NIPPER GATHERING

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Pat, Paul, Mike, Stuart, Neil, Kate (& Robin)

Thanks for coming, I think that considering the wx it was a good turnout, and a real buzz to meet you all and spend some time chatting, which I would like to have done more of. It is really nice to be amongst really nice people who share a common interest, and having more time to trade stories is a past-time that the modern world denies us......must try harder!!

The thing that stands out is just how individual the aircraft have become, all have lovely characters, and the idea that a Nipper could come to exist that incorperated all of the best bits is one I would love to see. The idea of attempting to bring together a "New Age" Nipper under a new NK&C is one that interests me, but my work committment doesn't allow. There is so much expertise here in the UK it would be such a shame to see it go abroad.

Thanks again for coming, it made the effort very worth while. Now I am getting a good contact list it will make it easier. On that note would anyone who thinks that I may not have their contact details (Mobile and email) please either post them on the forum or PM them to me, it is easy then to group text or email. Thanks.

All the best,

Neil

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Guys,

Have just posted another video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jyvNG-TxFk

It is the beat up of the Mustang, but includes the line up of Nippers, click on "watch in high quality", it is much better.

Neil

[Neil Spooner]

6 Nippers in a line! Oh yes, and one wife watching the airshow.

[G-NIPR]

Hello All,
I just got back!!!
Yes it has been a mad week, and the weather has been very unhelpful.
I have driven and flown many miles and stayed in so many hotels I cant remember which one when at the moment.
I will post full details of my trip over the weekend, suffice to say NIPR enjoyed herself as much as I did, and long VFR trips are bloody expensive if you dont camp out!
Anyway back now and pleased to be...

Goodnight for now,

Paul.

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Paul,

Sorry to hear the trip back was such a Sojourn! Pleased you are back safe and sound, should this be a bi-annual event!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neil

[G-NIPR]

Hello again,
Got a few minutes between flights at work so thought I would finish the story......

Saturday 23/8/08

Trip South:

Leg 1: Inverness - Glenrothes Time: 1h 40m Fuel Used: 23 Litres
All went well, just a little cloud around the Cairngorms but I slid over that for about 5 mins before getting below. Quick stop at Glenrothes for fuel and coffee, then on the way again...

Leg 2: Glenrothes - Teesside International Time: 1h 50m Fuel used: 25 Litres
My plan for Yearby fell through unfortunately due to the strip being waterlogged which was a shame, but I agreed a fair price for landing and 'handling' at Teesside! I caused much amusement amongst the locals as they do not normally get such machines. The bowser driver was tickled by the amount of fuel taken to fill up!

Leg 3: Teesside International - Sandtoft Time: 1 h Fuel Used: 13 Litres
Nice clear weather on this leg, though about a 15 kt headwind.
Had a bit of an issue on climbout from Teesside when my power wire dropped out of my Icom. The radio was nicely fixed to the side of the cockpit and it was a beast of a job to fit it back in, needing both hands and a fine touch. Was off frequency for about three mins, but I dont think they noticed!
First visit to Sandtoft for me, but encouraged by a 'free landing fee' voucher thought I would drop in.
Got a bit of help from the firemen at Sandtoft as I had a soft right tyre, an old pump was dusted off and sorted the job quickly. Had a quick bite to eat and set off again...

Leg 4: Sandtoft - Sywell Time: 1h 15m Fuel Used: 17 Litres
A nice pleasant leg this one, although lots of traffic about. A gliding competition and general nice weather GA meant there was no time to be heads in. Waddington did there best to give radar services, but it was a lost cause really. I learnt that some radars could see the Nipper as a primary contact, even though there is no transponder fitted (secondary). I had always believed I was invisible. You might like to know that one day!!! Arrived in the Sywell area to hear 'Fokker climbing out' 'Fokker running in' Wondered what the 'fokk' was going on, but then it became obvious that it was the World War 1 team practicing. Had to hold off for 5 mins whilst they finished, then arrived to land at a very busy Sywell.
----------------------------
Nightstop Sywell - followed by airshow, and other Nippers arriving on the Sunday.

----------------------------


Trip North:

Sunday 24/8/08

Leg 5: Sywell - Barton Time: 1h 35m Fuel Used: 23 Litres
A lovely flight to Barton, very good Vis and on a high after the show. Bit of a headwind but very calm air. Followed a Cessna Taildragger
virtually all the way from Sywell to the Liverpool area. He was a little lower and a little faster. I dont think he even knew I was there!
I turned the radio off after leaving the Sywell circuit and didnt turn it on again until the low level corridor near Liverpool! Nice!
That was all I could do today due to airport closures and fading light, so it was a night in another traverl inn for me, at the Trafford Centre this time...


Monday 25/8/08

Leg 6: Barton - Carlisle Time: 1h 35m Fuel used: 22 Litres
The worst leg of all, and inbound cold front brought dreadful weather. All of Scotland was out of limits but I needed to get as far North as possible because I was working out of Oban today. I knew that flying to Oban was not an option at all, but after speaking with Carlisle ATC they said if I got a move on I might be lucky and beat the front to them. I set off as soon as I could from Barton and it was soon the worst weather I have faced in the Nipper. I got down to around 700 AGL around the Warton area and decided to route around the coast as far as possible. Going over the top was not possible due to wall to wall cloud and murk. After saying goodbye to a helpful Blackpool controller around Lancaster there was no one I could speak to. I couldnt get hold of Scottish FIS. So another bit of non radio, and slightly less comfortable with the conditions all around. Had to avoid Sellafield restricted area by hogging the hills, now down to about 500 AGL in a heavy shower.
It was slightly clearer ahead so I decided to make a decision to continue when I reached Whitehaven, the turn towards Carlisle gave me a welcome tailwind and 110 kts groundspeed. Arrived at a wet and windy Carlisle, with gusts of 29kts... The landing was fine but I had concerns about taxiing in those conditions and Carlisle offered to send out wing walkers to assist. I said I would try a little taxxing first and found it was ok as I made my way to the pumps. Very efficient service at Carlisle saw me filled up and in the hanger within 10 mins of landing.
Parked between a Cirrus SR22 and an Agusta 109!
I then drove for four hours to Oban.......


Friday 29/8/08

Leg 7: Carlisle - Eshott Time: 50m Fuel Used: 9 Litres
After a driving to Carlisle from Warton (work again!) the weather still wasnt that good and I didnt fancy my chances of getting immediately North. After a bit of deliberation and weather checking I decided I could get under way by heading East towards brighter skies rather than waiting for a possible clearance to the North. Eshott were open and had fuel, that would bridge the gap for me to get to Scotland.
A nice short flight across and a friendly welcome from the microlight folk there, quick cup of tea and away again.

Leg 8: Eshott - Perth Time: 1h 20m Fuel Used: 19 Litres.
Another trouble free leg with a welcome tailwind. The only uncomfortable bit was the 12 mile sea crossing of the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh.
Being happier with the engine helped relax me a little though...
Quick top up at Perth and then I was homeward bound.

Leg 9: Perth - Inverness Time: 1h 15m Fuel Used: 15 Litres
A pleasant flight through the hills following the A9.
My wife had arranged to be there when I arrived, with little Jessica, so a 'low approach and go around' was flown for her to see me.
Nice to be back.

Will upload some pics in the photos section next...

Paul.
G-NIPR.

[Neil Spooner]

Hi All,

Here's a link to some of the photos at Sywell: http://forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=6730

Jeff took some of the Nippers from the fire truck, when I get them I will pass them on.

Neil

[Neil Spooner]

and another: http://www.airshows.co.uk/uk-reviews/20 ... rshow.html

click on the first photo and they will enlarge and you can scroll through them, nice one of me I think!!!

Neil

[G-BYLO]

On our way home

CIMG4383-1.JPG (376.22 KiB) Viewed 10531 times

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that, I didn't want to get too close as I hardly know you!! Quite close enough for a first time though. Did any of the others turn out any good? If there are any would you mind emailing them to me at: neil@spooner60.orangehome.co.uk

Have you had a look at youtube? The original is a slightly better copy if you would like me to email it to you.

Neil

[G-NIPR]

Hello all,
The professional 'spotters' were out in force at Sywell, and there are some shots available for us to purchase.
Have a look.......


http://www.airteamimages.com/search.php ... p2_id=1011

Cheers,

Paul.
G-NIPR.