Would You Care for Some More Typhoon Tea, Vicar?

Whilst Norman has been waiting at Laoag in the Philippines for permissions to continue his journey he has been able to write some words for the Blog about the ‘moderate chance’ of a Typhoon passing through the area next week. He has included a weather chart that he hopes will get some interesting feedback from weather/aviation aficionados.

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From the Pilot, Norman Surplus


I have always been fascinated by extreme weather, many a time growing up (and still even now!) back home my Brother, David and I would be excitedly following the weather forecast for days as a big, deep, low pressure system would roll in across the North Atlantic towards our home. Picking the best moment of converging high winds and “storm surge” high tides we would don our foul weather gear and go out to do battle with the elements along the shore line. It’s only by physically standing out there, almost being literally blown off your feet, that you can really appreciate the awesome power of nature.

At times like these you are getting close to the edge of man's (self assumed) dominance over his built environment and the fabric of our cosy existence starts to slightly rip and tear at the seams. We then have a child like fascination to be out there whooping and hollering at the madness of it all, getting soaked and blown about until it’s time to return home for a nice warming cup of “Typhoon Tea”.... It is as well that these severe episodes are very short lived, lasting a few hours or days, before the “big clean up” can put things back into some sort of normality again. This is “extreme” weather in the UK and although we like to think of it as extreme, by comparison to the rest of the world it is quiet tame really.

Real Typhoons (and Hurricanes) are very different. These can be very destructive and very dangerous and would have no problem at all blowing you off your feet. The life fabric really gets torn, shredded beyond recognition in some instances and it takes much longer than a few days for the big clean up, sometimes years or even sometimes never... Nature really does win in these battles and all we can do is monitor, be aware and hopefully be out of harm’s way as and when the next one is being fought.

I have often thought that if you wanted to go outside and experience these sorts of conditions as we do in Larne, my brother and I would have to forego the foul weather gear and hire ourselves a Tank from the Army (coincidently, we actually have a friend in Larne who has a whole collection of vintage tanks and landing craft he uses for film work so perhaps we could borrow one for the occasion - but I digress...) Safely inside the Tank we could then trundle about the deserted streets at the height of the storm, once more whooping and hollering at the madness of it all, bits of flying debris, building masonry, roof tiles, uprooted trees could all fall on the tank like so much confetti at a wedding and we would trundle on unhindered...stopping only to enjoy the flask of hot typhoon tea that we would now, of course, be able to bring with us!

Weather Chart for The South East Asia Region

All the best from the Fabulous Philippines

Norman

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Norman also sends his thanks to The Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) who have been of great assistance to Norman during his flight. He sends these words that also have a thank you to all who follow him on his various sites.

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I just wanted to thank everyone in the PRA for the tremendous support I am receiving now that the restart of the circumnavigation is well under way (albeit I am stalled a while at the moment awaiting permission to enter Japan) It has given me time to catch up on emails and read up on the various website reports on the expedition. It really gives me a psychological boost to know I am not alone up there!

Norman

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The photo shows Norman proudly displaying the PRA logo that is now firmly attached to G-YROX in pride of place.

Norman next to G-YROX displaying the PRA Logo

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Norman Prepares For A Typhoon.

As Norman spends another day in Laoag, in the northern tip of Luzon Island, The Philippines, waiting for permission to fly into Taiwan, he has received reports of an approaching typhoon, due to hit the area next week. This will need careful scrutiny over the next few days and may be crucial in deciding departure dates.

As for G-YROX; as was previously reported, she has been sharing space with the Laoag Airport fire engines, safely tucked up under a covered roof where she has her own 24 hour guard! But Norman has decided that with a typhoon on its way G-YROX needs to be in a more secure setting and is hoping tomorrow morning to fly her the short hop from the airport to the secure area of the University Campus where he is staying whilst in Laoag.

This has a secure garage where G-YROX can be safely ensconced, away from the worst of the weather. Maybe, if Spot is switched on, this short flight will be visible on the tracker tomorrow.

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Norman has also been able to forward a few more photos from his time at Woodlands Air Park


Photo one shows Norman preparing to take G-YROX on a test flight following the 25 hour checks which were undertaken with the help of the backseat passenger, Jay Cook, whilst at Woodland’s Air Park.

(Photo courtesy of Tony Willis)

Photo two shows Norman and Jay taxiing out for the test flight under a darkening sky

(Photo Courtesy of Tony Willis)

Photo three shows G-YROX in flight, keeping quite low because of the very low cloud base…

(Photo courtesy of Tony Willis)

Photo four shows Norman and G-YROX outside the Woodland terminal in a group shot with some of the local engineers who helped Norman with his checks.

(Photo coutesy of Tony Willis)

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Red Tape Delays Entry Into Taiwan....

It is now possible that Norman will not be able to enter Taiwan until next Tuesday (17th August). This is due to the complicated entry permissions for an aircraft of G-YROX’s specification. So once again, it’s not the weather or technical problems holding Norman up but red-tape. He is being accommodated and looked after at Laoag by one of the ground-handlers from the airport and will be catching up on paperwork and route planning whilst on the ground.

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The General Manager from Angeles Flying Club, Tony Willis, at Woodland Air Park where Norman spent two days has been able to send us some photographs of Norman and G-YROX during their stay.


The first one shows Norman and G-YROX parked on the immaculate lawn outside the airfield’s terminal.

(Photo by T. Willis)

The second photograph shows Norman and G-YROX outside the hangars at Woodlands with Mr. Jay Cook in the rear seat. Mr Cook was the chap who helped Norman with the 25 hour maintenance checks and was also Norman’s host during his stay at Woodlands.

(Photo by T. Willis)

The third photo shows Norman and G-YROX departing Woodland Air Park. This air to air shot was taken by Tony Willis as he and Jay Cook flew in formation with Norman as an escort out of Woodland’s air space.

(Photo by T. Willis)

 

Norman is trying to find a way around the red-tape and if there is any progress the news will be posted here.

 

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Norman Arrives at Laoag and Recalls The South China Sea.

Norman safely arrived at Laoag International Airport (RPLI) in the north of Luzon Island in the Philippines at about 13.00 local time. This followed a flight from Woodland Air Park of about 200 mile (321 Km). He was met by people from local media and local contacts who are looking after him whilst he is there. He has sent an update to his flight with a description of crossing the South China Sea which is related below...

From Norman

I am in Laoag ok. Pleasant flight up here with an increasing tailwind all the way - my top recorded speed over the ground (3 days ago) was 137 miles an hour over the ground for a given airspeed of about 98 miles an hour! My fastest speed ever...Some tailwind that was...

Flying has been technically challenging over the past few days with many cloud formations and heavy rainfall to negotiate around. This task is greatly helped by the excellent manoeuvrability of the Gyro in flight. It is easy for example to stop mid air, vertically descend say 500 feet to duck under a small “growler” cloud (with apology to icebergs, from which this terminology is borrowed...) climbing back up again afterwards to go over the next one or jink left or right through the towering gaps in the fluffy columns that occupied a layer around 3-4,000 feet. I found myself dodging around in these constantly moving cliff faces for sport, whilst crossing the South China Sea several days ago. It was like a snow white playground in the sky about 150 miles out above the ocean. Very reminiscent of the floating mountains that feature in the recent movie AVATAR.

Mid-air photo taken from G-YROX of weather system

The formations lasted for about 40 miles so I had half an hour of weaving through them maintaining an approximate heading of where I needed to go. Once they finally petered out to reveal the next 50 miles as clear skies, it was time to break out the chocolate and have a an aerial picnic reflecting on how bizarre it was to be having this much fun, so remote from anyone else. Occasionally, much later in the flight huge walls of solid rain would flank my path (see photo) - these had to be monitored closely to establish they would not converge together before I made it safely through the middle to the brighter skies beyond. Like some challenge to nip into a lift before the doors shut, you had to time your run through the gap just right to avoid the heavy rain closing encroaching in on both sides. Success would see you blasting triumphantly out into the clear skies on the far side with barely a speck of rain on the windshield, while a watery curtain closed across behind you.

Norman


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Norman has expressed doubts as to any flying tomorrow as entry permission for Taiwan is still to be finalised.

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Norman Prepares to Head North...

After a days rest from flying and a chance to do some important checks on G-YROX, Norman will be departing Woodlands Air Park in the centre of Luzon Island, The Philippines, for a 200 mile (321 Km) flight to Laoag International Airport (RPLI) near the northern tip of Luzon Island and the last port of call in the Philippines before heading to Taiwan.


It is expected that Norman will depart WAP mid-morning tomorrow for a lunchtime arrival at Laoag (all times local) and following the 200 mile flight it is unlikely that he will continue to Taiwan a further 300+ miles (480+ Km) across the Philippine Sea.

As usual, departure and destination are subject to weather and permissions.
There will be further updates after Norman arrives in Laoag.

Follow tomorrow’s progress on the ‘Spot’ tracker at
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0M3Zb2VvSqGOOKr8faf6ltSR80lVr0C4h

and a reminder why Norman is attempting this flight
http://www.justgiving.com/gforgyro

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Norman Describes Yesterday's Flight...

Norman will not be flying today but he has been able to get this message out from Luzon and in his own words describes yesterday’s flight and today’s schedule…


I had an invite to the Woodlands Airpark after I contacted them - Captain Siva (from Kuala Lumpur) had put me on to them initially. I progressed up towards Manila bay under the 1500 feet control Zone. All the mountains were covered in low cloud so the low level approach over the sea was the best by far - some spectacular Islands en route - I am now staying with one of the flyers - Jay - from the airfield and I am going to perform a 25 hour airframe inspection today (as the aircraft was re-built - we have to check all the bolts after 25 hours- this is the best place to do this as the airfield, like Nong Prue has a great club atmosphere and will be relatively inexpensive to stay - the other consideration has been the Typhoon Ester which has tracked north of PHILIPPINES - it’s not in my way now as it is moving off but it has dragged a lot of heavy cloud and rain behind it between me and Taiwan - the extra day will allow this to disperse more.

Going to the airfield now with Jay so will report further soon and send a picture or two of the big rain

Norman.

Where Did Norman Land? Mystery Resolved...

Norman departed Puerta Princesa on Palawan Island in the Philippines at around 10.00am local time and headed, as was expected, north across the South China Sea towards the Island of Luzon, The Philippines largest island, and his scheduled refuelling stop at Subic Bay. It was only as he approached Luzon that people who were following his progress on the Spot Flight Tracker noticed that he made a north easterly change of direction that took him into Manila Bay and headed towards a destination that was at that time unknown!


A quick glance ahead suggested that Clark Airforce base may have been his destination but this was not to be. He continued northward and then appeared to have landed in the middle of nowhere!


But soon the mystery was resolved when it was discovered that he had arrived at the Woodland Air Park near Angeles City, an ultralight/microlight airfield, similar to the one at Nongprue and home to the Angeles City Flying Club.

This Flying club certainly has the facilities to make Norman’s stay with them an enjoyable one, which you can check out at the link below.


Some facts about today’s flight…

Depart Puerta Princesa…10.00 local time

Arrive Woodland Air Park…15.00 local time

Distance covered…approx 420 miles (675 Km)

Distance over open water…230 miles (370 Km)

Time in the air…5 hours


Although he was scheduled to fly on from Subic Bay to night stop at Laoag in the north of the island, Norman is now spending the night at the flying club and is expected to head to Laoag in the morning, but because flying a gyrocopter in distance lands is not an exact science this may change at any time.

But these sudden changes in flight plans all add to the drama and suspense of following Norman on the Spot tracker.

http://www.angelesflying.com/index.php

Norman is Now in The Philippines!

Norman has arrived in the Philippines, the 16th new country visited by Norman since leaving Larne in March. After a rest day in Kota Kinabalu, during which he managed to get his 3rd haircut of the trip (see photo), he departed early this morning for the 350 mile (560 Km) flight over the Sulu Sea to the Philippine Island of Palawan where he landed at Puerta Princesa International Airport (RPVP) at 13:50 local time.

Norman looks happy after only his 3rd haircut
in nearly 5 months.

Norman followed the northern coast of Borneo before heading north to make the 100+ mile (160 Km) over open water crossing to the Philippines.

There were thunderstorms reported in the area but Norman arrived safely before they could affect his flight. The early arrival means that Normal will have a good rest before tomorrows intended flight to the biggest island in the Philippine archipelago, Luzon. Weather and permissions allowing, he will be landing at Subic Bay, a famous name from the 2nd World War, and after refuelling he will fly on to Laoag near the northern tip of Luzon Island.

This could easily mean a distance of 550 -600 miles (885-965 Km) may be flown tomorrow. Definitely a day to Follow the Spot Tracker.

Norman Has Posted a Link To New Photos

Norman has posted a link to new photos from his first week back in the air. Including departure from Nongprue, Thailand and Malaysia.


Click the photo for more.

Norman Reports On His Departure From Nongprue.

The first flight to Trang was very pleasant - I got a great send off from Nong Prue with virtually the whole crew there for 0700 local except for Ian and Gerry who were away. Everyone lined up and clapped as I started to roll which was very touching - I definitely had a lump in the throat signing off on the radio with Tiger, knowing everyone would be listening in on his hand held radio. Flight over the Gulf of Thailand was very peaceful after hectic last few days - had time to eat my sandwich and look at the many fishing boats below. Loads of little rocky Islands - cliffs on one side little sandy beach on the other complete with the odd solitary Coconut palm tree on the shore - proving the fact that coconuts float to get from island to island.... real Tracy Island thunderbirds stuff..

                                             

Near to Trang the rain clouds appeared but these were easy to fly around and made for some spectacular Scenery not unlike rugged Scottish highlands except for temperature.... Trang was very pleasant everyone out to meet me and then a quick trip through the pass on the mountains - hence the dogleg second flight to avoid the higher cloud topped peaks. Hat Yai; interesting to see another part of Thailand and as luck would have it, I spent the evening with Ian who had missed the departure from Nong Prue - he happened to be down here for a motorbike week!

Buddhist Good Luck Ceremony
and Blessing before departure

Looking forward to Malaysia as Celia and I have been before to KL so I’ll seek out a Lassy Namak curry.

"Norman"