Contents Forthcoming Events Page 1 Helicopter Training in the USA Page 1 Gliding at Aboyne Page 2 The Archaeopteryx Page 3 Tow Rope Procedures Page 3 G-CWIK Page 4 Airfield Action Page 4 Meteorology for Pilots Page 5 Forthcoming Events Perth Airport Open Day and Fly-in - 20th - 22nd June. Detailes on the poster in the hangar. Scottish Aero Club (Perth) - various events. The Scottish Aero Club is having various events this summer including: 12th July - Flyout to Longside (Peterhead) 26th July - Flyout Scotland (Round Scotland trip) 9th Aug - Flyout to Newtonards 23rd Aug - Reivers Rally - A round trip (hopefully) following the footsteps (well, sort of) of the Border Reivers. Depending on the weather we hope to visit airfields including Eshott, Carlisle and or Kirkbride. For more information visit the Scottish Aero Club website at http://www.scottishaeroclub.org.uk/events.html 2008 Sport and Leisure Aviation Show - 29th - 30th November. The ususal deal at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information visit: www.theflyingshow.co.uk Helicopter Training in the USA Steve Blackler sent in this report of his biggest Cross Country ever that he recently managed to do in Florida. He flew a 200km Out and Return to Quest and back - a solo XC as part of his helicopter course. Okay so it was not quite the same as taking a Chinook to the Isle of Wight and back but just as fun. I had to go under Orlando International Airspace with Jumbos 500ft above me, and did a touch and go at Kissemee Airport. I didn't see Dumbo at Disney's Animal Kingdom but took a photo anyway as it was on the route. Landed at Quest and took a photo of a beautiful restored Aeronca which the owner said is only 375kg empty, I've never seen such a perfectly restored aircraft, I guess you guys do all the time. After chilling out at Quest went North to Leesburg to refuel then through Downtown Orlando for a touch and go at Orlando Executive, before heading back to Titusville. Awesome flight with cloudbase at 5000ft and there were some amazing thermals propelling me upwards at over 700fpm even in the helicopter so I was drooling a little bit wishing I was on a hang glider. 1
The Animal Kingdom Downtown Orlando Restored Aeronca Gliding at Aboyne In this special picture edition, here are some photos taken by Bob Dunthorn s passenger Dave Harrison on a recent gliding trip to Aboyne. 2
The Archaeopteryx Bob Dunthorn brought my attention to this interesting aircraft, which claims to be a cross between a sailplane and a hangglider. Personally I can t really see anyone footlaunching this thing off a hill, and it s roughly the same price as the Alatus-M, but without an engine. Stilll it s an intruiging aircraft all the same. For more information visit http://www.ruppert-composite.ch/english/531251969e07f2806/index.html Tow-rope Procedures After a recent incident when the tow-rope was left on the runway, Sue has reminded us of the following: All aircraft pilots (including microlight), during their training, are taught that propellers can 'suck up' debris on the ground, and never to taxi over stones, debris, ropes etc. These kind of things can do a huge amount of damage to the propeller, especially if wood, and the tow rope could damage any type of propeller, engine and aircraft and be extemely expensive. If this happened, we would hold you entirely responsible for all the costly repairs. Make no mistake, this could run into thousands of pounds, even tens of thousands. Sue has therefore asked the aerotow club to come up with a safe operating procedure for the tow-rope. I therefore propose that the following procedure should come into immediate effect: 3
The only time the tow rope is allowed on the runway is when it is attached to the Tug and the Tug is preparing to take-off. At all other times it must be kept off the runways, taxiways and their entrances. The tow rope is the reponsibility of the tug pilot. If you have any comments on this procedure, please let me know. Thank you. G-CWIK Chris Jackson sent me the following e-mail a few weeks ago: Hello Allan My Quik, G-CWIK has been tampered with in the hangar. I have been unable to come up to fly for some months due to a busy time here at Stonehill. In early May, I came up to prepare the aircraft for its annual permit and I could not start it. On further investigation I discovered that the main positive power cable to the starter was disconnected but the other positive leads had been reconnected. The strobe light does not work now either. Please could you put a note in the next newsletter asking the culprit to own up plus a general sentence stating that people must not mess about with aircraft other than their own. We do not want Thornhill to become another Perth where kit goes missing regularly. Thanks very much in advance Regards Chris Jackson Stonehill Tel: 01864 504217 Hopefully we can all make sure that this is an isolated case. Airfield Action Thanks to Colin Harrison for the following photos, taken during the recent good spell of weather. Colin on tow with his Exxtacy Above the airfield 4
Colin s Doodlebug with Graham s Shadow in the distance Peter s Thorp T-18C G-BYBY comes to visit The G-BYBY cockpit Graham Webster s Shadow Meteorology for Pilots The following advert may be of interest: The latest (May 2008) version of the complete self learning CD based training package "Meteorology... Simply for Pilots" is now available at only 12 per copy. This CD package contains 10 easily absorbed and fully animated lessons (over 580 slides), covering the Atmosphere, Cloud Formation, Weather Fronts, Wind Theory, Jet Streams, Turbulence / Wind Shear / Microbursts, Icing, Visibility, Thunderstorms and Met Services for Aviators. An interactive Question and Answer section is included with each lesson where appropriate. For more information visit: www.weatherbuff.webs.com, Easter Poldar Farm, Thornhill, Stirling, FK8 3QT www.scottishairsports.co.uk 5