Preparing airplanes for annual Permit to Fly. 30th April & 1st May 2011.

Its that time of year again, and so time to present EI-CMR and EI-CPI for their annual Permit to Fly inspections. As ever Bob Gardiner very kindly flew in from Scotland to organize our efforts, and Dave and I worked morning to night for two days to bring the aircraft up to the high standard needed to pass the inspection. Engine baffles had to be changed, engine compression tested, all structural assemblies inspected, flight control surfaces checked, and engines run to temperature. Even the hanger had to be swept out and made fully  presentable for the big inspection!!!

And so Neidin was turned into a makeshift and rather disorganized B&B for the weekend and sailing was temporarily put on hold. Indeed we may have had to stay in port anyway because the weather was generally very poor with high winds and heavy rains Sunday/ Monday.

But despite the weather, and consequently the abandonment of test flights, both planes were signed off successfully. Thanks again to Bob, who's expertise on the subject of Long Ez aircraft once again proved invaluable, and to Gerry Ryan who directed our collected efforts from the sleepy comfort of his deck chair !!!