I have been out of touch for some time. My own fault some might say, but it might be worthwhile to share the experience.
The weather finally improved on September 1st, and not being able to resist a quick trip around the circuit, I landed on the grass runway at Spanhoe international.....turning to taxi back the Chipmunk found a pothole in the longish grass with its port wheel. Being a conservative sort I switched off, jumped out and put my back under the wing tip in order to ease the wheel back out of the hole, as one does. I almost managed it when there was a loud and unpleasant bang, and the ground came up to smite me............It was discovered later that day that I had broken my back in a couple of places.
The moral of this tale is, if you insist on using your back to lift Chipmunk wingtips..........before going to the hospital try to work out a suitable lie as to how you did it. Telling them that you were trying to lift an aeroplane out of a pothole (which to the rest of us is reasonable behaviour) is greeted with blank stares, much shaking of heads and incredulity.
Given the type of fracture, I am told that I have been incredibly lucky. It seems that after a lengthy period of recovery all should be well.
Now to more important matters. What is the latest news on the Chipmunks and Tiger moths being taken over by the PFA next year?
Cheers to all, Brent
