Another day in paradise (Kirkwall Airport)

What has a Dragon and a Yaks rear got in common?

I photographed them both over the last week.  It has been a busy time at the airport with last friday the 28th of May being the 75th anniversary of Ted Fressons inaugural mail flight to Orkney.  This was commemorated by the issue of special first day covers from the Fresson Trust being flown to Kirkwall in a DH84 piloted by Henry LaBouchere.

Before he arrived with his guests we had a fly past by our old friend Ariadne piloted by Mark Preston

And a first for me, Peter Shearer in a low pass with his G-BMFY Grob 109

Then it was time for G-ECAN, DH84 Dragon

The handover of the first day covers took place on the main apron and on the left of the picture is Charlie Allway, Royal Mail Delivery Manager and Henry LaBouchere on the right.

This next picture is of Richard Fresson, on the left, who is the son of Ted Fresson and local man David Rendall whose career started with Ted Fresson and Scottish Airways in 1939.

Then it was time for a fantastic buffet lunch in the terminal provided by the airport manager.  In the evening I was invited to the official opening of the Fresson Exhibition in the Tankerness House Museum followed by drinks and a tal in the Town Hall.

It's a hard life being Terminal Manager sometimes

Monday came and it was time for Prince Charles and his wife Camilla aka The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay to visit Orkney.  Normally we have a 146 from the Royal Flight in but this time it was G-KALS, a beautiful Bombardier Challenger 300 operated by London Executive Aviation and piloted by Paul and Karl being looked after by Claire.

The guests meet their greeting party

Tuesday morning came and I was stunned with what I saw as I was driving to work.  Parked at the small apron was G-BTUB, A Yak 11C on its way from Iceland to its new owner across Hadrians Wall.

And my attempt at an artistic shot

And the inside

The Yak's rear I previously mentioned

Then it was time for the pilot to leave for Inverness, not before performing a low fly past at extreme speed.  The noise of a Yak engine is unbelievable, sheer power, and its take off distance is extremely long but once in the air, fantastic.

Then it was time for SD-DLP to return to pick up its pax.  This time it was a nice day and I got some better shots.

The access to the cabin is amazing as this shot shows

And the inside

Early this morning saw the departure of 2 gentleman Jabiru owners to Plockton via Cape Wrath

First G-BZUH

And the inside

Next is G-CDSH

And the inside

Then it was time for the inaugural flight to Bergen by G-LGNA

And just before I finished, D-EDKY, DA40 landed on Runway 33, sadly I missed the accompanying BE35 but will get that tomorrow along with a very special Cessna 210 with an An Allison turbo-prop engine.

Thats it for now, thanks for reading

Neil

Stunning

05:02, 5 June 2009 .. Posted by jumpseat

Fantastic report Niel!

Right there when it happens. Love the reading and the photos!