This week, we got the terrible news that my friend and gliding nstructor, Michel Trial of Fayence, passed away. Here’s the text I posted on this blog some two years ago about Michel
Rental costs
I compared rental rates for some planes between my Belgian ( Limburgse Vleugels at EBZW Zwartberg-Genk ) and my Luxembourg club (Aerosport at ELLX). The outcome is quite interesting:
OO-LVA converting to C172SP
This weekend, I headed to my Belgian flying club, “Limburgse Vleugels” located at the Zwartberg/Genk EBZW airfield. The last time I flew the C172SP with Garmin 1000 glass cockpit dates from 2008.
That’s five years ago since I last flew it, reason enough to take some flight lessons on this machine.
I booked three flights with my flight instructor, Kristof Goossens. In advance of these lessons, I ordered the G1000 course of ASA and started the self teaching program.
It proved to be very theoretical, I therefore was glad to have some practical lessons with Kristof. He took the time for an extensive pre-briefing, which is very helpful. My flights went quite well: we practiced several “simulated forced landings” and all kind of procedures and settings. I’m almost ready to fly this machine solo. I need one last short flight next time in Belgium. In the mean time, I’m going to pursue my theoretical self-study lessons.
Cozzy evening flight over Luxembourg
Finally, spring has arrived in Luxembourg. Over are the dark rainy days. It changes everyone’s mood right away. Last evening, we invited our Belgian friends Eddy Depickere and his wife Bea for dinner at home. Eddy only told his wife at the last moment that we were going for an evening flight over Luxembourg. Surprise, surprise !
Weather outlook was simply superb. Calm wind, great visibility. My 3 year old son joined us.
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This is the track we flex (courtesy Air Navigation Pro) |
Ready for take off |
My son Alejandro is in a good mood |
Bea is closely watching |
Let’s grab some AVGAS fuel |
Going to holding point 06 |
Bea is ready for the flying experience |
Cleared for take off |
Taking off |
heading north |
exit point charlie |
Luxembourg is even more beautiful from the skies |
Cattenom in sight |
My son expresses loud and clear he thinks it is time to land |
Moselle |
short final 06 |
landing |
landed |
After a safe landing, we headed home. My wife welcomed us with a great dinner and drinks. Life can be sweet 🙂
Batteries of Garmin GPSMap 495 are both dead
I wanted to charge and update my Garmin GPSMap 495 but discovered that both my batteries do not work anymore. Grrr ! The reason is probably because I did not use my GPS for a year. I called the Garmin support service desk in the UK…and they confirmed that this was indeed the reason. They can’t be revived…they’re dead ! The guy on the phone told me I need to charge them at least once a month. I’m very much surprised by his answer, I think there must me other pilots who don’t charge their battery every month. Too bad, now I’m obliged to purchase a new battery. Is anyone reading this having an idea on how to revive my two old batteries ? Any suggestion is welcome
JP 15/34 FG glider of Jean Magne
Today, I made a one hour flight with a very special glider at the LFMF airfield of Fayence. This plane (F-CRJB) was built some 30 years ago by gliding instructor Jean Magne. Jean is nowadays 83 years old and still a flying instructor.
I planned to fly a Ka-6 glider today, but Jean came to me and proposed me to fly on his plane. He explained me that from a flying experience it is something between a Ka-6 and a Pegase 90.
Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures (stupid), but no worries, I’ll fly it again in July when I’ll return to Fayence.
I made a seamless 52 minutes flight in this plane. The JP15 glider flies nice.
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View of LFMF Fayence Tourrettes airfield |