My Aviation Page

Aviation Page

Taken after my First Solo Flight at 09.50 hrs 22 June 1998 in a Grumman AA5A,

G-OMOG from the Isle of Wight Airport, Sandown, Isle of Wight, UK, (EGHN).

THE STORY SO FAR - After a break from flying, from October 1998 until April 1999, I restarted my flying training and on Friday, 25th June 1999, took and passed my Skills Test in another AA5A, G-NASH. Although another fellow student had to wait 8 weeks before his PPL was granted, my PPL was finally granted by the CAA on 25th August 1999, some two calendar months later!

UPDATE - I started a "Taildragger" conversion course at the end of April this year and today (11th June) was signed off by my instructor after having some really fun flying. My workhorse was a Piper Cub (PA18-150), G-BLMR (photo soon) a really excellent aeroplane that makes us lazy tricycle pilots realise what our feet are for!

OBITUARY - Bad news. I have recently heard that the two Grumman AA5-A's mentioned above (G-OMOG and G-NASH) have been written-off in separate accidents during the last 9 months. I shall miss them.

MORE NEWS - In a recent incident G-BJDO (another Grumman AA5-A) had it's nosewheel damaged in a heavy landing at Sandown. What is it about Grumman's? In view of this I've been checked out on a Cessna 150 by Jim Birnie, a QFI at Sandown, so I can use that for the time being.

AND MORE NEWS - I have at long last joined a group. I have a share in a CESSNA CUTLASS 172RG (G-BIXI). As it is classed as a complex single I have to undergo differences training for both the constant speed propeller and the retractable undercarriage. No more hiring, thank God!

THE LATEST NEWS - Well what can I say. The Isle of Wight Airport, has been waterlogged and closed since the second week in October last year. That's coming up to SIX MONTH'S without any flying from the airfield. This situation has NEVER happened before in the history of this airfield which I believe has been in existence since about 1932. It must stop raining soon.

Follow this link for my Concorde Page

Follow this link for my "Taildragger" Page

Follow this link for my "G-BIXI" page

For further information contact Dave Geddes by e-mail at d.geddes@virgin.net