The very sad news brought to the new FBO in December by Detlef left all crew, both new and old, in shock and disbelief.That Sancho was no longer with us did not sink in for many days. No longer would we be able to relive his epic journeys on flight rallies, told with his unique flair for story telling. Many came close to his ability but in my opinion only TD has the same talent.
Once the shock had lessened rumours began circulating that something was being planned and so it was announced that the first rally from the new FBO would be the Sancho Memorial Flight to Belp to take place on Sunday 20th January 2002, with the usual conference afterwards.
I had not participated in the last few rallies from the old FBO but I had every intention of participating in this memorial to a great aviator, story teller, and, via the Internet, friend. The flight would also be multiplayer so yet another incentive to take part, not that another incentive was needed.
Problem now was, what to fly. Some were going to use the excellent Douglas R4D-6 in memory of the type of aircraft Sancho loved to fly. I decided against that when I realised the flight time and the 2 hour limitation of my ISP.
That left only one choice, but was the aircraft available?
After many phone calls and calling in some old 'IOUs' I managed to 'borrow' the aircraft for the flight but only after I had passed a refresher familiarisation course for it was some time since I had last flown her.
And so it was that at 1530Z Sunday 20th January I turned up at BAe's Woodford (EGCD) facility just East of Manchester airport, birth place of my selected aircraft, ready for a 1730Z take off slot.
As I pulled into Woodford I was directed to the maintenance hangers on the far side of the runway, and there she stood outside one of the hangers, all gleaming in her new camouflage paint, warning flags fluttering in the gentle breeze.
XH558, Vulcan B2 bomber, the old display aircraft, was ready to take to the skies again to pay tribute and respect to our dear departed friend Sancho.
After pre-flight checks and conversations with the ground crew, which were in danger of delaying our departure even longer, we taxied to the short Woodford runway around 1740Z.
I am still amazed how anyone could fly this aircraft because the visibility is negligible, and the NAV aids almost none existent! That's what comes from flying modern airliners with all the latest gizmos <G>
Take off was 1745Z with a nice easy climb of 3,000ft/m once airspeed was up and a mental salute to XH558's twin XM603 in anti-flash paint scheme, the static Vulcan at Woodford.
The flight should take just over one hour and weather was reasonable but with quite heavy cloud cover so not much to look at en-route. The weather forecast for Belp was encouraging with cloud base around 6,000ft. I had discovered during the refresher flights that the A/P 'after thought' was OK for navigation but the ILS instruments were, shall we say, temperamental, so I was prepared for a visual landing.
The flight was uneventful, cruising at FL370, until approaching Belp when an unscheduled very short field landing nearly occurred, but we managed to prevent it....just<G>
I had been cleared to do a low-level pass but I don't think the control tower realised how low, nor did I <G>.
A fairly low speed pass with the traditional salute to Sancho, a wing waggle, then a steep climb out turning North to do a Left hand circuit back to Rwy 14 approach.
As expected the ILS NAVAID did not want to play so a visual approach was made, again very low but avoided contact until we had asphalt under the wheels. The Vulcan may be large but boy, those brakes are something else, taxied off straight on the control tower taxiway.
A very enjoyable flight, just wished it had been in happier circumstances.
Sancho, clear skies my friend, and many happy hours flying whatever they do fly up there. You will be missed very much here by your old buddies but I am glad I knew you for so long and had the pleasure of reading so many of your flight reports...God bless.
My condolences to Rene's wife, family and friends, but my thanks also to Mrs Maeder for sharing Rene with us.
I had hoped to join the MP session but technical problems prevented this, next time guys...I hope.
Flight was in FS2k, XH558 by Graham Waterfield c1997, Switzerland mesh by Raimondo Taburet, near misses and 'short field near landings by yours truly <G>
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, I don't usually just leave without saying goodbye.
. The video is for FS2k (don't think it will work in FS2k2) and will include the aircraft for full effect.
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