Airfield Operated by Sewage Plant

(RINGEBU, Norway) Einar at Frya airfield in Gudbrandsdalen. An airfield actually operated by the municipal Sewage Plant. We had some interesting wind condititons due to terrain, but the landing did not go down the drain. A nice destination for a day-trip from the Oslo area. 800 meters asphalt. Elevation: 570 fts.

Long week-end, short on flight controllers

(BERGEN, Norway) A snap shot of the situation on Flesland airport Sunday evening. A lot of people was on their way home after a long weekend (bank holiday on Thursday). A perfect time to be short on flight controllers. It's that season again.

Airport-bound travelers in station chaos

(LONDON) I was not pleased to find myself in the midst of the local news at Harlow railway station Wednesday afternoon.

"The Stansted Express service was diverted to Hertford after power lines came down at Bishop's Stortford on Wednesday at around 5pm. Passengers were bundled onto trains at London Liverpool Street with the assurance that buses would be waiting for them at Hertford East. But some waited at least FOUR HOURS in persistent rain to be taken on to the airport, with many fearing they had missed their flights. Police were called at around 6.15pm to control the crowds as trouble flared among some passengers. There were reports of two people being injured in the scrum to board one of the first buses to reach the town", Hertfordshire Mercury reported.

It was the exact same story at Harlow. How badly organized is it possible to get?

I was evacuated just in time to miss my flight to Oslo. All airport hotels were fully booked, but nice people at SAS Raddisson helped me find a small hotel a few miles away. Next morning I had to get up at 03:45 to make the morning flight to Sandefjord Torp. Quite an adventure.

Invitation to Elevation

(ASHFORD, Kent, UK) In preparation for fundraising activities to help MAF Norway invest in aircrafts for their flights for life, I had the opportunity to met with MAF Europe CEO Chris Lukkien. It was very inspiring to see how Mission Aviation Fellowship organize their great work of bringing help and hope to the most needy people. Send an e-mail to maf@maf.no for more information.

Less is More?

(LONDON) Europe's Leading Pilot Shop, Transair claims, but their central London outlet looked more like a kiosk. After some browsing I discovered the stairway to the cellar, where I found some treasures to bring home.

Flying for Life

(OSLO, Norway) MAF Norway president Fred Karlsen at the Kjeller Air Show (on Norway's first airfield). Mission Aviation Fellowship Norway is fundraising to invest in two Cessna 206 for bush flying service in Africa.

Every three minutes, an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world. Enabling the work of aid and development agencies, missions, national churches and other local groups. Flying across deserts, jungles, mountains and swamps. Giving hope to far-flung communities which might take days or weeks to reach by land, where roads may be non-existent, or impassable for half the year.

For more information, send an e-mail to maf@maf.no

My first Fire Patrol mission

(OSLO, Norway) Morten is putting jet fuel in the Diamond DA40D as we are preparing as volunteers for today's fire patrol in the Oslo area. It has been very dry for the season, and the fire department is not taking any chances after the large fire on the west coast. Hence the Oslo area fire patrol started a few weeks earlier than usual.

For me today was the first time, and I enjoyed combining my favorite activity with the opportunity to do something for my local community. And Morten is also four flying hours closer to a career as a commercial pilot.

Lounge hopping at CPH

With three hours to kill at CHP on my way from Aarhus to Oslo, I had plenty of time to test the tree lounges that would let me in. I started at the Diners Club Lounge with a complimentary sandwich and choice of Carlsberg or Tuborg. Great availability of power outlets was a clear plus. Otherwise it was informal and nice.

As they closed at 9pm I walked over to the SAS Business lounge, a friendly place with light Scandinavian design. The only thing to complain about is that the cheese and the wine were two rooms apart.

On a mission to test my last option, I took the stairs up to the Scandinavian Lounge and found a wonderful chocolate cake, coffee and avec. It turned out to be a full meal.

Revisiting crazy LA airspace real time on Google Earth

If you've downloaded and installed Google Earth, you can see a real-time, 3d view of all current inbound flights to the LAX, ORD, JFK, BOS, ATL, SEA and MIA airports! Be sure to zoom in towards each field and tilt the camera up from the runways to watch them land! More at fboweb.com

Thanks to Google native Jan for the great link!