LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 1

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1 LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 1

2 At last there is some serious flying weather as I write. As ever there is an obstacle in the that my bi-annual is now overdue, but hopefully I will be up and running again by next week. I took the Europa into East Fortune last week. I was a bit apprehensive about the short runway, I was using the motorcycle race track, but I needn't have worried and I was stopped before halfway. Result. My thoughts are turning to organising a short notice fly-out. I will bring this up at the meeting but basically an will go out on a Thursday evening to prepare for a Sunday Fly- Out. Nothing too ambitious for the first one but more to test the theory so to speak. I think Sunday is best so that preparation of the destination by road is possible. We can discuss all this and see members reaction at the meeting on Monday. Let me know if you have an opinion and can't be at the meeting. Thanks to everyone who came along to the GASCO Safety Evening at Tranent in April. A thought provoking presentation as always. It had just been announced that special procedures will be put in place for the Commonwealth Games similar to those that were in place for the Olympic Games in London. It mainly affects the Glasgow Zone and a few events outside Glasgow including the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh and Barry Buddon near Dundee. There is a separate piece about this on page 12 so please check the Website and make sure you are up to speed on the requirements. vwe don t want the English success at the Olympic Games to show us up. The next meeting is on Monday May 5th at the Harrow. Nothing particular is planned (although any presentations you have would be much appreciated). The main item will be whether we still go ahead with a Strut fly in this year. It looks like we would be looking at August at Kingsmuir. The weekend of the 16th is our traditional date but the previous or subsequent weekends are possible. The last weekend in August is the national LAA Rally at Sywell so best avoided. At present there do not appear to be any other events over the three week period in the North of England or Scotland. Dave McElroy and Chris Elgar start their round the world flight in a Piper Comanche from Perth on May 19th. Dave McElroy is supporting the Charity Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. If you would like to make a donation or just keep track of their journey see the website. Now that we are into the longer summer days enjoy your aviation. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 2 Monday 5 th May 2014 from at The Harrow Hotel Eskbank Road Dalkeith This newsletter can also be viewed on the Strut website: Monday 2 nd June 2014 Strut Meeting at the Harrow Hotel 29 th -31 st August 2014 LAA Rally at Sywell, Northamptonshire About the Light Aircraft Association: The Light Aircraft Association represents and defends the interests of some 8,200 pilot, builder and aviation enthusiast members from all areas of powered light aviation. With a full-colour monthly magazine, plus nationwide social and technical support networks, the LAA offers the widest range of aviation member services in Europe. It provides full technical and coaching support for the build, operation and airworthiness of over 4,000 sport and recreational UK light aircraft, plus sector-leading consultation and lobbying in aviation regulatory matters, both in the UK and Europe.

3 Keith goes to Muckle Flugga As a change from Scottish Aero Club administration, I thought it was time to do some flying. Tuesday s forecast (15 th ) looked exceptional, so I set myself a target of photographing the Muckle Flugga lighthouse on the most northerly rock in the British Isles. A few years ago (in my Robin) Sandra and I had landed at Unst, the most northerly airfield, and only 5 miles from the top of Shetland, but at the time I forgot to go the extra mile leaving an excuse for a second attempt. I planned to call in at Lamb Holm, Tommy Sinclair s strip, which allowed me to delay putting on an immersion suit until absolutely necessary. With southerly winds forecast, I set off at 10:20am and cruised north at 5000 feet, routing via Inverness city. After adding 20 litres of fuel at Lamb Holm (which I had carried as my passenger ), I set off northwards with a tailwind that increased to 25 knots as I gained latitude. Down to 2000 ft through the Sumburgh zone, I continued north up the east side of the Shetlands to Muckle Flugga. Shetland had a high overcast with some scattered cloud at around 2000ft. Not perfect, but easily good enough to achieve the target. Heading southbound down the west side of the islands I descended to 1500ft to reduce the headwind. At that point I realised I needed a pee. The next 90 minutes back to Lamb Holm became increasingly fraught as I considered my options, one of which revolved around a water bottle I had on board. With an immersion suit on, this could have been messy. However, I flew on cross-legged at an 80kt ground speed all the way to Lamb Holm. Fortunately, the landing was smooth and short so I watered the grass half way up the runway, before taxying to the parking area. With the survival gear off again, I made the short transit to Wick for some fuel. Just time for a brief chat with Andy Bruce, and yet another pee, before the last leg back to Perth arriving at 18:05. An excellent day s flying. Best part of seven hours to do 600 or so nautical miles. Just one helicopter at Scatsta and two Typhoons near Dunkeld spotted all day. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 3

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5 The living proof Keith says; GPS showing track just north of Unst - Ignore the GPS distance and time it is pointing back to Sumburgh. Turnhouse as it was Ted Tootell s Kitfox Alex McClintock saw this and had a bright idea. I see that Ted's Kitfox is up for sale - see link below. Anyone interested in bringing it back to Scotland? Just a thought! Colin Lourie has been taking local aviation related photos for over 50 years and these are becoming the go-to collection for historians and media people. The shot got a few seconds airing on the BBC's Edinburgh Airport programme last Thursday night. It shows the A9 (looking westwards) closed at the end of Runway 13 to allow an aircraft to land. Ah, the joys of travelling North in the past: waiting on the A9 at Turnhouse or for a ferry at Queensferry! The other shot is of G-BSST, the British Concorde prototype doing a low pass at the Turnhouse airshow in I've just refound these in my archive.. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 5

6 It s Competition time! Keith Boardman sent this in and asks who it is and in what year was it taken? Far too handsome to be from our Strut, I would wager. A film star maybe? And that distinctive hair colouring Nordic ancestry perhaps? Answers on a postcard please to EoS Strut Committee Rooms, The Presidential Suite, Floors 63-69, That Big Sail Shaped Building, Dubai. First prize is a fabulous weekend of pampered luxury at the Carstairs Hydro. Second prize is two weekends at the Carstairs Hydro. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 6

7 Welcome to my world Recent Strut member and latterly emigrant to Australia, Pawel Gazinski, has just taken delivery of his Bristell RG kit. He flew a very smart SportCruiser when he was living in Scotland but this looks, if it were possible, even better. It is the first retractable gear kit version to be imported into Australia. More photographs on the next two pages. Pav also sends his best wishes to the Strut. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 7

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9 LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 9 So that s it then. Give me five minutes while I put it together

10 Easter + Longside fly-ins News from Perth A reminder from Highland Aero Club that their Spring fly-in at Easter airfield is on; Saturday 3 rd May The following week Buchan Aero Club are aiming to have their fly-in at Longside on; Saturday 10 th May Website/BAC_Events.html The Longside Fly-in replaces the earlier one on 26 th April which was postponed due to bad weather. Thanks to George Mair for this. Hi All, Please put the attached poster on your websites, notice boards or distribute it in way that suits. Many thanks. Pete White Cornwall Flying Club pete@aeronca.co.uk Cassutt Racer G-BOMB is being completely rebuilt ahead of a new International Formula 1 Air Racing Series being launched in Spain this year. I will be racing as part of a field of 12 pilots, one of only three from the UK and the only pilot from Scotland. The Event itself will see 8 pilots at a time racing around pylons, down to 35, and at speeds reaching 250mph. All BOMB s panels and cowls will be custom made from Carbon Fibre to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics, the engine is being completely lightened, balanced, ported and polished with new gapless rings to increase power and allow us to run more RPM s and we are having a race prop specially designed by world renowned Hercules propellers. In addition we have new more efficient carbon fibre wing tips being fitted to reduce drag in the corners and finally the aircraft will be repainted in a blue and white race livery featuring a Flying Saltire design on the tail. You can follow the rebuild progress and race prep of our home grown Race Team on our Facebook page at: Racing/ LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 10

11 From John Mounce via Jim Prettyman comes this link to the newest Mosquito restoration. LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 11

12 More from GASCo At the GASCO Safety Evening it was brought to our attention that the airspace restrictions for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland have been announced. They are from July 13 th to August 6 TH Rather than try to detail it go to the web site below; airspace booking cell known as Hermes (July 20th to Aug 3rd ) Tel /8099. Entering the restricted zones without permission will mean an interception by a military helicopter (probably a Puma with a man with a gun in the doorway) or a fast jet (probably a Typhoon) Generally it would be a good idea to avoid. The procedures would appear to be similar to that experienced in the South of England for the Olympic Games which was applauded as a great success. Let s make sure we achieve the same, It would be a shame if those flying in Scotland were to be shown up by those down south so do check out the information and if you need to fly near the affected zones make sure you are up to speed with the information on the web site. News from the CAA From George Mair comes this link to what appears to be good things about to happen. Look, no hands (Or anything else, for that matter) From Brian Allison comes this clip of old F-16s retrieved from the scrap heap and fitted out as drones to be shot at ?bckey=AQ~~%2cAAAAukPAlqE~%2coAVq1qtd RjwBrIkHYj2MSytJiEK9s5fy&bclid=0&bctid= Look, no runway The majority of events are being held within the Glasgow CTR. There are also events at the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh and at Barry Buddon near Dundee. There are special procedures to be able to fly through the main restriction zone (EGR 503) and this also affects Cumbernauld and Strathaven. These must be booked with the GASCo is happy to send this monthly publication by e mail at no charge to anyone who will find it useful. To join the mailing list send an and you will be added to the mailing list. Please tell your flying friends. From David Webb via Jim Prettyman comes this link to the balletic manoeuvering of F35s over Carriers. me&feature=colike LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 12

13 Vintage warbirds East of Scotland Strut contacts Chairman; Justin Kennedy 6 Cammo Walk, Edinburgh EH4 8AN Tel / Co-ordinator and Secretary: Iain Gibson 102 Craigmount Brae, Edinburgh EH12 8XN Tel inrgibson001@btinternet.com A selection of some nice vintage feeling photographs found by my son. And finally Treasurer and Membership Secretary; Duncan Robertson 17 Cramond Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 6PP Tel d.n.robertson@edinburgh.gov.uk Newsletter Editor: Andrew Macleod 102 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh EH3 9PL Tel andrewj.macleod@virgin.net Committee Member: Iain Govan 5A The Square, East Linton, East Lothian EH40 3AD Tel / ian.govan@mypostoffice.co.uk Safety Officer: Keith Griggs 5 Lammermoor Terrace, Tranent, EH33 1NJ Tel / keithgriggs@rocketmail.com LAA Inspector: Tim Rayner 3 Fowler Street, Tranent EH33 1BU Tel / hipe@btinternet.com Pawel Gazinski might turn his attention to some gardening once he s built his plane and was tempted by this 720 tonnes dump truck that he saw last year. LAA Inspector: Robin Johnson Templehall, Midlem, Selkirk TD7 4QB Tel / robinj100@btinternet.com LAA East of Scotland Strut May 2014 Newsletter, page 13