A bit of a slow start to the year flying G-EJBI. January saw just a couple of local flights and February had a local flight and a trip to Turweston. After Richard (G-EFTE) kindly pointed out a supplier in Germany, I have managed to install the secondary door locks which gives some peace of mind, the primary door locks are not the most substantial item and a door open in flight would be pretty alarming.
Tail Wheel 2
It’s amazing what you miss, preflight checking the same plane the same way each flight. It took another pair of rather more qualified eyes, to point out the rather high level of corrosion on our tail wheel assembly. The original assembly had been removed (see earlier Tail Wheel post), powder coated and rebuilt. This was fitted but unfortunately the torsion rubber seemed to be ‘weak’ and the tail height was much too low. Between the two assemblies we have enough servicable parts to go flying but would like to source a replacement rubber. I am not sure if this is an available spare part or maybe it could be fabricated.
End of Year
November and December were very quiet for G-EJBI. I flew my daughter Lucy on a trip and likewise Andrew took Lucy up to teach some basic flying skills. A Sky Echo unit was an early Christmas present to myself which is now mounted with a RAM mount on the cabin centre pole. It feels good to be conspicuous and will feel even better, if and when, we get approval to run it alongside the mode C.
Annual Maintenance
Our next trip after Donauwörth was to Farley Farm for annual maintenance. I flew down in the left seat, must have all of 5 hours logged on type now! The idea was that I would go back down and help out with some of the work but when I called Mike a few weeks latter, somewhat surprised, G-EJBI was ready to be collected. Well not quite, she would not start. It was off with the old ‘lightweight’ starter motor and a new ‘heavy’ one fitted. I will discuss G-EJBI’s new found reluctance to start in a latter post. Here is a picture of D-EBLI which has been at the farm for a few years now, would love to see her back in the skies.
Donauwörth to Home
Andrew and I talked a lot about taking G-EJBI a little closer to Munich so we could enjoy a visit to Oktoberfest. In the end we decided to use the fine weather on the Sunday and head home. The fly-in had been expertly organised and included many firsts, I doubt I will ever see another hot air balloon display with burners lit in time to a Queen soundtrack! Richard and Brian had flown their 207 G-EFTE from the UK so it was great to meet them, Rolf and Sylvie flew in a very beautiful Klemm 107 and all the other 207, 208 and 209 owners made us most welcome. Routing in pretty much a straight line to the coast, we stumbled across Hockenhiem motor racing circuit and saw the Concorde and TU-144 on Sinsheim museum roof. A quick stop at Calais for Schengen and fuel, then back home.
Donauwörth 4
Saturday and G-EJBI was part of a fly out to the Messershmitt Museum at Manching. Manching is another Airbus facility which produces the Eurofighter but with limited access to the museum this trip was quite a privilege. The trip is very well summed up in this video by Stefan Langer, Stefan is a german junior gliding champion, his blog is well worth a look. Returning from Manching we took a detour south of Munich to go and see the Alps. No luck this time, Munich radar would not let us above 5000′ due to our intermittent Mode c return. Saturday night and more food and beer as we join the celebrations in the hangars for the 50 year MDG celebrations. We are being well looked after by our hosts.
Donauwörth 3
Finding a hotel in town through Booking.com was easy enough, it worked out at €100 per night. A visit had been arranged to the Airbus Helicopters factory for a tour around the facility. Free tea and cake, around €8 million for their H135 helicopter. Friday evening and we were back at the airfield in Thilo’s hanger for eats. Not too sure what animal the local Bavarian delicacy was but free beer was a welcome local custom.
Donauwörth 2
After refueling and lunch we set off for the 322 miles to Donauwörth. I rather naively thought we should talk to Brussels and they would take us into their airspace and make life easy. I realised it was a daft thought, as if London would do such a thing. All this meant initially we were held below 1500 ft which leaves you a little short of gliding distance over some fairly built up areas. Apart from a clearance overhead Antwerp, the rest of the route was clear of controlled airspace, just a flight information service from Langen and Munich Radar. Arriving first for the meet, we were warmly greeted by the charming Thilo Langer.
Donauwörth 1
Have had a bit of a blog break but will catch up during February. 21/09/17 and we are off to Donauwörth for the Bölkow meet. The first leg is Tibenham direct to Middelburg(pic). I cannot decide on which liferaft to buy and they are a bit expensive. We have a couple of ex RAF immersion suits but they are also ex ebay and yet to be tested so best left behind. Mike who does tha ARC always comments on how lucky we are to have a plane that floats so with the sea temperature at about maximum for the year our risk assesment is complete. One hour after leaving the UK we are approaching the Netherlands, time for some frites and mayonaise.
AirUK Reunion
Flew G-EJBI solo (for the first time) to Duxford for the AirUK Reunion. As an airline, AirUK was always evolving, turboprops to jets, resident airline at Stansted, a charter spinoff (AirUK Leisure) a low cost operation (Buzz) but ultimately various bits were sold off and it’s core was absorbed into KLM Cityhopper. It was great to meet up with some old colleagues and discovered that the Bölkow 207 can be ground handled by one person but best to stick to a flat hard surface.