Some major developments at my field, Son Alberti.
First, the owner obtained the status of an official aerodrome. The only thing that’s missing is an ICAO code and a fire extinguisher.
Second, we now have the most posh FBO on the island. Certainly outclassing that celebrity outfit at Palma airport. So while the rest of the aerodromo is pretty much Spafrica, including the rwy, there are now two oases; the FBO and my hangar.
Joan, owner, expert pilot, builder, and very nice person invited us for a great breakfast in the food section:
Obviously there are lots of aviation memorabilia. Joan is a premier aerobatics pilot. He’s taking it easy lately. His own words: “When I was young, my balls were bigger than my brain but recently they seem to have moved upwards”.
I brought him a picture to hang on the wall, plus this. Told him to leave it on display as it will make more people happy looking at it than drinking it, considering where it came from:
This is sooo cool 😎
Must have been quite an opening party… best to Joan, I guess he hasn’t seen the last of me, though that is pretty dependent on my (now rich) handling agent.
Tried to go and fetch some nutcake at LSZS Samedan yesterday… once the fog cleared I headed for the eastern Alps only to be greated by strong turbulence in the heavy foehn, and very reduced vis thanks to more of that 🤬 Sahara sand, even at FL130. Emerging from my usual complacency I turned back and still ended a nice local flight safely, alas sans Bündner Nusstorte…
Wonderful, Aart.
First, the owner obtained the status of an official aerodrome
So, does that mean one can land there with a certified aircraft in all legality now, after the owners permission of course? Could be a good alternative to LESB, especially in July and August…
So, does that mean one can land there with a certified aircraft in all legality now, after the owners permission of course? Could be a good alternative to LESB, especially in July and August…
Affirm. But be aware that the rwy is pretty stoney. Not so much an issue for tyres (I’ve never seen damage on mine in 6 years of operating there and have never seen another aircraft with a flat tyre) but one needs to be careful with revving up for engine check and initial roll, especially with a powerful engine which does not have a lot of prop clearance. Gradual acceleration is the way and 700/800 m of TORA is plenty I guess. No fuel, no hangarage and no transport, and it’s a bit away from the tourist destinations. But I can help out with transport if I’m around and get Mogas in jerrycans.
Not my plane (again), but finally got some serious tailwheel practice in a PA18 at Arcachon. Couldn’t nail 2-wheel landings every time though :-(
The PA18 is a nice plane to fly – I prefer the Citabria, but they are practically unknown in Europe. I sometimes wonder whether I wouldn’t be better off swapping my TB20 for something like that and just using it to potter about locally.
It has not been a great weekend for aviation in Europe.
On Friday a stearman crashed in Belgium with 1 fatality and 1 wounded.
A cessna tried to land on a highway in france with 3 fatalities.
Edit: the pc6 was from a few weeks ago
We went to watch LeTouquet AirShow, the highlight was AeroSparx flying and fireworks display
Second, we now have the most posh FBO on the island. Certainly outclassing that celebrity outfit at Palma airport
Did you get any Bizjets visitors?
Very happy that I managed to fit in two NAV training flights over the weekend, one of which was my first solo flight to a controlled AD (EBAW). It’s very quiet there on a Sunday morning. Two federal police officers that were relaxing and two AFISOs manning GND&TWR with almost no traffic. Asking around for a stamp on my XC form (the ARO is off limits since COVID?) and another chap shows up from the navigation office. His stamp looks very official though :). All that personnel explains the 60+ EUR fees. Anyway, all set for the big 150NM XC flight now. Hope the weekends with VMC will continue throughout the summer. Also happy that I passed the VFR ELP test on Thursday. I know of a club member who took the test three times. At 200 EUR/test that becomes expensive fast. Hope to get my private license this summer.
FlyingHog – that looks great. Yes; EBAW is rather “official”; EBOS is a lot easier. Reading your posts you should get ELP6 easily Fingers crossed for the PPL while the wx is good!
I managed to pop down to the Scilly Isles; first time in a few years. It was a nice trip and I did it partly because my girlfriend has never been there before. Also at 2hrs each way it was useful to get her more confident in the plane, for longer trips like Croatia which will be about 5hrs. She loved it
Stable approach into Sogndal…