To reassure students during their first solo flights, Phil is able to keep in contact with them using the radio. He can be seen here in the tower, co-ordinating the movements of a solo student with other aircraft activities. Below can be seen some of the students that have come out to us and successfully achieved their aims......
On the left, our Scorcher in flight piloted by student Ian Cunningham from Scotland, during one of his solo flights on the way to gaining his licence with us.
Below, an evocative shot of Ian flying over our local 'Marais Salants' (salt marshes), with a bank of sea fog far below him.
Right, Ian continues over the fog bank on his way to Le Croisic around 15km distant from our airfield. No worries about getting back, as he had been keeping a careful eye on the return route, which remained clear. And below left, the return to the airfield coming in over our bay, the sea fog having been left behind, the airfield in the centre of the photo.
Ian Skeldon from England, right, in the Scorcher benefitting from some last-minute advice before completing his second and last navigational cross-country with outlanding, at Vannes.
Whilst flying with another student, Phil was able to verify that Ian was correctly on course for his destination, seen here some 10 mins after take- off.
John Bennett from Eire on the left perfecting his landing technique, with Phil on hand to help. Right he has successfully completed his GFT, next to our single-seater, with the Blade 912 (on which he flew all his dual hours) in the background.
Ian took his camera with him as proof that he got to his destination. Here the Scorcher is seen in the parking area at Vannes after a flight of 1hr.
Ian quite rightly looking very pleased with himself after a very professionally carried out GFT, pictured here with Phil and Sammy.
Tom Noonan from Eire is seen in front of the tower at Belle-île aerodrome with our Blade having just carried out a flight with Phil of 26 miles over the sea. Weather permitting, all of our students make the flight as part of their navigation training.
Tom arrived with a restricted licence (3-axis), but wanting a conversion course onto flexwing microlights. Not only did he successfully complete the conversion, he did so well that he was also able to carry out the additional flying needed to remove the restrictions from his licence. Here are Tom and Phil, after a successful additional control systems test.
Below left, Paula Eardley from England in the Scorcher having just been given a last-minute briefing from Phil before setting off on her first solo flight; and below middle, carrying out her pre-flight checks. Finally below right, only 4 days after being sent solo, having completed all the solo flying requirements, she can be seen with Phil after having completed a GFT to a very high standard, and all in late autumn...
Below left, Paul Mansfield from Cambridgeshire, having just arrived at Belle-Ile aerodrome with Phil after having planned and flown a navigation excercise from La Baule. Paul came here with a restricted licence, with the intention of carrying out the flights necessary to get the restrictions removed, having waited unsuccessfully in the UK for more than a year to do this. Paul achieved his aims in the first 3 days of a 1-week stay. Below centre and right, Dave Hannam of Rochdale, had two stays out with us. The first week at the beginning of July was on the way out to Spain by car for a touring holiday to complete his dual training. The second stay, also of a week was in mid-August during his return from Spain, when he completed all his solo flying requirements. Below centre, Dave is seen here returning from Vannes airfield, his second qualifying cross-country flight in our Mainair Flash 2. During his second week with us, once his solo flying requirements were finished, Dave had time to get his GFT done as well. Below right, very happy, after having flown his test perfectly.
Gabriel Leen from Eire, below left, also had two stays with us but separated by almost a year! During his first stay, Gabriel, starting from scratch, got up to solo standard, and passed all five of his exams. Not having been able to get any flying in at all in the intervening time in Eire, he decided to come back to us to get finished off. Once back, he was rapidly sent solo after a few refresher flights, quickly completing all the solo flying requirements in just a few days. Below centre, he's at 2500ft a few minutes after leaving the circuit, and setting out on his first qualifying solo cross-country flight to Redon airfield, 35 miles distant. His second qualifying cross-country was completed the day after, early in the morning, with his GFT later the same day!
