LOOP Features

Andrewsfield - Fly-out

HEELAN'S Flying Circus successfully completed their Great Essex, Norfolk and Kent Trek in June, after cancelling the original fly-out earlier in the month due to bad weather.

The five-stop trip comprised Great Oakley, Old Buckenham, Earls Colne, Rochester and Stapleford. Three aircraft flew from the group's base at Andrewsfield, near Stansted Airport. Circus ringmaster Steve Malcolm set off for Great Oakley in the club's Arrow, with a PA28 and C172 in tow.

"It was a fine day, sunny and warm," said Shane Hoppings, who flew the 172 with Nick Ferris.
"The short hop took only 10-15 minutes, and we were arriving in close formation. What a lovely airfield! The owners are obviously keen aviators and have put a great deal of effort and thought into this picturesque site."

An unplanned stop to check warm start procedures on the Arrow gave the group a chance to enjoy the Great Oakley ambience and meet the resident swans.

Old Buckenham, home of the famous Mustang Burger, was up next, with the local parachute club providing entertainment as the Circus arrived.

Shane explained, "We had to hold orbiting over Snetterton race track awaiting the call. All canopies down safely we joined and landed, then had lunch with Martin Shaw.

"We watched the usual array of beautiful aircraft, and another set of victims from the parachute fraternity vacated their aircraft at around 7000 feet."

Post-lunch - and with some weight and balance recalculations - it was all change and Steve Rolph hopped into the 172 with Shane.

Next stop, Earls Colne and Shane found himself on a "fairly short approach - due to some bizarre doglegging exercise around houses on finals, which no one else seemed to worry about!" under the guidance of co-pilot Steve R.

Time tight, the group decided to bypass Rochester and made it across to Stapleford for the final stop of the day. Nick flew the final leg in the 172, with Steve R and his son Sam.

Alan Harragan gained his Circus wings, performing a perfect low pass over Steve M in the Arrow on short finals, before finding a slot in amongst the glide approaches and circuit manoeuvres of local residents.
W: www.andrewsfield.com

WORDS Kirsten Corrigan

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Andrewsfield - Fly-out