Notam

My Top 5 Aircrafts

2011-03-26T11:26:00.002+01:00

There are 57 aircrafts in my logbook. This is the five I have flown the most:

#	ID	Type	Hrs	Comment
1	LN-NAG	P28A	134	My first airplane (I am co-owner)
2	LN-DAH	C172	77	A favorite for years
3	LN-VYC	PA38	51	I learned to fly in this one
4	LN-AEG	C172 Sea	51	The $100 Hamburger machine
5	LN-UXC	PA18 Sea	39	My introduction to fun on floats

At the bottom of the list are LN-TSW (C150, 0.3 hrs), VH-DMP (C172, 0.6 hrs), and N5432G (C172, 0.7 hrs).

The listing is made possible by my electronic logbook (LogTen Pro). Generating statistics and browsing my pilot history in other ways than page by page in the paper edition is great fun on a rainy day.

Flight Review Down Under

2011-03-14T13:31:00.006+01:00

Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne (Photo: Andrew J. Cosgriff)

Francesco (left) gave me a hard time on my first Australian Flight Review in 11 years, challenging me on vintage navigation techniques. Last time I visited Melbourne, my base was Point Cook across the bay - and I remember the thrill of doing a touch-and-go at Moorabbin, the main airport for light GA traffic in the area, with no less than five runways.

This time Moorabbin Flying Services were my host, and the instructor sent me this task on e-mail to plan the night before:

"MB-EN-DCN-YLEG-WON-GMH-MB".

That is Moorabbin (MB), Essendon (EN) for a landing, then out via Doncaster Shopping Town (DSN), Leongatha (YLEG) for a landing, Wonthaggi (WON) as a way point, then back into Moorabbin (MB) via the approach point GMH.

To solve the puzzle I used the tools listed below, with some assistance from the Melbourne Visual Pilot Guide and AirNav Pro on my iPad.

We departed YMMB in beautiful summer weather and went directly to YLEG for two landings before a diversion and return to base. I celebrated my review with a burger at the beach and a visit to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook before heading to the northern hemisphere.

The basics you need to fly in Australia:

SPECPL (Special Pilot License, intended to allow pilots holidaying in Australia to validate their overseas license and fly short term. Issued by CASA)
AVID (Aviation Identification, show that the holder has a current security check, valid for up to 5 years. To fly solo from security controlled airports you need an ASIC issued by CASA)
ERSA (The En-route Supplement Australia, a joint Military/Airservices publication that contains information vital for planning a flight and for the pilot in flight. It contains pictorial presentations of all licensed airports. The ERSA is updated four times a year)
Visual Terminal Chart (1:250.000)
VNC (Visual Navigation Chart, 1:500.000)
AUS PCA (Planning Chart Australia)

Happy B-day, Emil!

2011-01-30T17:05:00.000+01:00

Jostein gave Emil a flight for his 9th birthday. It was Emil's 2nd flight in LN-NAG. 18 months ago we only spent 30 minutes in the air due to lightning in vicinity. This time the flying time was 1:25 in CAVOK, including three touch-and-go landings at Rygge and sight seeing over Drammen and the Holmenkollen ski jump.

APPsolutely fabulous

2011-01-19T20:36:00.003+01:00

Something old, something new, might be an appropriate headline for my first flight in months. The good old 1976 P28A and my portable glass cockpit (iPad & iPhone) took me to Rygge for touch & go landings, and I am current to bring passengers again.

Fun and useful pilot apps on today's flight:

AeroWeather
AirNav Pro (absolutely the best value for money aviation GPS-app on the market!)
Jeppesen Mobile TC

After landing an e-mail from Sporty's tempted me to buy the brand new Study Buddy App. I'll be extremely well prepared for the next Flight Review...

Atlanta, New York, Copenhagen, and finally Oslo

2010-11-07T11:50:00.001+01:00

Landing at Kjeller after sight seeing over Oslo is documented by Lisbeth's colleagues Torill and Terje at the IT University of Copenhagen. What is more appropriate than taking a meta picture of media and communication researchers taking pictures?

Lisbeth and I was visiting scholars at Georgia Tech a few years ago, and we have flown together over Atlanta, New York and Copenhagen, before Oslo. The event was celebrated with tea at the Seaplane Base.

Hudson River chart for big birds

2010-10-14T14:20:00.002+02:00

Click to view.

Skyhawk over Manhattan

2010-10-13T01:25:00.009+02:00

I gave my cousin Kjetil a flight over Manhattan for his 50th birthday, and I hope it was as much fun for him as it was for me. My first flight up the Hudson River was six years ago, but this magnificant route gives me the same thrill every time.

Kjetil lives in New York this fall with his wife Astrid and their son Magnus.

They joined me at Linden Airport, just south of Newark International, for the flight over New York City. The Hudson River Corridor (Hudson River Class B Exclusion) northbound starts at the Verizano Bridge and ends at the Alpine Tower, with the Statue of Liberty as one of the mandatory reporting points. [Slideshow]

I'll do it again. Any day!

Flight Reveiw in Boise, Idaho

2010-10-12T00:35:00.009+02:00

After a three day MAF Internatioanl board meeting in Nampa, Idaho, I had the opportunity to fly a VFR Flight Review with an instructor frequently used by the MAF US headquarters.

Cammie, the owner of Glass Cockpit Aviation, has given over 4000 hours of instruction, and is a fun, knowledgeble, and highly regarded FAA designated Gold Seal Instructor, and a NAFI designated Master Flight Instructor. She is Citation Mustang instructor, a Cirrus Standardized Instructor, and a member of the Columbia Recurent Training Program Steering Commitee.

In addition to being a commercial and general aviation airport, Boise (KBOI) is also home of the Idaho Air National Guard on the Gowen Field portion of the airport. The United States Forest Service uses Boise Airport as a base for aerial firefighting air tankers during the wildfire season, and the short distance to challenging airstrips in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains makes the locaton ideal for training MAF bush pilots.

What is SAD about this image?

2010-09-30T19:50:00.000+02:00

After a two day kick-off with the Media Innovations Research Group, @arnte and I flew to Holmsbu for a cup of coffee. A nice flight on a great day, but unfortunately my last day on floats of the season. Tomorrow the Harley go on winter storage as well. Hence I am ready for the Fall Depression, often called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

49 airplanes on the ENKJ runway

2010-09-21T20:36:00.007+02:00

Today 49 planes was gathered on the runway to celebrate the Kjeller airport's 98th anniversary. The home base of LN-NAG is Norway's first airport, built in 1912. Now this great airport, located 9 NM east northeast of Oslo, is a GA and military aviation airport carrying out maintenance for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

More images from the event.

Lunch in front of the cold front

2010-09-20T18:02:00.007+02:00

Anders and I had plans for a water flying lunch at Kragerø, but a cold front with heavy rain moving from the south towards the eastern part of Norway came faster than originally forecasted. At Kilen/Fornebu (Oslo) we had to wait half an hour for the morning fog to disappear, and as we sat down for lunch at Havna Hotel Tjøme, the bad weather reached Larvik.

As we enjoyed our coffee after the meal, the rain started to pour down, and it was time to leave. The visibility was deteriorating by the minute, but only a few miles to the north, abeam Tønsberg, we were back in front of the bad weather, and the flying conditions were superb. After flying the Drammensfjord in 500 feet, we climbed to 1500 for Holsfjorden and a splash-and-go before returning to Kilen.

After our great flight over the Golden Gate last year, Anders has started to take flying lessons, and today he did most of the flying.

Dinner at the summer paradise of Koster

2010-09-06T01:18:00.003+02:00

To the west of Strömstad lie the Koster Islands, noted for the beauty of its scenery. These are Sweden's most westerly populated islands. Around them lie the Koster archipelago with a large number of skerries and rocky isles. We landed west of Kostersundet and taxied to Bopallen harbour at North Koster, where we had dinner at Strandkanten restaurant. This summer paradise is less than an hour of flying time coastwise from Oslo.

Aviation afternoon

2010-09-04T10:25:00.001+02:00

The boys helping my pilot cousin Stig (flying with SAS) on his home and garden renovation project in Grimstad got an elevated bonus. I made four local flights from Gullknapp with the great guys from the Olav Lindstøl Company over Arendal and Grimstad before returning to Oslo.

6 flights, 3.9 hrs total flying time in 4.3 hrs, departing Gardermoen 15:10LT and arriving Kjeller 19:30LT.

Monster lunch in Hardanger

2010-09-02T21:38:00.001+02:00

Jørn enjoying a splash-in lunch at Brakanes Hotel in Ulvik, framed by high mountains, glittering fjords and emerald hills. Plans to build offensive monster masts and power lines extending over the Hardangerfjord have set off howls of protest recently. This gave us a perfect excuse to make some noise and enjoy the view before it is too late. The only monsters to be seen thus far are the towers of the new Hardanger Bridge...

Flying time: 1:30 Kilen-Ulvik. FL 95/75.

Many people, few planes at Fly-in

2010-08-30T09:24:00.004+02:00

It was good meeting new and old friends (like André and the aspiring pilot Margrete) at the MAF Norway annual Fly-In this weekend.

Low stratus and rain showers kept all visitors but me on the ground as the Fly-In at Starmoen started Saturday. We spent four hours waiting at Kjeller for conditions to be better. As we left a restaurant in Lillestrøm after a late lunch, a bit of sun came through the low sky base. The AeroWeather app on my iPhone said VMC at ENGM, and we called our friends at Starmoen for an update to receive good news. At 3 p.m. LN-NAG was the 2nd plane of the day to leave the busiest GA airport in Norway, and we followed the Glomma river in 500 ft. AGL. A few showers en route made it good to have a FlightSim enthusiast as my manual autopilot, and a pastor in the back seat was also nice. 1:55 of airtime. Only 0:30 going back on a direct track transiting ENGM CTR the next day.

A great weekend with good people doing very important work, 3:40 flying time, and a new airport in my logbook: ENAE at the national parachuting centre became my #93.

Good clean fun

2010-08-17T21:44:00.002+02:00

Erik washing our white swan after landings on the dirt strip at Hokksund. He wanted to take his son Rune along for a birthday flight, but the airfield was in too bad condition for all three of us to get up from the 600 meters.

Solution: First Rune and I flew over Drammen, then Erik and I flew back to Kjeller while Rune drove Erik's car the 85 km.

Plan B for splash-in lunch

2010-08-16T19:57:00.002+02:00

My college Vilde and I had plans for a working lunch in the nice sorroundings of Villa Fridheim, but LN-AEG had only 16 gallons of fuel, and the Kilen Seaplanebase were out of Avgas. Plan B became a short flight of the Oslofjord, and lunch at Sjøflyhavna Kro. Worked quite well.

Something old, something new

2010-08-14T13:30:00.007+02:00

Øyvind (left) gave me a demo flight in the posh SR20 during the Cirrus gathering at Kjeller this weekend, and then Petter (over) joined me for my first flight in the good old C150. Quite different experiences. Both to be repeated.

My first G1000 solo

2010-08-12T23:10:00.003+02:00

Einar studying the G1000 Cockpit Reference Guide after having joined me on my first glass cockpit solo. I remembered the basics, but the manual will be a dear friend for some time to come.

Glass Cockpit Checkout

2010-08-09T22:53:00.001+02:00

Completing the G1000 checkout with CFI Odd at NRFK, I now know the basics about PFD, MFD, GDU, GMA, GIA, GDC, GRS, GMU, GTX, GEA, and GSD. While enjoying the integrated autopilot and a wealth of flight-critical data at my fingertips, I barely remembered to look out the window...

Splash-in at Holmsbu for Coffee

2010-08-08T22:58:00.002+02:00

My sister-in-law Solfrid at Holmsbu Spa. After a full day at the Tusenfryd theme park with our families, we drove my Harley to the Kilen Seaplane Base and flew to Holmsbu for coffee. Then we continued flying into the sunset until we reached the Villa Fridheim fairytale castle by Krøderen, and returned to Kilen before dark. A nice summer day.

Petter's Flying Fun Day

2010-08-07T15:27:00.000+02:00

Sigrid, Lise, Tone, and Liss had fun flying with Petter (6), celebrating him leaving kindergarten to start school this fall. His older brother Jostein also invited the nice people at Starveien Barnehage on a flight three years ago as he left for school.

Liss joined us for flying fun both times, and asked us to consider having more children...

Flying the Kodiak in Norway

2010-07-13T01:06:00.013+02:00

N106MF Kodiak 100 arrived ENGM at noon Monday, and we did a couple of landings at Haga airfield (590 m grass) before going to ENKJ and ENHA. A great airplane that will help a lot of people.

I had had a fantastic time flying it from the right seat to Hamar, and I am looking forward to share the experience with many people during the three day visit.

Tuesday MAF will do demo flights for press and supporters from Hamar at noon at Kjeller from 6 p.m. More details at maf.no.

See the Quest presentation of the Kodiak 100:

Low and slow over Drammen

2010-07-11T22:50:00.002+02:00

The flying family Thomas, Jonas, Anne Merete, and Hanna after low flights over Drammen, due to weather. Flying the girls first, we had to do cumulus slalom to reach their home at Konnerud. I was happy to note that the sky base lifted a bit before we came back with the boys. Smooth return via the Oslofjord on both occasions.

Over the border for splash-in dinner

2010-07-10T00:49:00.014+02:00

Flying along the Swedish/Norwegian border at Svinesund on our way back from dinner (above). Coastwise in 500 feet from the border and back to Kilen Seaplanebase was a perfect ending of a nice late summer night.

The Baldersnäs mansion has reopened under new ownership. The food was not as posh as it used to be, but quite acceptable. And Einar was complimented for his appropriate costume for a fly-in dinner in Sweden (small image).

The only disappointment was the removal of flying memorabilia from the hotel lobby. The legacy of a former owner and Sweden's flying pioneer Albin Ahrenberg is not present any more, and the annual Ahrenberg Day Fly-In and Aero Show seems to be history.

Planning a visit from MAF's new Kodiak 100

2010-07-06T09:24:00.001+02:00

My niece Sara at ENHA (image left) joining me on the flight to a planning meeting for next weeks visit from MAF's new Kodiak 100 (large image from service in Haiti).

The ‘mountain rocket’ developed by Quest Aircraft Company of Idaho, USA, is an aircraft uniquely designed to overcome many obstacles of flying in a humanitarian or mission situation.

The pointed cowling maximises the Kodiak’s take-off thrust, and the 4-blade 96-inch propeller contributes to the same goal while having a 19-inch clearance to allow taxiing on rough terrain. Its restricted wingspan permits turning in the tight confines of a small airstrip, and the drooping wing tips give a dramatically lower stall speed.

The 750-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engine is able to pull the aircraft along at a 180-knot cruising speed. Landing is at 60 knots. Load is up to nine passengers. The plane carries up to 320 gallons of fuel – so it can fly 1,200 nautical miles before refuelling.

The Kodiak can also land on a really short runway – needing little more than half the 835 feet required by the Cessna 206.

BI by Air

2010-06-15T07:56:00.003+02:00

Working at BI Norwegian School of Management you should not be afraid of heights (image left from the cantina). I have shared office with the Romanian visiting scholar Viorela for a few months, and yesterday we decided to inspect the business school from even higher above. At 2000 feet we did the touristic flight of Oslo, including the fjord and the Holmenkollen ski jump. On our way back to Kjeller we got a nice view of Nydalen and our colleagues working hard below.

Valle is definitely one of my favorites!

2010-05-30T09:41:00.005+02:00

Einar and my self logged 5:15 on a Saturday evening flying to Kjevik (ENCN), Lista (ENLI) and Valle (ENVE). With an endurance of five hours, we needed fuel en-route to complete the planned flight. At Kjevik the Shell self service technology did not accept neither LN-NAG's Statoil Card nor my Visa Card, and the fuel man had to come back to work for manual service. At Lista we did seven landings before heading up in the mountains.

And what a contrast. While the 2990 m Lista is located on a wide open field by the ocean (upper left picutre), the 800 m Valle is in the middle of a narrow Z-formed valley (upper right). Crosswind is at 4000 feet, and then I joined right base 01 (lower left) without any view of the field, starting my descend to 770 feet. Shortly after take-off, Einar had to make a 90 degree left turn climbing out of the valley. Flying in and out of this field close to high terrain feels quite dramatic, and should preferably be done in calm wind conditions. But I just love this field. Of the 92 airports I have visited as a pilot, Valle is fefinitely one of my favorites!

Taking off from Kjeller at 4 pm we had to fly slalom between CBs. Returning from Valle we met only one local rain system on our route (lower right). We arrived home at 9:55 pm - five minutes before closing - after logging 5:15 in six hours.

First Splash-In lunch of the season

2010-05-27T15:40:00.003+02:00

Tore at Quality Spa & Resort Holmsbu on the first seaplane lunch this season.

Quite a few alternatives are within 15 minutes flying time from the Kilen Seaplane base. We started at Holmen Fjord Hotel, and continued coastwise until we found the first acceptable alternative with good landing and docking conditions, decent food, and a crowd of people. Holmsbu Spa became the choice du jour.

Two Seaplanes Equals Double Fun

2010-05-25T18:11:00.005+02:00

Morten, my flight instructor and aviation doc, gave his approval: I am now checked out to fly the Smith Aviation Daytona Cub, a 180hp experimental with an endurance of seven hours.

From today I have access to two seaplanes at the Kilen Seaplane Base: ABK (D-CUB) and AEG (C172). Summer, where art thou?

Flying to Legoland

2010-05-21T23:05:00.011+02:00

Turid flying LN-NAG on family vacation to Legoland. We made the hotel reservation seven months ago and gambled on flying weather. We did hit Jackpot with smooth air and only easy to spot CBs to avoid. But paperwork came close to stop us. The N-ARC (Airworthiness Review Certificate) arrived by e-mail four hours prior to departure. Just in time for sending notice to customs in order to leave Norway directly from Kjeller.

Route: ENKJ - REGMA - SABAK - NOL - MAKUR - AAL - INTET - EKBI.
Flying time: 2:40
Level: 65.

Planning the return after two great days in Legoland, we had the option of travelling through strong and gusty winds or making a major detour: It was gusting 38 kts on the ground and blowing 40 kts aloft at Northern Jutland. We decided to go low level via Ängelholm, and got away with a headwind component of 'only' 30 kts on the Southwestern Swedish coast. On the Norwegian border a new coastwise detour was needed to avoid a major Cumulonimbus (CB), and at Larkollen we were sent in holding waiting for Ryanair to land at ENRY. Arriving the standard ENKJ pattern after four hours of flying, a local Top Gun with a one-way radio (not able to send anything understandable) decided to jump in front of us on final, and we had to make a go-around. That just made my day!

Route: EKBI - ODN - TNO - NOA - SVD - NOL - SABAK - REGMA - ENKJ.
Flying time: 4:10
Level: 2000 ft.

Ready 4 the Sea Season

2010-05-20T23:11:00.001+02:00

After 40 minutes and four landings, I am ready for my 6th season on floates. Meum, the flying legend, also tested my language skills, and I am very happy with the grade 5 - giving me approval for international flying for the next five years. Hoping not to forget all my English aviation phraseology by that time...

Flying home on top

2010-05-07T17:20:00.000+02:00

Thor Gjermund flying home from the Nordic Media Festival in Bergen. A bit bumpy and broken clouds at 8000 feet made me decide to fly on top at 9500 towards clear sky in the Oslo area. Gaustadtoppen, the highest mountain in Telemark, became our point of reference as we crossed Hardangervidda. Thanks to the holes in the broken sky base (⅝ to ⅞ of sky obscured) we could postpone Plan B of flying the Sørlandet coastwise detour to another occasion.

Kvikk Lunsj over Hardangervidda

2010-05-05T15:16:00.005+02:00

Flying over Sørfjorden at 8500 feet en route from Kjeller (ENKJ) to Bergen Flesland (ENBR) and the Nordic Media Festival. Over Hardangervidda we lost contact with ATC, hence we followed the routes of the commercial traffic in case we needed help to relay a message. But the only thing to report was clear sky and smooth air over the mountain. We opened the Norwegian tour snack Kvikk Lunsj after the end of radio silence and established contact with Stavanger Control at the SOPAR intersection.

Excellent landing at Flesland Bergen from Jan Thoresen on Vimeo.

Flying in an ash window

2010-04-19T23:09:00.005+02:00

Petter and uncle Erlend ready for a 20 minutes evening flight between the ash clouds from Iceland. Most of the Norwegian airspace has been closed for four days, and might be closed again on short notice. While Swedish pilots were allowed to make decisions on flying piston aircrafts VFR, the Norwegian government decided to prohibit all operations. Hoping for better decisions by the authorities in the future, we had fun flying in the ash window.

Easter Break Finale

2010-04-05T21:38:00.002+02:00

Since Jostein flew with big sister Lara last fall, Kathrine wanted to go for a flight over Oslo as well. Daylight savings time made it possible to fly VRF until 8:52pm today, and we departed ENKJ at 8pm for a flight over the capital city. A perfect Easter break finale.

Sæbø 360

2010-03-30T14:52:00.003+02:00

Flying over the Alpine landscape of Northwestern Norway on a beautiful day with my aunt Liv. We did the Sunnmøre-in-a-Nutshell tour of Volda, Hjørundfjorden, Ålesund, Runde and return to ENOV. I am very glad LN-ASH finally started after several failed attempts. An old C172 without heater is not my premiere choice of aircraft on a cold and crisp Easter morning.

So long snow, hello spring

2010-03-21T20:17:00.003+01:00

Spring equinox started as a snowy day in Oslo, hence our planned lunch in Stockholm had to be cancelled. While the showers travelled eastbound, Einar and I flew southbound for my first landing at Gullknapp (ENGK). South of the summer paradise Jomfruland we had blue skies, and returning by smooth air to Kjeller via Geiteryggen, the bad weather was long gone.

Happy B-day, Jonas!

2010-03-21T02:12:00.005+01:00

Jostein gave Jonas a flight for his 9th birthday. The party was Friday night, and Saturday morning we flew over his house at Høybråten.

A fun flight over Norway's capital Oslo, and the boys did not seem to worry about a few bumps after take-off at Kjeller due to variable x-wind.

Flying Down Under and over Manhattan

2010-03-14T19:00:00.004+01:00

My pre-blog online tales of flying in Australia and New York disappeared from the Internet when my old home page host Start.no closed their service. Now the stories (in Norwegian) are back online at the krumsvik.com domain:

Flyferie Down Under (Flynytt 4/2001)
I en Skyhawk over Manhattan (11/2004)

Happy B-Day, Tobias!

2010-03-07T20:36:00.004+01:00

Jostein gave Tobias a flight for his 9th birthday. The party was yesterday, and today we had a nice flight over Oslo, and a spectacular view of the new Holmenkollen ski jump in CAVOK and calm wind.

A view of aviation history at Lanzarote

2010-03-03T09:02:00.007+01:00

A short walk from terminal to terminal represents a journey through aviation history. The aviation museum located in the first passenger building built at Lanzarote airport in the early 1940s is just across the parking lot from the 1999 international passenger terminal with a capacity of six million passengers per annum. The Guacimeta terminal museum provides a comprehensive insight into the history of aviation under the shadow of the volcanoes. It is open from 10am to 2pm from Monday to Saturday.

English guided tours might be recommended as all the displays are in Spanish only. However, I do not think too much was lost in translation as I browsed the displays on my own. This time I did not have time to visit the third terminal from the 70s, now used for inter island traffic.

Next time I might expand my GCLB flying experience to some inter island flying my self.

View Larger Map

Flying with MAF in Haiti

2010-01-23T10:20:00.005+01:00

MAF’s 23-year history in Haiti and knowledge of the land, culture, and language are proving invaluable to outside groups providing aid.

See Norwegian TV 2 flying with MAF in Haiti.

MAF has established a satellite communications center at the Port-au-Prince airport, allowing relief agencies to effectively communicate with those in and outside of Haiti. The MAF hangar has become a logistics point for aid organizations bringing food, water, medicines, and other relief supplies into this devastated country. MAF relief flights transport teams of medical and relief workers to remote areas.

See how you can contribute immediately at MAF.no (Norwegian) and MAF.org (English).

2010-01-22T10:35:00.009+01:00

DISASTER IN HAITI.
HOW YOU CAN HELP IMMEDIATELY: [MAF Norway] [MAF US]

Finally flying NAG home

2010-01-08T18:37:00.006+01:00

A swift trip to Torp for ferry became a full day venture. The journey started before sunrise by train, and I made it back to ENKJ as a third of the runway had been covered with afternoon fog. A few minutes later landing might have been rather difficult.

Good people at Helifly Maintenance changed the starter relay after our failed attempts of starting LN-NAG Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They did not, however, actually start the engine before I came Friday morning. And while the starter turned the engine, it did not fire, and it turned out that the left magneto was dead.

A few hours later I could finally leave Sandefjord - with a bit bigger bill.

Third strike

2010-01-05T09:27:00.006+01:00

NAG co-owner Per tried all the tricks in the book, with no success. A crew of four did a third attempt of starting the frozen LN-NAG at Torp, Sandefjord, yesterday. Per, Bjørn, Ulf the teddy-bear, and myself flew LN-ULF from ENGM via ENKJ to ENTO. The trip was successful in two ways: (1) We had a beautiful view flying on top over freezing fog, and (2) my five-year-old son were exited about Ulf flying ULF for the second time.

When it comes to LN-NAG, the plane is still at Torp. Today the professional technicians takes over. Tonight we will know the diagnosis.

To be continued...

Leaving Sandefjord, never easy

2010-01-03T22:07:00.006+01:00

The plan was a great start of the new year, flying to ENTO for Saturday coffee and waffles at the flying club. It all started well. A smooth flight, great waffles, and fun meeting old friends. The problems started when attempting to leave Sandefjord.

Temperatures in the blue teens (celsius) gave Lars and me only three attempts of starting the engine before the battery was out of power. Recharging, propeller swinging, and good advice from all experts present gave no results. We had to leave LN-NAG behind and hitchhike the 130 km home with a flat battery in our hand luggage.

After a night of recharging, I returned Sunday in LN-DAH with co-pilots Anita and Tore, armed with a full aircraft battery, external power supply, fan heaters, blankets, and lots of determination. We had a great flight in spectacular winter weather. However, LN-NAG is still at ENTO. Tomorrow a new attempt will be made.

To be continued...

2009 Annual Notam

2009-12-31T10:25:00.012+01:00

My year in aviation:

This blog had readers from 1,007 cities in 98 countries and territories on 6 continents.
I've logged 76.6 hours, a personal all time high. 19.7 was seaplane time. New total: 642.

Flying low and slow over Golden Gate Bridge twice this year was probably the most spectacular experiences.
Propeller starting (hand swinging) a seaplane and flying without observing that no battery was on board, defiantly the most embarrassing (and had to be covered up in the blog post).
Glassy water landing at Vermundsjøen supposedly the most dangerous.
Happy that I finally managed to fly over the mountains and reach my home town airport Ørsta/Volda (ENOV) for the first time in my 11 years as a pilot. Closest call had been a 180 turn at Nordfjordeid three years ago.
And last but not least: First GA family vacation to ESSF and Astrid Lindgren's World.

I Wish You All Happy Landings In 2010!

Piper Cherokee to celebrate its 50th birthday at Oshkosh

2009-12-30T18:33:00.006+01:00

One of the iconic general aviation airplanes of the past half-century, the Piper Cherokee, will be honored this summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, at Wittman Regional Airport on July 26-August 1.

"There are just a few airplanes that are instantly recognizable as part of the flying community at nearly every airport, and the Piper Cherokee is among them," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "The design has been a part of aviation history for those learning to fly, enjoying the freedom of flight or using an aircraft as part of their business."

The Cherokee received its type certificate from FAA in 1960 and was first shipped to the marketplace in 1961. More than 30,000 Cherokees and their direct descendants, the Piper Warrior and Arrow, have been built over the past 50 years. (AOPA Online/AMT)

Free to fly after Obama left town

2009-12-14T00:18:00.008+01:00

Berit celebrating the freedom of flight after president Obama left town. In the US a five NM VIP Presidential movement temporary flight restriction (TFR) is the normal security level. As Obama arrived Oslo on a mission for peace, a 40 NM no-fly zone was imposed, closing the airspace for VFR flights 24 hours before his arrival, and not opening before hours after he left. Normally only space shuttle launches generates restrictions of this magnitude. Probably a case of most nervous airspace for the Gunnies book of world records.

Give Aviation Gasoline for Christmas

2009-11-30T19:30:00.005+01:00

Pay for one jerry can of aviation fuel and help save a life!

One jerry can equals 20 minutes flying time for Mission Aviation Fellowship. That is enough to save a life. Every 5th minute one of MAF's 110 aircrafts takes of or lands somewhere in the world. MAF is flying for life.

Order gift cards you can give to friends and family!

Marry Christmas.

First day of winter, last day on floats

2009-10-15T07:44:00.012+02:00

14 October is the Winter day, according to the ancient Norse calendar. This marked the end of the summer season of commerce and travel and the beginning of the winter season of hunting for the Northern folk. Traditionally the ceremony was much like the Carnival season in the Mediterranean countries.

Vis større kart

For me this winter day was the last day on floats for the season. My pilot friend Anita and I waited an hour for the sun to melt the frost of the wings, before flying to Hankø Fjordhotell & Spa for lunch.

Hankø is known as a venue for the sport of sailing, having hosted several world championships in different yacht classes. The island is connected to the mainland by a ferry operating on demand.

The sudden urge to buy power company shares

2009-10-14T09:00:00.005+02:00

Flying over a major city at night always gives me the urge to invest in the local power company. Last night I attended an AOPA Norway board meeting at Sundt Air, Gardermoen, and I took the opportunity to get current night while visiting a 24/7 airport. CAVOK and smooth air over Oslo made this chore pretty pleasant.

BYO splash-in lunch at Tjøme

2009-10-12T18:38:00.009+02:00

Last season at sea ended by a fly-in dinner at Rica Havna Hotel in the summer paradise Tjøme at the end of the Oslofjord. Today the kitchen was closed due to refurnishing, and we had to bring our own lunch bag.

My UiO colleague Elin and I was offered coffee, tea and a table with a view at the restaurant built into the rock.

Nice being back, but I missed the lobster soup...

Glassy water landing at Vermundsjøen

2009-10-09T00:24:00.007+02:00

Finnskog church at Vermundsjøen lake by the Swedish border (604150N 1223E) is the host of Norway's largest winter fly-in. I decided to test the waters on floats before arrival of the ice this year, and was met by a beautiful day of fall - and quite challenging glassy water conditions.

Calm conditions known as glassy water are the most deceptive phenomenon known to the float pilot. The height above the water surface is impossible to estimate correctly, making it difficult to judge the final few feet. The glassy water landing is always a power-on landing, and the rate of descent is controlled to around 50-100 feet per minute, with a fixed attitude. A glassy water take-off can also be quite unnerving as the surface of the water is very hard to discern. (Source: fortlangleyair.com)

I'll be back for the MAF sponsored winter fly-in mid March, only worrying about white out...

$100 Bomber Burger at Half Moon Bay

2009-10-02T18:34:00.017+02:00

A few minutes after departing Palo Alto (PAO) 31, we were on final 30 at Half Moon Bay (HAF). Lunch at the 3-Zero Cafe was our first destination, and the B17 Bomber Burger stood out as the obvious $100 hamburger choice de jure.

Before returning to work and the ONA09 conference, I had to give Anders an opportunity to view the Golden Gate Bridge from above. Flying low level with his pilot brother some years ago, the landmark was completely covered in the San Francisco fog.

We had sky clear for our sight seeing venture, and made a detour to the wine district, landing on the narrow runway of Sonoma Valley Airport (0Q3). I was happy to add this as the 105th destination in my logbook.

Flight on first day of frost

2009-09-29T23:25:00.005+02:00

After driving my motorcycle to winter storage on this first day of frost in Oslo this fall, I still got a taste of summer, flying to Langesund for lunch.

Nowhere to dock and a power issue with the plane led to a short five minutes taxing visit on the water before returning to Kilen and Seaplane Burger at Sjøflyhavna Kro.

Flying high and low

2009-09-27T05:47:00.007+02:00

My students at the University of Southern Denmark god a short lunch break, for me to leave a few minutes early in order to reach Oslo/Kjeller (ENKJ) before dark.

While flying to Odense (EKOD) on FL75, the return started in 2500 ft. due to a low sky base. For 20 of the 35 minutes of ocean crossing from Denmark (NOA) to Sweden (RANAV) I had to fly on instruments, as the light drizzle took away most visual references. North of Gothenburg (NOL) the sky base came down to 1000 ft., and I revisited Lysekil for a hole in the sky to climb on top.

Then it was smooth sailing back to CAVOK in Oslo.

Route: EKOD-ODN-TNO-NOA-MOLUD-RANAV-NOL-SABAK-REGMA-ENKJ.

Time: 3:15.

Reaching Odense before dark in 30 kts crosswind

2009-09-26T11:14:00.003+02:00

I left the Norwegian Radio Days at Oslo Plaza hotel at 2:45 p.m., and planned landing at Odense (EKOD) before dark (7:45 pm). Driving to Kjeller (ENKJ) outside Oslo during rush hours were our first obstacle. Then 30 kts. crosswind during cruise at the Swedish coastline and even a stronger wind component as we crossed over to Denmark became our second worry. Flying on top over the ocean we had to spiral through a hole as we reached the Aalborg area. Then the sun went down as we passed Aarhus, and it was pretty close to dark as my friend Einar landed at Odense 20 minutes later than planned.

A few extra challenges, but a smooth flight without any of the announced turbulence.

Route: ENKJ-REGMA-SABAK-NOL-EKLS-ML-BOGENSE-EKOD.

Time: 3:20.

News on floats in Lysekil

2009-09-15T07:13:00.008+02:00

Taxiing to the dock after landing at the picturesque coastal town of Lysekil, Sweden, we were met by quite a few locals wanting to take a closer look at the C172 on floats.

The town is a major tourist destination during summer, but yesterday Tore and I was the news of the day. Even the local paper sent a reporter taking our picture.

The seaplane dinner destination Baldersnas was closed, hence we had pizza at Charlies, Arvika, and arrived Kilen a few minutes before dark.

Too little fuel, too little time

2009-09-07T17:02:00.010+02:00

Tore and I had a great plan for touring South-Western Sweden yesterday, but the Kilen Seaplane Base was out of fuel. I have a dozen hours left on my seaplane lease for this season, and only a month left to fly this far north. After upcoming business trips to Cardiff, Odense, and San Francisco I just have to give fun on floats full priority...

Yesterday we had just enough fuel to fly 20 minutes to the Holmsbu Spa Resort for lunch, and return safe to Kilen.

Virtual plane spotting live

2009-09-04T17:33:00.004+02:00

This service shows air traffic over Scandinavia in real time. You can also get information on aircraft, airlines and routes. The map receives current positions of aircrafts that are equipped with a Mode-S/ADS-B-transponder. This information is presented on a Google-map without delay. When you click on a plane, the path that this particular plane has taken is printed on the map.

Flygradar.nu is great fun for flying geeks on a rainy day.

Flying priest in crosswind

2009-08-30T18:27:00.006+02:00

Thomas the Flying Priest at Starmoen MAF Fly-in, the summer version of Vermundsjøen. A great weekend for fellowship and flying. Landings in 15 kts crosswind and flying Aerostar from the right seat were some of my highlights.

$100 Seaplane Burger

2009-08-28T13:50:00.010+02:00

The chic new restaurant at Sjøflyhavna Kro is not the typical $100 hamburger destination for pilots. They are however true to their proud history of being the terminal building for Oslo's commercial seaplane base, hence serving Seaplane Burgers. Einar and me arriving direct from landing at nearby Kilen Seaplane Base, our choice for lunch was obvious.

Working on the new AOPA.no

2009-08-25T00:46:00.004+02:00

AOPA Norway president Santi and I flew to Sandefjord, meeting AOPA's Norwegian tech guru Torkel and initiating the process of redesigning the looks and contents of AOPA.no. Feel free to submit ideas for the new site!

Happy B-day

2009-08-22T17:29:00.004+02:00

Jostein gave Lara a flight for her birthday several months ago. Today it was time to open the present, flying over Oslo on a beautiful Saturday morning. Being seven in seventh heaven is not bad at all.

Lightning in vicinity

2009-08-20T22:39:00.007+02:00

Bad weather on the move from the North Sea has been a repeating story this summer.

Today Emil and Jostein got half an hour in the air before Emil spotted the first lightning south of Oslo, and we returned to Kjeller.

See current SIGWX chart published by FPC Sweden. More flight planning tools on Arne's Flying Page.

Landed just in time

2009-08-15T14:25:00.006+02:00

Professor Høyer and I flew to the Nordmedia09 research conference in Karlstad, and managed to return a few minutes before the bad weather hit Kjeller. I was prepared to divert for Arvika in case we did not succeed in our rain shower slalom.

The 50 minutes flight was our definitive preferred choice for traveling to Karlstad, and my former professor at the Norwegian School of Management did a great job flying LN-NAG.

Welcome to MAF Summer Fly-In

2009-08-12T12:04:00.006+02:00

Join us for a Sunday at ENHN or a full week-end with MAF friends.

Flying Fun in FAG

2009-08-06T21:46:00.007+02:00

Ten flights in two days among beautiful mountains, fjords, and islands of Western Norway from my holiday base at ENOV: The C172 LN-FAG of the local flying club are back from major refinishing in Balitcum, and I colud take family and friends for great trips to Kristiansund (top right), Runde, Stadt (bottom right), and Hakallestranda.

Summer morning splash-and-go

2009-07-28T15:37:00.005+02:00

My brother Erlend joined me for an early summer morning splash-and-go in LN-AEG, touching down at Håøya, Drammens-fjorden, and Holsfjorden, before returning to Kilen. Then it was time for coffee.

Ulf the teddy bear meets ULF the airplane

2009-07-24T21:02:00.007+02:00

Ulf the teddy bear (left) and his friend Pilot Bjørn are family members, and joined us for our first GA vacation. Today Ulf had his first flight in LN-ULF. Tomorrow he will meet Pippi at Astrid Lindgren's World.

Traveling from Oslo to Vimmerby by car was no alternative: 7:14 via Gothenburg or 8:31 via Karlstad (see image from Google Maps).

Flying time in a C182 was 1:55.

Waiting for summer to return

2009-07-08T11:30:00.004+02:00

Low pressure, low sky base, and thunderstorms. Not my favorite weather prognosis for flying VFR. Tonight's booking is cancelled, and I am looking forward to the return of summer.

(Image from LFV Group Swedish Airports and Air Navigation Services. See current SIGWX chart).

Mountain flying to Geilo, Kabul next

2009-07-04T23:36:00.007+02:00

Tonje is offered limo service by her dad at Geilo Airport Dagali (2618 ft.), going to see her grandmother before leaving for Kabul (5900 ft.), were she will be working for the United Nations. Co-pilots Ingrid, Anne Helene, and myself were Tonje’s co-workers as online pioneers at Dagbladet.no in the late 90’s. We have all looked for new adventures since, but Tonje is definitely the most adventures one.

Unfortunately I do not have the bravery of Sky Sister Simone, flying from Denmark to Kabul in her own Piper Colt (see trailer below). Today we flew Gardermoen – Torp – Dagali – Gardermoen. Fun, but not at all dangerous.

Splash-in lunch at Krøderen

2009-07-01T18:11:00.005+02:00

Unn and LN-AEG at the dock of Villa Fridheim, one of the country's largest timber building, a museum of Norwegian folk tales, and one of my favorite splash-in destinations only 30 minutes from Oslo. We enjoyed lunch and the beautiful scenery, contemplating on academic life.

Flying home for coffee and svele

2009-06-28T23:04:00.008+02:00

I got my pilot's license 10 years ago, and for all this time I have wanted to fly home to my parents for coffee and svele*. However, the weather conditions seldom allow for VFR flights over the mountains from Oslo to North Western Norway. A 2006 attempt was not successful. Hence the tour of Wonderful Western Norway this weekend was very special for me.

Einar, Tore and I flew to Bergen early Saturday morning and spent a great day and evening with friends. Sunday morning we continued to Molde, via Førde, Sandane, and Geiranger, before landing at Hovden (ENOV) for coffee and svele! On return to Oslo we did not manage to establish radio contact with Stavanger before reaching 8000 feet. Pretty high mountains around...

ENKJ-ENBR 2:00

ENBR-local 1:00/0:55

ENBR-ENML 1:55

ENML-ENOV 1:00

ENOV-ENKJ 2:40

* = My mom's svele recipe is a family secret. You might however try the MRF version served at fjord-crossing ferries in Western Norway:

4 eggs

2 cups sugar (4 dl.)

4 cups flour (8 dl.)

2 tsp vanilla sugar

1 l kefir (buttermilk)

1 tsp hornsalt

1 tsp natron (bicarbonat)

Slow flight over Nittedal

2009-06-19T21:46:00.006+02:00

Tor needed a few pictures of Nittedal, and I needed to get back in the air after a month without flying (busy preparing my Ph.D. Thesis defense).

The pictures will be published by the local newspaper Varingen. I used to be Editor-in-Chief of the regional newspaper Romerikes Blad, but my knowledge of local sites in Nittedal did not match the journalist from the local paper. Our model of collaboration ended up being me flying where Tor was pointing

The mental distance to Hagfors

2009-05-21T23:05:00.011+02:00

Einar fueling at Kjeller before our first visit to Hagfors. ESOH is only a 50 minutes flight from ENKJ, but the mental distance to this destination over the Swedish boarder has obviously been longer, since it took us more than ten years from getting our PPL certificates to making the journey.

The airport was opened in 1986, and since 1993 there have been daily flights to Stockholm. No landing fees and a 1510 x 30 m runway makes Hagfors Airport a great destination (#93 in my logbook).

We had no problems flying slalom between the CB´s today, but thunderstorms in vicinity made us postpone the plan to also visit Østre Æra for the first time.

Towing 30

2009-05-16T11:24:00.009+02:00

Øyvind at Flyteknisk Notodden towing LN-AEG from the seaplane base to his hangar for service.

My first solo on floats this seson was a ferry flight of 35 minutes from Kilen to ENNO. Then 2 hours return by bus, bogging this on the TIMEkspressen wireless.

Checkout with a flying legend

2009-05-15T21:08:00.007+02:00

Kjell Meum explains the flying pattern at Kilen Seaplane Base after my season checkout in LN-AEG. He is head of the seaplane school and a true flying legend. The former fighter pilot and SAS captain got his license in 1948, and have more than 21.000 hours in his logbook, including quite a few crossings of the North Pole on transatlantic flights. Today we crossed the Oslo Fjord to do five landings at Håøya for me to be current for my 5th season on floats.

Rescued by friendly Danes

2009-05-11T23:49:00.006+02:00

Tore doing DI on LN-NAG before our return from EKRK to ENKJ. I attended a MAF Nordic Board Meeting while my co-pilot explored Copenhagen.

We got dispensation for an early start from Kjeller (07:15), and arrived Roskilde 09:55, flying REGMA - XENTA - NOL - TOPLA - KULUD - NOA - VALBY.

Headwind on the return to Kjeller added 30 minutes flying time, and landing only five minutes before closing (10 p.m.).

The Oslo NOTAM Office forgot to submit our return flight plane, but we were rescued by friendly and service minded officials at EKRK.

With numbers in hand

2009-05-10T08:39:00.007+02:00

In my 582 hours of flying in 49 aircrafts (7 different types) to 92 destinations, I have had 906 day landings and 34 at night. Statistics are easy to generate from my new digital LogTen Pro logbook. Transferring all the 579 flights from my 3 traditional logbooks (Norwegian, American, and Australian) took a few hours, but represented a great travel in time with lots of good memories of fun flights coming back to me as I typed.

Night flight from Sandefjord

2009-04-25T00:58:00.005+02:00

Anita joined me on a flight to ENTO for the MAF Norway annual meeting, where I was re-elected to the board of directors. Mission Aviation Fellowship is providing air transport in places of deepest human need – remote places where flying is not a luxury, but a lifeline.

For nearly 60 years MAF has flown over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts to bring hope. It was an inspiring meeting, and we had a great night flight back to ENGM. Anita on Facebook: "Wow...the world is beautiful at 1500' at night :)".

Abroad for night training

2009-04-23T11:33:00.006+02:00

Oslo by night. Photo: Lars Frers.

I needed five landings at night to be current before a planned flight with passenger Friday, and was surprised to realize the impossibilities of accomplishing this in Eastern Norway. ENKJ have lights disconnected. ENGM do not allow touch-and-go. ENTO, by NOTAM, only allowed this for aircrafts based on the airport. ENRY does not allow T&G after 9 p.m. That's 40 minutes before darkness at this time of year. And ENHA needs at least three days notice in order to inform the neighbors about night training in progress.

I had to leave the country. ESKV is H24, however prefere no T&G after 10 p.m., hence ESOK became the next natural choice (open until 10:30 p.m. local time). In two hours of flying, I got four night landings in Karlstad, Sweden, and the fifth and last compulsory landing back at Gardermoen.

Landing on rotten ice

2009-04-06T20:48:00.006+02:00

Back from Sunny California to the Winter Wonderland, I decided to fly-in for a lunch at Oset Hotel in the mountains of Southern Norway. This turned out not to be a totally safe venture.

The hotel's runway manager reported on good conditions in the morning, and a departing aircraft did not warn us about the runway conditions as we arrived. We learned later that this aircraft had skis, while we had wheels. As I applied brakes on the P28A after landing, the main wheels broke through the ice surface. The same happened while turning and taxing several times. We spoke briefly with the airfield manager, without turning off the engine, and took off as soon as possible, using soft field technique. I was happy to be able to return the plane without hanging under a helicopter.

The NRK television news tonight reported on a three-day-old warning from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, stating unsafe ice on regulated waters.

Never trust a runway manager selling fancy lunches...

The Tisleia Lake on 2750 ft. has a 1000 meters runway on ice during the winter season (15 km on water during summer). The winter runway was closed by the hotel this afternoon.

Tore and I had lunch at Notodden before returning to Kjeller.

Flying Highway One

2009-04-01T15:12:00.011+02:00

Everything was lined up. I had a brand new US PPL certificate based on my Norwegian, with English proficiency and seaplane rating added. I had taken a biennial VFR Flight Review and the mandatory checkout at the Shoreline Flying Club. And I had renters insurance from AOPAIA. However, the SFO TAF said winds of 30G40, hence flying Monday were out of the question.

Tuesday morning the winds were less violent, and I did flight planning during a fabulous fifties breakfast at Loris Diner on Powell St., drinking my coffee in vicinity of vintage aircrafts.

Arriving Palo Alto (PAO), I found N837SP free of squacs, and ready to go. Taking off 31 for a left Dumbarton departure, flying over the University of Stanford campus before climbing to 3500 feet to get over the ridge.

The famous Pacific Coast Highway One is running by some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is great by car, and even better by air.

I followed the coast southbound through Monterey Bay and continued to Point Sur, enjoying the Bixby Bridge from a new perspective. Pilots are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2000 ft over the Point Lobos State Reserve and the California State Sea Otter Game Refuge. With only an iPhone as my camera, it was a challenge to capture the experience.

On my way back I did a short turn at Pebble Beach, flying over Carmel (image) and Monterey on my way back to Palo Alto.

Two hours of flying.

Driving up to San Francisco I stopped at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. And the day was complete.

Back at the Bay for flying fun

2009-04-01T06:37:00.009+02:00

Flying right over the tower at San Francisco International Airport to avoid a midair with a B747 from Japan Airlines is tons of fun and definitely business unusual for pilots like me.

This blog started three years ago after my first flight over San Francisco. A hotel room in Silicon Valley felt like an appropriate location for entering the blogosphere. This week I am back for the Web 2.0 Expo conference in San Francisco, and I spent the pre conference Sunday in a Skyhawk for a VFR Flight Review and checkout at the Shoreline Flying Club in Palo Alto (PAO).

Dan, Shoreline's chief pilot and a United Airlines captain, gave me express enrollment service to this very affordable flying club, where no money is spent on luxurious ground facilities.

Flying with Libor was a very pleasant experience. He did a great job of making me feel comfortable with the airspace and radio communication. After some air work and an simulated emergency landing at Half Moon Bay (HAF), we continued northbound to Golden Gate Bridge before flying over San Francisco and transiting the bravo airspace by highway 101.

As we approached San Francisco International (SFO), a B747 Jumbo Jet from Japan Airlines was on the takeoff roll on runway 28. The wind was to strong to use the default runway 1, and I was directed to cross midfield over the tower to avoid a close encounter with the big bird en route for Asia. Then a right turn back to the west side of HWY 101 was needed to avoid traffic at San Carlos (SQL) 9 miles SE. 7 miles further SE our home base of Palo Alto is located, only 4 miles NW of Moffett Federal (NUQ), where president Obama would have landed with Air Force One.

This is close to aviation heaven. I'll be back!

Flying F16 at Jarlsberg

2009-03-21T22:58:00.006+01:00

Paul flying the F16 simulator at Jarlsberg, piloting a fighter aircraft for the first time since he did the real thing back in the 50's. He still got it!

Trying the simulator was the main attraction of the AOPA Norway annual meeting. The world's largest organizer of general aviation are growing fast in Norway, and I am proud to be serving on the national Board of Directors.

Planning a few flights during my upcoming visit to California, the member section of aopa.org is an invaluable source.

Saved by tape on the ice

2009-03-15T17:46:00.011+01:00

Anita and Jørn was my crew in LN-NAG to the 11th annual MAF Fly-in at Vermundsjøen. More than 50 planes from Southern Norway and Sweden attended this year´s event.

As we parked a fellow pilot noted that our right hand navigation light was loose. A need for tape was announced in church, and good helpers came to rescue.

I missed the obligatory meal at the local diner, but was able to temporary repair the plane and have some of the great waffles sold on the ice.

This years weather and runway conditions were superb. Two years ago I had to use the full 1300 meter runway to stop after landing.

Hudson River Landing Animation

2009-03-05T13:45:00.006+01:00

This animation of the US Airways 1549 Hudson River landing is a great example of storytelling by news animation.

I had more action on the ground before flying the Hudson River Corridor in 2004... :-)

Busting aviator myths

2009-02-28T16:06:00.009+01:00

Knut Helge at ENGM, joining me on a myth busting operation on a great day for flying.I have to admit being one of the people wining about the lack of airports to visit and hence low variation of landing practice for pilots operating from ENKJ. Today, after flying ENKJ-ENGM-ENEG-ENKJ (3x15 minutes), I admit being wrong.

MYTH 1. Flying to ENGM is a complex operation. Wrong! Filing ordinary flight plans to and from Oslo's main airport is everything that is needed. The NOTAM Office takes care of the slot time, and will call you back if you need to change the planned arrival. You arrive and depart like any other airport, and the traffic is rather low.

MYTH 2. Flying to ENGM is expensive. Wrong! The landing fee of NOK 250 is less than at Rakkestad!

MYTH 3. There are no short field airports in the Oslo area we are welcome to visit. Wrong! Sending an PPR on SMS was everything needed to be welcome at Eggemoen. Airfield Manager Gunnestad does not bite, as long as you call before landing, and the landing fee of NOK 150 is less than most other places. Actually, I have never been denied PPR at any of the short fields in the area (but then I never tried at Ski!).

Conclusion: PPR and landing fees might represent mental obstacles, however it is quite possible to secure varied experience and meet nice people at other airports without flying far from home.

Hangar flying

2009-02-22T14:45:00.004+01:00

FZFG above and a runway filled with snow below, made hangar flying the safest option for the bachelor party I had promised to fly over Oslo in LN-NAG today. The TAF promised 'FEW010 SCT080', but the fog never left.

Landed safe in snow at Hamar after failed attempts for Kjeller and Gardermoen

2009-02-05T19:49:00.019+01:00

LN-TFQ (P28A) got lost in snow and bad visibility tonight. After failed attempts at ENKJ and ENGM, a police helicopter escorted the lost pilot to a safe landing at ENHA. The webcam picture was grabbed short before the landing. The METAR at ENGM indicated overcast in 500 feet and 7 km visibility.

BTW, this was my first attempt at covering a live event on Twitter, Facebook, Scanair, and Blogger...

Flying a big bird with the big boys

2009-01-27T07:11:00.004+01:00

Recently I was invited to observe airliner pilot training, and it was great to see how the professionals handled engine fires, bad weather, and other unforeseen events. Flying the big bird myself was tons of fun.

Where and with whom? That's unfortunately classified... ;-)

50 degrees of separation

2009-01-15T21:35:00.008+01:00

One week ago I had dinner at Real Aeroclub de Grand Canaria Restaurante, and the temperature was +23C. Today I had lunch at Røros in -27C. I was afraid of freezing my nose off, but the aircraft engine stayed warm, with a blanket on top and the heater plugged in. The GPS, however, needed a few moments of body contact to get back to life after take-off for Kjeller.

Flying 350 NM over Southern Norway in CAVOK is a remarkable experience. It was chilly at Kjeller as Tore removed the ice accumulated in the hangar, and it got colder by the minute as we headed north.

At Vermundsjøen an ultralight trike had landed for the fly-in season opening of the local Diner, but we had not received confirmation of the ice condition on the lake, and kept on flying. Røros was cold but dry. Back at Kjeller the wings immediately froze as we pushed the plane back in the hangar. Tomorrow it is supposed to be snowing again. However grounded, I will still be elevated by today's experience.

Ready for new adventures

2009-01-15T00:17:00.005+01:00

I had to do my annual check ride at ENKJ in order to stay current at the two flying clubs early this year, as I had skipped this ritual in 2008. CFI David (picture) and I had a smooth ride in LN-NRF on a mild and sunny winther day. After a few months with too much writing on my PhD thesis and too little flying, I am current again, and ready for new adventures. Soon the thesis will also be submitted.

Landing in a swarm of ultralight trikes

2008-12-28T09:05:00.004+01:00

Watch me land LN-NAG on a busy day at Kjeller.

Aviation weather in my pocket

2008-12-21T10:05:00.011+01:00

Ok, I do have a love affair with the iPhone. And this great little gadget are now giving me current and precise weather conditions (METAR) as well as weather forecasts (TAF) from worldwide airport weather stations. Planning my own trips or just dreaming about future expeditions to distant fields, I can read the data in its original format or fully decoded into easy understandable texts. AeroWeather is a great widget for iPhone/iPod touch.

For flight planning I do also have desktop links on my iPhone to three local sources: Yr for mobile, Nordic SIGWX, and VFR chart from SMHI.

Never pulling loads of fax sheets from the met office again :-)

Australian pilot ready to convert

2008-11-23T13:10:00.007+01:00

Ellen and Keith just moved to Bærum from Cairns, and he is looking forward to converting his Australian pilot license to European. I gave them a tour of the facilities of the flying clubs at ENKJ, and we took a look at the Oslo area in LN-NAG, on a nice Sunday morning with very smooth flying conditions.

Jostein's debut at co-pilot

2008-11-22T15:13:00.011+01:00

Jostein (7) at Kjeller after his debut as co-pilot, flying LN-NAG over Oslo. He has been flying with me since he turned four, but never in the front seat before. Sitting on a car seat cushion he could not reach the pedals nor get a good view over the instrument panel, but he did a good job handling the stick while looking out the side window of the Warrior.

An ultralight Fly-in today made Kjeller even buzzier than on a regular Saturday morning, with a lot of strange looking small flying machines on ground and in the air. Quite a few without radio, making the traffic pattern rather interesting today.