The End

Five years of flying fun is documented. I will continue flying, but this blog is no longer being updated. Follow me on Wingly.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

This video I found on YouTube is obviously not quite as great as Simone Aaberg Kærn's "Smiling in a War Zone - and the Art of Flying to Kabul" (2005), aired on SvT this week. A must see! Until you get hold of it, a small teaser of the landscape...

Saturday, December 16, 2006

1kW at ENTO

Jostein (5) in LN-NAG on our way to ENTO and a NOK1000 waffle (1kW) at the flying club.

Friday, December 15, 2006


And the winner is OCAS!

The life saving innovation by OCAS is the winner of "Årets ingeniørbragd 2006", Teknisk Ukeblad announced today.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Vote for OCAS today!

Obstacle Collision Avoidance System (OCAS) scans the area surrounding an obstacle. If a target is detected, the system immediately tracks the aircraft, calculates its speed, heading and altitude. If a collision hazard exists, the pilot is warned by either flashing lights and/or aural warning transmitted over the VHF band.

This innovation by a Norwegian company is nominated for "Årets ingeniørbragd 2006". Cast your vote before December 1st!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Removing Ice Before Take-Off

My students in Multi Media Production at the Oslo University College had to work for their flights as the aircraft accumulated ice after only a few hours outside. High humidity and temperature close to dew point did also result in rapid changes of fog formations over Oslo. We stayed close to the field...

Monday, November 13, 2006

Over flying the new Opera House

Flying with Anette and Vidar from Kjeller for sight seeing in Tønsberg, we passed the construction of the 1100 rooms new Opera House, which is the largest cultural building to be raised in Norway since Nidarosdomen. The base area of the Opera House is the same as the total area covered by four international standard football fields. I did over fly the Sydney Opera House in 2000, but the proposed restriction area over Oslo might make an over flying less accessible at the time of the inaugural performance in 2008.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Leaving New York, never easy

Just spent a few days in New York with the New Media Network, but did not find time for a flight over Manhattan this time. FAA has issued a flight restriction prohibiting fixed wing land aircraft from flying in the narrow VFR corridor above the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn after the Lidle accident, but the Hudson River corridor is still open.

Leaving New York never easy, I saw the light fading out (onboard KL0644, departing JFK at 10:05 pm Firday).

Saturday, October 21, 2006

The Slow Season

The METAR gets longer, the days shorter, and VFR weather more rear. It's that season again. My total flying time the last 30 days are 0:40 (a trip with professor Høyer over Oslo).

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Flying Nostalgia

Finally I made it to the world's most visited museum: National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Among the original treasures are Wright 1903 Flyer, Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis", Hughes H-1 Racer, SpaceShipOne, and a Cessna 150...

A late night visit to the new DC Fly Lounge, 1802 Jefferson Place NW, made an appropriate finale. As glamorous as airliners used to be.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Action at the Air Ambulance

Kristian and Jostein at The Norwegian Air Ambulance base in Lørenskog, relaxing with a Biola after having witnessed one of the two helicopters on the base landing, shortly followed by a take-off of the other. A perfect finale after Open Day on the fire station across the street.

The financial contributions of more than 800,000 members of the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation (almost 20 per cent of Norway's population) help to enhance emergency response by Norway's air and ground ambulances, provide multidisciplinary emergency medical training, support research and fund courses for the public.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

All I want for X-mas is a GPSMAP 496

In Garmin's own words: "This “know-it-all” mini-MFD puts more power and information at your fingertips than any other portable handheld in the history of aviation... The 496 combines satellite datalink weather with a detailed color map and terrain alerting, then takes it up a notch with even more high-end software and features. The 496 is a “must have” for any pilot. "

I have not upgraded since the now discontinued GPS III Pilot. The Atlantic version of 496 is available in October. And I am sending a note to Santa...

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Extreme weather in all channels

As I just purchased a very simple weather forecaster from Oregon Scientific, I noted that next week NRK (the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) will launch the Extreme Weather Week in all their channels: more than 60 TV shows, a web site, radio programs and a dedicated DAB channel! And every Norwegian child is invited to measure precipitation in special decorated milk-cartons. I'll sit in the kitchen, watching my own weather station.

Monday, September 18, 2006

MAF Fly-in at Starmoen

BKN in 1900 made it a challenge to fly NAG from Kjeller to Starmoen. I had to follow the river due to high terrain.

It is always very inspiring to see how Mission Aviation Fellowship organize their great work of bringing help and hope to the most needy people. New airplanes are needed. See how you can contribute at maf.no

Saturday, September 16, 2006


Classic SAS at CPH

Top: SAS with classic decor, captured at CHP this morning.
Right: Promotion picture of a contemporary SAS Braathens plane. There is something about classics...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Free and friendly 35 min from Kjeller

Tore unpacking SE-FFZ from Arvika Flygklubb at ESKV after a trip to Finland, and transferring to LN-DAX. Westlanda Airport is a great foreign destination for pilots at Kjeller, only 35 minutes flying time and no landing fee.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Waffle and plane fun

I did my chores as weekend host at Oslo flyveklubb on ENKJ today, making waffles to the pilots and passengers flying this beautiful Saturday. And a short trip with LN-NAG between two bookings made a perfect break.
Just missed a great film

Simone Aaberg Kærn's "Smiling in a War Zone - and the Art of Flying to Kabul" (2005) aired on NRK this week, but my media center failed to save me a copy. I am sad and frustrated to have missed this great award winning film by a brave flying Danish artist. Does anyone know if the film is possible to buy on DVD? I am happy to fly to Denmark (but perhaps not to Afghanistan) in my Piper to get a copy!

I am the proud owner of a MM-card!

Tuesday I was the very first pilot to get my AOPA-N MM-card, being able to exercise the rights of airside access given by my pilot's licence with a piece of plastic and a pin code. I found my self wearing it a long time after I parked LN-AGM and had left ENGM...

Norway's youngest pilot got his licence in LN-NAG

Henrik Auråen (17) got national press coverage (Dagbladet, Dagsrevyen, Romerikes Blad) when he got his pilot's licence on his 17th birthday in LN-NAG. On behalf of the owners of the aircraft: Congratulations! Next year he might also legally drive a car...

Saturday, August 26, 2006

40 times four

Anette and Anita (co-pilot) posing on the right wing of LN-NAG on their way to Anita's 40th birthday celebration Saturday. Her spouse Knut also joined the flight.

The night before I met my school buddies from Volda, Fred (co-pilot) and Eiliv, at Pål's 40th birthday celebration. We decided to go sight seeing by air.

Myself, I still have close to 40 days to go before I leave the 30's.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Police and Military Push for Larger Restricted Area

NRK reports that representatives for police and military wants the proposed 1 NM restricted area over Oslo to be larger. The new ruling planned to be in effect starting June 1 was postponed due to the complexity of hearing results. The aviation organizations gave their blessing to a 1 NM zone, but the risk is now that the restricted area might be twice as large. No more sight seeing over Oslo...

It is ironic to note that the Hudson River Corridor in New York City is still open!

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Oslo Tourist by Air

Marit, Palma (co-pilot, visiting from Stryn) and Mildri (visiting from Gjøvik) at Kjeller Airport before sight seeing with LN-NAG. The best way of being a tourist in Oslo.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Aviation Paradise in Telemark

Aircraft: LN-NAR
Route: ENKJ-ENHN-ENFY-ENLU-ENKJ
Level: 5500

Airparc Fyresdal owner Toucko Zwolsmann with Thea and Einar at ENFY. German, Belgium and Dutch private pilots are frequent visitors at this aviation paradise in Telemark, Norway. The 800 meters runway is located 2 km from the Hotel (free shuttle), and the sea plane base is in the hotel garden. Friendly hosts, good food and fantastic surroundings.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Beaching in Drammen

Einar demonstrated seamanship and jumped in the water to ensure secure beaching in Drammen with LN-UXC ;-)

Wednesday, July 26, 2006


Late Evening Mountain Flying

Aircraft: LN-FAG, C-172.
Route: ENOV - Stryn - Grotli - Geiranger - ENOV.
Level: FL85.
Take off: 8:40 pm LT.
Landed: 9:55 pm LT.

VFR (We Follow the Road) from Western to Eastern and back to Western Norway, testing two scenic routes used by local pilots to cross the mountains also in marginal weather.

Fotos: ERLEND KRUMSVIK

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Fuelling for Geiranger

Eiliv and Mortiz at Vigra (ENAL), fuelling LN-FAG on our way from Hovden (ENOV) to sight seeing in the Geiranger fjord. Great mountain flying in the North Western part of Norway!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006


Five Landings in One Hour

(OSLO, Norway) Landings at different locatons are good training. Yesterday I visited five sites within an hour: BUNNEFJORDEN - HÅØYA - DRAMMENSFJORDEN - TYRIFJORDEN - KILEN.

This is possible at sea. In the Oslo area all local airports on land are unfortunately restricted to minimize visits.

Illustration made with Jeppesen FlightStar.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Going to Gothenburg? Forget GG!

(GOTHENBURG, Sweden) I got a few surprises when I came back to Landvetter (ESGG) after six years. No LL100, practically impossible to do flight planning and paperwork in the right order due to security measures, and officials not used to handle visits from small aircrafts, resulting in a lot of waiting. Next time I go for Säve (ESGP).

Atrium and Air History

(BUDAPEST, Hungary) The suspended airplane in the Sofitel hotel lobby marks the history of the Hungarian national carrier in this formerly Hyatt hotel, opened as the first atrium hotel in Europe by Malév Airline in 1982. By way of ancient Rome through modern American hotel design, the atrium arrived back in Europe with this 357-room hotel with a 10-story atrium lobby and three glass elevators.

Thursday, July 06, 2006


Last Time?

Flying over Oslo on a beautiful summer evening. An experience soon to be restricted?

Tuesday, July 04, 2006


First Solo at Sea

I got my sea plane rating at the end of last year's season, just before leaving for Atlanta. Today I banked off some rust with CFI and LN-UXC owner Bjørn, and followed up with my first solo on floats. This is really fun!

The Ultimate Norwegian Tour

ENKJ ENRO ENMS ENRA ENNK ENDU ENAT ENNA ENKR ENVD ENSS ENBS ENBV ENMH ENHV ENHF ENHK ENSR ENTC ENAN ENSK ENSH ENLK ENRS ENBO ENST ENBN ENNM ENOL ENKB ENOV ENBM ENHD ENLI ENFY ENKJ.
Cruising Speed: N0100. Total EET (excluded landings): 22:47.

I am familiar with ENKJ, ENRO and ENOV. The rest is pure adventure.

This dream is made possible by Jeppesen FliteStar VFR, European Edition.

Saturday, July 01, 2006


Toten by Air

(ENKJ-ENHA-ENKJ) Ingebjørg and Hege at Hamar after sight seeing over their family farms in Toten. Perfect flying conditions and my first LN-NAG flight after buying a share in the aircraft.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

AOPA's new Project Pilot to help increase pilot population

Student pilots who have a Mentor to help them through flight training are three times more likely to earn their pilot certificates. That simple fact is the reason that AOPA is beefing up its AOPA Project Pilot program.

To accomplish that, AOPA Project Pilot provides powerful tools, centered on a new Web site, www.AOPAProjectPilot.org, which helps Mentors keep in touch with their students and track progress while providing support, tips, and encouragement.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006


Beautiful mountain flying


Aircraft: LN-ULF, C182.
Flight plan: ENGM-LL-SOG-STG-ENOV.
Altn. Aerodrome: ENFG, ENSG.
Level: FL80/90.

We did not make it to ENOV due to low cloud base. Attempted the normally safe bet through Dalsfjorden, but the passage was closed.
ENSG had maintenance work on the runway, so we ended up paying NOK 205 for landing at ENFG and drinking not-so-hot coffee from the self service outlet.

Superb flying, but not the lunch we hoped for (at Naustet Grill, Volda).
Fotos: KNUT HELGE DRIVENES/Nokia N80

Saturday, June 24, 2006


My first airplane

Petter (1) and LN-NAG (28) at Kjeller. They are already good friends!

Friday 23 June 2006 I bought 1/9 of this aircraft, a 1978 Piper Cherokee, PA28-161.

After the 2003 collapse of the Oslo Flying Club hangar, this Piper was the only plane which could be saved and repaired. Today it is still part of the OFK fleet. It is probably the most travelled club aircraft in Norway, visiting most countries in Europe and Morocco as well.

Revisiting my solo NAV

(KRISTIANSAND, Norway) LN-DAH at Kjevik. Yesterday I revisited the solo nav route I did as a student pilot in a Tomahawk seven years ago. ENKJ-ENCN is a scenic route and a no brainer to navigate along the coast. Continuing to ENNO is more of a challenge, in a mountain landscape with few landmarks. This time I had a handheld GPS, but still had some trouble knowing my whereabouts. Nototdden is as close as you get to the western Norwegian fjords in the eastern part of the country. Elevation of 63 feet, surrounded by high mountains. But leveling out at 3500, you have free sight to Oslo on a nice day.
Mind the GAP

(ELVERUM, Norway) Last week-end I visited the GAP Starmoen fly-in. This used to be Norway's largest gathering of active private pilots, but the attendance and level of activities offered was not at the level of the golden years of this flight safety project. I left for Gardermoen in LN-AGM before sunset without any time in conventional gear, the object of my visit.

Friday, June 09, 2006

New GA Airport in the Oslo region?

(OSLO, Norway) The Norwegian Government wants to sell the nation's first airport at Kjeller. The report from architect Morten S. Haave analyzing the need for a GA solution if the Air force activity should be relocated, were mentioned on NRK Radio yesterday. The report can be downloaded here!

Thursday, June 08, 2006

No opposition to permanent restriction area over Oslo

(OSLO, Norway) The major Norwegian aviation associations give their joint blessing to a proposed permanent restriction area over downtown Oslo.

The aviation authorities claim this regulation will reduce the consequences of an engine failure or a mid air over the capital city. In a joint hearing document, NAK/NLF, EAA Norway, and AOPA Norway, are expressing no major disagreement with the proposition.

The city of Oslo wants to double the proposed one NM size of the restricted area. This might be the beginning of the end of single engine traffic over Oslo. This development might not be remarkable, given the general security focus in these times. But the organizations giving their unconditional blessing are a bit more surprising?

For some reason, the hearing document sent April 27th is still not mentioned on any of the organizations’ web sites six weeks later… Feel free to download it here!

Monday, May 29, 2006

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.

Friday, May 26, 2006

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.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

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