3rd EMU – Popham (EGHP)
21 September 2008
by Robert Rombouts, BelgiumThis 3th Ercoupe Meet-Up at Popham, organize by the UK Wing Leader, Mike Willis, was again a real flying success. Because I am not in a hurry, I take my time and enjoy it fully, so I flew the day before - 20th September - from Ostend.
Fair misty weather, but we are used to it, the TAF’s are:
EBOS 09005KT CAVOK 13/08 Q1032. (Ostend) - Wind 90°/5kt/Ceiling and Visibility OK.
EGKK 07005KT 7000 NSC 12/08 Q1032. (Gatwick) – Wind 70°/5kt/Ceiling and Visibility 7000mtr.
EGHI VRB03KT 5000 BR FEW 045 09/08 Q1032. (Southampton)
EGLF 00000KT 9000 NSC 09/08 Q1032. (Farmborough)This mean, I can fly straight to Dover VOR from Ostend at 3000ft, because the Channel was CAVOK.
They where right, until in the middle of the Channel its looks good, but where is Dover?
Believing my GPS I was flying dead on, and 10NM from Dover I saw the nice white cliffs.
From Dover I flew straight to Washington Intersection VRP near Shoreham, and then to Popham (EGHP).
In the UK the visibility was from fair to not so fair, but in the air you don’t have a lot of options, you continue your planned route, or land on the nearest airfield around you. After 2hr05 I arrived at EGHP Popham grass runway 08, flying over the silos then small left turn and hop touchdown. During taxiing I thought they surely make a mistake, I am not the Spirit of St.Louis. A swarm of spotters arrived from everywhere, if I received 1£ for each photo, I could have stayed some weeks in the UK! Believe me I feel flattered with little Ercoupe Sweety II.A very kind and friendly reception of the manager Dick Richardson, who I thank very much for helping me with a B&B, he even personally drove me with his Mercedes to it. He and his wife went recently to Gent (Belgium). A lot of good jokes make it very pleasant.
Next day, Sunday 21st, same sunny open weather but that stupid haze, Mike had in Cambridge 3km visibility with an improving around midday.
Mike with his G-HARY and Keith with his G-ARHB landed at the same time around 12:00 as a formation flight, but Mike came from Bourn and Keith from Earls Colne, impressive coordination. Happy to see Mike and Keith again at this Solent Aviation Society in Popham, exchanging all our flying and other news with good snack and drinks, I enjoy it always. But we expected also Andrew Gardner with his G-ARHC; he had a radio problem but he landed before I left for the journey back to Ostend. After a nice family photo of our four Ercoupers together we all left back to our home base. Congratulation to Mike, he received an award from the organizing Society to bring so many Ercoupes to Popham, he deserve it. A “Meritorious” award was assigned to me, thank you for the attention, but I didn’t swim over the Channel, perhaps they where happy I left the airfield without some troubles, who knows?
A good slow flight back to Ostend (73mph), because I had a headwind of 10kt (I think it must have been more) and a fair visibility. Until Washington VRP it was perfect and quick but the leg from there to Dover was unbelievable long. Crossing the Channel direct to Ostend had no horizon but I always had one of the two coasts in sight. The wonderful smooth flying over the water is a beauty, I like it very much. After 2hr35 I landed in Ostend with an urgent need to find the man’s room. Don’t drink too much when you fly an Ercoupe, Robert!
Again we had a wonderful Meeting, I was very happy with the EMU 3 that Mike organized, the real spirit of a friendly meeting with Ercoupers; this is also possible in Germany with the 10 German Ercoupes. Hoping somebody in Germany will try this idea of Meetings.
Thanks and congratulation Mike, you did a very good job and the result is marvellous.
See you all, Mike, Keith, Andrew and hopefully many more in Headcorn the 18th October.
Regards, Robert
