GS Aviation microlight flying school photo gallery

Thursday morning the keen aviators started arriving at Clench Common eager to get going. Nearly set off one aircraft short when Chris's Challenger refused to show a charge when running. The C42 and Thruster then departed Clench for Lashenden leaving Dave, Don and the Eurostar to give moral support to Chris. Fortunately he resolved the problem and then both aircraft were on their way. Cross wind landing at Lashenden. Topped up with MOGAS, filed flight plan and customs form for cross Channel flight to Abbeville. Good channel crossing at between 2000 and 3000 ft. Better than last years 900 ft. Nineteen miles still seems a lot of water. Definite relief as we came back over the French coast. Cross wind landing at Abbeville.

27 August 2009 - The whole team at Lashenden. Don, Dave, Graham, Gary, Chris, Guy and Nigel 27 August 2009 - Leaving the English coast. The Thruster and Challenger looking very small

27 August 2009 - Coasting in over the west side of Cap Griz-Nez 27 August 2009 - Bravo Echo finals to Abbeville

Camping for the hardy and beds at the ajoining motel for the wealthy. Meal of French rare gristle with a nice sauce (ordered as well done steak). Gusty strong wind came in overnight resulting in some of the campers rechecking the security of the aircraft at 0430h. Friday morning was very windy. Most of the other British aircraft departed into conditions that were questionable low down. The forecast, plus a call to Graham S at St Sec showed much calmer conditions further south. After a group discussion where it was clearly stated that all pilots must be happy to leave we got ready to go. The short interwind runway was used with about 220 meters of tarmac. Once clear of the circuit we battled into the headwind over the vast expanses of French countryside. The weather got better as we went south with visibility up to 40 miles in all directions. Could see the Paris skyline! Strong thermal activity meant a very bouncy trip particularly whilst going under 1500ft airspace and over 700ft hills. I have never used the throttle so much as on this trip. Strong lift, throttle back, nose down to stop busting 1500ft. Strong sink, throttle up, climb. Fortunately there were so many landable fields around at this time of year that the pressure was not as great as it could have been.

28 August 2009 - Bravo Echo offset finals into Dreux 28 August 2009 - Don, Nigel and Graham, at Dreux

Cross wind landing at Dreux. Refuelled at the very friendly ULM club. Then southbound to Amboise, our first visit there and a nice quiche. NO CROSS WIND. Waited until 1800 for the thermals to die back then off south on the final leg to St Sec. Heard Graham S on the radio in the circuit shortly after take off and gave him the news that we were on our way. The landing was directly into sun at St Sec.

28 August 2009 - Gary, Dave, Nigel, Chris, Don and Guy at Amboise 29 August 2009 - BBQ in full swing at St Secondin

The aircraft were fuelled up and ready to facilitate an early departure when the time came. Great BBQ, lots of visiting aircraft plus some locals including a French contingent (Mayor plus 4), but let down by one group of 8 Brits who called up as we were preparing the food to say that they had decided not to come! Off to the bar in the evening and then back to the hanger for music and dance until 0300h. Rumours of Graham J and Nigel doing a double act to the music af Abba are sadly completely true.

30 August 2009 - StSecondin, some of the visitors 30 August 2009 - StSecondin, getting ready to leave

The morning after indicated the sensible drinkers. Return trip to Abbeville was done separately. C42 off first, Thruster off second and the Eurostar waiting for the following day. C42 did the trip without refuelling but stopped for a break at Dreux. The Thruster took a new route and stopped at Chartres for fuel. The Eurostar flew non stop.

The ground was so hard at Abbeville that after breaking one tie down on the southbound trip and one to-day a descision was made to tie the aircraft nose to the concrete fence posts.

30 August 2009 - Thruster tied up at Abbeville 31 August 2009 - The final morning at Abbeville

Monday morning the Thruster and C42 departed Abbeville in fantastic viz for Lashenden. The white cliffs of Dover seeming much closer than they were. Cross wind landing at Lashenden. Thruster refuelled then departed with the C42 for Clench. En route we heard Dons voice on the radio saying that they were approaching the Channel. Back to Clench at about 1700h with the Eurostar arriving at 1900h.

31 August 2009 - Graham and Nigel ready to depart Abbeville for the Channel crossing 31 August 2009 - the White Cliffs of Dover only 25 miles away

This year saw Guy and Nigel on their second trips and both now P1. Last year they were both navigators. Flying is certainly harder than navigating. Next year we hope to see this years navigators taking fresh members on this trip, hopefully with an even bigger Clench Common fleet. Joining an expedition like this is one of the best possible ways of expanding your flying skills and having lots of fun as well.

C42 flight times

Clench Common - Lashenden 1h 30m
Lashenden - Abbeville 1h 35m
Abbeville - Dreux 1h 45m
Dreux - Amboise 1h 25m
Amboise - St Secondin 1h 00m
Total outbound 7h 15m

St Secondin - Dreux 2h 20m
Dreux - Abbeville 1h 30m
Abbeville - Lashenden 1h 30m
Lashenden - Clench Common 1h 45m
Total inbound 7h 05m

Note total airbourne time 14h 20m, warm up, taxing etc added another 2h 15m to the total.
Hobbs total 16.9h

Nigel Leak
Sep 2009

Would you like to participate in this sort of flying? Come and join us at GS Aviation, Clench Common, Wiltshire. Contact the airfield on 01672 515535 of if no answer Nigel on 01488 657888. Start learning now and it could be your name in this write up next year.

Copyright ©2011 GS Aviation (Europe) Ltd. For all your microlight training on flex and fixed wing aircraft including ground school to NPPL. Tel 01672 515535 Email info@gsaviation.co.uk for more information.