Air-to-Air
The weather is unusually warm here this weekend; it feels more like late March or April than early February. The sun is shining through the haze, the winds are calm, and daytime temperature reaches 12 degrees centigrade. It is positively mild. Luckily for us, this good weather has coincided with some flying.
Power checks on the taxiway prior to departure from East Midlands Airport for a short flight to Langar.
Langar Dropzone, Notts, one of the busiest parachuting locations in the UK.
Our guys. I must've made a funny face at that instant.
Langar tarmac with sheep food growing through the cracks. One would imagine this hasn't been repaired since 1942.
Langar tower building dates back from the Second World War days, when Langar was a RAF and USAAF bomber base.
Taking off for a touch and go circuit.
Taxiing in.
Coming in for another touch and go. Watch out for the sheep!
And now for some air-to-air action!
It is difficult to keep formation when flying a racetrack pattern.
Nottinghamshire countryside below.
Change formation before coming in to land.
Back in the Cessna, we're heading southwards en route to Rutland.
Rutland Water, the largest reservoir in England.
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leics, home of Vulcan XH558 (and a large number of cars).
Turning 'round and flying north along the M1 motorway. Bradgate Park, a very nice country park not too far from Loughborough.
Loughborough itself. Our department is to the left of the blue building (Henry Ford College).
Finally, final approach to East Midlands Airport runway 27.
All in all, about two hours of flying across four counties. A lot of fun, and a great way to spend the day.
Power checks on the taxiway prior to departure from East Midlands Airport for a short flight to Langar.
Langar Dropzone, Notts, one of the busiest parachuting locations in the UK.
Our guys. I must've made a funny face at that instant.
Langar tarmac with sheep food growing through the cracks. One would imagine this hasn't been repaired since 1942.
Langar tower building dates back from the Second World War days, when Langar was a RAF and USAAF bomber base.
Taking off for a touch and go circuit.
Taxiing in.
Coming in for another touch and go. Watch out for the sheep!
And now for some air-to-air action!
It is difficult to keep formation when flying a racetrack pattern.
Nottinghamshire countryside below.
Change formation before coming in to land.
Back in the Cessna, we're heading southwards en route to Rutland.
Rutland Water, the largest reservoir in England.
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leics, home of Vulcan XH558 (and a large number of cars).
Turning 'round and flying north along the M1 motorway. Bradgate Park, a very nice country park not too far from Loughborough.
Loughborough itself. Our department is to the left of the blue building (Henry Ford College).
Finally, final approach to East Midlands Airport runway 27.
All in all, about two hours of flying across four counties. A lot of fun, and a great way to spend the day.