Jan
15

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.

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I’ve always believed in the 7 ‘P’s. It’s an old military expression (I think) which translates into ‘prior, planning and preparation prevents p**s poor performance’ The moral being that if you’re organised in advance, and well prepared, you stand a much better chance of accomplishing the task in hand.

I have since learned that this expression has an alternative meaning. Persistent, polite, pressure provides PPL pretty promptly’  This alternate interpretation is derived from my pal Mark who has recently passed his PPL (H) and has been in the unfortunate position of applying for his license at probably the worst time of the year – at the beginning of the Xmas period. Read More→

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Jan
10

The Holy Grail???

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My quest to find the Holy Grail may have ended in Ireland, although it remains to be seen whether or not the prize is affordable. After my recent disastrous adventure to Belgium where I purchased a white elephant I found that the European agent for Paravion Heliporters, Kilrush Aviation, had 3 of their units in stock. Paravion are an American Company who have a solid reputation and whose heliporters I have seen in use around the country. They are not cheap though, but certainly do the job with a minimum of effort.

I must admit that my pal Mark, sent me a link to Kilrush a few weeks back, and I dismissed it out of hand because I assumed that it would be cost prohibitive – which it probably is – however I now seem to have found myself going full circle and ending up right back where I started. Read More→

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Dec
18

Step into Xmas

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G-GOES in the Lake District

Welcome to winter, the season of goodwill, over eating, Xmas parties, excess alcohol, corny festive records and superb snow-covered mountain flying. After a week or more of gale force winds, rain, hail, fog, low cloud and every other variant of the elements that contribute to IMC flight we were long overdue a glorious crisp, gin clear, winters day. And today was it. It started slightly murky, but the forecast was encouraging and by 10.30 the sun was shining and the clouds were clearing completely, with visibility in excess of 50nm. It was, however, bloody freezing!

I was desperate to get the JetBox in the air, but my good pal Mark had just passed his flight test and was similarly keen to remain airborne despite not being able to actually act as PIC. Mark had been keen to visit the Lake District throughout his training and today’s conditions were better than perfect for a trip north into the Cumbrian countryside. The best option therefore was to roll out his Robinson R44 and take it for a spin. Read More→

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In 2009 EASA published their proposed operation and equipment rules, and pilots and helicopter operators were given an opportunity to comment on the proposals. The HCGB and others identified some serious issues with the proposals that would have impacted many GA aircraft and thankfully petitioned EASA to make certain changes which thankfully they seem to have done.

However, although they have made changes (see below), they have left in the requirement for a heated pitot at night which would effectively rule out any Robinson taking to the air after sunset. Read More→

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