4 August 2020
Even the most optimistic among us can struggle to maintain a bright outlook from time to time. Covid, economic uncertainty, ever more complex aviation regulation, airfield closures, airspace designed by people who presumably aren’t old enough to even look like policemen… the list, which always seems to lack sufficient golden nuggets, goes on. But from time to time something special crops up, something that warms a slightly jaded aviation heart, something that reminds you just what is possible and how much fun it can be.
On Sunday August 2 I was walking along the track that runs from the airstrip on Lundy to the Marisco Tavern. The rain had stopped, the sun was out, I could see the Devon coast ahead and to my left, and if I glanced back I could see Wales. The pub was busy (too busy for me), but I sat down with fellow flyers, and shared some pleasant aviation chat and a pork pie (thanks Graham!).
This was my second visit to Lundy, the first being a few years ago on June 21, the longest day, when I flew in with my wife in the C182, and we met up with a good friend and another Ian, who was in his Cessna 180, more on that later.
“This might be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest fly-in this year. Lunkosh perhaps…?”
The strip on Lundy, as the guides and any previous visitors will tell you, is short, rough, and undulating with a not insignificant hump in the middle.
Although there are no big holes, there are animal tracks, embedded rocks and enough sheep poo to make it likely that you’ll somehow manage to put your foot in it at some point. Oh, and there’s a substantial stone wall at the 24 threshold that’s always worth missing. All of this and much more is covered in an excellent and comprehensive brief that’s sent out before the event (if you haven’t guessed, PPR is essential, as is a telephone briefing if you’re a first timer to the island’s airstrip).
It was the annual Lundy Fly-in, organised by Pete White and the small ‘Lundy Team’ with the full support of those on the island (winter population of around 20). The event first was run back in 2000 (how can that be 20 years ago?), when it was organised by what was then the PFA’s Devon Strut. Concerns over its challenging nature lead the PFA/LAA to withdraw, and ever since Peter and his small team of volunteers have been making it all happen. They arrive on the island the day before the event (by air, obviously), and walk the runway and parking areas to check for anything more than the usual Lundy hazards, reacquaint themselves with the lie of the land so they can figure out where to park everyone and finally test the quality of the Marisco Tavern’s refreshments.
It’s become somewhat of a highlight in strip flyers’ diaries and for good reason – it brings together a bunch of interesting aeroplanes and interesting pilots at what is a unique and challenging location. Numbers have grown over the years, and despite some weather challenges and Covid, this year there were 80, yup, EIGHTY visiting aircraft, including more than 30 vintage aeroplanes.
The event is obviously not without risk. The small island is often affected by local weather (we saw some of that!), and bringing lots of aircraft into and out of a short rough strip, over not much more than a few hours, will always be a bit more challenging than having a full English with a couple of mates at an airfield with a long and smooth runway. There’s no mechanical support on the island, just whatever spares, tools and goodwill you and your fellow pilots bring with you, so minor mishaps or technical issues come with a disproportionate risk, but the reasons that make it challenging and the satisfaction that comes from it all going to plan are clearly an integral part of its success.
I could have taken the C182 back in again (there were quite a few there), but the other Ian – the one with the C180 I’d had dinner with on Lundy a few years ago – is currently out of the country, and in an act of supreme generosity he said he had no problem with me taking his aeroplane to the fly-in (he didn’t mention bringing it back again, but I took that as a given). So, I refreshed my short field landing and take-off technique beforehand, but I don’t mind admitting to feeling a little trepidation as Ed the Editor and I departed for Lundy.
Later in the day while walking the lines of aircraft with Ed wondered if this might be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest fly-in this year. Lunkosh perhaps…?
It was bigger than AERO Friedrichshafen, had more aircraft than Sun ’n Fun – and more than Oshkosh! I bet nobody, especially Pete White and the team, ever thought anyone would be able to say that about Lundy Sunday.
Thanks everyone, I’m looking forward to next year already, and hope to see you there (don’t forget to PPR!).
