Swedish Tour Restricted by Heavy Rain

Last week the runway at ESSI cracked due to drought. Yesterday 49 millimeters of rain fell, and today only one of the grass runways was usable. All other grass strips in the area was not operative, and a low cloud base to the east restricted our original plan to visit most local fields surrounding the two major Swedish lakes Vänern and Vättern.

Visingsö and its beautiful airfield dating back to the 30's definitely live up to its slogan as Vätterns Pearl, and will be visited again.

Route: Kjeller (ENKJ)- Arvika (ESKV) - Skövde (ESGR) - Falköping (ESGK) - Visingsö (ESSI) - Trollhättan (ESGT) - Baldersnäs - Arvika (ESKV) - Kjeller (ENKJ)
Aircrafts: LN-NAG and SE-GAN

Mountain Flying

Route: ENKJ-ENFG-ENSG-Voss-Eidfjord-ENDI-ENKJ

Aircraft: LN-NEW (P28A)

Flying time: KJ-FG-SG 1:45 // SG-DI 1:05 // DI-KJ 1:00

See slide show!

My slowest Q1 ever

First quarter of 2008 I accumulated only 4.8 hours of flying time, my slowest ever since I got my PPL in 1999.

Sun'n'fun

A day too beautiful to stay grounded. I met a friendly fellow at ENKJ as he was making plans to fly small planes again after years flying big birds abroad. Like my Facebook friend and sky sister Simone, he had experience from Kabul and other exotic places. Today a lunch flight over Oslo and Øyern in LN-NAG was all it took to make the day for both of us.

Easter on left base 07

I did the tour of the Gran Canary Island three years ago from El Berriel, with a safety pilot from the Real Aero Club de Gran Canaria.

This Easter we relaxed on the Monte Feliz poolside on left base 07, letting the sounds of departing aircrafts bring back good memories. I did visit the club hangar and a brought my family for dinner at the great Real Aero Club Restaurant, but managed to stay on the ground this time. :-)

Fly-in Sunday Dinner at Notodden

Lars and LN-NAG at ENNO after Sunday dinner at Oasen, Notodden. We went coast wise from Oslo to Holmestrand, and Larvik to Langesund, then Skien and Nautesund Bridge inbound Notodden (1:20). Return direct Kjeller (0:40).

No tunnel celebration by air

The deepest undersea tunnel in the world opened today, and 40,000 people in the Sunnmøre region got connected. The Eiksund Tunnel is 7,765 m (25,476 ft) long and 287 m (942 ft) deep. I planned to see the ceremony from the air, but LN-ASH at the VØF hangar on ENOV was grounded. Even the sun came out for a few moments celebrating the event. I'll test the tunnel by car tomorrow...

Aviation nostalgia

The fine old fuel pump at Arvika (ESKV) does still have avgas at old fashion rates (SEK 9.50 / NOK 8.07 / €1). Ingvar gave me the Arvika Flygklubb check ride today, enabling me to rent great planes at affordable prices.

After take-off 01 at Arvika I turned left and joined extended long final 30 at Kjeller. The cross border ferry of 30 minutes from high cost ENKJ to affordable and friendly ESKV is recommended.

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.

Last flight of 2007

Wenche and Helle joined me for a tour of Østfold in LN-NAG on the 2nd last day of 2007. We departed Kjeller (ENKJ) and did a touch-and-go at the new Moss Airport (ENRY), before looking up Wenche's summer place in Hvaler and landing at Rakkestad (ENRK), switching co-pilot. After weeks of bad weather, the air traffic at Kjeller was considerable this Sunday afternoon.

My total flying time this year is 69:25. An all time high. Happy landings in 2008!

(Picture © 2007 Johnny Beach All Rigths Reserved. WildEarthPhoto.com)

Investigating a Canadian Mystery

In his new book, my second cousin Mark Fremmerlid tells the story of Albert Johnson aka "The Mad Trapper Of Rat River", a man who went to extraordinary lengths to avoid the RCMP. The question of who he was has plagued authors, police and reporters alike. Now, a new theory emerges that explains why he shot a police officer during a routine RCMP visit, why he was so well prepared for the following seven week chase and why he chose to be "Albert Johnson".

An airplane, manned by Wop May, was also used to tracker this fugitive.

Finally, after 75 years, this true story is revealed. A fiction writer couldn't dream this one up. Mark researched this book for 25 years. It is loaded with never before published, well documented information, about our grand uncle Sigvald and The Mad Trapper Albert Johnson. In today’s edition of Møre, the local newspaper in Sigvald's Norwegian home town Volda, I wrote a piece about the story.

Mark Fremmerlid is a pilot with nearly 25,000 hours, most of this as a bush pilot in Wabasca, AB. He currently works as a medivac co-pilot for Can-West Corporate Air Charters.

Flying for Life!

Margaret and Jan Tore shared their experiences and insight from flying for MAF in Congo and Mongolia at Kjeller last night. 60 pilots attended the event. Read more (in Norwegian).

Sunday fun at Kjeller

The 1c class mascot Mr. Nilsson (right) and the Eiksund/Sæthre family (over) joined us for an afternoon of hotdog pick-nick at Kjeller and flights in LN-DAX (observing the new permanent restriction area over Oslo).

Mr. Nilsson stays at one of the pupil's houses every week-end, and this time it was Jostein's responsibility to be the host. What better way to entertain than go flying ;-)

Flying westbound

Co-pilot Pål, MP Hilde and an Irish Coffee during far better conditions at Voss than on the time of invention of this drink:

The coffee was conceived after a group of American passengers disembarked at Shannon Airport in the west of Ireland on a miserable winter evening in the 1940s. Joseph Sheridan decided to add some whiskey to the coffee to warm the passengers. After being asked if they were being served Brazilian coffee, Sheridan told the passengers that it was Irish coffee. The Buena Vista in San Francisco claims to have reinvented the drink in 1952.

Aircraft: LN-NAG
Route: ENKJ-EKDAL-SOPAR-Eidfjord-ENBM return.
Weather: CAVOK, wind nil.
Level: FL85/75
Flying time: 1:30 x 2
See flickr slideshow

Sigrid departing Oslo

My niece Sigrid (14) has stayed at our house the last week, working in Petter's kindergarten. Before returning for home and going back to school in Eksingedalen, she joined me for a flight over Oslo and Ski in LN-NEW.

Piper PA28-161 for sale

LN-NAG has been leased to Oslo Flyveklubb since 2002. Now the club has invested in new aircrafts, and our Warrior is for sale. Take a look at http://krumsvik.com/LN-NAG/

Eric flying LN-NAG from ENKJ til Bjorkelangen and Oslo before returning to base.

ENTO and ENRY CTR realigned today

Just a short reminder to my flying friends - and myself... New VFR-Routes Light Aircraft for ENTO and ENRY are pbulished.

Windy day at Trysil

ENTS is only a short flight from the annual MAF Norway Fly-In at Starmoen (ENHN). Four aircrafts (P28A, C172, C182, and C310) transported the group to and from in a bit of wind and gust. Take a look at the windsock...

Me and LN-ULF left the Fly-In Saturday night on a beautiful night flight to ENGM in CAVOK. The next morning VFR was not an option: TAF (FC) 161100Z 161221 VRB05KT 6000 RA SCT004 BKN012 TEMPO 1221 1500 -RADZ BR FEW002 BKN004.

Family flight

Petter, Jostein and Turid joined me for our fist family flight today. (We did fly in Florida two years ago, but then I was under instruction). On this occasion it was highly appropriate to use LN-NPK owned by the flying family Håkensen.

End of sea season

Kari, my successor as head of New Media Network, after Friday lunch at Villa Fridheim by Krøderen, before returning to Kilen. I flew my 20th hour on floats this season, and do now have about 40 in total - all in LN-UXC. If the weather does not get exceptional well in the weeks to come, this might be the end of my season at sea for this year.

Jostein's farewell to kindergarten

Jostein (5 1/2) started at school this fall, and gave a flight in LN-NAG as farewell gift to the nice people working at Troll (Starveien Barnehage). Petter (3) just started at Troll this fall, and came along for the celebration. May-Britt, Liss, Elisabeth and Bente looked a little worried before takeoff (upper left), but the boys comforted them by falling asleep in air. And afterwards (bottom right), we could witness a happy crowd. :-)

Flying with Arne

Two bumpy flights in the afternoon and a smooth evening flight over Oslo today, flying with MAF International vice president Arne Nordahl and friends.

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.

Air show weekend

Jostein at MAF's pavilion on Jarlsberg Airshow Sunday, celebrating ENJB's 70th anniversary. Saturday I did also represent MAF at Rygge Airshow on the other side of the Oslo Fjord, as one of the 35,000 enjoying the spectacular and very loud display celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 720th Sqn.

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.