Report on Christmas trip to Caen 2012

Saturday 10th December, the launch date for Jersey Aero Club's first ever Christmas market shopping trip to Caen. Given the bad weather running up to the weekend, it was with great relief that the day dawned CAVOK and was forecast to stay that way, with the first aircraft taxiing out just before 08:00. It was a very well supported trip with 15 aircraft booked to come along (including 1 from Guernsey) 4 of those staying for the day to shop and have lunch, and the remainder staying for the night.

The trip across to Caen was a welcome change of pace for your CFI, as being flown by the very capable Capt Mike Fleming, I had little to do but look out of the window and enjoy the view! Aircraft arrived steadily throughout the day with the crews being handled very efficiently by both Caen Airfield Customs and Taxi service, with most people bumping into each other at least once during the days shopping at the excellent Christmas market!

Caen is a great destination not just because of its position relative to the Channel Islands, but it's also full of history, small enough to be explored by foot, and big enough to be an interesting shopping/exploring destination without being intimidating. The day trip crews headed home late afternoon, while the night stoppers checked out more of the stalls as night fell and the Christmas Market came to light. Some were forced to sample mulled wine, Christmas beer etc at some of the many bars surrounding the town centre before heading back to the hotel (the excellent Kyriad Central) prior to the evening meal at La Taverne.
 
There were 26 pilots and crews for dinner, and to protect the guilty and keep the innocent looking perfect I will say little about the evening other than it was great fun, enjoyed by all, and that we were extremely well looked after by the staff! Chris Winch and his weather moustache as ever correctly predicted that we were likely to have a lovely trip back the following morning, but that we should aim to be home and parked by lunchtime as it was set to change. And didn't it change.

Since the last aircraft arrived back and as I write this (Thursday15th) I don't think the wind has dropped below 30 knots! The weather and the great people that came along made it an excellent trip, so thank you all very much for your support. The next event is the Spot Landing Competition on 15th January, so please feel free to come along and show everyone how a great pilot lands an aircraft on a pre determined spot without power!