Robert’s Flying MicrobeMy annual is always in December and must be prepared carefully. With some retro ideas and time to do it during winter, I dived under the dashboard. About the changes on the aircraft you can read it in the articles section.
I had the impression that during 2008, I flew a lot, but only 38 hours was on the counter, incredible low.
Now I look already to 2009, with big projects and happy flying hours, with the original Ercoupe design, without pedals an incredible speed improved OO-PUS.
2009: Flying around Ostend (EBOS) feeling the amazing and original Ercoupe design by Fred Weick, or two control, is a dream. The speed was increased by roughly 10MPH, and empty weight of 875 Lbs or 397 Kg previously is was 893 Lbs or 405 Kg. The landings are just as easy at it will be, if you know how to do it.Enjoying from Ostend (EBOS) flights to St.Ghislain (EBSG), Antwerp (EBAW), and then preparing the European Fly-In at Antwerp in May.
Every year I intended to visit the Chipmeet at Zoersel (EBZR), but it is the same dates as the Antwerp Fly-In, so this year I visit them one day before and was happy I did. Zoersel (EBZR), a wonderful concrete airfield surrounded with pine trees. You feel the real pilot’s spirit and camaraderie of an international flying meeting, and then I dream already about our Ercoupe Meeting’s for the future. I do not expect formation flying as they do, but it is perhaps possible in one way or the other. All my respect and congratulation to the Chipmunker’s, specially to Edith and Tony de Bruyn who organize this yearly Meeting.Then the 19th Antwerp Stampe Fly-In and 3rd European Ercoupe Owners Fly-In, the 23rd - 24th May (EBAW). I thank the very kind Stampe organization, we Ercoupers may join them for this event. Mainly Mr.Danny Cabooter and Mr.Dirk Buytaert with the all A.S.A crew who are the heart of this Fly-In. Normally five Ercoupes were expected, finally only two (2) represent the European Ercoupe Owners on the apron.
Sven-Eric Pira from Sweden (SE-BFX) came as every year, an amazing long flight he always had (+- 13hrs), thank you Sven-Eric I appreciate fully your effort to join the Fly-In. We also had Françoise and Jean Flacelière, the Ercoupe French Wing Leader, who was not lucky with a mechanical problem on his Coupe F-AZDG and join us by car.
June is a very busy flying month; North-Weald is for me very important, that I attend every year.
In addition, I had the 16th in the morning the yearly visit to the ophthalmologist, and my flight medical in the evening, a very bad coincidence. Because a small intervention of the ophthalmologist on my right eye, was the cause of a long endless refusing of my medical license. Exactly 86 days I wait, especially that it was in the summer days of mid June until mid September. I was hopeless, missed the North-Weald in the UK – Schönhagen near Berlin – Tannkosh south of Germany – 100 years Spa in Belgium – Schaffen-Diest Belgium – Zoersel north of Antwerp – Grimbergen west of Brussels – Great Oakley UK all nice trips and a lot of meetings that I liked to attend, all gone. To minimize the pain I drove mainly by car when it was possible.
Back in the air in September, I went to Popham UK, happy as a fish in clear water.December is the annual inspection month for the OO-PUS and from November on, my brains are planning some improvements; the new dashboard and shoulder harness, what I did not do last year.
The annual was without problems, only the usual checks and small usual remarks.2010: Concerning the dashboard I wrote a separate article.
The Alpha Aviation Inc shoulder harness, Gill Aviation Services did the riveting near the baggage compartment. Because the US Dollar was exceptional low, I decide also to renew my seat. Good idea but Airtex Products Inc lost my order and when the Dollar was more expensive they found everything back. Beautiful seats, easy to fit in the Ercoupe, but too high for my body, when reducing 10cm from the seat height and now it is perfect and can enjoy my new interior.The first Ercoupe meeting in the UK was Great Oakley 17-18 April, canceled due the volcanic ashes and panic in Belgium; no IFR and VFR allowed!!!! In the UK all VFR was possible, the weather was also beautiful.
Then our 4th European Ercoupe Owners Fly-In at Antwerp, 15-16 May. A real success, eight (8) Ercoupes attend the meeting, thanks to all the EEO’s.We are already in June with the yearly “Air Britain Fly-In at North Weald”. The weather was not perfect the all weekend at EGSX but it was fantastic.
July is always an empty flying month, but I visit for the weekend 3-4 July the French Marcq-en-Barcoeul LFQO, a new experience with delays due to thunderstorms at Lille. A few pilots from Moorsele airfield were also invited and we had two nice days.Also the end of July at Keiheuvel-Balen a “FLY-IN” was planned that I must attend. Mainly it was exactly 50 years ago that I learned the pleasure of gliding with as instructor Mr. Mon Van Gestel. I met him during the event and was so happy to see him back.
Left to right: Sylvain de Weerdt, Mon Van Gestel, Raymond Cuypers and Robert RomboutsMr.Mon Van Gestel is a legend in aeronautical matters and also a great sport man, a book written by Rudy Nuyts “Het verhaal van een hoogvlieger in woord en beeld” explain all his exploits, I am proud a so fantastic man as “Mon” gave me the first instructions of my flying passion.
