Sunday 6th Sept

On Friday we decided to treat ourselves to a sight-seeing flight to some of the smaller Islands of Orkney. Many years ago I built a flying scale model of a Britten Norman Islander (7 feet wingspan), and the Island air service uses an Islander G_BLDV, so it was especially interesting to fly in this type of aircraft.The flight from Kirkwall to Stronsay and Sanday and then back to Kirkwall took less than an hour to complete, including 3 take-offs and landings and a short stop for passenger changes. The plane carries only 8 passengers and two crew, so no in-flight entertainment! just wonderful views of the 70 islands


We flew at about 150 mph, and at an altitude of about 650 feet. Landings on the islands were made on very short runways, each with a single hut that housed the fire vehicle. Directly behind the pilot we were well placed to see all the instruments and controls, and each of us had an engine a few feet away. The service operates the shortest scheduled flight in the world from Westray to Papa Westray which is about two minutes. According to the pilot his average flight is about 7 minutes!! The fatigue spectrum would be dominated by take-offs, landings and taxiing. The pilot also said that the limiting factor for bad weather is the wind gusts on the ground slamming the rudder over.


Tomorrow we are catching the ferry and leaving the Orkneys, heading south west to Lochinver. We have had a great week here, it is a lovely place with a fascinating history, offering loads to do and see.