The weather was excellent on Saturday, some scattered low cloud at 2000' then clear above.
Tried to set off from Gloucester, but I have never seen it so busy - I even got a 'standby' from the tower for a full seven minutes - it was manic! Eventually got away and did a transit of Brize zone to avoid flying through the Oxford overhead.
Dropped to 2200' and ran south of the Luton zone and underneath London. My sister spotted the grass airstrip of Panshanger at about 3 miles and before I did! Did a right downwind join and a nice landing on the numbers on 29. Only problem was that I stopped quite quickly but still had to roll to the end to get onto the taxiway. It was bizzare taxiing with loads of new houses no more than 40 yards away along the airfield boundary.
Tried the Blue Skies airfield cafe and what a difference. Very nicely done, but still able to get a good fly up! How civilised.
We bimbled about a bit and talked to a nice chap from Netherthorp who had just landed in his smart RV4. Off we went, but this time routed from BNN to HEN then to DTY and climbed to 5000' to give my sister a feel of the controls.
Quite busy aloft and spotted a few plane and gliders. Routed back to Gloucester for a standard overhead for 36 right. Given an orbit on base as some instrument traffic was landing on 27. Got it down for a very nice landing, parked up and switched off.
Then I saw the mud all over the underside and splattered on the stabliator. Bucket and sponge sorted that. That reminds me, I must organise a full wash and polish soon.
Great day out and fantastic weather - make the most of it!
