Lovely Flight to the Isle of Wight

[Cobra]

Been bashing out a few hours recently to keep my PPL valid whilst im at university! Took a mate up for a little jaunt over to the Isle of Wight, did a few touch a go's at Bembridge ... thought I would share a few pics he took ... weather was gorgeous as you can see! Sorry about quality, couldnt be bothered to explain how to use my SLR so just gave him the point and shoot!!




Little Robin HR-200. Nice and cheap,

[Hagar]

Excellent. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Reminds me of a flight from Shoreham to Sandown I did last year.

[C]

Is that a novel way to repair a large crack in the canopy?

[beaky]

Very nice.
  I'm surprised they "rolled the equipment" for a "lost comms" arrival, seems a little extreme. Do they at least use a light gun there?

[specter177]

Does the UK have a no coms transponder setting?

[Hagar]

Is that a novel way to repair a large crack in the canopy?

Hmmm. I was wondering about that myself.

[Omag 2.0]

Wonderful shots of the amazing Brittish coast!

But! You'd never ever get me in that plane... canopy cracked ( and stiched?) - failing comms - not in the best condidtion... brrr... makes you wonder what else can go wrong. Better cough up a little more for a safe plane, IMHO.

[Cobra]

[quote]Very nice.

[C]

I am quite unimpressed with the civilian world of aviation after a year flying with the RAF in a University Air Squadron. It does all seem very cowboyish and in retrospect the standard of training is extremely low. On the other hand, things like those cracks (check the ducktape on the rear of the canopy also!) don't concern me too much, but as mentioned ... I just hope its not indicitive of the overall standard of maintanance!

You've been converted!

[beaky]

Yeh I know, it seemed a bit wierd ... I suppose there is just a greater chance of an accident with an aircraft around with no comms! And, crucially, it was probably just to give the fire crew something to do/training exercise ... I can't imagine they are excatly rushed off their feet Yes, they definatley have lights there, its an Intl airport with regular 737 arrivals etc. It was just as I entered the Control Zone that it went, leaving me unable to transmit, but still could hear the other end. The guy on Radar transmited blind and said to squawk Ident if I could hear him, so I basically flew a normal approach but was just not able to confirm/read back any instructions! No biggy

I misread your post... if you could hear them, of course the light gun wouldn't be necessary. Stupid of me.  Maybe they alerted the crash crew because they know that plane well... 

I am quite unimpressed with the civilian world of aviation after a year flying with the RAF in a University Air Squadron. It does all seem very cowboyish and in retrospect the standard of training is extremely low. On the other hand, things like those cracks (check the ducktape on the rear of the canopy also!) don't concern me too much, but as mentioned ... I just hope its not indicitive of the overall standard of maintanance!

That repair looks OK to me... I've seen worse!
It looks like a typical case of civvie flight schools' corner-cutting (that bubble is probably very expensive to replace)... but usually the engine, rigging, etc. is not neglected as much as glass, instruments, interior, etc.
But you never know... so remember, no matter what happens, just fly the airplane first and foremost.

[ozzy72]

Ahh the Isle of Widget, if my family leave it it'll raise a good 3 inches

[tspcrowther]

  Nice shots!!   That last one is of Freshwater Bay.  I was brought up just down the road from there. 

[C]

PS: If you ever need someone to share the

[olderndirt]

Is that a novel way to repair a large crack in the canopy?

Had something quite similar after they investigated my innards a few years ago