What Ho!
Last full practice day today and the weather has been the main factor. Quite a lot of low'ish cloud and lots of flights trying to find gaps. Luckily all 3 UK pilots were blessed with enough space to fly the unknown we had prepared overnight, so confidence has been boosted a bit.

I have also done a bit of fettling on the spades of the 300 to lighten the ailerons somewhat. It now flies very much like SIII, at least in roll, and the Finnish pilot is happy with the reduced stick loads. So it will stay like this for the duration.

We each have another slot booked for around midday tomorrow, then we have a leisurely turn-round at the hotel to change for the briefing and opening ceremonies. Flying of the Q Programme will start Saturday, and I hope it will be possible to fly all pilots in one day. We will see if the organisation, including the met man, gets its act together in time.

Graham Hill and Steve Green arrived yesterday evening, along with Pete Rounce who is being Team Manager for the first half of the comp. Graham is CJ and Steve his lovely young assistant. So there is a good chance that the judging line will be well policed, which, of course, may help or hinder us personally. But it does mean that it should be closer to a fair competition than some others have been.

One German plane arrived today, but still no Poles, Czechs or Russians. The Irish Extra 200 will not arrive before late tomorrow evening - probably after the opening ceremony. Fortunately, Dave Bruton may get a box flight before dark, as long as he lays of the Guinness.

Here's another picture for JP... (top right) and something more culinary from the forests... (above left). Pinecone omelette anyone?

Byee,
Alan