I’ve been bursting to tell you all about this for weeks. We’re moving to South Wales! We’ve taken a gorgeous flat right on the Marina and we’ll be splitting our time between Swansea and the Costa del Sol.

I’m really looking forward to this (despite all the dire weather predictions) and I hope to share my experiences there with all of you.

So of course, the first thing is to check out the local airport, right? Right!

Location: Swansea
Airfield: EGFH
Website: Swansea Airport – Maes Awyr Abertawe (but more information at NATS | Swansea )
Chart: PDF chart for EGFH
Phone Number: +44 1792 204063
ATSU +44 1792 208182 (strictly PPR)
Fax: +44 1792 207550
Hours: Winter 0900-1730 / Summer 0800-1630
Frequencies: 119.7 A/G
Runways: 04/22 1,350m concrete
10/28 857m asphalt
Note: Runways 04/22 and 10/28 have undulating surface.
Runways 10, 22 and 28 have displaced thresholds.
Airfield Height: 299 ft.
Circuits: Unless otherwise notified by ‘Swansea Radio’ standard circuit directions are as follows:
Runway 10 and 22 – Right Hand; Runway 28 and 04 – Left Hand.
Fuel: AVGAS 100LL
Weather Info: Cardiff Weather Centre
Divert: Cardiff

Google Map View:

Swansea Airport – Wikipedia

Swansea Airport was built on what was originally common land during World War II. The aerodrome was opened on 15 June 1941 as RAF Fairwood Common, after taking nearly a year to develop. It was originally built to be a fighter station. The airport became a sector station within months of opening, taking on the responsibility of the air defence for the whole of South Wales.

The airfield fulfilled a variety of military roles during World War II, following which it was decommissioned by the RAF in 1946. It was not until 1956 that the RAF released the airport land to Swansea Corporation to allow the airport to be developed for commercial usage.

I’ve already popped by to take a look around and I can report that the people were friendly and outgoing and the coffee shop was very comfortable. Within half an hour I had a new friend telling me all about the history of the airfield. I’m hoping I’ll be able to tell you more about that in the coming months.

Meanwhile, if you want to know why I’m excited about going to Wales, take a look at this clip from Fighter Pilot, paying close attention to the countryside they are flying over:

First, a collection of links about the Liberty Bell, the B-17 that has been in the news over the past week. The Liberty Bell, a World War 2 bomber, was forced to land in a field after an inflight fire.

B-17 “Crash” | myTransponder

This was not a crash. It was a successful off-field landing following an inflight fire. It’s just too bad the fire totaled the frame. Sad to lose an old plane like that, but I’m thrilled everyone got out when they landed.

Despite the unfortunate misuse of the word crash, don’t miss the photographs in the Daily Herald:

Images: World War II B-17 crash in Oswego – DailyHerald.com

A World War II-era B17 bomber made an emergency landing in an Oswego cornfield before being engulfed in flames on Monday.

And a statement from the Chief Pilot at the Liberty Foundation: Liberty Belle B-17 Flying Fortress

Directly below the B-17 was a farmer’s field and the decision was made to land immediately. Approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds from the radio report of the fire, the B-17 was down safely on the field. Within that 1:40 time frame, the crew shutdown and feathered the number 2 engine, activated the engine’s fire suppression system, lowered the landing gear and performed an on-speed landing. Bringing the B-17 to a quick stop, the crew and passengers quickly and safely exited the aircraft. Overhead in the T-6, Cullen professionally coordinated and directed the firefighting equipment which was dispatched by Aurora Tower to the landing location.

Unlike the sensational photos that you have all seen of the completely burned B-17 on the news, you will see from photos taken by our crew that our Liberty Belle was undamaged by the forced landing and at the time of landing, the wing fire damage was relatively small. The crew actually unloaded bags, then had the horrible task of watching the aircraft slowly burn while waiting for the fire trucks to arrive.

In somewhat bizarre news, a man begins giving random vectors to pilots coming into Istanbul. The Air Traffic Controller valiantly tries to sort out the mess with the clear instruction: “Please only listen to women”

fake atc by iststatus

These essays by Mike Angiulo flying from Washington to New York and back to pick up his new Great Lakes bi-plane makes for great reading.

Biplane Trip Across the Country

I felt very alone. The screaming noise of the engine was drowned out only by the 120mph wind buffeting my head around in the open cockpit of my new biplane. Things wouldn’t be so bad if I could see more than a hundred yards though. My left hand was busy holding my brick-sized GPS right above my heart. An inch lower and it loses reception. An inch higher and it might blow right out of the cockpit (probably finding a way to whack me in the face no doubt).

Inside the Hercules C-130 at an airshow – a joy to watch their teamwork. Via Sulako’s Blog

And finally, the EAA have posted a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to and celebration of the life of Amanda Younkin Franklin, who passed away on the 27th of May as a result of complications from her burns in the Brownsville airshow incident.

To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.

On the 1st of June, a tornado touched down in Southbridge in the late afternoon. It left a 39-mile path of damage behind it, the second longest track in Massachusetts’ history.

Tornado – Wikipedia

There are several different scales for rating the strength of tornadoes. The Fujita scale rates tornadoes by damage caused, and has been replaced in some countries by the updated Enhanced Fujita Scale. An F0 or EF0 tornado, the weakest category, damages trees, but not substantial structures. An F5 or EF5 tornado, the strongest category, rips buildings off their foundations and can deform large skyscrapers.

The Southbridge tornado was ranked as F3, with winds at 135-160 mph (220-260kph).

(There’s another Youtube video which shows the devastation directly after the tornado with, in my opinion, a much better commentary but the language is not safe for work: YouTube – Tornado in Brimfield MA.)

I first heard about the devastation from Dan Collins, who has a beautiful SR22 hangared at Southbridge Municipal, which was right on the end of the path of the twister.

This is Dan:

And this is his SR22:

MassDOT Aeronatics reported extensive storm damage to the airport:

The six t-hangar building was destroyed as well as the aircraft inside. The airport’s maintenance building suffered moderate damage. The airport’s office building suffered significant damage. Several sections of the airport security fencing is destroyed. There are approximately 15 aircraft significantly damaged. The aircraft have been thrown across the ramp, and into wooded areas and adjacent swamp. The runway and taxiway pavement are intact with some debris.

Bill Schillhammer of Avidyne was on the scene as a part of the search and rescue operation.

I was one of the CAP personnel tasked to silence the numerous ELTs that obviously were activated. These aircraft were tied down properly and many hangared.

He shared these photographs which were taken by the US Search and Rescue group:

There was another SR22 which was on the site, in the hanger that backs onto Dan’s. That aircraft lies in weeds about 100 yards from the hanger with a crushed cockpit and chute deployed.

Out of 35 aircraft at Southbridge, only 3 survived

And where was Dan’s plane?

Where is my aircraft? It is less than 10 minutes flying time away undergoing its annual inspection. I was annoyed it had taken a week longer than expected. I am not annoyed any more.

I’m going to be spending more time in England and Wales over the summer. I’m looking forward to it: I tend to commute back and forth which means I tend to only see places where I have a meeting. I haven’t had much chance to wander around and see things just because I want to see them.

So I’ve been thinking about how to spend my time. One thing I’d really like to get the chance to do is visit some smaller and specialist museums. Here’s my starting list of aviation related locations that I’d like to
see:

RAF Museum Hendon

Our North London Museum is the only London attraction to house over 100 aircraft from around the world including some very early aircraft designs through to the latest modern day jets and military aircraft.

Welsh Spitfire Museum

The Welsh Spitfire Museum has now opened its doors at Withybush (Haverfordwest) Airport following a grand opening last week.

Imperial War Museum Duxford

1940 Operations Room is a reconstruction of the place where Duxford’s fighter aircraft were directed into combat during the Battle of Britain.

National Space Centre Online

Space Now brings you all the latest in news from space using the latest technology to present the new discoveries being made across the globe, and the work being done right here in the UK.

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Here you can see priceless historic aircraft such as Neville Duke’s world record breaking Hawker Hunter, actual equipment used by the brave SOE agents who were carried into occupied France on ‘black Lysander’ flights from Tangmere, flight simulators where you can try your hand at flying, a full sized replica of the very first Spitfire prototype and more. Much more.

Bletchley Park

Pigeons at War tells the heroic role that pigeons played during periods of war.

Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground

Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome is home to the Cold War jet collection including a Victor, Hunter, Canberra, Comet, Lightning, Starfighter, Mystere, Sea Vixen, Buccaneer, Jet Provost, Super Guppy, Iskra and Jaguar. The latest aircraft to join the museum fleet is a Nimrod MR2 which joined us in April 2010 straight from the RAF.

Shuttleworth Old Warden Park July Evening Airshow

Prior to the display, visitors have the opportunity to take to the air in a real vintage aircraft – choose from a Tiger Moth flight, or sightseeing trip in a 1930s Dragon Rapide airliner, and at some of the shows we may have the T6 Harvard available.

South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum

Military Aircraft collection from propeller training aircraft to Mach 2 Jet fighters. Historic 60 year old RAF buildings including Bellman aircraft hangar and authentic wooden RAF huts. Commercial Light Aircraft Collection.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks, and a Dakota. A partnership between Lincolnshire County Council and the Royal Air Force makes it possible to view these historic aircraft at their base at RAF Coningsby.

Can you help me decide where to go?

I’m sure there’s lots of interesting places to go but it is hard to find out about them! One of the best days out I’ve had was at the Secret Nuclear Bunker and I only found that because I happened to walk past a sign for it.

I also enjoyed getting a peek at Brookman’s Park VOR (BPK) but I’d prefer to see one legally, really. Without being chased off by cows.

I’m pretty open-minded about what’s a good day out but it’s so hard to tell from guide books and websites. If you have any experience of the places on my list, can you let me know what you think. I would really like some personal recommendations to help me prioritise.

Also, please, if you know an interesting location to visit, preferably easily accessible by public transport as I am planeless at the moment, please drop me a line or leave me a note in the comments. Off the beaten track is just fine!

I promise to submit a full report after I visit!