Fairytale on floats

Tore and LN-UXC by Villa Fridheim, one of Norway's largest and most special timber buildings, located at the end of the Krøderfjord. Inside the villa there are a number of beautiful fairytale tableaux and decorations. The distinctive architectural style makes it look like a fairytale castle.

Unfortunately we docked at the wrong side of Bjørøya. Next time we will use the Villa's dock on the eastern side of the island. After Sour Cream Porridge (rømmegrøt) for lunch, we returned to Kilen.

In the sun at Sola

Co-pilots Unni and Hilde at Sola before returning to Kjeller in LN-NAG. It was a beautiful day to cross Southern Norway.
Route: ENKJ - DRA - NTD - Fyresdal - Lysefjord - Stavanger - ENZV. FL 85, return 75. Time: 1:35/2:15.

Flying from the right (and wrong) seat

Today I did my annual check ride at ENKJ in order to stay current at the two flying clubs. To add a little flavour to the flight, I requested right seat training. That felt weird, and the landings with LN-NAG at ENTO was not very smooth. I had to compensate with a short flight in LN-UXC afterwards (see picture) to get the good feeling again. In a Supercub there is no left or right up front...

First visit to Säve

Einar and LN-NRF (in the background) at Gothenburg City Airport/Säve after dinner at Hard Rock Cafe downtown. I got a few surprises on my last visit to the city, using Landvetter (ESGG). ESGP is definitely the GA port to Gothenburg.

We used 1:30 from ENKJ to ESGP, and 1:05 on the return.

Lunch on the beach

Friday lunch splash-in with Hilde at Holsfjorden was a perfect end of the first week of work after vacation.

Mountain flying on floats

Tisleifjorden (2750 feet, large photo) and Husodden was my destinations on an afternoon mountain safari on floats. Oset Høyfjellshotel offered chocolate, coke and ice cream á la carte, while Husodden Sea did only get a touch-and-go visit this time. Next time I will test the 600 meters grass strip. A beautiful place owned by a local farmer!

Photos by Valdresfly.no and Norskeflyplasser.no

Fly-in dinner at Baldersnäs

Only one hour flying time from Oslo (in a Cub), Baldersnäs welcomes guests on floats for dinner. The mansion owned by Swedish TV-personality Ingvar Oldsberg, is more famous among pilots as home of a former owner, the flying pioneer Johan Oskar Albin Ahrenberg. Today the place offers a decent a la carte and grand atmosphere.

Direct route: Kilen - Foss - AKIBA - Baldersnäs. 76 NM.

Sunshine on floats

We had the rainiest June since 1883, and July has thus far been very wet. But today the sun was finally shining in Oslo, and I decided to celebrate in LN-UXC.

Gert Nygårdshaug and the Art of Flying

I just spent a few rainy days reading Gert Nygårdshaug's novel Aphrodite's Pond. A fascinating story, but sadly damaged by extremely poor research on aviation and navigation. The author claims in an interview about the book to spend 80 % of his time on research, but he could not have spent much time on how to operate a light aircraft. The detailed descriptions of take-off, landing and navigation of the Cessna 180 Skywagon on floats make no sense at all.

10 airports after work

We had to cancel our planned Baltic Tour to Tallinn and Riga due to weather, and improvised an evening trip to small airports in Norway and Sweden. No time for meals en route as we had to get back to ENKJ before closing at 10 pm. [see pictures!]

Route: ENKJ - Bøverbru (Vestre Toten)- ENHA (Stafsberg, Hamar) - ENRI (Frya, Ringebu) - ENGN (Grimsmoen, Folldal) - Tynset - Sølenstua - ESUE (Idre) - ESVM (Malung) - ESST (Torsby) - ENKJ.

Ready for Plan B

I planned to take my dad for lunch at Airparc Fyresdal by seaplane, but it was not my lucky day. The weather was deteriorating, the plane had engine problems, and Airparc did not serve lunch today. We left Kilen for Kjeller and Plan B; some sight seeing over Oslo with LN-NAG.

Evening on floats

Irene joined my Linked-in network a few days ago and reminded me of my promise on Pål's 40th birthday party to take her flying. And since we are both linked to Teleplan, close to Kilen sea plane base, the natural choice was floats. At the picture she is in control of the LN-UXC Piper Super Cub.

Later Lars was my co-pilot on a low level coast wise slow flight around the fjords of Oslo, Drammen and Hol.

New layer of asfalt on Fyresdal

I arrived at Airparc Fyresdal by seaplane LN-UXC today and did not get the opportunity to test the new runway layer. I did also arrive on the wrong day for other services normally offered to the European GA community. The hotel had a day off after a very busy start of the season, and the café nearby prepared for season opening tomorrow. Lesson learned: Call Airparc when planning.

Great nature and friendly people mad the trip a nice experience anyway. I got some ice-cream at the café and was offered coffee at Ariparc.

Visiting Oslo from Beijing

Dr. Wang Yu is visiting scholar at OUC, and I recently met her and her husband Li Xiaoxiao in Beijing. Now they are both visiting Oslo, and last night we went sightseeing in LN-NAG. Great conditions aloft, and a bit more challenging at the ENKJ runway; crosswind 30 and headwind 12. We departed 30 on a slightly bumpy ride straight in to the low sun. Landing the opposite direction an hour later was very pleasant.

Starting the seaplane season

After a 0:45 check flight with Bjørn in LN-UXC, I was ready for the 2007 seaplane season. I continued solo 1:15 in the PA18-150 Super Cub, but had to return to base at Kilen after engine problems, probably due to water in the tanks after a few days of heavy rain. Next time I'll definitely drain properly!

First day of summer

Vice President of MAF International, Arne Nordahl, was my co-pilot on a promotional flight, with passengers Målfrid and John Ole. On the first day of wonderful summer weather, we left Gardermoen (ENGM) in LN-AGM for sight seeing over Oslo and Bærum, and made at stop at Kjeller (ENKJ) for ice cream on our way back.

Flying C206 with G1000

Cessna fly-in at Notodden (ENNO) offered Garmin 1000 course with Cessna's single engine chief pilot Kirby Ortega and demonstration flights in Skyhawk (C172) and Turbo Stationair (C206).

I got the left seat for 15 minutes and flew my first time in C206 from take off to the base leg. The G1000 displayed all flight critical data, and was very intuitive. Lot's of fun!

On a mission at ENZV

Dag Kjetil, Margaret and Fred at ENZV after a visit to Sola Flyklubb, informing about the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship. We had a beautiful trip back to ENTO in LN-MAJ, a C310. [More photos]

Flying fun and fighting forest fire

A perfect day for touring southern Norway in a C182. Morning fog at the west coast made us reverse the original route and start with lunch in Kristiansand. Before continuing to Lista we helped the fire department observe a large forest fire, and we had to leave ENLI after 15 minutes due to airfield opening hours. Dinner in Bergen and return to Jessheim before dark.

A complete day of flying experiences from beatuiful coast landscapes to raging fires and high mountains. [More photos]

LN-ULF, C182 P
ENGM-ENCN, 1:35, 1500 ft.
ENCN-forest fire-ENLI, 0:55, 1000-3000 ft
ENLI-ENBR, 1:30, 4500 ft.
ENBR-ENGM, 2:05, FL90
Total flying time: 6:05

Joining the board of MAF Norway

I am proud to be elected as member of the board of Mission Aviation Fellowship Norway. The picture was taken at the annual meeting Saturday. From left: Fred Karlsen (CEO), Jan-Ivar Andresen (chairman), Thomas Midtsund, Sissel B. Eggen, myself, Dag Kjetil Øyna (vice chairman) and Sam Norman. Lars Christian Svanholm was not present.

Tailwind Tale

Terje in NAG ready for return to Kjeller. With a nice tailwind we used 30 minutes less than our flight to Roskilde two days ago.

EKRK-Valby-NOA-Kulud-BAK-NOL-Regma-ENKJ 2:25
FL85

Flying over Copenhagen

Lisbeth and Terje joined me for sightseeing from Roskilde via Ishøj to downtown Copenhagen. Kastrup Tower gave us clearance for coastwise transit 1500 feet or below from Vallensbæk to Tuborg. Great service from friendly controllers. And a nice city too! [more images]

Roskilde Sunset

LN-NAG in the sunset at EKRK. Terje and I used 2:55 from ENKJ, following the Swedish coastline to the Copenhagen area. A smooth flight in FL70 and CAVOK.

Roskilde is home to more than half of the Danish fleet of GA-aircraft.

Taxi to Torp

Ingebjørg, Andrea, Jostein and LN-NAG at Kjeller before flying Ingebjørg to Torp. It is 13 years since her first GA flight with Alexander. Turid and I occupied the back seat, and I got my licence five years later.

Since then Ingebjørg has been one of my regular co-pilots.

For Andrea, this was the first flight. She co-piloted us safe back to Kjeller. At 17 she can operate an aircraft but not drive a car in Norway.

Fly-in on ice

The 9th annual fly-in at the Vermundsjøen lake by the Swedish border (604150N 1223E) and church service at Finnskog church was blessed with good flying weather after weeks of snow and fog, but the landing conditions were more challenging. Mild weather in the big forest led to blank ice with water on top - and bad braking action. I needed the total length of the 1300 meter runway on ice. MAF sponsored the event.

Saturday Sight Seeing

I woke up early to CAVOK, but the weather started to deteriorate rapidly. I had met Martha for the first time in about seven-eight years at the WAN/Telenor Digital Winners seminar Thursday, and we decided to go flying over Oslo Saturday afternoon. With the weather prognosis not looking too good, I gave her a wake up call, and at 09:35 we departed ENKJ for a local flight. A bit bumpy on the climb and strong winds aloft, by overall a nice Saturday morning sight seeing.

Fog and fun

Last time I flew with my dad (see picture) it was bright summer and we were heading for Gothenburg. Yesterday started with TAF's looking not very promising. Normally the ENKJ is the foggiest in the area, but this time the ceiling over ENGM and ENKJ opened up for a few hours. But the fog was all around, and all we got was 20 minutes in the air for a quick sight seeing over Oslo.

Staying current

Finally perfect VFR-conditions after weeks of snow. My co-worker Hilde and I took the morning off and flew LN-ULF from ENGM to ENTO for touch-and-go’s, and some sight seeing over Hildes home town before returning to Oslo and work at Oslo University College.

For me the flight was crucial to stay current. I needed three landings to continually fly legal with passengers, and one landing at ENGM to continue rental at Gardermoen Flyklubb.

Greetings from Atlanta

A new presentation of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Flying Club. I joined the club in the fall of 2005 when I was a visiting scholar at Tech. Fun to see plains, people and the Georgia skies again! My favourite sightseeing route was Stone Mountain and downtown ATL.

Cool flying in Korea

I am going to Seoul as Head of Delegation for the New Media Network study tour in April, and started to do some research on the possibility of flying during my visit. Most information from the clubs and schools are not easily understood by a westerner, but the home page presentations are awesome. Turn on your speakers and visit Korea Flying Education Center or Aim High Aero Club. More addresses to sky sports in Korea at this site.

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 50-60 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 is probably fewer memberships for me, fewer hours sold and less revenue for the clubs, and more week-ends on the ground for family and friends.

Flying over Tenerife

Spending two weeks in Tenerife to shorten the cold reality of Oslo in January, I planned to do a sightseeing flight around the island, like Thor Gjermund and I did in Gran Canaria two years ago.

My first attempt to drop by Real Aeroclub de Tenerife was not very successful. The new European security regulations had closed the airport completely. From the outside of the fence I could see the entrance, but there was nowhere to park legally, and the security guard would not let med thru without appointment with an instructor. She gave me the phone number to the club secretary, and I had to leave with no business.

Contact by phone was no problem, and the instructors were more than willing to take me for a flight under instruction. However I discovered an alternative a lot closer to by base at Las Americas on the southern coast.

At Aeropurto Reina Sofia (GCTS), Trabajos Aéreros Insulares offered a flight under instruction for €200/hr. A bit more expensive than the Aeroclub at Los Rodeos/the North Airport (GCXO), but it would save me two hours of driving.

I was about to fly the day before heading home, but a typical tourist illness made the whole project go down the drain. May be next time...

Hangar flying at Kjeller

Jostein (5) and cousin Kristian (3) in action hangar flying LN-NAG while I was doing DI before a local flight from ENKJ, coastwise to Fredrikstad and up the river Glomma, back to the Øyern lake and Kjeller. Nice winter conditions and Kristians first time in a small plane.

Extreme slippery

The iced tarmac at Kjeller (ENKJ) today made moving a Piper Warrior by hand impossible. I had to start the engine of LN-NAG in order to move three meters up to the fuel pump. And after landing, turning for taxi back to parking was quite a challenge. I made it, but the next guy had to jump out to move the plane back on the runway.

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...

1kW at ENTO

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

And the winner is OCAS!

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

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!

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...

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.

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).

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).

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.