With the wind just out of limits it was safe for us to fly. I’m Sorry (as John Cleese used to say on the wireless), I’ll Read That Again: With the wind just out of limits wasn’t safe for us to fly (but might have been if we had a N-S option). Yes, just out of limits means out of limits but crucially it was the degree and strength of the crosswind (90 degrees/15 kts - much more aloft) which were the deciding factors, plus the fact that, in those conditions, our visitors and trainees would have received very little ‘value for money’. Therefore, sadly, today was a ‘no fly’ day.
 |
Early morning low cloud and crosswind;
the cloud lifted but the wind didn’t decline in strength. |
So, pack up and go home? Not a bit of it as a new bird alighted in the trailer park at Brentor. Painted overall in a stunning yellow, this was in the form of Adam Hoskin’s immaculately turned-out Ka-6CR BVR “Woody”. Having been in hibernation for some time, “Woody” (based on the 1940s Universal Studios cartoon character Woody Woodpecker) was brought from his roost today for Colin Boyd to begin the Schleicher glue inspection/revival process. Ironically, this involved Colin ‘taptaptapping’ the wing in much the same fashion as the woodpecker itself! Hopefully, “Woody” will be taking to our skies for the first time in the near future (the action list appeared mercifully short).
 |
Colin Boyd begins the inspection process on “Woody”,
Adam Hoskin’s immaculate Ka-6CR |
 |
| “Woody’s” nose art detail. |
Also keen to keep up with maintenance was Ed Borlase who, presented with a flat piece of metal, had been tasked with making it into a battery box retainer for his Ka-6CR DQS (the overall cherry red one). At once Peter Howarth’s eyes opened wide with delight and the years rolled back as said piece was measured (by thumb), cut (by hacksaw) and drilled (by pedestal drill) in true dockyard fashion, even down to using the workshop/hangar floor as a come-in-handy file! Duly fitted behind the cockpit of the Ka-6, Ed can now fly safe in the knowledge that, even were he to land at VNE into a Dartmoor granite wall, the battery would stay secure in its box and not into the back of his head!
 |
| Note “Woody’s” canopy hinged to the left – is this unique? |
With both these tasks completed just as the first drops of rain started to fall, it seemed a fitting time to ‘power down’ the generator, switch off the lights and return home to our loved ones/TV to see if Lewis Hamilton would make his 100th grand prix win in Russia.
Martin Cropper
No comments:
Post a Comment