Day 4: ARRIVING NORMANDIE!!!
The day started in Lille where we had to fuel the aircraft before TOTAL came and closed the tank. We flew off the grass runway in formation at around 0900 heading for Amiens, about an hour towards Normandie. At Amiens we got (again) confirmed that in France.... they speak French. Period. :-)
Enroute to Amiens, we passed a lot of small towns, French countryside. As we were flying a few hundred feet above the ground, I kept thinking to myself that we probably passed several WW2 heroes sitting outside enjoying their morning coffee, looking up at three humming warbirds passing by at low altitude... At the cemetary below, there was a gathering of people, possibly D-day related.
At Amiens, we watched the weather approaching (using app. "Windy"). It was a matter of getting those three Cubs fuelled as fast as possible and get them back in the air, heading for FINAL destination... we almost beat the weather, but the last 15 NM was flown in rain, but fair visibility. It was wonderful to fly final approah into Saint Andre de L'eure. We had planned for this event for so long, and it was just great to land there, after more than 1000 miles in the air.
At this point, we have reached almost 16 flight hours, 12 fuel stops, and 3 nights on the way. Despite headwind and a strong weather front, we think it was reasonable progress. It was really only the last few nautical miles that was flown in rain.
Team LN-RAP after arrival, seeking cover under the wing. Team Timmy did a fantastic job as lead through most of the trip, making good decisions enroute. Thanks team Timmy!
Team LN-MAV with a thumbs up for a successful mission...
L-Birds of Norway with old French Cognac in a mini Jerrycan... been stowed away in MAV for a year, awaiting this very moment!
More facts about the trip coming up, route, flight time etc. Now we need a good night sleep before being picked up 0630 to move our aircraft in front if French national TV team at the airport.
Enroute to Amiens, we passed a lot of small towns, French countryside. As we were flying a few hundred feet above the ground, I kept thinking to myself that we probably passed several WW2 heroes sitting outside enjoying their morning coffee, looking up at three humming warbirds passing by at low altitude... At the cemetary below, there was a gathering of people, possibly D-day related.
At Amiens, we watched the weather approaching (using app. "Windy"). It was a matter of getting those three Cubs fuelled as fast as possible and get them back in the air, heading for FINAL destination... we almost beat the weather, but the last 15 NM was flown in rain, but fair visibility. It was wonderful to fly final approah into Saint Andre de L'eure. We had planned for this event for so long, and it was just great to land there, after more than 1000 miles in the air.
At this point, we have reached almost 16 flight hours, 12 fuel stops, and 3 nights on the way. Despite headwind and a strong weather front, we think it was reasonable progress. It was really only the last few nautical miles that was flown in rain.
Team LN-RAP after arrival, seeking cover under the wing. Team Timmy did a fantastic job as lead through most of the trip, making good decisions enroute. Thanks team Timmy!
Team LN-MAV with a thumbs up for a successful mission...
L-Birds of Norway with old French Cognac in a mini Jerrycan... been stowed away in MAV for a year, awaiting this very moment!
More facts about the trip coming up, route, flight time etc. Now we need a good night sleep before being picked up 0630 to move our aircraft in front if French national TV team at the airport.
Well done and congratulations to the good decision making teamwork.
SvarSlett