Congratulations to Gary Davies and Scott Cooper for winning the Frog Trophy given to the pilot who achieves the greatest distance - 155 miles in 3 hours 40 minutes from Bristol to Norfolk.They prudently landed early with 150 litres of fuel remaining after radioing ahead and learning the winds!
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Here is the winner's report....
The Great British Long Jump 2009
25th October 2009
Take off Point - West of Thombury
Landing Point – East Of Isleham Village
I had toyed with the actual idea (NOT) of doing the GBLT this year as it’s a great experience to do. As I have a very busy schedule! Hey ho. No we are doing it, we will find the time!
So I chose the date by considering the weather and wind direction on the 25th October.
The crew consisted of Alan Gray, who is a great navigator, but best of all a superb all rounder. I was so pleased he was with us. Scott Copper who was on board with myself, although he has recently passed his fixed wing licence, he has also developed a passion for ballooning.
Tom Gouder very kindly helped me get a suitable field to take off from, and also let me borrow 4 of his tank straps. (Oh bugger six bottles and only eight tank straps, that isn’t enough.) Bless him we had to drag him out of his job at the Co-operative just as he was icing the fingers in the bakery.
We eventually got in to the field at 9.45am and began to set up, I must say in record breaking time. Just as we started to cold inflate, Alan turned around and shouted “Gary that’s a big black cloud coming of the Bristol Channel, looks like it is gong to rain”. And Oh my god it!! Only 2 inches of rain on the envelope However it did wash off all the cow pats and mud stains from some of our previous flights. So after the passing storm we got inflated and took off like a champagne cork!. Stocked up with sausage rolls, doughnuts and crisps for our journey.
Scott was our chief navigator and RT guru. As he a lot more experience in that field from piloting his plane.
Our first crossing was North West of Kemble Aerodrome. I said to Scott, we will keep under 2,500ft for a bit as cloud base was a little low at this point as it was coming off the Bristol Channel, however we had still had 28nts. I would like to say all the air traffic controllers we spoke to were very pleasant and helpful. Me, Zenith and Scott managed to skirt round all the boundaries, by changing heights to get steerage, (which was great).
Our next crossing was Braze Norton; we could see the plane etc and at this point we was tracking towards Chipping Norten. Our speed had increased to 33nts, which was great and the clouds were dissipating, Time for a Snack and Wee
Next port of call was North West of Milton Keynes. Just before we flew over we had a call from Alan Turner, who is a Long Jump extraordinaire too! Wishing us luck, saying we had a good day for it. Thought to myself we haven’t landed yet.
Scotty radioed up Cranfield to check the conditions and Airspace think he just liked talking to all the towers myself. They had spotted us hurtling across, by this time I mentioned coming down a bit to get a little more left. Well just say the tops of the trees were moving rather fast. I was very happy that I had both the safety harnesses on board.
We then climbed to 4,800 and achieved 44nts FAb! As we had every intention of reaching the east coast.
Bedford came up next, then Cambridge as we flew past Wyton, Scott had another chat, with yes, yet another tower and aircraft controller. The balloon was flying well and was very responsive and gas consumption was going very well. I also then ask Scott to radio Cambridgeshire TATC and ask about surface conditions, wind etc. They replied with 20nts, gusting to 28nts. (Christ, that is quick) and will no sign of it dropping.
One big thing for me was a fly by my building site out at Waterbeach. Took some great photo's
By this time I felt it was time to land, especially as we knew the area and there was no SA. Plus I knew that landing was going to be a hair raising experience, (well if I had any Ha Ha).
Scott Radioed Mildenhall ATC, the initially said we had to fly over them, but as we approached there airspace, they called us back and granted us permission we clear to go through or even land.
I told Scott to get his harness attached, as I did mine, we both checked everything as we prepared for our landing with butterflies in our stomachs.
I could see 3 large stubble fields approaching, with a bank of trees in the middle, I came low and I really couldn’t tell you the speed the GPS was showing us. So the first impact was in field one, not bad considering the wind was pushing us down, double burned but didn’t rip. Thought to myself, right got no breaks, use the trees. Straight thought 100ft trees, was a good break, told Scott to brace himself. Hit ground in second old corn field. Through some low hedges. Then a very long drag up filed 3, with everything intact. No Damage or loss of anything. As I ripped out the wind was getting up inside the balloon and pushing the shoot back up. But we got her down in the end,
After leaving Bristol after 3hrs and 40 mins and 150 litres of gas left. It was a relief to be on the deck having such a superb flight,
We got packed away and Alan was with us 15 minutes later. What a star!!! We were not able to find the owner of the land, as everyone we asked didn’t know who owned it. The Basket had actually landed on a public right of way. As a very nice man called Colin Woor informed us. Very glad he turned up as it did seem a bit remote.
So on reflection, the flight was not as far as we planned, but I am pleased we came down when we did. 155 miles in 3hrs and 40minutes, our average speed was 38nts.
It was a great experience again, just wish the wind hadn’t increased so much.
Just a little further would have been nice as we would have made Bacton near Cromer. An old holiday past time when I was a kid!!!
Crew - Alan Gray
Pilot - Gary Davies
Chief Rt – Navigator – Scott Copper
Rig - Cameron 120
Reg – G-CBMK
Fuel – 340 Litres
Fuel left – 150 litres
Duration – 3hrs 40 mins
Mileage – 155 Miles
