31/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Early lesson for Debs today… 9am… but that was after we flew into work in the Yak Debs was ready for her lesson at 8.50 but Bradley was nowhere to be seen… So Debs checked out the aircraft - with Nigel supervising… oooh it took a long time Then we were off - pink headset and all for our first circuit lesson… hee hee hee - tgalk about “brain overload” for Debs! She did OK I suppose but we have a lot of circuits to do… poor Bradley!! After that Bradley and I went up in RM to do a type conversion with Phil Ryder - hey guys… I’ve flown in this one I believe I’ve flown in this one before - with the other owner - Mark Tokley. Love this plane - full of Luxury!! Today was early closing day at Earls Colne because of Micks party… and Debs forgot.. so I had to spend the night in Carolyns office We’re supposed to have two displays to do tomorrow… suppose I’ll miss them now… told you Debs was brain dead after her circuits

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

30/08/2007 by Pudsey.

I had a Cessna day today with Bradley and it was “RL”… hmmm I go in lots of Cessna’s First trip was a nav exercise with Yvonne Vincent… she’s a nice lady - I’ve done lots of flying with her. Then later on we done some VOR tracking with Nic Lloyd… such a busy life I’m getting quite good at spotting Earls Colne from the air - well actually it stands out like a sore thumb. It’s an old airfield so therefore has a distinct pattern… and then there’s the red roofs of the site buildings and of course the golf course You know, I’ve been on so many training flights I know I could pass my PPL… why I’m sure I could almost be an instructor… coz I sure have the gift of the gab just like Uncle Dale and “Top Gun” Bradley!! Need to go home and study tonight coz Debs has circuits tomorrow… hee hee that should be fun - bet she suffers from brain overload… I’ve seen it all before… !!

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

29/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Back to Earls Colne again… this is my second home Spent the day shadowing Bradley… seeing if I can improve my image and get to be more like the “Top Gun” icon he strives to be… hmmm - don’t think I can learn anything new from him Bradley loves to join in with the “Mens Club” at lunchtime… he’s like a king holding court It’s also very much like “fishermans story hour” when they talk about “the one that got away”… it’s all about who’s flown the best plane and in the most adventurous way… I’m sure Bradley is a frustrated display pilot - hey Nigel, give him another go in the Yak!! After all that Bradley and I went with Robbie Robinson to do some circuits and then I was observer for Robbies solo circuits in ET! I always feel slightly nervous when the instructor gets out of the plane… but I needn’t have worried coz Robbie was fine - he was with me - the lucky solo mascot

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

28/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Bank holidays over - next one Christmas! Earls Colne day today and I was able to tell them all about my Chinese with Maurice First trip of the day was with Yvonne Vincent ans “top Gun” Bradley to Cambridge… no disasters this time - a nice trip there with time for a debrief and cup of tea before heading home. Yvonne was doing “nav” exercises in “RL” and I was able to give her a few tips thanks to all the hours I’ve managed to master I can’t understand why students have so much trouble with “nav”… Nigel and I use this little black box which tells us where we are and how to get to our destination… I can’t understand why students don’t use it!! My final trip of the day was with John Pickering in “ET” - a local flight… guess I’m so good at nav I don’t need the practice!! Then it was home again with Debs to sort out all the pics from the weekend… don’t they look good with me in them!!

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

27/08/2007 by Pudsey.

I was a DofE supervisor again today as our youngsters are completing day two of the bronze qualifying expedition. They had camped overnight at Rendlesham forest (and gave them a flypast on the way home and took some pictures!!) and then had six miles to walk until the end… and it took them six hours to get there!! Oh my days - I think lack of sleep played a big part in their performance While we were waiting (and waiting and waiting) at a checkpoint for them to arrive we saw Maurice buzzing overhead in his Mustang… Debs was longing to swap places!! At then end of the walk (finally it was finished!) We decided to have a fly - clear our heads! Maurice had invited us back to Hardwick so off we went. We were lucky enough to do some air to air photos with him - brilliant We also got some of his stearman when Chris took it for a spin… to finish off a great day we stayed for a chinese!!

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

26/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Whhop whoop! Little Gansden airshow today and it’s all in aid of Children in Need Ooh it was busy trying to get into the show - so many aircraft… and we arrived at the same time as Janie Weather was absolutely lovely again… hurray summer has arrived!! There were loads os people at the show and there was even someone dressed up as me… how cool is that?? Mind you, he wasn’t as good looking as me and he didn’t have a flying suit!! We went to the pilots brief… ooh it’s going to be a big busy show… great!! I got to see lots of old favourites… the Dukes of Cassut, new stuff - barnstorming tricks, the turblent team and their show, German machines etc But I was so glad to see that the crowds were out in force to see Nigel and me put ‘JB’ through her paces!! After a great day we made our way home via Hardwick for a cup of tea with Maurice

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

25/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Would you believe it… absolutely wonderful weather today and we’re not flying but had a wedding to photograph… “hey guys what are you playing at - let’s go flying”… ooh I see - Nigel says they need to do the photo’s to pay for the flying!! Anyway we did fly in the end coz Debs was itching to try a circuit so we went in G-OY… lovely colour plane Debs surprised me by actually managing to taxy ok (Nigel was surprised too!)… and then she took off… oooh she’ll soon be going solo - yipee!! We had some fun just flying around and practising some turns… I’m sure Nigel fancies himself as an instructor We then entered the circuit… ooh there’s a lot to learn and remember - they kept going on about BUMPFH (funny talk these pilots have )… anyway Debs chickened out of actually landing - so Nigel had to do two!! But it was a lovely night for flying

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

24/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Flew to Earls Colne today with Nigel and Mattie in G-JB for Debs circuit lesson (ooh I was getting nervous with the thought of Debs landing!!) Guess what - cloud too low to do circuits… ooh Debs was cross! So we spent the afternoon at Earls Colne winding up Bradley - that’s always good fun Weather got so bad that we all thought we’d be going home with Debs in the car… but thankfully it was good enough for Nigel to get back in JB… Mattie and I decided to go home by car!! Nigel said it was grotty weather all the way back until the other side of the mast and then the sun came out Debs took some pics of the take off and got a good sideways one from the road. Mattie was playing his pilot academy game on his PSP and Bradley was most impressed… especially as Mattie was flying a Spitfire! I don’t get on too well with the PSP.. my paws are a bit big for the controls… think I’ll stick with the PC and joystick!!

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

23/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Clacton airshow today and the weather isn’t brilliant… but it is flyable. The Red Arrows aren’t able to make it (cloud too low) and nor did BBMF amongst others - all due to either being weathered in at home or poor weather at Clacton. The Blades took off from their base at Sywell, but again couldn’t make it to Clacton. Well we had a great time on the ground… we were interviewed by BBC Essex to explain what we were up to - Nigel just loves being on the radio - he has the face for it!!!! We also met members of the public and gave away loads of cards and flyers all about me and children in need… we even sold some raffle tickets We did manage to see some flying and how great it was to be able to say “I’ve flown in that!!” Team Guinot were there with their “fog” and also Peter flew with the Kittyhawk. We saw an aerobatic glider with an aerobatic tug plane… wow!! All in all a great day coz we didn’t let the weather spoil our fun!!

Posted in Diary | Print | No Comments »

22/08/2007 by Pudsey.

Another grot day so still no flying Decided I’d have to go on he pc if I couldn’t get in the air… went on flight sim - my flying skills are certainly improving Also had a look at various air forums today and had a great surprise… lots of pics posted from Rougham. Great topside pass of Nigel and JB… and me!! Yes you can really see me strapped into the passenger seat Lots of pics of the two lovely Guinot ladies.. and even some of me with them - ooh weren’t the guys jealous of me I liked flying with Team Guinot - but I was so glad I was secure in the plane… I really don’t fancy that wingwalking lark - I realy don’t know how Lucy and Danielle manage it. Managed to sort out all the photos to be printed for my album and also to go on the web site. Had a trip to Asda to take them for developing - looking forward to seeing them printed as there are some good ones there… hte good ones are the ones with me on them!!

Posted in Diary | Print | 1 Comment »