As we approach the end of the UK Summer flying season the pace of new entrants to the List has slowed — just one complete 140 and a couple of smaller envelopes join this time. By contrast many envelopes are continuing to find homes – 7 in the last month ranging from a 21 to a 315.
A number of reductions have been made this month, whilst John Albury has unearthed more items in his garage for disposal (see ‘Other’). Thanks to Derek Mitchell who recently pointed us to a very useful website www.fuel-prices-europe.info/ This site not only gives the price of petrol / diesel / LPG in each European country but also the type of LPG adapter used for Autogas, including pictures of the 3 types – bayonet, ACME & Dish. We had previously thought the Dish was universal around Europe except the UK & Eire but now realise that the ACME lives on in several countries including Germany.
Congratulations to another Zebedee customer, Anita Frayling on her successful check out and solo during August. We guess there will be competition now with husband Mark as who gets to fly G-OMMM ….
Finally on a sad note, we report the passing of another friend of Zebedee, Joe Philp. A Cornishman and former National Hunt jockey, Joe came to ballooning as a member of the Serendipity Balloon Group in 1971 gaining his licence later the same year. His own balloon ‘Dream Machine’ a Cameron O-56 followed in 1972 in which Joe set British National Ax-6 records for duration, altitude and distance the same year. Always to be seen in tweed suit, red socks, BBAC tie and sucking his (often unlit) pipe …. Joe joined the show circuit in the heyday of HABCO/Flying Pictures. He had the great ability to ‘put on a show’ often in marginal conditions by inflating a balloon & completing a short hop from the arena over the trees and down again. Always cheerful and sensible, Joe was an ideal person when he became a PPL examiner – even seeing the funny side of one examinee dumping him in a lake during a (failed!) check-out! In retirement Joe returned to his native Cornwall with Heather and son Joss to whom we send our condolences. He was a great guy!