Trip to France (Piccies)

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Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

We had a club fly-out last weekend to St Malo, but there was no accommodation available so we changed it to Rennes, having only made a fleeting visit to Le Touquet last year this was to be my first official visit to France let alone fly to a different country in the Warrior.

Was informed by the lady organising it that we would have 4 people in the warrior, and being conscious of the terrible events last week of what happened out of Sandown performance was the key factor here. My student has only got 8 hrs flying so it was down to me to do the flight planning & perf planning. (Not that I wouldn't have double checked it)

With 4 up and at Max take off weight (fuel 1 inch above tabs) coupled with a hot day we would need about ¾ the length of Staverton's rwy 27 to get airbourne, and true to it's word this is what it took.

Route was GST - LA - Trowbrigde - Weymouth - JSY - REN.

This pic was of us passing directly overhead JSY VOR at FL60

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0010.jpg

Then after a great overnight in Rennes it was time to head back, this is a pic of the 3 warriors that went, the Baron had gone already and 1 warrior turned back the day before

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0012.jpg

Our mighty Warrior

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0014.jpg

Hmm, we knew the wx was going to be dodgy on the Sunday, but not this early? time to request a Radar Information Service and upgrade to IFR

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0018.jpg

The wx got better as we passed the northern French coast

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0021.jpg

Then through the Jersey Zone, Radar Control Service & still IFR, it was nice to see Jersey.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0025.jpg

Glad we are still IFR, I was going to cancel it, but lot's of Cu's made for a bumpy 20 minutes

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0028.jpg

Climbed to FL065, now sat right on top a stratus layer

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0032.jpg

Asked to descend back down to FL050, back in the Cu's again

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0033.jpg

Level (ish) at FL050, tracking the JSY VOR outbound (from) on the way to Weymouth. Note the 15° of drift being flown (on the HSI) due to a strong westerly wind.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0037.jpg

Was nice to have Portland visible, IFR cancelled time 40

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/Deano777/PICT0047.jpg

Great trip, hope to do it again next year, I even got paid to do it, can't be bad ;)

Original post

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Good report, hope the 'officials' don't read your last comment about fiscal renumeration!

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

It's ok Newforest, I'm a flight instructor, however you are correct, the pay is somewhat shocking

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

It's ok Newforest, I'm a flight instructor, however you are correct, the pay is somewhat shocking

Explanation accepted! I guess my instructress thought that as well, now she is a BA 747 pilot.:)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

Yay IR being used practically. :cool:

I can't wait to give touring a bash.

Member for

18 years 7 months

Posts: 563

Just to say: splendid pictures, thanks for displaying them, if you have more, please post them! :)
________
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Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 218

Looks like you had a great flight! Excellent photo's too. Nicely done :) .

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Thanks for the comments guys

Merlock, I have a load more air shots, unfortunately my batteries went flat inthe camera whilst in Rennes itself, I was very disappointed as it was a fabulous place steeped in history, I found the old buildings there absolutely stunning.
If you want more air shots I'll see what I can do

Dean

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

I've only ever done that club fly-out as a member. But we were always very conscious of the the instructors put in to make it safe and simple.

Reading your posting almost made me wish I was in a club again.

Moggy