Day 2: Rendsburg to Hilversum (part 1)


Day 2 started off nice and sunny! ...but only lasted until breakfast was over. In the taxi to the Rendsburg airport it started raining. As we stood close to the wall, trying to stay dry, a Cub owner came along. He had heard rumors of three Norwegian Cubs visiting and came along just to say hi. Luckily he had a key to let us in to the briefing office.

Weather was building up fast, but it looked like we could get around it IF we could only get westbound quickly. You dont go anywhere quickly in a Cub, but we set out for Leer-Papenburg, apparently a suitable airport with nice restaurant! On the way there, we picked up unexpected 25 kts headwind and our endurance was not enough. Our two experienced pilots in lead aircraft LN-RAP made good analysis enroute and diverted us to EDXM (St. Michaelisdonn). They were (suppose to be) open with fuel... but it took a while before the right man with the right key turned up and voila! Fuel is available! The time was spent waiting out rainy weather, so that was ok. Fuelling at EDXM:


Then we were on our way again to Leer-Papenburg (EDWF). A nice airfield, close to the Dutch border. Wonderful restaurant and great service. Again, weather was well within VFR minima, but could easily get worse. We were on the edge of a very angry front system with severe Wx.


We set out for first destination in Holland which would be Hoogeveen (EHHO). The conditions turned our to improve all the way and it was a smooth nice flight. Looknig out the window from LN-MAV enroute to EHHO. If I should ever be faced with an engine failure, I hope it will happen in this kind of landscape... It would be hard to find an unsuitable place to land! :)


Hoogeveen was like landing on artificial grass - such a nice airstrip with very friendly staff. Only drawback was the most expensive fuel any of us had ever bought... close to 2,80 EUR per liter! Thanks again to our fuel sponsors AIM, CAE and Flynytt!!!

We met with two other L-Birds owners who will join in Normandy later this week. But, having lost valuable time waiting out the rain, there was no time for tire kicking and L-Bird talk. We quickly refuelled and were on our way again - this time to Hilversum. Fuelling at Hoogeveen:




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