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July 11-12th, 2009: EBAM - EDQC - LKVM- EDQC-EBAM |
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Saterday morning, around 6.45h local time, 5 sleek looking aircraft are lining up RWY 11 of Belgian aerodrome Amougies for what would be an unforgetable flying experience.
Our group is flying 3 fixed gear and 2 retractable versions, 1 with a constant speed prop, flown by our leader Jean-Baptiste Guisset. |
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So early in the morning, fantastic weather conditions along our flight path. We are enjoying the extraordinary views.
Well we have to, as we know unfavorable weather is waiting for us somewhere in middle Germany.
We are keeping fingers crossed this forecast would be inaccurate... |
Gunther steady at the controls. Flying a formation of 5 aircraft requires a lot of focus. For recreational flyers like us a really cool experience that we would like to repeat more. Formation flying is awesome, but not without danger. No room for improvisation, discipline is key!
At the same time our leader is guiding us through Belgian Airspace via Liège and we keep a steady cruise of 220km/h IAS.
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Still fascinated by the visual effects early in the morning, Stéphan in the right seat, just returning from a wedding party and lacking any kind of sleep came after a long period to the conclusion that in the end, the AVEKO VL-3 surprisingly did had a shortcoming: you can't get sleep!
And that's a relief when flying.... |
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At the time most people are having breakfast, a bit later than usual as it's holiday season, we got confronted with the unfortune truth that the weather forecast was accurate. Very low ceiling (less than 1,000ft) and time to descend before we get trapped above the clouds.
Guess microlights will never get IFR approved, but if someone wants to make a proposal, you have our support. |
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As little as 30 minutes later, our leader decides to go for the airport of Coburg as the conditions are getting really marginal and we had to keep the group together. At Coburg we would be able to look at the latest sat images. At this point it's about flying back to Belgium or continue our mission.
We stay positive and spend time taking pictures and are enjoying the hospitality of the very helpful people at the tower. |
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The OO-G05 has no extra-range fueltanks (120L) but the standard 90L wingtanks. At Coburg we used around 40L so far. (try this with your car!)
Theoretically we have sufficient fuel to get to our destination, however, why would you want to stress out the last hour of flight if you can fill-up here?
It's Avgas, unnecessary expensive fuel for our economic Rotax 912S, but it'll do the job. |
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The weather is getting better and we are lining up RWY 30. Probably the most spectacular take-off so far.
The runway goes uphill and at the end the groud simply disappears underneath. |
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Superb view just after take-off RWY 30 at the Castle of Coburg.
The drums of the big salsa party going on down town gave you the impression that heavy thunderstorms were coming. |
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We're flying position number 3, left behind our all new friends Eddy and his charming wife. Eddy, an experienced PPL pilot is flying his recently acquired VL-3 fixed gear with the ever performing Rotax 912S. The aircraft is Dynon equipped, including the recently lauched autopilot. |
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After crossing the Czech border, our leader is taking us overhead Pribam (LKPM).
If you need a break or feel for a real Snitzel, here's where you want to land. |
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We thought it was quite interesting to see that our VL-3 would be back in Czech airspace right at the moment our Hobbs was indicating 100hrs.
How cool is that? Anyway, the picture also shows you that Aveko forgot to install a plastic cap to protect the 12V power outlet.
They promised to send one after the event, but guess we will have to come back and pick it up next year... |
Just for info, engine parameters at 100 hours:
At 5150 rpm, our leader flying a rectractbable version with constant speed prop forces us to push our Rotax to keep up.
Temps are perfect. The fuelflow is incorrect as we don't have a flowscan installed on the return line. 16L is more accurate.
At 13.20LT we are overhead Vysoke Myto (LKVM) and flying a left hand circuit for runway 30R (asphalt).
So with 5 aircraft arriving together, we surely made a statement.
Other VL-3's were already on the parking as we got a bit delayed by our stopover at Coburg with it's rainshowers.
The advantage of being late? You can park on the front row and that's where you find all 5 Belgian and French registered VL-3's.
We get the chance to stretch our legs and are invited to register to make our attendance official.
A more than fantastic crew was waiting for us and after all documents were filled in, we could directly enjoy a local meal.
As you know, the VL-3 holds multiple records and also today our Czech friends of AVEKO are organizing a contest amongst us.
It's a kind of a navigation contest with strict timing limitations and a precision landing contest all together.
With only 5 hours of flight so far today, we decided to take on the challenge and represent Belgium.
This picture is taken 1 hour later during a small ceremony. With only 2 missed photo's during the navigation contest,
a precise touchdown on the mark and all this within our 25 minutes window, we got awarded with the 3rd best results.
An official certificate was handed over by the ever charming Martina together with a nice set for our favorite drink.
The first and second place were exeqo, with one aircraft being a L40. so basicly we were the 2nd VL-3 that day!
And if you know that the first VL-3 was piloted by a former Polish MIG pilot ... let's say we were very pleased with our results.
Let's talk about some premium aftersales service here in Czech Republic!
While we were still celebrating our top 3 result, the mechanical engineers pushed back our VL-3 in the hangar and started
a full inspection of our 1 year old and 102 hours aircraft.
No, this was not a well orchestered show, but instead a rigorous inspection was performed.
The mechanical elevator trim got upgraded with an extra retaining security, so it's now triple secured.
Meanwhile we got a lift to the historical center of the town and we decided to go for a drink and some rest on a nice terrace chatting with all our follow pilot friends. Later we got picked up again and going back to the airfield were a evening party was in preparation.
Back at LKVM, the engineers were finishing the OO-G05. As you can see at the picture, an all new exhaust muffler has been installed.
A microscopic welding error was found using a special spray to identify leakage. What a service!
This picture has been taken the next morning, after a nice rest for some of us, driving from the hotel back to the airfield.
We are here at the entree of the AVEKO manufacturing site. This is the place were probably the best microlight comes to life.
As you can see, the manufacuring plant consists of mulitple installations, all very recent been built.
Very quickly the concierge came to us asking to leave and no pictures allowed.
Anyway, little important, we've seen our plane has been built in a very professional environment.
All good things come to an end and it's time to go back to Belgium. We lign up with 6 VL-3's and head West.
People at Aveko told us that probably an annual returning event will be organized. well we'll be there!
We took this picture to show all pessimists of this world: Czech Republic is very green and a beautiful country to fly!
And another picture for these same people: Germany is very green too!
We surely are very environmental responsible, that's why we fly the ever economical Rotax 912S
and a very low drag to lift aircraft design as the VL-3.
Back in Coburg for a late lunch.
Gunther is walking the line of the 6 VL-3's, which one he would fly next?
EDQC is a very nice stopover, with food, fuel and a very friendly and helpful tower.
We decided to keep our canopy closed as the turbine powered Piper Meridian leaves us with the smell of kerosine.
We also decided to only select position 1 for the flaps and not position 2 as the aircraft in front of us.
On a paved runway, the VL-3 is ridiculous fast airborn with position 2, and we prefer some more IAS before lift off.
In aviation there is a saying: When it looks good, it flies good...
In case of the vL-3: When it looks awesome, it flies .... and it sure does!
This RG with it's constant speed prop is really on a very economical cruise compared to the FG/fixed pitch brothers.
Crossing the Rhein River heading for Belgium.
During the whole flight, we had our wingman staying next to us as it was a Fighter plane escorting us.
During the last part of fligh in Germany, we had some low clouds at 2500ft which we were scraping with our vertical rudder.
Flying in Germany is fantastic and very straight forward, however, the country has airfields everywhere and a lot of glider activity.
Formation flying can be demanding, but 24 eyes to look for gliders gives you some piece of mind.
Here we are overhead the international airport of Liège (EBLG) in Belgium and are getting close to home.
No pictures of our arrival at EBAM as the camera ran out of batteries unfortunately.
With more than 11hours of total flight during the last 2 days, this was a beautiful weekend!
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