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Post by PB on Apr 10, 2020 7:07:39 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 10/04/20Last night, some time after the applause and pot banging appreciation had died down I ventured forth into the night.. Only just beyond the front door to be consumed by a warm dark velvety silence. The silence of the new nights is quite stunning, especially when supported by skies that offer stars blissfully unaware of our situation, and an inky darkness that precedes the Moon who is currently a little lazy and rises late. Not a twinkle from some high altitude aeroplane or a dying vapour trail, just a quietness that would befit the African Savanna, the vast plains of North America or the wilderness of Alaska. Will our days of travel ever be restored, there's still a lot to see! Who knows, but I do know I'm incredibly grateful for my current good health despite the necessary pill taking to keep things going, and for all those wonderful people for whom the world applauded last night..While we look forward to a vaccine that will eventually help rid us of this unwelcome virus, a look into the history books recalls how today's date saw the end of another nasty little virus. On this day in 1945 the Luftwaffe flew its final sortie over England. An Arado 234 performing a reconnaissance mission. Showtime.. Transport Command at your service! The US Navy hangar lives too. A wonderful structure lost to the bad deals of history and big enough to house probably three Argosy size aeroplanes..Show time.. The legendary Dizzi Addicott flies the also legendary Vickers Gunbus at one of our 1960's displays. This one organised by Three Counties Aero club.. Show time.. The Rothmans Aerobatic Team display what smoking can do during one of the Barnstormers air shows in the early 1970's...and with that I'll bid you 'Good day'. I'm pleased that the Forums' "Covid Communications" channel is picking up some traffic now. Many thanks to those who are sharing whatever they wish to share..
Stay safe, please...
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 11, 2020 6:41:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 11/04/20A pleasant +10C at 06.30, looks like another day of pleasant atmospheric conditions whilst under lock-down. The Hampshire skies were not quite so empty yesterday, a few vapour trails gave the clues as to passing cargo ships and passenger carriers too. The North Atlantic routes are not totally starved of traffic, Farnborough launched one or two jets or so my ears told me, and helicopters go about their vital duties. A Police helicopter intent on the capture of felons about the village of Yateley caused an outbreak of hysteria on the localities social media pages. Naturally Blackbushe was named and blamed by the resultant "shocked and horrified" of the village when, of course, Blackbushe has been closed for already too many days.. Unusual circumstances bring out the best and the worst in people, the current pandemic is certainly proving the point. I do think a Police Constable trying to book a chap playing in his front garden with his two young children was a bit rich! The PC lady in question has, I understand, been 'spoken to'....
Happily around 300 souls found a moment to drop in on POTD yesterday, thank you, we'll keep the shop open for your continued patronage. Now would somebody PLEASE invent a flight simulator??BEA managed to destroy two Viscounts at Blackbushe on consecutive days whilst engaged on training sorties. The advent of the flight simulator was showing a need..The modern "home flight simulator" is an absolute gift as it keeps you flying in the real world weather conditions and a choice of aircraft of extreme variety. This is my PC-9, a delight to fly with sounds and flight controls that I'm assured correspond to the original. Never flown in a PC-9, probably never will... Flying the PA-28 from Blackbushe brings back real world associations! ..and of course, there are some differences between simulation and the real thing..view options, for example!Home flight sim just keeps getting better, real world 'as is' weather, ATC, IFR and VMC flight planning, full avionics, AI other traffic, and all the world's airfields and airports are at your disposal. Certainly plugs a gap when the days need a bit of fun! Airliners are well catered for with 'study level' Boeing and Airbus types. I rather enjoy the 757 for short or long haul. Probably the only 757 that operates from Farnborough at the moment?
One has to exercise caution not to get too swallowed up in simulated flight, prolonged absence from the domestic scene might not always be fully appreciated, the 'pause' button ensures one's availability for other duties!!
Easter weekend progresses with good weather, Easter eggs would no doubt have melted in the heat? Due to the required restrictions on my movements it's the first year Easter eggs have not been bought for one's off spring - they may be grown up, but old habits die hard..Maybe next year?
Have a nice day...
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 12, 2020 7:13:03 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 12/04/20HAPPY EASTER!!
Easter Sunday, the time of renewed hope in the Christian calendar, but whatever your faith or persuasion there has never been a time when perhaps there was a need for global hope and a more united human spirit? Never before has there been such a global conflict, one that has perhaps united the world's nations more rapidly than the present one while nobody is chucking bombs around with wanton killing. Apart from some sad and pathetic individuals who refuse to 'follow the rules' the overall human response to Covid 19 has been outstanding with kindness, generosity, and self sacrifice. The sacrifice aspect being particularly appropriate for Easter.
Probably at this time we all know someone who has been affected by the pandemic. Rob Belcher's father is in a serious condition and under these circumstances perhaps the combined synergy of our Forum's spirit and our collective hope will reach out and provide hope and comfort to Rob and his family at this time.
The Forum's 'header' photo is changed from time to time, the black and white panorama gracing our 'front door' since last night clearly shows Blackbushe "east" as was. Complete with Control Tower, a couple of "Brits" and a couple of Douglas designs, the photo portrays all of what local bureaucracy destroyed. For some of us a tragedy, for others a victory. Take your pick. The view from the Terminal in 1962..If you look at the Blackbushe webcam today the degree of activity is exactly the same! Today silent aeroplanes are added to the scene and some 'temporary' buildings are in situ. Otherwise, as with Blackbushe 'east' we are looking at a scene not massively changed in the past 58 years thanks once again to the bureaucracy whose mysterious ways continues to thwart what should be the south-east's number one affordable General Aviation centre.Farnborough Week, 1978. An NLM City Hopper arrives over the desolate Blackbushe 'east' jungle in the making. Whatever happens in the future dear old Blackbushe has given so much value, pleasure, and enjoyment to so many...We could be building new hangars and the vital new infrastructure by now had Hampshire County Council and its friends not put their foot in the door by way of a Judicial Review intent on reversing the Government's 2019 approval to develop.[/i][/b] The 1950's.....The 1960's.....The 1970's.....The 1980's....The 1990's......and every decade since, dear old Blackbushe despite her bureaucratic handicaps has never failed to serve generous portions of opportunity, fun, and friendship, always underlined by a fervent hope for the future and ever better things. The airfield may be having an enforced rest at the moment but her spirit endures all providing we maintain the spirit of hope which would be totally in keeping with the spirit of this Easter day....
The warmest of good wishes to all!!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 13, 2020 7:25:38 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 13/04/20What a difference a day makes... This time yesterday as the POTD fingers clacked across the keyboard another beautiful English spring morning was in progress, today's mournful grey skies and winds freshly generated from points north bring an altogether more sombre outlook.
Some POTD updates.. It was with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the passing of the 'Sky Chaplain', Michael Banfield, following a long illness. Michael was someone I had got to know well during the last year, meeting at Blackbushe and numerous Blackbushe related written exchanges. His passing was detailed on the Forum yesterday by Chris Gazzard. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13440
Also noted on the Forum under "General non-Blackbushe Discussion" are some updates to NOTAMs regarding aerodromes in the south and some recent operational changes whereby some limited air traffic is now permitted. Under COVID 19 NOTAMS.. Most recent changes (today) are highlighted in red reflecting on Fairoaks, Goodwood, Elstree, North Weald and Thruxton. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13339
Thanks once again to our diligent Forum member Rocky14 who may be relied on for valued comments either regarding POTD or latterly on our "Covid Communications Channel". We would be delighted to see some more remarks, comments, thoughts from our many members !!!!!Looking back on things that have happened in aviation (space travel) on this date.. "Houston, we have a problem.." was first uttered not by Tom Hanks but the crew of Apollo 13 following the explosion of an onboard oxygen tank. Closer to home in 1966, Boeing announced an order worth $525 million from Pan American for 25 of these very large new 747 aeroplanes. Hereby the era of bucket shops, mass travel and significant changes at the world's major airports came into being.. An image from the fairly recent past..Not so long ago Blackbushe enjoyed some brand new construction work as the new Control Tower was built replacing the Swiss Family Robinson affair that had remained poised in the same position since the early sixties when some gallant young men climbed step ladders to construct it from basic materials... Were it not for the infernal virus and Hampshire County Council's tactics Blackbushe could now be enjoying her renaissance with new hangars, lighting and attractive offices to replace the current collection of 'temporary' structures. The collective frustration created by these alien forces must be close to boiling point?Easter Monday. Traditionally a day when it might rain, be cold, or occasionally we might enjoy spring sun.. and families enjoy sun and walks in the country. Should you entertain any ideas of walking on Blackbushe "east", namely the County Council maintained east end of Blackbushe Airport do be wary of (a) the brambles if you go 'off track', they'll rip you to pieces, or (b) the adders who will have no doubt been stirred by the recent warm weather. They may have a change of mind today, but having come within a hair's breadth of treading on one whilst crossing the Common caution is always advisable. The east end of the airfield was "created" for your pleasure, or so the story goes...A couple of Dakota moments before breakfast.. AP-AED of Crescent Air Services, Blackbushe Airport, May 1951... ..and miraculously many years later and long after the Airport's 1960 'closure', one of several Dakotas imported by Douglas Arnold. Some minds would drift back to earlier days and recall ex military Dakotas that made their way through Blackbushe to be civilianised after World War Two.. Blackbushe not only gave the newly emerging independent airlines a perfect place to operate, it also produced some of their flying machinery. So much history dwells within those Bank Holiday acres currently cold, quiet and windswept..Have a Happy Monday...
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 14, 2020 7:41:28 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 14/04/20Well, here we are, Easter Bank Holiday over and back to normal, except it still feels like strangely as if the Bank Holiday continues..
Photo of the Day travelled through its 330,000th visitor sometime yesterday. "Thank you" to our unknown visitor, I still find it fascinating how I can stick a few photos and a few rambling words together hit the "Send" button and it all just dematerialises into electrons arranged in some kind of digital procession to be read anywhere on the planet - and who knows where else? Thank heaven for such clever people who can create today's wonders! The next miracle invention will hopefully be a vaccine that allows the world to find its feet again soon?
Seeing as we're running very late today, it's already 08.30 BST a quick photo and I'll be on my way...YI-ACJ, a Viking about to find a new home.. Yesterday "POTD" referred to how Blackbushe Airport had been the breeding ground for the UK's post war independent airlines' and their growth, and how it also proved to be the site where many airliners were either 'de-militarised' ready for civil use or changed hands where Blackbushe witnessed their necessary conversions. This Viking, for example, was G-AJBV operated by BEA, British European Airways, one of our State carriers of the time.. The time was May, 1953, G-AJBV arrived at Blackbushe for conversion by Eagle Airways before delivery to Iraqi Airways.A Viking would be THE most appropriate gate guard for the happy day when Blackbushe is able to re-open and then rebuild, but sadly such types are exceedingly rare. There had once been around thirty Blackbushe based Vikings, no doubt at the time they were just an 'everyday sight' and nobody would have had thoughts that some day they might be missed?
Stay safe, stay well, stay tuned to POTD..
Thanks again to all who take a mo to click on our morning offering!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 15, 2020 6:20:46 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 15/04/20Sometimes the impossible can happen... Let us hope after yesterday's very sad news about Harry, Rob Belcher's Dad, and the sad news that amasses daily, that this vile virus is taken down sooner rather than later.The doorway to Heaven, or the pathway to infinity, the perfect wall to wall azure skies of yesterday. Our Hollywood Juniper points toward the great beyond where there is nothing, just endless space, "Above us only sky" as a certain John Lennon once professed...Yesterday's skies over southern England were extraordinary in their pure blue, their 100% total lack of cloud - more akin to desert skies than southern England - and a total absolute lack of aeroplanes or tell tale vapour trails anywhere within my field of view whilst working in the garden. Quite surreal..me working in the garden and the empty sky.Stay safe one and all, this virus has a very potent 'infection factor', several orders greater than that of 'normal' influenza.
See you tomorrow.. PB
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Post by PB on Apr 16, 2020 8:01:19 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/04/20It's shameful......... POTD running late and solely due to the deliberate intransigence of the Editorial staff.. Mother Nature appeared happy to endow the staff in question with some bonus zzzzz's this morning. I accepted and then I read the paper! I know, shocking, disgraceful neglect of one's duties. One other difference this morning, I refused to put any of the news channels on, I refused to put the TV on at all..It's magic!! No hype, no BBC journalism ramming depression home, no Piers getting worked up, just a serene tranquility with some written journalism and my own thoughts. There are some excellent science channels on cable if the need for cerebral food is felt necessary, just a lot of adverts to suffer.
As mentioned by our ace reporters on the Forum's "Covid Communications Channel" this morning, the courageous Captain has reached £10,000,000 in his walks up and down the garden in aid of the NHS. What a hero compared to some who spit in the face of NHS workers, refuse to socially isolate, or give the finger to us all in photos they place on social media..
Yesterday as I sniffed around for newsy items I was reminded of the ongoing Transport for the South East body formed by the Government, a body whose job it is to knit together the south-east in the most productive way possible by joining Motorways and examining our future transport needs and provision. This link will take you to thoughts on the matter... blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13459 fascinatingly apart from two major airports aviation remains a subject they do not seem to have heard of? Now would be a good time for General Aviation's constituent parts to make a noise and stand up to be counted? While all are locked down what better time than NOW? As if a reminder was needed.. Blackbushe sits directly alongside the London Southampton trunk road and is five minutes from the M3's nearest access point. The plans being considered for future transport needs in the south-east include a new Motorway link from Junction 3 on the M3 to Junction 10 on the M4. J3 is just a few minutes Motorway minutes from Blackbushe giving fast access to the M4, another reason why Blackbushe is going to be the exemplary business and general aviation centre in due course. "In due course".. We still await a decision following the February Judicial Review following Hampshire County Council's latest bid to block Blackbushe. Does, I wonder, Covid 19 prevent the judiciary from making decisions? The fate of the airfield remains dangling on the thread of a legal consideration...Over the years so many of the rich and famous, royalty and refugees have benefited from Blackbushe Airport's availability. Field-Marshal Montgomery arrives with a crisp salute. "Monty" was quite a regular user in the past.Blackbushe Airport holds the unique claim of being the only civil airfield to which the serving Prime Minister has arrived by a Royal Air Force V Bomber..the also unique Avro Vulcan.09.00, time to go..have a super Thursday..well, the Sun's going to shine!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 17, 2020 5:45:14 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 17/04/20The days may be getting longer, but they are dark days so far as servings of good news are concerned. BUT, we can change all that, we have some very good news. Stuart Marshal, life long Blackbushe person, ex Blackbushe Airport Manager, and co conspirator when the "Blackbushe One-Stop Forum" had life breathed into it is now home and recovering from a particularly trying period in hospital. His very welcome, "I'm back" message was placed on the Forum yesterday, here it is blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13474 and I'm sure many of our Members and guests will want to add a few words, I know Stuart will be delighted to hear from you, all your previous messages have been a big help on his journey out of hospital. Stuart in action. Way back in the sixties when we were all a tad younger (OK some had yet to be born... :: ) Three Counties Aero Club Air Show! Didn't think that 50+ years later the Blackbushe battle to put up some hangars would STILL be raging. Such is our supreme bureaucracy! Nonetheless, really good to have Stuart back in the fold!!Same day, Royal Canadian Air Force joined us...even the Royal Air Force arrived!! Looks like we're all going to be "locked down" for another three weeks. With barber shops shut are we going to return to Beatles era hair length as 'lock down' locks get ever longer? On growth considerations and judging by the way one's grass is demanding another mow will Blackbushe be taking on a shaggy look too until the font gate swings open, mowers are extracted and aeroplane wings can rejoice at having daylight beneath them once again? We are sharing an unprecedented era where despite our wonderous high tech advances a 'simple' virus has floored us. Until a vaccine is ready for our arms (hopefully arms??) it is difficult to see a safe road out of here..those of a certain vintage may be under lock and key for some time yet? Every day is a day closer to liberation!
Yesterday a beautiful vapour trail cast its perfect 35,000ft line across the land. Shortly before the 20.00 clap for the NHS, Carers and all who are keeping our country's head above water, tinged with pink from the setting Sun yet another 747 Kalita freighter was plying its way back to the good old USA. I feel a flight simulator session coming on, it cures some of the 2020 lock-down blues and pent up wanderlust!
Stay cool, and thanks to you and the 1,000+ who have popped into POTD during the past four days... you've made me smile!!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 18, 2020 6:26:12 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 18/04/2006.30 Saturday. A sleepless night followed by a pouring wet Saturday. Must have eaten 'something'? Very refreshing rain and timely too having sown grass seed over a few bare patches yesterday. Excellent co-operation from 'above'...although today's met currently suggests traveling in the sky above would have some limitations due Wx were it in fact possible to venture forth. Perhaps an hour on the Comanche 250 later.. good old flight sim!Nothing very new to report this morning. You may have seen my notes yesterday regarding the APPG on General Aviation's communication with the CAA regarding confusing instructions? It's here .. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13486 if you wish to take a look. Elsewhere on the Forum our "Covid Communications Channel" is picking up more traffic. It's always good to hear from our Members and guests. Please free to chip in with a sentence, or two.. Yesterday I included a "Know your Airliners" spot. Takes you back to the fifties and the delightful aeroplanes that frequented Blackbushe during her commercial golden era.. Another link for you! blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13485Now, we're sliding back into history and associating Blackbushe with an historic fact regarding today... On this day in 1978 the beautiful Vickers Viscount became the first turboprop to log 25 years in service.
Some of the Viscount's development flying was focused on Blackbushe and many of the customer airlines carried out their crew training on the Viscount at Blackbushe..BEA were big Blackbushe users for crew training. This was in the 'big' Blackbushe era when the Airport covered both sides of the A30, the east end desecrated by the council, and the north that continues to disappear under nature's relentless nature and the precious runways crack their way into history.Fog diversions brought many Viscounts intended for London Airport. (Heathrow today..)Crew training. Indian Airlines 1957.Airwork. A content resident Viscount..Talking of residents..EAGLE Airways!Central African Airways. More fog in the Hounslow area.....and yet more fifties fog! PLUNA 1958Aereo Colombiano...1958. ..and so on, and so forth. The sound of the Viscount was a sweet sound so familiar at Blackbushe and in the skies surrounding her.
Be good to hear the sound of any aeroplanes in or around the Blackbushe circuit nowadays. Could just be a wee while longer yet?
Stay safe, stay well..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 19, 2020 6:43:43 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 19/04/2006.30, the old heart has made it through to another day, and the newspaper already waiting in the front door suggests that it must be Sunday.. Although it could be Monday, Tuesday, or any of the choices of day the weeks give us. A strange sameness is now applied to each day of 2020 living and while at the beginning of our lock-down living the sensation of being a caged beast was novel today it's "life" and just another day regardless of which day it might be! Agreed that it's Sunday, weather indications are reasonable, we'd be on 07 today. A few weeks ago Blackbushe Airport would have been open and prepared for another busy day of training new pilots at the fixed wing, rotary, and ultra light flying schools, some business flights, and maybe a pipeline survey chopper dropping in, or an urgent life supporting medical flight while on the more rare occasion a warbird might prowl round the circuit and land amid waves of nostalgia and camera clicking. The mighty 7X or the PC-24 were welcome indications of the Airport's future and the progress in business aircraft design.. The hum of efficiency and cool words from the Tower, lines of aeroplanes taking on fuel, and the Bushe Cafe fair bursting at the seams as its business boomed and conversation loud to deafening.. But, that was yesterday, and yesterday's gone.. For now.
We look forward to life returning in due course, the Judicial Review giving a positive judgement from the Airport's point of view (oh PLEASE..), and after six decades the new Blackbushe finally arising. Praying the virus has not done too much damage to the GA industry during the interval would not be a bad move...
Our daily sameness is further cemented in place by the daily Government briefing to round off the afternoons. Briefings followed by clever cock sure hacks 'questions', hacks who have the chance to show how very clever they are by asking Ministers if , "They should apologise", while giving the impression that they could have done so much better! No doubt the hacks see these occasions as good for their career outlooks? Or is it me getting stir crazy, maybe that's it?We can always look back with some degree of accuracy.. 1945 for example, on this day IATA, the International Air Transport Association, was formed to succeed the International Air Traffic Association dating back to 1919.
In the skies of Great Britain a couple of names from the past first took flight on this date... In 1944 the de Havilland Hornet first flew, in 1951 it was the Sea Venom's turn to try flight for the first time, followed by the Scimitar who also followed suit in 1956. Elsewhere the Bell X-1 made its first glide flight in 1946, in 1950 it was the Avro CF-100 Canuck's turn to fly for the first time, and in 1960 the Grumman Intruder prowled into the sky for the first time...Looking back...
Yugoslav Air Force Dakota. Photo shows off the powerful apron lighting once enjoyed by Blackbushe's operators, and the dear old Terminal. Most of the Terminal and the apron were devoured by local bureaucracy.Post-war Blackbushe at the time when a certain number of 'pre owned' aeroplanes were on the market.. The mighty Short Stirling..The Halifax did useful work in civvies and her fighting colours..Blackbushe in history. You count the aeroplanes.. The Farnborough Week invasion.The glorious fifties, this kind of traffic was not unusual..Dear old Blackbushe, an aviation treasure trove no matter where you wandered! The United Kingdom land base for the United States Navy long ago.. also second airport to London, popular fog alternate for Hounslow's foggy aerodrome, the birth place of much of Britain's post war independent airlines and from whence the Royal Air Force, the Free French and Dutch air forces took the allied bite across the channel to spit in Adolf's face.
Blackbushe Airport has an extraordinary history, it's very sad that her future remains in jeopardy by the actions of misguided bureaucracy...
..and with that I'll leave you to enjoy your day. Sunday, I believe?
PB
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