Alan Thorne has requested I pass this info on for anyone who may be using White
Waltham.
The other friday evening he had just started the takeoff run on 03, wind
calm,
tracking straight about 3 ft left of centreline. At about 30kt a bump lifted
him into the air, when he touched down he then hit an even bigger bump that
pitched HY several feet in the air, still below flying speed. Although touching
down horizontally, there was a big puff of dust and Alan aborted takeoff and
rolled off the runway.
The prop had touched the grass runway and was well and truly wrecked. Initial
inspection shows no damage to internal gearbox and driveshaft parts, thanks to
the clutch in the gearbox.
This was not a control or steering or direction issue, just a chuffing big
ditch
that crossed the runway and was hit at too low an airspeed - the state of
the runway will most likely be brought to the attention of the airfield
management,
as I believe there have been several complaints about the bumpiness of their
runways.
Europa probably can't source a replacement tapered warp drive for several
weeks,
but if there is a UK builder with one not being used ATM and available, who
may be in a position to 'swap', then Alan will be most grateful for a call on
01276 475789 - just leave a message, he'll get back to you.
On a similar note, I've noticed that Popham has become very undulating this
summer,
when landing on 26, and several other pilots agree.
chus,
dave
g-bxum
|