Saturday 28th February 2009

Perfect flying wx today – unlimited viz, blue skies, sunshine, no wind – yippee!!! Debs & Carolyn are trying for the 4th time to get to Headcorn after being beaten back by the weather & nature!! And it was 4th time lucky as we managed to do it :-) Carolyn flew, Debs nav’ed & radioed while I supervised them (well they are a couple of blonde Essex birds!!). They were so pleased to have found it and got there safely that they were shaking when they'd shut down ... oh please – what are they like??!!
We sampled the delights of Headcorn food and then went and watched the activities of the airfield ... lots of aircraft flying (including a couple of Yaks – and mum was right, they are noisy!!) & lots of parachutists drifting across the runway (oooh eyes closed if I was on finals lol!!). We met Uncle Dave and he showed us the Headcorn refuelling routine before we then turned on the cheek to get a ½ price landing fee - cheers Jamie!! (hey our names are nearly the same!!). I wanted my pic taken to prove I’d been – but Uncle Dave doesn’t look too happy posing with me ... suppose he’s a teeny bit jealous of the flying fun I’m gonna have this year (oops – don’t tell him I said so!!)
Anyway after all the fun of Headcorn we headed back to Earls Colne – bit of a struggle to get airborne .... and NO it wasn’t the fact that I was on board before anyone dares to make that cheeky comment!!! I had lots to tell my lovely Firebear tonight when I got back ... think he was a bit miffed that he didn’t get to fly – wonder if we can sneak him aboard next time ....

Friday 27th February 2009

Went out for a last drive with mum today in the Cougar (she was a bit sad) .... and we went to Earls Colne to plan the fly-in / calendar launch / bearfacedcheek open day :-) We had a good meeting & got lots sorted out ... looks like I’ll get to fly in some aerobatic displays!! Oooh – need to work on my G-tolerance .... help!!!!
Mum went home without me (how could you mum????!) but she did leave me at Earls Colne so that I can boost my flying hours ... and so that I can have a secret rendezvous with my Firebear (but mum doesn’t know that – hee hee!!)

Thursday 26th February 2009

More calendar planning today – the list of pilots is getting there! Hope lots of Grandad’s aircraft will be in this calendar!!

Monday 23rd February 2009

Well my last day at EGSR as I’m going home to mum tonight – it will be good to see her as I’ve really missed her … but I’m going to miss my Firebear friend now – we’ve got really close these last couple of weeks. Bet mum doesn’t understand & tells me I’m too young to settle down!
Spent a nice day helping Vic – she’s getting ready sorting paperwork out for her CAA inspection. I did tell her I could help as I have a CAA contact … well mum does really & he helps her out with loads of stuff – sure we could work on him to help Vic (see I can be a kind & helpful bear when I put my mind to it!!) – have to go and be nice to him now – try a bit of sweet-talking (as a reward he can always come & fly with me – hee hee!!) !!
Debs drove me home to Eye tonight & they spent some time working on ‘stuff’. I was really pleased to be back – missed you mum …. be great to sleep in my own bed tonight (but I am now missing my Firebear – hope he doesn’t forget me).

Sunday 22nd February 2009

Nice day today – perfect for flying – and fly I did yippee! I went with Nigel in RL to do a checkout (see he does value my input!) … was a bit worried about getting in another Cessna but hey it was fine. We also had a trip to Andrewsfield for fuel as EGSR are without at the moment … I’m getting used to going in here – been in a lot in the last few days! Still haven’t got to meet the famous Carol Cooper yet though (more Girlpower!!) … oh well maybe one day …
Later I went in GBENK with Jo & Graham for a local flight … wondered if I might be a gooseberry (ohhhh I’m a little stirring matchmaker!!) but it was ok! It was a nice flight & I enjoyed it – especially with a fellow girl pilot at the controls!

Saturday 21st February 2009

I spent a very quiet day at EGSR observing all the going-ons … and was very happy to do that! Debs & Nigel were at panto all day so didn’t get to fly with them! Meet lots of visitors who thought I was wonderful (of course!) and according to mum Richard Flagg … well he never came & said hello to him – nor took me flying – what a bounder!!!

Friday 20th February 2009

Yipee another flying day at EGSR … Debs & Nigel were on a panto high after a good opening night (oh yes they were!!). Nigel & I went with Yvonne on an advanced PPL lesson … well Nigel needs me to put him right coz I’m a good instructor (girlpower!!)
Well this turned out to be an eventful lesson! We went flying in GBCFR and Yvonne was doing some advanced upper airwork and Nigel was demonstrating a manoeuvre when he lost power (I did say that he should have let me do it!) and the only way was to keep best power level was to leave Carb Heat on … bizarre! We declared a PAN (OMG) & headed back to the airfield … I made sure I looked after Mother on the way back and let Nigel fly it (art of delegation!). Well he managed to do a perfect PFL onto the field & landed spot on the numbers (show off!!) and Vic followed us back to our stand in the fire truck …. Where the a/c then died! Phew – what a flight …. Think I’d rather have had a stiff drink than the cup of tea I was made!
Didn’t fancy flying any more today after that but Vic made me go with Debs when she was bringing ET back from mtce (yikes – Debs!!) … then she asked Nigel to go to …. Well at least I know he can land in an emergency!! Hey mum – when are you going to rescue me from here??!

Wednesday 25th February 2009

Back to raffle ticket selling – mum is so persuasive – people daren’t say no ... hee hee!! But it’s all for a good cause & look at the fab prize – ME!!!!

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Lovely to be back with mum – I’ve missed her loads & she really spoils me! Nice to sleep in my own bed again too.

Thursday 19th February 2009

More flying – but later than planned due to the poor weather at the start of the day. Debs & I flew ET to Andrewsfield for maintenance (150hr check) ... think I went along to calm her nerves – she gets nervous about landing away. But she did good .... went all the way round the circuit to land on 27! Boy was it muddy when we landed (poor ET needs a good wash now) and we were slipping & sliding for a bit – but we had to clear the runway quick as Nigel was hot on our tail in RL.
With ET safely delivered we had a return trip in RL ... hee hee Debs is funny to watch flying a Cessna – she doesn’t like them and gets all panicky! I was itching to take over & fly – I know that I could handle it with no problem, but Nigel wouldn’t let me spoil sport!! I thought I might get a Yak flight with Debs & Nigel to Norwich in the afternoon, but Vernon begged them to let me go in CV for some IMC training. I can’t believe that I missed out on a Yak flight for a flight in a PA28 .... but Vernon needed me to help him with the IMC, and I just couldn’t refuse!! I’m such a nice bear - & I’m so good too!!!

Wednesday 18th February 2009

Yipee lots of flying today!! I went with Robin on a couple of circuit flights - & I made sure I passed on my circuit knowledge .... I’m such a smart little bear!! I then went on a circuit flight with a student – think they were rather nervous which is why Robin suggested that I went with him. And what a good ‘instructor’ I was – I made sure they were safe & also calmed their nerves – I do think I’m getting rather good at this flying lark!! All these flights were in Debs fav aircraft – GBZET ... and I can see why she likes it!
In the afternoon I went flying with Nigel & Sandy in GBENK – we had to take James (of the Matrix fame!) to Southend (my 1st visit!) to collect his aircraft. When we came to return we found we had a flat tyre (oops! Wasn’t me honest – didn’t touch anything) so had to get it repaired first. On the way home we flew IFR for Sandy to practise his IMC ... hmmm that looked a bit more difficult – think I need to study that more!

Tuesday 17th February 2009

No flying today – weather not suitable :(
So I made myself useful around the club – I’m a dab hand at making coffee now for mens club!! Actually I quite enjoyed myself in mens club listening to all the aviation chat and drinking coffee .... but don’t tell anyone – especially Vic, mum or Debs – they’ll take the mickey out of me!!
Had a nice evening with my friend the Firebear ... ahhh!!

Monday 16th February 2009

Still enjoying my visit to Earls Colne – went flying with John Pickering today (at last!). He taught mum’s dad to fly ... wow didn’t know he was that old!!! Ooops I’ll be in trouble now – hope I still get my Mustang flight. I went flying in ET again with John we had 1 trip of circuits – I know this circuit off by heart now ... and I know how to avoid all the hotspots! Our second trip was a local navex – and being the honorary Essex Girl that I am I was able to identify all the areas correctly – I think John was most impressed with me :)

Sunday 15th February 2009

Weather wasn’t as good today but I still got to fly (oohh I’m enjoying all this!) – I went up twice with Nigel again, this time in GBENK, another C172. It was out to the local area again and it’s great coz it all feels so familiar to me and I can find my way around no problem! It will be good to come down here in the better weather with mum – I can show her all the sights of Essex lol! I really do miss my mum, I’m enjoying my time with Debs & being at the flying school (& also my darling Firebear!) – but I do miss mum. I can’t wait until I can fly with her … wonder what we’ll go in first??

Saturday 14th February 2009

Ahhh Valentine’s Day … and I was spoilt by my new found beau … chocolates, red roses, a card …. He’s so lovely!! And the weather is gorgeous – blue skies & sun – perfect for flying – so I’m glad that I also got to fly again – yup in ET again!! This time it was with Debs & Carolyn and we went to Seething (my first time!). We passed over Hardwick on the flight there & on the way home and I was able to point it out to Carolyn and tell her that was my home. It was great to fly over and see it from the air … but it also made me homesick … I miss my mum …
Anyway we had a good time at Seething – I was able to see Uncle Tim & we had our picture taken on the firetruck – well I do have a special thing for firemen after all! I also got to meet FB Carol & her friend Carol – they flew to Seething in a lovely silver chipmunk … now that’s a nice colour aircraft Debs – it goes better with my outfit!! I had my picture taken with Carol as well – well how nice to be in demand - it’s just like I’m a celebrity!
We had a lovely coastal flight back to EGSR and I had to point out the airfield to Debs & Carolyn as they couldn’t see it – what are they like?? Good job I’ve been instructing this week!! Finally this evening I enjoyed a nice romantic meal for two … ahhh my lovely Fireman Bear xx

Friday 13th February 2009

I don’t want to fly today … look at the date – yikees!!!!
Well Victoria would let me sit around on the ground (think she’s jealous by the amount of attention the Fireman Bear is showing me!) and so I went to fly with Digby (yet another instructor lol!). Our first flight was in ET again and this time we were flying circuits … and I managed to avoid Mr Browns house every time!! My second was flight was again with Digby in ET and it was a general handling flight – and he was rusty lol!! But it was ok as I soon passed on some of my tips to him and he improved rapidly … hmmmm perhaps I could give this instructing game a go????

Thursday 12th February 2009

Another busy flying day for me again today (brill – want to build my hours!). I was flying in ET all day today … I’m getting to love this little aircraft – can see why Debs likes it so much! I’m also getting rather good at flying it – well us girls are, we take to this flying so naturally …. & I know I’m modest!! I was flying with Dave Trouse today – another new instructor for me (I seem to be working my way through them as well lol!!). We spent time in the local area again – my nav skills are progressing really well! But they all seem to be using a funny little round wheel down here, but I’ve never seen mum use one … Hey Mum!! What’s a whizz-wheel??!!

Wednesday 11th February 2009

Yipee!!! My first flight from EGSR today and it was with Robin (Debs old instructor … hey he’s nice!) and in Debs favourite aircraft G-BZET a Robin (ooops don’t tell mum – she’s not keen on them!). We went out for a navex in the local area - hey mum, I’m turning into an Essex Girl lol!! After that I went flying in a C172 (hey mum’s got one of these!) with Nigel & Tony Rae and we practiced lots of PFLs onto the field … I never knew a Cessna could fly with such an angle of bank!! Finally I went flying with ‘Mother’ (aka Zimmer1) & Nigel again in a C152 aerobat for some cross-wind landing practice … well I think I got the hang of that quite nicely thank you … what’s next??!
Debs & Vic were working at EGSR again today so it was a case of Girlpower again – with me to help of course! Well I was rather tired out by all my flying today in lots of different aircraft … I must be good at this flying lark to be able to fly so much! As I was worn out my friendly Fireman Bear bought me some minstrels (mmm chocolate) & a drink to revive me – ahh he’s so lovely …. Think I’m falling in love :-)

Tuesday 10th February 2009

Oh wow – what wild weather we had last night, so many places have had flooding – both Debs & Vic had trouble getting in today. And once again the weather put paid to any hope of me flying – John was hoping to take me again, but again the weather beat us ... what a week it’s been for bad weather.
I have been busy though ... Debs needed some help with the weeks accounts (maths is not her strong point!) and then I was her bodyguard when she went to do the banking .... and I was very good – we were only 10p short lol! Then I was doing some weather checks .... rain & wind! The phone kept ringing so I helped the girls out by answering the phone .... and the tech logs needed filling it ... what a busy Girlpower day!!
I meet Vernon for the first time today – and was offered a trip to Oz with him ..... mum, mum can I go please????? I’m going to go back to EGSR tomorrow as well – weather looks marginally better, perhaps I can get a flight with Robin this time – looking forward to seeing just how narrow the hard runway is on finals ..... but sure I’m good enough to land there – Girlpower you see!!
Don’t tell mum – but my Fireman Bear took me out for a meal .... looking good with Valentines just around the corner ... lol!!

Monday 9th February 2009

I spent the day today with Victoria the Firewoman (hey – more Girlpower!) at Earls Colne ..... hoping to fly ... but the weather was bad – again ... rain, rain, oh & more rain. So I spent the day acting as Firecrew (very responsible job you know!). Met a very nice Fireman Bear at the club .... mmmm think he likes me! I’m off for a drink tonight with him .... please don’t tell mum Debs!!

Sunday 8th February 2009

Well it was an early start today to get to Aberdeen airport – and we’d had about another inch of snow overnight so Debs had to scrape the car ... with a cd box (it was a hire car!). I stayed in the car trying to keep warm – well it was -6oc where do you expect me to be??! We got to the airport and checked in to find our flight was delayed .... turns out the pilot was having trouble getting a taxi to the airport coz of the weather – well they could have asked me ... I know how to fly these big jets!
We also had to wait to be de-iced and then our push-back truck broke down .... it really wasn’t our day! We were 2 hours late leaving Aberdeen, but had a good flight to Gatwick & my landing was bad either lol! After saying goodbye to my new friends on Flybe (G-FBED) and having our pictures taken it was time to pick up the hire car & head back home. Debs took me to panto rehearsals this afternoon ... my goodness they’re rusty and it’s only a couple of weeks to the performances ... hey getting practising you lot!!

Saturday 7th February 2009

Well it’s still snowy – but is bright & sunny, with threats of snow showers .... so fingers crossed – we may just get to fly yippee!! We went up to see the Battlefield at Culloden today – more photo opportunities for our ‘David Bailey’ wannabe!! Then after we finished some shopping in the gift shops (well we are girls after all!!) we stepped outside to a blizzard with strong winds & snow .... guess those showers are around after all!
After that we went shopping (yes – more shopping!) in Inverness centre before handing off to the flying school at Inverness airport. After a delay due to weather we went out to fly .... yipee!! We went in a PA38, G-BRLP with Ewen Rex our instructor ... hey I thought Debs had a PPL .... oh she needs a checkout on a different aircraft type (hope she doesn’t let the girls side down for poor flying!!).
We went out into the local area .... oh WOW the scenery was absolutely fantastic! We looked down the entrance to Loch Ness (still couldn’t see that monster!!) – breathtaking and flew around the Black Isle ... then done some loose formation with a C172 & another instructor from the school (hey I’ve not flown in one of them yet!!). Then it was time to head back to Inverness and to land – Debs couldn’t have been happy with her first landing as she went around again – ooops she’s giving me a stern look – her instructor wanted her to fly a circuit!!
After our fun flying there (& we both want to do it again!) it was time for our snowy drive to Aberdeen. We experienced it snowing heavily, villages that have loads of snow, compacted snow on the road, and a full moon which with the white snowy fields made it seem like driving at night ... quite magical! We arrived at our hotel for the night and settled down for our last night in Scotland .... and guess what – it was snowing again!

Friday 6th February 2009

Well we woke to more snow this morning & a cloudy day which gave us more snow on & off. The factory shut down early again, but Debs & I did stay until the end of the day today before heading off back to our last night in the hotel in Elgin – we’re off to Aberdeen tomorrow night. Had to get ready to pack our stuff up tonight – ooh hope it will all fit back in the case! More snow tonight ... I do hope we fly tomorrow – I know Debs will be as disappointed as me if we don’t.

Thursday 5th February 2009

Ooooh my days – look at all that snow!!! It was amazing looking out of the window this morning ... couldn’t believe how much snow we’ve had up here! It was a slow snowy drive to work – but hey Debs is ok & she got us safely there ... see us women drivers are so good – that’s Girlpower for you lol!! Anyway we got to Baxters to find that it had been shut for the day due to the bad weather – wow!
I was itching to get going and do some exploring – but Debs was keen to stay at work (strange woman!). So we didn’t leave until lunchtime and went back to the hotel to get changed so that we could go exploring!! We drove out to Lossiemouth on the coast – and all the snow disappeared – amazing. Then when we drove back to Inverness the snow came back ... Debs got some lovely photos en-route – think she fancies herself as a female David Bailey lol!!!
We headed up to Loch Ness and wow the scenery was amazing – breath-taking .... and yes Debs was busy snapping again – but at least this time I got to pose in some of them – and I must say that I did improve the pictures somewhat! I was very disappointed though as I was led to believe that there is a monster in the Loch – well I think I was conned as I never saw it – and I was looking very hard!
It was snowing on the way back to Elgin so we had another relaxing evening at the hotel .... hmmm could get used to this life – Leah take note!! Debs had some work to do this evening (hee hee!!) and also sorted out our pictures that we took – hey they are actually very good!! Wonder what tomorrow will be like weather wise?? Hope it doesn’t cancel our flight on Saturday!

Wednesday 4th February 2009

Well no snow today – just loads of rain .... ooooh it plays havoc with ones fur! We spent the day at Baxters – Debs was busy, but I was bored. So I spent the day surfing the net ... couldn’t get facebook though :(. Found some nice clothes on the Build-a-Bear site ... now did Leah leave me her credit card??!!
Finally we headed off back to the hotel for a meal & a relaxing evening watching tv ... shame there’s no sky here! Just before we went to bed we looked out of the window & saw it was snowing - & it was laying! Wonder what it will be like tomoz??

Tuesday 3rd February 2009

Ooooooh I’m so excited – we’re off to Scotland with EasyJet! We had a snowy drive to Gatwick but got there with lots of time to spare .... so what did we girlies do??? We went shopping!!! Debs was well pleased as she got a bargain with her fav perfume on special ... hmmmmm it is nice – think I’ll have to nick a spray or2 & see if it makes me more attractive to the opposite sex!!!
Well I had a good flight with the guys from EasyJet – it was a training flight today so it was a bit crowded on the flightdeck with the trainee pilot – 1st officer – trainer & me. Well I did tell the trainer that I could take over the training part of the job as I did fly to & from New York the other week .... but the trainer didn’t look too happy with that suggestion lol! Hey no snow up here – most surprising!
Debs & I went & checked out Highland Flying Club for our flight on Saturday – and we’re now booked for a PA38 flight at 15:00 – yippee can’t wait to explore the Highlands! We then had to drive from Inverness to Fochabers and my expert navigation meant sure we got there .... well I have had experience of flying the Big Jets! I had to wait while Debs had a meeting at work (yawn ... doesn’t she go on!!) and then finally we set out for Elgin to our hotel, meal & bed ... well it has been a long day!!

Monday 2nd February 2009

Brrrrrr – it’s cold today & everywhere is covered in SNOW ... yippee!! I was hoping to get a few flights in at Earls Colne today but unfortunately the snow put a stop to all that .... oh well at least I’ll get a flight to Inverness tomorrow with Debs!
We had a busy night tonight packing our cases – we had soooooo much to pack – well us girlies never travel light lol!! I’m really looking forward to going to Scotland, we’re going to go on a monster hunt on Loch Ness – and Debs wants to go for a flight at Highland flying club ... in a ‘Traumahawk’ .... oooohhh hope we’ll be safe lol!!
Well early night for us coz we have a big day tomoz!!

Sunday 1st February 2009

Brrrr it’s cold – thank goodness I have my nice fur coat to keep me warm – really need it in this weather!!