“When you get your license, I will fly with you!”
Sure we have all heard this before doubting however if our friends would really trust us when taking them up on it. But my friend Eva from Sweden took the dare and joined Kajsa’s husband and me on the club rallye in May 2016. Not knowing what the rallye subject “G” would be standing for, we were looking forward to a nice hour of flying where Eva could do some sightseeing at the same time. Then we read the instructions: fly over golf courses (there was the revelation for the “G”) and make pictures of the 19th hole (the clubhouse). Each photo will get you 10 points. However, you start with a saldo of 50 points which equaling 50 nm you can fly. Each mile you fly less, will be credited to your account, each mile more will be a debit. You have 30 minutes from reading this task until take off. Delays will be punished with further debit of points.
You do not have to have studied rocket science to realize that as little flying as possible combined with as many pictures as possible will get you the highest points as you will be saving lots of your start balance. As the competition bug catches us, we make our navigation planning and run to the plane as allowed time till take off is limited. And off we go, heading towards Delft, photo shoot, contact to the EHRD TWR to turn back to the field, second photo on final … and we are back where we have started after having flown only 9.5 nm, 15 minutes in the air, 2 photos shots getting us 20 points extra while at the same time 40 points for flying so little miles.
Not really the flying experience and sightseeing we had expected for Eva, but we are at least in the lead of the competition and feel pretty clever. While the other teams are still in the air and we hear them flying forth and back to capture as many golf courses as possible (watch your mileage guys!) we decide to head of again, independent from the rallye flying, going out towards the North Sea and back in over the Nieuwe Waterweg for some stunning views of Rotterdam and its huge harbour.
So at the end, we got it all. Best points for the rallye flying part, sightseeing without rallye pressure, enough time for a relaxed dinner at the club’s bar. Guess the photos speak for themselves and show that Eva not only liked the club atmosphere and rallye buzz, but certainly also did not regret to dare joining but was happy to be a “sweet Swede in the Dutch skies”.
PS. Final result of the rallye after all tasks have been completed…we came 2nd. Watch out for the next time, dear fellow competitors. We will try to win then!!!
Dear Chicks, It was a fantastic experience! I felt really safe and well taken care of. So I relaxed in the back of the plane and could focus on taking many pictures. Was really fun! Thank you for bringing me along!