Aviation Personal
This is now my private website and all my business interests are at Armstrong Brooks Group
Disclaimer
I do NOT own a plane and I do NOT have a private Pilot's Licence (PPL) but I have had numerous meetings with people who own them, fly them and maintain them. Not to mention hundreds of hours spent reading relevant books, forums and magazines.
I have also flown in a few small planes and helicopters as a passenger.
Introduction
This section is just me rambling on about stuff - if you want to see detailed analysis, please see the appropriate sections in 'Aviation' above
Dragon Rapide
Please click on images to see a larger version
When I was ten years, old my dad and I went for a short trip round Birmingham Airport in a Dragon Rapide as a very special treat. This cost 10/- (ten shillings in old money - 50p today). It could be the one in the photo above but that is unlikely - the one I went in was blue, I think - not black and white (I know, I know). Afterwards, I had my first cup of coffee in the airport cafe. So, two firsts in a day.
Hang Gliding
Not me - click to see a larger version
About twenty years after the Dragon Rapide, I saw a film called ( Sky Riders ) where a bunch of people rescued their friends who were imprisoned in a Greek monastery. They did this by swooping down out of the sky on hang-gliders. Until then nobody knew it was possible for a human being to fly like that. Like the moon landing, it seemed impossible. Clearly this was super cool and, even better, incredibly dangerous.
I immediately had a lesson and bought one. On the very first flight I was caught by an unexpected gust of wind and went straight up for about 50 feet, panicked and pushed the bar out (instead of pulling it in), stalled and hit the ground. I could hear somebody saying "I think he's dead". As it happens, I wasn't but I was totally unable to move or speak for a minute or so. That was on a hill in Yorkshire.
Two weeks later, I landed a hundred yards out in the sea off Biarritz (South of France, we had driven there - I didn't hang-glide that far in case you were wondering). I remember thinking "I have 30 seconds to disconnect from the Jesus Hook before I drown".
A few days later, still in Biarritz, I was caught by a gust of wind under the hang-glider at take off (again - you have to get the angle just right). I was bowled backwards for about fifty yards and the glider was wrecked.
The fourth incident was even worse. As a local hero ("that is so cool flying like that - what is this machine called?") I walked down the beach with a German girl who always walked around totally naked (and I do mean totally - quite common in Germany apparently - Kraft durch Freude* ). Eventually the beach was completely deserted and she suggested we sit in the sand dunes hidden from view. Which we did. After a while I asked her what time it was. As she reached behind for her rucksack, she opened her legs as wide as they would go. She told me the time and we left. I remember thinking later "I wonder if that was a hint?"
Four clear cases of pilot error
* I think this means "health by freezing your nuts off" - something like that anyway
Cessna Mustang 510
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Talking of Birmingham airport this is a Mustang 510 parked there - I did NOT go for a ride in it - just stood and gawped. The Mustang is a very popular "entry level" jet like the Phenom 100.
Socata TBM750
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And talking of coffee, I recently flew from Hawarden to Leeds and back for a cup of coffee (landing fee in Leeds £171.92 and the coffee machine was broken) in a TBM700 built in 2004 (planes fly forever) with John and Len. Nice people. I am probably spoiled by fancy cars but you would expect a plane that even now is worth about $1m to be super quiet, luxurious and with plenty of room. Unfortunately not. I think I need a jet.
Embraer Phenom 100
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The Phenom 100 is a really lovely little "beginner's jet" so I chartered one for a day trip to Zurich and back (as you do) from Zac at Sovereign Business Jets. The pilots (Peter and Clive) were very helpful and the whole trip was well organised and successful.
The only irritating thing was that on coming back from Zurich the security people insisted we go through the metal detecting nonsense. Grrr. The whole point of being on a private jet is to avoid being treated like cattle so that really pissed me off (yes, I know, patience is a virtue)
But a great little plane - I really want one. Expensive though - a day in a light jet would buy you a very nice car.
Helicopters Robinson R44
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Then there are helicopters - a nice man gave me a lift to London in one. He just landed in my garden and off we went to Biggin Hill to see a collection Pilatus 12C Turboprops. Here are some pictures from a grand day out (yup, Wallace & Grommit)
Hughes 500
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And this is us in a Hughes 500 coming back from London, refuelling at Barton and then landing. A month later I flew in the same helicopter from Blackbushe to Home (photos in 'Home' and also in 'Aviation Analysis')
Eclipse 500
I chartered one in May 2021 to fly to Glasgow - 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back. Much quicker than the bus.
In theory it will fly with two pilots and four passengers but you are going to be a bit tight in the back ...
Please click on images to see a larger version
Piaggio Avanti P180 II
I finally flew in one from Skypark, Gloucester. We headed in a circled round Welshpool and then back - a distance of about 200 miles.
This is a formidable plane. Realistic range of about 1,200 miles and a cruising speed of 400mph which means it is faster with longer range than most small jets. It seats two pilots (it can be flown with one pilot but two is better) plus six passenegrs in the back. It also has a proper lavatory unlike most small jets.
Please click on images to see a larger version
Modified on 16/10/2021 at 08:05:07 by Bob Cory - 'wavering' on Pprune and Pistonheads