already above the 12 m/sec limit. This put us on a weather hold until 12:45 PM. In the meantime, we had a cold frontal passage with some light rain. The winds continued to increase as forecasted, and by 3 PM the organizers cancelled the day.<br /><br />On the good news side, Vicki got her plane fixed and returned to Silverstone.<br /><br />The winds are forecasted to diminish some by tomorrow. There is also the possibility of some rain in the morning. Hopefully, we will complete some flights by tomorrow night. This is not atypical of the World Championships. It seems that it is often the case that we have cloud or wind issues that stop the contest, even though we might be flying at a contest in the US. The international rules are written to try to fly pilots in similar weather conditions. Let us hope that tomorrow offers flyable conditions.Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-33308845749113289672009-08-19T22:41:00.000-07:002009-08-19T22:51:13.511-07:00Thursday, August 20, 2009 - Q Flightsby Norm<br /><br />This will be short. There is a team manager's briefing at 8 AM.<br /><br />Yesterday, Vicki continued to have engine problems with the plane still at Conington. It first appeared to be a dead magneto, but without hitting every detail, it appears to have been the SlickStart. Hopefully, it will be resolved this morning and she can return to Silverstone.<br /><br />The order of flight for the Q program (Known) was drawn yesterday. This program will determine the order of flight for Program 1, the Freestyle. The scores do not count in the overall contest. Here is what we drew:<br /><br />Robert Armstrong - 4<br />Goody Thomas - 20<br />Vicki Cruse - 32<br />David Martin - 33<br />Michael Racy - 39<br />Debby Rihn-Harvey - 55<br />Jeff Boerboob - 58<br />Hubie Tolson - 59<br /><br />You should be able to check the links to either the CIVA website or to <a href="http://www.wac2009.com/">www.wac2009.com</a> to keep up on the scoring.<br /><br />Wish the team good luck. The flights will soon begin. Yea!!!!Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-42878393487972309452009-08-19T00:28:00.000-07:002009-08-19T02:57:57.789-07:00Wednesday, August 19, 2009<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovLER2ZA_I/AAAAAAAABa0/VOyT-eCFxaI/s1600-h/DSC01108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371610254940898290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovLER2ZA_I/AAAAAAAABa0/VOyT-eCFxaI/s320/DSC01108.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Robert, Goody, Vicki, and Jeff before their afternoon rotation</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovDq_fQTYI/AAAAAAAABas/pqGaEZitDHE/s1600-h/DSC01112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371602123933896066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovDq_fQTYI/AAAAAAAABas/pqGaEZitDHE/s320/DSC01112.JPG" /></a> Julie Churchill, Conington Airfield<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovCmd8Uo2I/AAAAAAAABak/JkTS-pA3Lto/s1600-h/DSC01113.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371600946697904994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SovCmd8Uo2I/AAAAAAAABak/JkTS-pA3Lto/s320/DSC01113.JPG" /></a><br /></div></div><div align="center">Flying Club Conington</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div>by Norm<br /><br />Monday afternoon, the team successfully and safely relocated from Dunkeswell to Silverstone, England. The pilots in planes made the trip in 40 minutes, while those of us on the road took slightly over three hours. The pilots where met at Silverstone and taken to the hotel, which is very nice.<br /><br />After being asked to stop flying in Dunkeswell, the Contest Director, Steve Green, was contacted, and quickly went to work to find an alternative site for practice. He was able to receive permission from the people at a former WWll field south of Peterborough. This airport was named Glatton during WWll and B-17s were based there. All of the fields we have flown from are former Army Air Corps bases with a lot of history. So our plan was to fly Tuesday morning practice flights in the Silverstone box, then fly at the Flying Club Conington (EGSF) for the afternoon practice flights.<br /><br />The morning practice flights went on schedule for everyone, except Debby. Debby is sharing Hanspeter’s plane, and the two of them were practicing at another field. Debby’s Silverstone practice time is late on Wednesday. By noon, we were ready to leave for Conington with Debby joining Hanspeter. Conington is about 30 miles East of Silverstone, or 15 minutes by air. It was about an hour and a half by car. We arrived and began the practice rotation after a briefing from Julie Churchill. </div><div><br />Now the day got “interesting”. Three flights into the rotation, Debby called with a rudder peddle problem in the CAP 232 at the airport she was at. The problem grounded the plane. Our unflappable team mechanic, Len Rulason, was immediately dispatched to fix Hanspeter’s plane. Twenty minutes after he left, Vicki started up for her flight. Upon her run-up, she discovered a dead left magneto. (This violated the Chenoweth Second Axiom of Flight: “Never do a mag check away from your home field”). Vicki’s flight was scrubbed. Fortunately, there was a mechanic on the field. A replacement mag was located, and should be installed this morning. Len and Vicki are on the road as I am writing.<br /><br />Len arrived at Debby’s field, identified the problem, and then went to a local bicycle shop for parts. Evidently, the CAP 232 used a part on the rudder peddles that is also used for bicyclists to attach their shoes to the peddles. Who would have guessed? Len finished the fix in the hotel bar last evening. Hopefully, Debby and Hanspeter are now able to get back in the air.<br /><br />At 1700 hours today, the mandatory pilots briefing will be held at the field. The order of flight for the Qualifying Program will be drawn. At 2015 hour, the Opening Ceremonies will begin followed by dinner. Tomorrow, the first competition flights are scheduled to begin. Everyone is excited to begin the WAC.</div></div>Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-52689175218671513062009-08-18T22:45:00.000-07:002009-08-18T22:51:48.700-07:00August 17 - Farewell Dunkeswell, Off to Silverstone<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; font-size:11px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">by Vicki</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Today we arrived at an overcast airport and started flying about 11:30 or so with Peter from Slovenia. Next up was Jeff and during Jeff’s flight, Brendon the airport manager pulled Norm aside and told him the flying had to stop. The locals had won and that was it for us. If we kept flying, the airport might suffer some repercussions from the community and no one wanted that.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Norm and Robert worked on alternatives with the contest officials, while the rest of us had lunch, fueled up for the trip to Silverstone and paid our bills. With fees for the hangar, landing and box entry fees (yes, a charge each time we flew in the box) plus the fuel and oil bills, we left quite a mark on Dunkeswell. I came in at $1100. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Finally we received word that we could launch for Silverstone; the runway was marked and open for our arrival. Robert, Goody, Jeff and I flew in formation to the site with Robert as lead. He had the most experience flying across</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Europe, so we made him lead<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "> </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; font-size:11px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SouQsaTkBbI/AAAAAAAAARI/9WaYyz3tnwI/s1600-h/IMG_0630.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SouQsaTkBbI/AAAAAAAAARI/9WaYyz3tnwI/s320/IMG_0630.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371546073219466674" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px; " /></a><br /><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Robert in the lead.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">We arrived in Silverstone and taxied to our shared hangar which are very nice temporary structures (there are three total). Robert taxied right in, followed by Goody, myself and Jeff. We won’t get to do that again. It also received a questionable look from one of the organizers, who asked Robert of the Americans always taxi into their hangar. Robert replied, “When they are empty.”</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">We didn’t have to wait too long before the rest of the team arrived by car. We were also informed that we would be given an alternate practice site tomorrow because of the poor weather and noise issues at Dunkeswell. Silverstone is a year-round race track where a Formula 1 race is held (though I am told perhaps no more) so cars are racing around us and we are in the center of the complex. It is quite an interesting venue. I will try and get some shots of the site.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Silverstone is about 35 minutes (with no traffic) from the hotel. We actually found it right out of the gate. We all checked into the hotel and registered for the contest. Dinner was served and old friends were met. Our team practice times are tomorrow morning, so it was an early night.</span></p></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-68163352094146128092009-08-17T01:23:00.000-07:002009-08-17T01:30:54.687-07:00Sunday in Dunkeswell by NormI think Vicki's post well summarizes Sunday. My only addition is that in addition to all of the aviation activity previously described, I was slipped a note from Brenden, the airport manager, that 200 racing pigeons would be released from Smeatharpe at 3PM. Also, there was RC aircraft being flown at the same area. My only response was to tell the pigeons to "look out".<br /><br />Today, Monday, we break camp and relocate to Silverstone for box practice in the morning.Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-40676324242011927012009-08-16T14:14:00.000-07:002009-08-16T14:15:36.250-07:00August 16 - We All Earned Air Show Waivers Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Today started out with the usual fog and now the daily Starbucks visit. However Debby and I had to wait about 20 minutes for the 9:00 opening. Norm, our Team manager, must have read the blog, as he went to McDonalds this morning for his treasured orange juice, the British version with “no bits”, and an artery-clogging Egg McMuffin.</span></span><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">We headed out to the airport a bit later than normal, due to the request for no flying allowed before noon. Shortly after hitting the main road to the airport, we discovered we were following this truck which was moving quite fast on a single lane road. I told Norm this was a great thing; this guy could be our lead anytime as we would no longer have to worry about oncoming traffic. Being a tanker truck, we assumed this might be the source of the missing 120W oil for Hubie’s Sukhoi, however it turned off before getting to the airport.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SohzBJujicI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocIIct1Ay6Y/s1600-h/IMG_0621.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SohzBJujicI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocIIct1Ay6Y/s320/IMG_0621.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370669019267566018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Hanspeter was up first this morning with about a 1500 foot ceiling which got up to 2000 by late afternoon, but didn’t allow any of us to fly a full sequence, just figures that had to start at 100 to 200 feet. We all should have been given air show waivers for today, we earned them. Just after the first rotation, we were informed that the flying must stop at 5:30, so we switched to tightly controlled 10-minute slots. Jeff, being the last in the rotation, gave up his slot to keep within the time limit.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">Robert had some airplane issues today. He and Len tried to figure out the problem. Finding nothing wrong, Robert flew the second rotation.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Soh0m3EeV7I/AAAAAAAAARA/h8AiKQnTI2g/s1600-h/IMG_0628.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Soh0m3EeV7I/AAAAAAAAARA/h8AiKQnTI2g/s320/IMG_0628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370670766605883314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Today was a real zoo, aerobatics, normal arrivals, and parachutists. All of this really gave Brendon a workout as the radio (unicom) guy today.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SohzQ5ybX8I/AAAAAAAAAQo/T4WCdrPzasw/s1600-h/IMG_0626.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SohzQ5ybX8I/AAAAAAAAAQo/T4WCdrPzasw/s320/IMG_0626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370669289866747842" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here he is on the job at about 1:00, looking quite fresh.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Sohzm1BgZSI/AAAAAAAAAQw/DHF_zUney6Y/s1600-h/IMG_0629.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Sohzm1BgZSI/AAAAAAAAAQw/DHF_zUney6Y/s320/IMG_0629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370669666544936226" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;font-size:16px;"></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">This photo was taken at 4:20 pm. He said that was tea, but after today it was probably something a lot stronger. Though the photo doesn't show it, he was looking quite disheveled.</p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">With Brendon on the radio, this left Curtiss to handle the phone calls, otherwise know as noise complaints.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Sohz-W0tGaI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/bWJ9Jso1RXw/s1600-h/IMG_0627.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/Sohz-W0tGaI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/bWJ9Jso1RXw/s320/IMG_0627.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370670070755039650" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here is Curtiss when not on the phone.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Richard is the third guy here and he handles the phone and collection of landing fees when Curtiss is manning the fuel pumps for us. Nicolette had the day off. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">Richard told me that usually either Saturday or Sunday are busy days here, but with the weather not so good yesterday, more people flew in today. There were 14 visitors to the airport today but last weekend there were 75, split evenly between the days. Thankfully for us and Brendon, we were not here yet</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-29560877963364061022009-08-16T02:23:00.001-07:002009-08-16T02:37:29.965-07:00Saturday - Dunkeswell by NormThis morning also started out with low overcast and a little drizzle. We arrived at the airport, and Hanspeter went up and flew, but the ceilings were only about 1400 feet. Everyone else decided to wait the weather out. Finally, in the middle afternoon, the ceilings rose and some breaks in the overcast appeared. We began our rotation in earnest. Every pilot got a shot in the box and flying wrapped up at 6:30 PM, due to prior noise complaints. It was a productive day.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It should be added that there was a lot of aviation activity during the afternoon. For example, there are several light sport airplanes based here, and they fly even with the overcast that grounded the team. There are two young pilots in the building next to us, Rob and Chris, that are selling rides to the English coast in a 1936 Gypsy Moth. The plane has a tail skid and no brakes. It departs on the runway and lands on the grass between the runway and their office. Their short final is almost over our heads.Then, there are a variety of general aviation aircraft, 150s, 172s, 177s, Archers, etc. that are being used as trainers. If that’s not enough, there is a parachute jump operation lifting jumpers in a King Air. By the way, the jumpers land in the center of our aerobatic box. They provide a 2 minute warning, we vacate the box, they land, collect the dead, and we resume aerobatics. It is definitely a three ring goat rodeo. The US FAA would have a heart attack. Fortunately, everyone is safety conscious, and we have not had any conflicts.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hubie and Goody have the Sukhoi tweaked to their satisfaction, and both looked strong in their flying. Every team member is looking quite sharp in their flying. They are working on unknowns and unknown figures. Jeff and David are very precise with the new Extra 330S. Robert is fully at home in his own CAP 231. Debby and Vicki look very strong, and are mastering the small differences between the planes they fly at home and the planes they are using here in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>. More tomorrow.</p>Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-55777063596846170772009-08-16T02:20:00.000-07:002009-08-16T02:35:03.479-07:00August 15 - Starbucks and an Afternoon Cloud Break<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, fantasy; font-size: 12px; ">This morning started a bit later due to low clouds in Exeter (go figure). While Hubie and Jeff went to the hardware store, Goody, who wasn’t ready (with his suitcase arriving yesterday with fresh clothes for the first time in days, my guess is he was having a hard time deciding just what to wear for the day) stayed behind. Debby, Norm and I went to Starbucks. Here’s proof:</span><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SofONUMsznI/AAAAAAAAAQI/83Hw4fdG-OE/s1600-h/IMG_0612.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SofONUMsznI/AAAAAAAAAQI/83Hw4fdG-OE/s320/IMG_0612.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370487808818204274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Debby and I enjoyed our skinny muffin and latte breakfast. Our team manager joined us for coffee, but had previously eaten the $24.72 hotel breakfast buffet (up from $24.68 yesterday with the exchange rate this morning) due to his penchant for “the exceptional orange juice.” I may ask the team members to contribute to the Team Manager Orange Juice fund so that we can go to the local grocery store and purchase a liter of OJ to stock his in-room refrigerator. After all, by expensing it to the team members, our manager is costing the team 10.24 liters of avgas per day (avgas is about $ 9.15 per gallon).</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">At 10:00 am this morning, I gave a quick call out to the airport and asked Curtiss how the clouds were looking, as it was beginning to break up in Exeter. His reply was that they had ground fog this morning. Lovely, as they say quite frequently here.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">We eventually made it out to the airport round noon and visited for a bit, then Norm and Debby and I went to the local pub for lunch, where we met Martin the proprietor. The building he is in was originally built in the 1600s but has been added on to since. The food was amazing and not one of us ordered fish, but Debby had chips with her amazingly large but quite good Cottage Pie.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">A Skybolt flew into Dunkeswell this morning with another great “G” number. Note the lovely ceiling.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SofOiTpNv0I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ENN9Jdp69FQ/s1600-h/IMG_0614.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SofOiTpNv0I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ENN9Jdp69FQ/s320/IMG_0614.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370488169446620994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">Finally the clouds began to give way (1500 broken) about 3 pm today and everyone got in a flight, with Hanspeter getting the last go at 6:15 before we shut down at 6:30. The airport asked us to stop at 6 pm for the locals, but since we hadn’t flown since Thursday, took pity on us and let us fly until 6:30. We worked in between arrival and departure traffic and skydivers, but it was all good and everyone was just happy to get back in the air.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-20255169813238646482009-08-15T02:07:00.000-07:002009-08-15T02:28:32.360-07:00Friday in Dunkeswell/Exeter - Norm<br /><br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNORMDE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Friday Afternoon. At the hotel this morning, I looked out the window, and the sky was clear. Several of us had an early breakfast and got out to the airport by 8:30 AM only to find 800 overcast. It hasn’t improved as of 3:00 PM. No one has flown today, and we may ‘bag’ the day soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hubie’s tool box (about 200 pounds worth) arrived with Len this morning. Now Hubie and Goody are wrenching on the Sukhoi to get it perfect shape. Len is helping Debbie make some rudder peddle adjustments. The other planes are all ready to go.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since there hasn’t been much to report on the flying scene, a few pictures are provided for your pleasure. They are below.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first evening in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Exeter</st1:place></st1:city>, we had dinner at an outdoor restaurant in the City Centre at the Café Bar. The Cathedral pictured below was the view from the table. The evening was warm and pleasant. Short sleeve shirts were in order.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last night, all of the team members in town ate at the ASK Restaurant. They served very good Italian food, and the picture below was taken. We didn’t make it to the restaurant until 9:00 PM and it was 11:00 PM before we made it to the hotel.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SoZ8vWjmI4I/AAAAAAAABYc/jMo-5_DI8IY/s1600-h/DSC01091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SoZ8vWjmI4I/AAAAAAAABYc/jMo-5_DI8IY/s320/DSC01091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370116758636471170" border="0"></a><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Cathedral in Exeter</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SoZ-Hf2dD6I/AAAAAAAABYk/Z-KnRW9V1cE/s1600-h/IMG_3565.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SoZ-Hf2dD6I/AAAAAAAABYk/Z-KnRW9V1cE/s400/IMG_3565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370118272959975330" border="0"></a><p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Members of the US Aerobatic Team at Dinner<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xkc75lFTbCc/SoZ8vWjmI4I/AAAAAAAABYc/jMo-5_DI8IY/s1600-h/DSC01091.JPG"><br /></a>Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-22823639099342773452009-08-15T02:06:00.000-07:002009-08-15T02:35:14.307-07:00August 14 - David the Soothsayer<div>by Vicki</div><div><br /></div>This morning I walked into town before Norm’s car departed for the airport and got a “grande” latte at Costa. It wasn’t bad, but it isn’t Starbucks (* subsequent note, during the shopping trip mentioned below, a Starbucks was sighted and duly noted for tomorrow morning). There was only one other guy in the coffee shop this morning, indicating either the English aren’t up yet or they are not coffee drinkers. I suspect the latter since this place opened at 7:00 am and everything else seems to open at 9:00.<br /><br />Well, as David accurately predicted yesterday, Norm, Robert and I arrived at the airport to about 800 overcast. Clearly not having enough last night at dinner, Robert had a truly impressive breakfast (eggs, sausage, English bacon, hash browns, beans, mushrooms and toast) and I had the child’s breakfast with tea that came in at a whopping $7 USD, as opposed to the now-famous $24.68 hotel breakfast-of-choice of our team manager.<br /><br />Here at the airport this morning, only the Tiger Moth is flying, as well as four skydivers that jumped from a King Air. Jeff and I are certain it was a through-the-clouds jump as 800-foot overcast doesn’t generally bode well in skydiving. I took this photo that captures three important elements: the low ceiling, the Tiger Moth on final and the truck bringing avgas and subsequently airport revenue that we hope offsets the noise complaints.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUX3NtmrI/AAAAAAAAAPg/WjdXh_9tDuk/s1600-h/IMG_0602.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUX3NtmrI/AAAAAAAAAPg/WjdXh_9tDuk/s320/IMG_0602.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369861268388551346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br />Debby went shopping this morning for CAP-worthy tennis shoes with success. Len arrived on site with Hubie’s 200-lb parts/tool box and Goody’s suitcase. Goody had has the same clothes for many days and we all were quite happy to see him reacquainted with his suitcase. Len will go to work helping Debby fit better in Hanspeter’s CAP and Hubie completely overhaul his Sukhoi. By the time they are done, it could have an additional 400 hp, 700 degree-per-second roll rate and a new paint job, but look like a John Deere tractor.<div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUxwu29fI/AAAAAAAAAPo/KaPwFs1LJ20/s1600-h/IMG_0604.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUxwu29fI/AAAAAAAAAPo/KaPwFs1LJ20/s320/IMG_0604.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369861713325127154" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Hubie's toolbox for the Sukhoi. For scale, check out the exhaust pieces next to the box.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUzDTPK-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/PKHDTUAb61k/s1600-h/IMG_0609.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUzDTPK-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/PKHDTUAb61k/s320/IMG_0609.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369861735489416162" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px; " /></a><br /></div><div>A typical toolbox for a Lycoming-powered aircraft. Note the wrench for scale. <i>Toolbox courtesy of Hanspeter Roehner, the Swiss CAP driver and renter to Debby.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUydHcKpI/AAAAAAAAAPw/_YFEa0GgTGY/s1600-h/IMG_0606.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWUydHcKpI/AAAAAAAAAPw/_YFEa0GgTGY/s320/IMG_0606.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369861725239388818" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Hubie, Goody, Jeff and Len contemplate the Sukhoi; well Hubie maybe not so much in this shot.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After a fabulous lunch of chips and a tuna mayonnaise sandwich (no butter today but on brown bread) shared with Norm and Debby (we are all feeling a bit full and fat), we retreated back to the FBO to digest our lunch and call each other on Skype despite the fact we were sitting next to each other. Bored people will do strange things.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right after lunch, this RV-4 was in the run-up area. What a great “G” number.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWVMXCdDJI/AAAAAAAAAQA/QCCYFrcSF3U/s1600-h/IMG_0603.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoWVMXCdDJI/AAAAAAAAAQA/QCCYFrcSF3U/s320/IMG_0603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369862170284461202" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px; " /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Norm and I cut out early and went shopping for airplane cleaning supplies for Debby and I, sand paper to scruff up the heels on Deb’s new flying shoes, and baby powder for less friction on the heel plates in the CAP and the Edge. I can’t wait until Paul (and Hanspeter) gets a whiff of the new scent in his plane. </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-32861299166539914312009-08-14T02:34:00.000-07:002009-08-14T02:47:37.267-07:00August 13 - First Flight DayBy Vicki<br /><br />After a slightly later, but still expensive hotel breakfast, we headed out to the airport and remarkably found our way with only one minor miss-turn that resulted in a few dirty looks from fellow drivers and we lost Hubie as a result. However, we all made it to the airport safely and found Hanspeter from Switzerland flying in the box, but with only a 1000’ broken cloud base, it was a challenge for him. He came down and we waited about 30 minutes before the practice list was made and the rotation started, flying between the clouds and eventually the clouds gave way to a beautiful clear sky.<br /><br />The airport is getting many noise complaints, but the staff is dealing with it as they want us here. The people around here are not used to this and will soon be praying for rain I’m afraid. We did attract quite the crowd at the airport as well, all friendly and eager to know what we were doing.<br /><br />Today I asked Brendon, one of the airport officials, about the letters “L” and “P” I have seen on some cars here. I also noticed these large letters available for sale in gas stations. Apparently the “L” goes on the back of the car for people who are learning to drive. I immediately said we needed three of these for Norm, Debby and Hubie’s cars. Then I learn the “P” is for those who just passed their drivers test and it is required for two months. Goody thought we should have one of these as well.<br /><br />We convoyed home again today but a slight misstep by Debby resulted in Norm being passed by Hubie and us having to find our own way home. Robert arrived this afternoon and Len (the team mechanic) will arrive around midnight tonight. My internal GPS actually worked and we actually made it from the airport and to the hotel with no detours. A great team dinner was had and there is more in store for tomorrow no doubt.<br /><br />Lastly, here are two photos from a monument just across the grass from the FBO. It is a tribute to the Navy pilots who flew from here and were the anti-submarine force. This was quite an important airport in WWII. One just north (I think) of here didn’t fare so well and is closed an deteriorating, as are many in England.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoUxc_Yy58I/AAAAAAAAAPY/_v5fDVrg10c/s1600-h/IMG_0600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoUxc_Yy58I/AAAAAAAAAPY/_v5fDVrg10c/s400/IMG_0600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369752504830715842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoUxcbH0ikI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/YGV39kKYZtU/s1600-h/IMG_0601.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_yGxPuPq3g/SoUxcbH0ikI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/YGV39kKYZtU/s400/IMG_0601.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369752495095843394" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166437382560768571.post-78921997064476345302009-08-14T01:03:00.000-07:002009-08-14T01:08:06.793-07:00August 13, 2009 - US Team Arrives in EnglandDunkeswell, England. The clouds finally parted this morning and everyone has flown their first rotation in the box. Yesterday, the weather provided low ceilings, and occasional drizzle. Vicki was able to pick up her plane in Salisbury and relocate to Dunkeswell. Goody got a test flight in with Hubie’s Sukhoi.<br /><br />At the moment, David Martin, Hubie Tolson, Vicki Cruse, Goody Thomas, Debby Rihn-Harvey, and Jeff Boerboon are in camp. Robert Armstrong’s plane was late being delivered, but it did arrive this morning. It is being assembled with the assistance of Len Rulason today. Hopefully, Robert and Len will be here tomorrow. Michael Racy is training with the Russian Team at another location.<br /><br />There are three other pilots sharing Dunkeswell along with us. They are Sami from Findland, Peter Podlunsek from Slovenia, and Hanspeter Rohner representing the Swiss Team. Debby is sharing Hansdpeter’s CAP 232. Patrick Paris is also here. Patrick was the 1998 World Aerobatic Champion. He is coaching David, Jeff, Debby, along with Sami, Hanspeter, and Peter.<br /><br />Order of flight has been set up for the group, and everyone is getting along very well. Our British hosts are attending to everyone’s needs and are most accommodating.<br /><br />It has been most interesting trying to drive from our hotel in Exeter to the airport. Besides driving on the left side of the road, one would not believe some of the some of the roads we have had to drive on. It’s an understatement to say that they are narrow. In some cases, one car width wide, with farm vehicles and lorries in the opposite direction. One must constantly stay alert.<br /><br />The team will practice at this site until Monday, August 17, 2009, and then relocate to the contest site for box practice the next day.Norm DeWitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527293380549568108noreply@blogger.com0