True to his word I was collected by the airport manager from the hotel at 8:30. On arrival at the airport we had to stand outside for a while as the Tallin scheduled flight was still loading. They are rebuilding the terminal with the last of the EU grants so they had no space for people to go except in the door through the x ray machines and so on. Eventually we were through and I was taken upstairs to the control tower for a run through of all their equipment including the precision approach radar.. I was offered detailed met (about 12 pages) Notams and eventually managed to get the flight plan submitted. Off I went. This time a really long sea crossing of 78 miles although some of it was no more than 3 miles off shore. I was passed over to Tallin who immediately asked me to be aware that I was going to be near some danger areas. Near wasn’t quite the word as what she meant was through. These were actually in Finland not Estonia and why they hadn’t appeared in the notams remains a mystery. Anyway I adjusted and hit the Finish coast and continued to Helsinki Malmo. The approach is right alongside the city, very reminiscent of Templehof but closer. Max height 1000ft. 
As I approached final for 36 it looked as though I was on a long final at the main airport Vanta as they are so close.
The approach was bumpy as anything and the wind gusting up to 20 knots. Still I was down and then had to negotiate the hurdle of getting to pay for fuel and landing fees. Signs were non existent but eventually I found the office on the second floor of the old terminal building. With those duly paid and yet another cluster of paper provided, this showing heavy rain and possibly hail showers in Stockholm. On that basis I decided to file a plan for Marieham first so I could make the decision then as to whether I would continue. The flight to Marieham is one of the prettiest in Scandinavia.
It would have been even better if spring had arrived, but it hasn’t. The trees are in bud, not yet in leaf. The arrival in Mariaham was marked by a horrible crosswind of about 17 knots. I was glad to be on the ground. The temperature was bitterly cold and I regretted just wearing a T shirt. Refuelled and refreshed (if you can call a 3 hr old coffee refreshing). The flight plan was filed for Stockholm. First choice was Ska Edeby, with Barkaby second and Bromma third. The view ahead did not look encouraging. 
Eventually as I approached the narrow gap between Arlanda and Bromma, my way was blocked by a very heavy shower. I turned left at Masten and made the call for Barkaby. The landing was not the easiest as it has to be a very tight turn onto final and the 15knot crosswind didn’t help.
No sooner was I on the ground trying to phone to close my flight plan when the heavens opened. It would have been quite amusing if someone had a photo of me hiding under the wing trying to keep the book dry as I called Bromma. Job done I headed for the clubhouse. The welcome was a little flat and in the end I used the computer to find me a hotel room and someone did help me call a taxi. A night in a posh Stockholm hotel. Tough.
Total today another 400 miles making 3237 in total
As I approached final for 36 it looked as though I was on a long final at the main airport Vanta as they are so close. The approach was bumpy as anything and the wind gusting up to 20 knots. Still I was down and then had to negotiate the hurdle of getting to pay for fuel and landing fees. Signs were non existent but eventually I found the office on the second floor of the old terminal building. With those duly paid and yet another cluster of paper provided, this showing heavy rain and possibly hail showers in Stockholm. On that basis I decided to file a plan for Marieham first so I could make the decision then as to whether I would continue. The flight to Marieham is one of the prettiest in Scandinavia. It would have been even better if spring had arrived, but it hasn’t. The trees are in bud, not yet in leaf. The arrival in Mariaham was marked by a horrible crosswind of about 17 knots. I was glad to be on the ground. The temperature was bitterly cold and I regretted just wearing a T shirt. Refuelled and refreshed (if you can call a 3 hr old coffee refreshing). The flight plan was filed for Stockholm. First choice was Ska Edeby, with Barkaby second and Bromma third. The view ahead did not look encouraging. Eventually as I approached the narrow gap between Arlanda and Bromma, my way was blocked by a very heavy shower. I turned left at Masten and made the call for Barkaby. The landing was not the easiest as it has to be a very tight turn onto final and the 15knot crosswind didn’t help.
No sooner was I on the ground trying to phone to close my flight plan when the heavens opened. It would have been quite amusing if someone had a photo of me hiding under the wing trying to keep the book dry as I called Bromma. Job done I headed for the clubhouse. The welcome was a little flat and in the end I used the computer to find me a hotel room and someone did help me call a taxi. A night in a posh Stockholm hotel. Tough.
Total today another 400 miles making 3237 in total
No comments:
Post a Comment