After the very rough conditions on the Thursday, with a lot of overcast on Friday, we skipped flying until Saturday.
On the Friday, Nick took the team to meet his passenger, Penny, from the famous 1974 Eagle flight. She lives near by and has kept in touch. An invitation to fly again was extended and the Saturday was an opportunity to fly some of the local friends who have made this trip possible.
Phil and Nick in DuoDiscus (John Pursey)
With a wavy sky but less wind and much less turbulence, the Duo took Nick then JB flew Jenifer (the partner of Andie the owner of the croft) we were camping at. JB then managed to fly Penny who had been brought down to the field by Nick. She was treated to a recreation of her 1974 flight getting to 8000ft and a sight-seeing trip along the coast.
Penny with Nick (1974) and JB (2025) to 8000ft (John Pursey)
Bumble Bee was kept busy giving Jenifer a trip then the croft’s owners nephew a flight. All revelling in the splendid visibility from the Eurofox and the clear air. Phil Morrison then took opportunity to get more Bumble Bee practice with a couple of flights using his FRTOL skills talking to Tain range.
Looking North from 10,000ft (John Pursey)
And the Eagle? Well Stirling had made a surprise drive up (so unlike him!) and helped push and pull for days so his reward was nearly 7 hours as AXJ’s rear gunner! A great day to show Stirling what wave flying was all about (apart from the rotor) and map reading with the danger area and Moray CTA to negotiate. We had mugged up on TMZs, flight above 10,000ft in Scotland, NOTAMS etc and used a little sliver of free space to dash up to 10,000ft+ spending most of the day above 7000ft. Approaching darkness robbed us of the full 7 hrs, but it was a great flight and the team had everything wrapped up before real dusk! Beer to follow!
Stirling and JP - nearly 7 hours (John Pursey)
Saturday was deemed potentially too damp (by some) so there was a roadtrip out to view airfields near Skye which were potentially on our hit list. The high pressure had robbed us of the wind, but all shades of wavy cloud were to be seen. For next year….
All shades of wavy cloud (John Pursey)
The Sunday under lovely sunny skies and no wind was a chance to use the Eurofox for a little explore and with the door open I took photos of our croft, local hills and a friend of mines parents house. With the door open I embraced my door gunner from 'Nam in Apocalypse Now moment!
Exploring in BumbleBee (John Pursey)
A final mass derig and ready for the return with Phil heading off with the Duo with an overnight at Tebay planned. For us, more sightseeing round Scotland’s north and for one of us, a swim in the sea! Colder than Cornwall…
A cold water swim (John Pursey)
So, Northern Safari over, Nick was right about Dornoch’s potential and plans are already in place for next year! - John Pursey
