Saturday morning was fresh, with snow still on the ground covering the South West of England. The plan for the day was to take the R22 into Urchinwood Manor; a private site just under and to the south of the Bristol Airport 27 climbout (http://www.urchinwoodmanor.co.uk). We would then head across into Wales and seek out the Glifffaes country house hotel. (https://www.gliffaeshotel.com)
We lifted at 10:55 and departed via heli south, with full main and aux tanks. Following the M5 toward Dursley it was the line-break of the landscape. To the left of us was pure white, and immediately to the right was green rolling countryside through Cheltenham and Gloucester northwards. It was a stark difference. As we approached Thornbury, I called the initial call to Bristol Approach on 125.650, they passed me a squawk and routed me across the Avonmouth bridge and direct to East Nailsea, before tracking directly into the farm. We’d called them prior to let them know what we intended to do.
The approach into the manor was from the south, up to the top paddock and a left 90 degree pedal turn to face the house. We were told to keep the allocated squawk, as it was our intention to be airborne again within the hour. After a quick coffee and chat, we fired up Uniform Charlie and called the tower from a low hover within the farm. As the manor sits below Bristol Airport ground level, its most unlikely to get a transmission through whilst on the ground.
We departed the zone via Clevedon, were passed off to a listening watch on a different squawk and tracked the coast towards the Severn bridge. Frequency change en-route to Gloucester approach and a transit across the estuary heading now, for the snow capped Brecons. The wind was strong from the North and mountain effect was something to watch for, we descended into the valley to track the river Usk up towards Crickhowell to find the hotel.
It was evident from a low orbit, the site was one for an R44 at minimum and would require a lot of power available to depart from. Nestled in the valley up against its own stretch of the Usk, the landing pad was surrounded by tall trees and a pond capped its rear. The sensible decision was made to not attempt it in the R22, with our current fuel load and with two of us onboard.
We tracked back around the hill to face West, being lightly jostled by mountain effect as we picked up May-hill in the distance and headed for home. Runway 36 was in use at Gloucester, and for experience we opted for a join via heli-south, tracking across the extended centreline before turning in for finals.
2.2 Hours Overall.
(0.7 1st Leg)
(1.5 2nd Leg.)
Hourbuilding Adventures 