GMC Invade Jersey 2004 - More Chips?...

The Jersey Model Aero Club's Battle of Britain weekend was to include, for the first time in ten years, the Channel Islands Aerobatic Competition.  2 Guernsey Pilots intended taking part, Thomas David and myself.  We arrived in Jersey and headed for some lunch in Town before heading to the flying site.  Thomas forgot to tell us that we had to be at the site for 11:30, so we arrived late.  Once we were all set up, the competition started, then after 4 flights the rain started...end of play for nearly an hour.  After the rain cleared the wind came up a bit more, but that didn't stop the competition going ahead.  2 whole rounds of the IMAC Sportsman Schedule, and 7 pilots in all.  In less than ideal conditions, Pete Rondel won, beating Thomas by only a few hundred points.  Mat Besnard was third, with myself a further 90 points behind him.  Jersey fliers Simon Barr, Kent Pinglaux, and Steve Munns also flew well, in circumstances which didn't really help much.  Is the FW 190 really a good Pattern plane?!? This meant that while the Trophy stayed in Jersey for another year, Guernsey had the highest average score! Wahey.

Below, the competition pilots and two of the judges.  Left to Right: Peter Rondel, Steve Munns, Mike Rondel, Thomas David, Shane Browning, Dave Wilkinson (me), Mat Besnard, Kent Pinglaux, and Simon Barr.  Bill Nixon is not in the picture.  All I can say is Pete better watch out next year, Thomas will be after revenge.  Next year, Thomas is going to Beat Pete! (No, Not the new film by Quentin Tarantino).

Below the Victorious three: Mat Besnard, Pete Rondel and Thomas David.

Saturday night involved a meal at Quennevais Bistro, a small establishment but with very good food.  The starter was good, but the main course was a little while coming for some, while those that got theirs early did nothing but whinge about it! You know who you are!  In the meantime, Jess and I made our way through a bowl of chips, then another bowl of chips, then, finally, our steaks arrived...with more chips!  After we'd finished that little lot off, the deserts came around.  Sticky Toffee Pudding!!  Then Jess had a spare Tiramisu, his second desert, then another Sticky Toffee Pudding arrived on my table!!  I had half, and Jess finished it off.  3 Deserts!!! I'll be going there more often.  More Chips?

Below is Pete, showing off his pride and joy, the Capiche 140ex.  He didn't use this in the competition, he used the Capiche 140 of Chris Munns, chief Island Hobbies builder and bloody good bloke.

Sunday was windy again, and after much discussion, and a flight to test out the conditions, the Show was called off.  But lessons had been learnt from our Fun Day.  The Jersey boys had a Plan B!!  Indoor Flying at St John's Church hall.  Slightly smaller than our own Grammar School hall, but big enough for Shock flyers. 

Here, Thomas his hovering his "modified" Shockflyer.

And here is a brand new Shock flyer, flown by Mr Rondel.

And here it is after its first flight...the result of a mid air with mad Kent.  Kent's plane was indestructible, and destroyed everything in its path.

Amazingly Thomas's still works towards the end of the afternoon.

Doh, I think your aerial's broken Thomas, serves you right for getting it in the way of Pete's plane.

Pete flying a shockflyer the way it's supposed to be...Torque rolling.

It was a bit warm in the hall.  Here, it looks like Thomas is trying to cool himself down a bit!

Then he crashed into his own aerial!

After about 4 hours, we had to call it a day.  We thanked the Jersey flyers for a great weekend, despite the lack of the show, and made for the harbour.  After a 3 hour wait there we got on the boat for the voyage back to Guernsey.  It was starting to get quite windy, and the Captain advised staying seated for the first half hour of the trip.  Not wrong!  Probably the second worst boat trip I have ever been on, much rougher than that and I don't think the boat would have run.  So, we only broke two planes all weekend, our Shockflyers, although mine can be repaired (it had a mid-air with Kent while Thomas was flying it).  Thomas' is...well...knackered, basically.  He flew it into Kent's, and lost.

Well, Cheers JMAC, and lets hope that next year the weather is better and the Trophy comes to Donkey land.

Anybody for chips?