LAA Highlands and Islands Strut

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1 September 2017 Newsletter LAA Highlands and Islands Strut Website: Newsletter Next strut meeting Friday 29 th September 2017, 7:30pm at Highland Aviation, Inverness Airport. This issue:- From the chair Obituary Highland airports on BBC Alba Fly-in news: Dornoch G-ARNY 60 th at Knockbain Wallace Shackleton Photos Message from Shempston For Sale Membership renewal form FROM THE CHAIR September 2017, by Nigel Campbell IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM LAA HQ Dear LAA Members Can we please remind you about making payments by cheque: We ve been advised that our local branch of NatWest, where we bank cheques, will be closing on the 21st of September. This means we ll have to post members cheques to another branch, bringing inherent risks of loss and delay. Therefore, we d like to encourage members to pay by other means, if possible. The alternative payment methods available via the LAA website are: Engineering services - permits/mods: Via the LAA Online Shop Membership renewals: Via the Members Area Bank transfer: Details can be found under Payment Methods Or call our HQ team with your credit/debit card details. Thank you for your co-operation. LAA SYWELL RALLY SEPTEMBER 2017 Our Strut was well represented this year at Sywell with aircraft from Orkney (Jab and Twin), from Wick (Jab), from Fearn (Wagabond) and from Inverness (Tipsy Nipper, Cherokee Arrow and RV7). Unfortunately, our Strut member, Iain Macleod (RV9 based in Stornoway) made a prudent decision not to take the chance as the forecast was not the best with slow moving weather fronts predicted to hit the Western Isles and all the way down past Ireland on the Saturday afternoon or evening. RV7 G-MACI departed early on the Thursday morning with Nigel (Campbell) and Duncan (Sutherland) on board. As usual we had to negotiate the partially shrouded hills and valleys until cloud cover began to thin from Pitlochry onwards. As it turned out, we experienced the best weather ever encountered all the way to Sywell. Our journey was stress free receiving excellent assistance from Scottish. We transited Leuchers, Newcastle, Durham Tees before completing the final leg under the control of RAF radar. Airspace is sure busy in England-shire, evidenced as we were at 3k feet with another RV7 (out of Leuchers) slightly ahead at 5k approaching Durham Tees and we were advised we would see a 737 passing ahead from right to left at 4k. The only instruction received, repeated twice, no left turn. The 737 passed well ahead disappearing back into cloud as it continued on its way. How refreshing to receive support from such an experienced/confident service. Listening to our UK and American controllers, whether in real time when flying or on You-tube is extremely entertaining and really brings home the fact that controllers sure have a great time displaying their competence and in some instances their witty humour even when administering a tap on the wrist. We departed Sunday morning for our return leg to Inverness. Very rare but once again we encountered superb flying conditions further enhanced with a 20/25 knot tail wind to boot all the way home. Alister (Sutherland) said it was the fastest return flight (G-WAGA) he has ever experienced in his several decades of attending LAA s annual Rallies. The amount of hard work staging such a huge annual event is indeed extraordinary. If you consider the commitment from the team at Sywell, the aircraft marshalling squad who add much humour (augmented by air cadets), along with all our fellow members and nonmembers who work tirelessly for weeks, if not months in advance, making all the necessary Page 1 of 12

2 From the chair continued preparation and adding the final touches. A huge effort to ensure all our members in attendance as well as the general public all benefit by enjoying what is in reality a spectacular event. The only observation I personally have is that there seemed to be more covered area but less exhibitors present that specialise in providing homebuilder parts/supplies and items/exhibitions of interest. Not easy for the organisers to maintain continuity. I never saw Hercules props there (I may be mistaken and apologise in advance if I am) but one would expect patronage after all the magazine articles that benefitted the business. G-ARNY s 60th BIRTHDAY FLY-IN at KNOCKBAIN The two-day fly-in was well attended and was very much enjoyed by all. What more could we possibly ask for when blessed with virtually first class weather, excellent BBQ and the best of company. Many pictures were taken with the East of Scotland Newsletter (in advance of this issue) beating us to it by sporting a fair number of the images taken. A well-done to them. LAA HIGHLAND & ISLAND STRUT ANNUAL DORNOCH FLY-IN Thankfully, the weather was indeed on-side this year. As a consequence of the reasonable weather the number of aircraft that attended our two-day event was indeed a welcome reward. Once again we must applaud all of our members who contributed a massive effort, some of whom have been performing the preparation on our front-line for decades, also to all those other members and non-members who also committed their weekend to greatly assist another successful outcome. A special thanks to Ian Riddell the head green keeper and his team at Royal Dornoch Golf Club for preparing the strip and aircraft parking areas. And finally our thanks once again to George Cockburn & Son prize winning butcher and the first World Champion Haggis Maker, Mill Street, Dingwall for its continued support of our Strut s activities by their provision of twelve haggis for spot prizes. UPDATE OF OUR STRUT/ CLUB MEMBERSHIP RECORDS for LAA HEAD OFFICE Our target is we aim to complete this task in time for our November AGM meeting. HIAL Controlled Airspace Paul (Jenkins) shall verify as it is unclear on the status i.e. has HIAL s submission been submitted to the CAA? or is it to be submitted next month? However, on a separate note I read in the media that Edinburgh Airport's submission (foreign owned by offshore company) was halted by the CAA for them to address some issues prior to submitting a revised application. LANDING CARD AT INVERNESS Unfortunately, no update received. SEPTEMBER STRUT MEETING IN HIGHLAND AVIATION S NEW PREMISES Our September get-together shall be in Highland Aviation s new premises. The location of the new building is further on down the road past the long-stay car park. It is right at the very end of the road next to the Signature premises thus impossible to miss. The car park is just across the road and has recently been clearly marked with a brand new sign Page 2 of 12

3 Iain Bremner Sadly I write to inform you of the passing of my friend Iain Bremner. Iain passed away in the Cambusavie Unit at the Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie on 26th August. Iain was a very quiet and unassuming type of person, and, in his own words, "not a very sociable fellow really". Apart from his family, his other great loves were photography and classical music. He told me one time that he wanted to take aerial photos, and what better platform than a FRED. So, he duly bought a set of plans and got on with it, he could see no insurmountable problems, and if and when he needed to talk about an awkward bit he would come and have a look at mine which was under construction. I'm still full of admiration for his making of the control surface hinges, all made from raw material in his lathe and on the bench with hand tools, no mean feat, no doubt listening to Bach or Beethoven at the same time. He completed his Fred before me and gave me the honour of doing the test flying, on 15/5/98. He enjoyed flying FRED until ill health forced him to give up. Fred is now flying down in Leicester and is shared by three very happy chappies, they tell me they've never had so much fun flying. To Janette and family we offer our deepest sympathies, Alister. Alister Sutherland Highland Airports on BBC Alba Thanks to George Mair for alerting us to a new series of Highland Airports on BBC Alba (Sky channel 142) which is on every Monday at 8:30 pm. The first episode was already shown on the 25 th, but you can still watch it on the iplayer: Definitely worth a look with some excellent gliding footage from Easterton and Andy Bruce s operation at Wick. Page 3 of 12

4 Fly-in News Highlands and Islands Strut 2017 Dornoch Fly-in Visitors on Saturday 29 th July Registration Make/Model From Pilot/PAX PN08 UUX Lunar Prestwick Alan & Linda Craig G-BZUJ Quantum Tain Ross Blachall G-WAGA Wagabond Fearn Alister Sutherland G-MACI Vans RV7 Inverness Nigel Campbell G-EFRP Fly Baby Easterton Rick Phillips G-BBPS Jodel Shempston Vic Flett G-VALS Pietenpol Aircamper Easterton Iain Bright G-BHLW Cessna 120 Shempston Ian MacDonald G-RTRV Robin Regent Easterton R Mackay G-CEPM Jabiru J430 Lamb Holm Tommy Sinclair G-ARNY Jodel Knockbain Donald Smith G-CEBA Zenair 601 Lamb Holm John Adams N4297A PA-39 Oban T. Clyde G-LEGG Cessna 182 Methlick S. Mitchell G-ATBP Fournier RF4 Easter Donald McNicholl G-CDMT Zenair 601 Easter Hugh Drever G-EWEN Euro Fox Fearn Malcolm Talbot G-BTGM Aeronca Champ Shempston T. Hausler G-AYPS Piper Cub Inverness Paul Wayman G-KEVI Jabiru J400 Inverness Paul Horth G-EXAM Piper Arrow Inverness Hugh Urquhart G-BSCP Cessna 152 Kinloss W Findlay G-RKKT Cessna 172 Insch Kate G-BCGM Jodel Whiterashes K Roberts G-NIPR Tipsy Nipper Inverness Paul Gibbs Visitors on Sunday 30 th July Registration Make/Model From Pilot/PAX PN08 UUX Lunar Prestwick Alan & Linda Craig G-EFRP Fly Baby Easterton Rick Phillips G-ARNY Jodel Knockbain David Lockett G-ATBP Fournier RF4 Easter Donald McNicholl G-MACI Vans RV7 Inverness Nigel Campbell G-ATCC Beagle Airedale Longside D. Payer G-WAGA Wagabond Fearn Alister Sutherland G-BHLW Cessna 120 Shempston Ken Bowlt G-IMME Zenair 701 Lamb Holm Tommy Sinclair G-TAMR Cessna 172 Inverness Tim Whittome G-BZDR Tri Kis Inverness Duncan Sutherland G-ROOK Cessna 172 Aberdeen Uwav Limel & Mo Min G-CDMT Zenair 601 Easter Hugh Drever G-AVSB PA28 Cumbernauld George Cormack G-CROY Europa Portmahomack Mike Austin G-EWEN Euro Fox Fearn Malcolm Talbot Page 4 of 12

5 Some of the George Cockburn & Son haggis award recipients Billy Grant receives his prize for most senior Strut member. Ian Riddell from Royal Dornoch Golf Club receives his prize for his team s work in maintaining the strip and for being best passenger in a Cub of the weekend. Rick Phillips for his newly completed Bowers Fly Baby. Paul and Henry Horth receiving a prize from our Strut treasurer Billy Grant. Ross Sutherland and Kenny MacGillivray received special awards for not arriving by air. Some of the visitors from the Saturday. Page 5 of 12

6 G-ARNY 60 th Birthday Fly-In. Knockbain, August 12/ What amazing luck that our two fly-ins at Dornoch and Knockbain were able to take place in good weather. This season has been one of the most unsettled that I can remember and it was a shame that Solas was washed out and blown away (except for Nigel and George) after all the preparation that Claudine & Co put in to the event. Knockbain has had a busy season of visitors and the newly drained and reseeded extension has proved truly all-weather. We are expecting to be available for use in all conditions for the full length (except for snow and annual hay making at the west end)) for 365 days. Visitors ranged from a full day of sling training with CHC s huge S92 helicopter to a flight of three Spanish gyrocopters who staged through on a Scottish tour having started their journey in Ibiza and Cordoba. During the winter we will be hosting night vision training exercises with the Helimed EC 135. Our big event was a fly-in to celebrate the Sixtieth Birthday of our group Jodel 117 G-ARNY on August 12/13 th. To have the only two good days during a fortnight of rain and wind is luck that we don t often get, resulting in a superb turnout of 30 aircraft over the two days with several attending both days making the circuit and parking areas enjoyably busy. Notable arrivals included newly Permitted and superbly finished home builts, Bowers Flybaby G-EFRP belonging to Rick Phillips and Vans RV7 G- MACI for the first time at Knockbain flown by Nigel Campbell. Other vintage types included Tiger Moth G-AHUV, Pietenpol G-VALS, Cessna 120 s G-BHLW and G- AKTS, Piper Cubs G-AYPS, G-BWOR and 70 year old J3 G-BFDL, Auster G-AIJT and Aeronca G- BTNO. More photos on Wallace Shackleton s link as follows, Page 6 of 12

7 The star, of course was our lovely Jodel G-ARNY still as good (or better) as new after sixty years. Denise baked a huge cake complete with blue and white Jodel icing. We had the original logbooks on display showing that, when owned by the Tiger Club in the early 1960 s, she toured all over Europe in winter and summer to various important cities, all non radio of course and no navaids. She was frequently flown by Sir Adrian Swire, founder of Cathay Pacific Airways. His other plane at the time was a MK 1 Spitfire. One entry is annoted formatted on eagle over the Alps, 13,000 feet. I believe there is also a scary article from the Aeroplane Magazine describing an occasion when someone flying her was lost in cloud over the Channel and spun out the bottom of the cloud just in time to pull out..thank goodness. We had a great weekend and managed to get some formation flying with G-ARNY leading a vintage trio and also the Flybaby and Tiger Moth together. All attended by a great turnout by road and air consuming lots of local organic burgers and good craike all round. Just to keep order we had no less than three CAA flight examiners, three AMEs and three LAA Inspectors! Many thanks to all who helped make it a memorable week-end. David, Paul, Donald and Charlie, the G-ARNY Pensioners Flying Group. Page 7 of 12

8 Wallace Shackleton photos from Knockbain fly-in The Knockbain fly-in was also attended by photographer Wallace Shackleton, who has very kindly allowed us to publish a link to the excellent photos he took on the day. Click on the G-ARNY picture (or copy and paste the link below if that doesn t work): Page 8 of 12

9 Message from Shempston John Farquhar has forwarded the following Letter of Agreement recently drawn up and put in place by RAF Lossiemouth and Shempston Airfield and has asked that we include it for the information of all who wish to come to visit Shempston. A similar LoA is in place between RAF Lossiemouth and Easterton Gliders. Page 9 of 12

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11 For Sale Rans S6ESA Coyote group A Tail Dragger First flight 1992, TT Airframe 467hours, TT Engine 835 hrs, Rotax 912 UL 80 HP, 800x6 tyres, Full swivel tailwheel (Matco), Tennessee wooden prop with epoxy leading edges, Fuel tank in fuselage(40 litres), uses 12/13 litres/hour, Max AUW 450kgs, Always hangared, Reliable, Permit expires 12/12/17. 14, phone Alister AC Anti-Clockwise tachometer AC Anti-clockwise Tachometer in excellent working order. Suitable for use with Continental C90-8F amongst others. 70 (ono) including postage within UK. Contact the Editor at: laahighlandstrutnews@outlook.com Or phone/text Paul on Page 11 of 12

12 Highland Strut membership renewal for 2017/2018: Treasurer s Address:- Billy Grant, Craigellachie, Laundry Lane, TAIN, IV19 1ED September 2016 With this the September issue of the newsletter, we come again to membership renewal, which we have once again been able to maintain to the paltry level of only 5:00 for the year October to October. To maintain your membership, please complete and return this form with payment to the treasurer at the address shown above. Cheques should be made payable to The Highland Strut. Alternatively, come along to the next meeting and see Billy in person, but please complete the details below which will form the basis of our membership list. Name: LAA BMA Address: BGA LAA Membership No.: address: Telephone: Postcode: Mobile: Page 12 of 12