Paginatitel

The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

In Kirkwall we made a low approach into the 30 kts gusty runway and headed back south to Inverness into the Loch Ness valley. The weather was decreasing which forced Ted and Hans to stay high; but we had as last arrival more luck and enjoyed the Loch Ness in a comfortable 2000 ft altitude above the water. We hurried up from lake to lake and arrived Oban after a 4 hours flight with a spectacular final over the mountain into the southerly runway of EGEO. A very lonesome airport at the end of the world, you might think, with relaxed operations. But not true at all. A very tough manager complained about our missing yellow jackets. He was right, but Dave and I decided to cover our plane in the rainy weather first and than to buy a jacket later downtown which finally pleased the manager. Downtown we got a call that the real storm was arriving and we better should look at our planes. Due to the lack of tightening devices at the airport we tighten the planes with water tanks and the yokes with our seatbelts and found that nothing more could be done.

Back in Oban, we met in the best fish restaurant of town. We heard next that our planes had not been damaged and so we enjoyed a very wet and stormy rest day in the nice Oban. The crews were happy and not disappointed at all about the unplanned stop.

Back at the airfield next day, we found that the tires of Chris's airplane had not the right pressure at all. But this was easier said than done. The air valve was very hidden but John and the friendly airport fire truck people had all the right tools.

Next destination - into Ireland - was Galway (EICM). Again D-EDDO took a long trip with the aim to see as many as airfields and landscapes in Northern Scotland as possible. We started North to Plockton and to the Isle of Sky . What lovely airfields! We cancelled Benbecula due to the headwinds and headed directly west to Barra. Where was the strip of Barra? Dave told me: below water. Many airfields were flooded after the heavy storm.