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Post by viscount on Apr 7, 2020 23:26:37 GMT 1
AndyH, A 'blog' relating to the same flight as Gerry was on can be found on this forum, link: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/27286/memorable-flights-boeing-viscounts-sandringham The third topic on that post. Some photos have been wiped out by the host, others strangely have not! Information on the final two flying Sandringhams right towards the end between the photos of the two different aircraft sat on water, Lough Derg and River Thames. VP-LVE last flew 2nd February 1981 and since 1984 has been exhibited in Solent Sky Museum, Southampton as VH-BRC. The final airworthy Sandringham G-BJHS was purchased in the mid '80s by Kermit Weeks and has been in store in Florida ever since. Potentially could be restored to flight if the will and cash are available.
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Post by airboejet on Apr 8, 2020 0:36:15 GMT 1
Right my go First flight Bell 47 southport beach 1976ish can't remember the registration thou first fixed wing was a Pa31 of Air Wales Hawarden to Cardiff and return working with Monty Lister looking after the tape recorder 1976 Last flight Emirates A380 return from Dubai A6-EEG
Longest flight a return on a B757 from Freetown Sierra Leone on an engine change trip only 8 on board and a full power take off like a rocket and was at 3,000ft at the end of the runway Shortest flight about 15/20 seconds when the tow line failed on a Segberg glider at RAF Sealand Worst airline/flight Ryanair from Riga to Liverpool pax who just ignored what the attendants where saying smoking in the toilets Best airline should really say Monarch but I did work for them for 20 years at Luton so Lufthansa and Swiss both very good service Worst aircraft flown in, Cessna 150 just didn't do anything for me Best flown in An2 or Su-23 will say An-2 just the noise and feel of the aircraft Strangest/ scary flight was in a Sd3-30 ferry flight from Reykjavik to Biggin Hill and at 14,000 ft both engines stopped pilot found the reason but had already declared an emergency so we landed at Benbecula pilot or his copilot forgot to switch the fuel tanks over Most memorable flight well I won a raffle at an aerobatics competition and it was an hour aerobatics with Svetlana Kapanina as she is now, what a flight, tail slides and all the normal stuff with a few other tricks as well, just tumbling 2,000 ft seemingly out of control. She asked me did I enjoy the trip and my reply was "When can I do it again?" got a big hug from her and she said best answer she's ever had Richard
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Post by acklington on Apr 8, 2020 11:19:29 GMT 1
Continuing the 'Sandringham' thread drift, I was staying with relatives in Puerto Rico, Caribbean, new year 1979. Decided to go take a look at Isla Grande harbour side airfield, hoping to catch a Mallard or two. There were two derelict looking ex-USN hangars in the distance, and through the broken top windows I caught a glimpse of the top of a tail fin. It was blisteringly hot out in the sun and I hesitated quite a while before forcing myself to do the long walk to investigate. Turned the corner at the front, and ...... N158C - LP-LVE, (JM715), Antilles Air Boats, Isla Grande PR, 28 Dec 79 by Philip Pain, on Flickr N158J - VH-BRF, (ML814), Antilles Air Boats, Isla Grande PR, 28 Dec 79 by Philip Pain, on Flickr N158J (VH-BRF), Isla Grande PR, 28 Dec 79 by Philip Pain, on Flickr So in terms of this quiz, that must be my best unexpected 'spot' ever!
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Post by gerrymanning on Apr 8, 2020 13:14:48 GMT 1
Reading the post from Airboejet about getting an aerobatic ride from Svetlana Kapanina, how lucky is that, for those who do not know she is a world champion aerobatic pilot and very attractive lady as well. I had seen her fly at the Al Ain shows in Abu D. a few years ago. What was better the flight or the hug? Well this reminded me of a ride in a Pitts S2A on my first trip to the USA in 1979. It was at Santa Paula, California, at a place called "The Pitts Stop". The were selling demo rides for $38, at that time you got $2.30 for £1 (happy days) so all three of us had a go. On my second ride, well at that price who could turn it down, I asked for and got an outside loop. I was 'interesting' to be sitting in the front seat of an open cockpit aircraft as negative gravity was trying to pull you out of your seat. We did +4g and -2g on the flight. That afternoon riding in the back of the car I felt that all my internal organs were all in the wrong place and they were going back to their correct places!!! Much as I loved that trip I still think the Sandringham topped it, so perhaps second best flight? But 4 hours in the cockpit of a Curtiss C-46 Commando delivering cargo to a couple of native reserves in northern Canada is also bidding for that title......but that flight is another story.
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Post by Speedy on Apr 8, 2020 20:12:52 GMT 1
Hello All, Here's my tuppence worth! (dates maybe a bit vague)
First Flight: 1987 Malinair Islander Liverpool to East Midlands in the cockpit. This was a round trip in which I was coming back a few hours later on the Airbridge Merchentman due to land back around 0100. The flight drops cargo off on its way to Belfast. Unfortunately an hour after landing at EMA the fog closed Liverpool. So my trip back to LPL was in a AC Delco truck about 0600 the next day. Thanks to Martin at Reed for my first experience!
Last Flight: 02/2020 EasyJet Lanzarote to Liverpool rescue flight.
Shortest Flight: Mid 80s? 20 mins PA31 over the Tall Ships Liverpool Bay and Back another freebie courtesy of the Chris Dott.
Longest: B747 2005 Down the road to Orlando with Travel City Direct.
Worst Airline: Air 2000 1989 (other than any Ryanair) Athens to Down the road on a B757 before leg room was invented. It was a night flight and I had been up all day. So Tired.
Best Airline: British Midland Never Sat at the pointy end so could not really compare. But Always found BMA to have a great service.
Worst Airport: No Such thing! Every Airport will have something interesting or a window somewhere to look out at.
Best Airport: Athens (Old Glyfada) 1989 This Airport at the time had such an array of movements being set in the crossroads of Europe / Africa and East. Where else would you have a Starfighter doing a go around, a Syrian Arab Caravelle at the holding point and a Venezuelan Biz jet on long finals. Great memories and holiday with Gaz Nuttall.
Worst Aircraft: A300 Air Scandic early 1990s Stuck remotely parked for three hours while somebody in the hold used a hacksaw or something similar.Glasgow to Palma.
Best Aircraft: Dan Air 748 late 80s Liverpool to Belfast and back on another freebie freighter Jolly. I was told not go near the door and stay in the cockpit when we landed in case somebody asked to many questions at the Belfast end. We flew back empty no seats in the hold helping roll up the cargo nets whilst in flight. This was the nearest it felt like to being a astronaut in an empty aircraft but with gravity. Thanks to Fred and Cliff the Dan Air Engineers.
Take Care everybody at this perilous time. Paul
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Post by Airbus A346 on Apr 8, 2020 23:24:41 GMT 1
Photo posted by garstonboy
Love the Mil 8 photo it really puts things into perspective 👍
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Post by acklington on Apr 10, 2020 18:25:50 GMT 1
Finally found my first flight ticket (can't remember where I've put things these days), actually it was my mother's ticket on the same DH.89a flight, it was probably her first ever flight as well. From Newcastle Woolsington, 20 minutes over Newcastle one summer evening in 1960. Mac Smith Air Charter Ltd ticket by Philip Pain, on Flickr There can't be many relics remaining of Mac Smith Air Charter Ltd, who only had the one Rapide, G-ALGE, plus an Auster G-APKM. They only operated from November 1959 until February 1961.
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Post by Airbus A346 on Apr 11, 2020 16:32:37 GMT 1
Thanks for the addition Philip, a nice piece of history.
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Post by marquis on Apr 11, 2020 16:52:44 GMT 1
Your first flight: G-AGIP Dakota Guernsey to Jersey 1961
Your last flight: EI-GPP ATR 72 Manchester to IOM (I hope its not !)
Your shortest flight: Many Aurigny BN-2s Guernsey- Jersey and return
Your longest flight: LAX-HTR United 777-222
Your worst airline: BA
Your best airline: Air Milford (see later)
Your worst airport: Heathrow
Your best airport: Dekalb-Peachtree, Atlanta
Your worst aircraft (flown in): PH-FVC EMB110 Belfast to IOM Comed Aviation August 1999 - sitting on a bench !
Your best aircraft (flown in): ZK-ENW Cessna A185K Milford Haven to Queenstown, between the mountains - Acve !!
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Post by andyh on Apr 11, 2020 23:03:37 GMT 1
Marquis, presume you mean Milford Sound (or else that could well have been your longest flight!). Can appreciate why it’s so memorable for you though - we flew it in an Islander in 2007 - absolutely awesome!
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Post by marquis on Apr 12, 2020 9:58:38 GMT 1
Thanks andy - you are quite correct - mind you that was pushed for best aircraft by Turbo Mallard N51151 Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas !
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