Monday, May 17, 2010

Joystick Jockey Buzzes Ramsgate

Crikey! Did anyone else hear that thing buzzing the town just now? It looked like some old piece of WWII junk. Perhaps it's in preparation for the Operation Dynamo 70th anniversary at the weekend, when we're all expected to gleefully celebrate the greatest defeat in the history of the British Army at Dunkirk.

If my old throbber made as much racket as that I'd be up before the beak quicker than you can say 'little ships'. Still, it just goes to prove that the Brylcreem boys are literally above the rest of us - no VAT or other tax on aviation fuel, bollocks to the environment, knackers to anyone who doesn't like 'airplanes'.

That reminds me of the old joke about the pilot on a first date who stops talking half way through the evening and says: 'That's enough about flying. Let's talk about me!'

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Light aircraft are a law unto themselves, policed by bigoted CAA pilots & friends.
Sod everyone else not enjoying THEIR fun !!

Anonymous said...

When the pilot said that, half way through a first date, did the other(s) realise they were only half way through.

Did he make the usual pilot "Roger" joke ?

Then refine it to "Roger and out" for a second portion of pilot speak double entendre mirth.

"Rudder hell I said as I sussed I had steering difficulties"

And the old pilot stalwart:

"What puts you in a spin and gives you the pox ?"

"A loosy maeleron"

Rearview mirror said...

As soon as I saw the plane I knew you would have to comment.

What I didn't expect was to see you rushing up the plains of waterloo with your camera and fag in mouth.

Got to admit you looked younger than I thought you would, I was imagineing a sad old git.

Anonymous said...

Its interesting to see you bringing up the VAT question on aviation fuel. How many of the light aircraft we see being used for pleasure are registered for business use so that their owners dont pay a penny on VAT and can claim other operational expenses against taxes. One for George and his pal David to clamp down on.

Anonymous said...

wasn't she a beauty:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2022947597_f758ad8b7b.jpg?v=0

Richard Eastcliff said...

Sorry to disappoint Rearend, but I took that shot from the window of my master bedroom here at the old cliff top mansion.

Besides, my mouth's not big enough to fit a fag and a camera in. I'm sure someone of that description would stand out in a crowd, albeit maybe not in Thanet.

As for you imagining I was a sad old git, I assume it takes one to know one. Still, I'm glad to see you rose to the bait!

Lucy Mail said...

Shagging the swarthy Carnie who operated the Walzer, did it for me, 8:01.
Gosh, he had small hands. Made me feel like Candy Samples!

Anonymous said...

And there's me thinking it was our councillor from the other side of the island showing off his acrobatic skills over Ramsgate - still after what happened to Nigel Farrage he may decide not to fly banners any more

Christian said...

As a biker I regard some old geezer in an ancient piece of machinery pulling aerial stunts in the airspace over a town with the same horror as when I see fellow bikers pulling wheelies on the public highway on their rat bikes. Both are irresponsible in the extreme.

Anonymous said...

This whole thread is based on a fallacy - there is duty and vat on light aircraft avgas - it costs at least 1.60 per litre - often more -
there is a website showing this

http://www.thehangar.co.uk/fuel/fuel.shtml

Anonymous said...

Good to hear that anon...but they do not have a complaints system at KIA for teeny weeny airways!!!

At least the EU is clamping down on the noise from the teeny weeny planes!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you moany old killjoys..

anyone thought like me perhaps it was just nice to see something a bit different and fun over Ramsgate for a change?

Anonymous said...

12:40pm
yes, it made a change from having to listen to boy racers charging about with their loud exhausts or the lorries chugging in & out of the town :)

Malaprop said...

12:40

Welcome to Ramsgate. The only thing louder than the planes is the continual bitching and whining from the local residents.

Richard Eastcliff said...

And with one swipe, Mr Malaprop sweeps away the rights of 40,000 people to enjoy peaceful and healthy lives, undisturbed by egomaniac fly boys jerking themselves off over their heads!

You must be very proud of yourself, Mr M!

Don Wood said...

Richard you must admit Malaprop is right. But you dont only moan about Ramsgate you moan about everything. I have just posted a moan on my blog about petrol prices here in Thanet how about championing that as a cause. I am sure you can get the local Supermarkets to stop ripping us off. You are the man Richard "over and out".

Richard Eastcliff said...

I've often been told I'm a bit of a moaner, Don. However, I get more satisfaction from making others moan.

Bluenote said...

"Well there I was, forty thousand feet with nothing on the clock except the makers name and a Jerry right on my tail." "Gosh, what did you do, Sprodger?" "Well, just plopped her down on mater's lawn in time for tea. Wizard prang what, old bean."
Long may the sound of the old Rolls Merlin delight our ears, eh, ECR!

Unknown said...

7-02...Yes at air displays, NOT on mater's lawn.

Malaprop said...

Much as I like sweeping away people's rights, I think you'll find I just commented on how much the people of Ramsgate enjoy a good moan, and not about their entitlement to do so.

Summer for me in any area has always been punctuated with the sound of both prop planes and petrol lawn mowers, the latter creating more noise in my humble opinon. Personally I quite like it, hope you are not sweeping away my rights ECR!

Anonymous said...

9-15.."sound of both prop planes and petrol lawn mowers, the latter creating more noise in my humble opinon."
Now where have I heard & read that statement before?? Or did you copy & paste it from a cllrs blog???
He'll have you for breach of copyright, or perhaps you are pretending not to be him, or one of his ilk !!
"Personally I quite like it, hope you are not sweeping away my rights ECR!" What your right to annoy 100s of people in one go??

Get your head out of your backside selfish tit!!!

Richard Eastcliff said...

No, you're alright Mr M. Sometimes my big mouth is louder than both planes and lawnmowers!

Malaprop said...

You have me there 10.58. I must confess I only read this blog, though I did once visit Tony Flaig's, doubt I will do that again mind you. I have no idea who else has spoken about lawn mowers and the use of 'prop planes' is even more impressive, as I only used that name because I have no idea what they are actually called. Perhaps you could direct me to this site in order that I can see who I have copied from.

I have withdrawn my head from my backside and discovered that all of a sudden I no longer enjoy the sounds that for me herald the start of the summer. I can literally feel 100s of annoyed people suddenly having a slightly better day. I have also learned the folly of having a personal opinion.

As I drove to work today a jet seemed to pass overhead either landing or taking off, it was a clear day and yet I couldn't see it. My absurd desire to do so, seemed to unnerve other drivers as my car swerved erratically, so I gave up. In any event it was pretty loud.

Anonymous said...

The airport is clearly an emotive topic. Any discussion of it here always descends into someone or other calling someone or other Hitler, Napoleon or Pol Pot. However I believe more people would be in favour of Manston if it wasn't for Infratil's silly defensive attitude towards the local community and the council's rubber stamping, developer-driven, couldn't care less stance on the environmental affect on Ramsgate, the villages, and Herne Bay.

A more open owner and a firmer grip by local government would reassure everyone I think.

Bluenote said...

Not so sure about the other two but I thought Napolean was OK. Tried to unite Europe, which should appeal to the Europhiles, and certainly gave us Brits a purpose in life even if it was 'froggy' bashing up and down the Spanish peninsula. Seems to me that still goes on a bit though the modern Brit assailants are less selective about who they bash around the costas.

Anonymous said...

What a load of ol' rubbish this thread is...I was told to take a look by a mate. I was the pilot, asked by a friend to do a short display to celebrate the launch of a boat. I'm a CAA authorised display pilot, there was no risk to the public...and the people the display was for enjoyed it very much. It certainly wasn't impromptu...i had the permission of Manston and the harbourmaster. And I paid VAT on the fuel. Sorry the facts don't fit the rhetoric...

Anonymous said...

As a biker I regard some old geezer in an ancient piece of machinery pulling aerial stunts in the airspace over a town with the same horror as when I see fellow bikers pulling wheelies on the public highway on their rat bikes. Both are irresponsible in the extreme.

Christian, you've no idea what you are talking about. I flew the display, see comment above, the display line I used was over the water and well clear of built up areas. I'm authorised by the CAA...and I'm 42. Ok, not exactly young, but hopefully not yet an old geezer...I'm a biker to, and I share your disdain for wheelies on the public highway...

Dick Rubin said...

I like watching prop planes being irresponsible or not as the case may be.