Blackmore Farm Overnight Stay

I recently logged the 100th hour in my logbook, since first setting out in the R22. It wasn’t much of a celebration, not in comparison to the qualifying cross country, first solo, or the skills test.. but it was still a milestone in its own right. In fact it marked that I almost have 2/3rds of the hours I need, before I can start my Commercial Training, and that in itself is not to be sniffed at.

So.. my flight school has decided to cease to exist from the 30 Jun, but the good news is, there are some great alternatives at Gloucester and HeliFlight is within a stones throw of my old school.. and they’re very very good. They have a remarkable fleet of helicopters in their hangar.

I have been itching to take an R44 away for the weekend for as long as I can remember and they’re very trusting and relaxed about self fly hire. So I took a short flight with the head of training, to cover my 28 day proficiency check. Taking G-CGGS out for Autorotation and confined area practice to the North of the field and onto the top of Bredon Hill. All signed off, after an engine-off to the ground back at Gloucester I booked Golf Sierra out for Friday evening through until Saturday afternoon.

Using the Helipaddy app, I found a charming 15th century farm house in Cannington, Somerset. With a manicured lawn big enough to take the R44. It was oozing character, a stones throw from Steart Marshes and a view of the Quantock Hills. One call to Ian, the owner of this stunning house quickly firmed up my decision to stay (http://www.blackmorefarm.co.uk). I booked a single night in the charming shepherds hut in its own private enclosed lawn and off I went to buy a picnic basket!

Arriving At Heliflight on Friday afternoon to stunning skies and sunshine, the aircraft was fuelled and waiting proudly on the pad. I loaded in a suitcase and more importantly a picnic basket under the rear seats and climbed in to fly. There was a large area NOTAM to the south of Gloucester, covering an impressive gliding competition of up to 60 gliders and 8 tugs. It was possible to call the event, to ascertain the competition glider routes for the day in question, however I opted to plan a route out to the north west.

The route took me out to North West, via Arlingham skirting the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean. A colleague of mine was entertaining family friends at Tintern Abbey, so I headed for the Abbey and did a circuit overhead for them. Rolling out to the south east, and being sure to avoid the Power station zone at Berkeley, I called Gloucester, letting them know I was changing frequency to Bristol on a listening squawk of 5077.

I crossed the Severn bridge, and followed the coast along towards Avonmouth docks, avoiding the gas venting site and on a course towards the Portishead coastline.

A quick call to Bristol for their QNH abeam Portishead harbour, ensured I was below controlled airspace. It was a glorious day, so I turned inland to facilitate a dummy approach to the helicopter museum from the East.

After the Heli Museum fly-by I took a direct course to Brean, turned south and tracked the Brean and Burnham-on-sea Beaches, lining me up with a direct track into the landing site at Cannington.

The site was technical to say the least, and this highlights the importance of planning. I knew the aircraft had power available, was in its Weight and Balance limits and wouldn’t be affected by any hot / high air density issues. On approach to the site, drawing the speed back to 60kias for 500ft recce of the Farm and to confirm approach and departure routes. (Shape, size, slope, surroundings, wires etc).

The site had Pylons running NNW To SSE within the Farm boundary (Yellow arrows) and telephone lines running WNW to ESE also. The field was an upward slope N to S with the lawn mid way on the left hand side E facing (red arrow with H). A slow double angle approach into the field and a pedal turn onto the lawn meant departing rearward in the morning was the only option.

When on the ground it was spectacular. A summer evening. With the sun setting on the Quantock hills in the distance would soon silhouette the R44. I was greeted by Ian shortly after landing and shutting down. He showed me the whole Manor House. Where I could appreciate the R44 on the lawn in all its glory.

Ian said I could have any room I liked if I preferred it to the hut, however I opted to stay outside, where I could see the Helo. (Or at least it’s nose peeking out).

I can not recommend Blackmore Farm enough, I was brought tea on arrival. I mean proper tea, with a bone China cup and saucer and tea pot. Like it should be done. He called the local eatery (https://www.themaltshovelcannington.co.uk), within walking distance and booked me a table for dinner. I was sure to be back in time for sunset to capture some stunning shots and an early night before the festivities of the next day.