Another day in paradise (aka Kirkwall Airport)

Third time lucky

Grrrrrrr.  I have already typed and uploaded photos twice and the script for this blog threw syntax errors removing my work, so having another go.  It has been hectic for weeks and I am sad to say I have had little time to pay attention to this blog, so I thought I would send a few pics prior to going on holiday on the 18th.

I will start off with a couple of visiting PA28s

and

And of course the inside (of G-BIIT)

The next aircraft is very unusual and I think it is worth a few photos, this one flew in from Fair Isle and onwards to the Black Isle.  It is a Quik GT-450.

And a close up of the main machinery, even without a wing it would look fantastic

And the inside

Around about the same time there was a military exercise on and this Falcon 20, G-FFRA did a few low passes.

While I was outside I noticed a Cirrus SR-22 had landed in the form of N866C.  What is unusual about this aircraft is the fact it is fitted with a parachute in case of emergency.  Not for the pilot, for the aircraft and heres the proof.

We had a short visit from G-TREE, a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, taken at a distance

Thursday 10th July saw the last flight and departure of ian Potten, a Captain with the Loganair Inter Island service with over 10000 flying hours.  He has left us for Antartica to fly Twin Otters with the British Antartic Survey team.

Ian has flown Islanders, Twin Otters, ATP's, F406's, C310 and DC3! amongst others

After his last flight, he was met on the ground by some of his colleagues who happily posed for this photo graph.

From left to right - Lindsey, Calum, Ian, Tant, Paul, Jackie and Jenny

At the end of last week, I had my usual monthly visit to Stornoway.  This time in a different aircraft as G-LEAF has now left for pastures new and it is a J31 that does the run in the mornings.  In this case a new aircraft for me, G-CCPW

 When we landed at Inverness there were a couple of bizjets sitting.  The first one N1GN, a G550 owned by the great white shark himself, Greg Norman.

There was also a Falcon 900, N233KC

And last but not least, Gary Scott from security is training  for his CPL and offered me a flight from Kirkwall to Wick and back.  I took some great aerial shots but my favourite was while we were sitting at the end of 31 waiting to take off, this easter J41 came in.

Thats it for now, take care and thanks for looking

Neil