HENSTRIDGE - FLYING STANDARDS WEEK-END
Saturday and Sunday 5th/6th April

The first Squadron event for 2003 got off to a flying start with members being given slot times for their arrival at 3000 feet over Henstridge airfield, for a competition forced landing practise.

The touch down aiming point on 07 was a flour line on the runway at the beginning of the old ADDL'S concrete dummy deck. Ron and Jan Dobree-Carey carried out the judging and Philip Cardew, our CFI, watched with furrowed brow as members made their attempts. It should be pointed out that, in spite of the CFI's increasingly worried looks, all participating pilots are to be congratulated on actually having made it onto the airfield (!) but only three came close to the line.

Nigel de Candole in his Jodel won by actually touching down on the line. Leo Baker in his Piper Cub was second at just 24 feet over and Arthur Record, in his Mistral, having given the judging party a fright by driving his galleon under full sail directly at them, succeeded in alighting gracefully 25 feet after the line.

Pilots and aircraft participating were:- Ryan Tobago TB10 G-BOIT, Ashmead Pulsar Mk3 G-BYJL, Mountain Cherokee G-AXIR, MacKay Cessna 120 G-BUJM, de Candole Jodel D120A G-AVLY, Holloway Stampe G-BAKN, Lovegrove Gardan GY80 G-BJAV, Eatwell Streak Shadow G-BTEL Stanley PA28, Moore Auster G-ASZE, Baker Cub J5 G-BRLI, Record Mistral G-MVSJ, Ferbrache Commander 114 G-PADS.

The CFI afterwards gave an interesting critique of the landings pointing out the importance of positioning on the crosswind leg prior to landing. Michael Ryan, our Senior Pilot, with his usual flair and attention to detail organised the Henstridge event in conjunction with the QFI's - Philip Cardew (CFI) Dave Mackay and Phil Moore.

This event was to provide for completion of JAR requirements for PPL renewals for those who wished it, or skill proficiency checks and to provide members with "Brush up " sessions in the clubhouse lecture room.
These sessions given by the QFI's were on such subjects as Icing and carb.heat, weight and balance, take off and landing performance, airspace, transponders, forced landing practise and so on. These were very informative and well attended. The overhead projector lent by Nigel de Candole was very useful in helping to put the information over. Dave Mackay also promulgated his pilot training record sheet for members to note down their practises of engine failure under different circumstances, total electrical failure, stalling, flapless landings, crosswind landings, take off and landing performance etc.

Whilst the flying and lectures were going on the ladies were taken to Charmian Ryan's home for a talk and display of gold embroidery, followed by lunch.

At mid-day members gathered for lunch during which they were asked to exercise their brains in solving a flying quiz set by the CFI. Differences of opinion over the answers were not allowed. The quiz was won by Pat Mountain who earned himself a bottle of wine as prize.

During the afternoon the busy day continued with more flying and more brush up sessions until 1730 when everyone dispersed to their homes, hotels, B&B's or relatives. At 1930 the Squadron members, wives and guests (Joe and Lyn Williams) re-assembled at Indian Cottage in the village of Henstridge for an Indian meal. As the restaurant was so crowded, the meal tended to be rather drawn out, but nevertheless was delicious and everyone enjoyed themselves.

On Sunday, survivors turned to at 0900 at the airfield for a full English breakfast prepared by Lyn Williams. More flying was scheduled to follow but the clear weather of Saturday unfortunately did not continue into Sunday.

It was generally agreed that the week end events were very worth while in refreshing the aviation orientated brain and we look forward to another similar event in the future.

Report and photographs by Ron Dobree-Carey .