July 2014

SOMETHINGOFARACYAFFAIR

Yes,itistimetostartfeelingmoreupbeataboutlightaviation,with somegreatnewaircraftandlightlegislationpromisedthatshould helpmakearealimprovementtoourflyinglives

T hoseofusthatenjoyowningandflyingLAAPermitaeroplanesknow onlytoowellthehugepersonalbenefitthatbrings;foragoodmany ofusitmakesthedifferencebetweenbeingabletoflyornotanditis noexaggerationtosaythattheAssociationhasahugeandpositiveeffect onthequalityofourlives.ButIbelievetheAssociation'seffectisfarwider thanthesumtotalofthoseindividualbenefits;Ibelieveitenrichesthelives ofeverybodythathasanenthusiasmforlightaviationbecausetheLAA 'fleet'nowaccountsforaround200/ooftheUK'sGeneralAviationaircraft. Andnothingillustratesthatbetterthanwhenasignificantnewaeroplane comesontothefleet,whetherthatbeastate-of-the-artnewkitplane,a restoredvintagetypeorareplicatedorrecreatedhistoricmachine.This monthwefeatureoneofthelatter,arecreationofthePercivalMewGull, Formeitisanall-timefavouriteaeroplane,asculpturediconfromanera whenBritishaircraftdesignersleadtheworld.Ineverceasetobeamazed bytheskillandcraftsmanshipofLAAmemberswhocancreatesuch masterpieces;longmaythisAssociationcontinuetosupportthebuilders ofallthemanyandvariedcategoriesofLAAaircraftsothatwecanall continuetoenjoythefruitsoftheirlabour

Thismonth'smagazineseemstobesomethingofaracyaffairbecause notonlydowehavetheMew,butwealsopresentareportfromDesHart

THETEAM

Patron: HRHPrinceMichaelofKent,KCVO, FRAeS

President: SirJohnAllison

Chairman: RogerHopkinson

CEO: PhilipHall

ChiefEngineer: FrancisDonaldson,aTech

C.EngFRAeS

ChiefInspector: KenCraigie

aboutAirRaceFlisfirstracemeetinginLleida(Lerida)inNorthernSpain JeffZaltman,CEOofAirRacerl.ishopingtoraisetheprofileofFland promoteaworldseriesofevents.Thisfirsteventincludedpilotsfrom theUK,FranceandtheUS,anditishopedtoorganisethreeeventsin Europein2015.DeswasoneofthreeUKentrants,althoughpoorweather preventedoneofthemfrommakingtherace.

Ontheregulatoryside,thepaceofchangehasstartedtohotup.Not surprisinglytherehavebeenthosewhowererathercynicalaboutthe CAA'spromiseoflightertouchregulationbuttherecanbefewnowwho doubtthesincerityofthatpromise.Rhetoricischanging toaction,genuineonthegroundchangethatwill benefitGAandultimately.Ihope,helpbreathe muchneedednewlifeintothesport.IknowIam theeternaloptimistbutAeroExpo,wheretheCAAs GAUnitgaveapresentation,definitelyhadanair ofoptimismaboutit.Thecrowdscameandtraders reportedgoodbusiness;wehaveturnedthecorner, letusnowallunitetosellSportandRecreationalflying asthefulfillingandfunhobbythatittrulyis. Flysafely.

Engineeringemail: engineering@laaukcom

COMMERCIAL

Email: office@laaukcam

OfficeManager: PennySharpe

HeadOffice: TurwestonAerodrome, NrBrackley,NorthantsNN135VD

Tel: 01280846786

LIGHTAVIATIONMAGAZINE

Editor: BrianHope, 60QueenboroughRoad, Sheerness, KentME123B2

Tel: 01795662508

Email: BFJJadel@talktalknet

BrianHope EDITOR bfijodel@talkialk.net

6NEWS

Weslakeaerodieselfirstrun.SSDR update,GARformchanges.IFR/ Nighttrialstostart,knowyourRATs, 8 PARTYINTHEPARK

Anopportunityforsocial engagementwithindustrycolleagues 10OVERTHEHEDGE

HotairforaVWandtreasurestobe foundatagoodoldaerojumble

12PROJECTNEWS

AEuroFOX.Zenair,GlastarandBlue Twoarefeaturedthismonth

18 PROJECTTRAIL

Thetrials,tribulations•and successes-ofbuildingaGroppoTrail 20 RALLYUPDATE

LookingaheadtotheLAARally-is itreallyjusttwomonthsaway!

22AEROEPXO

Thenewsandhighlightsfromthis majorGAget-togetheratSywell

24 FlAIRRACING

DesHartcompetesinthefirstraceof anewventuretobringElAirRacing backtoprominenceinEurope

36FUGHTTESTMEWGULL

IfyouwanttoownonetheBritain's mosticonicracingaircraftthenyou havetopainstakinglyresearchitand buildit...andthat'sexactlywhat DavidBealehasclone

44 RUNWAYEXCURSIONS

Agoodapproachandjudgement shouldleadtoasafearrival

47 MEMBERBENEFITS

NeilWilsonlistsanumberofgreat benefitsavailabletoLAAmembers

48 SAFETYSPOT

Whetherit'sreplicaparts,damp gettingintoyouraircraftorunsecured itemsinthecockpit,there'sanawful lottobearinmindinthismonth's selectionofincidents,accidentsand itemsofinterest

56 WHERETOGO

Flyingeventsoverthesummermonths

57 LANDINGVOUCHERS

Savemoneyandvisitsomewherenew

58 LAASHOP

Books,charts,clothingandmore.

61 CLASSIFIEDS

Bargainsgalore ina buyers'market

64 MEETTHEMEMBERS

ThismonthwemeetBobWeaverfrom OsmingtonnearWeymouthwhoflies aTecnamEchofromPymore,Near Bridport,Dorset

66 CEOTHOUGHTS

Philreportsthatheislegless.but hopefullyonlytemporarily!

CHAIRMAN'SCHAT

BYROGERHOPKINSON

LettherebeFlight!

L astyearatthistime,Iwroteaboutthe26

peopleand12Van'saircraftenjoyingsome greatflyingtogetherroutingdowntoItaly. Assomewillknow,thateventwasrepeatedin Maywithasimilarnumberparticipating,theprime destinationbeingRome.whichhasitsownGA airfieldofUrbejustnorthofthecity.Againagreat tripandfellowshipamongaviators,whichhighlights whatwecandowiththisflyingpassion.Forusthe returnwasviaTuscanyforafewdays'restand thenovertheAlpstoGrenoble-LeVersoudbefore returningviaLeTouquet.

Astheyearpassesthehalfwaymark,we hopefullyhavemuchmoregreatflyingahead, includingofcourseourRallyattheendof August.PriortothatIwillbeoffloVichyforthe RSARally,aneventthatalwaysfiguresonmy 'mustdo'list

Meanwhile,herein[heUK,thereseemstobe alotgoingonwithveryrealsignsofachanging environmentthatEspositiveforGAingeneral.and LAAHyinginparticular.OnthefirstdayofJuneat AcreExpo(seepage221wesawreinforcement ofthatmessage.bothinannouncementsand specificchangeitemsthattheGovernmentand [heCAAareengagedin.InEuropetoo[hereis changeasamajorconsultationisunderway aspartofEASA'sownchangeprogramme. lookingatthebasicregulationthatestablishedits mandatebutwhichmanyofusfeelhaslimitedits effectiveness

VitaltousisAnnexII,leavingus(andlike associationsinEurope)undernationalratherthan Europeanregulationand,asIseeit.thereisa hintofopportunityhere.Bothowneroptionsto transferv[ntageaircrafttoLAAtypeoversightand amorerelaxeddefinitionofamateurbuildcould beonthetable.However,muchworkwit!be requiredtoachieveeitherorboth

SomewillbeawareofourPartyin[hePark eventatShuttleworth(seepage8)wherewe meetwithkeyplayersfromtheDfTandCAA, whilealsobeingjoinedbyotherSportsA, RecreationalFlyingAssociationrepresentatives Myopeningcommentstothegatheredaudience includedthefollowing:

LAAhasalwaysbeenaboutaffordabieflying beingavailabletoasmanypeopleaspossible. Wehaveacampaigncurrentlyrunningcalled' IBywhereourmembersmakethecommentthat theyareafarmerapostmanoranelectrician, ordinaryworkingfolkyet-"Ifly".

Irecentlycameacrossanofficialannouncement from1950.Thepreambleisaboutthedifficultyof gettingPermitsforpostwarandamateurbknld aircraftfromtheauthorityandhowweneeded

toensuresuchaircraftcotildbe:'flownunder adequatesafeguardfortherestoftheirlives' Thespecikcannouncement,inprecis. IS lhat'The MinistryontheadviceoftheRegistrationBoard. hasnowagreedthatthedesignandinspection departmentsoftheUnraLightAircraftAssociation (todaytheLAAofcourse)maybeputattne disposalofownersforthepurposeofgranting aPermit'Ourambitionforaffordableflyingwas thenattheendoftherunway-andclearedfor take-off.

TodaytheLAAoverseesabout20%ofUK registeredaircrafGoodprogress,alleastfor usstillworkingtonational,ratherrhanEuropean rules:although.asweallknow,mostjourneysot thistypehavehad,shallwesaytheirsnareof interestinglimes.

Howeveronewouldbeblindnottorecognise thechangingsituationwhenaMinistersays: "ItistheGovernmentpositiontomakeMeLththe bestplaceintheworldforGA"Thedrivefrom thetopwithinCAAandDiliisclearlygenuine, demonstratedbyanearlyspringofexamplesI observethatwhiletheANOstillstartsbysaying "..anabgraftmaynotflyovertheUPSunless" thenewOAUnitpublicationnowboaststhe somewhatmorepositivestrapline'Lettherebe Flight'.Greatline.Welookforwardto A summer ofachievement

ThosemovingtoEuropeanregulationhave, though,paidahighprice.Glidingiscrippled bychargesitneversufferedinthepastand ballooningisfacingnearextinctionPowered EASAcertifiedancraftarealsolacingrelated difficulties.ThereisamoodofchanceinEurope similartothatritheUK,althoughit/sglacially slowbutperhapsachangealthetopwill,asit hasintheUK,initiateareversalofMedamage alreadydonebeforeitistoolate

And.finallytherearethefundamental requirementsofanaviationinfrasthictureairfieldsandairspaceBothhaveseriousissues. asweailknow,buttheoptimistsamong LIS seelhatnecessarychangeisinthepipeline Repairingthedamageandreinstatingongoing growthisahardtaskbutitisataskthattogether wemuststeadfastlyundertake.

AsIhavenotedherebefore,aprimarytaskof anassociationwhosemembersareengagedin aviationistoensurewehavetherightregulatory environmentinwhichtooperate,Thalmessage, atlast,appearsnowtohavebeenheard.Itis certainlyasubjectofgrowingclarityandfocus rightnew.

Happylandings

AEROENGINEPR RESSES

Weslakehassuccessfullyrunthefirstaero versionofits80hptwo-strokedieselengineon itsin-housedynamometer.Itwasinitiallyrunfor anhourat60hpandthen,afterlargerinjectors werefitted,forafurtherhourwhenitcomfortably maderatedpower.Thecarbon/carbonclutch assembly.theonlyinternalchangefromtheboat versionoftheenginethatalreadyhasquitealot oftesttimeonit,wastheninspectedandfound tobefine.Atthetimeofwriting,theenginewas duetobeattachedtoapropellerstandwhere furthertestingwillbecarriedoutwiththeengine turninganaircraftpropeller.

Thecompanyhasalsoconfirmedthatitwillbe attendingtheLAASywellRally,whereitplans toruntheengine,hopefullyonGrahamSmith's Trail.Thepicturerightshowsthe'A80'justprior tofittingtothedyno:theinjectionpumpandthe belt-drivenwaterpumpareatemporaryfiton thefrontoftheengine,bothwillbecoupledto thecranksattherearonproductionversionsto giveamorestreamlinedfrontalarea.

SSDR-WE'REHERETOHELP!

Afteragreatdealofworkby theCAA,BMAAandLAA,the much-anticipatedtemporary exemptionMrthederegulationof single-seatmicrolights(exemption E3795)isnowinplace.and duringthisinitialphasesingle-seat microlightownershaveallbeen invitedtochoosewhetherthey wishtoremaininthecontinuing airworthinessregimeofaPermit toFlywiththeLAAorBMAA, orenterthebravenewworldof deregulation.Thelatestfigures wehaveindicatethatthereare 383single-seatmicrolightson theUKregister,butagreatmany ofthosearenotincurrentuseor indeedmanymaynolongereven exist.Ofthose,87havethusfar indicatedthattheywishtobecome deregulated,andfromtheLAA campthatincludessixSlukas. 10WhittakerMW5,sevenRan's 5-4/5-5and21TEAMMini-Max. However,ofthose44aircraft,only 24holdorhaveheldavalidPermit toFlywithinthelastyear.

Eightownershavepositively indicatedthattheywishtoremain onaPermittoFly,fourofthem onLAAaircraftoncurrentlyvalid PermitsandfourBMAAaircraft, twocurrentandtwonot. Theexemptionwillremainin placeforuptoayearuntilthe ANOisupdatedtoreflectthe

changesinlaw.Afterthatthe CAAintendsnottocontinuethe abilityforsingle-seatmicrolights toremainonaPermitbutit hassaiditwillreconsiderif thisproposalbringssignificant oppositionfromcurrentowners.

WhetherLAAmembersowning single-seatmicrolightschooseto optinoroutofderegulation,LAA intendstocontinuetoprovide helpandsupporttokeepflying safeandaffordableandpromote thissectorofthemicrolightfleet. OurEngineeringteamatHQ hasawealthofknowledgeon three-axismicrolightaircraftand adviceistherefortheasking. Whilepresentlyonlyavailable toregulatedaircraftunderour presentinsurancearrangements, wearealsoconsideringhow advicemightbeofferedtoSSIDEI ownersatlocallevelviaour existinginspectorteam.HQhas justupdated TechnicalLeafletTL

2.17OperatingSSDRMicrolights toreflecttherecentdevelopments. Theexemptionanddetailson howtoderegulateamicrolight canbefoundintheNEWS sectionoftheLAAwebsiteat wwwlaauk.com

Tocelebratethischangein theregulations,BMAAhosteda gatheringofSSDRsatEnstone Airfieldoverthemid-summer weekendof21-22June.which attractedagoodturn-out.Onthe Saturday,morethan40microlights wereinattendanceandthesky wasconstantlybuzzingtothe soundofsmallenginesasowners tookadvantageoftheperfect weathertogetsomeflyingtimein. Notablevisitorsrepresentingthe veryearlydaysofmicrolighting weretwoexamplesoftheEagle canard,oneofwhichflew,anda newly-builtexampleoftheVolmer JensenVJ-23(seeabove),distant ancestoroftheCFMShadow.

LAAANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Planningisunderwayfor thisyear'sAGM,whichis proposedtobeheldon Saturday1November.The formalnotificationwillbe publishedontheAssociation's websiteandintheAugust editionof LightAviation.

RA(T)BREEDING

Itsthatnmeetyear"Thena RAM(RestdctedAprspace lemporary))coutcuteposst;y adectyoprdyingwnetherona crosscourPryPiporjus;bimbling aboutlobaly.Aerobat.cdsplays atallmannerofeven'sana especiallyappearancesby

celepraletheir50thann:versary cananodogenerateRAIT1s andmanyarenot 'II Od2dcinms ci::rfierdsPleasedocheck SkyDemormakestaiso easyPlescdaysandremember, SkyDe:niorLigldisfreeto ciownlodoAdernativelvcadthe ATSFreennonenpmbel,05(75 354602,whichto.lsyouwhich HAC1)spiecoupPiecalGn;heday.

SEQUOIAFALCOMANUAL

ProprietorAlfredScottiswindingdownSequoia Aviation,whichhassolddrawings,kitsandparts forthebeautifulFalcoF8Lformanyyearsandhe hasgenerouslymadetheplansandbuildmanual availableasfreedownloadsfrom www.segaircorn AlthoughyoumaynotintendtobuildaFalco, thebuildmanualisanextremelywell-written andinformativebookofover400pages. containingvaluablegenericinformationabout thetechniquesofbuildinginwood.Itisa majorfreeresourceforanybodybuildingor interestedinwoodenaircraftstructures.

(Left) AnumberofSequoiaplans-builtFalco havebeenbuiltintheUK.including2012Air SquadronTrophywinningG-CYLL.

NIGHT/IFRTRIALS

OneofanumberofLAA-centricannouncementsatforseveralyears,mainlyledbyateamofLAA theendofMaywasthattheCAAhasissuedLAAvolunteers.Theissuingofthetemporaryexemption HOwithatemporaryexemptiontoallowasmallisundoubtedlyabigstepforwardtogaining groupofrepresentativeLAAPermittoFlyaircraftNight/IFRprivilegesforappropriatePermittoFly (thathavebeenevaluatedassuitable)tobehailedaircraftandconfirmsbeyonddoubtthattheCAA underactualnight/IFRconditions. isnowfullycommittedtothisinitiative. Theaimofthetrialsistoprovetheadequacy Followingspecialdesignchecksaridinspections, oftheLAA'snewly-developedchecklistof aircraftthatareundertakingthetrialsarebeingflight requirementsandextraflighttestingprocess testedbyateamconsistingofLAAChiefTestPilot formembersseekingtohavethenight/IFR DanGriffithsandformerCAATestPilotChrisTaylor limitationsremovedfromtheiraircraft'sPermittoThetrialaircraftincludesulfa*equippedexamples Fly.Thisisaprojectthathasbeenongoing ofaEuropa,VankRV-6,VanisRV-7andaBulldog.

GARFORMCHANGES

ThelevelofscrutinyforpilotsenteringtheUKhas recentlybeenincreasedandthereisnowamuch strongerfocusbothoncomplianceandon officersmeetingaircraft.Asaresult,allpilotsare urgedtoensurethattheyknowtherulesandto followthem:youcan'tjustpitchupfromatrip overseaswithoutaGARnowadays.YourFlight PlanisNOTenough,althoughtheauthorities willreadthataswell,beforecheckingtoseeif amatchingGARisalsoavailable.

PleasenotealsothatveryrecentlytheGAR formhaschanged.ItisnowanExcelform, whichyoucanfillinandsavetoyourcomputer beforeemailingitasanattachmenttoIheNOLL Ithassomeattachedguidancethatincorporates acoupleofmisleadingstatements,whichmembers havefoundconfusing,asfollows:

ItisNOTmandatorytouseanICAOcodefor aircrafttype-ashortcomment.eg'Zenair601' oreven'homebui4wouldsuffice.Thelistof typesprovidedisfarfromcomplete.anddoesnot containmostLAAaircraftthathaveICAOcodes. IfanCAOcodeisnotavailableforyour airfield(egafarmstrip),thenitisexpectedthat thefieldisdescribedthusiZ777MountAiry FarmHU152BD/Thepostcodeisuseful, howeveranytextwillbeaccepted.

PlaceofbirthisNOTrequiredbecauseitisnot ingestedinthesystem.

TheGARwebsiteisat wwwgovuk/governrnent/ publicatrons/general-aviation-operators-and-pilotsnofification-of-flights andcontainsrelevantdetailsand documents.ThereisalsoalinkontheLAAwebsite wwwlsa.uk.com intheNewssection.

SEASON-KNOWYOURRESTRICTEDAIRSPACE

IwoobviousRAIrlscoming L.0ale:heFarilloorougliAirshow andIRIAIyuupansGcf•m techartFamboinumsn padioularislonglastingand ex:ensivesirunsfronJuiy le21Julytocoverafrivalsand fmadticeaswellastheweeeyong showitselfFdrnouroughLAPS (12525)will,howeveroffera dressingservicewhenpossible soifyediareanywherethal areapleasetalktothereSimilarly ariRAWwi.ialsobeputinto placaNara9-14Julyfofthe Royallnterna0ohalAirTattooat (1AFFaidordGloucestershire df,eselargerRAfTisarc accompaniedoyAlOs informatonCreu.ars,whetare

availabledomNATSliavoa inkinthenewssectionoftheLAA websifeunder:heFarnberough RAJ)newsitemorGouglo TemporaryRes-frictionofHying RegulatfonsPleasemake:ta

rotethafifyouaregoirig pnyvinerenotchec.ingfor RA(TlsisnotanopfionThe AISwebs:0brNmareand Aeronaut:calInformationCrcdlars (AlCs)isat myv/aisoig

• :-

buru

Over the H ge

Grassrootsflying with LightAviation'sJohnBeeswax

Theremustbeasmanycarburettorhot airsystemdesignsforVW-powered lightaircraftastherearepilotswho enjoytheprivilegeofflying'em!Likemost homebuilts,thecarheat/exhaustsystemis oneofthelastitemstobebuiltbeforethe cowlingsaretailoredtofitandallissetfor theengine'sfirstgroundrun.

Designingsuchasystemonpaperis fraughtwithproblemsandtheCGTaylor (ofTaylorcraftandCubfame)method of cuttingandtackingthecomponents Insitu'seemstobethebestsolutionfor theseIndividualcases.

SuchwasthetaskconfrontingBrian Gowland,whoisnearingcompletionofhis HN700MenestrelII.G-CCDS,athishome workshopinGwynedd.Hehadaclearidea ofwhathewantedbuthisstartingpointwas acarburettorhotairboxthathehadbought ataPFARallyfleamarketatKemblemany yearsagofortheprovisionofwarmairfor theGarbandcabinheatingsystem,andthis wasexactlywhatBrianneededforhislovely MenestrelButhealsoneededanexhaust systemandheatmuffstocollectthehotair; howbesttofititallintothelimitedspace aroundtheneatGreatPlains2180VW?

Theanswer?CallhisoldfriendAllen Haseldine,theproprietorofNewton PropellersofHereford(01981510330). AllenisalsoaCAAapprovedwelderand

(Above) BrianGowlandwiththecarburettor hotairboxhepurchasedforhisMenestrel projectataRallyfleamarketmanyyears ago. (PhotoAlanChalkley)

awizardwithsheetmetalHearrivedat Brian'sworkshopcompletewithhiswelding kit,metalsheet,exhaustpipesandtheir knucklejoints.

Thefirstjobwastosweepthesmoothflat concretefloorbeneaththeenginebayand drawaroughlayoutofwhatwasneededon somepaperlaiduponit.Allenhadalready cutandpressedthenecessarycomponents forthetwocylindricalheatexchangers,and thesewereweldedinplaceaftertheexhaust downpipeshadbeencutandweldedtotheir finalshapesTheright-handsideprovided thenecessarycarburettorhotair,theleft sidethecabinwarmairsupply.Allthiswork wasdoneonanearbybenchwithasturdy vicetoholdthecomponentssteadyduring theweldingwork.

Thenexttaskwastedesignsomesortof exhaustcollectortotakethefourpipesvia theirknucklejoints,andthendischargeall theexhaustgasessafelytoatmosphereaft andclearofthebellyoftheaircraft.Once againthefinaldesignofthiscollector,or muffler,wasloftedonthefloorbeneathits

finalpositionlocatedonthelowerpartofthe stainlesssteelfirewall.Acylindricalshape of4indiameterwaschosenandthiswascut fromthinstainlesssteelsheetandbentto shapearoundawoodenformer,beforebeing weldedandfittedwithitsendplatesThen itwasamatterofweldingthefourexhaust flangesandfemalehalvesoftheknuckle jointsand,ofcourse,acorrectlyshaped exhaustoutletpipetotherear.

Thefinalitemsweretheeighthookswelded tothecollector/mufflertoholdtheknuckle joints'springsandkeepthewholeensemble inplace.ItwasaworkofartandAllenis tobecongratulatedforbuildingthewhole systeminsitu.Likehispropellers.hiswelding expertiseandmetalshapingknow-howis absolutelyfirstclass.

NowBrianisleftwiththetaskoffittingthe engine'sunderslungZenith1821carburettor withitsvenerablehotairboxandductingthe hotairfromthetwoheatexchangers.Andit allstartedfromavisittothefleanlarketall thoseyearsago!

AEROJUMBLETAKESOFF

Thelong-rangeforecasthadn'tbeentoo good.Strongsoutherlybreezesandawet andwindyfrontalsystemjust off shore overtheIrishSeacouldn'tmakeitsmind upwhichwayitwantedtomoveOur traditionalStrutprogrammewastohostan

(Right)The four exhaustpipesjoin theunderslung mufflercourtesyof knucklejointsand AllenHaseldine's excellentfabrication andweldingskills.

(PhotoAlanChalkley)

(Below)The veteran RAFpitot/statid ASItestand calibrating instrument,which hadeverybody guessingbut finallysoldfor£30.

(PhotoAlanChalkley)

(Below)Everyone lovesabargain!TheStrut'saerojumble provedanexcellentsocialactivityandraisedanice sumfortheAirAmbulancecharity.

invitationfly-inatCaernarfonAirportforthe earlyspringbankholidayweekendbutthis hadbeencancelledforvariousreasons: justaswellinviewoftheweather.Bufwith whattoreplaceit?

Itwasourtreasurerandmembership secretaryEmlynOwenthatcameupwith theideatofilltheneedforaStrutsocial get-together.AnaerojumblelAdmittedly wewereallabitscepticaltostartwith butEmlynandhiswifeAngela'scareful planningandorganisationoftheeventled toamostsuccessfuloutcome,which reflectedwellontheLAA.

Emlynhadpreparedtheaerojumbleto beheldintheopensothatitwouldbe evidenttothemanyvisitorsthatcameto enjoytheexcellentmealsservedatthe airport'snearbyBistroCaféandwatch theflyingactivityontheairfield.Healso plannedthatthecontentoftheaerojumble wouldappealtoall—witheverythingfrom aircraftpicturebooksforthechildrento flyingjacketsforfashionconsciousladies, andpackagedaircrafthardwareand sophisticatedavioniccircuitboardsforthe aircraftownersandbuilders.

Advertisedtostartat10am,weStrut membersarrivedatninetohelpEmlynand Angelasetuptheirlargeopententinthelee oftheoldRAFLlandwrogTowerbuilding. Itwastheperfectspot:shelteredfromthe

gustysoutherlywindyetinfullviewofthe cafe,Emlynknewthatcuriositywouldattract agoodlysourceofpotentialcustomers.

Therearealwaysbargainstobehadat aerojumbles.Thefirstitemtobesoldwasan unused9inhgsuctionventuriwiththeAN fittingstoacceptNinidsuctionhose:brandnewprice£75,butitwenttoacustomer foronlyE25.Otheritemsandpackaged hardwaresoldwelltovisitingpilot/ownersat heavilydiscountedprices.

Thebusyatmospheresurroundingthe aerojumbletenthadnotgoneunnoticedby themanyairportvisitorsandBistroCate customers.Theaircraftbooksattracted thechildreninbetweenhelicopterstaking offandtheirmums,oblivioustotheflying activity,weretryingontheflyingJackets. ItwasagreateffortbyEmlynandAngela thatprovidedourStrutwithasuccessful socialevent,whilealsobenefittingtheAir Ambulancecharity'scoffers.

JUSTALITTLEGREYBOX?

Itwasaninsignificantgreymetalbox, althoughthedialonitsuppersidedidlook abitlikeanoldwartimeASI.Atitsbase therewasalittlepumpwithanoticeadvising usersto'Usethepumpgently'.Further examinationrevealedafaintCrownand AMlogoindicatingithadbeenAirMinistry propertymanyyearsago.

Theboxwassandwichedbetweensome usefullookingGPSunits,aking-sized briefcaseandapackageofRolexengine sparkplugs.Asvisitorstotheaerojumble lookedforbargainsitgotshuffledaround thetable.Itwasn'tuntilprofessional engineersDougBlairandGordonGibson discovereditthatitstruepurposewas revealed.Gordonletoutasmallwhoop ofdelightwhenhesawit.1wastrained onthese!'heannouncedwithabroad smileonhisface."WhenIjoinedtheRAF in1975IwassenttoRAFHaltonformy initialengineeringtrainingonairframesand enginesbeforeIspecialisedinavionics." Hepickedupthelittlegreyboxand pointedtoacoupleofoutletsononeside. "Theseareforconnectingtotheaircraft's pitotandstatictubes."hecontinued.'and puttingalittlepressureintothesystems withthehandpumpwilldetermineifthere areanyleaks.Thepressureisalsoindicated onthedial,whichiscalibratedinknots between110-150.Iftheaircraft'sASIshows thesamespeeditissafetouse" Thusanaircraftthatmighthavesuffered minorbattledamagecouldhaveitspitot/ ASIcheckedinminimumtime—auseful bitofkitforanyLAAInspectortohave inhistoolbox.Lateritwaspurchased for£30byaJodelpilotasakeepsake ofdaysgoneby.

(PhotoAlanChalkley)

Pr je News

Projectstoinspireotherstobuildtheirownaeroplane

CompiledbyDanielFrancis

A sthesummergetsintofullswingatlast,theinboxat

ProjectNewshasbeenfillingwithstoriesfromaround thecountry.Forthosethathavekindlycontributed, thankyouagain,andtothosestoriesthathaven'tmadethis issue,restassuredIwillbeintouchagaintogetupdatesfor inclusionverysoon.Thismonththerearestoriesfromthree finishedprojects:MartinBrockingtonwithhisEuroFOX;Tom Bootyman'sZenair;andKurtLubywithhisstunningredpainted Glastar.Also,asasequeltohisstoryfromtheMayissueabout beginninghisBlueTwoproject,AndyBestgivesanupdateonhis currentprogress.

Althoughthisisa'ProjectNews',columnpleasedon't thinkitisonlyaboutbuildsandrenovations.Ifyouareone ofthegrowingnumberofmemberswhohavesuccessfully transferredyourvintagemachinetotheLAAregisterrecently wewillbeveryinterestedtohearfromyouandlearnmore aboutyouraircraft,particularlyaboutitspastlite.Members reallyenjoyreadingaboutourvintagesurvivors(theaircraft andthecustodians!).

Sowhateveryou'reuptowithanLAAaeroplane,andwhatever stageyou'reatwithit,pleasedogetintouchwithProjectNews.My emailis projectnews@laa-archive.org.uk

MARTINBROCKINGTON.HOWBELLAWASBORN.

IENJOYFLYINGthePawnee,ourtug-planeatTalgarth(Black MountainsGlidingClub),andtheEuroFOXtuglookedlikeitcouldbe interestingtooso,onesunnydayatOaksey,ImetRogerCornwelland tookatestflight.Myfriendalsoflewandwebothagreedtheaeroplane wasjustwhatwewanted-webothwantedone,now!Iwentaway foragoodlongthink,assessingthecost,theoptionsandwhetherto

syndicateornot.Syndicatinglookedcomplexandmessy,soIwent anotherway-syndicatinghalfofmyglidertogeneratethefundsthat wouldenablemetotaketheplungeassoleowner

Thelead-timeforkitdeliveryseemedoh-so-long.Inthemeantime. Iread,studiedphotos,readagainandhadtomakeupmymindabout wherethebuildwouldtakeplace.Afterlookingatseveralpossibilities,

AtAdrianLloyd'swell-equippedShobdon workshopfacilitywhereMartinassembledthekit. TheenginehasjustbeeninstalledwithAdrian's helpandhisextensiverangeofequipment.

IwenttoShobdontomeetwithAdrianLloyd.Openingthehangar sidedoor,IsawaPittsinmajorsurgerymode,lotsofmodel aircraftandsimplyenormousamountsoftoolingandequipment. Ifeltawarmglow-thiswasaeroplaneandskillsland,andjusta littlefurtherinwasaEuroFOXbeingserviced.Sometimesyoumeet someoneandatoncefeelempathy-soitwaswithAdrian-and IknewwewouldgetoniustfineSothedecisionwasquicklymade IwouldhavethekitdeliveredtothisvoryfinefacilityinShobdon: andinthefullnessoftimethatprovedtobeaverygoodchoice. Weekspassedandmyexcitementwasbuilding:itwastime tovisitthefactoryinNitra.Slovakia-allsmoothlyorganisedby RogerCornwellofEuroFOXUKItwasabusytimeandIwasglad Ihadmyoveralls.Itwasalsofortunatethatatthetimeofthevisit, notonlywereourkitsbeingreadied,burtherewasaready-to-fly EuroFOXbeingpreparedforanAmericancustomer.Thisgave metheabilitytounderstandmuchmoreclearlywherethevarious bitsweretogeduringthebuild.Therewasagreatdealfosee andevenmoretolearn.Importantly,Ifoundarapidgrowthof trustandconfidenceintheintegrityofthedesignandtheskill oftheworkforce.Allquerieswereansweredinastraightforward manner(Idon'tknowhowtheystaysopatient!)andanydoubts IhadastowhetherIhadmadetherightchoiceingoingfora EuroFOXratherthananotherrnarquesimplydisappeared Oneoftheotherexcitingpartswasthatyoucouldsitdown andagreetheoptions.IhadtheEuroFOXbossskillfully generatingonhislaptopverynicepicturesofwhatIwould, inthefullnessoftime,beflying.

Backhomeandmorewaiting.andthenaphonecall(howhigh canyourheartratego?)-thekitdeliverydaywasagreed.Nowmy firstrealappreciationoftheShobdonfacilitycamein:lotsofshelf space.goodworksurfacesandplentyofroomtounpack,check andidentify.Itsoundseasywhenputinafewwordslikethatbut, mygoodness.ittakessometime.

Wheredoyoubegin?Thankfully,theEuroFOXUKguyshave generatedaconsiderabletomegivingbuildguidanceandahuge quantityofimagesofvariousbuildstages.Idecidedthatmy techniquewouldbetogatherthenumberedbits,mockassemble, checkagainstthemanual/photosandthenundoanddoitforreal. Iwasobviouslygoingtocon-ieto'Ijustdon'tseehowthisgoes together'momentsasImovedon.ButifIhaddonemyhomework beforeIaskedtorhelpfromAdrianorRoger,thenIwould understandtheanswer/explanationmuchmoreclearly. TheamountofspecialisttoolsthatAdrianhasamassedover theyearsisnolessthanawesomeYoudon'tjustaskfora

PROJECTNEWS

spannerItismorealongthelinesof,"Doyou havea15mmring,thinsoitgoesbetweenX andY?"-youthengetachoiceofthree! Gettingtheenginemountedwaschallenging butAdrianwasalongsidemeatthiscritical stage.Theliftingkitandspecialwrenches weretrulyinvaluable.Gettingthecontrols setupandriggedwasstraightforwardbut gettingthesmoothnessandlackoffriction thatwasdesiredtogetcontrolfeeland feedbackwasalotmoredemanding-afew thouhereandthereinthebearingsurfaces makesamightydifference.

IhaveoptedforbrakesonbothP1andP2 sides.Thisprovedtobephysicallychallenging andmentallydemandingtodoonone'sown. AndtheLexandoorsontheEuroFOXare somethingthatyoudoonthedayswhenyou arepatient.IknowIwasslowbutIdecided

thatsmalladjustmentsuntiltheywereright wouldbethedictum-allverynicewhen, atlast.Iboltedthemonandsawnicefits. Aroundthistime,drivingsomanyhoursin thereallyendlessbadweather,theearlystarts, thelongdaysandthecoldwereerodingmy motivationsomewhat.Iwassogratefulwhen ononeofthefewgoodweatherdays aEuroFOXcameinforPermitrenewalwork. TheverygenerousownersaidIcouldgoup asanobserver/notetakerwhenitwastimeto dothecheckflying.Ittookjustminutesinto thatflighttohavemydesiretofinishBella (forshenowhadaname)re-ignited.

Atlastitwastimetoweighher,putbodily fluidsinandrollher-dustandall-ontothe hangarapron.Yes.Ididshedaweeemotional tearwhentheenginesprangintolife.Thank heavens,Ihadkeptafairlydetailedlogof

hours,workdone,dates,andsoon.asIwent along.Allthosesheetsofpaperfortherequest forfirstflightwerereadilyfinalised.

Havingseenourthreelovelydaughters comeintotheworldsomanyyearsback,Ican confirmthatseeingyourfirstkitplanetake-off andflypastyouisasimilaremotionalpeak. ThankyouEuroFOXandespeciallyAdrianfor yourcontinuous,readilygivenadviceandhelp. Thankyoufamilyforputtingupwithmeduring thebuild.WouldIdoitagain?Youbet-about 10yearsago!

And,finally,evenwithonly40oddhours. airtimeonthislovelylittleaeroplane,Ican onlysaywhatagreatfunmachinesheis. Shecanearnherlivingasatugsomedaysof theweekandtouraroundanddropintolittle stripsforthelegendarycuppaandbacon buttietherestofthetime.

TOMBOOTYMAN

FOLLOWINGONFROMTHEfirstinstalment ofhisowndesignBlueTwobuildinYorkin theMayissue,Andyhaskindlysentmore newsofhisprogress.

Elevatorhinges

ThislastweekI'vebeenmakingelevator hinges-twolots-asImadethefirstset8mm tooshort.Theoldadageofmeasuretwice. cutonce,isstillasvalidasever.Theyarecut fromaslabof5mmthickcarbonfibrethat waslaidupfrom20layersof160gmcarbon clothandepoxyresin.

ANDREWBEST

Originallythehingesweregoingtopass throughslotscutintothetailplanesparbut onreflectionIdidn'tliketheideaofcutting slotsinastructurethatcanbecalleduponto takenighloads,sowhynotjustbondthemto thesparsurface?'What,You'rejustgoingto gluethemonftIhearyousay.Yepthat'sabout it-agoodfilletoffloxandsomecarboncloth shouldoothetrick.

Thenextday,andfeelingalittlelessbrave, IdecidedthatIcoulduseoneofthe'scrap' hinges,bondittothesurfaceofacarbon-foam sandwichandtrytopullitoff.Ifyoulookat thephotograph.itlooksfairlyweedy.It's a70mmlonghingewith

a3mmhighfilletoffloxallround.IthoughtI wouldbepleasedifitcouldhold25kg(abag ofcement).Infact,Iwasquiteamazedthat afterloading50kgonitandthenrunningoutof ingenuityonhowtoapplyanymoreload,the pieceremainedintactwithnosignsofdistress

Myotherphotographshowsmyeffortsat usingarelativelycheapbuilder'slaserlevelto getthefourelevatorhingesinline.Ihadmy doubts,butintheenditwassurprisinglyeasy andeffectiveteuse.Thenextstepistomate upthehingeplatesintheelevatorsparwiththe tailplane,builduptheelevatorscompletewith a'PayAllen'electrictrimandaddthetipsand balanceweichtsIworryaboutflutter

Abuilders'laserlevelproved remarkablyusefultoalign thehingepiecesonthe tailplane.Notelaserlineson garagedoor.

(Left) Atestpiecewiththe smallerhingepieceepoxiedto amocktailplanespartotest attachmentstrength.

Weightonthehingewas increasedupto50kgwithno signofdistress.

WHERETOSTART?Isupposeabriefhistory ofwhatledrinetostartflyingisprobablythe logicalbeginning.Inapreviouslife,many yearsago.Iusedtodriveracingcarsandran myownteam.Ioftenthoughtaboutlearningto flytogettoandfromracecircuits,buttimeand commitmentsjustdidn'tseemtoallowforthis. Fastforwardto2006...Iwasdrivingpast Bartonairfieldandthoughtitwouldbenice towatchtheaeroplaneswhileIhadlunch. However,within30minutesIwassatina Cessna150liningupfortake-offthinkinghow thehelldidIgethere!Thefirewaslitanda blockbookingoflessonswastheanswer. IhavetoadmitthatIthoughtIwouldpickitup easily-howwrongIwas.Thelessonscame thickandfastand,asforalltheexams..but Igotthereintheend.

WhileIwaslearningtoflymythoughts startedtowardswhatIwoulddoonceIgotmy licence.WhatkindofaeroplanewouldIfly, wherewouldIgo?Ithenheardaboutkitplanes andthatIcouldbuildmyownthroughthe LAA-thePFAasitthenwas-andthatgot myattention.ConvenientlyoneofmycrosscountrylessonswasatriptoSoutheryAirfield. inNodolk,thethenhomeofSTAviationand JabiruAfteralongchatwithKevinPearce IplacedanorderforaJabiruJ430andoffwe flewbackhometocarryonwithmylessons. InJanuary2007thebigparcelarrivedand Isettowiththebuild.TobehonestIhad bittenorfabitmorethanIcouldchewwith learningtofly,buildingtheaeroplaneand runningmybusiness.Butwiththehelpof myfatherandfriendsitallcametogether,

Ipassedmytestandjumpedstraightintothe Jabiru.Iamnotsureifitwasgoodplanning orjustgoodluckthatIfinishedthebuildas Igotmylicence.Anyway,offwewentallover theplace.WeevenwemtoBloistwicewith theJabirunevermissingabeat.althoughyou hadtolookafterher

AstimepassedandIgottoknowalittle moreaboutthedifferenttypesofkitsoutthere. myattentionturnedtowardscostsavings. Hangaragekeptcomingtothetopofthelist. especiallyduringthewintermonthswhenyou can'tflyasoftenasyouwouldlike.SoImade awishlistofwhatIwouldwantoutofanew aeroplane.Foldingwingscamefirst,witha taildraggerandalittlebitofSTOLcapability alsouptherewithspeedandtheabilityto carrysomeusefulload.Thesearchwason.

KURT LLIBY

PROJECTNEWS

IthoughtIwouldhavetomakesome compromisesbutthenIcameacrossthe Glastar.ThemoreIreadaboutitandspoketo people,themoreittickedeverybox.Iwasin luck.Icameacrossabrandnewkitupforsale inAmericathathadn'tbeenstarted,so IputmyJabiruupforsalethinkingitwould takesometimetosellandthatIwouldmiss outonthisparticularGlastar.However. everythingfellintoplace.IsoldtheJabiru andshippedtheGlastarover. ThistimeIcouldfocussolelyonbuildingas Ididnothavethedistractionoflearningtofly. Itcametogetherquickly.asIknewthesystem muchbetterandwhattodoandwhatnotto do.Halfwaythroughthebuilditwasobvious thatbuildinginmydad'sgaragewastoo smallfortheproject,so,wantingtokeepitat home,Isetouttobuildmyowngarage,big enoughtofinishthebuildandtokeepitin whenIwasnotflying. ItisfairtosaythatIwasmissingflying becauseIhadnoaeroplane,butluckilyfriends keptmeintheair-soIgotmyfix.Thereis asayingthatit'snottheskillthatfinishesan aeroplanebutthedetermination.andIwas determinedtofinishittogetbackintheair!I reallypushedandspenteverylasthourand more,tryingtoplantwostepsaheadallthetime BuildingtheGlastarwasn'tlikebuildingthe Jabiru.WiththeJabiruyougeteverythingin thekit,butwiththeGlastaryouonly getfirewallback.Asanyone knowswhohasbuiltan aeroplane.there'salot goingonforwardof thatfirewall.Itwas

importanttokeeptwostepsaheadsowhen youturnedroundtofitsomethingitwasthere andyouwerenotwaitingforpartstoarrive. Whenthetimecametoordertheengine, afairamountofsoulsearchingwentintothe choice.Ididalotofresearchanditboiled downtoaSuperiorXP320oranXP360 witheithercarburettororfuelinjection.The costdifferencewasn'tthatgreatbutIwas strugglingwithperformanceversuseconomy, afterall,runningcostwasthereasonIwas buildinganewaeroplane.Excitementgotthe betterofmeandtheorderwasplacedfora fuel-injectedXP360-youcanalwaysclose thethrottleabit!TojustifyittomyselfInow definitelyhadtolosethehangarage-that savingwouldpayformostofmyfuel.

ImustsaythatdealingwithSuperiorAirParts inAmericawasoneofthehighlightsofthe build;itdideverythingitsaiditwould,when itsaiditwouldandinjusttwoweeksIhada shinynewenginesittingonmygaragefloor. Withtheenginequicklyinstalled,myattention turnedtopainting.Agoodfriendandfellow pilothadapaintshop,soafterahitofarmtwistingheagreedtopaintitThiswasanother goodchoiceasIcouldbeinvolvedwiththe preparationoftheaircraftbeforethepaintwent ontoensureagreatfinishIttookabitlonger thanexpectedbuttheresultsarefantastic. BynowIhadeverythingtofinishthebuildso Isetaboutthefinalassembly.Oneofthenice thingsaboutbuildingyourownaeroplaneis youcan,withinfinancialconstraintsofcourse, haveeverythingyouwantandthepanel wasnoexception.Ireallyenjoyedbuilding thepanelwithareallygoodfriend,Harry

Jones,whohadbeenononeoftheLAA's electricalcourses.Hegotalltheengraving andanodisingdoneItwasquitesomething watchingitcometogetherfromdrawingto 1inishedarticle,thenflickingtheswitchand watchingitalllightup,withnosmoke! Thedaywasgettingclosenowtothatfirst flightbuttheweathergodshaddifferentideas. Asweallremember,itjustwouldn'tstop rainingthiswinterbutthatdidgivemeafew extraweekstoputthefinishingtouchestoit. Whentheweatherfinallybrokelongenoughtar thatfirstflight,theexpertiseofmyinspector. NigelJones,cameintoitsown.Havingalready flownaGlastar,Nigelwasuptospeedvery quicklywithallthefinalchecksandwasoffin aheartbeat.Ididn'tknowbeforethatdaythatI couldholdmybreathforafullcircuit!

Nowthetestflyingcouldbeginanditwas timetofindoutifallyourassumptionswere correct.Itcarriedsomeweightandfeltvery stablecomparedtotheJabiruand.boy,was itfast!Ithasthusfarcertainlytickedallthe boxes,Withthetestflyingdoneandpaperwork offtotheLAA.andafterwhatseemedlikean eternity(infactwasonlyacoupleofweeks), thePermittoFlywasbackandthelearning processcouldstartalloveragain-fantastic!

I'vegotalotoftripsplannedandsightsto seebutnoneofthiswouldbepossiblewithout thesupportofmyfamily.whoseunderstanding ofmyobsessiontofulfilmydreamshasbeen unwavering.Toeveryonewhohastouched thisproject-theyallknowwhotheyareSand especiallytheLAAforgivingusthetoolsto achieveourgoals,Isayagreatbigthankyou. WouldIdoitagain?Neversayneveri

OCcable £525 613L3930wicableandbatter!,f560 Interfacecable £40

sr(1/1E1NTouch

NEWSkylliew Touchf2335 TeeIMS'SOOTiBistheother10' MC' screenthseley.Th.eeiaKes Grohtheremadvancedde,oncs solutionedadehleegetspan ardexprmentaltirtooto NEW SV-KNO13.-PANEL£160 NEWSVAP-PANELf350

• SKYVIEW

SV-D700 display. £1580

SV-D1000lMd.splay. £2135

SV-ADAHRS-200 £730

SV-EMS-2213/A f365

SV-XNP011162ModeS £1095

SV-GPS-250IFS[vein- £125

SV-M AutoNg'servo £460

ERS-0103f1485

EMS-D120 £1315

FlightDEK-D180£1970 r

BadElfPro GPS f115

BadElf1000 GPS 85

NEINBadEll1008GPS.E85

GarminGLO GPS E75

GaminGLOAviation f85

GNS2000 GPS E65

DUALXGPS150EGPS f75

DUALXGPS160GI'S £110

Thecosines'coinisies.sioliZUW2 `1111(1VPd (monniceKier DiTorwrierIvyes, W111111E:IIMINI

ZULL1.2ANRGAversion £540

ZULU.2ANRHelicopter£540

ZULU.2ANRGAcallcord £540

ZULU.2ANALendspaneloursice£540

SierraANRGAversron £415 wallClueteethandmusicinput

06042600-3electrichorizon E1975 RCA2600-2MemohorizonE975

RC422-7Mace0111horizon 595

RCA15seriesTeo 595

RCA114-8VdCWTI0 G.. E595

RCA82Aelectricturncougarator£575

JPINSTRUMENTSDUapprveer F5450fuelflow 495 EOM700seriesenginemanagerent systemformostenginesfromE195

FOPVCPSoptN.nuts Peondeariderrors kerosineSirencsricier airportdiagrons

.rockliiihikingstoical. AZAO:Cass:or.r

EKP-VEFISSystem f1895 ULTRAEFISGP'S E825

Pricesincludeprogramming

AMERI-KINGAK-451-21ELTJTS0 approved406MHzELT E599

AMERI-KINGAK-451-15ELTJTSO HELICOPTERversion E795

FASTFIND220 PLB E199

GMEMT4100 PLB £249

HM51 childheadset £89

Peltor8006 GAheadset £199

Peltor Helicopterheadsch E225

DavidClark H10-30 £199

DavidClark H10-13.4.. £229

DavidClarkH10-13H £299

DavidClark HI0-60 £259

NM DavidClarkProX ENC E416

SennheiserHME110 £204

SennheiserHMEC250£315

SennheiserHMEC268K£999

SennheiserS1 passive.. £266

Sennheiser51 noiseguard £542

SennheiserS1 DigitalANR £724

PRECISION

P41700velticalcordcompass £249

MID-CONTINENT

4300LIFESAVERElectrichorizonorbIhour emergencyhatcrybackupfront£2495

MD200-3063"CourseDevled £1195 1394T100-72TornCoordinaty 530 7000C.31VeracolSpeedled E450 MD90OrmoluClobk 165

A20 GAtwinplug E700

A20 GAtwinplugvc/bleetoodiE771

A20 Helicopterwialoetooth E771

A20 Lemoinstalledversion £700 420 Lunew/bluelooth 071 Installedmiringharness f40

NONTS0INSTRUMENTS

MINGDA

GH030yaoutrmhorizon £350

GH025electric lloi don14vult£795

00031DGvsCLUIRI £350 00023DGolecum E795

BC2AVerticalSpeed[Alcamof119

BZW-413TurnCoordinator £295

BG-3EAevoke20,000'3co E299

130.19Altimeter10,000'225" £169

BK13AAS120.100KNOTS E110

AR6201VHFCorn833kHz £1295

BXP6401olass2xpedr BXP6401 Maselepndr BE6400encoder

E1695 f2065 f199

f275 ICA24EPro[Port E375 t ICA110 £625, Westockafullrange ofloomAccessories IC-A6Eand ICA24Etransceivers noshhave833kHzchannelspacing

transponder £1720

Paneldock OS695f149

Paneldock296/495 f75 iPad kneedock €99

Ameri-King41(350-30£149

ACK-A30 f199

ForothersSIpiecseseecurKohrote MCO22Vertical cardcompass0149

BrianHopesaysit'stimetomakeadateinyourdiaryand starttoprepareforthebiggesteventoftheyear

Believeitornotitisnowlessthan

twomonthsbeforetheannualRally -Ihopeyouarelookingforwardto itasmuchasIam!LAASywellalways attractssomeveryinterestingandoften uniqueaeroplanes.Whocanfailtoremember 2011whenTonySmithbroughttheAlex HenshawMewGullinfromBreightonto standalongsideSteveNoujaim'sVan's RV-7inwhich,justadayortwobefore, hehadlandedatSouthendtobreak theLondon/CapeTown/Londonrecordthat hadstoodtotheMewGullfor70years?

OrlastyearwhenDanGriffithbroughtin RichardSeeley'ssimplystunningTravelair MysteryShip,whichthenstoodontheapron alongsideTonyWhitehouse'srecentlyflown Morane317parasolrestorationandthe almostunbelievableFrench-built,threequarterscaleDHMosquitoreplica?

WithoutadoubttheRallyhasalwaysbeen amagnetforownersandtheirlovinglybuilt orrestoredaircraftand,givenafairwind,this yearseventwillalsoseesomeextraordinary aircraftgracingSywellslushgrass.Butit'snot allabout[heuniqueandtheshowwinners: witharound1,000aircraftattending,the diversityofaircraftisgreaterthanatanyother eventintheUK-infact,inmostofEurope Wnateveryobparticularaviationappetiteit willalmostcertaintyhesatisfiedatSywell YoucanhelppromotetheRallyby downloadingtheRallyPosterfromtheLAA Homepage.printingitoffandpinningitup atyourlocalalrfielnorstrip-thesplendid artworkisalsoprintedforyouopposite. Thankyouforyoursupport

HOMEBUILDERSAND FLEAMARKET

Dontforgettobringyourunwantedpartsto thePallytosellintnefleamarketwhichonce againwillbesharingtheliomebuilderCentre withal;mannerofpart-builtaeroplanesand theirowners,whowillbemorethanhappyto explainMen-buildingtechniques Thisyearweareplanningacoupleof competitionsintheHonsebuilderCentreto stirthegreycellsThefirstisaninformation treasurehuntamongsttheexhibttorswahin tnehornebuildermarqueeThesecondwill beintwoparts-bothstmpleCGcalculations andorchestratedbyDrMartinKelettonthe CofGstandFirstyoumustworkoutthe emptyaircraftmassandCHIpositronglven thescalesandatapemeasureAndsecond workoutacoupleofloadingconditionsfor afictitiousaircrafttoesmblishiftheaucrail IsinlimitsornotPrizeswillbeawarded

dailyforeachcompetition.TheHomebuilder CentrewillthisyearbesponsoredbyLight AcreSpares.oneoftheleadingaircraftparts suppliersintheUK.

TROPHIESANDAWARDS

Anumberofpresttgioustrophiesandawards arepresentedattheRally,manycelebrating thesuperblybuiltandrestoredaircraftthat attendIfyouwouldliketoenteryouraircraft forjudgingyoucandosopriortotheevent orwhenyouarriveFulldetailsofthe categoriesandhowtoentercanbefound ontheRallypagesoftheLAAwebsile.

RALLYEXHIBITION

TheRallyexhibitionhostsmanufacturers andsuppliersofeverythingfromacomplete aircrafttoanutandboltplotsupplies, books,charts,avionics-younameitand you'ilprobablyfindithere.

Thereisstillspacetobook.eitherinside oneofthemarqueesoroutontheopen area:callPennySharpeattheofficeon 01280846786,email permysharpe&aa. ukcam orchecktheexhibitorsectionofthe LAAwebsiteRallypages

RALLYVOLUNTEERS

OfcourseaneventthesizeoftheRally doesnotrunitselfandweareseekingafew volunteerstohelpsetup,runandbreak downtheshow.Thisyearwewillbe coordinatingvolunteersviatheofficesoif youareabletohelpinanywayplease contactPennyviaemailat pennysharpe@ laauk.com andletherknowwhichdaysand timesyoucanspare.

Ourmainreguirensentsareforhelpduring setuponWednesday27andThursday28 August.andbreakdownontheafternoon/ earlyeveningofSunday31August.During theeventwewouldalsoappreciatevolunteers todoastintin[hecarparkwithcurratheroff thewallcarparkingteam-certainlymorefun thanyoucouldeverimagineitmightbet

CAMPINGANDHOTELS

Thecampsite,whichhasavailabteforuse notsnowers,waterandtoilets,willbeopen fromThursday28AugustuntilMonday morn:ng1SeptemberThechargeperUnit (atent,caravanormotorcaravan)is230 foranylengthofstaycuringthatperiod. Adiscountedfeeof820isavailableifbooked onlineattheLAAShopon wwwlaaukcom. Thelastdatepre-bookingisavailableis Friday22Augustastheofficehastomail outyourcampsitepass

Therearealsonumeroushotelsinthe Northamptonamaandthereisacomprehensive listontheLAAwebsiteRallypages.

OPENINGTIMES

PleasenotethatthisyearHeeventopens slightlylaterthanitstheoast.Timesforeach ofthedaysare: Friday:9.30amtoFpm Saturday:930amto5pm Sunday.930arrto4pm

ADMISSIONCHARGES

MembersofLAA.BMAAandBRA:85 coversallthreedaysandamideaccess. Pleaseensureyoubringyourcurrent membershipcardasthereisnofacility tocheckwhetheryouareamemberat thepaydesk. Non-members:810coversaccessto theexhibitionandnon-arrsideareasfor allthreedays.

Non-memberairsideaccess:810derday. Accompaniedchildrenunder16:Free Arrivalsbyair:£10landingfeecovers eacharrivalday.Ifyoucomeoneday andstaytheweekendyouwit!paytustElOt ifyouCOMeandCloeacndayyouwillbe chargedalandingfeeforeachday.Loom flightswillnotincuralandingfeeThelanding feeinctudesadmissionforthepilotand passengers.Whynotbringabuddyandshow himorherwhattheLAAisallabout?

Youarewelcometocampbesideyour aircraft(nocharge)andusethefacilitieson thededicatedcampsite.

FLYINGIN

TheLAAandSywellAerodromewishto encouragepilotstoflyintotheLAASywell Rallybut,asyoucanimagine.withperhaps over1.000aircraftarrivalsover[hethree daysoftheevent,theairspacecanbecome verybusy.Suchdensblesoftrafficrequire strictlyadheredtoarrivalandcircuit procedurestomaintainsafeoperation Youmustbookalandingslotonthe Sywellwebsiteat www.sywellaerodrome. co.uk/hookings.php anddownloadthe AeronauticalInformationCircular(AIC) M61/2014,whichoutlinesthearrivaland departureprocedures.Theyarenotdifficult butyoumustread,understandandflythese proceduresforyourandeverybodyelse's safety.Youcannotsimplycallupfromfive milesoutandaskforjoininginstructions! TheAICisalsoavailablefromtheLAA website wwwleaukcomand [heA1Swebsite at wwwais.org

.!,...Z.;••!.e.:?4!J.,?,•2?•11:,!....!.:1?:-x;,..'?,?.-:•???.:.?!2:!!'/ 1717111r/P7-ifilli?!firi:1C-7;7••ter?1z:aG}Tiqit2r *rwatktp.:;ELP, T --/,,,t,J_Ask...,i.,J7Liw.4!..-,Ipl,--..]..Lit„,,, ..), ,., .-,_vs.,,,wm.0.4k.h,rILL,„,4,14,4.1lki4-4Z'02,-,..gt•'•' e! 1:-E-T.'';•."•c-6-riiit;t't-4:'111? erlf 10n'eelPi.V;e1/!?01Thriclipfe--???!:;"??rlic.;-•111ffriffitI

141411rpro.„.; e:4\-Lit;41:1V40137,--.W4,p,apikr!:::,a9g,

,e 1'7-x.1,— 11...11 nior.„4 -•.1.C2;"•Qt tDIEOomuS FT.COM i4ylin, tfld /*he. =••eXT

, r

DesHartcompetesinthefirst raceofanewventuretobring FI Air RacingbacktoprominenceinEurope—andacquits himselfveryfavourably,despitehavingtoflyhisCassutt RacertoSpainandback

It'scertainlynoteverydaythatyoucheck youremailstofindonewaitingwithaninvite totakepartinanewFormula1AirRacing series,butbackinJanuarythat'sexactly whathappened.Iwasinitiallyquitesceptical as,justtheyearbefore,Ihadbeencontacted byMartinLutonofUK'sFormulaAirRacing Association(FARA)whowaslookingtotryto putaracetogether,butthathadcometonought wheninsuranceforsuchaneventintheUKcould notbeplaced.

ThistimeMartinwasbackintouchon behalfofJeffZattman,CEOofnewly-formed AirRaceF1.Hewaslookingtorecruitpilots withFlaircraftforaneweventtobeheldin Spain.Jeffalreadyhadastrongtrackrecord ofmakingeventshappen,havingpreviously mastermindedandruntheAeroGPseries,and itsoundedlikehewasalreadyquitefardown thelinewiththeplanningprocess.Bytheend ofFebruaryallthechallengeswereindeed

resolvedandI'ddecideditwastoomuchofan opportunitytomiss,soItooktheplunge.

TheAirRaceFlserieswastobebasedon thelong-runningFormula1classandwould seeuptoeightaircraftracingwingtiptowing tiparoundanoval-shapedcoursemarked outbysixpylons,flyingaslowas50f1and reachingspeedswellinexcessof250mph. TheFlrulesrestricttheaircrafttosuchthings asusinganormally-aspirated100hp0-200 engine,aminimumwingareaof66sattand minimumaircraftweightof5001b,afixed-pitch propellerandfixedundercarriage.

NowIhadsomeseriousworktodo,asmy CassuttRacer,G-BOMB,wasaprettystock machineandneededsomeseriousupgrades ifIwantedtobecompefittve.Thebestperson toundertakethistaskwasRichardGrace,who, apartfmmbeinganexceptionallytalented displayplot,hasbuilt,ownedandtestflown severalCassuttsoverthelastfewyears.A

Desonthetopstepoftherostrumafter winningtheSilverRace.Frenchman GuyChereauwassecondandStanislas Damironthird,bothinBusards.

planwasquicklydevisedconsistingmainly ofweightreductionbyreplacingtheexisting cowlsandpanelswithcarbonfibreversions, andensuringamuchcloserfittoreducedrag.

Richardalsomanagedtosourcesomerather cleverwingtipsdesignedbyRenoracepilot JayJoneswhoclaimedtheydramatically reducedthespeedlostintheturnsoverthe standardCassutt'slab'wing.Thiswouldbea greatinterimsolutiongiventhelackoftimeto buildandcertifyafullracewing.

Nextonmylistwasaracepropellerand, afterdoingalotofresearch,itseemedthat ourengineshouldbesatetorunaround 3.500rpmwithoutanyilleffects.givenithad alreadybeenfullybalancedduringitslastzero timeoverhaul.Hopefullytheresultwouldbe toincreasetheoutputpowertonearer125hp, althoughthatisstillsomewayoffthepower generatedbythefastestRenoaircraft turning4,300rpmWithinfiveminutes

DesJarvis'nicelyturnedoutCassutt wascapableofaround220mphbutwas welldownonthe260mph+ofthefastest racers. (Photo.AnthonyQuayle)

GoldwinnerChristianGuilie'sowndesign ArleftyII inintheforeground,thirdplaced ThomRichard'sCassutt MargaretJune andsecondplacedJayJones' Quadnickle

atspeakurgtoRupertWasey,eiHercules Prcpelle:sIwassateontheelIlirusiasmand thepridelietakesInhisproductsaridordered ouslorn-designedprope!k9rwith11-,e-promise a:avery(tuckturnaroundtinre

WithILieairc.raltimprovemertswellinhand 1nexthadtodecidehowtogetitdownto SpainTi:eUSaircrattwereallbeingshipped OverandbereassariIblenEn siteano theecnsibk.::uptionformewaistbetc;trade' BOMBdownanddr-,thefarrieHowevesthe ideaatHyingitdownandhackandhaying agoodoldisshionedavreuonadventure wouldntk:Javemym,ndandsfterstudying the..ihcir!sitlookedperlech.ykashieif shallengrnd,nsnail0Si-ft:WIinstableLiu-craft TiteCassuttwitCOVETgroundprettyquick)/ withalastcruiseofIGO-IdOmpi;clepetiding onhowmuciifdolyou.m:irm;-:oburnbutthe enduranceisprettyIiiiiitecra:justOvertwo hoursEvent,mllyIsettledonaroutethat wouldtakeInc;!Kimt2entwaterstoLeHalve IntolutirCustomsthen!Dr)yThelli:Sari

SeLidshanlustaverrheSpanishborder,and thenLedapossib;ydcliievableinaltr,dip;if everythingwentwell

ADVENTURETIME

Onthemorningat SLIIIday 25May1seloh knowingIt1olquiteanadvaituleE:headand thatamonginSpar'wouldmer,lyhejuslthu firsipart,wiltaheadwindallthewayardgetting riongerasIprogressedLuther weaprerwaslookingmarginalandwallliftleinthe wayofritstri.nnentatinnnnboardI[(Doi,thesaki opt•on Toawai",ottinipraverrcritinLu.RucherLe ThefollowingILnalW[11eItwan itdoslimpro‘.4ng dridI was backor-myway-1eveituatymade it to bedaIak:MOTIday afternoon

DuringthelastlbminutesOnSOIdnoticed Solnaunusualvibranonsar-,dyic.tiwetongthe cowdsoftiriLleidawewereralhE-alafmL:d U. findalargecrackonthespi-Tierbackplate Rodrigo aSCanISh aircHltengineerfarBAIL dndracemiichanicH.,r-theNARushieam kindlyionkittoirvintageaircraftrestaratior

DescelebrateswithwifeLynnandchildren HelenaandSofiacompletewithScottish flags (Pl.isle(de(r-imia0/me-la)

specialls--;heKnewofinReustohFiveat exactreplacemt:niHancracturediobeon tnc,c,aft:side.BobWinsperandSteve Alexaneer(bothveteransat;heUKAirRacd(,) siserie)werecnhandandSleyek'ndlyoffered tohaveIIlaspinnerbackpja:-.efrumnisCdssult P“.,iec;shippedouttousi-remtheUKaktt quicklyasposshte WthasolutioninnandIrailtheexistrrigcruise propw:tliou;aspnnorinthe-:leanti:,-,LLto ailcwmelogelsonEe.practiceonthecour"-;eto readyinyselfmny1E1ginal:ficalionflight111H consistuddr,matistratinga:formaltake-off hiliamrlintainingthe:runwaycentrelincf‘lowed byaclimbinto'Heoverhadto.can-icrwp..te ineasirurecticn'Ent,/do.vo-tionlram course;--411dIltenahalfrolltoirivertedfrillowcrd ayrolling backout UR'sat),(e.way toc_;!II1ClatE,an upsetfromIfiainganotherElircraf'.:.•NakeNextI [ladliLtc:riterUtecorllsearidIlyanumberofraps atrac.espeedaridaheightaturaindbri-tUrlf• demonstratingIlets,;oulc1t)e,donesa,.nlyavuiding artyhatIr.DoninginRims

FellowBritTI"evorJarviswho finishedfifthintheSilverrace inhisTaylorTitch,andalsoflew downfromtheUK

Oncetheofficialsarehappywiththis,they willcalfoiasimulatedenginefailuncusuatlyat thewaistpointpossible,andthetechniqueis tozoomclimbashighasyoucangetontothe downwind-mycaseabout80011-before carryingoutaglideapproachandtending. Finallyasimulatedenginefailureontake-oft withthetailraisedneedstohedemonstrated toensureyoucankeeptheaircraftstraight, giventhatduringaraceyoucouldhaveaircraft oneithersideofyouonthegrid.I'mpleased InreponIpassedeniheWednesdaywithouta hitchandwasissueomyIF1racelicence OnTHifsdaynorreplacementbackplate arrivedand.wasfitted,itwasnmetotryout OffIleW racepropellerfromHercules.Thefirst sessionconsistedofpractisingformationco anotheraircraftaigiinclthecourse,risingin thetufnssoyourernaovisiblewhenpassing. Iwas,pleasedtobedoingthiswithfellowBrit racerFreyaJarvisinhislaylorTachItwas thentimetopractisepassingandtoseewhat thenewpropcoulddoIwasimpressedlosee thatHercukeshadgotitbangonthemoney withthefigureswe'daskedforanditresulted ina15mphgainoverOWcruisepropeller. Theseconosessionalthedaywastopost ourqualifyinglaptimesandIwouldheout onthecoursewithJayJonesflyingthemuch faster Ouadmekel JustasIgutstarledwit myfirstfastlap,Jayhadcalledamayday soIpulledoffthecoursetogivehimsome room.becauseofthelowcloudbase,before beingcalledbacktohosnmyqualifyinglaps ItturnednutthatJayhadsuffereda Minor electricalcockpitfirebutmanagedtoputitout withhisgloveandgetilicaircraftbackonthe groundsafely.

ONTHEGRID

Fridaywastobemyfirstmultkaircrabraceand Ifoundmyselflinedupenthegridwithanodd mixofeightofthefastestandslowestaircraft Asnturnedoutweailarrvedatthefirstturn atprettymuchthesametime,whichmade forafewveryinteresiingmomentstryingto fip-toemywayaroundtheturnwhilekeeping awayfromanyotheraircraftThankfullywe soonthinnedoutasthefasteraircraftpulled awayandIwasabletocatchandpassone oftheslowerFrenchBusardaircraft,albeit

unfortunately,cuttingapylonintheprocess OHSaturdayThefilmcrewsandVIPs appearedandifwasnoticeablethatthings werestartingtobuildupaheadotalemain eventonSunday.Timeplanforloday Was torun raceHeatsIAand1B.followedhytheSilver classsemi-finalStartinggridpositionswouldbe determinedbyourqualifyingtries,wiltIHeat IAfortheslower'Shyer'arcrahand18forthe fastest'Gold'aircraftIhadrairieposition'tor Heat1A,butwhen:tcametimetostartupIhad aooil pressureindicationandhadtopulloutto investigatetheproblemThankfullywetraced theproblemtoabadconnectionontothetrack ofthegaugeanditwasfixedintimeforthe Silversemibutthefailuretostartwouldmean lastpickofgridposition.

AsithappenedIwassurprisedtofindslot threeontheright-handsideofthefrontrowof thegridwasleftopenandIsuspectGuyinhis Casshb431,whohadtakenskyfourontile insideofthesecondrow,washopingtobeat metothefirstpylonwiththeinsidelineforcing mewide.Iknewfromthepreviousracesthey hadnochancePtcatchingtheFrenchBusards of:thelinewiththeirsuperioracceoration, butaslongasIcouldbeat#3Itothefirst turnIfiguredI'dhaveachanceofcatching andpassingatleastoneoftheBusardsafew lapslaterAsithappenedourcunningrace engineersknewafewclevertrickslearned fromRenoand/ncreasedourbinapfessures significantlytoreducetherolingresistance andgivemeabetferchanceafbeating431 toThenrstturnItworkedandIjustscraped aheadintotheturnandwassoonpullingaway fromhim.Iouieklycaughfandpassedthefirst oftheFrenchBusarns,Bernardin425.and afewlapslatermanagedtolaketheleadby passingStaninthe#19Busard,goingonlo wintheSilversemi-final Sundaymorningcameandthedayofthe finalracesThegateswereopenedandthe publicstartedtofloodin:itwasgreattoseeso muchinterestTheGoldsemi-finalwasthefirst ofoureventsandwaswonbythe#6Christian Guiliewho'dnaughtandpassedJayJones in045 Ouadoickel afterjustacoupleoflaps. NextitwasCalrturn.theSilverFinalracewith thefastestthreeaircraftgoingontoraceinthe GoldFinallaterinTheafternoon

Westartedourhaiefaswedidbefore everyraceandbegunbypickingnurgrid positionsfollowedhydisoissingemergencies frequenciesflagsandofhoroperafignal mattersbeforeworkingouthietaxiinrnfertor thegridkne-upWelinedriponthegridI cotidfeelcensidelablymorepressurethanin thedaysbefore,withseveralthousandpeople watchingusandtheSilverIroirilynowatstake THEY'REOFF...

ThegreenflagwasraisedaridIraniPiepower upasmuchasIdaredagartothebrakes, madeaquickcheckottheTs8Pstoconfirm allwaswell,glancedatthewindsockto confirmtheby-nowusualcrosswindfromthe leftthenshiftedmyattenhonbacktothetlag ItteltlikeforeverbeiloreVfinallydropped.As itdidIinstantlypushedthe.thronlefullyopen, broughtthestickfullyforwardtorasethetail asquicklyaspossibleandfranticaltyworked theruddertoholdsfraightinthecrosswind

TheBusardstookofflikerocketsyetagain butmyaimwaspurelytoheal Ihe#:31Casslla tothefirstcomerlinetailcameupquickly followedbythewheelscomingoffalaround 80mphandIhelditaslowasIoared+nground effectwhilebeinghubetedbythewakeofthe aircraftaheadIstartedmyturnintofhefirst pylonlookingfor#31insideofmethere:was nosignofrerrr-I'ddoneinNowIfixedmy focusaheadnoBernardintheRedBusard#25 IknewitwouldtakemesomeOretobuildup tofullspeedsoIconcenlratedanflyingas smoothlyaspossiblewhileIreeledLeminAsI startedmyturnintopylonfourIlookedahead forpylonsfiveandshyandcouldseeStanin the#19Busardwellohtatpositionwithaartoo muchbankonIIlookedlikehe'dcutpylon fiveandthenforcedhimselfwideatpylonsix IsmiledtomyselfasI'ddoneexactlythesame thingearlier+nlheweekandknewherdhave bledalotofspeedpullinghardlin!toruntee widearoundsx.,whichshouldmakeiteasier formetocatchhim

AsweheadeddownthehomestraightI couldseeIwaslikelytocatchBernardas weturnedintopylononesostartedmyclimb toremaininformationwithhim.Imanaged toscrapepasthimintheturnandHon divedofttheextraheightgainedinthe

turntogiverneaboostdownthestraight NextIcouldseeStannotfarahead,andas weroundedpylonfourIstartedmyclimbto stayinformationwithhimHewasstilltoofar aheadthoughsoIusedatechniquecalled 'stacking'andinsteadofdivingtheheightback offImerelykepthighand'stackedit'insteadof hav[ngtoclimbagainforthenextturn.About three-quartersofalaplaterIwaswingtipto wingtipwithStanintheturnandaswerolled outontothehomestraightIstartedmydive passinghimandtooktheleadrightinfrontof thecrowd.Therewasnotimetorelaxthough andStanwasrightonmearoundpylonone butIstillhadsomeheightinhandandusedit tostretchmyleaddown[hebackstraight. NowfreetoflymyownracinglineIwas abletopickupthepaceabitandsettleinto arhythmaroundthecourse.AtapOftwolater Icameacrossthefirstofthebackmarkers. Patrickin#55.andbynowIwasseeing210215mphdownthestraights,whichmadeit easytopasshimwitha40-50mphovertake.A laporsolaterIlappedfellowBritTrevorJarvis andwiththelaackmarkersoutofthewayand theTsandPslookingsteady.itwasjustacase ofholdingonforthewhiteflagtosignifyone lapremaining.AsIpassedthehomepylonI couldseethewhiteflagwavingandknewI onlyhadaround60secondslefttogotowin theSilver.Ididn'tdarebackoffthethrottle,it wasjustacaseofflyingthelastturnsmoothly withoutcuttinganypylonsandI'ddoneit.A fewsecondslaterIPassedthechequeredflag andstartingmypullupandclimbintothe'cool down'withabigsmileonmyfaceandahuge senseofrelief.

The'cooldown'isbasicallyawidecircuit flownat1,500ftaftertheracetolettheengine TsandPsstabiliseandalsotogivethepilot achancetosettledownaftertheadrenaline ofracingsoclosetotheground.Thisismy favouritepartandIlingeredalittlelongerthan theotherstoeifteytheviewsofthecrowd belowandthesnow-cappedPyreneesin thedistanceIwasthelasttolandandasI taxiedinwasdirectedtoaspotrightinfront of[hecrowdwhereIshutdown.Onopening [hecanopyitwasaratheroddfeelingtobe

greetedbyacheeringandapplaudingcrowd, soIshowedmyappreciationasbestasI couldandtookaminuteforafewphotoswith theaircraftandmyfamilybeforeheading[or theracedebrief.AsIsuspected.Standidcut thepylonandreceivedatimepenalty.which Pumpedhimintothirdplace,althoughthiswas stillgoodenoughforaplaceorthepodium, whichheverymuchdeserved.

IwasthengrabbedbytheTVproduction crewforapostraceinterviewfollowedby morephotosbeforeshiftingmyfocusto runningin[heGoldFinal,whichIknewwould beextremelychallenging.witheightaircraft insteadofsix,andthefastesthitting260270mphdownthestraights.

THEY'REOFF...AGAIN!

WelineduponThegridagain,thistime withmeonthebackrowwiththefastest aircraftallahead,otherthanSteveTemplein #87Madness whowasonthehackrowafter havingtopulloutoftheearlierheatduetoa technicalproblem.Theflagdroppedandwe wereoff,thefasterGoldaircraftalreadypulling away,aswerethetwoFrenchBusards,leaving meinlastplaceasweroundedthefirstcorner Ithensettleddownandstartedconcentrating onreelinginBernardfirstand.hopefully. Stanagainafewlapslater.onceIwasupto speedImanagedtopassBernardaftera coupleoflapsandthenconcentratedon Stanwhensomethingwhiteflashedpastme. ItwasChristianGuilieinhisincrediblyfast #6AdedyN lappingmealready.Alap.ater Imanagedtostacksomeheightandwas alongsideStanaswerolledoutontothehome straight:Istartedmydivetoovertakehim andjustasIdidJayJonesin #45Odadnickel passedmeonmyright-handside,rightin frontofFiecrowd,whichmakeforaspectacle. AnotherlaporsoinandThomRichardflying #99 MargaretJune passedmebeforeIwas lappedyetagainlayChristianin#6,thistime fartoocloseforcomfortasitfeftlikehiswing tipbarelymissedmycanopy.AlthatpointI wasrathergladtoseethechequeredflagwas outandwasrelievedwhenIstartedmypullup toclimbintothecooldown

Fortunatelyshelterwas provi intenanceinthe formofalargemarq. whenDeshadproblemswithhis spinnerbackplate.

AsItaxiedinInoticed #87Madness parked justofftherunway.whichisoddastdidn't recallhearinganyMaydaycall.Unfortunately forSteveTemple,arepairedsectionofhis cowlinghadfailedduringtherace,exposing hiswiringloomtoa270mphblastofairthat, inhiswords,-turnedittospaghetti",cuffingalt theelectricsandstoppinghisengine.Steve haddoneextremelywefltogetitbackonto therunwayandithadclearlyshakenhim. Thishad.however,bumpedmeupintofifth placeoveralloutoi11andthehighestplacing aircraftthatwasactuallyflowntotheevent:a fantasticresultformyfirstattemptatracing. Thepresentationoftrophieswasmemorable butitwassoonbacktoearthwithabumpasless thananhourlaterIwasbackinthepitscovered innitgellingBOMBreadyforthelongflight backtotheUK.Thereturnflightwasyetanother adventureinitself--I'llneverforgetflyingalong thesnow-cappedPyreneesmountainsinclear blueskiesat9,000ftinmytinyCassutt

Sowhat'snext[orFormula1airracingin Europe?AirRaceF1isalreadyplanningthree eventsnextyearandis:workingoneditingthe hoursoffootageithastoproduceaone-hour TVprogrammethatwillbeairedlaterthisyear. IintendtobebacknextyearhutBOMBwill needsomeseriousworktoremaincompetitive, includinganewracewingandaraceengine capableofcompetingwith[heUS'Ly-con' enginesrunningover4.000rpm.Itwouldbe greattoseeafewmoreBritishcilotsflying theflagandhopefullytherewillbesponsors whocanseethebenefitinsupportingusallin returnforthepublicitythiseventcanprovide. IwasveryproudtoworkwithHerculesasa Britishcompanyanditproducedapropeller forusthatwasnotontyadmiredbyeveryone attheevent-andphotographedthousandsof times-butalsodidthebusinessintherace. Criticaltoallof[tiiswillbethecontinued supportoftheLAAtoseeFlracingrebornin EuropeandhopefullyonedayevenintheUK. IhavetoshareapersonalthankstoFrancis. KenandallattheLAAfortheirhelpinpulling outthestopstoensureBOMBwassignedoff andreadytoraceinaverytightschedule Thankyouallvery MU& foryourhelp

tA General/LightAircraftAviationAdjuster/Surveyor

EHeathrow

BasedatHeathrowandreportingtotheDirectorofClaims(UK),thisisanexcitingopportunityMraGeneral/ LightAircraftAviationAdjuster/Surveyortojoinourteam.Youwillundertakeaccidentandincidentsurvey andclaimsmanagement,nomoccurrencethroughtoclosure.Therolewillrequirenationalandoccasional internationaltraveloftenatshortnotice.

Reytasksandresponsibilitiesinclude: alGI.

0Pertb I'M ing SII ryeywork(technicalappraisalsandinspections)ofalltypesotUrcraft,rep.IrLingand makingrecommendationstoatechnicalandnon-technicalcommunity

0Projectmanagefilesandworkinprogress

tlp Manageandforgestrongpartnershipswithkeycustomerswhilstleadingandbuildingclientrelationships

Z Identifyandcontributetonewbusinessopportunitiesanddevelopawarenessofmarketandcompetitor

activities,providingrelevantreportsandinformation

D CarryoutgeneralPRactivities,particularlyintheLondonMarketonourbehalf

D Undertakeconsultancyworkandotheradhocprojects,asrequired Remainuptodatewithallaviationissuesandregulations

SuccessMIcandidateswillholdrecognisedmaintenancequalifications/licenceandwillhaveexperienceor holdtype-ratingsonanumberofdifferentaircrafttypes.Experienceofpreparingaccurateaircraftstructural assessmentsoraccidentrepairreportsalongwithaproventrackrecordofmanaginganddeliveringprojectsis essential.

Excellentcommunicationskills,presentationskillsandcomputerliteracyisessential.Experienceof managinganddeliveringoperationalwork,leadingandnegotiatingcontractswithclientsandotherparties wouldbeadvantageous.

ShouldyouwishtoapplyfortheaboveopportunitypleasesubmitadetailedCVandcoveringletterincluding detailsolyourcurrentremunerationpackagetojok, ,: iiik.l.uas 111

Passiton

DudleyPattisonlooksatglassclothandepoxyskinning

A fewmonthsagointhemagazine

Idescribedmymethodoffixing heavierdutyaluminiumpanels toawoodenstructurewiththe useofmutserts'.ThismonthI wanttodescribethepreparatoryworkIdo inreadinessforaffixingaverylightweight aluminiumskintoastructure,moreofwhich inafuturemagazine.

Thenon-modellersamongyoumaynotknow theglassclothandepoxyformofskinning. Withalittlecareandafairbitofelbowgrease. averygood.totallyweatherproof,lightand strongsurfacefinishcanbeachieved.

Icoveredtheforwardupperdeckingarea oftheFlitzerZ1Rusingthismethodas,later, aluminiumlithoplatewastobestUCktothis areaforaestheticreasons.Togetareally goodfinishonamodelyoucouldseethree

coatsbeingrequiredwithawetndryrub downbetween.Formypurposes.onlythe factthattheskinningwilltoughenandseal theplywoodsurfaceisimportant,sotwo coatswouldsuffice.Itisalsoanideal preparationforahighqualitypaintfinishon plyorwoodensurfaces.

THEMETHOD

Laytheglassclothovertheareatobe covered.Iused0.6ouncepersquareyard cloth.Don'tworryifallyoucangetis0.9or 1.0ounceasitwillendupataboutthesame weight.Thelighterclothsaremoreopen weavesoalittlemoreepoxyisrequiredto fillit,bringingthefinishedjobtoaboutIhe sameweight.(Fig1)

Mixlay-upepoxyresin(notthefive-minute

variety)atthecorrectmixratioandpouralittle inthecentreofthecloth.Usinganoldcredit cardasasqueegee,spreadtheepoxyinall directionsoutfromthecentrepool.(Fig2) Allwhitenesswilldisappearfromtheclothas itturnstransparent.indicatingthatithasbeen wettedrightthrough.IfyouhaveanyInutsertsl takecarenottofillthemwithepoxy.Donot trytomixenoughepoxytodothejobinone go:mixedepoxyleftinquantitygetsfedup withwaitingandexotherms,meaningitgets super-hotandquicklysetsasitboils. Asmallishamountatatime,whichispoured outonthejobquicklysoasnottoallowthe possibilityofexcessheatbuild-up,istheway togo. TodomyfrontdeckingImadefourmixes. Thiscouldhavebeencuttothreeif myquantityestimationhadbeenbetter.

O.Payparticularattenttienretheedges oftireJobensur.ngthattheclothis wettedallthewaytoteleeagealittleoeyorld doesohart(Fig3)

CaecktheareaalloverforCryspoisand mareimpeolarttiy.'overweiareasThewet areas:MOWupasbeingverygtossyand areadunnecessaryweight-additionKeep sttueegeeindthem,so-apingtheexcess epoxytetttheedgeofthesqueegeeback intotnemixingpot

5)Attwatlowingifto(DoretnniTutedgersel theclothwithasharpcraftknlieAsanding blockwitremoveexcessepoxyatliteedges Sandtheareaatover,rentowngtheuloss finishAnyrunscarbescrapeddownwitha stiarpwidechrselhellatOrytttothesotlace, oiUseaproperscraperilyouhaveone

5)MAodownwithatackclothtoremovedust Makeanotetm:xofepoxyandaoptyanother thincoatatover.Muchesswilllgerequitedfor hiscoatastheweaveoftheclrethisalready neatlytotandnonealitbesoakingintothe plywoodsurface.. A verythincoatshouldgivea glossfintshthisttne.Whencored,flat!Jowland removeoiltst. Voila! Youhaveascaledsurface titat:willacceptacontactadhesivetofixthelitho plateoluminiumoratwo-packIlittet.tldprimersurfacertoryoropaintlob(Fig4)

AIRTEST

T hePercivalMewGullisaclassic

Britishaeroplane,andforthe cognoscentiatrueiconofpre-war Britishaviation.Itwasdesigned, unashamedly,towinlongdistance racessuchasthetheacclaimedKing'sCup AirRacewhichitwontwice,firstin1937 whenCharlesEGardnerwonwithG-AEKL, andagainin1938whenG-AEXF.flownby AlexHenshaw.achievedthefastestever time,uptothatpoint,of238mphThese achievementsareallthemoreremarkable whenyouconsiderthatinthosedaysthe King'sCupwasnothingliketheeightlap dasharoundthepylonsthatconstitutesEl racingthesedays.butratheraday-longsprint coveringalargechunkofEngland,fullthrottle allthewayMralmost1500miles.Itisnotable thatevenaslateas1939,aMewGullwas fasteratsealevelthanaHurricane.

TheMewGull'sp[aceinhistorywas sealedon9February1939whenAlex HenshawlandediXFhackatGravesend AerodromeinKentjust4days,10hoursand 16minutesafterdepartingonanoutand hackflightof12,754milestoCapeTown inSouthAfrica,settingarecordthatwould nothebrokenforover70years(byLAA memberSteveNeujaiminhisVan'sRV7) Suchaflighttodaywouldheconsrdered animpressiveachievement.75yearsagoit wasphenomenal.butwiththestormclouds buildingforthecentury'ssecondglobal conflicttheriewsreelswerepre-occupied withheadiermattersanddwasnotuntil manyyearslater,[n1900whenHenshaw wroteFlightoftheMewGullabouthis epicflight,thatthethemagnitudeofthe achievementwasfullyrecognised. OnlysixexamplesoltheMewGullwere builtandallbutHenshaw'sG-AEXFwere ultimatelydestroyed'XFremainsinflying conditionandisbasedatOldWarden,whilst anon-flyingreplicaofitresidesintheRAF MuseumatHendonrhearrival88G-HEKL ontothesceneisthereforeasignificant even[,somewhatakintothatofRichard Seeley'sTravelairtypeRMysteryShip LiketheTravelap,MeMewGullcanbe regardedasareproductionratherthana replicabecauseitFollowsverycloselythe buildtechneuesottheoriginals'KLisinfact builttocommemorateCharles5Gardner's G-AEKLasitwaswhendledthePercival factoryfollowingrepair1937.

l'heoriginal'ELhadpreviouslybeenflown bywell-knownraceHotTomCampbell BlackwhohadwentheMacRobertson LondontoMelbourneairraceinDE188Comet 'GrosvenorHousein1934.buthewaswas tragicallykilleeinitin1936whenanRAE HawkerHartcollidedwithhlmashewailed totake-oftfromIiverpoolisSpekeairfieldto demonstratetheaircrafttosponsorsofhis intendedentryintheimpendingSchlesinger airrace.Afteritsrebuildandsuccessinthe King'sCup.itwasracedthroughout1938 withnewownerGilesGuthrie.andwasthen soldtoJimMollisonin1939furaplanned recordattempt.abandonedduetothestart elthewar,butit'salltoobriefraringcareer cametoanendwhenLIwasdestroyedina bomb.ngraidatLympneAerodromeinKent duringthewar.

WalkinguptotheMeWGull.itisevident fromtits]glancethatthisaircraftisaracer, pureandsimple'speedisitsraisondietre.Its stance,spurposeful.ksformsleekandthose

camera.The littleracer'sfirstflightandenvelope expansionwascarriedoutbyCharlie Huke,whosereportthisarticleismostly based,withDavidtakingoverforthe shakedownandfinetuningflights.

closelytrouseredlegsandspattedwheels simplyworksofartinaluminium.Unlike Henshaw'sG-AEFX[hathasbeenre-builtto itsmuchmodified'Capeconfiguration',this dateproduction'versionhasthemarginally tallenstandardcanopy,arguablythemost beautifulconfigurationofthemallWhilst small.theaircraftiscertainlylargerthana modernFtsingleseateclargelybecause thateversolongcowkngencasesastraight six200hpplusGipsyratherthanarelatively diminutive0-200,andtheMewliftsa whopping55gallonsoffuelcapacity.The MewGull'smaxgrossweightat1950Ups ismorethantwicethatofFtracersbutwith awingareaof88squarefeetthisisonlya thirdmorethanFlssuchas;heCassuttor MidgetMustangJustthebriefestofvisual assessmentspromisessomethingspecialin theair

THECOCKPIT

Entryisgainedfromtheportsideby sw[ngingtherightlegover[hecockpitsill ontotheseal,andthensteadyingoneselfon thewindscreenframetoliftthesecondlegin Thesillscanthenbeusedtoloweroneself ontotheseat.Careneedstobeexercised toavoidtheelevatortrimcablesrunning alongthestarboardsideofthecockpitwhen settlingintotheseat

Thecockpithasavery'period'feeltoit andonceseatedit'simmediatelyevident thatthepanelissetwellforward.Controls andsealarefixed,thuscushionshavetobe changedtoaccommodatepilotsofdiffering size.Theharnessisamodernlourpointthat cancomfortablybeusedwithorwithouta parachute,astheparachuteisthesame thicknessasthecushionitreplaces. Oncesecured,allprimaryflightcontrols

(Includingthetoebrakes)fallimmediatelyto hand.Thespadetypecentre,columnisset slightlytotheleftof[hecentreline.andthe flaplever,althoughwellforwardwhenflaps areretracted,canbeoperatedwhenfully restrainedintheseat.Ailothersecondary controls,fuelcock,rnagswitches,carhheat, radiosandinstrumentsarealsoabitofa reachwhensecured.butsafelyoperable 1hecanopyhingesatsilllevelontheport side,andabovetheeyelineonthericht.The twohalveslocateviadowelsandaresecured bytwospring-loadedpinsforeandaft,and anovercentrecatchinthemiddleItisquite practicaltoreleasethecatchandpullthe chordconnectingthepinswiththesame handthuseffectingrapidegresswithone hand,hutevensoIsuggestbriefingpilots toreleasethecatchaspartoftheirforced landingdrillspriortoanoff-fieldlandingIf invertedthefixedandslidingelementsofthe sidewindowscouldeasilybeknockedout, thusleavhriganapertureplentybigenoughto exitthrough(althoughaparachute.ifworn, wouldhavetobeleftinside).

Notsurprisinglyfieldofviewdirectlyahead inthetaildownattitudeisnon-existent. Howeverduetothescallopedinstrument panelandthenarrownose,theviewoutis muchbetterthanexpectedTheobscured arcisabout12degreeseithersideof centrelineforobjectsfalterthan581and17 degreesforshorteritems.Movingthehead doesnotimprovethefieldofviewbecause lateralheadroomisdmiteclbythecockpit frames.

Lookingsidewaysit'sveryevidentthat thecockpitispositionedwellaftofthewing andtheusualvisualcuesforlandinginthe pilotsperipheralvisionareobscuredbythe wingitself,asperalowwingExtra.This suggestsheightjudgementintheflaremay beawkward.

TheconstraintsofMecockedmeanthat somethinglikeadyingsuitwithitsattendant legpocketsshouldbewarnuncluttered, kneeboardwillalsotherestrictfullthrow otthecontrols.However,asmallpocket isprovidedontheRHcockpitwall,where itdoesnotfouleithercontrolsOrlegs, regardlessofcontentsThisisbestusedfor maps,plea.etc.

ENGINESTART

For[hoseusedtooperatingmoremodern engines,thesevintagemotorsrequire asomewhatmoreinvolvedprocess Unfortunatelyscantdetailbygivenbythe manufacturerhutsuffictentexpenence existswithinthevintagemovementandfrom contemporaryfrghttests.Thetechniqueis: Manuallyprimethefuelsystemviathe pumpsunderthecowl.

ManuallydepressthecartHeatstoflood theinletmanifold.

Suckinbypullingthrough.

Nudge/babythestarteroverthefirst compression-ormanuallyswingit. StartwithcarbhealonCtalsoactsasa flamedap)

Startandshutdownwiththepropin coarsepitch

Justtoconfusethe'modern'pilotthe throttle[ssandw[chedbetweenthenoncolour-codedpropandmixturecontrols,Ibis oncestandardlayout.isatoddswithmost moderndistallat[ons.asisthefactthat mixturerichisaftFinely:

BuilderDavidBealewhoflewtheMew Gullfor LightAviation's

Itisevidentinthispicturejusthowfarbackthepilot sits,wellbehindthetrailingedge.Thesplitcanopy structureisquiteexquisite,notetheslideopening sidewindow. vas-

Sondardvintagepuadrant—riacolou USMinute'andSell 0011fluiWefklg. iiistiAlf)qtrggetp NOterOhathpagn dieSextrfftheidtvent.

01,11.F. _A--

AIRTEST

Well,eversinceIstartedtobuildmyown controllinemodelsagednineyears,team racerswerethepinnacleofspeedandgrace, withmostwerebasedontheMewGullform. ThusmyloveofthegracefullinesoftheMew Gullstartedsome50yearsorsoago.

Buildingafull-sizedreplicawassomething Ineverexpectedwouldbepossible.Ihad chasedupleadsseveraltimesonlytodraw ablank,sowhenanadvertappearedin oneoftheaviationmagazinesforpartsand drawingsforaMewGullIdecideditwaswofth acall.Theprojectcomprisedapartcomplete fuselagebuiltbythewoodworkmasterKen Fern,somepartfinishedribsandwhatturned outtobethekeycomponent,anunused GipsyQueenIenginestillinthepackingcrate butlookingsomewhatsad.Theprojectwas beingsoldassurplustorequirementsbyTony DitheridgeatHawkerRestorations,wherethey werebuildingthenon-flyableHenshawG-AEXF replicafortheRAFmuseumatHendon.

AcalltoFrancisDonaldsonbroughta favourableresponseandarapidflyingvisit byhimtoBruntingthorpe.wheretheproject wasstoredinthebackofanoldarticulated truck.AfteracloseinspectionIpartedwith moremoneythanIhadeverpaidbeforeforan aeroplane,andshortlyaftertheMewgaineda projectnumber—theclockwasticking.

MyfirstactionwastovisittheHenshawreplica build,whichIdidonceafortnightforsome monthstoseehowthethingwasputtogether, discoverwhichdrawingsweremissing(lotsof them)andtocreateamentalprojectplan.

Ihaddecidedearlyonthattheproject aimwastorecord,inanairworthyaircraft, asnearaspossibletheexactdetailsofthe threeproductionE2Hairframesforposterity, andinsodoingcapturethespiritofthelate

1930sUKairracingscene.Percivalproduced sixMewGulls:thenotparticularlyattractive Elprototypein1934.whichwasscrapped andreplacedbytheprototypeE2in1935: threeproductionE2Hmachines,whichwere builtin1936tocompeteinthePortsmouthJohannesburgSchlesingerrace:and,finally, EdgarPercival'sone-offworksE3H,G-AFAAin 1937.Thishadamuchmodifiednewairframe, slightlysmallerinspanwithamodifiedaerofoil sectionbutwasvisuallysimilarappearanceto theearlierE2Hmachines.Researchrevealed veryfewdetailsofthestructuralchangesnor theaerofoilsectionused,makingthebuildofa replicaofthisultimateMewGullimpractical. OnlytwooftheE2Hscompetedinthe Schlesingerrace,thefatalaccidentinvolving TomCampbellBlackinG-AEKL(seemain story)havingtakenplaceonlydaysbeforethe startoftherace.Ofthetwothatcompeted, ZS-AHM(latertobecomeHenshaw'sG-AEXF) withdrewinBelgradeandZS-AHOwas destroyedinanoff-airfieldlandinginSouthern Rhodesiawhilewellaheadoftherestofthefield. G-AEKLwasrebuiltbytheworksfollowing CampbellBlack'saccidentforCharlesGardner whowentontowinthe1937King'sCupRace, amongothers.ItwassoldtoGilesGuthrie whoraceditinthe1938King'sCup,coming secondtothesimilarlymountedAlexHenshaw. ItwasthenacquiredbyJimMorisonfora longdistancerecordattempt,whichhadtobe abortedduetoWorldWarIlbeforefinallybeing destroyedbyGermanbombingatLympne.

OnlyHenshaw'sAEXFsurvivedthewarand hassubsequentlybeenmodifiedandrebuilt manytimes,losingmuchoftheoriginaldetail alongthewayandwithveryfewofitsoriginal partsremaining,ratherliketheproverbial broom.Althoughoneofthethreeproduction

ZS-AHOat Southampton on20October 1936,lustpriorto thePortsmouthJohannesburg Schlesingerrace. (Right)The threeMewGullsatSouthamptonreadyfor theSchlesingerrace.G-AEKLintheforegrounddidnot

(Right)Edgar Percival< inthesoleE3HIn1939. Perhapstheultimate versionoftheMewGull, withnodrawinsand

E2Hmachines,ithadinfactbeenheavily modifiedin1938-9byJackCrossforAlex Henshaw,tosuchanextentthatPercivaltried tostopthemevencallingitaMewGull.Itisa tributetoPercival(thoughhestillobjected), JackCrossandmostimportantlytherecordbreakingflightofHenshaw,butitdoesnot accuratelyrecordthedetailorthegracefullines oftheproductionPercivalMewGull.

TheracingMewGullswereundergoing constantmodificationasownerstriedto squeezeeveryounceofspeedfromtheaircraft. althoughisseemslittlewasdonetotheengines, whichhadtobebasedonUKproductionitems. Itisthereforeverydifficulttobepreciseabout whatwasfittedwhenandtochooseaspecific configuration.However,havingdecidedthatI wantedtoreplicateaproductionPercivalE2H MewGull,logicdictatedthatG-HEKLwouldbe builttorepresentthedesignstateofG-AEKL,as acquiredbyCharlesGardnerfromthefactory rebuildin1937.

Itsoonbecameapparent,justasTomStorey hadfound,thatthewingisverycomplex andsparconstructionreallyneedsanexpert woodworkerwithappropriateaircraftskillsand facilities.IturnedtowingexpertRogerBurrows andaskedifhewouldconstructthesparsand allowmetoconstructthewings;asitturnedout Ionlyassistedhiminconstructingthewingsin hisworkshop.Thesparsareashcentresection capswithtaperedspruceouterssplicedon, facedwithtaperedplywebsthatstartat1/4in atthecentreandendup3/32inatthetip. Theyhavedihedralandsweepsothereisn't aparallelsurfaceonthem.Theyarealsotoo heavyforoneman(ofmysmallstature)tolift. ToassemblethewingsmeantIhadtosort outallthemetalfittings,including machining

the1/16thwall3.5indiametertubesections thatattachtothesparsandintowhichtheair/ oilundercarriageoleoslit.Asthetubesize requiredwasnolongeravailable,Imachined thetubefromasolid3130billet.Ialsohad threedifferentdrawingsfortheundercarriage mountassembly.allverysimilarbutno indicationofwhichonewascorrect.Asil turnedout.nonewerequiterichtastheywere takenfromvariousrebuildsutG-AEXFwhen. forinstance.alternativeMilesundercarriage legswereusedduringonere-buildThe assemblieswerealsohandedasthespar faceswerenot90'totheaircraftaxisandthe locationofthetubehadtobepeffeetorelse thewheelswoutdnotalignWingtanksalso hadtobefabricatedandtheundercarriage stru:spassthoughthetanks CloseinspectronofthefuselageShowedit wasnottoquitetodrawing.benFernhadbuilt rtforaguyintheUSwhohadrequestedthe fusetageberaisedinheighttocopewithhis size.AsKenknewthestructureItransported thefuselagetohisworkshopforhimtoremodeltheupperdeckanddoafewmorebits ofwoodworkWhileIenjoydoingwoodwork ImustmakeitclearIdidnotpersonallybuild muchofthebasicstructure,althoughtherewas stillalotofwoodworkIwasinvolvedin. Inevitably,perhaps,Imademanymistakes andincorrectassumptionsearlyonthathad consequenceslater,butthankfullynonethat couldnotbeworkedroundManywerearesult ofcopyingGrAEXFwhichIanRossandowners atTheRealAeroplaneCompanyletmecrawl overandinspectmanytimes,pluscopyallof theiraircraftdocumentationIalsocollected hundredsofdocuments,photosand.most notably,periodarticlesthatrevealedenough informationtoallowtheconstruction.Itisclear theevolutionofG-AEXFandrebuildssinceTom Storeyfirstrebuiltit,plusallofthemodkreatrons donetoitbythelikesofJackCrosspre-war andpost-warowners,moanitisquitedifferent innranyrespectsfrorntheoriginalMewGull, bothexternallyand,significantlyunderthe skrnThisoftenmeantmemakingpartstwoor threegmes,orgoingbacktobasicslookingat Proctors,periodphotosandreferencebooksto workouthowthingsweredone ManyofthecomponentsintheMeware rnodiliedorscaledVegaGull(Proctor)parts forwhichtoolingwasavailabletothePercival factory,butnettomeThismadesomeparts veryexpensive,complexordifficulttomake, andexplainswhysomepagsonG-AEXFare notquiteastheyshouldbe.

Therewereonlyafewdisastersalongthe way.Thefirstwasthewarpingoftheupper wingplyfollowingthelastcolourcoatofdope. havingthepreviousdayrepairedpaintdamage afterthewingtoppledoffthespraystand, trappingmeunderneath-thankgoodnessfor mobilephones.Thewarpinghadeveryone baffled,theonlysolutionbeingtostripoffthe uppersurfaceply.replaceitandstartcovering andfinishingOveragain.

Thesecondwastheengine,whenisa rareQueenI,effectivelya1936GipsySix2 enginewithaserialnumberbetweenthoseof theproductionGulls1hisIhadcleanedup externallyandmountedonastandinmyworks receptionwithatagonthepropflangesaying "Inhibited,donotturn"fromastripinspection

andrebuildbyHantsandSussexsome20 yearspreviously.Ithoughtallwouldbewell butalsomepointtheflangehadbeenturned about30andhadscrapedthewaxinhibiting greasefromthebores.Dampaffhadcorroded thosescrapedportionsofthecylindersand whenIstrippedittodotheapprovedring nrectificationandsparkplugmodifications (anyoneheardoffacesealsparkplugs?)four ofthecylinders,withonlysixhours'benchrun timefromnew,werecorrodedbeyondrecovery Themoststressfuljob,wasmountingthe wingstothefuselage:itwasnotclearwhat incdencetosetwing.engineortailplaneio thefuselage.Ifoundadocumentfromamodel niagazinethatsaidtheengineIhmstlinewas 3-upfromthefuselageanditseethebythe firnethethreeproductionGullswerebrig thatwasthecase.Iscannedasmanyperiod photosasIcouldandplottedthethrust,wing andtailplanearigrestodeterminewhatthe averageincidencewas,buttheresultsdidnot match'XFWhichwasright?AsThewingisheld inplacewith56bolts,allofwhichhavetobe drilledonassembly(Percival'swouldhavehad Jigs).therewasonlyoneshotatthisIfwrong theaeroplanewouldbeapigtoflyorpileof scrapIwentMixmymeasurements,which thankfullywererightasIIflewstraightand truewithMtnneutralrightfromfirstflightand performsasperperiodfigures.Phew! G-HEKLhasbeenbuiltusingperiodmaterials andcomponents,ashspruceandplystructure withalunkniumcowlingsandspats(noGRP) andItinishedherwith32coalsofperlodsatin dope.eachhandflakedtogivethecorrect smoothappearance.IhaveusedPerspexarid polycarbonateforthescreenforsafetyreasons ascellulordishardtorindandnotasstrong.

Thecockpitlayoutrsnotquiteaccurateasthe TomStoreydrawingshaveastructuralmember behindthepanelthalmakesitimpossibletofit theinstrumentsintheexactlocationasseen insomeperiodphotosThisisprobablydue tostructuralreinforcementaddedintheearly 19505butIfeltitbettertoleaveifasdrawl andmovetheinstrumentsslightly.Thesearch forafewraregenuineperiodinstruments continuesanciIamnotsureIwillbeableto frndthecorrectvintagebottleotchampagne forthecmkintheairventIhavealsohadto disguiseandlitaradio.Thereareafewminor compromisestoirrdernsafetyrequirements: thevintagePyrenebrasstireextinguisher containsamodern,typeandtheseatbelt mountingshavebeenmovedandreinforcedto provideimprovedcrashprotection.

Therearesomanytalesaboutalmostevery partthatitwilltakeabook.whichImaywrite someday.Thalsright,sheisnotfinishedyetas Istillhavebitstofinallyreplaceortweakwith whatInowknowisthecorrectform.andIwill doIhatoverthecomingyearsifIkeepher Ifanyonehasmoreinformationorgenuine MeworPercivalpartsIcansubstitute,I wouldrovetoknow.Doesanyoneknowwhat happenedtotheremainsofZS-AHOthat crashedinSouthernAfricaduringIke1936 race?Partswereknowntoexistintothe1960s.. Finally,ImustnzentiontwogreatMends, FrankBallandAlMathretowhomIdedIcate theaircraftassadlytheyarenolongerwithus Withouttheirencouragementatthestaff.'ISL wouldnotexist

assuchnastytraitsarenotevidentwith G-HEKIatributetothequalityof[David's buildStallingwasconductedclosetoMAUW withCotGrangingfrom17aftto19"aft andalthoughnotasdocileasmanymodern trainers,ilwasrkiverthelesssignificantly tamerthanexpected

Adequatebuffetintheformofairframe 'shudder'existslivemphabovethestall. regardlessofflappositionand,forallstalls conducted,wingdropwasco-incidentalwith thestall.withthedirectionunpredictable unlessthestallwasapproachedalleast moderatelyoutofbalanceWithan unbalancedentrywingdropcouldbe reasonablymarked,butifbalanceditwas usuallyonly15-20degrees.andoflenless Rudderiseffectiveatpreventinganyfurther yaw,andrecoveryimirediateuponreleasing backpressure

Cleanthe,aircraftstallsat80mph,and withfullflap75mph.whichareidenticalto historicalreports.Whilstaircraftweighthas nomeasurableimpacdanaftCofGdoes makethestartslicIdlymoreabrupt.but nomoresothanonmanyother'sporting' aircraftHighspeedstallingisassociated wrthmoteevidentbuffetthroughthecontrols, andonallbaroneoccasion.it'flicked'level

Allcontrolsareeffectivedowntothestalkhr theaileronsbecomeincreasinglylesssoas speedreducesmorenoticeablywithfullflap

LANDING

Landingiswithoutdoubtthemostdaunting aspectofoperatingtheMewGull.parhy duetotherestrictedvision,butthisis compoundedlaytheverycleanairframe Visibilityissuchthattherunwaycanbe keptinsightwithacurvingapproachuntil about250'AGL.Atthispointitislostfrom sight.andunlessalateralmarkerabearnthe thresholdhasbeenselected,assessmentof thepositionofOrethresholditselfisdifficult, althoughuseofaforwardmarkermakes centrelineassessmentrelativelyeasy.

The75mphfullflapstallwouldindicatean approachspeedof97.5MPH.However,thisis toofastasitleadstoanextendedfloatduring thelandingflarewhich,withthezeroforward viewcouldeasilyresultindrrftingofftherunway centreldewithnovishalcuetoHie 90mphisabetterapproachspeedwith athresholdspeed(Vat)of85mph,but stillresultsinalongerthanexpectedflare, thusmakinga'spotlanding'impractical. Judgementofheightisharderthanmost aircraft(mademucheasieriftheaircraft's shadowispresen1),andcareneedstobe takenwiththeelevatortoavoidballooning Allmylandingshavebeenthree-point landings.[heundulatingsurfaceofHonlow, wheretheflighttestinghasbeencarriedout, beingInappropriatefonawheeler.Idonot envisageanywheelerproblemsproblemson asuitablesurface.

Oncedowntheaircrafttracksstraightwith verylittlepilotinput.Alllandingsthusfarhave beenongrass,endcrosswrndcomponentsof upto10mphhavebeennoissue Side-slippingontheapproachhelpsvision somewhat,butasMenoseisnotvisibleit ishardtoassesspilotattitudeagainstthe instrumentpanelastheonlyreferenceThis couffornedwiththecorruptedIASdupngthe side-slipandtheverylightelevatormeans speedcontrolisdifficult,andoften011 uncrossing;hecontrolstheaircrafthas

AIRTEST

Inthesummerof1929,visitorstoShoreham aerodromeonthesouthcoastwouldhave foundasmallflyingclub,equippedwithan eclecticrag-bagofaircraft,runbyenergetic Fred'FG'Miles.Alocalman,bytheageof 26'FG'hadalreadybeentheleadinglightin establishingtheairfieldandstartingtheclub, learnedtoflyandhadimmediatelystarting instructing!Buttheyoungentrepreneur'sreal aimwastogetintoaircraftmanufacture,and hehadkickedoffacareerinthatfieldwith theSouthernMartlet,asmallbiplanewhich 'FG'hadarrangedtobedesignedandbuilt, basedonapileofleft-oversfromAvroBaby productionthathehadacquiredatasaleat Avro's.

InarentedshedatShoreham,asmall experimentallowwingmonoplanewastaking shapewhichwasthebrainchildofthe27year oldAvro-traineddesignerBasilHenderson, theprettybutinauspiciouslynamed'Hobo' beingaproof-of-conceptforanewstyleof woodenwingthatHendersonhadconceived. Bothofanage,'FG'andHendersontalkedof goingintobusinesstogethertobuildarange oflightaircraftbasedontheHenderson'swing AstheHobowasbeingcompleted,a newcomerburstontotheShorehamscene intheshapeof32yearoldAustralianEdgar Percival,a1AAN1pilotwhohadspentthe decadesincewar'sendknockingaboutin aviation,runningapioneeringAustralian joyridingandair-taxioutfit.Insearchofbetter prospects.Percivalhadsettledhisaffairsin Australiaandheadedforthemothercountry, arrivinginOctober1929.Percivalclearly impressedHenderson,forlessthanamonth afterarrivingintheUK,hehadgothimself lineduptotestflytheHoboandjoinforces withitsdesigner.TheHoboprovedagreat success,aswasthederivativetwoseat Hendy302,whichflewinmid-1930,powered bya105horsepoweruprightCirrusHermes engine.ManufacturedbyGeorgeParnelland CoalYate,theprototype302emerged

fromtheworkshopathoroughlyneatpiece ofworkandPercival'sflighttestsconfirmed thatthecleanandaerodynamicallyefficient cantilevermonoplaneeasilyoutransimilarly poweredcontemporarybiplanes.

Hendersonthenwentontodesignathree seatversion,theHendy311,whichhe anticipatedwouldbemorecommercially attractive,Percivalhelpingtopreparethe drawings.The311wasnevertobebuilt however,forHendersonmovedontodesigna higherspeedtwoseaterforyoungAmerican enthusiastandentrepreneurWhitneyStraight, whichwastobebuiltinsmallnumbersby ParnellastheParnellHeck.

The311wasclearlyalsoripefor manufacture,butHendersonhadneither backingforitnorfacilitiesforproductionof hisown.Mileswouldhavebeenthenatural personforHendersontoturntobutcupid's arrowtookahandhere,forinstructor'FG' wasdistractedbyanunlikelyaffairwithone ofhisflyingstudents,elegantsocietywoman Maxine'Blossom'Freeman-Thomas.Beingthe wifeoftheclub'schairmananddirector,the scandalousromancecreatedanimpossible situationforMilesatShorehamfromwhich hefledin1931.In1932heandBlossom weremarried,andbeingpersonanongrata atShorehammovedtoSevenoaksinKent wherethenewly-wedsjointlydesigneda successortotheMartlet,theexquisitelittle Satyr.Evidentlyhisnewsociety-bredwife notonlyhadafineaestheticsensebutalso, unexpectedly,quicklybecameasadeptas herhusbandinthebasicsotstressingand othertheoreticalaspectsofaircraftdesignand akeyfigureintheMilesteamthatfollowed. MeanwhilePercivalalsohadambitions tomanufactureandin1931,afterabrief interludeworkingontheSaroMailplane project,Percivalrealisedhisownlimited assetsandsoughtbackingfromhiswellheeledAustralianfriendBillyardLeaketoset uponhisownaccount.Employing designerRowlandBound,thepair 1drewupthethreeseatDType 1 PercivalGull,whichboremorethana 1passingresemblancetotheHendy 1311.TilltheendofhislifePercival wastohotlydenythattherewas j anyconnectionwithHenderson's design,buthisassertionswere

ratherholedbelowthewaterlinewhen,inan acrimoniouscorrespondenceyearslater,it cametolightthattheprototypeGullhadits CoAfast-trackedbytheAirMinistryonthe basisofbeing"subsequenttotheHendy302". TheprototypeGullwithinvertedCirrus HermesIVenginewasbuiltbythetinybut grandlynamedBritishAircraftCompanyat Maidstone.Kent,latertobuildtheBACDrone ultralight.Theprototype,G-ABUR,immediately impressedwithitsspeed,rangeandneat appearance.Percivalmadearrangements tohavesubsequentGullsmanufacturedby Parnallswho,remarkably.managedtodeliver thefirstproductionaircraftinjust12weeks. Percivalmeanwhilehadsetupshopinapair ofrecently-vacatedhangarsatGravesend. Milesmeanwhile,wasquicktoappreciate theprestigeandmarketingvaluethatracing couldbringandtothatendsoonhadoneof thenew200horsepowerGipsySixengines installedinthecleaned-upsingleseatHawk SpeedSix.Percival'scounteredwitha200 horsepowerGipsySixpoweredversionas theGullSixwhichcouldreach170mph,an incrediblespeedforthattime.

ThecompetitivePercivalandhisdesigner RowlandBound,thenstartedworkonanew singleseatdesignintendedfromthestartfor all-outspeedandlongrangethatwouldbe likenothingbeforeseeninBritain.Withthin, taperedwingsofjust24footspanand88 squarefeetofarea,theoriginalall-woodEl MewGullwithNapierJavelinenginemust havelookedlikeaveryhotshipindeedin 1934,havingalandingspeedwhichwas roughlytwicethatofthepopularcontemporary biplanes.

Thoughfast,theratherqueer-lookingEl wasclearlynotagreatsuccess,forBound partedcompanywithPercivalshortlyafter itsfirstflightandPercivalengagedArthur Bage,aHandley-Pagetraineddesigner, totakehisplace.OverthenextyearBage totallyre-designedtheEltoemergeforthe 1935seasonastheE2,anoutstandingly sophisticatedandbeautifulracerwithaGipsy Sixengineandatwofootlongerfuselage. Importantly,theslipperyE2introducedtrailing edgeflapstosteepentheapproachandcurb itslandingspeed,anewinnovafionthatwas clearlygoingtobeessentialforaircraftwith suchhighwingloadings.

Rage'snewMewGull,racingatspeedswell over200mph.wasconsideraidlyfasterthan anythingelsearound.andovertheyearsthat followed,whiletheresultswereverymuch dependentonthewhimofthehandicappers. intermsorpurespeedneithertheMiles HawsSixSpeedSixnorthelaterclip-winged Sparrowhawkweteinthesameleagueas PercivalSMewGulls,whosereputationasthe ultimatelong-aistanceracerbeliedthesmall numberofMewsactuallybuilt.

In1937.after20Gulls(includingthefive MewGulls)hadbeenbuilt.Perovalsceased theirassociationwith!DanaHsandrelocated fromGravesendtoLuton.wheretheGull serieswasfurtherdevelopedasthebeautiful VegaGull,immortalisedbylong-distance flightsbywomenpilotsBendMarkhamand JeanBatten

Withwarthreatening,Britishlightaircraft manufacturersatlasthadprospectsformajor sales,theirglossyfirlishreplacedbydull camouflage.Percival'sVegamorphedintothe Proctor1whichwasorderedinquantityas arinlitarycommunicationsaircraftandradio trainer.Milesmeanwhilewereatfullcapacity turningoutamilitarytrainerversionofthe HawkastheMagister.desperatelyneeded byjheHAPasamonoplanealternativetothe datedTigerMothBothcompanieswereto befullystretchedduringtheconflict,though itwasMileswhoinadditiontoturningout theirown-designedMagistersandMaster trainersenjoyedsomeveryinteresting experimentalandprototypeworkduring andshorttyafterthewar,includingtheM52 supersonicletproject.Incontrastitmust havebeenabitterblowtoEdgarPercivat thatliewasoustedasManagingDirector shortlyaftertheoutbreakofwar.andwith thelaterProctorvariantssub-contractedtoa formerManchesterwoodworkingcompany nHillsandsetis.Percivalsmainlyspentthe waryearsturningoutwoodenOxfordsand MosquitoesdesignedbydeHavilland.Edgar Percivalresigttedfromthecompanythatbore hisnamein1944.

Post-war,PercivalAircraftwasabsorbed byHuntingswhoafterthesomewhat unsatisfactoryPrenticeprojectenjoyed successwiththePembroke,Prince,Provost andJetProvost.EdgarPercivalhimselfwent ontoformanewbutshort-livedcompany whichdesignedandbuilttheratherungainlylookingEP9Prospectoragriculturaland generalpurposeaircraft.

ForbothMilesandPercivanHenderson's littleHoboof1929hadprovidedinspiration forcompetingdynastiesofbeautifulglossy touringandlong-distanceracingaircraft whichweretosetanewstandarditntechnical excellence,reachingapeakofperfection intheyearsimmediatelypriortoWW2.Both companiesexpandedhugelyinthehourof needtomeetthedemandsforthemilitary,but bywarisendlittleoftheoriginalpioneering spiritremainedandbothinstioatorshad movedonAsurvivingenterpriseofMiles's, FGEngineering,appropriatelyalsobased atSnorenam.remainedmanufacturingflight simulatorsuntilabsorbed,ironicallybythe HuntingGroup,in1975.'Fadiedin1976, survivedbyBlossomandbyEdgarPercival, bothofwhompassedawayin1984

increasedspeeeseenthatthefloatisagar unacceptablyprolonged.Abettertechnique istomakeanapproachinbaiance,and thentofeedinsomesideslipduringthe flareThisshortensthefloat,andimproves visibilityversusdriftingoffthecentreline,bur doesrequireanelementoffinesse:thereis aninterestingetfectwithsuchahighwing loadingoffloatingtoquitelowspeedsand thenasuddenwingdrop,whichifmore thanafewinchesoffgroundcouldbe catastrophic.

Theeasiestapproachisonemadeinalight cross-wind,wherebytheapproachmaybe madeinbalance,yetthearcraftiscrabbing enoughtomaintainsightoftherunway. Shortfieldlandingshavebeenmadewith anapproachspeedof85mph,and80mph Vat.butthebenefitganedfromthereduced landingdistanceisentirelynegatedbythe evenhighernoseattitude,asassessmentof touchdownpointisevenharderItisalsofar tooclosetostallspeedforcomfort,andleaves norealmargintorerrorinthelatterstages

Thereareverystrongbuffetcuesifthestall isactuallyapproached.Outaheadofthisthe aileronsarethebesttactilecuethatspeedis lowastheyarenotablylesseffecnveasthe stallisapproached.ThusIdonotseeslower approachspeedasanissue,andfeelitto besensible.Finally,theASIishighonthe panelandclosetothe(left)edgeWiththis positionandthepane!beingwellforwardit issurprisinglyeasytoincludeitinyourscan whenonfinalapproach.

Ifthelandingmanoeuvreisbotchedin anyfashionG-HEKLhasplentyofpower toovershootfromanypointduringthe approach/landingandwillvigorouslyclimb withfullflapRudderinputsduringovershoot aresmall,effectiveandentirelyintuitive.Very littleyawisevident,andthereisnonskof significantdeviationsoftheball(needle!) and/ortorquestall.Howevercareneeds tobetakenwithflaplirrdtingspeedas describedabove.

Flaplesslandingpresentsnoproblem handlingwise.buttheviewisevenmore restricted,andgroundrunextendedto almost950M.Thusafailureoftheflapata smallerairfieldwouldundoubtedlyresultina diversiontosomewherelarger.

AREMARKABLEACHIEVEMENT

G-HEKLisaremarkableachievementItis anaccuratecopyofathoroughbredthatwas

createdatatimewhensuchcapabilitywas cuttingedgetechnology:whenfirstnown onlyoneortwomilitarymachinescould outperformtheMewGull(andeventhenthey werenomatchforitsendurance).Tothat headymixafewsubtlechanges(notably improvedbrakesandharness)havebeen incorporatedthatmakeitmoteusablein today'senvironment.

ConsequentlyG-HEKLrepresentsa veryexcitingandchallenginoaircraft ltisnotbeyondthe'modern'pilot,but doesrequiresubstantialtailwheelability, andpriorexposuretoavarietyofaircraft. especiallythosecitheera-mgardiessof theirnatureWhilstsomemodernsporting aircraft(PV8)maycomecloseinsome aspectsofperformance,competencyon thesealonedoesnotguaranteeabilityinthe MowGull(albeitagoodstart)asvisibility. handling(bollsairandground)andengine managementareverydifferent Gownappropriatelyandcompetently G-HEKLstandstoactasalongtermtribute totheaircraftandpilotsoftheera,andisa hugecreditloitscreator.DavidBeale.whois tobecongratulatedonhisachievement.

RUNWAY EXCURSIONS IT'SALLABOUT JUDGEMENT!

ByJim McKenna

outanapproachatan airfield,Iwasfascinated toseethescenariobuild.

Watchinganaircraftcarrying

Theaircraftappearedtobe makinganormalapproachuntilitpassed theboundaryfence.Perhapstherewasa littletoomuchspeedorthepilotcontinuedto holdtoomuchpower.Astheaircraftpassed mypositionitwasobviousthatitwasa littlehigh,alittlefastandthattheavailable runwaylandingdistancewasrapidly diminishing.Notputoffbythereducingstrip ofgreen,thepilotfinallyputtheaircraft downabouthalfwaydowntherunway.The trickwasthentostop,whichhedid,just. byslewingtheaircraftatthelastminuteto avoidrunningintotheboundaryfence.

Thereissomethingabouttheartoflanding anaircraftlandingthatimpelsustowatch theeffortsofothers.Suddenlyweareall experts,watchingandacknowledging thegoodandcriticisingthebad:the fastapproachwiththatdeeprunway penetration:theslowapproachwithover rotationattouchdown,creatinathepotential fortheaircrafttoballoon:thehighroundout withthepotentialtoinduceahighrateof sinkifnotcorrected,followedbythatjarring impactwiththerunwayandtheaircraft leapingbackintotheairasifscalded;the balkedlandingandgo-aroundThereis alsothatconundrumthatbringsitsown challenges:thegustingcrosswind.

Thevastmajorityoflandings,ofcourse, areperfectlysatisfactory.Wemighteven getthatsatisfyingsqueal of thetyresas contactismadegentlywiththerunway. Weconstantlypractisetogetthingsright andtodeveloptheskillsandjudgement requiredtopulloffthat'greaser'.

All aircraftare,bytheirverynature. differentandhavetheirownparticular landingtechniques.Speed.attitudeand power all makeadifference, as wellas Meindividualdesigncharacteristicsofthe aircraft.Thaliswhytrainingandconversion on to aspecificaircrafttypeisimportant. Equallyimportantistheneedforrecent experience.Itcannothesensibletocarry outaflight,afterafewmonths'lay-off,with gustyconditionsandastrongcrosswind. Goodjudgementdemandsthatweawait abetterweatherwindow.

ThestatisticsfromtheRA2analysisIhave mentionedbefore,showarangeofdifferent causalfactorsthatledtorunwayexcursion andanaccidentOvertheperiodfrom 2000-2011therewere268incidencesof runwayexcursion,177incidencesofloss ofcontrolresultinginanaircraft'bounce' event,111eventswhereaheavylanding ensued,48aircraftnoseovereventsand 39aircraftthatincurredagroundloop.In themajorityofthesecasestherewasno significantinjury.Inaddition,whentalking aboutrunway-relatedevents,therewere

22recordedincidentsinvolvingundershoot onapproach(onlyahandful of whichwere theresultofalossofpower),30incidences ofhittinganobjectonapproachanda further30incidencesofhittinganobjecton take-offorgo-around.Unfortunatelyinthese casestheinjuriesweremoresignificant. Itiseasy,withthebenefitofhindsight,to becriticalofaparticularpilot'sactionsThis would,however,generallybeunjustified. Theapproachtolanding,theroundoul, touchdown,go-aroundfromtherunway (whetheritbeanabortedlandingora touch-and-go)andtheinitialclimboutare verydynamicandvariablescenarios.Inthe largeaircraftworld,considerableattention isgiventoachievingastabilisedapproach, oftenby1,500ftonanILSglidepathor equivalent.Airlinesareinfactinvesting heavilyinroutineflightdatarecorder analysisto look atadherencetostandard operatingproceduresThisisnotintended tooperateasa'bigbrother'typescrutiny, itissimplytryingtoensurethattheairline's operationsarekeptassafeaspossibleby theadoptionofstandardpractice

"Myfirstsoloin thePiperCubwas decidedlyagrowing exercisethatIwould notnecessarily recommend"

NosewheelaircraftlikethisRensS6are theoreticallylesslikelytorunoffthe sideofarunway,buttrickycrosswinds, inattentionoramechanicalfailuredonot makethemcompletelyimmune.

IntheGeneralAviationsector,unless weareunderscrutinyduringacheckride orrevalidationflightwithaninstructor,we arelargelymastersofourowndestiny. How thendoweapproachthesubjectinour everydayflying?

Famifiantywith the aircrafttypeis paramount.Althoughthelicenceyouhold maysuggestthatyoucan fly allsingle engineaeroplanes,youshouldnetexpect tobeabletoclimbintoatypeyouhavenot flownbeforeandjust'wing'it.Sittingand familiarisingyourselfwiththeaircraftlayout. controlsandinstrumentation,andthen seekingsomeformofassistancefroman experiencedpilotontype,shouldbeamajor elementofyourmindset.Thatisthecore purposeoftheLAAPilotCoachingScheme. Considerbeginningyourflyingonanew typewithinreasonableweatherconditions andparameters.Don'ttrytobiteofttoo muchtooearly.Asexperiencebuilds,allow thoseparameterstowidenwithperhapsa littlemorecrosswindandturbulence.Itis onlyprudenttoproceedcautiouslyasyour experiencelevelincreases

Amoredetailedinvestigationintothe occurrencesintheRA2listingsdidsuggest thatinexperiencewasacontributingfactor insomeevents.However,itwasequally

surprisingtoseemoreexperiencedpilots canbecaughtoutbytheprevailing circumstancesaswell.Perhaps overconfidencehadaroletoplayinthis, ormaybethepilotjustrelaxedatthe wrongmoment

Inoneincident.typicalofseveral,the aircrafttoucheddownwellintotherunway andthepilot.realisinghewouldnotbeable lostopintime,decidedtoabortthelanding andgo-around.Theaircraftgotairborne andontheclimbout,withthenosehigh. theaircrafthitsometreesontheextended centrelineandthepilotwasforcedtoland inthefieldbeyond.Thereisaclearpoint duringthelandingwhereasafeslopcannot beachieved,andthiswillobviouslyvary accordingtotherunwaylength.However thepilotshouldhaveinmindapointalong therunwaythat,ifhehasnottoucheddown andstartedadeceleration,hewillabortand go-aroundwhilestillairborne.

Anotherincidenttrendwastheclassic highflare,followedbyasharpand significantsink,abounceandtheinevitable pilotinducedoscillationwithaflator wheelbarrowlanding,resultinginnosegear collapse.Thatisascenariothatwecanall experiencefromtimetotime,particularly ingustyweather.Wearealltaughtthat abounceshouldbesafelycounteracted byapplyingpowerandclimbingaway.I canrememberbeingcaughtexactlylike thatwhiletryingtolandinarainsquallon 8,000Eofrunway. The aircraftdroppedfrom about6ftandbouncedequallyashigh. Poweron,norealdamage(theCessna172 undercarriageisveryforgiving)andwelive toflyanotherdaywithourprideintactThe onethingIdidnotattempttodowastryto continuethelanding.

Someaircraftcanbeahandfulina crosswindandsuchproblemsarenot limitedtotailwheelconfigurations.Each aircrafthasacrosswindlimitandwhile itmaybepossible.withabitofluckand grace,lolandinacrosswindthatisslightly greater,therearenoguaranteesthatyou willdososafely.Personalcrosswindlimits areoftenmuchlessthantheaircraftcan tolerate.MyfirstsolointhePiperCubwas decidedlyagrowingexercisethatIwould notnecessarilyrecommend.Thestraight downtherunwaywindontake-offproved morechallengingonthereturntothe airfield anhour later.Nowatrightangles andaround12kt,Ifoundthis a challenge. Indeedastheaircraftswungsignificantly ontouchdown onthe firstandthesecond landingattempt.ATC then changedthe runwayonmeandIwasfacedwiththe crosswindfromtheotherside.Another go-aroundfollowedasIstruggledtogelto gripswiththescenario.Thenextapproach wasmorethoughtfulabouttechniqueand anticipation,ignoringthepanicandbuilding onthetrainingthatIhadundertaken,and asafe,almosttextbooksafelandingwas made.

Tailwheelaircraftwilltestyourmettle ifyourelax,thedynamicsinacrosswind aredifferentApoorlymaintained tailwheelwillalsolimityourcontrolin suchcircumstances,thetailwheetonthe Cubkeptbreakingoutwiththeslightest

RUNWAYEXCURSIONS

ofsidepressure.Tricycleundercarriage aircraftwithacastoringnosewheelcan provejustasproblematicincrosswinds. Theaircraftwill•wanttoweathercockand thismeansyouhavetoanticipatethe potentialswingIwatchedtwofellowpilots failtodosoonthesameday.withthe aircraftswingingviolentlyanddeparting therunway.Fortunatelytheonlydamage wastotheirprideandnottheaircraft. Speakingtothemafterwards,thecommon factorineachincidentwasthesmiple actofrelaxingwhenthewheelstouched therunway-youmustremember:hatit isnotoveruntilthefatadysingsor[he aeroplaneissafelybackatitstie-down. Thereisalsoalwaysthepossibility:na: therecouldheamechanicalfailure.For example,thebrakepadscouldbreakup andlockupthewheel(seenthathappen). thetyrecoulddeflate(seenthattoo). theundercarriagecouldcollapse(even fmed-gearcan)andthenoseoleolose itspressure(seenthe:aswell)Insome instancestherearetelltalesignsthatcanbe pickedupontheore-departurecheck.In others,thereisnothingapparenttosee. Itisimportant,particularlywithgroup operatedaircraft,forpilotstobeopen

"Youmustremember thatitisnotoveruntil thefatladysings... ortheaeroplaneis safelybackatits tie-down"

andhonestabouthowtheirflightwent

Anunreportedheavylandingcanresurtin asubsequentfailureiftheaircraftisnot inspectedanddamagegoesundetected. Sodon'tignorethepotentialtordamage; agroundloop,whileapparentlyinnocuous ifthewingsloesnotcontacttheground, canstillcreateconsiderabletransientloads, wh.chcanstresstheundercarriage.One sucheventoccurredrecentlywherethepilot sufferedagroundlooponlanding,gave;he

aTeraftacursoryinspectionandlaterthat dayattemptedtotake-offonlytohavethe undercarriagecollapseduringthetake-off run.Andcontinuingto'fly.tneaircraftand exercise[heappropeatelevelofcontrol afterlandingisamajortenetthatyoucan dothatmayjustsaveyourprideandhelp avojdthatexpensiverepairbill. Judgementiskeytoavoidingthe majorityotlake-offandlancingissues. andanticipationofthelikelyhazards andtheireffectcanhelpminimisethe risk.Astableapproach,flownwiththe correcttechniqueandspeeds,isagood startingpant,andthinkingaboutthewind direction,itspotentialeffectonapproach and.moreimportenHy,duringandafter touchdownisessentialPickingapoint alongtherunwaythat,ifnotsafelydown anddecelerating,promptsago-around tobeinitiatedisalsogoodpractice.A conservativeassessmentofrunwayslope andcondition,particularlyifitisgreen ratherthanconcretecoloured.is prudent.TheCAASafetySenseleaflets, downloadablefromtheLAAwebsiteunder theBriefingRoomtab,coveravarietyof suchsubjectsandoughttobestandard readingforeveryGAoilot.

MEMBER BENEFITS

ByNeilWilson

A stheseasonisnowwellunderway,

buyingequipmentandtravelling aroundtovariouslocationsisonmany ofouragendas,soit'sagoodtimetoremind youofsomeofthepromotionsthatLAA memberscanbenefitfrom.

Inthepanelrichtweshowlhelogosef companiestheLAAhasteamedupwitto extendthevalueofmembersImpHstedbelow aroLHutterswehdveputtogethes

I'youaretouengortakngholidaysaround teOKEuropeOrI:even°wehayoputa packagetorholflerw•InAccorHotels.Accor affersLAAmembersadiscountof10%off thebestonlineHexbleRatatNovotelana MeesureHotos,art5%ofitsFlexibleRate atalli:scneaperIbishotelsRemember,inis isitsFleqbleRatenoitnebasicpay•upfront withnocancellationoptionYoucancancel upto2pr'sorthedaywhhoutpenaltyifytou needtochargeplansor:heweaterprevents youfromreachingyourdestinahon

Eachofthesecompaniesrspartoftne decorgroupwhthmeansifyciiaretouring nyau-andgetweatheredinorhit:rout)eard needtofrdahotelnearyouatshortnotice (especiallyifflyng/tounnoinVrancelyuuwil enjoythosediscountsLikewiseyouCRPbook weeksaheadontheflexiblerateandstillgol thed‘scouritTthsolfercanalsebeuseetor businessaS.VerIIrasierstee e•we accod7oteis COM Foroarneeweeaveteamedupwith Europcaralley:wigLAAmemberstobenefit troma29%r±scountonallOKvehiclesand 19%ottyelgclesinEuropeandworldwide, includingoars,vansanoprestigevergcles Eurupoarhasbranchesathundredsof locationstcludngairportscitiesart townsas,wellassomerailwaystet:oneand othervenuesIhaveusedLitropcaroutWo occasionsfortamilyholidaysandhavebeen verysatistiedwithitsserviceandvohhees tvwq oureocarcouk lotakeadvantageottheseandother memberoffersgotowwwlaaukcamand chokMemberBeretitsThis.vqtakeyoutoa pagewiththevariouscompany'ogosYou mustthenlogInalthebottomofthepageand chickonMemberBenofitsin1hebIueMembers Areaboxontee'elr-handsideofthenextPage 0youaienotaregisteredmembuyoucart openat-1accountbyfollowingtheinstructions onthelog-inpage)OnceontheBenefitspage youCar'choosewnichcompanyyoums'ito purchaseHemantiproceedfromthere Wehave9etupAccorandEuropcarwitha whitelabelsitewhichmeansthatwhenyou

maceyourcnomechhotelercar,it•vo recognisedwheretotratliohascometrom andyourdiscountwillautomatica'y beactivated ForawidemngeHightequipment. Pooleysisacompany:hathaslongbeen associatedwithteLAAWeevenorto sharedpremisesatEstroc.Dickonitsname vaourwebsiteorgodirectlytothemvia winvpooletis coin Selecttheproductsyou regure.puttheminthebasketandenterLAA ;nthepromotionalpoxwhenasked.whichwill gelyetia5%disoorintthat•illbetaken(AI thepriceautomatically.

TryanewflightexperiencewithVirtual Aerospace,whichoffersflightsimulator packagesatSywellandwhlsoonbeopening atShorehamAdiscountoiupto20%is offeredonstandardpackagepricesfOrhAA Members.VirtualAerospacehasachoiceof twoBoeing737NOfixed•basedsimulators atSywelhwarallhydraulics.electrical.ABM bleedair,oxygen/pressurisationsystems workingasintherealaecraltArecently addedexpenenceht;flyingasimulatorofthe word'smostdifficultlandings,includingthe oldKaiTakAhporsinHongKong,aswellas Alpinemountainflying.

Getinthepeethre,toowithAirTeamlmages, whowehaveaisopartneredup•withThis companyoffersthousanosorsuperblytaken arrcraftimagesandvideosItisniftilylikely tohavemostLAAmembers'aircraftirits library.SOhyouwoufdliketohaveagreat pictureofaparticy.laraeroplanepleaseoar tom,givingyournameandLAAmemberstqh number,whichwitgiveyOua20% csscount onyourorder.PhureJanineorDerekon 01979466454

Legalaaviceisavailablefromaviatron solicitorTimScorerMRAeS,whoottersan initialfreecorrsuttaliortoLAAmembersTin nasbeenanactivepilotfor35yearscoo cab ne ContactegbyeMailori tic, scoreca.t puerouslawcoin orbyphoneon07860 557766and02070639279

IfyouusetheseTeatbenefitsthroughout :heyear.thediscountscanadouptomore thanyourmembershipfee,Inereforcsar.':'rig youmoneyandaddinggreatvalueto beinganLAAmembor.Wewouldlikesome feedbaceonanyottheaboveoffers,soiiyou haveusedtnem,oreverfound a procem whenbooking:buying.pleaseletme9now. TheLAAislookingtoaddmorepartners andanytterestedoartressnouldcentaat

MAINTENANCE

WithMalcdmMcBride

AirworthinessEngineer

REGIMES

Whetherit'sreplicaparts,dampgettingintoyouraircraftorunsecured itemsinthecockpit,there'sanawfullottobearinmindinthismonth's selectionofincidents,accidentsanditemsofinterest

Ifeaturedthispicture inlastmonth'sSafety Spotbut,because Ireceivedsuch alargemailbag fromchapsthat hadsufferedsimilar problemstoBarry Plumb,Ithoughtit worthanotherairing. Thepictureleft showsan acceptableBosch Rotorarm. (F'hoicrGaryCorteml)

Mygoodness.surelyitcan'tbeJuly

already;we'retheothersideof thecurvewhenitcomestoday lengthand,hangon,ifyouare readingthisnottoolongafterthe magazinedroppedthroughyourletterbox,I'm probablyawayonmyholiday.,asmallprayer askingforlighttomoderatesoutherlywindsin theMediterraneanwouldbeappreciated.Imust startgettingthingsorganised.

ihankstoallofyouwhohavewriLl_en. telephonedand°mailedmewithyourpersonal experienceswithJabinrotorarmsanddistributor caps.Iwasquitesurprisedbytheresponsetobe honesthut.thinkingaboutit,pernapsIshouldfg havebeenas,forahome-buildersupport associaLion.thesourcingofcomponenfpartstor thePermitaircraftisacoreissue.WithregardIn thedistributorcaps.quiteafewofyouhadseen theproblemwherethecentreelec:rodegets lsigok:insfdethebodyoffhecap.Thesolution seemstohe.well,heresagoodemailfrom LAA'orGaryOmerthatsufnsuphisexperience andofferssomesensibleadvice,

PATTERNPARTS UPDATE

Maicnim. (31,naJab7750wit, the 2.200engineReading MelatestissueoftheLAAiltagnobng Theissuesv.iiththedizzycaps.Ialsohad

Thispicturefeaturesthevillaininthestory;thispattern partdoesn'tlastmanyhoursand,ifyouareoperating withtheseinbothofyourdistributors,ouradviceis tochangethembeforeyouflyagain.Incidentally, afewmembershavecommentedthatthere'sadvice floatingaroundthatadropofglue(orthread-lock) shouldbeplacedontherotorarm'sdrive beforepushingtherotorintoplaceinorder toremoveanysloppinessfoundinsome installations.ThissoundsOKbutonemember commentedthatwhenhedidthistheglue causedanair-lockandtherotordidn'tsit correctlyontheshaft,whichleadtoa prematurefailureofhisdistributorcap. (Photo:GaryCotterell)

LeftisarathersadlookingMiniMAX, takenshortlyafteraveryheavylanding, heavyenoughinfacttoknockthe tyresofftheirrims.Thereasonsforthe crashweremanifoldbut,ifyouread theaccompanyingtext,you'llnotethat runningthroughthestorywasthesimple factthattheownerdidn'tfollowusual LAAprocedurewhenrepairingand reassemblinghisnewaircraft.

purchasedthesamecaps((knowtheyarethe samebythepartnumber220Ainsidethecap onthephoto..Ironicallydoescorrespondtothe enginetypebychance?).Anywaytheactual partnumberisX097fortheseand theyareavailableatanymotorfactors.As /service myengineandairframeevery25 hoursandmypreviouscapshadbeenfittedin theenginefor100plushours.Idecidedthey neededtobechanged.Thenewcapsfitted fine,hadlessradionoisethantheBoschunits andnootherissues.

Onthefollowing25-hourserviceInoticed theyhadthesamefaultastheoneintheSafety Spotpicture.AtfirstIthoughtthecarbonbrush hadworndownbutaquickrunaroundthebrush housingwithamodellingknifeandthebrush poppedbackout.Iretitledthecapsandcan confirmafteraninspectiontodaythattheyhave completedafurther70hourstrouble-freeand thebrushisstillfreewithnonotablewearonit.

Ithinkbyfreeingthehousingalittlethe problemwascured.Howeverit'sworthbearing inmindthatnonotableproblemexisteduntil inspectionsoIwouldadviseotheruserstohave acheck.Magdropswere'asusual'withaJab (nonotablerpmdrop)

IknowthereareanumberofbopyBosch dizzycapsonthemarket(designedfora NissanSunny).Ifthenghtmakeissubstituted thenthereisnocallforpanic.Boschpartsare virtuallynon-existentatthemoment.

GarywentontoexplainthattheBoschrotor armsarestillavailableandthatpoorquality alternativesasdescribedintheJunemag shouldneverbeused,whatevertheirsource. IshouldsayherethatLAAEngineeringisnot. asaprinciple,againsttheuseofalternatively sourced,orevenlocallymade,partsor components.AsIintimatedearlier,asa home-buildersupportassociationwhere locallymadepartsarethenorm,thatwould placeusinaratherimpossibleposition.What isimportantthoughisthatoursystemsare robustenoughtobeabletoidentifydodgy partsandrejectthemas'notsuitableforaircraft use'ittheyareinanywaysuspect.Thismay bequitedifficult,especiallyifthesourceisone whereitwouldbereasonabletoexpectthatthis checkinghadbeencarriedoutonyourbehalf. Myadviceherewouldbe,outsideofacontrolled environment,trustnothingandcheckeverything thoroughlybeforefitment.

AcloserlookattheMiniMAXempennageshowsclearlywhythepilothadsuchajob onhishandsflyingtheaircraftaccurately;thefixedtrimtabwasfittedupsidedown. WiththeseaircraftnowbeingabletoleavetheLAAPermittoFlyschemeandmove intothederegulatedSSDRcategory,itisveryimportantthatownersretainaproperly structuredmaintenanceregime.Naturally,theLAAwillendeavourtosupportmembers whoownaircraftinthisnewSSDRcategory.

Inthecaseofthepatterndistributorcaps, it'sclearthattherearesomesmalldimensional differencesthatleadtoaburrbeingcreated aroundthecentrebrush,which,inturn,jamsthe centreelectrode.Theremovaloftheburrclears thisissueanditlookslikethecomponentcanbe returnedtoservice.OK,I'dgoalongwiththis,but itwouldbewisetoexpectthatotherissuesmay surfacelaterandaspecialcheckofthispart, incorporatedintoyourmaintenanceregime,be made-perhapsaninspectionafterthefirstfive hourswouldn'tbeabadidea.

Clearlythepatternrotorarmsthatwe've seenarenotfitforpurposeandshouldnot beusedonyouraircraft.It'sclearthatthe design,probablymodifiedbyafter-market manufacturerstoreducemanufacturingcosts, istotallydifferentfromtheoriginal,bothinterms ofdetailandmaterialchoice.

MINIMAXACCIDENTINCORRECTRIGGING

Inourdiscussionaboutso-called'pattern'parts wetoucheduponthefactthattherealkeyto safeoperationwastoensurethatapartwas,in everyway,fitforpurpose.WithintheCertificate ofAirworthiness'Certified'worldthisisdone,in goodmeasureatleast,byaverystrictregard toabsolutetraceabilitywherethewholestory ofthecomponent'fromcradletograve'canbe established.Naturally,thisisaprettyexpensive processtomanageand,intruth,fallstobits whencomponentsleavethesystemforany reasonandrecordsarelost.Thefullycertified systemisnecessaryforaircraftoperatinginthe commercialsector:I'mflyingdowntoTurkey tomorrowandIcertainlywouldn'twanttothink thattheaircraftoperatorI'vechosentotake metherewouldbeallowedtoconsider

SAFETYSPOT

usinga'don'tworrymate,it'llbeOK'partjust becauseitwouldsavehimorherafewquid!

Theessenceofthisissueisreallythe selectionofanappropriateprocessto maximisesafety:thecommercialworldrequires arigidsafetymanagementsuperstructure toachievethehighestlevelofsafetythat's possible,whereasintheworldofPermit toFlyaircraft,atleastintheLAAsystem, theproceduresrelymoreontheshared responsibilitybetweenHQEngineering.the LAAInspectorandtheowner(who,asyouwill know,mustbeamemberoftheAssociation). Somewouidsaythattiffissystem,which hasevolvedtoallowacertainamountof pragmatismwill,byitsverynature,beless safe.Idon'tthinkthatthisisnecessarily true,ifsjustadifferentwayofmanaging riskItcouldequallybearguedthatinthe Permitenvironment,whereaverageannuai flyinghoursareoftenrelativelyverylow,an inflexibleapproachtocontinuingairworthiness managementcouldincreaserisk.

Takingtheaboveintoaccount,oursystems (Perhapsallsystemsinvolving homosapiens) dorequiretheabsolutecooperationofallthe participantsiftheyaretoworkefficiently.Thisis especiallytruewhentheefficiencyofthesystem ismeasuredbythenumberofaccidentsand incidents.Anhonest,-issuesfirmlyonthetopof thetable'approachisabasicrequirement Here'sastorythatdemonstrateswhatcan gowrongifcorrectproceduresaren'tfollowed andoperatorschooseto'goitalone':asitturns out,thecentralparticipant,aTEAMMiniMAX aircraft,cannowoptoutottheprotections affordedbybeingasafetypartnerintheLAA Permitschemeasthistypecannowbeclassed asanSSDR(Single-SeatDeRegulated).

Sowhatsthetale?Well,here'spartotthe pilotisreportintotheevents,whichledtothe crash.Thepilot'safairlyexperiencedthreeaxismicrolightflyeralthoughhasverylimited experienceontaildraggersandthistest flightwasthefirsttimehe'dflownaMiniMAX (Eyebrowsraised:One).

Thetestflight:Thiswasthefirstflight undertakensincethepurchaseottheaircraftby thepresentowners(me+1).Onthedayofthe ffightIgavetheaircraftathoroughinspection, payingparticularattentiontotheengine mountingsandthetailplane.Allseemedfine.

Thegroundrunwasuneventful,exceptthat Ihadtoapplymorebackwardpressurethan anticipatedfortheaircrafttobecomeairborne (Eyebrows:Two).OnclimboutIhadlo sustainsignificantbackpressure.Theaircraft climbedinitiallyatabout60mph.Theengine ransmoothlywithoutvibration.howeveron checkingthetachometerInoticedthatIIwas over-revvingto8,000rpm(Eyebrows:Three). reducedtheenginerevsto6,500.

Thealtimeterwasswingingwildlyperhaps whentheenginewasover-revving,butsettled downincruise.Enginetemperatureswere withinnormalranges.

Iwasunhappyabouttheamountofback pressurerequiredtomaintainlevelflightand wasaleffewomedlhatthecablemightdetach withdisastrousresults(althoughIconsidered thisunlikely)Iestimateabout7.5kgbackpressurewasrequiredincruiseconfiguration. Itwaspossibleloflywithonehandonthe slick,butmorecomfortabletoflywithtwo hands.Itwasdifficulttoachieveweil-balanced arms.probablybecauseofthebackpressure required.IconsideredlandingimmediatelyPut

"Astraightforward enginefailureisn't formallyareportable incident,butit doesn'tmeanthat youshouldn'tlet usknow"

decidedthatitwouldbepreferabletotrytoget used toflyingitbeforeattemptingalanding (Eyebrows:Four).

Iflewforabout15minuteswithinafewmiles oftheairfieldoveropenlandbeforereturningto land.Icalleddownwindandinformedtheairfield thatIwashavingtroublewiththetrimand advisedthemtoexpectaverybadlandingThe callwasacknowledged.Ithinkbythelugpilot.

Iwaitedfordepartingtraffictoclearandset upalongapproach.sothatIcouldgetusedto theaircraftinapproachconaguration.Idecided toapproachat50mph.IcalledfinalsOn approach.Speedwasdifficulttocontrol,atone pointitreached70mph,butwasmostlycloseto 60mphTheflarewaspossiblyalittlefast.Itried tobleedoffsomespeedbeforetouchdown.but withtheveryheavystickloadandconsequent lackofsticksensitivityIwasunabletoexecute agoodlanding.Theaffcraftlandedheavilythe tyresdetachedfromtherims.thenosewent downandthepropellerbroke.Thefrontcowling wasalsodamagedihtheffnpactIswitchedoff andlefttheaircraftwithoutinjury

Onfurtherinspection,andcomparisonwith anearlierphotographoftheMiniMAX,itwas discoveredthatthefixedelevatortrimlabwas assembledupsidedownwhentheelevator repairwascarriedout(Eyebrows:Five).Marks inthegrassshowedthatthepropellercontinued torotateaftermpact.

Letmeexplainthe'eyebrows'comments sprinkledthroughthereporttheyactually reflectmyeyebrows'behaviourwhenIfirst readthereportandIhope,inretrospect, thatthereaderwilltakenoteofthepotential questionabledecisionsmadewithoutanexcess ofextraexplanationThatsaid,weallchoose thewrongpathsnowandagain.and'fair-play tothispilotforgettinganincorrectlyrigged machinebackonthegroundwithoutinjury: othershavenffbeenasfortunate.

Lifewouldhavebeensafer,andprobablyfar moreenjoyable.hadthenewownertakenearlier advicetogetsomerefreshertraininganda properconversion.It'sneveragoodideatotest flyamachinewithoutanyexperienceontype, that'stheroleofthequalifiedtestpilot.

So,howonearthdidthelongitudinal(pitch) trimtabgetputonupsidedown?Thatbringsus backtoprocessand,aswe'refocussingalittle onprocessinthiseditionofSafetySpot,thisis worthyoffurtherdiscussion.

ThisparticularMiniMAXwasactuallya replacementmachine,itspredecessor.another MiniMAX,havingbeenwritten-offbyinsurers afteralandingaccidentthepreviousyear lhenew(replacement)machinewastransferred

toitsnewoperatingsiteafterpurchasebyroad and,inasmallreversingmisadventure,the tailpianewasdamaged

Theownerdecidedtogivethewoodworkside oftherepairjobtohisinspector,carryingout thefabricworkhimself:theinspectorwas awaitingacalltosign-offtherepairsand carryouttherequiredrangechecksand initialandduplicateinspections(process), hutthiscallnevercame;theownerhad decidedtoclearthisworkhimself..,perhaps, thinkinginthisnewSSDPenvironment,all thesestepsevolvedtokeepusallsafe werenolongernecessary.

Anupside-downfixedtrimtabwouldhave beenspotted,withoutanydoubtatallinmy mind,byaqualifiedLAAInspector.Ialso have 110 doubtthatapre-PermitMaintenance Release(PMR-Signatureinthelogbook) enginerunwouldhavediscoveredthatthe propellerpitchhadbeenincorrectlyset, InmyseatasAirworthinessEngineerforthe LAA,firprivilegedtogettoseetheresultsof alotofmistakesand,Ihopeatleast,I'mpretty goodatwormingmywaytotherootcauses ofmanyofthem.Moreoftenthannot,things gowrongbecauseevolvedprocessesaren't followed;often,perhapsbecauseparticipants thinkthatinthePermittoFlyworld,safety processesaremorerelaxed.Nottrue.I'm minded,whenthinkingaboutthedifferent systemsusedtomanagelightaircraftinthe UK.toofferaparalielwiththestoryofour understandingofbloodgroupings.

Onetypeofbloodgrouplooksandfeels (andbehaves)prettymuchthesameas anotherOnegroup,prettymuch,isasgood asanother(inthiscontextthelabelAdoesn't meanthebest!).Theonlythingis,youcannot giveapersonthewronggroup-ifyoudo, they'llprobablydie.Tounderstandwhyrequires averydeepunderstandingabouthowthe humanvascularandimmunesystemsinvolved work.I'mnotsurethat,intheworldofSSDR, wheresystemsandprocesseshavebeen deemedbysometobeunnecessary,that thosemakingthedecisionshavethedeeper knowledgerequired.Timewilltell.

PIONEER200—WATERDAMAGE TOSTRUCTURE

Ifthereeverwasanaircrahthathighlights thedifficultiesoftypedefinitionwithina regulatorysystemithastobethePioneer 200;we'vegottenaircraftoperatingunder anLAAadministeredPermittoFly.threeof theseoperateaslightaircraft(inwhat'soften describedastheGroupAcategory)andthe rest,withsometinytweaksdevelopedtodrop thestallingspeedafraction.registeredas microlights(forthoseoldenoughtoremember. GroupDR.Asanorganisation,wherethe members'aviationwell-beingsitspredominantly inourminds,whatcategoryanaircraftfallsinto isfarlessrelevantthanhowitshouldbesafely managed.Categorycomesintothisprocess, ofcourse,it'sjustthatwhatcategoryanaircraft fallsPitoisnffthatimportant Oursystemshaveevolvedtoensurethe safeoperationofthemember'shyingmachine: almosta'bespoke'continuingairworthiness service.Theindividualnatureofthesystemis necessarywhen,inthePermitenvironment, notwoaircraftareexactlythesame-thaftsthe natureofkit-builtaircraftandabigfeatureof theorphanAnnie.Also,intheunderstanding thatnotwopilotswilloperatetheiraircraft preciselyinthesameway,wehavedeveloped

Nrbredfirruntenanne

aCCOHrnOdale.001hmachinesthatoperatevery reguarlyandni:-.sethat.irlyfly.raryBear 1,1mindtat'lie.a.verR:Taannualflighttimeo' anLAdmachinesqslustbelow20hoi/sann h000fUliyappreciatewhymaintenance scu,sedintheconmerc:alworld(and mnos.E.,thatmmr.7.Metroareprettywelluseless torarcrahhalonlyrarelyfly

InMr,LAA'ssystumthecwncrolil)eaircraft is considefedtobe:nengal!vvorlhinFss m5nager. sfleIs beinnielpeoand sior;orledvhardsasafeoceralbnoyanLAA BritEi,ofcourseaio suppLgiod by tieAsEpnclatic,nwhichwhilecentredrn:his sensebyn..!oess:onalswIla:IAdFngineerincr

[lunysLlisc.,,,whilenotrecognisedby some dieLAAsystemisaireadythenpiportinnate systemasp:iedtinbysone loor:morecloselyitsal-eady(afdILeeri,more furruvni00y9.Firs)

Naturalkytoughinanys\jsremngscan 0wrc,nctThic,istrueelcourseorbc11,the Ulf1:11cLirAlly./31111illoss.wuddcnuOre woridotthePern-irtIfyo:ichitbelievemis typeAAIRG-ATIRRintoanysearcnengine andruadt.eAAIBfirrof

Inthecasecr.thisPion.i,er200two thrg3havegoneastraylacealookattne accomoanyrturpsaridyouwillseethat strw.tureTheslni.jc.tiuren,ihnithalthelower longeronsha.sbi2oncomprornisudtothepaint whoreasstructuralMembersOne‘yvc,slopped wnrkingIhispilotisucky!hatthefuselage LirditcomeapartinflghtThefirsttningthat's po!liastraythisdamagcshau'dhave beenp1ckeo-unlongbetnreitbecame(T.,-tcal ThePioneer200iscssenkall.yawooden f,arriecLAmed•witheitherplywoodorfabric asniemarn;newasneinglefoutsidethe TairoredMaintenanceScnedule9hoLldhave rullectedthisandrcgularcriocksshould havebeeninclucied,nthe31r-craft'sTailoreo Maintenance Scheduie Thesecondissuecoriccrrn5thewaythatthe aitc,EthwasrepairedLssentiallyr.hPtactthat toeairc'allhar-sureieddamagecametoliqbi

Thispicture.takenfromthePioneerBuild Manualinourlibrary,showsthebasic woodenfuselageconstructionemployed intheP200.Notethatthetwolower fuselagelongeronsareplycoveredin theareaofthewingrootwherethedamage causedbywaterwasfound.

(PhrioPoi;e?;91200Ruilciklcnrial)

Duringtherepair,thewater-damagedwood wasremovedfromthelowerlongeron.This pictureshowsclearlyhowmuchofthe structurewasactualcompromised—asyou cansee,virtuallyallofit.Regularstructure inspectionsareanabsolutelyvitalpartofa TailoredMaintenanceSchedule,especially withawoodenaircraftstoredoutside.

(PhotoMact,p)

(Right)There isamisconceptionthataircraftbeingoperatedwithintheLAAPermitsystem aresomehowoperatingwithinasecondratesystem;ifthisweretrueouraccident statisticswouldn'tbeanythinglikeasgoodastheyare.TheAAIBhasrecentlypublished ascathingreportaboutacompany operatingwithintheCertified(Certificateof Airworthiness)system.Itmakessobering readingandremindsusallthatanysystem ofgovernancerequiresthefullparticipation ofallinvolvedindividuals.TheLAA Permitsystemhasonegoal:creatingan environmentwhereordinarymenand womencanflybothaffordablyandsafely. Oncethey'vedonethis,ofcourse,they becomeextraordinarymenandwomen.

(P170(0AAIS)

annualPerri-illrenewalIdidn'tirkethelc,(mcof IItoracoupleofreasonssoIran'hefenairs pas'.ourChiefFngineerFrancisDonaldsor; HedidsomeSUMSand,sadlykirOw-nan,Thr the..epairswereniflit,:someway,Incer s'rengto Intarness,theinspectorinvolv,id, vuycxperirrncedandcumpelent engineerhanchosenanofT-the-shHlt woodrepairscheduiethatwhie;J0,10:fly acceptableinsorrcircipistances, wasn'tappropriateinthisparticular. caseane.:syslipBytietimeyuu readthis,structuralstrengtlie.prant fuselageFecal!(now11;:lyaccepteciiiy purDesTin()Nice)w!llbewellunder waybut,becauseprope]pocess wasn)followed,heresgoingtnbe

SAFETYSPOT

quiteadelaybeforethisaircraftfliesagain.The lessonforallofushereisthatbeforeanything's 'done'toanaircraftaskyourself,'What'sthe correctprocess?Ifyou'renotsure,ask.Certainly beforeyoustartanyrepairinvolvinganycritical componentorstructure,haveachatwithLAA EngineeringtoseewhetheranLAArepair approvalwillbenecessary.

Incidentally,LAAEngineeringissued anAirworthinessInformationLeaflet(LAN MOD/334/003issue1)whichwassenttoall E200ownersrequiringfuselagestructure checks.Sofarnootherproblemshavebeen discovered.Thisowner,bytheway,has decidedthathe'sgoingtohangarhismachine inthefuture-withawoodenaircraftverses UKweather,that'sagoodideal

SPORTCRUISER-REDUCTIONIN MAXIMUMSPEEDe/NE)

IreceivedatelephonecallfromaSportCruiser owner,LAAmemberGodfreyMelling,who explainedthathegenuinelyfelt'luckytobe stillaround'aftertemporarilylosingcontrolof hisaircraftduringtheVnecheckontheroutine annualairtest.Itappearsthatforsome,asyet unexplainedreason,thetailplanehasfailed symmetricallyinoverload.Naturally,LAA Engineeringisinvestigatingthiseventfullyand, whilewework(withothers)toestablishwhythis structurefailed,we'vedecidedto'write-down' theVnefrom138ktIASto120ktIAS.

IaskedGodfreytoputhisexperiencedown onpaperasearlyashecouldandthen,along withtheChiefEngineer.FrancisDonaldson.and theLAASstructuresexpert,JohnTempest,I visitedtheaircraftandmetGodfrey.Here'sthe essentialpartofGodfrey'sincidentreport.

Atapproximately12:00UTCon17May2014 ItookoffinG-MELLfromChilsfoldFarm,West Sussex.neartheMidhurstVOR,intendingto flyviatheWestcottareainHertfordshire,to completetheflightlestforthepurposesofthe aircrafffsannualLAAPermitrenewalandfrom theretoreturntoitsbaseatEistree.

ShortlyafterdepartingChilsfoldFarmI contactedFarnboroughWestandobtaineda BasicService,afterwhichIremainedincontact withATCthroughout,theflightbeingpassed fromFarnboroughWesttoFarnboroughNorth andeventuallycontactingElstreeforthelastfew milesoftheflight.

Thetransponderwasinusefortheentire flightbeingsettosquawkasdirectedby ATCOnfirstcontactwithFarnboroughWest Iinformedthemofmyrouteandintentionto operateintheWestcottareaforhandling.

Atapproximately12:30UTC,abouttwoto threemilessoutheastofWestcott,Iclimbedthe aircraftto3.000fttocompletethelastpartofthe flighttest,whichistodemonstratesafehandling oftheaircraftalVneandtocheckthatthis canbeachievedwithoutexceedingmaximum permittedrpm.IntheSportCruiserdialmeans achievingaspeedof138ktitiadive

From3.000ftIputtheaircraftintoashallow divewhilecarefullymonitonngtheASI. altimeterandtachometerandkeepingmy handonthethrottletoenablemetogradually easeilbackduringthedivetoprevent over-speedingtheengineandpropellerAta pointatwhichtheaircrafthadreachedanIAS of125ktandanaltitudeof1,700fttherewas aloudbangandtheaircraftbeganpitching severelyinbothdirections.Iwasimmediately awarethatthecanopyhadfracturedandthat

papersandothersmallobjectswereflying aboutinsidethecabin.

Inthemomentsfollowingthebangmyentire attentionwastakenupinthrottlingbackand overcomingthepitchingoftheaircraftinorder torestoresafeandlevelflight.Duringthose momentsIdorecallfeelingsomethinghittingmy nghtshin,brieflyglancingdownandnoticing thatthefireextinguisher(normallyhousedinthe centreconsoleunderthearmrest)washanging byitsteggerfromthewiringbehindtheinstrument panelinthepilot'sfootwell.Ialsonoticedthat myheadsethadbeenpulledoffmyhead.

Iwasabletoregainsafeandlevelflightat justunder1,000ft()NH,bywhichtimedie airspeedhadreducedto47kt,whiCh increasedbyslowlyopeningthethrottle. WhiledoingthisIcheckedtheknownwind directionagainsttheDIandselectedtwofields, eitheroneofwhichwouldhavebeensuitable forlandinginIalsoscannedtheflightand engineinstruments,whichseemedtobe readingnormally

Ithenreachedformyspareheadset,which fortunatelywasstillroughlywhereIhadleffit pnortotake-off,butrealisedthatmyoriginal headsetwasstillpluggedinByfollowingthe wiresIfounditjammedagainstthecanopy oneofitsearcupshavinggonethroughthe largeradialcrackinthecanopyabovemeand tomyleft.Ipulleditbackintothecabinbutit wasunserviceabieaspartoftheearcuphad beenrippedoffintheairstream.Itherefore disconnecteditandpluggedinmysparesothat IcouldcallATCtoinformthemofmysituation. WhiledoingthisIalsonoffcedthatthefire extinguisher(whichisofthepowdertype)had partiallydischargedandhadnowfallendown

Thisdiagramshowsthebasicconstruction Ji oftheSportCruisertailplane. (Diagram.CSASportCruiserPartsManual)

Onefeatureofthisincidentwasthatthe fireextinguishercameoutofthecentre consulduringaperiodofnegativegand dischargeditscontentsintothecockpit. Clearly,thisinitselfcouldhaveresultedin aseriousincident.We'vewrittentoallSC ownersadvisingthemthatitisessenfialthat anyarticlecarriedinanaircraftisproperly restrained.Afireextinguisher,ifcarried, mustbeaffixedbyanappropriatefixingto anappropriatestructure.Thisistrueforall aircraftnaturally. (PhotoMalcolmMcBride)

Youcanseethatthecanopyhasfailed.At themomentwe'renotsureifthiswasthe causeofthelossofcontroloraneffectofit. (PhotoMalcolmMcBride)

• behindtherudderpedals.Bygentlydepressing them,oneatalimeIfoundthathadrestricted butacceptablerudderauthoritygiventhecalm conditionsandlightwindontheday

AtthatpointIrealisedthattheaircraftwas nowinsafeandcontrollablefrightwiththe enginerunningwellandalltemperaturesand pressuresnormal.Idecidedthatreturningto Elstree,alicensedairfieldwithfullfacilities arelativelyshortdistanceawaywasasafer optionthanattemptingalandinginanunknown tieldwithnofacilities.

Withsafefrohtandcommunicationsnow restored,IcalledFarnboroughNorthand reportedmysituation.Theyaskedme Iwishedtodeclareanemergencyand Itoldthemthatastheaircraftappearedto

Here'saclose-up oftheport/top surfaceoftheSC tailplaneshowing theLEfailuremode. (PhotoMalcolm McBride)

(Above)In thispictureI'vecombinedtheporttailplane(top)alongsidethestarboard(bottom). Noticethesymmetryinthefailurezonesbetweenportandstarboardflyingsurfaces. (PhotoMalcolmMcBride)

1/

Theevidencepointstothecanopy failurehavingbeencaused byanimpact;notethatatthe originthecrackissubtendedin fourdirections(mostprobably) simultaneously.Thereare fourobviouspossibilitiesfor this:impactbythepilot'shead (headset);impactfromoutside; impactbythefireextinguisher;or asuddenexplosivefailuredueto internalmaterialstressescaused bythecurtainrail.Allthese(and other)factorsarebeingexplored. (PhotoMalcolmMcBride)

(Above)This isthetailplanedamagethat confrontedGodfreyMellingafterhelanded safelyatElstreeaftertemporarilylosing controlduringaVnedive.Ineffect,this tailplanehasfoldedup,onlyregaining itsoriginalshapewhentheairspeed droppedbelowabout60kt.Thisisthe firstin-flightstructurefailurerecorded ontheSportCruisertypeandnaturally LAAEngineeringisworkingtoestablish exactlywhatmighthavehappened.While investigationscontinue,theLAA'sDesign OfficehasreducedtheVneonallLAA SportCruisers(70aircraft)from138ktIASto 120ktIAS). (Photo.GodfreyMelling)

(Below)This picture,takenatourfacilityat Turweston,showstheextentofthebuckling totheskinofthetailplane.Thisisashotof thelowersurfaceofthetailplane. (PhoicMalcolmMcBride)

SAFETYSPOT

beinsafeandcontrollableflight,Iwouldpreferto landbackatElstree.

WhileallthiswasgoingonIhadbeen graduallyincreasingtheairspeedandclimbing theaircraft.However,owingtothebroken canopyIfoundthatatabout77kttheremaining sectionsofthecanopybeganflappinginthe airstreamandpullingapartandtheaircraft beganpitchingagain.Ielectedtorestrictthe airspeedtoapproximately70ktfortherestofthe flightcruisingatabout1.400ftOMR

JustpastAmershamobtainedafrequency changefromFarnboroughtoElstreewhohad beenalertedbyFarnboroughofmysituakon Elstreegavemedirectionstojoindownwind for26Left(insteadoftheusualoverheadjoin) andIwasrelievedtoestablishwiththemthat thesurfacewindwaslessthan5ktandmore orlessstraightdowntherunwaywhich Ijudgedwouldgivemenoproblemswith thelimitedrudderauthonty

Iwasthenabletomakeanormalapproach

andlandingandtotaxibacktomynormal parkingspot.whereIparkedtheaircraft andinspectedthedamage.Theflightended at13:15UTC.

ThanksGodfreyforaveryclearandconcise reportand,naturally,congratulationsfor keepingacoolheadinaverydifficultsituation. AsyouwillseeI'vemadesomecomments belowtheassociatedattachedpictures.Now, whereisthatpassport?

FairWinds.

LAAerGregScottsentinthispictureasagoodFOD ALERTHeexplains:"IthoughtIshouldsharethis picturewithyouandothermembers.Apersistent Robinhastakentosettinguphomeinaircraftinour hangarsharedbythreeactiveaircraft.Twoofushad beenworkingonouraircraft,anRV-4andRV-9, preparingforaPermitrenewaltestflightbutthe weatherpreventedflighttestsforthreedays.OntheI firstdayofgoodflyingweatherwewenttothehangarI toreadytheaircraftandwereconfrontedwithwhat youseeintheattachedpicture;notdifficulttospot evenwiththemostcursorywalkround!Theoffending matterwascarefullyremovedaswasthecowlingfor athoroughinspection.Thiswasquiteremarkable enoughbutbecauseourstripwasabitmarginalfor afully-loadedaircraftwehadelectedtodrainfueland flytoHenstridgeforthehardrunway.Wefilledwith, fuelandmetwithourinspectoranddulycarriedout, thetesting.Whenwereturnedtoourhomestripsome, fiveorsixhourslater,havingenjoyedaflightaround theIsleofWight,weopenedthehangardoorstofind theremainingaircraft,aProstar,hadthesamelevel ofnestmaterialintheidenticalinlet.Wehavetaken thehintandaremakingpolystyreneblocksforallI apertures.Idon'tmindsharingtheskywiththeRobin butthisisgoingtoofar!"

Withoutspecialistadvicepilotscan

WHERE TO GO

on5-6JulyinconjunctionwiththeDevonStrut'sannual Fly- in. It'sagreatopportunitytoencourageyournon-member friendstocomealohaandsavourthefunofanLAAFly-in,while alsolearningaboutwhattheAssociationhastoofferAnother no-to-be-missedeventthatwincertainlyattractsomeofthefinest

ThefinalLAARoadshowof2014takesplaceatDunkeswell

4- 6

Salzburg (OE),DC-3Fly-in

5 BoxtedLAA SuffolkCoastalSaul lyanHALM06furorload). 070112 I220e

5- 6Waddington, RAFAirshow

5-6 Sleep BAeAPittsSpecial AerobaticCompetition

5- 6Popham, RRRAHandicapAir Race,01256397733

5-6Dunkeswell LAAD,- HNUI IRCUlthHIC',V 0-1802;8756010ItlfAl80la-13

5- 6Northrepps, AmericanAircraft Fly-in(PPR),07886264992/ 07771800406

5- 6Foynes (El),FlyingBoatMuseum 75thAnniversaryAirshow

5- 7 LeedstoLondon! StartofTourde FranceCycleRace

6 OldSarum. VintageSunday Fly-in,01722322525

6ComptonAbbas, Pooley'sDay Fly-in

6 Bodmin, CornwallACWings& WheelsFly-in,01752406660

6 Panshanger. NLFCAmerican IndependenceDayFly-in. 01707391791

6 Capel - le- Ferne,Kent, BoB MemorialEvent

vintageaircraftinthecountryisthe VintageAircraftClub's50th AnniversaryFly- in,whichtakesplaceatPophamon26- 27July. Andforthosewishingtospreadtheirwingsalittlefarther.EAA AirVenturestartson28July.ThankstoDaveWiseandtheRAeC fcrtheuseoftheireventsdata.ThefullRAeCeventslisting,which containsmanywetslinks,canbefoundat events.royalaeroclub.org

12- 19Chateauroux (F),FrenchOpen AerobaticCompetition

13OldWarden, ShuttleworthAirshow, 01767627927

I 3 Barton, FamilyFunDay& Fly-in

13- 6AuGlasgowArea, Commonwealth GamesRestrictedAirspace

14- 20Farnborough, SBACFarnborough Airshow

14Paris (F).NationalDay Flypast

14Valenciennes (F),Airshow 16Vlissingen (PH),Search& RescueShow

I6- 20FolkestoneRacecourse, War&PeaceShow

17- 27SaoCarlos (PP),FAIWorldHA BalloonChampionships

18- 20Vichy - Charmeil (F),RSAFrance EuroFly-in

18- 20Fenland. BAeAAerobatic Competition

19- 20Breighton, 25thAnniversary &VintageAirRace, 01757289065

19- 20OldWarden, ShuttleworthWWI ModelShow,01767627927

19- 20Jamijarvi (OH)Fly-in& Airshow

8- 27ThroughoutFrance (F).Tourde FranceCycleRace 20

I9- Au3Toulouse/LeBourget (F), YoungPilotsTourofFrance ComptonAbbas, LadyPilot Fly-in

10-12 Arlington (N).RecreationalAircraft Fly-in 20

10- 13 Goodwood, ChipfestChipmunk 21 Fly-in(PPR),01243755061

11- 13Tiverton, BalloonFestival

11- 13Fairford, RIATMilitaryDisplay, 01285713300

12- 13 Duxford, IWMFlyingLegends Airshow

12- 13NorthCoates, Wings&Wheels Event.01472388850

12- 13 Shobdon Ael(111CaCHI) USSlaksica

12- 13 PlaistowsFarm, CapitalChallenge MicrolightCompetition

12- 13 PophamEuropaFlcol. 0125030/733

12- 13t.b.a., EssexPrecisionFlying Competition—Nationals

I 2- 13 HeveninghamHall. CountryFair Wings&Wheels&Fly-in(PPR), 07796878052

12- I 3 Northrepps, FrenchAircraft Fly-in(PPR).07886264992/ 07771800406

Bray (El),SeafrontAirshow Brussels (00),NationalDay Flypast

24LymeRegis, LifeboatWeek SeafrontRedArrowsShow

24Coningsby, RAFFamiliesDay (inoTyphoons)

25 - 27Sunderland, SeafrontAirshow (incRedArrows)

26 - 27Gdynia (SP),RedBullAirRace

26Yeovilton, FAAAirshow, 08708004031

26EastFortune, ScotlandAirshow (incRedArrows)

26Westonzoyland. WMCMicrolight Fly-in&Party(PPR). 07805405944/07811194640

26 - 27OldBuckenham. OldBuck Airshow

26 - 27 Dornoch LAAI-1611-1,-tottls AIslartakStrutFly-lo. 01862fi3k2881

26 - 27Cleethorpes. SeafrontAirshow (incRedArrowson27)

26 - 27 Popham VAC501I., Fully.8LAAAulusof•SalkFif,t-in 012563.07732

26 - 27Northrepps, LadiesFly-in(PPR) 07886264992/07771800406

26 - 27Weston - super - Mare. HelicopterMuseum—Starsof TimeSci-FiShow

27Gijon (EC),FestivalAereo

28-3 AuOshkosh Wi(N),EAAAirVenture NationalFly-in&Display, 0014144264800

30 - 2AuAuch (F),Aerobatic CompetitionWWICentenary Event

31 Culdrose, RNASAirDay

27 OldWarden, ShuttleworthWings& WheelsShow,01767627927

31-2 AuConington, BAeAAerobatic Standard&Intermediate Nationals

/111;e4121I

1-3

DamynsHall, Military&Flying MachineShow

1- 3Koksyde (00),WWIFly-in &Show Panshanger. NLFCYoungAviators Day,01707391791

2-3 Limetree (El),LFC10th AnniversaryFly-in

2EastKirkby, MuseumAirshow 2FirsFarm,Newbury. FirsFarmFly-in(PPR). 07976262833

2-3 Lundy, Anglo-WelshLundy Fly-in(PPRessential), 01752406660

2-3RochesterI AAKtoorStati Flyan

2-9 Cowes, CowesWeekYacht Races(incRedArrows& Typhoonson8)

3 OldSarum, VintageSundayFly-in. 01722322525

3 Fenland, PrecisionFlying Competition

3 Seething. SummerFly-in& BBQ

3 Tibenham, NGCWings&Wheels Show(PPR),01379677207

5- 9Amiens (F),Aerobatic Competition

6Fenland, FACMidweekFly-in

7- 10Stauning, (0Y)KZClubNational Fly-in&Display

7-16 DubnicaVahom (OM),FAIWorld AdvancedAerobaticCh'ships

LAAFREELANDINGSFORJULY2014

VOUCHERSMUSTBEPRESENTEDTOOBTAINFREEORREDUCEDLANDINGFEES

FREELANDINGFORJULY2014

BAGBYAIRFIELD,NORTHYORKSHIRE _ (01845597385) wwwbogby-oirfeldco.uk

AGRASSAIRFIELD situatedintheValeofYork,Bagby'swell-groomedgrassrunwaysprovideawelcomeforpilotswhorequirefuel,acoffee andabaconsarnie,orevenanovernightstay.SituatedthreemilessouthofThirskinNorthYorkshire,theairfieldisbasetoamixtureofGA singles,microlightsandhelicopters.It'sconvenientlylocatedforaccesstoHarrogate,Ripon,TheValeofYorkandtheNorthYorkMoors. andisagreatbaseforaholidayorshortvisit.Theclubhouseisopenfrom09.00to17.00dailyRadiois123.25butnotalwaysmanned,so pleasemakecallsasnormal.Therecanbequitealotoftrafficfromotherairfieldsnearby.Nooverheadjoinspleaseandavoidthevillageto theNorthoftheairfield.

FREELANDINGFORJULY2014

DAMYNSHALL,ESSEX (01708556000) www.domynsholl.co.uk

NOTSOMUCH avoucherasareminderthatDamynsHallnolongerchargesalandingfee.Theairfieldiswellsitedforeitheradayora longervisittoLondonasUpminsterrailstationisonlythreemilesaway.Anearlystartandaquicktaxitothestationcanhaveyouincentral LondonfortheChangingoftheGuard!Tworunways,850mx25mand400mx20m,afriendlywelcomeandarestaurantthatoffersagood choiceoffoodmakeDamynsHallanairfieldallLAAmembersshouldvisit.TheaerodromehasanAirGroundRadioServiceon'Hornchurch Radio'119.550.PleasebroadcastandlistenoutonthisfrequencyAlltrafficshouldavoidflyingoverthelocalconurbationsandapproachby theclearcorridorstotheNorthEastandSouthoftheAerodrome.BeawarethatDamynsHallAerodromeisclosetoLondonCityAirportwith itsattendantairspace,andisalsosituatedundertheLondonTMAsopleasecheckyourchartsforairspace.Joinoverheadat1,400ft(CINH) toavoidenteringLondonCityairspace.Pleasenoterevisedcircuitrulesfor03/21. 1

ANEXTENSIONTO therunwayhasjustbeenadded,sowhynotvisitPembreyandenjoysomelovelyWelshcountryside?TheSundayroast lunchiswellknown,soyoumightwanttobookahead.Haveafeastandthenwalkitoffalongtheaward-winningsevenmileCefnSidan Beach.The12thCenturyNormanKidwellyCastle,whichwasfoughtovermanytimes,isnearby,asaretaxisandhotels.Theairfieldcaféis opensevendaysaweek,butduringtheweek,youneedtogive24hoursnoticetothenextdoorPembreyRangeon01554890429soplease PPRMondaytoFridayforaslotnumber,althoughthereisrarelyaproblemwithvisitingintheweek.Pleasecheckthespecialprocedures informationintheflightguidesorPembreywebsite.RAFRangeis122.750whenapproaching.PF'Risnotneededatweekends.AvgasandJet AlavailableAirfieldradioisA/Gon124.400

SETINDEEPEST Norfolk,Seethingwashometothe448thBombGroup,partofthe2ndAirDivisionofthe8thAmericanAirForceduring WWII,Itisnowamuchmorepeacefuldestinationwhereyouwillreceiveaveryfriendlyandwelcome.Avgasisavailableforyouraircraftand snacksanddrinksforthesoulsonboard.Becarefulasagriculturalmachinerymaybecrossingclosetorunway24.Afreeon-siteairfield museumisopentovisitorsonSundays,sowhynotvisitandlearnaboutthefascinatinghistoryoftheairfieldandlocalarea?NGradiois 122.600andnearbyNorwichis119.350.

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LightAirplaneDesigniPaznianyi £48 LessonsLearnedinAircraftDesign (Roskam)

£75 Low-PowerLaminarA/CDesignISiropi.£45

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AirborneAnimals&CockpitCompanions AircraftEngineer APilot'sPerspectiveICFlood)

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ChoosingYourHomebuilt,3rdedition (Armstrong)

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RV6FORSALE.200112build,0-360A2A 1100hrs,WarnkeFPprop.DynonD100 EFIS,RMIEMS,GPS.Agile,fast,reliable. economical-140KT+on22-24lph.Permit renewedJan2014.Verysensiblypriced. Pleasetextorphoneyouremailaddressto 07734801855or07884298581andwe'll sendyouadetailedfactsheet.

JABIRUTIPSYNIPPER(80hp.electric start.mogas).273hoursairframe,242 hoursengine.CheapIntermediateaerobatics.Auxiliarywing-roottankforadded range.Newtie-rodsfitted.Pricereduced foraquicksale-now212.000.View (nearHemelHempstead),andI'lldemonstrate1/4verticalroll!01442246905 nickmartinbloom@gmail.com

G-BTFJPA15PIPERVAGABOND, 1948.Airframelessthan1600hours,engineContinental90HP,320hourssince completeoverhaul.Professionallyfitted withLXElectronicsTrigandBeckerradioandModeStransponder.Newtyres. sealedstruts,Ceconitecovered,Garmin 296GPS.Beautifulaeroplane,£22000or nearoffer,orpossiblepartexchangefor interesting aircraft.BasedRochester.Phone 07812028636.

TIPSYNIPPERMK1.Airframe363hours. AcroVWengine13hours.Newwing.Completerebuild2010.Aerobatic,agile,amiable.Permitfor10months.£12.500.,Tel Clive01424844427orJack01435813554.

RUTANLONG-EZ.TTAF320hours.0235-L2C20hourssinceprofessionalrebuild.PermittoJune2014.Electricstart. Wilhelmsonnoselift,covers,Narco12D nav/com,transponder.strobes/naylights. Offersinvited.BasedPrestwick.Phone 01563540510.

RALLYECLUB,1971.TTAFonly1788,Engine200SMOHJune2009.regG-AZKE. Newpaintsummer2010.lookssuperb. Frontseatsandsidepanelsreupholstered Sept2013.ARCdue13August2014.VHF/ VOR/TXPModeA/C.GreatSTOLaircraft forfarmstripflying.24litresperhr.Group splittingup.basedSouthend.£19500with newARC(£16500takenwithout),noVAT. PerhapsthesmartestRallyeClubinUK! emailjohn.headlam@googlemaitcom RANS86-116.Rotax912andairframe697 hrs.GoodpanelwithvacuumAlandDI, twoMicroavionicsANRheadsets,loomA3 radio.Hydraulicbrakes,aerodynamictrim, coversgoodcondition(6yearsold),full hangarcovers.Excellentconditionexcept slightwindscreencraze(serviceable).SuperflyerwithPermittoMay2015.Located BreiddennearWelshpool.£16,750ono. Tel:01244671417.

AERONCA11ACCHIEFVerysafe,forgivingandfrugal.Excellentcondition.Lots ofhistory/paperwork.Totaltime1665.engine5445hrs.Built1946.Continental A65-8withChrisLodgeprop.Comeswith loomintercombutnoradio.£12,000.ContactMatton07872000882ormattdovey@ hotmail.co.uk

AEROAT-35K,97%BUILTBrightred.Includesleathermemoryfoamseats,threebladeprop,912ULS(100hp)new.Full engineinstruments.A/H.DI.TPASTransponder,radio—everythingnew.jettisonablecanopy.£27,000willconsidersplitting. Heartattackforcessale.Contact07808 506931(RedcarTS102NACleveland). JODEL105091SHARE.BasedHorsham. Share£5000.Monthly£85.Hourly£54.Web booking.ModeCandAware.ContactLaurie 01403251790orI.n.p@btinternet.com ROLLASONCONDORD62B.Thisisa BritishbuiltLAAClassic'Permit'aircraft. Comfortablewithgoodloadcapacity.The aircraftisagoodexampleandinnicecondition.PermittoendofAugust2014.TTAF 3773hrs.100hpContinental0-200,TTE 1790hrs.ClevelanddiscbrakeswithC172 wheelsandtyres.NewMichelMX11radio. Idealsyndicateaircraft.£12,000ono.Tel John01239811679or07817951352. RANDKR2GBRJX.Aircrafthasapproximately50loggedhourssincefirstbuilt in1990.Hasbeendrystoredsince1996. Ithasremovablewingsandcanbetrailer transported.Itisbuiltasatwoseatversion withdualcontrolsbuttheLAAhasaweight limitof900lbseffectivelylimitingtheaircraft tosingleseatoperation.Revmaster2100D 80hpengine,fulltopendoverhaul2006. PropellorCowley560x45P.Newtyresand tubes.Icomhandheldradioinstalled.Will needworkforpermitbutisacompleteand previouslyflownaircraft.£6000ono.Based WestWales,buyerwillneedtoarrange transport.TelJohnon01239811679.

ALPIPIONEER300G-EKIM254,000 Builtin2007thislovelyexampleofAlpi's Pioneer300isfittedwiththeupratedHawk noseleg.Airframehas285hrs.TheRotax 912ULShaslogged210hours.ldrovario VPprop–newfactoryblades,drivenby aSmartAvionicsCSC-1controller.AvionicsincludeAirmap2000C,TRT800 Transponder.ATR600Corn.Newweighing.freshpermittoflyandsetofcovers Enquiries:TargettAviationLtdWork:01453 860861Mobile:07850769060Sailplane@ btconnect.com

Load/Trim sheet design CAAapprovalAl/8538/79 EngineersthroughouttheUK Tel:+44(0)1792310566Fax:310584 Mobile:07798662939

email:info@planeweighs.com web:www.planeweighs.com

HEADSETS. DaveClarkDCNCasnew. Superbnoisecancelling.Mono/stenofacility.Crystalclearreception(Idealfornoisy cockpits!).£250eachor£450formatched pair.rondavandl@gmail.com

JIGS.Sevensteeljigsforwing,tailplane, andfuselageconstruction.UsedonGlastar, re-buildofmyAvro504andandexperimentaltwo-seater.Adaptableformostaircraft. Thewingjigis16ftlongbutsplitsintotwo 8f1lengths.Forfulldescriptionandphotos Email:gmn2008@hotmail.com

WINDSOCK.Piggott15"diameterby4feet. Rip-stopnylon.Newandunused£40.SimilarsizewindsockOKforoneseason.£5. Idealtorstrip.rondavandl@gmaitcom

BEAUFORTMK24lifejackets–2.For wearingflatfolded.Asnew.£25each. rondavandl@gmail.com

U.S.AIRCREWflightcoveralls.Olive green.Used.VGC.40-42inchchest.£25. rondavandlPgmail.com

TRAILERfortransportingtailwheelEurofox. Newrunninggearandsteel.lightsand jockeywheel.Possiblyadaptableforother aircraft.Phone01862832903daytimefor details.Photosemailedifinterested.

AndyMatiskie

vintageaircraftmaintenance survey,overhaul,crashdamagerepair EASA.CAA.FAA,BOA,LAAApprovals mobile:07850 071302 andymcluskie©aol.com www.andymcluskie.co.uk

AvintiemAerajiglide/aimiasty www.aireraflplywoodandtimbetco.uk Telephone.44(0)1793791517(officehrs.) Emailcludleypattisonettinternet.com

LOOKINGFORASHAREinasmallpermit aeroplane?SoamI.IliveinAshford,Kent andamlookingtojoinorformagroupwith aJodelorsimilartype.Ifyouareinterested call:Peter07899015287.

ONEFIFTHSHAREAeroncaChampionGBRXG.Hangared/basedNayland.Longestablishedgroup.£50permonth.25anhour dry.PermittoendofMarch2015.£3000. AlsooptionofonefifthshareinA65engine rebuilttozerotimestandardbyRichardIsenburg.22000.john@sproughton.gp-plus. net.01473742778.PhotoonGINFO. VAN'SRV-6.Onesixthshare.Based Gloucester.G-GDRV.£80month.£75 hr/wet.Friendlygroup,greatavailability. Lycoming160hp.Autopilot.TrigModeS, SkymapGPS.Airframe1400hrs,engine1120hrs.Noworkdue.£7,850. westerhuis@hotmaitcom07960459183. AA5GROUP.Gamston.Only1/6shares sogreatavailabilityinfour-seattourer.A/F 2100hours,Lycoming0-320150hpwith only300hourssinceTBO.NOWFORTHE FIRSTTIME–nonequityshares£50p/h and£120p/month.25hoursupfront= £1250toflyoffover12months.Details: www.gbcpn.co.ukTel:07976802107.

SHAREINPOPHAMFLYINGGROUP available.PiperVagabond,Wassmerand Robin.£1850tojoin,£75permonthand £42(Vagabond)or£80(others)perhour wet.AndrewTel:01256819909Email acam@talktalk.net

11-110Lthesi12215124Litres; 2110112Litres]2215124Litretto

RANDKR2PROJECT Bodyworkcomplete apartfromseats.Someinstruments.Must go.E3000o.n.o.PhotosavailableviaEmail: edwardrooney@talktalk.netPhoneTedat Whitstable01227274882.

FLYYOURNEWHOMEBUILT thisyear! EuropaMonokitjustcompletedfirewallaft. Qualityfinishinsideandout.Fityourown choiceengine,wiringandancillariestofly. £19,500.rondavand1@gmail.com

NIPPER111PROJECT, airframeonly.Last oneoffSlingsbyline.DrystoredinSwitzerlandformanyyears.100hourstotal,noaccidentsordamage.Wings.tailplane,elevator, rudderandaileronsallrecovered.Fuselage needsprimerandcovering,needsbungees forgearandfuelcap.BargainDCArf3@ onetel.comorTEXTonly07835684319.

WHITMANTAILWIND. Fitted0-200engine.Damagedinlandingaccidenttoright handleg.Easyrepair.Alldocumentsfrom originalbuild.£5000.PhoneRogerWindley 07973104313.

PIELSAPHIR. Completeairframe,controls, fueltanksinstalled.Noengine,u/c.canopy. Allworksignedoff.Furtherdetails07764 940877daytime.01494837205evenings. Offers.

Oil ServicePacks TechnicaSu MobHeService

OMEGAPROPELLERSarebeautifullylaminated AshandMahoganyprops,clearcoatedwith4oz fibreglassforstrength,twopartpolyurethaneclear withanepoxy.Urethaneprotectivetapeonthe leadingedge.Classicpropswithlatestdesignand atcompetitiveprices.15yearsmakingpropsin NewZealand:enquirestobillszard00.07

IndividualpropellerswillbesubjecttoLAAapproval C90-8FENGINE, overhauledandzerotime. Completewithmagnetos.ignitionharnessesandcarburettor.Idealreplacementforan A65engine.£10,000outright.E8.000exchange.Callfordetails07773014816.

CONTINENTALC90-8F. 2145SMOHremovedfromCofASuperCub. Still running well. SoundengineforpermitA/C.£4,000+ VATContactGlyn01622891017orglyn@ tigerclub.co.uk

NEEDTOCLEAROUT? GoodhomeofferedtoalloldEAA/PFAetc.magazines. aviationbooksandespeciallyaircraftplans. Happytocoverpostagecosts.PleasecontactCraigon07726104788.

WANTED. AnyTurbulentpartshrrebuild ofclassicaircraftAirframeorengineparts. Cashpaidandpromptcollection.Phone Mark07754018471.

WANTED. 0-200engineinfirstclassordertogointoJodel0150.Musthavelobe oncamshaftforfuelpump.Pleasephone 07778355089oremail:locksgarage@ btinternet.corn

HANGARVACANCY atHintoninthe Hedges.Northants.SuitableforLAAtype. PreviousoccupantRollasonCondor.£65 pcmplusairfieldfee.Phone01295660569. Email:jullan.doswell@tinyworld.co.uk

N.RRL

MicrolitetoSSEPPiston(aircraft)

Threedays-Fixedprice

*Day1-Groundschooladexam(aircrafttechnical) *Day2-Flighttraining(differences)includingflight safetybreifingsinPiperPA28

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VHFRTAVAILABLEIFREQUIRED

DerekDavidsonMobile07831517428(ind.eves)

Emailflyderek@hotmailco.uk (BOURNEMOUTH)

VHFRTLICENCE

Allthetrainingyouneed,theoryandpracticalor either.Includesexamandtest. Toairtrafficcontrol,thebadgeyouwearastohow goodyouareasapilotisyourRT. "fl ynnsounda****.theywillasumeyouare IImaynotbelair,butit'showitis.' Phonemeforachat

DerekDavidson,Henstridge,Somerset Mobile07831517428(incI.evenings) Emailflyderek@hotmail.co.ukuikri,nAInsaiN

HereIam(AGAIN)

Areyoutryingtopass bywatching television(er,sorry,CDROMs)? ElLktkiko‘Inookik C-Oreandiaaieao1soomo.enoixrdsybylathingtoyou.thanyOu MOOtamtowatoonglacsorry.COROWEuntilyoureyesran riveday,luattmeGroundSchopol aowhome. airsevenexams.andIpromiseyouwrdeniey I. CamedownanddoanyoradtheexarnsyouneedGohackto y1%0 trite andsthoolandgetonwtihyourWsyouItnowwt.!Imeant Threedecadesareacher/examiner TelephoneDerekDavidson,7am-8.30am8, evenings,07831517428(mobile) EmailHydereirgliatmail.co.uk

(OMEGAPROPELLERS

lininpropertymanagement butamsemi-retirednow.Inthe pastIwasaresearchengineer inunderwateracousticsforthe MOD,andafterthatIwasinhighpowerradar researchatBoscombeDown.Iamalsoa qualifiedHSEcommercial/scientificdiverand cranedriver!Oh.andIwasoncetheMDofa paramotormanufacturingcompany.

Ihavebeenintocern-modellingsincemy teens,stillam,andthenabout25yearsago gotinvolvedwithparachute;Limpingand parascending,whichledtofreeflightand poweredparaddingWhilstIwasworkingat

BoscombeDowntheopportunitytogetaPEE arosewhentheflyingclubthereofferedmea routetoaJARPH..-apparentlyItickedabox atthebottomoftheflyingclubapplication formsaying'Doyouwanttobeapilot?'What normalblokedoesn'ttickaboxlikethat?

Twoyearslater,onaSaturdaymorning,I hadacalloutofthebluefromSg.LdrReay askingitIwasstillinterested.WasIevertThat daywasthefastestIhaveeverdrivenfrom WeymouthtoBosconMe.

Well,priortolearningtoflyatBoscombe DownIhadtakenpfeasureflightsfnanExtra 350outofDunkeswellbutyes,thefirst-heavy

metal'IflewmyselfwastheCessna172in whichIlearned.

About750hoursplusanother1E5odiin 'ragwings'-paraghders.poweredandfree gliding.Mylitefsaim,inflyingatle.ast,istoget to1.000hoursinSEDs

WithoutdoubtmyfavouriteistheHawker Hunter.Itwasa55thbirthdaytreatfrommy darlingwifeoutofExeter-asco-pilotwith BrianGrant.aHuntertestpilot.AsIremembei itweused1550kgoffuelinanhourand

TheAEGJavelinneverwentintoproductionbutitisthekindofBob'sTecnamEcho,agoodall-roundtouringaircraftwith personaljetBobwouldlovetoownifhewontheEuroLotterysensiblecarryingcapacity,hesays

tookaboutabout12minutestogetfromfrom ExetertoLand'sEnd!

TheworstwasprobablyaPulsarwttha two-stroke582Rolexengine.Irememberitas uncomfortable,noisyandrattly

Ourcurrentaircraft is thefantasticTecnam Echo.Itissafe,easytoflyandecononical.a greatallroundtouringaircraftwithasensible payloadandverypractice!space.Itwilldeal withcommercialairfieldsandfarmstripswith equalease...Wecouldn'twishformore.

AfterdoingbarrelrollsandCubanEightsin theHunter.itsgottobeanorbitholdingabove ablockofhi-riseflatsincentralBerlinwhilst 'numbertwo'toacommercialairlinerlanding atTempelhof.justbeforeitwasclosedforever.

IguessChuckYeagerandtheRichard Branson/BurtRutanpartnership,allofwhom I metbrieflyatOshkoshafewyearsago. ButalsoPeterTwiss.thefirstmantogo supersonicintheUKinaHunterinadive IwentoutbrieflywtthhisdaughterSarahand methimatalectureatBoscombenotlong beforehedied.Ihaveapersonaldesireto

gosupersonicmyself,butthatIsgettingquite difficultnowasConcordeandThunderCityin SouthAfricahavegone.TheMigsinMoscow wantedaserioussecurityclearancefromme becauseofmybackground:Ihatepaperwork soIgaveup.Anysuggestions?

Yes,theonethatsticksinmymindisflying fromLeTouguettoGranvitleontheWest coastThecloudwaslowsoweflewlegal VFR'ontop'foranhourusingtwinGPS andhopingthatthecloudwouldclearat thecoastandwecouldflyouttoseaand dropunderneath.Itdidn't.Whatmadethe situationworsewasthatwewerebothaware ofaslowlydroppingfuelpressuregauge.I haveavacuumdrivenAH,whichdoesnot workwiththeenginestopped,andIamIMC trainedbutIhadabout3.000ftofcloudtoget throughandasweenteredthecloudthefuel pressurewasreadingnearonzero.

ThankstothetwoGPSwepoppeciout ofthecloudbasewith2,20011tosparewith theairfieldrightbelowusThenextdayI hadtoflytoaRotaxagentnearParisto diagnosetheproblem,whichwethoughtat thetimewasafuelpumpproblem.Thatwas fun,constantlylookingforfieldsImighthave

tolandintItturnedoutthattheavgasIhad pickedupatLeTouguetwasslowlyblocking [hefuelfilter

Another'interesting'momentwasflying directlyfromtheWestGermanborderto Calaisinneartorrentialrainandalowcloud basefortwohoursofathree-hourflightafter ATCatDahlemerBinsairportassuredusthat [heweatherwasmuchbetterenroute.They weresowrong

WellIsupposeapersonalfightertypeJet wouldbealotoffunIalwaysfanciedan ATCJavelinbutthecompanyfailedbefore developmentwascompletedAlldreams ofcourse,I'dhavetowintheEuroLottery firstFailingthatanamphibiousaircraftthat wasgoodforuseinsaltwater.Thinkofthe possibIlitieslivingonanisland

Nevergetcomplacent,nomatterhowmany hoursyouhave.Alittlebitapprehensiveeach timeyouflyisnobadthing.Stretchyour limitswitheachflight,butneverexceedyour personallevelwithmorethanonechallenge alatime.Ittsjustsoeasytogetoverloadedin theair,especiallywhenonyourown.c

COMPLETELY LEGLESS

ByPhilipHall

Wehavehadabusy

fewweeksand itwasgoodto seesomanymembers atAeroExpo.Iam surethatyouwillbe awareofthevarious announcementsthatthe CAAmadethatweekend, particularlypleasingisthenews thatwewillbeallowedtocommence NightandIMCtrialsforPermittoFly aircraft.Thishasbeenmadepossible byasmallgroupofdedicatedvolunteers thathasworkedhardoverthepast sixyearstomakethishappen.

ThismonthIthought:hat I •ouldtakeabreakfrom mynonnalcommentaryon thestateoftheworldas Iseertandfaheaboutme. Well.notexactlyaboht mebutrathermyGardan Mirreabandthetrialsand tribulanonsotkeepingnerflymg Iamsuredialmanyorashave onoccasion.wlionlynoona hangarfloor•ishedthalwehad chosenadifferenthobbyandIam certainlynoexceptionMylatestsaua startedwithanarticleinourownSafety Spot,andhasresultedinoudeabitof hangarfloortimeforme ItwasBackintheMarch201-Iissueof Licht doiabon lhatMalcolmMcBrdebroughttoour attentionaGardanMnicabthathadhadfhe misfortunetoendhponilsbackIhepiece centredontheaircraft'sundercarriagelegs and,afterahnelread,Ifellcompelledtoget myaircraftuponjacqsandgiveitagood checkoverItwasveryquicklyapparentlhat allwasnotweaandthatthelegsweredialog

toneedsomeTLC.Oncloserinspectionitwas easytospotthat,actually.thelegswerenot whatyoumightcallamatchedpair.Indeed, therewasasignificantdifferenceintheir geometry.However,itwouldbefantosayit didn'tseemtohaveadverselyaffectedthe groundhandlingforthepast30years. Inowhadachoice,havemyoldlegs re-engineeredorbuyaready-to-fitparfrom awell-knownJodelpartssupplierIsettled onthelatterandwassoontheproudowner oftwoshinylegsthatwouldsimplyneeda

bitofadjustment to lit theMinicabTherewas. howeveraflyinthe ointmenttherewas ahugechunkofmetal miss.ngfromoneof theleggagecastings. aproblemthatdidn't seemtohavetroubled whoeverhadfideditinthe pastFlewcastingsarenot readilyavailablesoasecondhand unithadtobesourced.Bynewmyonginal plannedtwo-weekgrcanchngwasrunning totwomonthsandthegoodweatherhad startedtoarrive Cestlavie!

Actuallytherewerealewotherhiesstuck arounatothes,ameointmenhthepistons thatStontheinnerlegshadbeenbadly

machinedinthepast.whichneeded toberectitied;andthetaperpins thatattachthemweredifferent sizesToaddinsulttoinjury.on thefirstattemptatLthogIsoon discoveredthatthenewleg{Ode wasabitloose,andtheotherwas animperialsizeand•wouidndgo overthenewleg-pistaspotmore machiningrequiredt

QuiteafewoftheresidentsofTorwestes andWhiteWalthamhavebeenfollowing thesagawithinterestandnotadaygoes bywithoutsomehindsoulenquiringasto myprogress.alongwhhoffersofhelpIasprivilegedlebesurroundedbymanyvery competentpeoplewithtabulousengineering skills,buteventhatdoesn'thelpwhenlife conspiresagainstyouAsIwriteIamhomog tohavetheoldgirbacknoherfeetinthe nextcoupleofdays,butevenMatestimate remindsmeofanoldjose:'Howdoyoumake Godlaugh?Tellhnnyourplansn