News Page 2
9-04-06: Added
a
page to the website.
The guys also flew to the microlight trade fair at Popham today, It was
extremely busy with planes approaching the airfield from all angles and
trying to land at the same time. Also, the team would like to
thank Paul O'Grady from ITV's 5 O'Clock Show for his donation.
27-04-06: We have had to increase the bandwidth of our web hosting service because this site is now averaging well over 10,000 hits per month. Thanks for looking everyone ;-)
17-04-06: The guys flew to Popham in Hampshire today. Dave and Les found it a bit bumpy in to 20mph winds but Tony was fine in his Shadow. Just a few more hours required before the engines can be adjusted.
15-04-06: It was an early start for the team today. The guys had a photo shoot at the airfield in the morning. The newspaper photographer was great and the whole team's looking forward to seeing the published results this week . Both planes also went flying to test the engines. The weather was poor so it was only a quick flight.
09-04-06: Tested the Rans (and Dave's new flying suit) today after the de-coke and re-building of the engine, everything was fine (and warm!). Tony got his engine back in but there was a problem with the starter solenoid. To test his the engine we arced it using a wire. It started effortlessly and sounded fine. We now need to run both engines for 5 hours and then re-torque the cylinder heads.
Dave looks ready for the artic.
26-03-06: We have been analysing the long range weather forecast for the flight. It's not looking good. The is a artic front coming in in 2 week time!. So the team sat and discussed this for hours and decided to move the trip it back to June. It was a hard decision, because the team are ready to go, but safely comes first. So the clock is now counting down again. 10th of June is the big day.
25-03-06: The engines back in on the Rans, but Tony's engine has a broken piston. This will delay his engine for a week.
19-03-06: Yesterday was the first anniversary of Craig's passing. This morning the guys were at the airport. Keith came over and helped with some last minute tuning. The guys then set to work on removing the engine from the Rans. Every 50 hours the engine needs to be removed and de-coked. As the trip will take up most of this allowance the engine needs to be de-coked ready for the trip. The guys took the engine to Les's house and stripped it. After being de-coked and rebuilt it's now ready to be re-fitted next Saturday.
04-03-06: The team flew to the Isle of Wight today. We had one of the film cameras fitted to the plane. It was a bumpy ride and boy was it cold. Tony had a problem with his radio, but it was working ok when we got to the island, you can hear him on the movie (G-BSOR call sign). Not only was this Dave's first time across water, but also flying in the cold. It was minus 2 degrees Celsius inside the plane.
26-02-06: The team have been discussing NEXT YEARS flight for life event. It will take place around June 2006, and were going to AFRICA! at least if the engine breaks down, we'll be able to get a sun tan whilst fixing it. We'll start to discuss this as soon as the round Britain challenge is finished.
05-02-06: Dave fitted the Vertical Speed Indicator. We tried to start the engine to test the new instrument but the battery was to low. After Jump starting it from Dave's car (Aircraft are very hard to bump start!) we took off for a 20 minute flight. All was well. When we landed Tony told us that he thinks his engine is fixed. Lets hope so. The clocks ticking and we need to be ready.
Where does this red wire go?... and why has he got a hacksaw?
29-01-06: Fitted a new windscreen to the microlight, The vertical speed indicator should be here soon. Tony's still got his engine problems. Its been over 3 months now. Tony's virtually replaced the engine but the misfire / surging is still there.
15-01-06: We went to fly the microlight but the Vertical Speed Indicator has broken. This is the dial that tells us how fast we are climbing or descending. Well have to order a new one this week.
07-01-06: Ordered some Life jackets from the internet. Dave just had to test his out.
Someone had to do it!
01-01-06: Happy New Year! It might be New Years Day but there's no rest for the team. Tony and Les sat down today and finished planning the route (details on the challenge page). 5 long days, thousands of miles, a map, a compass and a flask of coffee. Bring it on!
19-12-05: Les took the Microlight to Andrewsfield airport (about 90 miles from base). The surface wind was only 10mph, but once airborne he had a 38mph turbulent head wind, bouncing him around in the sky like a small rag doll. It took him 2 long hours to get there. If this is a sample of what's to come, then it's going to be a very tough trip.
28-11-05: We've not updated the web site for a while (sorry) because we have been busy testing the plane in cold wet and muddy conditions. We have now done 25 hours in the Rans, mostly doing some local flying, but we also had a trip to the Isle of Wight. Today Tony finally got his engine sorted (after 3 months of problems). We've hopefully sorted all of the problems in the Rans and we are all now ready to go!. The trip is planned for the 15th of April. We will announce the route in the new year.
If you fly Microlights and would like to join us for some/all of the trip, please let us know. The more the better.
It's cold up there!
20-08-05: Les and Dave have been flying the Rans for 7 hours now. They have also been flying with Tony in his Shadow. Tony's Shadow is quicker than the Rans, so we are always the first to take off and the land to last. We should be updating the site soon with some air-to-air photos.
13-08-05: Les took Dave up in the Rans for his first flight. They flew around for an hour enjoying the views of Sussex. Dave enjoyed the flight and they are planning to fly to Kent tomorrow.
7-08-05: The team are delaying the flight until the spring...why? Instead of just our aircraft, the challenge has just got BIGGER! 2 more aircraft have already agreed to do the tip; Les's flying instructor Keith (if he can get a break from his busy flight training schedule), in his blue and silver Thruster Sprint G-CBIP, and Tony in his red and yellow CFM Shadow G-BSOR, and there will hopefully be a lot more Microlights joining the team on the 2,500 mile trip. This extra time will allow the team to increase media coverage and generate even more money for the charities.
Keith's Thruster - Tonys Shadow
06-08-05: The aircraft is now ready, and Les has finished all of his training.
30-07-05: The engine has been refitted in the microlight after it's re-build. Because the engine has new pistons etc, it will need an extensive running-in period before the flight can commence. The big question is can this be completed in the next couple of weeks or will the team have to delay the flight until the aircraft is ready.
17-07-05: That's the licence finished, Les just needs to do some conversion training 'on type'. The paperwork has been sent off and the team can concentrate on getting the plane ready for August. The engine has been re-built and will be fitted next week. Les and Dave have booked the last couple of weeks in August to do the trip. The only thing that can delay us now is getting the plane sorted and the weather! Fingers crossed.
10-07-05: One more hour done, hopefully the licence will be finished next week. We have also found the problem with the engine. One of the piston rings has started to break down, and it's damaged the piston. So, we will speech to the Rotax importers this week to arrange for new pistons, top end bearings etc...££££ :-(
26-06-05: Problems with the engine... again. Not only was it was very hesitant to reach max rpm, but we had traces of oil coming from the front piston. Engine out... again. Because of this Les took Keith's Thruster Microlight for a 2 hour solo flight to Leeds Castle. 3 hours to go.
19-06-05: Check flight done. Permit should be on it's way.
13-06-05: That's the last Cross Country done, Les flew to Rochester today in 25kt winds. Going through the paperwork prior to the licence application we have noticed that there is a problem with the number of hours flown. You need to do 10 hours of solo flight 9 months preceding the licence application, and because of the delay, 5 of Les's hours have expired. So he will need to fly 5 more hours solo before the licence can be sent! Les plans to do these in our Aircraft as part of his 'Conversion' training. The good news however is that the Aircraft has passed the ground inspection part of the permit to fly re-validation. All that is required now is a check flight.
Rochester. The last cross county flight.
22-05-05: Poor weather stops Les's last cross country re-validation. He'll have to wait a couple of weeks to do it, as the company he works for (CedarOpenAccounts) is sending him to Zimbabwe. Once he's back he'll also need to get the aircraft's permit to fly renewed.
15-05-05: Les managed to get one of the cross country exercises re-validated today, He flew solo from Deanland to Headcorn in Kent and back by navigating without help from the GPS. This leaves only one cross country re-validation to do before the licence. Weather permitting it's booked for Sunday. Then all efforts are on the aircrafts new permit to fly, and the conversion training. The wise money is now on August for the big flight.
08-05-05: The weather is still to bad for the two cross county re-validations, but it's good enough for a local flight in our aircraft. Les took the plane up for nearly an hour. It flew very well but, there is a vibration at 5000 rpm. We will balance the propeller and check the engine this week.
After all that training, you would think Les could give us a small smile..
03-05-05: Today would have been Craig's Birthday, and Les flew the aircraft for the first time. The weather was poor with a strong head wind and an overcast sky, but Keith and Les took the aircraft up for a spin. The controls were very responsive. Even with 2 people and full fuel on board the little Rotax 503 engine gave a 600fpm climb rate. G-MYGH finally fly's.
It finally flys!
17-04-05: After 16 cancellations due to bad weather and 1 due to Chicken Pox it was 17th time lucky for Les. He passed his General Flying Test today at 5pm, 7 months and 26 days after the first one was booked. Due to the delay he will have to re-validate his cross county exercises before the CAA will send his out licence. Hopefully he will be able to do this in the next couple of weeks. Once the licence has been received then the count-down to the flight for life challenge can begin.
After nearly 2 years of training Les gets a scribble in his log book.
16-04-05: Test number 17 is booked for tomorrow at 4pm. The weather report is for cloud and rain, and we have just heard that the examiner is off sick, but he may be back tomorrow.. could it be 18?. How much bad luck can you get, were now taking bets on the possibility of having 20 cancellations!
10-04-05: The new dashboard is fitted (pics in the photo gallery) and Keith the instructor has worked his magic on the engine. It sounds lovely. Everything is fixed and the aircraft is ready.
03-04-05: Bad weather cancels number 16, 3 hours later the sun was shining. Number 17 is on the 17th. Umbrella ready!
27-03-05: Test number 15 is cancelled because Les is still suffering with chicken pox.
19-03-05: Craig finally lost his battle against Cancer last night. Craig was the inspiration and mentor for the whole team, his sense of humour, optimism and courage will be greatly missed.
Craig Hyder.
03/05/71 – 18/03/05
13-03-05: General Flying Test no.14. Winds are low, the Sky is blue, the sun is shining, the plane is ready, and the pilot.... the pilot has chicken pox! Bring on number 15.
Les thought that you could only get chicken pox once...... wrong!
27-02-05: No.13. They say that the number 13 is unlucky for some, and it was for Les. High winds, poor visibility and snow. the next text (No.14) is on the 13th (still unlucky for some...)
26-02-05: The regulator blew up testing the aircraft today, one minuet fine then a big puff of smoke, also the rev counter was over reading and the engine wasn't running to full power.... ££££
13-02-05: 35Kt winds across the runway..... roll on no.13
11-02-05: According to the long range weather forecast for Sunday (test no.12), it looks like 35 knot winds...... typical!
15-01-05: No.11 was cancelled today, Keith the instructor has got to have a minor operation so we will have to wait until the 13-02-05 for test no12.
04-01-05: Well it wasn't 10th time lucky, that good old British weather stopped it again, It's coming up to six months since the first test booking. Surly we must get some better weather soon?
31-12-04: Number 9 is cancelled............. 10th time lucky?
28-12-04: Test number 8 has been cancelled. This time it's down to 45knot winds and a water logged runway. better luck next time (number 9).
13-12-04: Les's final flying test (No.7)has been cancelled again due to bad weather. Les has now been waiting 5 months to do his final test, will it happen this year?...
01-12-04: Software Company Version One has agreed to be a major sponsor for the flight. Details to follow.
30-11-04: You can now download a movie of Les's first solo flight in the Photo's section.
07-11-04: Yet again Les's final flying test has been cancelled due to bad weather. That's 6 cancellations now due to bad weather! oh well, it could be 7th time lucky......
06-11-04: Dave and Les fitted the engine back in the aircraft, and it sounds better than ever.
30-10-04: The barn dance was a great success, thanks to all involved and a very special thank you to Melanie for all of her hard work.
30-10-04: Les went flying to day and finished his 10 hours solo requirement for the licence.
24-10-04: Yet again Les's flying test has been cancelled due to bad weather. That's 5 cancellations now. The test was booked for 3pm at Rochester, but due to poor visibility and 40knot winds, it was decided to call it off at 1pm. Les did get chance to go up for 20 minutes with his instructor Keith, but due to low cloud they stayed below 1000ft.
21-10-04: Thank you to the nice guys over at First Choice for their donation.
17-09-04: The Barn Dance is nearly here. The raffle prises now include a holiday, TV/DVD, Dinner for 6!
09-09-04: The engine has been taken out of the aircraft and is in the process and is being overhauled in preparation for the flight by Les (lets hope he remembers where all the bits go).
02-09-04: Les's flying test has been cancelled due to bad weather. That's 3 cancellations now.
Les's Rans S6-ESD.
31-07-04: Les's new plane is now at Deanland Airfield in East Sussex
03-04-04: Craig, Dave and Les travelled to Fenland Airfield to meet Dave Almay. Dave is a PFA inspector and the owner of Sky-Craft (The Rans Aircraft importer). He has a Microlight for sale: G-MYGH. It's a Rotax 503 powered Rans S6 in Yellow and Black. As he opened the hanger door Les said 'I'll take it'. It's now just a question of paying for it. The first step is to cash in Les's Endowment policy, Re-Mortgage the house, sell some stuff.................
03-07-04: Les has now passed all of the written exams: Air Law, Metrology, Aircraft technical, Human performance and Navigation. He just needs to fly the required hours (this is proving difficult with our poor summer).
30-11-03: Keith has sold the Shadow and the rest of Les's training will be done in G-CBIP a Thruster Sprint. The first main difference is that Keith now sits next to les, pointing at the instruments "Check your speed. What height are you trying to flying at... well do it then. Check your speed. Hold it, hold it, hold it off.. " Repeat constantly for 1 year, and you'll get the picture ;-)
Thruster Sprint, Powered by Jabiru.
14-09-03: After deciding on a way to raise money for charity, Craig, Dave, Les and his family visit Deanland airfield. It's a beautiful sunny day and it's Dave and Les's first lesson. They are flying a blue CFM Shadow reg: G-MZKH. But first they must help Keith (the flying instructor) put the wings on the plane. They set off - one at a time - sitting in the front of this small narrow aircraft with Keith sitting behind. The plan is to do 1 lesson per fortnight.
"The greatest journey starts with a single step". Today Dave and Les took that first step.
G-MZKH & looking out on the first lesson.