The Second UK Pulsar Fly-In at Belle Vue
Saturday August 14th 2004
Those who came:
|
Registration
|
Engine
|
Gear
|
Pilot
|
Passenger
|
Base
|
Distance
(nm)
|
|
G - XPXP
|
912
|
Tail
|
Barry Edwards
|
N/A
|
Belle Vue
|
0
|
|
G - BYJL (Series
III)
|
912S
|
Tri
|
Tony Ashmead
|
Jill Ashmead
|
Batchley Farm
|
98
|
|
G - CBLA
|
912
|
Tri
|
Joe Kynaston
|
N/A
|
Burcott
|
145
|
|
G - BVJH
|
582
|
Tri
|
James Stringer
|
N/A
|
Gravely
|
158
|
|
G - BTRF
|
582
|
Tri
|
Colin Smith
|
Paul Crosby
|
Spilstead
|
179
|
|
G - BTDR
|
582
|
Tri
|
Bob Blackwell
|
N/A
|
North Weald
|
179
|
|
G - BVSF
|
582
|
Tri
|
Robert Freestone
|
Stan Freestone
|
Deanland
|
148
|
|
G - CCBZ
|
582
|
Tri
|
Martin Keane
|
N/A
|
Deanland
|
148
|
|
G - BUSR
|
582
|
Tail
|
Roger Watts
|
Steve Bateman
|
Cheddington
|
150
|
Saturday 14th August dawned a little overcast with 8 octas of cloud but excellent visability. The forecast was good after a week of very unusual weather with tropical storms passing through the entire country. By 10.00hrs the sky was clearing to bright sunshine and fair-weather cumulus. 'XP was rolled out with the expectation of doing a little flying before folks started to arrive. Alas, there was no time to spare for such luxuries with all the preparations required - getting the barbeque out, cleaning the chairs and tables etc. re-laying the hardcore in front of the hangar following the new concrete floor being laid.
Nine Pulsars, incuding mine, were present out of the UK flying fleet of around 25 aircraft and so was a very commendable turnout. Two other Pulsars were within 5 miles of us but were unable to attend.
Many thanks are due to all those who tirelessly helped all day:
My wife, Kathryn, Alan Gill and our good friends Don and Gill Easterbrook who own the farm and without whom we couldn't even fly!
Some pictures:
Our friend and owner of Belle Vue Airfield, Donald Easterbrook
An early arrival comes over the hedge
A time for talking 'Pulsar', eating and drinking (the eagle eyed among you may just see a Starlite, G-SOLA, de-rigged and under covers in the back of the hangar)
My wife, Kathryn, hard at work cooking again!
Alan Gill inspects the line-up
Some of the Pulsars in the line
Joe Kynaston, G-CBLA
Robert Freestone describes an 'interesting moment' to James Stringer
There was a tie for the longest distance award this year with Chris Smith and Paul Crosby flying 179nm, the same distance that Bob Blackwell (left) flew. However, since Bob did the flight single handed the engraved tankard went to him (despite the fact that he is selling his Pulsar to buy a Europa (Bob, how could you do that?)
Pulsar 'chat' on a fine summer day with burgers
And all too soon it's time to leave...
My thanks to all who took the trouble to fly to Belle Vue, we all had a great day and I for one am looking forward to the 3rd Annual Pulsar Fly-In at Belle Vue next year