Sun ´n Fun at Haga

"Haga International Airport", a sign on the hangar of the 590 m/1936 ft grass field says.

Farmer Ole H. Westby hosted the annual Gardermoen Flyklubb fly-in barbeque where former Chief Flight Instructor and soft field enthusiast Kjell Ødemark (white shirt) was named the first honorary member of the flying club, by president Jarle Espelund (red shirt). Ødemark always emphasized the importance of soft field landing skills in case of motor failure: The ability to land slow and short will reduce casualties.

Haga is located right east of the B airspace, and the pilots normally operating from ENGM - the main international airport serving Norway - enjoyed the freedom of flying fun without asking anyone for prior approval. 

It was my first landing at this nice field, only 10 minutes in LN-NPK from ENKJ. I´ll definitely be back.

 

Wet, wet, wet!

Water was all around as I started the fall season on floats.

Tore helped me drain during DI, and we flew an hour of CB slalom before receiving a bonus shower while docking. 

The thunderstorms from the night before caused flooding in my own neighborhood, among many locations in Eastern Norway. Before a new week of rain, the meteorologists promises a couple of sunny days this weekend. Let us hope.

New seaplane base at Austefjorden

On vacation in Volda I drove the 20 km to Austefjorden, for a view of the new seaplane base.

Jørn Inge Håvik, a Canada based pilot, is preparing to move home. His solid seaplane hangar built in local boathouse tradition should be able to protect the plane from Norwegian winters.

I am looking forward to view the base in full operation on future visits to family in Volda and Ørsta. Hoping for rental opportunities :-)

Seaplane spotting at Nordfjordeid

Driving the 713 km. from Kristiansand to Volda we spotted the first seaplane at the least probable place; Nordfjordeid. The long and wide fjord is not the most forgiving place to land in strong winds, and Kjetil told me the touchdown with LN-ABK in fresh breeze was the most challenging part of a great flight over the mountains from Kilen, Oslo. The Smith/Daytona Cub has an endurance of seven hours, hence the lack of fuel supply at this part of the country does not represent any challenge for visits in this aircraft. It was fun to meet a fellow Kilen pilot in this neck of the woods.

Blindleia on Floats

LN-AEG's summer base at Tregde, a small village near Mandal, is only a three quarters drive from our first vacation stop in Kristiansand. Beautiful Blindleia is famous at sea, and in my mind even better by air. Combining the experiences in a float plane is plain pleasure!

Blindleia is an inland waterway that starts in Gamle Hellesund in Høvåg (VFR reporting point to ENCN), and continues past Lillesand. It is a salt water fjord formed passage protected from the open sea by an elongated archipelago of skerries. There are several narrow gaps as part of the waterway, some of them only 10 metres wide. There are no tides, and very little current.

Our great hosts, the Ødegaard family, got a taste of it too. From Tregde we flew to Kjevik (ENCN) for change of crew and fuelling, continued Blindleia to Lillesand, and then Grimstad. Return to base in 500 feet over the beautiful coast line of Southern Norway.

RETS: Recent Thunderstorms

Zulifqar was prepared for more advanced air crew management than I usually practice in LN-NAG, having studied the operation manuals of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), preparing for a court case. He did a great job in his debut as co-pilot, while Shazia and Alina (6 1/2) navigated from the back seat. We had to postpone takeoff for an hour due to thunder showers passing by, and got a smooth ride in the crisp RETS air.

Leaving Sandefjord, keeping the cup

I joined SMFK as I got my PPL and moved to Sandefjord nine years ago. We lived in the city for a couple of years while my wife worked as a judge, and I commuted to Oslo. Meeting the regulars Saturdays at ENTO for waffles and hangar talk was something I looked forward to every week.

 
I pitched in for the first Norwegian flying club investment in a new C172, and have ever since joining had a strong feeling of belonging. I still drink my coffee from the SMFK cup.

Hence it was with regrets I left the club this week. Their policy of NOK 2,500 (€315) payable before first flight annually, makes you think twice before the first rental every year. And this explains why I have only visited for waffles and talks the latter years, and spent my rental money other places. Recently they added NOK 1,000 (€125) payable annually before using their facilities. All this in addition to the membership fee. Total price tag on the first hour of flight at SMFK is then NOK 5,310 (€665). 

If this were my only club membership, I would happily contribute. But I am member of a handful of flying clubs, and for me this trend of increasing the fees payable before first flight accumulated to NOK 14.820 (€1,800) this year, before the new fee from SMFK. I understand the wish to make passive members contribute more in order to have privileges of access, but I think the result will be fewer members, less use of the aircrafts, and even more to pay for the active few.

Leaving Sandefjord was not easy. But I'll keep the cup, and will sip my coffee, thinking about good times with old friends.

Destination Oslo

Monica flying over Oslo on my 2nd tour of the day, giving our holiday guests the Oslo-in-a-nutshell experience;  a 20 minutes tour of the capitol city, included the Holmenkollen Skijump, Bygdøy (the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, and the royal estate), the Oslo Fjord, Ekebergsletta (Home of the Norway Cup), before returning to Kjeller Airport. 

See the slideshow!

Summer night flight

Anne, Simen and Martin joined me for a late night flight over Summer Oslo. Not too much traffic, a few seaplanes arriving at Kilen and the police chopper operating low level in Maridalen with a rescue chopper standing by at Holmenkollen, otherwise we had the airspace to ourselves, flying over the city, southbound following the fjord to Oscarsborg, and back via Tusenfryd. Simen (11) had his debut as co-pilot.

Summer morning on floats

Kristian and LN-AEG at Kilen after a morning tour of Holsfjorden, Husodden, Krøderen, Åros, and Hallangen. Perfect start on a beautiful summer day.

GC safety pilot

CFI Catharina at the Real Aero Club de Gran Canaria was ready to go, but I had left my license at home to be sure that this visit would be work only (writing my PhD thesis in Mogán), and no play :-(

Flying around the island takes about an hour, and the price tag, including safety pilot, is €174. A fun and easy way to fly in a Spanish language environment for people not speaking the language. I did the tour a few years ago, and it was a great way to see the island. Next time I might double the flying time and cross a small bit of the Atlantic to visit one of the airports at Tenerife. 

After hangar flying, I had dinner at the Aero Club Restaurant. As always - great food, friendly service and affordable prices.

Thea's first flight

Einar and Thea (15) at Hamar on our evening trip ENKJ-ENHA-Husodden-ENEG-ENSN-ENTO-ENKJ. Thea unveiled her talent as she co-piloted her first flight with me from Skien to Torp.

A bit bumby

Bård is departing Kjeller (ENKJ) in LN-NAG with a big Swede on his tail, short time after I returned from Torp (ENTO). The flying conditions today were a bit bumpy, but I was not hit as hard as the pilot pressed down in the treetops right after take-off at Gotterud, Vestre Toten.

GA News in Norwegian

I am assisting AOPA Norway in revitalizing their web site, and one of the new features is a news agent for coverage of General Aviation. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Winner Flight over Oslo

Jørn won a flight with MAF at the Kjeller Air Show, and I took him for some evening sight seeing over family in Nittedal and his home in Oslo. A nice and smooth evening flight in LN-NRF. Read more at MAF.no.

The sun always shines on TV

Tore is refueling at Skånevik before our return to Oslo in seaplane LN-AEG. We flew over sunny Southern Norway for my attendance in Torgrim's new show on TV Haugaland, and returned via the spectacular Hardangerfjord. I am home safe and sunburned.

Route: Kilen - DRA - Tuddal - SOROX - Skånevik - Ulvik - Dagali - TRF - Kilen.

Nine landings and ready to go

Today I did the combined type check of C172 on floats and season check at Kilen Seaplane Club. First Arne the LN-AEG owner gave me an introduction. 55 minutes and nine landings later Kjell gave me the formal signatures.

Potluck Fly-in

Rolf and his tax free goods from Jönköping International Airport (ESGJ). He used to be my professor at BI Centre for Media Economics, now he is affiliated with the Media Management and Transformation Centre at Jönköping International Business School. I was MMTC Visiting Scholar earlier this spring, and yesterday we flew in for the MMTC Potluck. Route information and more images at Flickr.

Promoting MAF at Kjeller Air Show

15,000 people attended the annual Kjeller Air Show on a beautiful Sunday. Dag Kjetil and I represented MAF. More pictures at RB.no.

New times at Näsinge

My last logbook entry from Näsinge (ESGS) is a few years back. Today we drove by - by car, and learned that tings have changed. The sailplanes are not longer welcome. Most have moved to Notodden or Starmoen in Norway. And grand plans of transforming the grass field to a hard surface airport are developed by local businesses and the municipality. Grants from the European Union are also expected. In the mean time life is slow at Näsinge, and the local grocery store closed a couple of years ago. No ice cream outlet was the most dramatic change for Jostein (in the picture).

Ready for the sea season

Today I got confirmation of being one of five pilots flying LN-AEG (C172) this season. 20 hours are reserved. Now, let's hope the summer arrives soon...

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.