Never been in a propeller aircraft
Discussion
If you live or have lived in the Channel Islands then you are likely to have flown in a propeller aircraft.
Britten Norman Trislanders were a giggle. Being visibly weighed up by the Aurigny staff so you balanced out the aircraft in flight. Having the pilot turn around to give the safety chat and saying the flight is short, so even if there was a problem we would be OK. Then he passes out the earplugs saying that this type of aircraft isn't designed for speed or comfort. Also regularly having a dog sat next to its owner in the seat in front or behind you. When you land and arrive the ground crew place a metal framework under the tail so it doesn't blow over in the wind. And who can forget Joey. There is one at IWM Duxford and my 9 year old son didn't believe me or the staff of the museum that people paid to fly in this.
Britten Norman Trislanders were a giggle. Being visibly weighed up by the Aurigny staff so you balanced out the aircraft in flight. Having the pilot turn around to give the safety chat and saying the flight is short, so even if there was a problem we would be OK. Then he passes out the earplugs saying that this type of aircraft isn't designed for speed or comfort. Also regularly having a dog sat next to its owner in the seat in front or behind you. When you land and arrive the ground crew place a metal framework under the tail so it doesn't blow over in the wind. And who can forget Joey. There is one at IWM Duxford and my 9 year old son didn't believe me or the staff of the museum that people paid to fly in this.
Edited by RosscoPCole on Saturday 18th May 21:19
croyde said:
Flybe and the Channel Islands airline use prop passenger aircraft.
They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
BOAC to Holland?They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
Eric Mc said:
croyde said:
Flybe and the Channel Islands airline use prop passenger aircraft.
They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
BOAC to Holland?They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
aeropilot said:
Eric Mc said:
croyde said:
Flybe and the Channel Islands airline use prop passenger aircraft.
They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
BOAC to Holland?They can't fly above the weather which is fun and the Channel Islands one I flew on can't land in fog, which is great for a small island.
We were delayed for 5 hours at Gatwick waiting for the fog in Guernsey to lift. Finally the pilot had had enough and said let's head over and see if we can land
When I were a nipper, BOAC to Holland around the 60s, from Heathrow. That was definitely a prop airliner.
My first flight alone, I was 4, I still have that passport
Many on turboprops Saab 340s, Fokker 50s, and some hateful Ryanair thing to Dublin. Worst flight was on a Shorts 360.
Two on a piston engine job - DC3 in South Africa in 1980. Built in 1942 and, according to the pilot, used over Arnhem so had almost certainly been shot at as well. Real flying.
Two on a piston engine job - DC3 in South Africa in 1980. Built in 1942 and, according to the pilot, used over Arnhem so had almost certainly been shot at as well. Real flying.
I think my list of prop-plane experiences includes the full set of De Havilland Canada turboprops:
DHC-6 (Isle of Scilly Skybus)
DHC-7 (Brymon/BA - can't remember where this was going, either the Channel Islands or Paris)
DHC-8 (Lots of Flybe and Air Canada)
Piston aircraft I've been a passenger on regular airline trips:
B-N Islander (Isles of Scilly Skybus)
B-N Trislander (Aurigny)
And a 'two-bob flip' in the Popham Antonov An-2 back when that still flew. That was certainly a Piston-n-Prop experience!
Have piloted:
Piper PA-28
Piper PA-38
Have been a passenger in:
Cessna 172
DHC-6 (Isle of Scilly Skybus)
DHC-7 (Brymon/BA - can't remember where this was going, either the Channel Islands or Paris)
DHC-8 (Lots of Flybe and Air Canada)
Piston aircraft I've been a passenger on regular airline trips:
B-N Islander (Isles of Scilly Skybus)
B-N Trislander (Aurigny)
And a 'two-bob flip' in the Popham Antonov An-2 back when that still flew. That was certainly a Piston-n-Prop experience!
Have piloted:
Piper PA-28
Piper PA-38
Have been a passenger in:
Cessna 172
I used to fly prop planes between Glasgow and Edinburgh (and possibly Aberdeen iirc) quite a lot for work.
Used to have some quite bumpy funfair-like rides when the winds were during the regular stormy weather which made for some exciting flights.
Always loved the sound of a propeller or two.
Used to have some quite bumpy funfair-like rides when the winds were during the regular stormy weather which made for some exciting flights.
Always loved the sound of a propeller or two.
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