Flying Warrior in a VFR window

Mats and I both had cancelled flights, but a VFR window opened up for a few hours, and we joined forces in Piper Warrior LN-NAG, flew low over Nordmarka and viewed one of my favourite seaplane destinations: Villa Fridheim by Krøderen. Something nice to remember as we seek shelter for the next wave of winter weather:

301818 [...] 0009 0500 FZFG VV001 BECMG 0912 4000 -SN BKN014 TEMPO 1218 17020G30KT 2000 SNRA BKN006

4th failed attempt for Arvika

Flying to Arvika (ESKV) for a club check is not plain sailing at this time of year. Neither low sky base and strong winds aloft nor snow and fog makes VFR conditions. Today I was stoped by the latter.

Payable before First Flight

The benefit of being a member of a handful of flying clubs gives great access to aircrafts. But the trend of increasing annual fees for pilots is resulting in an extremely high cost of the season’s first flight.

I am member of two clubs at ENKJ (Oslo's GA airport), and the clubs at ENGM (Oslo's main airport, open 24h), ENTO (summer hang-out), ENOV (my home town), and Kilen (Oslo's Seaplane Base). I do fly 50-70 hours every year, but the increasing fee payable before first flight in most clubs makes me think twice about the season’s first take-off.

The result will probably be fewer memberships for me, fewer hours sold and less revenue for the clubs, and more week-ends on the ground for family and friends (did I state the same last year?).

My friend Tore has left for Sweden, and I just joined him as a member of Arvika Flygklubb. Another membersip to pay, but my total cost before first flight in Sweeden was only € 127.