To keep yourself current on the types you have on your licence, it is necessary to fly each type for a minimum of 2 hours per year, and undergo a proficiency check with an instructor within 12 months of your proficiency expiration date. I hadn’t flown the Jetranger since I had rated on t back in May and I had seen somewhere, that Compton Abbas had free helicopter landings throughout December and January, so it seemed like a good idea to kill two birds with one stone and take the 206 there for a breakfast.
For the second time in my hour building adventures, I decided to share the flying with another pilot for a few reasons, 1. Cost, 2. I don’t have 25 Hours on the 206 yet, so I need to take an instructor 3. I was taking 2 friends along for the trip and it made sense to sit with them on one of the legs of the journey.
Mike had recently rated on the Jetranger, in fact he had passed his skills test the day before and was readily available to jump in and come along for the trip. It was alos good for experience of both Weight and Balance planning and to see how the Jetranger handled as a full ship. We set off early enough to ensure we made it to Compton in time for breakfast and after the chilliest of Pre-flight inspections and being covered in oil and grease we set off.
I flew the first leg, along the M5 south to Cam and then a direct route across to Compton Abbas, avoiding the gliding sites en route and skirting the edge of Salisbury plain danger area. Compton Abbas is a quaint little airfield, full of classics and today it seemed was their Christmas fly in! The airspace was busy and so was the parking area with many vintage planes and aviators all dressed as santa!
I landed as best as I could to keep out of the way, and was picked up by a marshaller to find a good spot to land G-BLGV. It’s a common misconception that Helicopters are disliked at Compton, however we did take up a lot of parking space. Due to some incredible planning and more luck than judgement we arrived in time for breakfast with 3 minutes to spare so naturally we all ordered the biggest breakfast we could, much to the displeasure of the chef no doubt!
We were saddled up for the flight back within an hour or so of being on the ground now with Mike at the controls for the return leg to Gloucester. I was snug in the back, in the middle seat watching the world go by.
Hourbuilding Adventures 