NON-STOP ENDURANCE FLIGHT FOR CANCER RESEARCH
The one thing we all have in common in the microlighting community is a zest for life, one's desire to live life to the full! Made even more important when you hear bad news about some one you know or love. In the last year I personally know of three people who have been affected by cancer, two of them sadly no longer with us.
We all know about the statistics and what cancer can do to lives and whilst it's not my place to preach, advances are being made all the time with pioneering drugs and research. However it doesn't come cheap and the cancer charities need your money.
With this in mind myself along with two other pilots Dave Gabbot and Ronnie Erlem decided to set ourselves a flying challenge. Our challenge was to fly non-stop from Ince Blundell visiting four countries and five highest peaks before returning back to Ince. Starting with Snowdon in Wales, then coasting out to Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, before routing up to the Giants Causeway. Then once again coasting out this time for Scotland on our way up to Ben Nevis. From Ben Nevis we would route South, this time for Snaefell in The Isle of Man, then across to the lakes taking in Scafell Pike and finally tracking South for home and for us that’s Ince Blundell. The whole flight would cover approximately 700 miles and would take in the region of 11 hours by the time we have tracked around areas of sensitivity. We had the whole P&M range between us consisting of a 912 GT 450, 912S Quik and the all new 912S Quik R. After practice and calculation we decided the most economical combined speed would be 65 mph. I would like to thank Roger and Jim at P&M for working on my 91 ltr fuel tank, this gave me a fuel capacity in the region of 156 ltrs. Flying the 912 GT 450 my engine would obviously be working that bit harder giving me the highest burn. With this in mind 156 ltrs of fuel was the ideal companion to have along for the trip. The other guys had smaller reserve tanks as their burn was somewhat less than mine.
The conditions would have to be just right as a headwind of any strength could change our fuel state from comfortable to critical. We obviously needed high pressure and all the peaks to be clear of cloud.
The week of the challenge started with high pressure although initially a Polar Maritime influence brought about a fair amount of cloud with the air being moist. However as the high moved eastwards and drew warm dry air from the continent I knew this could be game on. We would have to go early to avoid any major thermal activity as we did intend to fly right over some pretty big chunks of rock after all. So on Wednesday 24 th June the three of us set off at 4:15 am, I do apologise to the neighbours but it was for the greater cause. Knowing that the population below were probably turning over in their pits and hitting the snooze as we raced along with a 20 mph tailwind was great feeling. The only concern I had for the weather was the possibility of cloud and rain up by Ben Nevis, this being due in around 10:00 am. However our tailwind put us about an hour ahead of schedule which in turn gave us a clear run. As we tracked N/E we were heading towards the centre of the high so once we had done Scotland and turned South the headwind was only in the region of 5 mph.
The long shadows of early morning Snowdon along with the snow capped summit of Ben Nevis made this flight truly spectacular and is a true testament to the marvellous aircraft we fly. Whilst film never can do justice to what one sees, you can view our flight at www.wlms.co.uk if you wish.
I end by going back to the beginning. This flight was conducted to raise money for Cancer Research UK and to date we have raised in the region of £5000. If you can find it in your heart to make a donation please do so at www.justgiving.com/richardthornborough and not only will you help others, you will also raise the profile of microlighting.
Richard Thornborough
THE LOSS OF A FRIEND
September was a sad month as we said good bye to Mark Brewster after his sudden death at home. Mark had become a popular club member and had notched up a considerable amount of flying time. His funeral was marked by a fitting flypast at the Wrexham Crematorium by club members and as I was there on the ground I can honestly say a real moving experience.
Mark's ashes were later scattered at the Airfield by his family. Mark was a great guy who overcame his disability to achieve his dream of flying and I for one will certainly miss him.
The system is up and running and I can vouch is somewhat addictive with many a dawn chorus heard. In addition to Ince airfield we have also added St Michaels, Warton, Walney Island, Blackpool and Welshpool to name but a few.
You really can fly any aircraft you wish from a microlight to a present day jet fighter, the scenery looks great spread out across three monitors and gives you a real feeling of flight.
Already we have had students taking advantage of the realistic scenery giving an ideal opportunity to practice cross country flights etc.
We have an Air Creation trike to represent the flexwing aircraft and also the foxbat and eurostar to represent high and low wing 3-axis.
The software allows any location, weather or situation to be simulated, from building storms to engine failures. The next phase will be RT role play and possibly courses in the future, allowing RT procedure to be conducted with the visuals to match.
The Flight Simulator hires out at £30 per hour or £10 for twenty minutes, this being actual on screen time.
During the session you will be accompanied by an operator who will be able to create various scenarios and assist if need be.
It's cheap flying that actually works, you can get so much from simulator practice, whilst its no substitute for the real thing it's pretty close.
G-SIMM up and running!
NEW BENCHES AND DECKING AT THE AIRFIELD
New benches and decking have been put in place thanks to Maureen McParlin who funded the project in memory of Paul who sadly past away last year after his battle with cancer.
Thanks to Maureen members and guests will benefit from these great additions to the airfield.
Paul McParlin was a club member for a number of years and was a familiar face with his wife Maureen about the place. A great man whom I'm sure would have approved of such a fitting tribute.
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
G-GTSO has retired from West Lancashire Microlight School with over 2000 hrs service and still going strong!
She has been replaced by an identical spec GT450 G-CDWP.
MICROLIGHT FLY-PAST (APRIL)
At exactly 13:25 Hrs the skies above the former Royal Naval Air Station HMS Ringtail were once again alive with the sound of aircraft. Instructors of the West Lancashire Microlight School and members of Ince Blundell Flying Club formed a twelve strong formation put together to honour Teddy Key a well-known World War Two Navy Pilot. Teddy Key was a member of 1772 Naval Air Squadron which was formed in 1944 at the Air Station in Burscough. In his later years, Teddy was the unofficial secretary of the squadron, and wrote a popular book, "1772 - The Friendly Squadron", in which Burscough and the surrounding area features heavily. Teddy's wife and daughter travelled from Banstead in Surrey, where he lived. They brought Teddy's ashes to scatter at the memorial site and planted a tree in his memory. Teddy died earlier this year, aged 86, after a battle with cancer.
A BIT OF FUN!
Anybody wanting to fly a spitfire over The White Cliffs Of Dover whilst downing the odd ME109 or two now can! All you need is a PS3 game console, internet and a wife that won't judge you. My intention is to recruit club members into the Ince Blundell Flying Corp.
To date I have three, what this means is that we can all meet up online and fight.
I dream of virtual total world domination were the skies will be full of the sound of our virtual Merlin's and and…….. sorry about that chaps got a little carried away with myself, anyway take a look at the clip.
FIREWORKS AT INCE
After last years wash out a great night was had by all. There was a threat of rain but fortunately it held off. The display this year was pretty good with lots of oos and aahs from the appreciative crowd. Unfortunately Dave Beech didn’t set himself on fire this year which I must say was somewhat of a disappointment for me. Never the less a great night which must have seen in the region of 70 people in attendance, all of whom returned home with their bellies full of the delightful spread that was laid on by no other than Chef Baylis'.
CLEAN UP AFTER COLD SNAP
January saw some pretty extreme conditions with the Airfield resembling something out of Dr Zhivago's epic. One bizarre sight was that of a giant swastika unmistakable from the air. We did manage to operate all be it somewhat hampered with only a small strip to go at. For both school and club members regular wing de-icing became the norm. Once the temperatures clambered back up and the thaw ensued it soon became apparent that some damage had taken place with numerous pipe bursts and a flooded airfield to boot. The burst pipes have since been repaired and pumping the water off the airfield is underway.
Club member Frank Thorne straight in there with the pump sporting the latest in foot ware. For all you care in the community cynics out there, here's the proof of a useful integration.
