Wednesday 18 April 2007

Flying Experiences...

I fly a lot - on average, every other week.

I've flown a helicopter - actually taken control of the machine, which was great. I've flown as co-pilot in little 4-seater Cessnas which was a terrific experience. But I have had some dodgy flights:
  • Flap failure, 2 failed attempts to land at Belfast City Airport and an emergency landing at Aldergrove. FlyBE - Q400 Dash 8.
  • Engine failure, 55 minute flight to Glasgow over the countryside rather than built-up areas. Greeted by 4 fire engines at the end of the runway. FlyBE - Q400 Dash 8.
  • Aborted landing at Belfast City Airport - pilot was too high just before touch-down and was about to "over-shoot". I knew we were too high as the B&Q sign at the warehouse just before the runway as it was normally 50 feet below the plane but this time it was about 150 feet below. FlyBE - Q400 Dash 8.

Poor FlyBE... I actually like them and their staff.

Sunday 1 April 2007

For the record!

Most of "my musings" are travel related - in fact, airport related.

It got me to thinking about all the places I have visited and I thought the time was right to create a "list" of those places:

Countries (bracketed figures are visits)
Spain (5)
France (4)
Italy (2)
Portugal (2)
U.S.A. (2)
Australia (1)
Belgium (1)
Germany (1)
Greece (1)
Netherlands (1)
New Zealand (1)
(In reality, I've also visited Singapore and Thailand although I never got out of the airports!)

Cities
Paris (2)
Amsterdam (1)
Athens (1)
Atlanta (1)
Barcelona (1)
Brussels (1)
Melbourne (1)
Montpellier (1)
Munich (1)
Rome (1)
Sydney (1)