Fly Out! 2008 Berlin, 2009 Salzburg, 2012 Koblenz, 2013?

[Flyin'Dutch']

It is that time of the year again; Christmas lunch over, family arguments settled and before heading towards the last few days of the year our thoughts are turning towards what the New Year may bring.

Before the diary gets overfull I thought it may be useful to canvas opinion on whether people would be interested in another fly-out getogether in late spring.

It would appear from the feedback that the format of an arrival on Friday, poshish meal on Saturday seems to work well and in the age old spirit of not changing a winning team I propose to do something similar next year.

That just leaves the location of the trip to be decided.

For something to have a chance of reasonable numbers of participants the max range is about 3 hours @ 120 kts.

Berlin, Salzburg and Koblenz were memorable and good fun.

Some feedback on the Koblenz trip:

http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php ... z#p1071768
and

http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php ... ut+koblenz


Think Salzburg was just over the edge of what most folks found an acceptable distance and looking at the map the following are a bit nearer by and avoid involvement of the Alps.

I have published a list of options, some were discussed last year; but happy for other suggestions.

In no particular order:

Hamburg - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg
Lyon - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon
Bordeaux - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux
Paris - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris
Maastricht - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht
Cologne - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne
Nijmegen - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nijmegen

I added Cologne as I discovered what a lovely City that is with lots of interesting things to do and some pleasant eateries.

Nijmegen is added as that is the City I went to University (yup - I did) and as such know the City and area around it very well and can organise some interesting occasions including some gliding at my old gliding club (weather permitting of course) The drawback is that we would have to organise some transport from the nearest well equipped GA airport, Niederrhein (EDLV) which is no major problem but not the same ease as being next door to an airfield (I guestimate about 10 mins further from the airport than we were in Berlin and Koblenz)

How about a long weekend in the later part of Spring 2012?

Looking at the diary the bank holiday weekend 25-27 May looks attractive.

The format would be

1. We meet up somewhere to eat and see something interesting on an agreed time and date
2. Everyone makes their own arrangements to get there and for accommodation
3. A few pages of postings and banter to thrash things out

Let me know what you think.

[Keef]

In years past we've also been to Macon, Annecy, Reims, Chateau La Chassagne, Quiberon, and Bergerac. That's lots of France, so maybe Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands would be an interesting change.

Salzburg was probably a bit too far, and the weather conspired to scatter us around South Germany (although most made it) and we really weren't wanted at the airport. I got the impression that some folks enjoyed the diversions as much as the trip.

It would be a hoot to go somewhere that I could take little Concorde - grass runways preferred Otherwise, I'll be scrounging lifts again, unless I find a nice touring aircraft for hire near here.

Cologne I know well (I lived there for three years). I speak the local language (Kölsch, not German) but haven't been there for a long time.
It has a "plus" that there is the main Köln-Bonn EDDK for those with posh aeroplanes, and Leverkusen EDKL (925m of grass) for the puddlejumpers. There are no customs at Leverkusen, but there are places to stop off on the way into Schengen.

Hamburg doesn't appeal so much (but ask the sailors!). Lübeck is nicer, but it's beyond 3 hours at 120 knots which I agree is a sensible limit.

I would love to visit Heidelberg again, but there isn't a resident airfield. The nearest is Walldorf EDGX, 505m of grass and 11km away. Mannheim EDFM is 14km away and has it all.

[Grumpy One]

Thanks for poking us into action again Frank - I should have found a replacement aeroplane by then so the 25/29th May should be fine - All being well, you can count me in.

I'd have preferred a more southern destination, simpy because of the chances for better weather down there than up in northern Europe - Although Leverkrusen and Cologne do sound interesting.

Hamburg - Been there and done that (In the shipping sense) - T'was my first run ashore from my first ship some ....errr! ... 47 years ago (In basic terms I was led astray by the 3rd Mate and 2nd Engineer and my headache has only just subsided ) - So won''t mind giving it a miss

[Flyin'Dutch']

Dear Both,

Good to have you both on board - nobody is thinking about leading you astray G1.

Do you think there is any risk of the other Grumpies attending? They would be most welcome of course!

Re more Southern destinations - as Keef said a few of use have explored those to some extent already and to be assured of better weather you have to go South of the Loire and there would still be the issue of getting out off/back into the UK.

[Pete S]

I'm up for it: I'm not sure that south necessarily guarantees good weather : I've failed to make three Radunos.

I'm happy with Germany/Netherlands: The Koblenz trip was just about right even if it involves a hefty North Sea crossing!

Peter

[Flyin'Dutch']

I'm happy with Germany/Netherlands: The Koblenz trip was just about right even if it involves a hefty North Sea crossing!

Peter

That's only cause you like to go airways!

VFR tourers can easily go DVR <=> Calais

[Steven Day]

Frank, good planning to start so early!
At the risk of being shouted down - how about Spain?
It's certainly not French and a little less Teutonic than some of the other suggested destinations.
I was thinking of San Sebastian/Irun - literally just over the border.
I flew over it a couple of weeks ago, on the way back up from the Algeria/Niger trip - looked awesome - with the airport slap bang in the middle of the town and bay. No idea yet if it is GA friendly though...
It's 440nm from Blighty's south coast - 150nm less than Slazburg - so 3hrs 40mins @120kts, I realise. But, it's something different!
Meanwhile, standing by and happy to go anywhere.
Steven

[Colonel Panic]

Berlin, Salzburg and Koblenz were memorable and good fun.

A language that sadly I am not familiar with

In years past we've also been to Macon, Annecy, Reims, Chateau La Chassagne, Quiberon, and Bergerac.

Ah, that's more like it!

All I can say is that if anyone has yet to join in on one of these Forum Fly Outs, do try to do one - they are superb fun, and a great way to meet up with other Forumites!

[Dave Phillips]

A tentative yes from Family Phillips. Range not an issue. if you are looking that way, how about Rothenburg ob der Tauber? There is a rather nice GA airfield just up the road (EDFR).

[Flyin'Dutch']

Welcome on board all!

Keep the suggestions coming!

[Pete S]

On reflection Col P has it: I'd be very happy in a French speaking area but I'll go with the flow.............

[Irv Lee]

Kilkenny has some good bars... Keef-approved runway too.

[Steven Day]

Kilkenny - way too boggy for me.

How about Orkney? Different. A part of the world most of don't go. On our doorstep. And stunning.

[Awful Charlie]

It's a long time since I've managed to make one of these - so I hope to be in for this one

The Great Circle Mapper is a handy tool for finding aerodromes in a range band, just picked Stapleford as a population sort of centre, but happy to go with the flow (Unless it ends up in the Faroes or somewhere similarly far away from me, might be a bit much for a weekend when I won't get the Monday off)

[Pete L]

Metz? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metz

Belle Ile?

Viv up for it, but not enthused by Northern Germany.