John:

An interesting read.

I, too, flew in the UK last summer (during the record-breaking heat wave).

I flew out of Old Sarum. So much of your description matches so closely my
experiences. Especially the part about the "club" aspect. Old Sarum has a
white picket fenced-off area with tables, etc., set up to allow folks to
just sit and eat, drink, and watch the planes.

I was impressed with the general quality of the fleet. I flew a '67 C-172H
which was in almost immaculate condition.

About millibars: when we got in the plane, the instructor & I were going
down the preflight checklist. Although he mentioned the use of millibars and
QFE/QNH, etc., I commented something about the "oddness" of millibars. To
which he replied quite dryly, "You're in the rest of the world now. Get used
to it!"

Other differences were that when we returned, I looked for the control lock.
The instructor said they didn't use them. I then said, OK; should I just tie
it down? He said, no, there was no need. I asked about wind gusts, and he
said, "This is England!" Must not be much wind....

Only mistake I made was booking the flight for 0800. Here in TX, if you want
cool, smooth flight, it's early in the AM or late in the evening. Forgot all
about the English haze.... Fortunately it burned off quickly, but did not
make for decent photos...

Mostly just wanted an "official" UK entry in my logbook! I'd do it again in
a heartbeat.

Carl

"John Harper" wrote in message
news:1085504166.619124@sj-nntpcache-3...
I've written something about flying in England from the
perspective of a US pilot (albeit a Brit), it's at

www.john-a-harper.com/flying/england.htm

I'd especially be interested in any comments from UK
pilots.

John