Hi guy's i thought i would share todays experience with you all. i had the priveledge of borrowing Ian's Gazelle today for a flight. the plan was to fly YBLT,YMEL,Werribee Race course, Williamstown, coastal to Tooradin, Point Lonsdale, YGLG, YLED, YBLT. but ofcourse the weather was a bit of a concern so we ammended the flight plan to
YBLT, YLED, YGLG, Coastal to Point Lonsdale, Across to Tyabb then back the way i came.
well all was great for the first leg we stopped at YLED to fuel,(i was being over cautious) the next 3 Legs to Tyabb, we fueled there as well (still worried about fuel)
Tracking back to Point Lonsdale we where looking across ot out destination and all was looking fine, get across the heads over to Barwon Heads and it became obviouse there was a slight chance of the cloud lovering and small pockets of showers (like the tempo said i_dunno )
we decided we will drop from 2500 AMSL which the cloud base was about 3000 AMSL down to 1400 AMSL to avoid CTA. as we go from the heads to Barwon Heads the cloud base dropped from the heavens, i have been on many flight with friends and can say i have never seen the cloud base drop so fast. we where scraping clouds at 1400 AMSL above Barwon Heads we decided to get to YGLG only a hop across a couple of padocks and the cloud and now rain was comming down to 600 AMSL so we called a forced landing on RWY 18 ( could have landed at Barwon but have heard they don't like any visitors)and landed. after we landed the rain came down for a good 30 minuted then stopped but the cloud base was 500 AMSL so flying out to YBLT was not an option. so here i am at home aircraft awaiting me to get her home into a warm bed of which i hope is tomorrow.
all in all the gazelle is a great little airplane and it is great to fly with the doors open...