Smart Pilatus, again

That's only a weather radar on the starboard wing. The engine, apparently, is a PT6, developing 1600shp. The aircraft can do 270kts (indicated, presumably) at FL280.

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Smart Pilatus

This PC12 diverted to Wyton on Saturday 6 Feb 10. I had had to land pretty smartly in my Tutor as the cloud rolled in from the north at around 300ft, and this Pilatus PC12 had had to divert from it destination, Cambridge, a few miles to the southwest of Wyton. Since I was in a light aircraft, the manoeuvre to dart through a break in the cloud was simple, but this chap was carrying pax! I spoke to the pilot later and he said that he enjoyed that sort of manoeuvre.

I do like the paint scheme on this PC12; I gather that OY-TWO is owned by a Danish train parts company.  I took this photo with my Olympus E-420 and 40-150 Digital Zuiko lens.

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Cambridge Buskers

Went to Cambridge yesterday, to buy some jeans. Wandered in Petty Cury and found the music all over the place. This was a great jazz quartet, with an affectionate audience.

Blowing that harp.

With a keen audience.

Restrictions on Photographers – Petition to Downing Street

I had not realised until just now that there are new laws restricting photographers from taking photographs:

"On the 16th of February, the Government passed a law (in the Counter Terrorism Act) making it illegal to take a photograph of a police office, military personnel or member of the intelligence services - or a photograph which 'may be of use for terrorism'. This definition is vague at best, and open to interpretation by the police - who under Home Secretary guidelines can "restrict photography in public places".

We call for these vague restrictions to be lifted, as they can easily be mis-used by the police."

You can add your name to this petition by going to the Downing Street website.

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11 Course Hawk – 1977

 The first Hawk course at RAF Valley in 1977.  I'm the only one still serving: Graham died in a Hawk accident at Bratislava in 1999, whereas Tim is now an airline pilot as far as I know.  The backdrop is the fireplace in an anteroom of the Officers' Mess at RAF Valley.

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First Fast Jet

1977 was a good year. I was 23, I had started the Advanced Fast Jet Course at RAF Valley (Anglesey, Wales) and I was on the first Hawk Course. Here I am being congratulated by my Boss on my First Solo in the Hawk. The flight consisted of a takeoff, and circumnavigation of the island of Anglesey before flying circuits at Valley. Since this was a speedy little machine, I got it up to 550kts (the highest the airspeed indicator would go!) by the time I got to the Menai Straits. The circuit of the island didn't take long.

I was the first ab-initio student pilot to fly it solo (the luck of the draw as there were only 3 students on that first course).

Halcyon days!

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Pheasant Visitor

This fine specimen visited our garden today, availing himself of the dry soil to give himself a dust bath. He took little notice of the humans working in reasonably close proximity.

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Photo taken with Olympus E-3 and 50-200 lens.