SOE Montigny Sur Loing.

After 2 weeks behind enemy lines in France, SOE agent, Philip Schneidau needed to return to the UK with vital intelligence. Despite a terrible storm that grounded all other flights, Flt Lt Wallace (Wally) Farley of 419 Special Duties Flight, RAF took off in his Westland Lysander. After a successful pickup from a field in Montigny Sur Loing, a lucky shot by a German sentry on the return flight destroyed the compass missing Farley by inches. And so began an extraordinary 6-hour flight lost in the storm. Running out of fuel and completely lost, Wallace saw a cliff edge through a gap in the clouds and managed to crash land in a field amongst anti-glider poles. It turned out they had been driven all the way up the East Coast of the UK ending up in Scotland near RAF Oburn.

This event is a tribute to their bravery not a reenactment. The flight will take in 3 airfields in France all with historical significance.

• LFIS Saint-Inglevert Airfield established in WW1 by the Royal Flying Corps. Following the outbreak of the WW2, Saint-Inglevert was taken over by the Armée de l'Air in December 1939. "B" Flight, No. 615 Squadron RAF was stationed there in the early months of 1940, equipped with Gloster Gladiator II.
• LFPU Moret Episy - formerly a NATO base it now belongs to the Loing Valley Aeroclub. It has an old north / south oriented runway which is now used as a taxiway for gliding activities. Opening in April 1946, it could well be built on the flat land used for the agent pick-up.
• LFOM Lessay was built in August 1944 by the United States Army Air Force Ninth Air Force. It was the home of the 323d Bombardment Group which moved in from RAF Beaulieu, England in August 1944. After the war, it was developed into the current airport.

February 2025 in LFIS Saint-Inglevert Airfield.

Depart LFIS Saint Inglevert Les Deux Caps (near Calais) to pick up SOE Agent from Montigny Sur Loing at dawn then fly on to LFOM Lessay (Normandy).

Remain VFR and do not fly above 1,000 feet and ensure you stay clear of controlled airspace. The airfield has no lights, so you should plan to pick up at start of morning civil twilight.

Period type single engine aircraft like the Westland Lysander.
Maximum speed: 184 kts, cruise 150 kts | Range: 520 nm | Take-off distance to 50 to 915 ft.

Before starting, check the weather. In accordance with VATSIM rules the wind direction should be the same as real-world. This event is strictly VFR, so all other aspects of the weather should be adjusted to avoid the disappointment of being rained or fogged in.

Remember to ANC (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.) This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. Bear in mind that other (non CIX VFR CLUB) traffic may also use the same airspace/airfields but everyone has equal priority (VFR).

Should your enjoyment become impaired due to "unsportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so that senior club members can pass on your concerns.

Similarly, If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'Disconnect'.

However, if you have a problem, ask ATC for help, a lot easier than flying on regardless causing confusion and mayhem! And don't forget your first call for help is other club members, that is how we all learnt to do it.

You will be flying through France so be prepared for French ATC.

Take care not to let our TeamSpeak Chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, and then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when talking on TeamSpeak you cannot hear the R/T. So be aware that ATC might be trying to contact a member. If anyone hears R/T which appears to be ignored and it is a club member being called, on TS, say "ATC is calling XXXX/one of us". Then everyone stop talking until ATC calls again and makes contact. Remember that if ATC tells you "stand bye" It means "Wait, don't call me, I will come back to you as soon as I can." - Busy with a more urgent problem.

Half a star awarded for the LFIS to LFPU leg and half a star for the LFPU to LFOM one.

Charts found here

Event Idea: Dan Cooper
Event planning: Dan Cooper
Briefing: Dan Cooper