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The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

Time was now getting on and we wanted to extend our explorations - A decision was made to head for a small airfield on the south coast
- Portimao - Grumpy Paul 'Mad Cow' and his even madder Canadian pal, Alan set off early to explore the way ahead.

Their advance reports convinced us of the absolute need to go to Portimao.
The next morning (I'm happy to report that there was rather less night time 'ponginess') we filed and faxed our flight plans (In Spain & Portugal it is mandatory to file an ICAO flight Plan for every flight and Yes. Even for VFR pattern work).

Our route was right down the coast passing Lisbon and rounding Cap St.Vincent passing through many military zones and other terminal areas.
After a fond farewell to our wonderful hosts at Espinho we departed south - most of us activating our flight plans with the nearest (Porto) ATC. The weather wasn't great for the first 150nm but the coastal scenery was.

Mile upon mile of rocky foreshore, the result of aeons of years of wave bashing and wind erosion. There was much chitchat with air traffic control - some of it helpful, some of it confusing and some of it downright strange! One of our members, who shall remain reasonably nameless, hadn't been entirely successful in getting his flight plan activated. It was amusing for the rest of us to hear him get an ear bashing from the Lisbon controller and made to grovel - This confusion can perhaps be made more understandable when one considers the national mixture of our group - two Brits flying in an 'N' registered airplane, an American talking from a German registered airplane, a German calling from a British registered airoplane - It really didn't help matters that the Controllers didn't fully understand what we were trying to tell them!! They constantly lost control of the situation and kept on mixing up aircraft. It was fun.