The official magazine of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association www.aopa.co.uk

An aerobatic for aircraftthe

gentlemanA comfortable tourer, with full aerobatic ability... not much to ask for, is it? Extra doesn't think so...

USING YOUR 8.33 WINTER IS COMING ALAN CASSIDY They're here... now it's time Adam Winter offers advice Why aerobatic training will to get to grips with them on flying in the cold season make you a better pilot

MAGAZINE 12.2017 FREE TO MEMBERS WWW.AOPA.CO.UK

03 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE AOPA'S VOICE EDITOR David Rawlings IS LISTENED TO [email protected]

ART EDITOR SERIOUSLY Dan Payne [email protected] ith the shorter hours of daylight at this time of year there is less opportunity to fly, although I was fortunate enough to get in the air for a SUB EDITOR short flight a few days ago. It is a privilege to escape the constraints of Lucy Debenham W being earthbound, even for a short time. The Cub almost knows its own way to Turweston from White Waltham, and the north-south trip avoids the visibility CONTRIBUTORS problem of flying one leg into low winter sun. The air was absolutely smooth, lending Adam Winter, Alan Cassidy, a surreal feeling to the flight of being suspended over a large moving map. However, Pauline Vahey, Christian the point about one’s leisure time being less occupied by such pursuits in winter Hochheim, John Walker, Angus is that there is more time to consider, for example, how well AOPA is serving its Clark, Malcolm Bird members’ needs by having a voice where it matters. This prompted me to review past Chairman’s Messages. Of course, ‘value’ is not PUBLISHED BY intended to be purely financial, although some of what AOPA has done has produced AOPA UK financial benefit. A good example was the staving off of VFR charges with which 50a Cambridge Street, European owners were threatened in 2007. Based on IFR charges for heavier London, SW1V 4QQ aircraft, a VFR charge of £10 per hour seemed a possibility. The saving resulting +44 (0)20 7834 5631 from averting this charge for the average pilot would be much more than enough to cover the AOPA annual subscription. It also underlined the value of belonging to ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS IAOPA (Europe). At the same time, AOPA US was in a similar position having to fight off ‘user fees’. Unfortunately, we cannot assume that VFR charges have gone away AOPA UK for ever, it is likely that the proposal will pop up again some time in the future – we British Light Aviation Centre 50a Cambridge Street will be keeping a close eye on it. Issues like this, where what does not get through London, SW1V 4QQ the net, is something that AOPA does best. Retaining the status quo here was a ‘win’! +44 (0)20 7834 5631 The IMC rating and its possible demise was the subject of several Chairman’s Messages, the first warning appearing in 2007, As a national rating, it was unable to HEAD OF ADVERTISING be attached to the then recently established EASA licence, but many IMC qualified David Impey pilots were unhappy that such a life-saving piece of paper was destined for the bin. +44 (0)7742 605338 Naturally, AOPA UK, as the originator of the rating, fought to retain it, and its future is secure in the guise of the IR(R) until 2019, at least. The value of keeping the rating PRINTING viable is intangible, as are so many things relating to safety. Fisherprint There are other examples, and more recently AOPA’s voice has been exercised in Padholme Road the DfT’s direction in response to a consultation: “A new aviation strategy for the Peterborough, PE1 5UL UK: call for evidence - a long-term vision for the sector to 2050 and beyond”. This +44 (0)1733 341444 refers to a paper published in July 2017 entitled “Beyond the horizon: The future www.fisherprint.co.uk of aviation in the UK”. It is mainly aimed at the air transport industry, but GA is recognised as playing an important role, hence AOPA needed to respond, as did all © British Light Aviation Centre Ltd the GA associations (this first round of consultation ended in October 2017). There AOPA is a member of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and is more on this from Martin Robinson, our Chief Executive Officer – see later pages. Pilots Association. IAOPA We believe AOPA’s voice is listened to seriously and can produce results. Your investment in AOPA is valuable – a strong membership gives us the resources that we need to do our work. •

Articles, photographs and news items from AOPA members and other readers are welcome. Please send to the Editor. Inclusion of material in AOPA Magazine cannot be guaranteed, however, and remains at the discretion of the Editor. Material for consideration for the George Done February 2018 issue should be recieved Chairman, AOPA UK no later than 02 January 2018. [email protected]

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 04 INSIDE THIS MONTH CONTENTS DECEMBER 2017

07CEO AFFAIRS It has been a busy month for 18NEWS All the latest from the world of aviation Martin Robinson; one of his biggest concerns including a new Red Bull Air Race World has been the Government's document 'The Champion, how the CAA are working with Future of UK Aviation'. drone users and much, much more.

09AOPA COMMUNITY The section of the 24FLYING FEATURE Angus Clark had a meeting magazine that keeps you flying. At AOPA in Finland and one a week later in Switzerland. we fight your corner to ensure the world of What was he going to do in between? Go on General Aviation is being taken care of. tour of course – and what a tour it was!

10WORKING FOR YOU Pauline Vahey on 30COVER STORY The Exta 330LT – the what the Corporate Members Committee gentleman's aerobatic aircraft. Find out all have been working on, including dealing with you need to know about this amazing aircraft, drones and the lack of Flying Instructors. which also doubles as a cross-country flyer.

13AIRFIELDS UPDATE John Walker has once 38TRAINING FEATURE Aerobatic legend Alan again scoured the country to find out the Cassidy explains why learning aerobatics will latest on the UK airfields that are potentially improve your everyday flying, and why the under threat. AOPA syllabus is worth following.

14PPL CORNER Winter is here, but there's 43TECH REVIEW A look at Garmin's latest still plenty of flying to be done. Adam Winter touchscreen innovations and how they'll be focuses on the changing weather and what ready for plenty of aircraft by the end of the you need to do to stay safe. year, plus Breitling's latest offering!

16HELP AND ADVICE Like it or not 8.33 radios 45BOOK REVIEW David Ogilvy delves into the are here. Malcolm Bird explains what's going Supermarine: an Illustrated History and finds to happen in the coming months and years, out more than he could've imagined! And we and also offers insight into how they work. review the latest manual from Haynes...

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 05

EDITOR'S MOMENT There's an aerobatic edge (not the aircraft) to the December issue of AOPA UK. Whether 14 you want to compete or not in aerobatics, learning the skills required to fly manoeuvres can become an invaluable part of everyday flying. Alan Cassidy explains this in his feature on page 38. There's also a look at the aerobatic Extra 330LT, a luxury aircraft that offers the best of aerobatic ability as well as comfort and high tech. Elsewhere in this issue Angus Clark tells his story of flying around Europe, Adam Winter prepares us for the cold season, and Malcolm Bird gets to grips with 8.33 radio. Martin Robinson also explains how AOPA is trying to improve the Government’s paper on making the UK the world's best place for aviation. This issue is simply packed with useful information for the season ahead, helping you to keep on flying safely and successfully! It's full of love for flying and how to ensure you keep doing it! It's early, but all that's left for me to do is to offer you all season's greetings and let's hope 2018 is great for GA!

David Rawlings Editor, AOPA Magazine UK 43 [email protected]

18

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

07 AOPA AFFAIRS WHAT AOPA SAID TO THE GOVERNMENT he Government’s document of transport to facilitate their crime. If could lead to a greater use of the fuel entitled The Future of UK the Government has evidence-based and would probably stimulate the flight Aviation is an all-embracing concerns in respect of GA operations training market allowing for growth T title but only dedicates a then we need to work together more without additional emissions. single paragraph (6.17) to GA. This closely. GA has to remain part of the Electric engines as well as hybrid is woefully inadequate for such an solution – the EYES AND EARS! engines will also have an environmental important piece of work. Drawing on impact in the future. The UK should what's happened in the past we can look BUILD A GLOBAL support these developments by ensuring to the future. Therefore this response will AND CONNECTED BRITAIN regulations do not prevent progress aim to address GA’s future in line with Aviation is a ‘global business’, even for the Government’s six key objectives. GA. ICAO Annex 6 deals primarily with INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY & SKILLS Below is an extract of what we said International GA through SARPs. The So digitalisation of aviation systems – If you would like a full copy of the work that has been carried out thus far, should form the backbone of any future response please email me at martin@ through the GBASF group (CAA/DfT aviation strategy. As this develops aopa.co.uk and GA), led to a publication in which new skills will be required and this will the Government stated that, “The UK need to be addressed by schools and HELP THE AVIATION INDUSTRY should be the best place in the world for universities. If the UK is not, in future, WORK FOR ITS CUSTOMERS GA.” Whilst AOPA clearly supports this able to access research and development Who are the customers in GA? To statement, we are yet to be convinced funds through programmes such as answer that question there is a need to that it could even be achieved. In Single European Sky ATM Research understand that all of aviation depends our opinion the Government should (SESAR) the UK must think about on student pilots. So for aviation to exist commission a bench-marking study to funding research and development in the you need individuals who want to learn compare other states, such as the US, aviation sector. to fly, either to become a professional which is considered, by many, to be the or to private pilot. Without a strong and best place for GA and determine what IN SUMMARY stable through-put of new pilots each needs to be done in the UK The Government’s six key objectives year the system will fall into further also apply to GA and the paragraph 6.17 decline. At its peak in the early 1990’s ENCOURAGE COMPETITVE MARKETS does not do justice to a paper about the the CAA were issuing around 4,000 new All businesses need a stable environment ‘future of aviation in the UK’. PPLs per year (source: CAA statistics). and one, which is fairly predictable, Our wishes are for Government to After the removal of NVQ tax relief the however in the current climate we can accept the points made in this response average fell to about 3,500 and this say we are living through the most and to work with the GA community to through-put of licences appeared to unpredictable period in our history, develop an environment that enables provide a level of stability for the flight therefore it is crucial that GA has the growth in the activities which remains training industry. However, that average right policies to underpin its future. This as safe today, has less environmental has fallen and is approximately 2,500. will include policies around taxation, impact, brings more economic benefits An easy calculation can show the impact ‘brownfield’ sites, planning and fuel etc. to the national and local economies this has had on new aircraft sales as well GA needs a sustainable network of flying and is more available to all sectors of as the second-hand market. The domino sites to be a part of a competitive market society; and where technology enhances effect of this is less maintenance, less the safety and efficiency of all our flight instruction, less fuel sales, less SUPPORT GROWTH IN RESPECT operations and that its affordable. insurance being sold, all leading to lower OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT We want GA to remain an enjoyable levels of activity resulting in pressure on AOPA fully supports the need to make activity for all of us who are passionate the infrastructure aircraft quieter and more fuel-efficient. about flying. • I should point out that whilst the ENSURE A SAFE AND environmental impact of commercial SECURE WAY TO TRAVEL air transport is quoted as being 2% of From this objective we consider the global total impact for emissions, the GA Government to be referring to security impact is tiny in comparison. as it applies to terrorism and associated As cleaner/greener fuels are developed crimes. The aircraft itself is not the in our sector the Government should Martin Robinson problem, the criminals that use them consider reducing the level of duty to CEO, AOPA UK are, and they’re just using another form zero for a minimum of five years. This [email protected]

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

AOPA COMMUNITY 09 HELPING YOU STAY FLYING Welcome to the new AOPA Community section of the magazine, bringing you all the news and insight from the world of AOPA...

WORKING FOR YOU What we've been doing

AIRFIELDS UPDATE The latest news on UK airfields

PPL CORNER Get ready for winter

AOPA ADVICE Using your 8.33 radio

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 10 AOPA COMMUNITY Working For You

WORDS Pauline Vahey AOPA WORKING TOWARDS IMPROVING AVIATION FOR ALL The latest updates from the meetings within AOPA that aim to protect you, the pilot

The Members Working topic, especially on how they ″Drones are and safety legislation. Given Group (MWG) and will be integrated into GA the growth in drones it is Corporate Members Airspace. AOPA’s CEO Martin becoming a hot important to integrate their Committee (CMC) have Robinson introduced the topic operation into GA airspace regular meetings to ensure of drones at the meeting. He topic, especially whilst ensuring they avoid the the world of General informed those present that aircraft already in it. Satellite Aviation is being taken care it was proposed that drones how they will be technology and geo-fencing of, and that the businesses should be equipped with integrated into are being used where the involved in GA are sense and avoid systems, drones are using the SWIM protected. enabling them to sense and GA Airspace" (System Wide Information In the latest CMC meeting, avoid other aircraft. Management) programme. which took place on 13 Apparently, this technology Drone operations at airfields September at Stapleford is close to being implemented. are seen as a business Aerodrome, the following Also, it was being proposed opportunity. AOPA was subjects were the hot topics that a registration system considering the introduction of debate… should be implemented for of an airspace course for drone operators. It was also drone operators. It was AIRSPACE ISSUES proposed that commercial important to improve the Drones are becoming a hot drones be regulated by health situational awareness and

The shortage of flying instructors doesn't seem set to be resolved any time soon

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 11

Drones are becoming a big issue in UK airspace and they will become a problem if not properly controlled management of airspace, with area where there could a known environment and be adverts for both sides, known intent. availability of FIS and a jobs board for CMs. SHORTAGE OF FLYING INSTRUCTORS AOPA WINGS AWARD There is still a shortage The discussion widened to of PPL Instructors. It was a more general approach as suggested that the BCPL was to how to encourage more reintroduced as this rating young people into flying trained instructors, not future and keep them. Ideas were airline pilots. discussed such as Kids Clubs Introducing the COPL on airfields, using media such standard examinations for FIs as the new Disney movie has done nothing to improve featuring planes and making a the accident rate. It is also a competition out of it. fact that an EASA certified Encouraging schools and pilot was only marginally children to visit the airfields safer than an Annexe 2 could count as part of the pilot, however the burden flora and fauna required by of regulation and cost was the National Curriculum. significantly higher for the The old Cabair helicopter EASA regulated pilot. programme was referenced. If it could be achieved for Careers evenings for microlight instructors, why young people were held at not the traditional fixed-wing Stapleford where they could aircraft? meet ex pupils who had The head of CAE Oxford gone on to become airline had been quoted as saying pilots and engineers. Was an airline pilots will come engineer swap scheme viable? through the aeroclubs. However, the entry into TAXATION ISSUES flying has to be made simple John Walker, who oversees and cheap. The comparison the aerodromes updates between the earnings of a for AOPA, has foreseen a BMAA instructor and those potential up and coming of a conventional spam can issue over the possibility of instructor should be made business rate changes being and the differences removed. implemented on hangars Flight test standards shouldn’t at UK airfields, as Local drop and in general flight Authorities can now keep all examiners are very good. of the income generated by It was proposed that the business rates in the future. new AOPA website have a If you hear of any of these Corporate Members and instances, please report them Flying Instructor Members to AOPA. •

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

AOPA COMMUNITY Airfields Update 13

WORDS John Walker IMAGES jay-jerry LATEST NEWS ON OUR UK AIRFIELDS John Walker offers the latest news and developments at the UK's aerodromes

There are airfields across FAIROAKS focused on commercial and public consultation. Developer the UK currently under Surrey Heath Council made residential real estate. The is Cala Homes in conjunction threat of closure. Here are a confidential, unsuccessful Group expect to complete an with site owner. Airfield the latest developments, bid to establish a Garden initial study by Autumn 2017 tenants given Notices to Quit updated 20 October 2017. Village with 1,500 homes of future airport income and by the end of 2017. Refer to on site under Government investment that reportedly entry for Wellesbourne below. ELVINGTON scheme. Tenants advised excludes housing on the site. York City Council definitive later of proposal and public WELLESBOURNE Local Plan consultation consultations started LONG MARSTON MOUNTFORD document issued on 18 in February 2017 with Airfield is designated in Gladman Developments in September 2017 includes a submission of planning Stratford-Upon-Avon conjunction with the owner development of up to 3,330 application due in late 2017. emerging Local Plan for have proposed a housing dwellings partly occupying housing and has Garden development with 1,600 the middle section of the HALFPENNY GREEN Village approval. A homes on the site, although Elvington airfield runway. The Sold to MCR Property Supplementary Planning the Stratford-Upon-Avon consultation is due to end on Group, an investment and Document for the site was Local Plan Core Strategy has 30 October 2017. development company issued on 19 October for earmarked Long Marston as a preferred housing site. The Core Strategy after approval Fairoaks has been by a Planning Inspector under threat from has been adopted by the Surrey Heath Council Council and states that “The aviation related functions at Wellesbourne will have been retained and enhanced”. Tenants previously notified by owner that flying activities would cease in December 2016 but the airfield remains open pending the result of court action by the tenants to obtain new leases. The District Council has formally rescinded the owner's permitted development rights for the airfield and is seeking to negotiate a possible purchase of the site. •

MOD SITES

MOD document A Better Defence Estate Chivenor 2027; Colerne 2018; Dishforth Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and issued on 7 November 2016 lists the airfield 2031; RAF Halton airfield 2022; Rutland County Council discussing following aerodrome sites for disposal RAF Henlow 2020 - site earmarked Garden Village proposal for this site; in the years indicated: for mixed use development in Central Woodbridge, Rock Barracks 2027. Abingdon 2029; Alconbury 2023; Bedfordshire Council draft Local Plan; The former RAF Wethersfield airfield Arbroath, RMB Condor airfield 2020; Mildenhall 2022; Molesworth 2023; site is being transferred to the HCA Brawdy, Cawdor Barracks 2024; RMB North Luffenham 2021 - Defence in 2020.

RAF Wyton airfield is being sold off – DIO and local property developer Crest Nicholson proposal for up to 4,500 homes on site. Due to road infrastructure issues, site deleted from Huntingdonshire District Council definitive 2036 Local Plan for mixed use development including housing.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 14 AOPA COMMUNITY PPL Corner

WORDS Adam Winter WINTER IS COMING... Nights are drawing in, days are colder, but there's still plenty of flying to be done. Here, Adam Winter explains how to stay safe over winter

Winter is here, as reliable It won’t blow off down and advise your passengers. as death and taxes. Along ADAM WINTER the runway! If the weather Imagine you are in a two- with the worst flying is hovering near freezing seater Cessna and your conditions and hazards you overnight and it is going to passenger decides they are likely to encounter, also be clear, often an hour or two need to remove their triple- come some of the best flying in the sun will melt all the ice insulated ski jacket at 2000ft. days you could possibly and snow, so a plan to take off Starting your engine is imagine. mid-morning might solve the different to the summer start. The two factors that really ice problem. The oil is thicker and the fuel affect flying in the winter are You need to check with your less inclined to evaporate in the weather and the early school how they want you the manifolds, so it is harder onset of evening. Don’t get Adam is a commercial pilot to de-ice, but I use a brush to start. caught out by either. with more than 30 years' initially to sweep off the ‘fluffy Priming then becomes an The weather is characteristic experience. His career has stuff’, then de-icing fluid option for some light aircraft of the air mass that included bush flying in Africa (mixed with water) sprayed types. Now you have to be dominates the UK at any and island hopping in the over all other surfaces. Once careful of over-priming, which given time. These are the West Indies, as well as a stint the ice is melting and water can cause engine fire on polar continental or maritime in the airlines. He is also a is dripping satisfyingly from start up. Be sure you know masses of air and are either physics teacher with three the surfaces, I go around and the drill that usually consists cold and dry, or cold and years' classroom experience. check for ice or snow on the of turning the fuel off at the moist, as they are forced up pitot tube and static vents, cock, full throttle, mixture over the relatively warmer engine intakes and elevator lean cut off and crank with landmass of the UK. These can perform all tasks without and aileron hinges. the starter. So once you have masses cause the weather hurrying or being distracted If the aircraft has wheel started the engine and it is characterised by the by shivering and thinking spats, check these are clear warming up, the heater at temperature and moisture of Africa or the Caribbean. too. Another consideration last begins to take effect. The content of the air. For Winter is at its most miserable in freezing conditions is ice warm air that comes from it example, a Polar Continental when doing the first pre- that you can’t see. Most not only starts to warm you air mass comes down from the flight of the day. I have to light aircraft have drain up, but also any dampness North and if it has travelled wear gloves and a hat that holes. If one of these has in the plane from sitting in mainly overland it will be covers my ears or I really do become blocked, which is the cold overnight starts to quite dry. This will bring the rush things. When checking not uncommon, the trapped evaporate and dry things out. weather we want as it is likely for fuel contamination in the water can freeze. As the water And as this newly saturated to be a crisp clear day. winter it is more likely that freezes it can cause damage warmer air touches the cold Engines love the winter as condensation has occurred as it expands, or control windows, it condenses anew, each breath into the cylinder in the air above the fuel in imbalance. Learn where the coating said window with can contain up to 11% more the tank, and a few drops of drain holes are and check an opaque film of tiny water oxygen than in the summer. water may appear in the fuel them. Also check under the droplets. Added to this your Unfortunately, some of the sample, so take extra care to wings and fuselage for dried duffle-coated passenger has negative aspects of winter far inspect it. This won’t happen if mud – and just like ice, don’t started sweating but isn’t outweigh these advantages. the tank is full, but check with take any flying with you. You saying anything yet, because Your aircraft’s take off your club or school if they will need to gently wash it off oh no, they will wait at least performance can be affected want it left full for the next with water and be careful not ten minutes and announce by factors such as wet grass, flight. to clean any lubricant away their discomfort at 2000 feet. which although not confined Ice and snow have to be from hinges. The excessively moist air to the winter it is prevalent. completely cleared from all will clear quite soon, and surfaces. Ice and snow have PLAN AHEAD opening the doors briefly a DRESS CORRECT to be completely cleared from Once you are ready to fly, couple of times before take My flying career was mainly all surfaces. ICE AND SNOW again, think about your off can clear it more quickly. spent in Africa and the HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY warmth and your passengers’. You can wipe it from windows Caribbean. My priority in CLEARED FROM ALL You know how effective the with a cloth to allow for winter here is to remain warm SURFACES. Have you got the heating is or isn’t in your careful taxiing, but make sure and comfortable. That way I message? plane, so dress accordingly the cloth is clean, absorbent

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 15

Pre-flight checks in winter need to be carried out – make sure you do them thoroughly and non-abrasive. Also try not get to where you are going some short evening classes. to wipe in circles, but straight ″If you get to where at sunset with a westerly You will find details of these up and down (this applies also you are going runway and visibility is very on the AOPA website under when cleaning the outside of poor, don’t panic. With the “Training”. This year, apart the windscreens as well). at sunset with a sun being so low in the sky, its from the ab-initio PPL I mentioned earlier about shining through the haze can ground courses, we will be the reduced performance on westerly runway cause reduced visibility. conducting evenings with take off in certain conditions, Once the sun has gone further education in mind. and this can apply equally on and visibility is very below the horizon the I am going to do some landing. Braking action on ice poor, don't panic" visibility should improve. “Whizz Wheel Wednesdays” and mud will be poor. Also The forecast might well have which will run from 19:00- take care to taxi slowly and stayed with ‘9999’, but this 21:00. These are for both new carefully as you don’t know if haze can reduce visibility PPL students and anyone who there is ice under the wheels. considerably below ten has fallen out of love with Taxiing in strong winds can kilometres. I hope you saw their whizz wheel computers. be tricky especially if ice this or see it during your We are also doing some “RT is causing reduced braking training. The plan should have Tuesdays” evenings which are action. Think about your been to get back while the sun run by Vicky Farmer who is personal crosswind limits was still higher in the sky. a Flight and Radio examiner. with the poor braking action If you are having to land Her evenings are designed for in mind, maybe refine your after sunset I think it is cutting the PPL student and licence thinking there. things a bit short with little holders who want to gain room for diversion. confidence by improving their THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY The 30 minutes you have radio telephony. Vicky can Understanding the weather before dark after sunset also do the RT practical exam. and forecast for a route is (twilight) can be a lot shorter Happy flying, and don’t essential any time of year, if there is cloud cover, forget to put on your hat and but in the winter the weather especially to the west. coat - by order of: can change very quickly. The Winter is a good time to Adam Winter change is likely to be forecast, hone some of your flying and you should be careful skills and also a good time If you have any issues that you know exactly when to consolidate some of your regarding any flying, Adam sunset is and plan to be on the experience. Over the winter can advise. Email him via: ground well before it. If you at AOPA we will be looking at [email protected]

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 16 AOPA COMMUNITY AOPA Advice

WORDS Malcom Bird IMAGES Various YOUR NEW 8.33 RADIO Like it or not the 8.33kHz radios are here. Here's an update from the AOPA Maintenance Working Group about the new radios Hopefully you have now the name given to a channel frequencies that cover large completed the conversion is not its actual frequency. ″It may be useful geographic areas. to an 8.33 capable radio. Even though it looks like a to understand (If not, there are various frequency, it is called the SELECTING CHANNELS articles around to help you channel number. things a little better. The new 8.33 radios can understand the need, and The good news is that if you usually be set up to work in the CAA still have some simply dial up the number For one, because 8.33 and 25kHz modes. In funding available to help.) listed for an ATC unit, you this way, you can use 25kHz Now you have the radio, need not worry any more it may not be mode when you know you it might help to understand about it and all is good. (But easy to dial up the will only be talking to 25kHz how it can best work in the note that charts and printed frequencies. Turning the environment that is gradually guides are likely to be out number an ATC fine-tune frequency knob can changing for GA over the of date almost as soon as jump between the possible coming months and years. The they are printed during the unit has listed" 25kHz frequencies. This allows CAA say they are planning a transition period.) So for many you to move up and down “rolling conversion through users, you can stop here and the frequency spectrum with 2018.” At present most ATC move on... relatively few twiddles on the stations are still operating However, it may be useful tuning knob. When you know on their old 25kHz spaced to understand things a little you are going to be talking to channels – but this will be better. Firstly, because it may an 8.33 separated channel, you changing. not be that easy to dial up the can switch to 8.33kHz mode In the past, the 25kHz spaced number an ATC unit has listed, and will then find that the channels were identified by and secondly because there radio allows you to enter the their target frequency. In the can be some strange effects 8.33 channel numbers. In most new 8.33kHz spaced world, using 8.33 channels on certain cases, a radio in 8.33 mode,

Installations of the 8.33 radios have begun in earnest. Understand how they work...

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 17 allows the user to dial up both that some ATC units cover a 8.33 AND 25kHz separated Fig. 1 wide area and employ multiple channel identifiers. In this aerials in what is known as mode, rather more turns of the “climax” system. These the fine-tune frequency knob 132.000 132.025 132.050 132.075 various aerials may transmit at are required to move through slightly different frequencies the possible 25kHz separated as this helps to stop them frequencies and the 8.33kHz Channel identifiers for 25kHz spaces = target frequency interfering with each other. separated channel numbers. All the frequencies are within In general, whilst only 25kHz Fig. 2 the 25kHz band and so a separated frequencies are radio using the 25kHz spaced being used, it makes sense to channel can pick them up. leave the radio in 25kHz step 132.005 132.010 132.015 132.030 132.035 132.040 132.055 132.060 132.065 132.080 However, a radio tuned to an frequency mode. However, 8.33 channel number might as ATC units begin to change well not. The result can be that over you will need to switch communication quality can Channel indentifiers for 8.33kHz spaces = channel number to 8.33kHz channel number be very bad when talking to mode, or at least know how to Fig. 3 such ATC units using an 8.33 do so at short notice. Transmitter channel number. Once again, In most radios it is a simple 25 k 8.33 k use the appropriate frequency H z matter to switch between H for the unit and not the 8.33 TX 8.33 k z modes. For example, Trig allow Reciever TX channel number (Fig. 4). H

you to just push the fine- z RX tuning knob to toggle between 25kHz RX 25kHz RX 25kHz RX DATABASES “25kHz spacing” or “8.33 The new radios typically let AND 25kHz spacing” modes. Transmissions are tightly controlled, in a quite narrow you store both frequencies Some radios make it more bandwidth. A drift fault in the frequency of transmitter or and channel numbers, and complicated; for example, the receiver could be accommodated in the wider bandwidth usually you can store a textual ICOM IC-A220 needs you system, but a drift in the new could cause interference name with the identifier. to dive into the menu system This is worth setting up and to change and even then it Fig. 4 provides useful feedback that changes between either 8.33 ATC "Climax" you are tuned to the correct Transmission group

OR 25kHz separation modes. 8.33 k ATC unit. However, as the So, once in 8.33 mode you 8.33 rollout occurs, you must H cannot get to the 25kHZ z remember to change your Reciever RX separated frequencies! It 25kHz RX database to reflect the most has been pointed out to up to date channel identifiers. ICOM that this is not a good All transmissions are within band received by a 25kHz It is all too easy to leave a approach as both systems will receiver. Some of the outlier transmissions could be lost to 25kHz channel frequency in coexist for a considerable time an 8.33kHz receiver the database and later find the – they say they are working ATC unit has switched to an on a solution. 8.33 channel. To be ready, and in order to you might not have a better the new 8.33 capable radios This could lead to you get used to the tuning process, radio experience than before transmit over a similar narrow talking to the wrong ATC unit it may be best to switch your (see Fig. 1 and 2). bandwidth. The new radios are or suffering from break-in radio to 8.33 mode now, as In the past, the radios could simply much more capable at from an adjacent 8.33 channel. long as it can get to both drift off quite a bit before locking out all reception, other the frequencies and channel communication quality than the narrow focus for a SUMMARY numbers in this mode. dropped off significantly. particular 8.33 channel (Fig. 3). There will be ATC stations With the narrower bands the If you try and listen to a using a mixture of 25kHz and RF CHANNEL EFFECTS radios have to be much more 25kHz transmission using the 8.33kHz spaced channels for As you might expect, an tightly tuned. It is possible to 8.33 channel number for that some years to come, so a 8.33 spaced channel works make radios that work to these frequency, it is possible that radio that can easily tune in in a narrower space in the tighter tolerances as a result reception might be poor if to BOTH is required. Ensure radio frequency spectrum of technology improvements. the transmission has drifted that you know how to tune and because of this we can It is usually easier to get a off a bit. The drift may be fine into BOTH the 25kHz spaced fit more channels into the radio to transmit within a for a 25kHz receiver but not frequencies and the 8.33kHz VHF-airband radio spectrum. narrow band at a well-defined an 8.33kHz one. So use the spaced channel numbers. However, we are still trying frequency, and most aviation frequencies for old 25kHz Always ensure that your to get the same amount of radios have been broadcasting spacing channels and the radio is showing the numbers information flowing within this narrow signals for many new channel numbers for the on the display and match the narrower band, so everything years. In fact it seems that 8.33kHz spacing ones. identifier for the ATC unit you is having to work harder and the old 25kHz spacing and Another issue that arises is are talking to. •

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot General Aviation news from around the world

Panshanger looking to come back to life

PANSHANGER REACHES FIRST MILESTONE First step in saving the airfield has been reached, according to owners by Lucy Field talks with the Government miss the planes and want hurdles to overcome, and planning inspector to see if their airfield back,” says Sue it will require the goodwill Two months ago, Panshanger this is viable and sound. Hart, the Campaign Manager and support of many launched 'Project Phoenix' Project Phoenix was set up of Project Phoenix. organisations, including the – a crowd funding project to inform the public about “We have also been at key local council, but people to save the airfield. Since the situation whilst also aviation industry events such power can help ensure that its launch, the project has demonstrating to the Council as the Royal Aeronautical Welwyn and Hatfield isn’t reached its first target of the strong support for the Society conference on just somewhere to live but a raising £10,000. reopening of the airfield the future of UK airfields community that is proud of Panshanger was closed within the local and aviation and at the Historic Aircraft itself and looks confidently in 2014 after operating communities. Association, where towards its future, where continuously since 1940. The “Since the launch, we have committed aviators have youngsters will continually be aerodrome falls under the been exhibiting at local also shown their support and inspired and believe that the Welwyn and Hatfield council shopping centres such as made significant donations to sky is the limit,” said Schapps. and is in their Local Plan for the Howard Centre and the the project.” For more information on a housing development, with Galleria, and the response There has also been support Project Phoenix, and to sign a little mention about the has been overwhelming from the likes of Carol the petition or to donate to possibility of reopening the from the local public, with Vorderman and MP Grant the cause, visit www.project- airfield. There is on-going neighbours stating that they Schapps. “There are many phoenix.org.uk •

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 19

DRONES INVITED TO LOOK BACK... THIS MONTH 'SHARE THE AIR' EVENT 324 YEARS AGO by David Rawlings Jonathan Nicholson, using the air shares it safely. Assistant Director of “If you have a drone but The CAA recently hosted Communications at the Civil are unsure of where to fly it an event at Compton Abbas Aviation Authority (CAA) safely or you want to know airfield as part of campaign commented: “Drones being how to get the most out of around safe sharing of the the latest 'must have' in tech, your new bit of kit then these skies between drone users we've seen a huge spike in events are for you.” and the GA community. drone ownership across the For drone users that means The event, which sold out country. What's vital now following the Dronecode at in just three days, was run is that we ensure everyone www.dronesafe.uk. • as part of the CAA's 'Share the Air' campaign. Alongside the staff of Compton Abbas MANNED HYDROGEN airfield, the event played BALLOON FLIGHT host to several experts from Jacques Charles and two across the sector: French brothers Anne- The CAA was available to Jean and Nicolas-Louis provide the latest information Robert worked together on the UK and European to become the first people regulations covering drones. on 01 December 1783 to The airfield team also pilot a manned flight in a explained the range of GA hydrogen-filled balloon. flying opportunities that exist Professor Jacques Charles in the local area, enabling and the Robert brothers drone users to expand their launched the new love of flying. Drones are using a significant share of UK airspace manned balloon from the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, amid vast crowds and excitement. The UK LICENCING GETS A balloon was held on ropes and led to its final launch place by four of MAKEOVER THANKS TO CAA the leading noblemen by Lucy Field pilots will be able to make The new services are part of in France. Charles was applications via a new the CAA’s plans to update the accompanied by Nicolas- UK pilots applying for online ‘e-Licensing’ system, licensing system for the UK Louis as his co-pilot a licence or rating will and then track its progress aviation industry. e-Licensing hydrogen-filled balloon. soon benefit from a new through a personal portal will go live early December The envelope was fitted streamlined process, the account. In addition, pilots 2017 for commercial pilots, with a hydrogen release UK Civil Aviation Authority who need to apply in person with a service for private valve and was covered (CAA) said. From early at the CAA’s HQ will be able licence applications due to with a net from which the December, commercial to book dedicated time slots. follow next year. basket was suspended. As well as the introduction Sand ballast was used of the e-Licensing portal, to control altitude. They the counter service at the landed at sunset after a CAA’s Gatwick office will two hour flight, covering also change. A new fast- 36km. The chasers on track appointment booking horseback held down service will be available from the craft while both 11 December, replacing the disembarked. Charles current same-day counter then ascended again, but service. The new service will alone because the balloon allow licence holders to book had lost some hydrogen. an appointment time-slot Charles then saw a second up to one month in advance. sunset – unlike the Robert Appointments can be made brothers, he never flew via a dedicated phone line again. The new e-Licensing for commercial pilots now available 0330 022 1922. •

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 20 AOPA NEWS GA News that matters

AOPA NEWS Muroya HIGHLIGHTS claims the World FATTIES BEWARE Championship In a tweet, Finnair announced that they are asking passengers to be voluntarily weighed before flights. The airline assures passengers that they’re not preparing to charge more for larger passengers. “For us, this has nothing to do with ticket pricing or anything like that,” says Päivyt Tallqvist, director of communications at Finnair. The Scandinavian carrier wants the data to make their weight and balance calculations more accurate. ICON GETS PRICIER MUROYA WINS Icon Aircraft told deposit holders that prices would be going up about 30% for a base model and AIR RACE WORLD more than 50% for a fully loaded aircraft. A new 2018 Icon A5 is going to CHAMPIONSHIP set buyers back $389,000. The Japanese legend takes the title and makes history While Icon has published a 2018 base price of by David Rawlings (USA), also stumbled in the by Dolderer in second and $269,000, the company opening round, but Muroya Velarde in third. Then, when warns deposit holders Yoshihide Muroya took the still couldn’t rest, as Sonka the World Championship that “only fully loaded A5 first world title for Japan, in advanced after all, as the trophy was presented, models will be delivered Indianapolis in the Red Bull round's fastest loser. There, Muroya was sprayed with in 2018,” so those hoping Air Race after an eight-race first to fly with everyone champagne by Šonka and for a basic model will have long season. on the line, Muroya was McLeod, who stood on the to wait until at least 2019. Martin Šonka of the Czech fearless, flying to a new track overall podium for the first In 2008, Icon offered the Republic earned second record of 1:03.026 that 2016 time themselves with second two-seater for $139,000. overall and Pete McLeod of World Champion Matthias and third place overall, Canada took third. Dolderer of Germany and respectively. GA NUMBERS UP The season finale was Spain’s Juan Velarde couldn’t “This is an amazing chapter GAMA released its heartstopping from the very match. The pressure all was for motorsports to win a figures for the Q3 of beginning, with Šonka and on Šonka. The Czech pilot race here. It was the tightest 2017 and it states that Muroya, ranked one and flew cleanly, but with a championship ever with the shipment and billings for two in the standings, going technical issue plus a wing four of us close right up until General Aviation aircraft head to head in the Round stall in the Vertical Turning the end. We were behind at is up. GA shipments of 14. Flying first, Muroya’s Manoeuvre (VTM), he could the start of the season, so it increased by 1.7% and championship hopes seemed manage only 1:07.280, and was the long way and the hard rotorcraft shipments to be over when he incurred both the race win and Asia’s way, but we made it,” said increased by 7.7%. a two-second penalty – but first Red Bull Air Race World Muroya as he held back tears. Plane billings, however, in strong winds Šonka hit Championship belonged to “I thought the timing was declined slightly to a pylon for a three-second Muroya. broken when I saw my time in $13.2b, a 2.8% decrease ppenalty, advancing the As the race awards were the Final 4, so something was compared to 2016, Japanese hero to the Round of handed out in the iconic pushing me quite a lot. That while rotorcraft billings 8. Two other pilots vying for infield of the Indianapolis was the fans, my family and increased by 8.8%. the World Champion title, Pete Motor Speedway, Muroya my team, so thanks to them McLeod and Kirby Chambliss was joined on the podium for making it happen.” •

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 21 CAA FINE ILLEGAL BALLOON PILOT

by Lucy Field obtain a medical certificate, was issued with a medical continued to fly passengers. which is required to validate certificate, under the proviso Mr Jennings' offences came A commercial hot air balloon his pilot’s licence. He was he supply his AME with proof to light when he attempted to pilot who continued to fly found to have increased of continued weight loss to renew his medical certificate passengers, even though blood pressure and put on ensure he was fit to fly. with a different AME. he no longer held a valid weight since his last medical Between April 2015 and Appearing at Swindon pilot’s licence, has been and so a certificate could not July 2015, despite numerous Magistrates’ Court, Mr fined and ordered to pay be issued. prompts, Jennings failed Jennings admitted two costs, following a successful In accordance with the to provide any information counts of acting as a pilot prosecution by the UK's CAA’s guidance, the AME indicating weight loss. of a hot air balloon flight CAA (Civil Aviation sought further information In July 2015 the AME without being the holder Authority). from Mr Jennings’ GP, who informed the CAA, and Mr of an appropriate licence In February 2015, Michael confirmed a high body mass Jennings’ medical certificate in contravention of the Air Simon Jennings underwent index and raised blood was suspended, which Navigation Order 2016. a statutory medical pressure. immediately suspended his Following his guilty pleas at examination, by an Aero- In April 2015 Mr Jennings pilot’s licence. Despite being court. Mr Jennings was fined Medical Examiner (AME) to passed a flight test and informed of this, Mr Jennings £1,500. • CITY AIRBUS ON FOR MAIDEN FLIGHT by Robert Care in a fast, affordable and environmentally friendly way. Airbus Helicopters has “We now have a better recently completed the first understanding of the full-scale testing for the performance of CityAirbus’ propeller-and-duct system of innovative electric propulsion the CityAirbus demonstrator system, which we will – a multi-passenger, self- continue to mature through piloted electric VTOL rigorous testing while vehicle designed for urban beginning the assembly of the air mobility. During this full-scale CityAirbus flight testing phase, the CityAirbus demonstrator” says Marius team checked the individual Bebesel, CityAirbus chief performance of the system, engineer. The City Airbus is on schedule for its maiden flight powered by Siemens. The full-scale demonstrator CityAirbus is a battery- will be tested on ground will be remotely piloted; of 120kmh. It will be initially powered air vehicle. It initially in the first half of the later on a test pilot will be on operated by a pilot to ease is designed to carry up coming year. The first flight board. certification and public to four passengers over is scheduled for the end of CityAirbus will carry up acceptance, paving the congested megacities to 2018. to four passengers on fixed way for fully-autonomous important destinations In the beginning, the aircraft routes with a cruising speed operations. •

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 22 AOPA NEWS GA news that matters

Is there too much information on the CAA's G-INFO?

IS THERE TOO MUCH DETAIL ON G-INFO? AOPA's CEO addresses concerns on the amount of info available on the CAA's website

by Martin Robinson to make the UK Register further at my most recent I need a Registered Aircraft available for inspection by one-to-one meeting with Owner to let me know, Members have expressed any person. As the CAA is Tony Rapson. The CAA are including; the basis for your concern about the level required by an enactment to not considering any change concern, what level of detail of detail available on the make the Register available to the G-INFO database, should be available and how G-INFO database, primarily for inspection it is exempted though would listen if there the CAA should control the Registered Owner Details, from the usual non-disclosure are genuine concerns about access to information. May giving an opportunity for provisions of the Data the open nature of the be if the CAA had the same identity theft, identifying Protection Act 1998. information publicly available. approach as the DVLA the aircraft location and data "We do publish additional In order to be able to concern would be less. Tell protection concerns. information on G-INFO, such demonstrate to the CAA me what you think: martin@ I have raised this with Tony as C of A expiry dates, that there is a level of concern, aopa.co.uk • Rapson, Head of the CAA is not covered by the CAA GA Unit, who has advised: Regulations, but none of "The CAA is responsible this is of a personal details for maintaining the UK nature and is therefore not in Register of Civil Aircraft conflict with the DPA. in accordance with the Air "We also refer to the Navigation Order. The ANO public nature of the data details what information on the application form and must be held against each also in the guidance on our aircraft and this includes website. Incidentally, we do the name and address of not insist on applicants using the registered owner of the their private address. An aircraft. The CAA is also alternative address or a PO required by the Civil Aviation Box is acceptable." Authority Regulations 1991 I have discussed this Private addresses can easily be found on G-INFO

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 23 THERE'S STILL TIME TO GET APPLICATIONS IN FOR 8.33 by Martin Robinson After this date all 25kHz radios can no longer be used, The second call period for although it will probably 8.33kHz radio funding ended still be possible to receive on 30 Sep 2017; however, most ATIS and VOLMET the third period is now open broadcasts on a 25kHz radio until 31 Dec 2017 and there is and to keep it as a 121.5MHz plenty of funding available! back-up, it will not be legal Some points from the CAA: to use it for transmissions There have been some who except on frequencies have said that they will still assigned for: use their 25kHz radios once • The emergency frequency 8.33kHz becomes obligatory. (121.5MHz) We understand that the • The auxiliary frequency for UK has no intention of SAR operations (123.1MHz) introducing any extension or • The VHF digital link (VDL) Dont miss out on funding for your new 8.33 radioExtr derogation towards 8.33kHz frequencies (136.725MHz, requirements at this time; the 136.775MHz, 136.825MHz, • Where offset carrier communications with ground UK situation is as follows: 136.875MHz, 136.925MHz operation within a 25 kHz stations. On 01 January 2018 the and 136.975MHz) channel spacing is utilised. So the moral of the story law changes and all aircraft • The aircraft communications This means that all GA is: if you haven’t yet planned operating in airspace that addressing and reporting aircraft fitted with radios your 8.33 kHz compliance requires the carriage of a system (ACARS) frequencies (incuding handheld) must programme, you should do so radio must have 8.33kHz- (131.525 MHz, 131.725 MHz comply with this change as soon as possible! See the compatible equipment fitted. and 131.825 MHz) to UK law to maintain safe CAA website for more info. •

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 24 FEATURE Tour of eastern Europe

WORDS AND IMAGES Angus Clark VISITING LESSER KNOWN PARTS OF EUROPE Angus Clark had two events to attend a week apart; one in Finland, the following in Switzerland. What was he to do? Go on tour of course…

WAŁBRZYCH, POLAND: The picture- WROCLAW, POLAND: My Robin with some postcard Kslaz Castle stunning Antonovs in the background

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 25

he International This year the Scandinavian the Swiss for their meeting. swept around us. Shortly after Fellowship of Section was holding a meeting The weather was decidedly crossing the German border Flying Rotarians in Finland and five days later murky when we started out we landed at Wilhelmshaven. T (IFFR) is a group of the Swiss section was holding from Netherthorpe and we After lunch we set off on the aviation-minded members of a meeting in Lausanne. were quickly into IMC. We 360nm leg to Kalmar in Sweden Rotary. This presented an excellent broke cloud when we reached where we were to spend that Membership spans the opportunity for another flying the North Norfolk coast twenty night. The flight over northern globe. There are national tour. But where would we go? minutes later. We then had a Germany, eastern Denmark sections in many countries Our route to Finland would clear one hour run over the sea and southern Sweden was a of the world. Each section take us over Holland, Germany, to De Kooy and the Den Helder sheer delight with clear skies organises meetings to which Denmark and Sweden. We VOR. On leaving the De Kooy and tail winds all the way. The the members of other sections therefore looked for an easterly area we were handed over to next morning we had 330nms can join in with. My wife, Alisma, route after the Turku meeting. Dutch Mil. who confirmed that to cover to reach Turku. Here and I are fortunate to be We had visited Latvia and the military exercises notified again the winds were in our members of the UK Section. Lithuania in 2013 (AOPA UK by NOTAM were underway. favour. When European sections have Magazine April 2014) so this That required a descent to held events on successive time we would over fly them. below 1200ft which is not a INTO FINLAND weekends we have often We firmed up on stopping off in issue over flat Holland. To Turku was an inspired choice attended them both and gone Tallinn, Estonia and Wroclaw in reinforce the need for this, a for the Scandinavian meeting. touring in the intervening week. southern Poland before joining fast jet almost immediately The city was founded at the

SOKOLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC: stunning The WAŁBRZYCH, POLAND: views were common on our route underground tunnels at Kslaz Castle

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 26 FEATURE Tour of eastern Europe

FINLAND: Southern Finland on our CORSIER SUR VEVEY, SWITZERLAND: way to Tallinn in Estonia Charlie Chaplin wlecomes us to Chaplin's World end of the 13th century, making "The churches, and market places stood out in of using only IFR waypoints it the oldest city in Finland. sharp relief. Tallinn has been on all our VFR flight plans. It was the country’s capital the narrow streets described as the most perfectly This may have contributed until Finland became part of preserved medieval city – from to us having no difficulties Russia at the beginning of the and market places the air it certainly merited that whatsoever on our entire 19th century. The country stood out in sharp accolade. journey. The controller at Riga achieved its independence We had chosen a hotel just gave us clearance at FL75 from Russia in 1917 so this relief. Tallinn has outside the Old City walls. In directly overhead the airport was its centenary year. Central the afternoon and evening there and twenty minutes later to the history of the city is the been described as we meandered through we were into Lithuania. castle, which was founded in the most preserved the narrow streets and On our hour’s flight over the late 13th century. The visit squares. The churches were the flat lands of Lithuania we to what is the largest surviving medieval city" outstanding. The Andrew could see the Soviet enclave medieval building in Finland Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral of Kalingrad. This is a legacy was a highlight. stood out from the rest by from a settlement following On the Sunday morning, we virtue of the sheer grandness World War II, which ensured took off with the cloud level at of its decoration. We also that Russia had sea access to no more than 1500ft but this climbed the 220ft bell tower the Baltic. We were then in the was of little consequence given of, what is the oldest church familiar Mazurian Lakes area the flat landscape. Finland in Tallinn, St Mary’s Cathedral. of Poland having been there is known as the land of “A The Old City was a place of real in 2013. Our refuelling stop Thousand Lakes”. We passed character which was worthy of was Olsztyn Mazury. This was quite a few before we reached much more time than we had. a delightful, newly created, the southern coast. The sky, Next morning it was off south civilian airport although its by then, had cleared giving a routing by way of Estonia, military history went back to pleasant flight across the water Latvia, Lithuania to Poland. 45 World War II. The only two to Tallinn. Tallinn Radar gave us minutes after takeoff we were flights of that day, one to Oslo a “26 right, downwind” join. We over Latvia. An IFFR member and the other to Luton, had then had one of those “where’s in Latvia had warned me that left – yet we were given the full the camera?” moments as we since Mr Putin had begun to works by the amply resourced flew directly over the Old City flex his muscles, VFR flying security staff. We were even at little more than a 1000ft. The in Latvia had become more given boarding passes to get churches, the narrow streets restrictive. I had made a point back on board our own aircraft!

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 27

The stunning architecture of Turku at the sourthern point of Finland

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 28 FEATURE Tour of eastern Europe

Having said that, the welcome day, Assumption Day, was a were marked by a number we received and the service we national holiday. The square "The square is an of stormy events. In the 18th were given was outstanding. 45 is an absolute gem. At over absolute gem. At Century a major reconstruction minutes later we were off to our nine acres it is one of the took place. These included a destination of the day, Wroclaw, largest in Europe. Due to over nine acres distinctively Baroque extension, in southern Poland. its almost total destruction a courtyard, outbuildings, baths in World War II, all of the it is one of the and a library. A pavilion was also WONDERFUL WROCLAW buildings are a painstaking largest in Europe. constructed which became the My reason for wanting to visit 20th Century reconstruction family mausoleum in the second Wroclaw will soon become of their predecessors. The Due to its almost half of the nineteenth century. apparent. I had identified an buildings around the square It was the early 1940s that aero club airfield, Szymanow, were built in different styles, total destruction particularly interested me. In not far from the city’s outer ring ranging from Art Nouveau to in World War II, 1941 the Nazis confiscated the road. I wrote to the airfield in Gothic. The Old Town Hall, the castle. Intensive works were Polish, thanks to Babel Fish. I New City Hall, bars, restaurants all of the buildings then carried out on what was had had a positive response and numerous houses occupy meant to be one of Hitler’s so we had no concerns about the middle of the ring that are painstaking main quarters. During this time, landing there. The grass airfield surrounds the square. reconstructions" underground tunnels were dug is true air sports centre with So was this the only reason below the castle. Historians a flight school, gliding, and that we wanted to visit have various opinions as to parachuting. The last two were Wroclaw? No! The rumours of what purpose was intended operating when we approached. the Nazis hiding a train laden for the land beneath the castle We had telephoned ahead from with gold are well known. This as well as the tunnels which Olsztyn so they were expecting is supposed to be located were dug at the same time in us. After only a little hesitation near Walbrzych some 50 the nearby Owl Mountains. following my initial radio call miles to the south of Wroclaw. Towards the end of the War the there was an English speaking We were not, however, train Nazis fled the Castle, looting it voice on the radio giving the hunting but castle visiting. Near as they left. They were followed joining instructions. We had a Walbrzych is Ksiaz Castle, an by the Russians who continued very friendly greeting. amazing pile! Its history goes the looting. After the War the The old city market square back all the way to the 13th plundering continued until the was a lively place that evening Century with a fortress built 1970s when it was protected partly because the following on the site. Its first centuries and the restoration began.

WROCLAW, POLAND: Alisma, my wife WROCLAW, POLAND: The Przejscie posing in front of our trusty steed. statues rising from the street

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 29

The result is that, while much HEADING HOME we were on our way. We good work has been done, the Next day we had planned "We had a very had 350nms ahead of us to rooms are almost devoid of to fly to Memmingen or pleasant run get to Memmingen. It was a any of their original contents. “Munich-West” as some of particularly interesting flight. That said, detailed attention has the budget airlines describe down over Lake Initially over southern Poland, been given to the restoration of it. Unsurprisingly, Munich and from there it was over the rooms themselves. is some 72 miles away! The Neuchatel before the western Czech Republic Only guided tours are allowed weather was not good in the heading south to Germany. In both countries into the tunnels, and they're in morning. Thunderstorms were we had to fly around active Polish. Fortunately there was moving through south of us east to land at Restricted Areas. an English language app that I to the east. Eventually the Crossing the Swiss border we had downloaded before leaving weather on the route over the Lausanne" went to the west of the country home. This proved invaluable as Czech Republic and eastern to avoid the higher ground. We it guided us from room to room. Germany was satisfactory. had a very pleasant run down But what about the tunnels? We What we were missing, due over Lake Neuchatel before were not going to come this far to a lack of airfields, were heading south east to land and miss out. I kept a lookout up to date met reports for at Lausanne. Here we were for a possible entry point. south western Poland. This greeted by the organiser of the I then saw a rather was further complicated by Swiss weekend – a weekend insignificant door with a sign in an internet breakdown. I had that was brilliantly varied. It Polish, English and German. It to rely on the forbearance of included a city tour, a University made no mention of tunnels those at Szymanow to tether visit, a visit to the Olympic but read “Entrance only with to their iPhones. We took off in Museum, a tour of Charlie guide”. Simple – wait until a mid-afternoon. It was clear that Chaplin’s former home and group comes; tag along at conditions were not as good as more. The homeward journey the rear. In truth we saw only they looked from the ground. from Lausanne was simple with a section of the first level of The clincher came when the a direct route to Calais to clear the tunnels. Linked to this, Poznan controller advised me customs. It was then back to and not part of the tour, is a that the hills in southern Poland Netherthorpe. second level 175ft beneath the were covered in cloud. We In the 12 days, we had courtyard containing a complex returned to Szymanow. covered more than 2,800nms of four tunnels and four large The following morning, with tail winds most of the way. chambers. after early fog had cleared, Where to next is the question! •

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND: The The old town hall WROCLAW, POLAND: approach to the airfield at night - simply stunning!

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 30 COVER STORY Extra 330LT

aircraft

The Extra EA-330LT, an aircraft that can go cross country, but can also go full aerobatic

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 31 The WORDS Robert Care IMAGES Gentleman'sExtra Aircraft aerobatic The Extraaircraft 330LT has all the luxury of a cross-country aeroplane, but make no mistake there’s a lean, mean aerobatic machine hiding behind the swish avionics and leather seats…

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 32 COVER STORY Extra 330LT

xtra is not a new The LT also benefits from monoplane with an optimum name in aircraft an A-symmetric wing, which "Due to the structure and weight. A year manufacturing. produces more lift and gives A-symmetrical later he had built the 230, E It has been it more stability in the air. “If with a wooden wing, four- around for more than 30 the mission profile is from wing you have cylinder 230hp engine and years, ever since Walter A-B and you’re on a cross a two blade propeller. Since Extra flew a modified country trip then the aircraft a secure lift off. then Extra has gone on to Pitts in the World is very fast with max 205kts But the LT is build more than 700 aircraft, Aerobatic Championship, true airspeed or 190 kts at including the six-seat Extra subsequently realising 75%,” explained Christian still able to do 400 and 500 – this makes improvements could be Hochheim EO of Sales and Extra the most successful made to competition Customer Support at Extra a full aerobatic German aircraft manufacturer aircraft. Aircraft. “That speed makes programme" since World War II. Extra has had several it the world’s fastest non- Extra is selling aircraft incarnations over the years, turbocharged piston engine across the globe, with two but around eight years ago aircraft. It’s also comfortable dealers in the US, and agents it launched the single-seat due to the A-symmetrical in many other countries. The fully aerobatic 330SC. The wing, which offers a more agents are well known in the company took this all-out secure lift-off. But the LT is aerobatic world, such as Mark competition aircraft and still able to do a full aerobatic Jefferies in the UK and Nigel decided to build a two-seat programme. It's a lot more Hopkins in South Africa. All version, the LC, and finally in relaxed, and is not as aircraft are built and tested in 2010 announced the luxury aggressive as the LX or SC," Germany, before being flown two-seater that does a bit of he added. or shipped in a container to everything – the 330LT. their new owners. The LT is said to be a BACK TO THE START The current range also ‘gentleman’s aerobatic Extra has been in business for includes the LX, the aircraft’. It boasts leather more than 30 years. Walter company’s two-seat fully seats and comes with Aspen Extra flew a modified Pitts aerobatic aircraft. Testament and Garmin avionics. A pure Special in the 1980 World to the strength and ability of aerobatic pilot wants none Championship and decided the 330LX is that it is used in of this weight or comfort. to design a high-performance the rookie class of the Red

It looks fast, even when it's on the ground. The LT has a max cruise speed of 205kts

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 33

With an ability to go +/-10g the 330LT is a truly versatile machine

ABOUT MIRCO PECORARI

Mirco has worked with Extra for Air Race, L39 jets and more. publishing part of my many years, designing the company’s His office is based in Modena, the collection with the nickname of standard paint schemes that change design-savvy home of Ferrari and McPecos several years ago. I couldn’t every two years. He also works with Lamborghini. “My passion has always be anything but an aircraft designer, owners who want a unique design. been imagining unique flying forms so my passion became my work. My Away from Extra, Pecorari has and making aeroplanes beautiful. sketches took life in hundreds of designed schemes for many different This led me to create thousands of liveries, aircraft and scale models,” aircraft, including those in the Red Bull drawings during my life. I started Pecorari says.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 34 COVER STORY Extra 330LT

Bull Air Race where between This meant that the plane avionics in the LT are very six and nine pilots use three could fly the turns much "Extra offer sophisticated. Extra offer planes over a weekend – they tighter. The Edge was quicker Aspen and Garmin Aspen and Garmin cockpits, get used more than another in a straight line, but in the which will take the LT pretty aircraft in the series. turns, the Extra would catch cockpits, which close to an IFR aircraft. It The wing of the LT can also up. But then the air race is a day VFR aircraft, but trace some experience in changed the rules and took will take the LT Extra are not selling it as the Air Race. The wing has a out the tight 180-degree turns pretty close to an an IFR aircraft, due to the long history: “It started even so we’d lost our advantage.” certification process. And before we were designing explained Hochheim. IFR aircraft" taking into consideration the a plane to be used in the Extra then decided to redundancies required, the Red Bull Air Race. The concentrate on their own aircraft would become too series was going to be like projects, learning a lot in the heavy and lose some of its Formula One, with different process, and developing a performance. But it has all the manufacturers, but aviation new wing that found its way bells and whistles to make this isn’t like the automobile into the LT. possible. market. Companies don’t Below: Leather seats and "You have to decide what sell thousands of planes. We AVIONICS Germin avionics makes the LT road you want to go down designed the 300SR which Compared to most purebred much more than your full-on and We didn’t want to take had the A-symmetrical wing. aerobatic aircraft, the aerobatic aircraft away the performance of the aircraft. You wouldn’t buy a sports car and then tow a trailer full of equipment in it to make it legal." So the LT is a VFR airciraft, but has the ability to get out of trouble, if needed! It also has a luggage compartment that can be accessed from the exterior of the plane, something rarely seen in aerobatic aircraft.

LET’S TALK MONEY The price range for Extra's three aerobatic aircraft range from €330,000-€360,000 (plus tax) – prices vary, depending on options. “We have sold one for almost €400,000 because of all the extras the customer wanted on it,” explained Hochheim. “We can talk about a radar altimeter and stuff like that, but it’s not meant to be in an aerobatic aircraft. We can do it if the customer wants, but we'd rather not.” All Extras come with a standard paint scheme, which is redesigned every two years. Buyers can also design their own paint scheme, but they are rarely suitable or have the finesse of a designer's eye. This is why Extra offers a third option – the services of famous Italian aircraft designer, Mirco Pecorari, of Aircraft Design Studio. Here, Pecorari creates a bespoke service... which does come with its own significant price tag.

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017

36 COVER STORY Extra 330LT

A Lycoming engine powers the LT and offers fantastic performance

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 37

DISPELLING OLD MYTHS can cover the whole range of Jordanian Falcons to name “It’s a little bit difficult to say "What makes an aerobatic pilot from beginner just two. In Fact Extra is where our aircraft customers Extra an Extra is to unlimited. building new aircraft for the come from,” says Hochheim. The structure of the aircraft Falcons right now. “The LT “There is the type of customer that the aircraft has remained the same for is very good display aircraft. who is flying in a Cessna or a many years now. “We believe It’s good for those that don’t Cirrus. They have experience, does what the pilot in the steel tubular fuselage now about aerobatics – if but they want to get into tells it to do" in our aircraft. A lot of other you had the faster moving aerobatics. But they also want companies are fully carbon, aircraft it would be too quick to have an aircraft where they but we see there is more to understand what’s going can fly from A to B. Then there safety in the tubular frames on. You’d want to see the is the other type of pilot, who that can’t be replicated in slower, smoother gentleman’s might fly IFR and VFR, and they carbon. There will be in aerobatics. It’s easier on the might want to get into pure the future, but what’s out eye and the LT is perfect for aerobatics – they will most there right now isn’t. When that.” likely go for the SC.” you bend a tube, it absorbs Also the LT is perfect for the There is an old and saying energy but it’s still a tube, upset recovery training that about Extras: ‘once you but when you crack carbon, is becoming mandatory for become a gifted aerobatic it’s gone. With carbon, you airline pilots. Etihad Airways pilot then you can get into are gaining a lighter aircraft, are using it for such on a to an Extra.’ This is an adage but losing safety and this is daily and high professional that has been relegated to something we are not ready basis. “We call the LT the the past by Extra's current to to go with. Our customers gentleman’s aerobatic aircraft range of aircraft. “You could are more than customers, – but make no mistake, the get your PPL in an Extra,” said they're part of the family – so aircraft still performs +/- 10g, Hochheim. “For a beginner we don't want to compromise but you don’t have to fly it like it’s best to learn in a typical that safety.” that. People always say you trainer, because these are The Extra has proved can drive a Ferrari at 200mph, built for that purpose, but extremely popular worldwide well yes you can, but you once you’ve passed you’ll have and is used by many display don’t have to. It’s the same in no problem flying an Extra. teams, such as the Blades the sky. That’s why we put the “What makes an Extra an in the UK and the Royal power lever in the aircraft!” • Extra is that the aircraft does what the pilot tells it to do. This has been the opinion of TECH SPEC EXTRA 33LT Walter Extra since he started the company.” “This gives us two things, PERFORMANCE DIMENSIONS it means the we have a top Engine Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A Wingspan 26.3ft/8.0m competitor aircraft where the Propeller MTV 9-B-C/C198-25 Length 23.0ft /7.01m pilot can focus in other things Vne 220kts Height 8.8ft/2.6m and follow it through. This is Max Cruise 205kts TAS because they are not worried Manoeuvring speed (Va) (acro) 158kts WEIGHTS about having to force the Stall speed at 1.808 lbs/820 kg (Vs) 60kts Empty weight 1,493lbs/677kg aircraft into doing something Stall speed at 2.095 lbs/950 kg (Vs) 65kts MTOW normal category 2,095lbs/950kg it doesn’t want to do. As you Maximum Roll Rate (degs./sec.) 270 MTOW two-pilot acro 1,918 lbs/870kg can see, the SC has been out Range (with VFR reserves) 580nm/1074km MTOW single-pilot acro 1,808lbs/820kg for several years now and it has won the World Aerobatic Championship five times. And this is due to the aircraft being straightforward to fly without any idiosyncrasies." On the other hand the stability of the aircraft makes it perfect for the beginner; if you screw up a manoeuvre, you just put the stick in neutral, power out and the aircraft recovers. So it makes it a good learning aircraft. It’s a very competitive aircraft but also very forgiving. So you

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 38 FEATURE AOPA and aerobatics

WORDS Alan Cassidy IMAGES Various AEROBATICS - COMPETENCE, CERTIFICATES AND THE RATING If there is one thing Alan Cassidy knows, it’s aerobatics. Here he explains what you need to ensure you’re safe in the skies when practicing…

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 39

Organised aerobatics where you can validate your skill level

have been example – rather than defining decide, having learned enough involved in levels of competence. "This article is not basic handling to get a PPL aerobatics for To this day, legislators have so much to point or an ATPL, that they want to I many years now. great trouble defining what continue to learn more and I began flying aerobatics in “aerobatic flight” actually is. out the deficiencies varied flying techniques during the late 1960s, testing my There have been attempts their piloting career. precision in competition at definition that relate to in the regulations since the mid-1980s, proving exceeding certain angles – as easy as that THE THIRD DIMENSION quite successful whilst doing of bank or pitch, and more Flight is about getting off the so. I have also been teaching recently in EASA to suggest may be – it is ground. Commercial flight is other pilots to fly better that aerobatic flight consists about long-range transport, aerobatics for more than 25 of abnormal attitudes not to bring to the predominantly level but years. needed for normal flight. Of reader's attention occasionally diverging from For most of this extended course, there is no definition of level by about 10 degrees up period, there has been “normal”! the more helpful and 3 degrees down. relatively little legislation However, the purpose of Aerobatic flight is about or formal structure to the this article is not so much to documentation that safe exploitation of the third way in which aerobatics has point out deficiencies in the is available" dimension with unlimited been taught. What legislation regulations – easy as that freedom – something enjoyed, existed in the earlier days was may be – it is to bring to the throughout most of recorded primarily concerned with telling reader’s attention the more history by only the birds. It has you where not to perform helpful documentation that is wanted to be explored by man – over built-up areas, for available to them should they since the beginning of aviation.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot 41 FEATURE AOPA and aerobatics

Aerobatic pilots always want to improve and learn something new

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 41

THE FIRST MANOEUVRES equivalent series of certificates STAYING SAFE Decades ago there was a to hang on your wall. All three "Aerobatic To fly aerobatics in command gap in Civil Air Publications of these are available to pilots are those of an EASA aeroplane from that meant no guidance in purchase on the AOPA website April 2018, the Aerobatic aerobatics was available from as either a PDF copy (£10 for always on a Rating will finally be mandatory. “the Authority”, just certain each syllabus) or a printed Please, please, however, realise prohibitions. Happily, AOPA version (£15 for each syllabus). mission to learn that once you have that very published a training syllabus The purpose of “Progressive something new, basic qualification you are that would lead to the issue Aerobatic Training” is not just simply qualified to step further of a Certificate that qualifying to collect certificates, however, to enlarge their along a learning process that aerobatic pilots could frame but to put firmly into our pilot ultimately has no ceiling. and hang on their wall. minds that we never know it all. mental capacity Aerobatic pilots are those This was a good start. To fly aerobatics safely, we and improve always on a mission to learn However, there is a flaw in must always be aware of our something new, to enlarge any system, where safety is own limitations, as well as their situational their mental capacity and paramount, that says “Yes, now those of the aircraft. There improve their situational you can do it!” when in fact is always more to learn, and awareness" awareness. You are unlikely it should say: “Well, now you there is help out there to to achieve all of these goals know a bit about it and can enable you to climb the ladder flying a club Cessna to the Isle safely repeat certain things on and fulfil your wildest dreams of Wight for lunch, nor the your own, but this is a very big with regard to aircraft handling company A330 to Singapore subject and you only know a skill – exploiting the third for an overnight stop. fraction of it, so be very, very dimension like a bird – and to careful and try to learn more”. do it safely. STRONG IN BRITAIN Spotting this gap – the This continuum of The perfect 100% safety record potential to generate documentation and in British domestic aerobatic complacency or even life- certification is deliberately competitions for more than threatening over-confidence made congruent with the half a century, is testament – some years ago I wrote structure of competition to the strong effectiveness for AOPA a further series of aerobatic flying at increasing of a system that demands training syllabuses that would levels of complexity. If you self-criticism and provides take the aspiring aerobatic really want to get any external external validation through a pilot up through a few more validation of your particular series of stages of increasing levels of competency in a skill level, then this can only complexity. Such validation is structured manner. be gained by doing your not available from the general best in front of a critical, but public or an air show audience, FURTHER DEVELOPMENT knowledgeable, audience and who will cheer, or ignore, Thus, now available from panel of judges. These can be anything you do when up in AOPA are a series of syllabus found at an organised event the sky. documents that cover “Basic”, – of which there are many Never think you know it all; “Standard” and “Intermediate” around the United Kingdom always want to improve and level aerobatic training, and an and further afield. learn more. •

ABOUT ALAN CASSIDY

Alan Cassidy MBE is one of Britain’s best- He has been a full-time aerobatic In 2003 he flew in the World known and most highly experienced pilot and instructor since 1991. Alan Championships in Florida, aerobatic pilots. He won the British competed in the World Aerobatic USA in a Giles G202. Since 2006 Alan National Aerobatic Championship in Championships in Cape Town (1995), has flown in three more World and 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Oklahoma (1996), Kansas (1997), one European Advanced aerobatic As a member of the British Aerobatic Slovakia (1998) and Toulouse/Muret, competitions, winning an individual Team he has taken part in seven World France in August 2000. Bronze Medal in the Second Unknown Championship competitions. Alan has In September 1999 Alan was part of sequence in Finland in 2007 and a Team over 5,000 hours in the Pitts Special and the British Team flying in the European Bronze Medal in Oregon in 2008, where has flown numerous other aerobatic Unlimited Championships at Cordoba, he flew the MX2 for the first time, and types including all the Russian Sukhois Spain. He has since flown for the UK in an individual Silver Medal in the Known and Yaks as well as the German Extra the 2001 World Air Games at Burgos, Programme in Radom, Poland in 2010. and Xtreme aircraft, not to mention Spain, and at the 2002 Unlimited In 2009, 2010 and 2011 Alan was the countless other aircraft during his long European Aerobatic Championships in UK National Champion in the Advanced career as a pilot. Lithuania, flying the CAP-232. category.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

TECH REVIEW The latest products for the pilot 43

NEW LIVERY FOR BREITLING CLASSIC Product Chronoliner Maker Breitling

The Chronoliner is one of Breitling's most classic of watches and now the company has relased two new colour versions, in blue and bronze GARMIN REVAMPS (pictured). Originally realised in the '60s, the current version G500, 600s AND 700s has many of the original New TXi system another step forward for Garmin features, including simultaneous readings of Product TXi The 7in landscape display 600 single-engine piston, three timezones. Maker Garmin is available exclusively as twin-engine piston and The two new versions a dedicated EIS solution. turboprop aircraft makes also boast matching Garmin has announced the The G500 TXi system and models. bezel and dial. Water- touchscreen G500 TXi, is intended for Part 23 “As innovators within the resistant to 100m (330ft), G600 TXi and G700 TXi Class I/II aircraft under avionics industry, we’re the steel case houses a flight displays, as well as 6,000lbs, whereas and the redefining the flight display self-winding chronograph the engine information G600 TXi flight displays with the introduction movement officially system (EIS) TXi. Boasting are intended for Class III of the TXi family,” said chronometer-certified a clean-sheet touchscreen aircraft that weigh up to Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice by the COSC. The face is design and vibrant 12,500lbs. The G700 TXi is President of Aviation Sales easy to read and Breitling presentation, the TXi exclusively for Part 23 Class and Marketing. “From a say it is "worthy of an family incorporates greater IV and Part 25 aircraft single display to a full suite instrument panel." The situational awareness tools that weigh greater than installation, the modular, red-tipped hand serves to and an innovative feature 12,500lbs. Supplemental building block design of read off a second time in set into a contemporary Type Certificate (STC) for the TXi system supports 24-hour mode, while the avionics platform. Three the G500 TXi/G600 TXi an impressive array of rotating bezel indicates a displays are available, and EIS TXi systems are functions and formats. With third time, also on a 24- offering optimal flexibility targeted for approval by TXi, we’re excited to bring hour scale. The caseback for panel configurations, the end of his year, which a suite of scalable flight bears the stylised planes including a large 10.6in will feature an approved displays that fit a wide that long served as the display, and two versions model list containing over range of aircraft.” • Breitling signature. The of 7in displays, in portrait new Chronoliners are and landscape orientations. available with a leather The larger display can NEED TO KNOW strap, a steel or steel operate as a PFD, MFD and + Will fit a wide range of aircraft. mesh bracelet, or a optional integrated EIS in a + Many uses for the new touchscreen units. rubber strap. highly customised package, + Will be very familiar to Garmin users. while the smaller portrait - Will come with the Garmin price tag. Where www.breitling.com display can be dedicated to Where www.garmin.com Price various Price various any one of those functions.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

BOOK REVIEW A look at the latest publications 45 MORE THAN JUST THE SPITFIRE TALE David Ogilvy reviews an in-depth story of Supermarine

Book Supermarine: Far East Flight, which An Illustrated History pioneered long-distance Author Christopher Smith routes over much territory that had not previously Everyone knows the hosted an aeroplane, so HAYNES DO Spitfire, at least by name, water-based landing sites yet far fewer are aware were needed. In general, the IT AGAIN of who bought it to life. Southamptons performed Book Douglas A-1 Supermarine was one of admirably and many of the Skyraider manual many aircraft manufacturers routes they pioneered still Author Tony Hoskins of its time, but possibly exist today as scheduled unique in not having an airline services, but land- Haynes, ‘the manual aerodrome from which based. The operation lasted people’ have turned their to fly its products, so it from October 1927 until attention to the Douglas warranted some positive December 1928 covering Skyraider. The Skyraider publicity in historical form. 27,000 miles at an average enjoyed a long and This book provides that – Many products followed, speed of 80mph. There is successful combat career and more. of which the most famous much more to the story all with the US Navy and US It all started with founder was the Supermarine S6B – in the book. Marine Corps flying off Noel Pemberton–Billing, the last in a series of racing Of course the main claim aircraft carriers in the who introduced himself seaplanes created by R.J. to fame was the Spitfire, Korean War; during the to aviation by creating Mitchell, who held the posts 22,000 of which were Vietnam War with the US his own idea of a flying of chief engineer and chief built in various factories. Navy, USAF and South machine; however, the only designer. These machines In contrast, the Walrus Vietnamese Air Force flying that this curiosity were technically far ahead amphibious biplane which as a close air-support achieved amounted to the of their time, using highly- was used by both the Fleet aircraft; with the French few seconds between him strung Rolls-Royce engines Air Arm and the Royal Air Air Force in the Algerian launching from the roof of that developed far more Force throughout World War of the 1960s, and his house – about 30 feet power than could be War II has been nearly with mercenary pilots in above the ground – and used safely on a regular forgotten. Both were the 1970s during the civil then hitting that ground! basis; they were so highly designed by RJ Mitchell, war in Chad. Centrepiece Surprisingly he was unhurt, stressed that they required who failed to live to the see of this manual is Kennet but, unimpressed, he buried a substantial overhaul after the results of his work. Aviation’s AD-4NA the remains in his garden. each hour’s flying. However Supermarine continued Skyraider, G-RADR, a With his combined interest they were needed for the operating until the early combat veteran with in boats and aeroplanes later Schneider Trophy days of the jet era. In a richly documented PB converted an old coal races (the book covers the common with all other service history. wharf at his Southampton races in detail and is well companies born in the Writer Tony Hoskins, a boatyard into a factory in worth reading about). heyday of the British published author and which he produced ‘boats Among the key machines aircraft industry, the name Deputy Chief Engineer that fly, not aeroplanes from Supermarine was disappeared in the national of Kennet Aviation, that float’. This sowed the the appropriately named amalgamation process. a specialist warbird seeds for the wide range Southampton. Four of Like many things, no book restoration company of water-based aircraft these metal-hulled flying can be perfect, but this whose aircraft include the that followed, operating boats equipped the RAF’s book has much to offer. • Skyraider G-RADR. As well from the Solent. Also, it as undertaking aircraft led to the claim of the restoration in his Sussex site being the first world’s NEED TO KNOW workshop, Tony also airport, from April 1919 + The author digs deep in to the history of Supermarine. collaborates with other using a very successful + Fantastic insight into the Schneider Trophy. warbird operators. Supermarine Channel on a + More than just a book about the Spitfire. scheduled service between - Some captions don't seem to ring true. Where www.haynes.com Southampton and the Isle Where www.amberley-books.com Price £12.99 Price £25 of Wight.

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE

G-JAKI, 1995 MOONEY M20R

1987 BEECH BONANZA F33A

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE

AIRCRAFT FOR SHARE

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

AIRCRAFT FOR SHARE TRAINING TECHNICAL

FUEL INSURANCE

OTHER

HELP NEEDED We are searching for any FACTORY DRAWINGS (including cutaways and repair manuals) of the ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH F.K.8 and pictures of them in manufacture or repair. With a particular focus on the wings but anything would be useful.

If anybody has any material that can help then please email [email protected] It would be most appreciated!

AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot December 2017 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

OTHER

FOR ANY CLASSIFIED ENQUIRIES Please contact CHARLOTTE PULHAM with any queries you may have [email protected] +44(0)1487 830 105 or +44(0)7583 140 127

December 2017 AOPA Aircraft Owner and Pilot